Hello, I’m Glenn
I’m building an economic development community: be part of it
vision, leadership, insights and solutions
Mylocaleconomy is a UK-based consultancy firm which is run by Glenn Athey, a leading economic development and regeneration professional and senior executive with a 30-year track record of successful leadership, delivery, networks, and practical knowledge acquired working in senior roles in government agencies, partnership organisations and UK think tanks.
Launching in Autumn 2025: a new economic development community offering guidance, support, insights and advice.
Advisor
Advice and guidance to leaders and professionals based on experience and knowledge of current policy and practice.
Local and regional strategies
Full wraparound services from strategy concept, to full economic review and research, business surveys, consultations, ideas facilitation, stakeholder and advisory board management, final authoring and presentation materials… and delivery and action planning.
Policy and investment development and advocacy
We are experts and crafting compelling policy propositions and investment cases, using evidence, robust analysis and high impact language and writing.
Skills, labour markets and inclusion
We are seasoned professionals at labour market economics, policy and practice, conducting many applied studies and developing bespoke labour market and skills strategies for clients.
Economic performance, assessment, dashboards and systems
We are amongst the best UK consultants working in this field and bring a vast amount of experience and a track record of work and publications to justify our enviable position as providers of quality, robust and insightful economic analysis that explains what it means for your city, local and regional economy.
Enterprise, investment and place promotion
We have conducted dozens of full scale regional enterprise support reviews, and have also evaluated focused enterprise support functions and programmes. We excel at analysing the complexities of local needs, current provision, policies and resources – and synthesizing new best practice solutions.
Consultations
Active Clients
Grant funding raised (£m)
Cups of Coffee
Make Your local economy a Priority.
We do.
Improve your local economy’s performance
We specialise in analysing every aspect of your local, regional or city economy and helping you understand the best solutions to improve economic growth rates, address social problems, increase labour market participation, reduce poverty and reduce inequalities.
About Glenn
Glenn has 30 years of experience in regional economic development, which includes executive leadership as well as being an expert economist and researcher. He holds a PhD from the University of Glasgow which was part sponsored by Scottish Enterprise. Glenn has wide-ranging experience in local and regional economic analysis, with specific experience in labour market research, intelligence, and demand analysis – and its application to policy, strategy, and delivery plans. Glenn specialises in evidence-based policy, from economic analysis to using this to specify and articulate policy options and delivery mechanisms. Glenn was Senior Labour Market Economist for Futureskills Scotland (part of the skills directorate at SE, and also working with HIE) 2001 to 2004, Head of Enterprise Strategy and Policy at London Development Agency 2004-2006, Head of Research at The Centre for Cities 2006-2008, Director of Research and Intelligence at the East of England Development Agency 2008 to 2011, and Executive Director of Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP 2012-2013.
Get expert advice and insights that provide practical solutions that can be funded
Testimonials & Featured Clients
expert insights and advice
I’ve watched capable officers and leaders struggle to perform
Not because they weren't smart. Not because they didn't work hard. But because nobody had ever explained to them what economic development actually is. What is the mission? What is the function? What are the dilemmas you'll face when public purpose and private...
Local context is everything
I sat in meetings early in my career where decisions were being made and I didn't know the local backstory. Who had tried what before? Why certain approaches had been abandoned? What are the political sensitivities? What the community actually needed versus what...
Early Career Shaping: Delivery Matters
𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝟣𝟫𝟫𝟢𝘴 I thought I was reasonably well prepared. I had read the research, understood the theories, sat in plenty of meetings with practitioners....