CPD, training and skills in Local and Regional Economic Development
Expert knowledge, proven frameworks, and practical tools for local authority officers, consultants, and practitioners delivering regional growth strategies, innovation programmes, and place-based policy – built from 31 years of working in the field
- 15 hours of on-demand courses covering the 8 disciplines of local and regional economic development
- Practical workbooks (e.g. FDI from scratch; develop a great project idea)
- Community, chatrooms, discussion
- Mentoring and coaching support
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Skills and training in local and regional economic development
Endorsements
“A big shout out to Glenn Athey who has taken his many years in economic development consultancy and created Economic Development World (www.economicdevelopment.world), the UK’s first online community for local and regional economic development that provides CPD, on-demand lean learning, a community of peers and workbooks. Built on three pillars of accelerated learning, shared knowledge and community support, it is a fabulous resource for our industry.
“From what I have seen already, this has the potential to create a step change in how the UK delivers economic development, putting the skills and development of practitioners, whether newbies or old hands, front and centre. Get yourselves signed up, get involved and support this great initiative.”
Adam Breeze, Breeze Strategy
“2026 has to be the year that economic development professionals take the important steps, from policy comment, strategic views, to decisive practictioner application and delivery. Critical is to have an accessible platform for CPD, training, and a focused community to ask questions and discuss best practice and aspects of local and regional economic development. I am delighted that an established and respected colleague Glenn Athey has founded and created this resource on www.economicdevelopment.world .”
Mark Pearson, Head of Economic Development, Reading's Economy & Destination Agency (REDA)

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Founded by Glenn Athey, an Economic Development Professional and Advisor With 31 Years of Supporting UK Economic Development
LPIP Fellow, University of Birmingham
Author of "The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook"
Latest News and Advice
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External news
Regional Economies: UK’s FTSE 100 share index hits record high as investors shrug off US government shutdown – business live
Source: Regional Economies Author: Graeme Wearden Date published: 2025-09-30 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureUK house prices return to growth in SeptemberUK house...
Combined Authorities (England): Where does Labour plan to build 12 new towns?
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: Marc da Silva Date published: 2025-09-29 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The government has confirmed it will progress work on the next generation of new towns across England, following...
Local Growth and the United Kingdom: Swindon “is becoming the UK’s leading tech hub for drone manufacturing”
Source: Local Growth and the United Kingdom Author: unknown Date published: 2025-09-29 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] John Healey MP commended the town for its burgeoning status as the UK's leader in drone manufacturing. The comments...
SmartCitiesWorld News: Westminster City Council reduces emissions by 34 per cent
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2025-09-29 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The London local authority is encouraging residents and businesses to explore the updated climate action plan, which...
SmartCitiesWorld News: Woven City officially launches as a testbed for future of mobility
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2025-09-29 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Woven City is taking its first steps as a real-world test course for mobility and is a key driver of Toyota’s...
Cities & Communities | Brookings: Lessons from Germany’s family leave policies for the US care economy
Source: Cities & Communities | Brookings Author: unknown Date published: 2025-09-29 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The United States has an aging population that is expected to grow around 14% in the next five years, reaching about 71.6...
