Marco Magnani, formerly an investment banker with JP Morgan in New York and Mediobanca in Milan, is a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, USA, where he leads research on European economic renewal. A visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins University, USA, he holds degrees from the University of Rome, Italy and Columbia University, USA.

• Introduction: Rising to the Occasion 1. Building Assets of Local Development 2. Unleashing and Stimulating Entrepreneurial Creativity 3. Fostering Innovation and Research 4. Leveraging Cultural Resources and Creativity 5. Making the Most of Cultural Diversity 6. Championing Social Mobility Conclusion: New Leaders, New Growth