About Centre for Thriving Places
What is Centre for Thriving Places?
Centre for Thriving Places (CTP) is a Bristol-based, not-for-profit place-based consultancy whose mission is to "build pathways to a thriving future." The organisation provides strategic support, research, training and tools that help put the wellbeing of people, place and planet at the heart of local decision-making. CTP was founded in 2010 by Liz and Mike Zeidler — originally as Happy City — to "challenge the belief that economic growth is the only measure of success in society."
The organisation's best-known tool is the Thriving Places Index — an alternative to GDP that "focuses on the things that help people and places to do well." It was launched in 2016 after years of development and piloting, alongside the Happiness Pulse for measuring individual and community wellbeing. In 2020, after a decade as Happy City, the organisation renamed itself Centre for Thriving Places to reflect its broader reach beyond cities. Today CTP delivers a full "Thriving Places Approach" — moving from working with individual organisations to supporting whole systems toward a more equitable and sustainable economy.
CTP's work has earned high-profile endorsements: Kate Raworth (Economist, author of Doughnut Economics) calls the Thriving Places Index "just the kind of metric needed to steer us wisely through the 21st century"; Dr Katherine Trebeck (Wellbeing Economy Alliance) describes it as starting "where people are, and measures success through the lens of wellbeing"; Sophie Howe (Future Generations Commissioner, Welsh Government) sees it as "an exciting alternative to measuring Gross Domestic Product."
The organisation is a registered UK charity (No. 1143037) and limited company (No. 07710776).
Where will I work?
CTP is headquartered in Bristol — registered office at C/O Greenhouse Communications, 3rd Floor St Thomas Court, Thomas Lane, Bristol BS1 6JG. The team works flexibly with options for remote working, while still rooted in Bristol's wellbeing-economics community. Phone: 0117 370 4090 · [email protected].
What is the Centre for Thriving Places team like?
The core team is 8 strong: Liz Zeidler (Co-Director and Head of Advocacy & Partnerships, with 30+ years in sustainable wellbeing leadership), Rachel Laurence (Co-Director and Head of Policy & Programmes, ex-Save the Children, New Economics Foundation, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham), Lisa Groves (Head of Research, Data and Insight, joined 2023 with two decades of consultancy experience), Katie Tiplady-Startin (Head of Operations), and four Data Analysts / Programme leads. An Associate Team of 11 brings additional expertise across wellbeing measurement, training, placemaking and communities work.
The board of 10 — chaired by Rashida Noray (COO at Climate Action) and Luke Ashman (Treasurer, ex-Pukka Herbs Finance Director) — includes co-founders Liz and Mike Zeidler.
The team operates around four core values: Be courageous and visionary ("We name root causes and unspoken assumptions"); Be champions of people and systems ("We act 'with not on' involving and enabling others"); Be rigourous and practical ("We are thorough and detailed"); and Be positive and generous ("We are curious and open to new ideas and possibilities").
Work-Life Balance
Centre for Thriving Places has operated a 4-day work week since 2018, and became officially registered with the 4 Day Week Foundation in 2023. The model is a true 4DW — "staff working fewer hours for no reduction in pay." Head of Operations Katie Tiplady-Startin frames it this way: "Truly flexible working with fair pay for the work delivered will ensure a happier, healthier and more fulfilled society." For an organisation whose mission is to challenge the dominance of GDP and put wellbeing first, the 4DW is a natural fit — "a very good starting point" toward fairer working conditions where sustainable, high-quality work is the standard rather than maximum output.
Perks and Benefits
- Permanent 4-day work week since 2018 — staff work fewer hours for no reduction in pay
- Officially registered with the 4 Day Week Foundation since 2023
- Bristol-anchored team with remote-flexible arrangements
- Values-led culture rooted in wellbeing economics and the Thriving Places approach
- Mission-aligned work alongside leading thinkers (Kate Raworth, Katherine Trebeck, Sophie Howe)
- Charity status — Company No. 07710776, Charity No. 1143037