Join the No. 1 Economic Development Community
Launching December 2025
Our Clients are Superfans
“Glenn delivers high quality advice and insights based on years of experience with no fuss, he just delivers the results you need.”
“
“Glenn’s work is highly professional, demonstrating a very high level of stakeholder management, workshop and facilitation skills.”
Local London
“Glenn is an uber-consultant, a cut above the rest.”
UK Innovation Corridor
“Glenn, Mike and Hannah delivered us a high quality and locally focused employment, careers and skills strategy and action plan that allows us to take our approach and reputation for skills to the next level.”
Inward Investment Insight: UK Inward Investment Results 2025-26
Inward Investment Insight Adam Breeze 2025-06-30 The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has released their annual foreign direct investment results for 2025-26. It’s like Christmas Day for inward investment nerds like me. The annual results generate a rare...
Centre for Cities: City Minutes: Enterprise Zones
Source: Centre for Cities Author: unknown Date published: 2025-06-30 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Victoria Sutherland, Deputy Director of Evidence at the What Works Centre for Local Economic...
7 Lessons for Enterprise and FDI Support from a Programme Review
A couple of years ago I helped a region review its approach to enterprise and business growth and inward investment promotion. One of my key observations was that - this region is renowned for being a tech and business success, but in reality this success was in a...
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Economic Development Agencies and Teams
Economic Development Agencies (EDAs) and Teams play a crucial role in fostering sustainable growth and improving quality of life. But what separates the truly impactful agencies and teams from the rest? Drawing on my Ph.D. research into what makes these...
Inward Investment Insight: Amazon’s “£40 Billion Investment” in UK
Source: Inward Investment Insight Author: Adam Breeze Date published: 2025-06-26 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end]...
Curious? A personal message from the founder
Hi Economic Developer! Curious? What is Economic Development World? My name is Glenn Athey - I've spent a career in local, city and regional economic development here in the UK. You might know me from my LinkedIn presence - where I write articles and posts every...
Workforce Skills Challenges for Local and Regional Economic Development
An Analysis of Skill Weaknesses and Professional Development Challenges in Local and Regional Economic Development Across Select Nations The skills challenge for economic development activities and services Economic development officers and managers serve as pivotal...
African Centre for Cities: How can Africa scale urban innovation and unlock capital for resilient, sustainable cities
Source: African Centre for Cities Author: Tselane Moiloa Date published: 2025-06-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Reflections on the Hamburg Sustainability Conference Anton Cartwright For those of us working on the megatrend of Africa’s...
5 Ways in Which Economic Development Professionals’ Skills Will Have to Adapt in the Next 5 Years
As the global economic landscape is reshaped by rapid technological advancements, a heightened focus on sustainability and equity, and the increasing frequency of economic shocks, economic development professionals must significantly adapt their skills and knowledge...