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
SmartCitiesWorld News: C40 mayors showcase ambitious climate action at Climate Week NYC
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2025-09-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] C40 mayors showcase ambitious climate action at Climate Week NYCNew York Climate Week is a chance for cities to come...
Local Economies (UK): £2 billion boost on track as Sky Studios Elstree expansion approved
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: Matthew Corrigan Date published: 2025-09-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Following the news that investment company AXA IM Alts has been given the green light to redevelop the former BBC Elstree...
Local Economies (UK): Glasgow launches no-code digital skills programme
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2025-09-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Glasgow City Council has commissioned a new digital skills pilot programme, aimed at empowering early-stage tech...
Local Growth and the United Kingdom: GoCardless Picks Leeds For New ‘Northern Hub’ Office
Source: Local Growth and the United Kingdom Author: Lauren Towner Date published: 2025-09-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Bank payment company GoCardless has announced the opening of a new office in Leeds, marking a significant step in...
SmartCitiesWorld News: Mayor marks Climate Week NYC with “Good Clean Fun” initiative
Source: SmartCitiesWorld News Author: SmartCitiesWorld news team Date published: 2025-09-23 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Mayor marks Climate Week NYC with “Good Clean Fun” initiativeThe mayor aims to make it easier for event producers to...
Local Economies (UK): Brexit’s Digital Divide: How Communication Infrastructure Shaped Business Success and Failure Across UK and Ireland
Source: Local Economies (UK) Author: Zeeshan Yousaf Date published: 2025-09-22 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] The Brexit transition period revealed a stark truth about business preparedness: companies with modern communication...
