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 28 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
What do I want from a new UK government for local and regional economies?
There's going to be a General Election sometime over the next 18 months in the UK. It seems a long way off what would you like to see from a new government to help address levelling-up, local and regional inequalities, growth and economic development? I've set...
A Local Green Economy and Jobs Strategy and Action Plan
It was my great pleasure to work with Cambridge Econometrics in 2023 to develop a Green Economy and Jobs Action Plan for the North of Tyne Combined Authority. I grew up in North Tyneside, and it was great to contribute to such a groundbreaking approach to...
2023: The year ahead
2022: in brief For the local economic development community - 2022 was another challenging year. The global and national events and issues included the Ukraine War, and its impacts; the emergence of high inflation, energy scarcity and costs, the cost of living crisis,...
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)
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.