Newsletter Sign Up
Arup
Lynne Miles has worked at Arup for over 15 years, starting as a Graduate Economist and currently working at Associate Director level, and is an economic development and urban policy specialist in the organisation’s City Economics team.
She initially joined the Institute of Economic Development (IED) as an individual member in 2009 and is now a beneficiary of Arup’s corporate membership. “I originally joined the IED to gain the MIED designation after my name – this is so important as it is a mark of professional knowledge and expertise,” Lynne said. “It was also absolutely necessary, as a junior consultant at that time, because colleagues in Arup (especially planners and engineers) were getting their own accreditation. Now myself, and colleagues, personally benefit from Arup’s corporate membership. It provides recognition to our customers that we are committed to the highest possible standards of economic development.”
Lynne, who is also Deputy Director of the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth – a partnership between the London School of Economics, Centre for Cities and Arup – said the IED’s annual conference was a particular highlight. “We consult broadly on local economic development, including planning, housing and transport, and the IED conference is the only economic development experience there is – the rest are inter-sectoral,” she said. “The networking opportunities are especially valuable. People know about Arup but don’t necessarily know that Arup does economic development, so this platform helps us to increase our profile. The IED is the pre-eminent organisation for economic development professionals – we must support it because it is the only gig in town.”