our services

We specialise in urban, regional and local economic development. We are experienced professionals who have advised national and local government leaders and officials.

We inform decision makers with our high quality analysis, influence the local and policy community with our clear and effective communication and influencing skills, design and manage strategies and projects, and help clients access funding and resources.

And we work across traditional silos – we are research professionals, communications and policy advisors, can do a fantastic Green Book project design, and a track record in winning funding.

 

 

Meet our team

We work with experienced professionals and thought leaders.

Glenn Athey, Director

UK expert on local, city, and regional economic development

Senior Management Experience in the public and consultancy sectors

Hands-on experience with senior stakeholders and politicians

Practical, purposeful and solutions-driven

At cutting edge of policy and practice - particularly in low carbon, enterprise, skills and inclusion

I'm Glenn Athey - an economist, economic developer and public policy expert. I work with cities, localities and regions to help them understand their economic challenges and opportunities, and what they might to do help improve wealth, economic inclusion, and meet the climate change challenge.

My clients are always handing me challenging assignments as they trust me to deliver on them.

The kind of opportunities I seek - whether a permanent role or consultancy projects - are those that span economics, evidence, policy and solutions development.

I've had a career spanning 30 years working with and in economic development organisations around the UK including Scottish Enterprise, London Development Agency, the East of England Development Agency, and I was the CEO of Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership.

I've done groundbreaking work on enterprise, innovation, skills and labour markets. I was Head of Research at the Centre for Cities, establishing its first research plan, securing core funding from the Gatsby Trust, and the first editions of the influential annual Cities Outlook report and event. I wrote my PhD working with and sponsored by Scottish Enterprise on good practice in economic development agencies which also took me to Ireland and Germany.

View Glenn's CV here.

Current and recent projects

  • Delivering a Green Economy and Jobs Strategy and Action Plan for North of Tyne Combined Authority
  • Providing a review and future plan for the UK Innovation Corridor
  • Helping the UK Atomic Energy Authority examine some of the local benefits from fusion energy
  • Helping the London Borough of Tower Hamlets understand its inward investment offer and opportunities
  • Reviewing energy efficiency policies and initiatives in London
  • Reviewing trailblazer Local Skills Improvement Plans
  • A Vision for Urban Growth and Recovery for the Local Government Association.

In 2020 I advised six localities on the emerging economic impacts and risks from Covid-19, and have worked on Local Economic Recovery Strategies.

I currently mentor 4 young professionals, and offer 25 days of pro-bono time per year. In 2023 I have worked with The Work Foundation on Insecure Work on pro-bono time.

mylocaleconomy advisors network

Mark Beresford

Mark Beresford

International technology business

Mark specialises in technology business, international trade and investment. Between July 2016 and March 2021 he was a Technology Specialist with the Department for International Trade and since then has worked on global trade & technology related projects with Tech Nation and a global financial services company.

Mike Spicer

Mike Spicer

Enterprise, advocacy, lobbying and policy

Mike is a policy and economics expert and was formerly the Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce. He spent a decade at the BCC representing the interests of business to government, and as its lead spokesperson on local growth issues. His successful campaigns achieved policy changes across all areas of business life.  

Pete Tyler

Pete Tyler

Global urban and regional expert

Peter Tyler is a Professor in Urban and Regional Economics in the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge and President and Fellow of St. Catharine’s College. He has an extensive track record in undertaking research with a particular emphasis on urban and regional economics and industrial policy.

George Bennett

George Bennett

Property, place and funding

George is an expert in property, place and funding with expertise in capital funding and grant appraisal and programme management.

Karl Dalgleish

Karl Dalgleish

Economic development and evaluation

Karl has significatn experience in business improvement, enterprise, innovation and technology, low carbon and renewable energy, ICT and technology, health and housing, innovation, public policy and sectors/clusters. He has assessed many social, employment and skills programmes too and has expertise around social inclusion and culture.

Dominic Williams

Dominic Williams

Property, regeneraiton and planning

Dominic is a career expert on property, planning and development, regeneration, social mobility, economic development, regional policy, transport. He was Chair of the FSB’s Policy Group for Growth and Devolution 2010-2020.

Hot prospects from emerging markets

We have developed an exciting specialism over the past two years, analysing emerging markets, new technologies and the prospects for local growth

We have been working closely with a leading global foresighting consultancy and data provider to bring greater understanding and insights into the capabilities and prospects for a UK region. This includes emergent markets such as Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Space, Satellites, Biopharmaceuticals and Electric Vehicles. Please get in touch to find out more.

SHOWCASING OUR WORK

Informed decisions

We tell you what the numbers mean and what you should do about them

We are different – in a very accessible, high impact style we tell you what the numbers mean, and how this should influence policy, strategy and practice. We are economists with a vast amount of experience working with the public and private sector, and informing and influencing policy and funding outcomes.

Influence & advocacy

Persuading local stakeholders and advocacy to national policy makers

We have provided high profile advocacy reports, contributing to campaigns, including the collaboration between London, the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine. We monitor government policy and messaging and reflect this in our client advice and policy development work.

Manage boards, projects & services

We are experienced public sector managers and civil servants

You can hire our combined technical and management skills with our outstanding public policy, communication and project management experience. We can help you to set up, design, manage and deliver projects. We can help convene and facilitate boards and partners.

Strategies

Every city, region and local area is different - we listen, learn and we custom build economic strategies

We love learning about new places, and how places we know have changed. We are skilled in listening, understanding, and differentiating city, region and local economies. We specialise in building unique local, “bottom-up” economic strategies that also play into national policies and funding conversations.

Funding bids

We have 25+ years of experience in successfully bidding for government funds

We’ve been writing Green Book compliant funding bids since 1998. We have a track record of winning bids. Economic rationale, project concept, impact appraisal, options appraisal, theory of change, logic chains, BCRs… this is second nature to us.

YOU ARE AMBITIOUS.

WE ARE AMBITIOUS.

WE LOVE A CHALLENGE.

We love challenging assignments, complex opportunities,  and intractable problems. Our vocation is to help city, region and local economies succeed and for prosperity to be sustainable and shared. 

We deliver genuine insights, based on local conditions and dynamics. Our reports, outputs and advocacy are better than most other advisors and consultancies you will find in the market today.

 

ARE YOU THE RIGHT CLIENT FOR US?

You are a leader, director or head of service. Like us, you are a passionate advocate of cities, regions and local economic policy and practice.

Are you as ambitious for your local economy as we are?

Do you need our help with a project or task that is very challenging, but has big rewards?

Want to win hearts and minds so partners and stakeholders get behind your priorities, plans, and delivery?

We can help.

NEWS AND VIEWS – READ OUR LATEST ARTICLES

LEPs reach the end of the road – what’s next?

LEPs reach the end of the road – what’s next?

So the UK Government finally confirmed they'd be winding up LEPs after briefing in May 2022 and announcement in the March 2023 budget that this was their intention. What does the future hold? well, our Combined Authorities have mostly wound up their LEPs and put in...

Get in touch.

We are based in Cambridge, UK, and work and meet clients all over the UK. Of course, we have access to MS Teams and Zoom as well. Get in touch if you want to discuss an idea, project, or just want an informal discussion about your work.

Please get in touch using the form below or call us on 07799 880137

(international +44 7799 880137)

Contact form

mylocaleconomy is the trading name of Athey Consulting Limited, a Limited Company registered in the UK (Company no. 07771760) and based in Cambridge, UK. (c) Athey Consulting Limited.