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IED Annual Awards 2024: have you made the shortlist?
The contenders for the IED Annual Awards 2024, which recognise achievers in the public and private sector through a series of individual, team and organisational categories, have been announced by the Institute of Economic Development.
In another highly competitive awards round, the final three nominees for seven IED Annual Awards have been decided. The winners will be revealed at the IED Awards Dinner, which will take place in the Great Hall at BMA House in London on 6th November, following the IED Annual Conference which this year is themed ‘Economic Transition – How do we deliver long-lasting change in our towns, cities and regions?’.
The nominees are:
Leader of the Year – sponsored by WECD
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.
- Becky Davies, Economic Development Manager, Torbay Council.
- Bev Hurley CBE, CEO, YTKO.
- Claire Pearce, former Director of Planning and Economic Development, This is Gravity Ltd.
Team of the Year – sponsored by Copper Consultancy
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.
- Economic Development Team, Basildon Council.
- Economic Growth and Housing Service, Sefton Council.
- Economy Team, Torbay Council.
Rising Star of the Year – sponsored by AtkinsRéalis
Younger economic development team members aged 30 or under (as of 1st June 2024) who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and gone above and beyond in their early career.
- Connor Conneely, Senior Economic Development Officer, Torbay Council.
- James Corden, Economic Development Planning Manager, National Highways.
- Matt Budd, Associate Director, AMION Consulting.
Social Value Champion of the Year – sponsored by Social Value Engine
Individuals and teams who have championed and made a significant contribution to social value creation, developing best practice in their field and making positive impacts in their communities.
- Charles Rapson, Strategic Lead for Social Economy Growth, West Midlands Combined Authority.
- Make Your Place, Southampton Business School and the Future Towns Innovation Hub, University of Southampton.
- The Sunspot, Jaywick Workspace, Tendring District Council.
Most Innovative Project of the Year – sponsored by Growth Maturity Index
Innovative economic development projects which have pushed the boundaries beyond traditional approaches and delivered additional beneficial outcomes as a result of the innovation.
- Business Tapas, Cheshire West and Chester Council.
- Enterprise Facilitation Project, Blaenau Gwent Country Borough Council.
- Greater Manchester Foundational Economy Innovation Fund, Greater Manchester Combined Authority Economy Team.
Collaborative Initiative of the Year – category available to sponsor
Outstanding cross-sector economic development collaboration between two or more partners drawn from local authorities, private sector, third sector, business and academia.
- Cradle to Career, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Right to Succeed Charity.
- Place-Based Impact Investing (PBII) initiative, The Good Economy.
- STEP Fusion Programme, West Lindsey District Council.
Outstanding Impact – sponsored by Key Cities
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.
- From trains to cranes – HS2 and the West Midlands’ development boom, HS2 Limited and Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd.
- Salford Central Masterplan, English Cities Fund in partnership with Salford City Council.
- The Business and Tourism Programme: Boosting the economic legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, West Midlands Growth Company.
A further award, Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development, will be announced on the evening to recognise an individual who has made a sustained outstanding contribution to the field of economic development.
“Following the success of last year’s IED awards to celebrate our 40th anniversary as a professional body, we are delighted to bring them back for a second year,” said IED Executive Director Nigel Wilcock. “Congratulations to those who have been shortlisted, and thanks to everyone who has taken the opportunity to enter and sponsor the IED Annual Awards 2024. The evening promises to be another insightful, inspirational and uplifting occasion. We would also like to express our gratitude to AtkinsRéalis, Growth Maturity Index, Pegasus Group, Lichfields and WECD for their sponsorship of the Annual Conference, and our media partner Local Government Chronicle, with opportunities for conference and awards packages still available.”
Book your place for the IED Awards Dinner here.
*An update on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year category will follow.