Key Spokespeople

The IED has many experts who are happy to talk about a wide range of issues related to economic development and regeneration activities and policies. Our experts are available for interview via the IED’s PR consultant Phil Smith (01778 218180 / 07866 436159 / philsmith@ied.co.uk).

Chair:
Tom Stannard

Devolution
Economic development and regeneration
Inclusive economic growth
Skills and labour market reform

Executive Director:

Nigel Wilcock

Economic data/analysis
Inward investment
State aid and grant funding
Matters affecting North West England

Directors:

Bev Hurley (past Chair)

Access to finance
Business start-up, growth, scale-up
Inclusive growth and social value
European funding
Diversity and equality
Innovation
Skills
Supply chains and Procurement

Lawrence Conway

Central government initiatives
Local government relationships
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Structural change
UK economic policy

Ben Pretty

Business cases and grant funding
Infrastructure and property funding
Land and property development
Residential development
Town centre regeneration
Matters affecting Yorkshire/North East

Directors (cont):

Mark Livesey

Freeports
Levelling up
Local economic growth
Local industrial strategies
Infrastructure
Skills

Greg Ward

Employment and skills
Town Centre regeneration

Dave Widger

Business case development and appraisal
Development impacts and land value uplift
Economic impact assessment
Economic strategy
Employment and skills
Grant funding
Health and wellbeing assessment
Social value

Richard Cook

Economic development and the planning system
Housing
Skills
Social impact
Socio-economic data analysis

Lorna Young

Community-led tourism
Regional food and drink development
Rural economic development
Small and micro business
South of Scotland

Joanne Leek

Business case development
Devolution and system change
Economic development
Inclusive growth and social value
Levelling up
Social enterprise

Rebekah Formosa

Business case development and appraisal
Government funding
Town centre regeneration
Accommodation and estate strategy
Portfolio review

Kate Martin

National and regional place funding and growth investment
Economic development and regeneration
Prosperous communities and economic growth
Cultural industries and creative economies
Freeports and Investment Zones
Housing and growth
Asset management planning
Sustainable growth and climate change
Core Cities growth
Matters Yorkshire

Neil Darwin

Business case development
Business support and sourcing funding
Economic research, strategy and development
Infrastructure development and delivery
Inward investment