Annual Conference and Awards - Institute of Economic Development

Annual Conference and Awards

The Institute of Economic Development’s Annual Conference on 25 November 2025 brought together economic development professionals at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester for a full day focused on the theme of “Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities.”

The day featured nearly 170 delegates discussing amongst other things inclusive and sustainable growth, funding mechanisms, regeneration, and public-private collaboration, alongside lively breakout sessions and networking.

A big thank to you our conference partners – ARUP, Lichfields, The Growth Company, Pegasus Group, Amion and our Media Partner Local Government Chronicle.

Save the date for our 2026 Conference and Awards – 18th November, BMA House, London

Feedback from previous conferences

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“The reason I come to the iED Annual Conference is because I’m 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.”

iED Annual Awards

The Institute of Economic Development (iED) has revealed the winners of its Annual Awards 2025 at a celebratory ceremony in Manchester. More than 150 delegates gathered in the Grand Ballroom at The Lowry Hotel on the 25th November, following the sold-out iED Annual Conference, Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities. The Awards Dinner recognised outstanding individuals, teams and organisations across the full spectrum of economic development.

This year saw a record-breaking number of entries, with almost 60 submissions received for seven award categories, and shortlisted nominations were assessed by an expert judging panel in September. The glittering ceremony, hosted once again by iED Director and former Chair Bev Hurley CBE, honoured achievements across both the public and private sectors.

A huge congratulations to all of our winners:

Leader – Jo Stevens, MD, Oxford Innovation Space
Team – Economic Development Team, Barnsley MBC
Rising Star – Nathan Shoesmith, Consultant, GC Insight
Social Value Initiative – Transforming West Cumbria, Sellafield Ltd & Cumbria Community Foundation
Most Innovative Project – Embedding Good Growth Principles into programme design and UKSPF delivery in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cornwall Council
Collaborative Initiative – Data-Driven Innovation, University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University
Outstanding Impact – Empowering Communities through Social Value, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Congratulations also go to all those who were shortlisted – no mean feat with such a large number of entries. Read more about those shortlisted here.

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council from 1998-2017, was granted a posthumous award for Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development at the Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Awards.

This special award, chosen by the iED, was presented to Sir Howard’s son, Jonathan, and daughter, Natalie, at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester on 25th November following the iED Annual Conference, Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities. The award recognises an individual who has made a sustained and outstanding contribution to the field of economic development.

A big thank you to our Award Sponsors once again – The Growth Company, Recurve Solutions and Pegasus Group.

Save the date for our 2026 Conference and Awards – 18th November, BMA House, London

Watch this space for more information on the 2026 Awards!

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.

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.

Rising Star of the Year

Professionals working in economic development with less than 10 years experience who have demonstrated excellence, commitment, and gone above and beyond in their early career.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year

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

Social Value Initiative of the Year

Individuals, teams or projects who/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.

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.

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.

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.

Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development

Individuals who have made a sustained outstanding contribution to any field of economic development over a minimum of 20 years.

Awards and Conference Highlights

Take a browse through our gallery from our 2025 event held at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester and watch our short highlights video of our sold out 2024 Conference and Awards Dinner, held at BMA House, London.

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