I’m Glenn Athey – an advisor who has been in your chair
The same mistakes are repeated in economic development decade after decade.
I help leaders break the pattern.
You do not need another report. You need an advisor who has been in your chair.
Senior economic development counsel, on tap, from someone who has run the budgets and built the strategies.
An advisor available on tap for economic development leaders
The most important economic development decisions are rarely made with the right counsel in the room. Strategies are signed off, funding bids submitted and governance structures agreed, often without anyone present who has seen how similar choices played out elsewhere. By the time a piece of advice is commissioned, the decision has usually already been taken.
A retained advisory relationship changes that. Instead of buying my time by the project, you have me on call: a senior, independent voice to test your thinking before you commit, not after.
Why a standing relationship beats commissioning by the project
Project commissioning has its place, but it is slow and it arrives late. Procurement takes months, the advisor starts cold each time, and the counsel lands after the moment of decision has passed. A standing arrangement removes all three problems. I already know your context, I am available when the question actually arises, and the advice is there when it can still change the outcome.
For the cost of a few consultancy days a year, your leadership team gains a trusted advisor who carries the scars and the lessons of three decades in the field.
On-call counsel
Review and challenge
Commissioning handholding
Staff development
Contact glenn using the form: For the cost of a few consultancy days a month, your leadership team gains a trusted advisor who carries the scars and the lessons of three decades in the field
WORK WITH GLENN
Retained Advisor
Get senior economic development expertise on tap, not by the project. Commissioning advice piecemeal means procurement delays, cold starts and counsel that arrives after the decision has been made. A retained advisory arrangement gives your leadership team a standing relationship with one of the UK’s most experienced economic development advisors, available when the question actually arises.
- Monthly strategy and operations session. A structured session with your senior team to test priorities, review progress and shape forward strategy and decision-making.
- On-call counsel. Direct on-tap access by phone and email for advice on live issues, such as funding decisions, government announcements and stakeholder negotiations.
- Review and challenge. Critical review of strategies, business cases, funding bids and evaluation frameworks before they are committed.
- Commissioning handholding. In particular, with junior staff, the lack of procurement experience can be a key blocker to progressing delivery. Have me in at the beginning of business planning and commissioning conversations, and helping to frame and write consultancy briefs, then help with assessing submissions.
- Staff development. Staff development and coaching.
Retained Advisor: Three Levels of Service
Bronze: Advisor
Aimed at: Leadership teams wanting strategic counsel and challenge
- Monthly strategy and operations session
- On call counsel
- Review and challenge
- Commissioning handholding
Silver: Advisor Plus
Aimed at: Organisations also wanting hands-on input and team capability building
- Monthly strategy and operations session
- Weekly team meetings x1
- On call counsel
- Review and challenge
- Commissioning handholding
- Staff development and coaching
- 1 day on site per month
Gold: Advisor In Residence
Aimed at: Organisations also wanting hands-on input and team capability building with significant on-site presence
- Monthly strategy and operations session
- Weekly team meetings x1
- On call counsel
- Review and challenge
- Commissioning handholding
- Staff development and coaching
- 2 days on site per month