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:
Bev Hurley

• 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

 
Vice-Chair:
Paul Webster

• Access to funding
• Business growth (start-ups, scale-ups and corporates)
• Corporate finance
• Inward investment
• Pensions

 
Executive Director:
Nigel Wilcock

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

Directors:
Keith Burge

• Area-based regeneration
• Business start-up and business support
• Community development
• Economic data/analysis
• Economic development strategies
• European funding
• Inward investment
• Tackling worklessness
• Town centre regeneration
• Using heritage and culture to drive regeneration
• Matters affecting North East England 

Richard Cairns

• Matters affecting Scotland 

Directors (cont):

Lawrence Conway

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

Stuart Hardisty

• Economic development and planning
• Land use
• Property development (housing and employment)
• Matters affecting South West England and Wales 

 
Dawn Hudd

• Business start-up and business support
• Strategic partnerships in local government
• Using heritage, culture, leisure and tourism to drive regeneration 

Mark Lynam

• Devolution
• Inward Investment
• Regeneration Policy
• Transport 

Suzanne Malcolm

• Branding and distinctiveness, place shaping, visitor economy
• Improving broadband coverage in rural areas
• Strategic property, particularly town centre regeneration

Gordon Mole

• Business property
• Economic benefits of tourism and events
• Employability and employer engagement
• Responsible procurement
• Town centres
• Matters affecting Scotland 

Warren Ralls

• Growth Hubs
• Industrial Strategy
• Local Enterprise Partnerships