Early Bird tickets on sale for 2025 Annual Conference, and Annual Awards now open for entry

Early Bird registrations are now open for the 2025 Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Conference and Awards Dinner themed Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities.

The Annual Conference, which will be held at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester on 25^th November, is open to both iED members and non-members. With iED Chair Tom Stannard and Patron Stephanie Flanders already confirmed to present and set to build on discussion at the recent House of Lords reception, other conference speakers, breakout sessions, and panel discussions will be announced in the coming weeks.

A range of new sponsorship packages have also been launched for the conference, which offers direct access to over 200 economic development and regeneration decision-makers from private and public sectors across the UK. Tailored options include Knowledge Partner and Engagement Partner, as well as Awards Event Partner and Awards Category Partner for the Annual Awards which take place at The Lowry Hotel following on from conference.

Launched in 2023 to celebrate the Institute’s 40th anniversary, the iED Awards return once again to recognise achievers in the public and private sector through a series of individual, team, and organisational categories. Eight categories are now open for entry and a ninth, Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development, will be selected by the iED Board. Self-nominations, and nominations of others, are welcome.

Leader of the Year

Economic development professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and management in their role, and who motivate and inspire their team to achieve success through effective leadership.

2024 winner: “Transformational leadership”: Claire Pearce wins iED Leader of the Year award

Team of the Year

Exceptional economic development teams who have gone above and beyond in ensuring the smooth running and effective delivery of economic development functions in their organisations.

2024 winner: Basildon Council Economic Development Team scoops iED Team of the Year award

Rising Star of the Year

Younger economic development team members aged 30 or under (as of 1^st June 2025) who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and gone above and beyond in their early career.

2024 winner: National Highways’ James Corden named IED Rising Star of the Year

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year

Projects, teams or individuals which have strived to actively promote, celebrate and raise awareness of EDI, improving under-represented involvement in economic development in their organisation or externally.

2024 winner: Leeds City Council’s Sophie Hewitson wins EDI Champion of the Year accolade at IED Annual Awards

Social Value Initiative of the Year

Projects, teams or individuals which have championed and made a significant contribution to social value creation, developing best practice in their field and making positive impacts in their communities.

2024 winner: Tendring District Council named iED Social Value Champion of the Year for The Sunspot

Most Innovative Project of the Year

Innovative economic development projects which have pushed the boundaries beyond traditional approaches and delivered additional beneficial outcomes as a result of the innovation.

2024 winner: Cheshire West and Chester Council picks up iED Most Innovative Project of the Year award for Business Tapas

Collaborative Initiative of the Year

Outstanding cross-sector economic development collaboration between two or more partners drawn from local authorities, private sector, third sector, business and academia.

2024 winner: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Right to Succeed celebrate iED Collaborative Initiative of the Year award

Outstanding Impact

For projects delivered and concluded in the last five years, which demonstrate benchmarked evidence against other similar initiatives. Impacts could include environmental, social, business support (from start-up to growth and scale), rural development and regeneration.

2024 winner: Regeneration of Salford Central wins IED Outstanding Impact award

To enter the awards, individuals/teams should develop a 500-word entry on ‘why they should win’ and a 50-word summary for promotion in the awards programme, together with an optional one page of additional evidence, and submit to admin@ied.co.uk by 1^st August. 

Executive Director Nigel Wilcock said: “The iED Annual Conference and Awards Dinner is, without doubt, the UK’s premier in-person event for economic development and regeneration professionals working for local and regional communities. Last year was a sold-out event, and with discounted tickets available until 30^th June, we encourage members and non-members to book their places early. We are also excited to launch our new event partner opportunities, which are a fantastic opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their knowledge and skill-set to delegates, and showcase their brand and expertise.”

Watch last year’s iED Annual Conference and Awards Highlights, and view photos, here.

WHAT CONFERENCE DELEGATES SAY

“I’m a regular attender of the iED Annual Conference. I think it is very valuable, bringing an opportunity to hear from others about the national economic development landscape and the ever-changing policies. It offers a platform to listen to keynote speakers and network with colleagues about how we deliver at a local level.”

Angela Presdee, Principal Economic Officer – Economy and Strategic Planning Team, Gloucestershire County Council

 “The iED Annual Conference is a really useful way to keep up with what is going on. It has been interesting watching the change in economic development into more social value and people, away from big, hard infrastructure projects. I also attend to see people who I may not meet at other points in the year, and in 2024 I brought a gang of my team from relatively new starters to quite experienced head of services, and we use this as a CPD opportunity.”

Claire Watts, Director of Economic Development & Communications, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

 “I come to the iED Annual Conference because we get so little time out of our day-to-day business to network, listen, and digest some really rigorous presentations that are contemporary in terms of the problems we face, and the challenges we have. That really helps me get back into our local organisation and plan for the future, working with colleagues and collaborating across local authorities.”

Darren Crossley, Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport, Cumberland Council

 “I’ve attended the iED Annual Conference every year, for a really long time. I always really enjoy it and get something out of the day. I never go away without learning something new and interesting, and meet people I haven’t seen for years.”

Lynne Miles, Director of Economy & Place, Cambridge City Council

 “I come to the iED Annual Conference every year. I find it a great benefit to me personally and professionally, and have attended for over 20 years now. It is a great opportunity to network, hear new speakers, and make new contacts.”

Mike Mullin, Head of Business Growth & Investment, Sefton Council

 “I really enjoy the iED Annual Conference. I’ve been to the last few, and always look to network with other organisations and individuals who attend, and have the opportunity to put forward the voice of the university sector as well.”

Sarah Clark, Acting Director, Aura Innovation Centre, University of Hull

 “The reason I come to the iED Annual Conference is because I am really interested in hearing about the current trends within economic development. 2024 was my second time at the conference, and it has been a learning journey across a range of topics as well as meeting lots of new people, which I really enjoy.”

Simran Sarai, Account Manager, Copper Consultancy

-ENDS-

 Contact: Phil Smith, Institute of Economic Development PR consultant, on 01778 218180 / 07866 436159 / phil@philsmithcommunications.co.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Institute of Economic Development (iED) is the UK’s leading independent professional body representing economic development and regeneration practitioners. Established over 40 years ago, the iED’s key objective is to represent the interests of economic development practitioners and ensure their views are widely expressed and noted. The iED is committed to demonstrating the value of economic development work for local and regional communities; the pursuit of best practice in economic development and the attainment of the highest standards of professional conduct and competence.