Muse renew partnership with BITC

We are delighted to announce that we have renewed our partnership with the UK’s largest responsible business network, Business in the Community (BITC).

BITC champions responsible business as essential for long term economic growth and resilience, working with companies of all sizes to tackle society’s most pressing challenges from climate change and place-based community regeneration to inequality, workplace wellbeing, and inclusive growth.

Founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 1982, BITC has over four decades of experience in engaging business and delivering measurable impact in both business and in communities through evidence-based interventions.

We first partnered with BITC back in 2024, to help deliver its Pride of Place programme. The programme is focused on place-based growth and long-term transformative change in communities and places across the UK.

As part of the partnership a trio of senior figures at Muse joined BITC leadership boards. The boards provide strategic guidance, supporting BITC to achieve its objectives nationally and locally by helping to shape the agenda for action and working with other leaders to identify ways in which business can help innovate and create more sustainable livelihoods and thriving communities.

Our Managing Director at Muse, Phil Mayall, has been supporting the national Place Task Force to drive long-term transformative impact across the UK. Within his role he has shared insights into our work, supporting discussion on the ways in which regional challenges and inequalities can be tackled in our towns and cities.

Elsewhere, Alan McBride, Muse Technical Director, has supported Blackpool’s strategy to tackle deprivation through housing, health, education, communities, and digital transformation as part of the Blackpool Pride of Place Board.

Meanwhile, Simon Dew, Director of Development Management, has been involved in the Bradford Place Board. Over the last two years he has helped contribute to the city’s strategic direction, including the successful City of Culture Bid for 2025.

Off the back of the extension of our partnership, Muse will be sponsoring and attending the forthcoming BITC Pride of Place Summit in London on 2^nd June 2026.

The flagship event will bring together leaders from business, government, and the voluntary and community sector to shape the future of place-based collaboration.

This year’s theme, Building Thriving Places Through Long-Term Partnership, challenges short-term approaches and explores how patient investment and trusted collaboration can create lasting economic, social and environmental impact.

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said:

“At Muse we are extremely passionate about ensuring that the work we do in creating places, delivers the maximum benefits possible to local communities. Our involvement with the Place Taskforce and with local boards has been an excellent way of ensuring that this is the case.”

“Looking ahead, we are pleased to be sponsoring and attending the forthcoming BITC Pride of Place Summit, which will provide an excellent platform to further strengthen purpose-driven cross-sector collaboration.”

Baroness Jo Valentine, BITC Place Director, said:  

“Through our Pride of Place programme, we bring together businesses, local leaders and communities to tackle the complex challenges facing places across the UK. Partners like Muse are critical to this – not only through their strategic insight and expertise, but through their willingness to work collaboratively and invest for the long term.

“We are particularly grateful for the contribution of Muse colleagues across our national and local leadership boards, where their experience is helping to shape ambitious, locally grounded plans that deliver real impact.

“We look forward to building on this partnership, including at our Pride of Place Summit in June, as we continue to demonstrate how sustained collaboration and patient investment can unlock more inclusive, resilient and prosperous places.”