Leicester and Leicestershire’s three universities have added their names to the growing campaign to accelerate devolution for LLR.
De Montfort University joined Loughborough University and the University of Leicester to back Devolution Leicestershire, a cross-sector coalition calling for swift implementation of a mayoral strategic authority in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It is also asking for interim funding measures to be put in place.
The campaign launched earlier in the summer after research found that LLR was falling behind devolved areas in terms of central funding.
Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor, De Montfort University, said: “Ours is a region at the centre of so many established and emerging industries, it has exceptional potential for growth.
“But devolved support is vital for realising this, allowing universities like us to deliver young people the skills and experience they need to establish their lives and careers here.”
Figures show how far behind Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is compared to Nottingham and Derby, which has the East Midlands Combined County Authority. In 2025/26 the EMCCA region was awarded £306million, compared to £104million coming to our region.
With the Government regularly routing skills budgets, trasnsport capital, business support and housing through the Strategic Mayoral Authorities, it means Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland cannot acccess that money.
Professor Nick Jennings CB, Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University, said: “Devolution is a major opportunity to strengthen the impact of research and innovation across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“By giving the region greater powers and investment, we can build stronger partnerships between universities, businesses and communities, while also deepening collaboration with neighbouring combined authorities across the East and West Midlands.
“Together, this will help accelerate innovation, drive economic growth and ensure world-leading research delivers even greater benefits for the region.”
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Leicester, said: “Devolution offers a real opportunity to create more inclusive growth across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland by connecting local ambition with the skills, research and innovation needed to deliver it.
“At the University of Leicester, we have seen through initiatives such as Space Park Leicester how universities can partner with local authorities to attract investment into the region and turn world-leading research into jobs, skills and growth opportunities for our communities.”
East Midlands Chamber is one of the organisations leading the Devolution Leicestershire agenda as part of its Framework For Growth in the region.
Scott Knowles DL, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber, said: “Speakers at the recent Competing To Win Summit - hosted by the three universities - described repeatedly how important devolution is to positive future economic outcomes for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“For that reason, it’s fantastic to see the universities coming together and using their influence to help push the agenda forward - enabling LLR to compete on a more level footing with devolved English regions.”
You can learn more about the Devolution Leicestershire agenda here.
Posted on Friday 2 October 2026