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 32 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
The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook
The Practitioner’s Guide for Everyone Whose Work Shapes Places and Economies
Whether you work in planning, property, higher education, skills, government, or community development — the economic forces reshaping UK places are directly reshaping your work. And if you work in economic development itself, you’ve never had a handbook like this one.
The Local & Regional Economic Development Handbook is the comprehensive, honest, practitioner-authored guide to how local economies work, why economic development so often fails to deliver what it promises, and what those working in and around the field can do differently.
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)
Want Local and Regional Economic Development Strategies that Actually Get Implemented?
Want to Persuade Political Leaders to Invest in Economic Development?
Struggling to Make the Case for Innovation Funding?
Founded by Glenn Athey, an Economic Development Professional and Advisor With 32 Years of Supporting UK Economic Development
LPIP Fellow, University of Birmingham
Author of "The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook"
Latest News and Advice
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
External news
Combined Authorities (England): Colleges combine on ‘landmark’ skills alliance
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: Steven Hugill Date published: 2025-08-28 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Colleges combine on 'landmark' skills alliance Education providers have joined forces in a “game-changing” £433 million...
Combined Authorities (England): GMCA launches £28m fund to make public buildings greener
Source: Combined Authorities (England) Author: Dan Whelan Date published: 2025-08-28 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Public sector organisations within the city region will be invited to apply for cash to deliver projects aimed at cutting...
Bloomberg CityLab: Amtrak Debuts New High-Speed Acela Trains After Years of Delays
Source: Bloomberg CityLab Author: Sri Taylor Date published: 2025-08-28 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Amtrak began operating its new high-speed train fleet on Thursday along the Northeast Corridor linking Washington, New York and Boston,...
City Economies: Calgary’s Economic Snapshot: The real-time pulse on the Blue Sky City
Source: City Economies Author: unknown Date published: 2025-08-28 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Understanding a city’s economy means having access to reliable, up-to-date information — whether you’re a business leader making investment...
Regional Economies: Wells Fargo: Supply chains adjust as tariffs hike costs
Source: Regional Economies Author: John Reosti Date published: 2025-08-28 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] Increased tariffs are forcing retailers into a delicate high-wire act as they seek to optimize inventory and adjust pricing to reflect...
www.manchester.gov.uk News Stories: Council sets out latest five-year plan to tackle climate change
Source: www.manchester.gov.uk News Stories Author: unknown Date published: 2025-08-28 [original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end] A new action plan sets out how Manchester City Council will tackle climate change over the next five years. The Climate...