What professionals and experts are saying about The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook

“Virtually all OECD countries have significant geographical disparities in economic prosperity between their cities and regions. Their less prosperous areas have struggled to adjust to the challenges posed by globalisation and structural change. Local and regional governments have deployed a significant range of local economic development policies. Whilst the need for policy makers to be able to help local areas build prosperous, sustainable and inclusive local and regional economies has probably never been greater there is a lack of good quality guidance to assist policy makers. Glenn Athey’s Local and regional Economic Development Handbook admirably fills this gap.

The book provides a comprehensive and extensive analysis as to why place based policy interventions matter and how interventions in the core delivery areas of enterprise and innovation, employment and skills, inclusion, place making and climate transition can be shaped to deliver successful outcomes. It also contains  a wealth of practical lessons drawn from case study examples. The breadth and depth of the evidence is impressive, written by someone who has worked extensively in local economic development for many years and is presented in a clear and accessible way. It should be essential reading for all practitioners, policy makers and leaders who want to bring about real change in the places they serve.”

Professor Peter Tyler, Emeritus Professor of Urban and Regional Economics, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge and Emeritus Professorial Fellow at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge

“If you work in economic development, this will become your go-to resource. I love the practical focus, the case studies and the relentless focus on making lives and communities better.”

Adam Breeze, International Expansion Specialist, Director, State of Tennessee for UK & Ireland, Inward Investment Consultant

“This handbook bridges the gap between theory and practice beautifully. A must-read for local government leaders, planners, and economic development professionals alike.”

Professor Sami Mahroum, CEO, Spark X, a policy advisory firm

“This handbook is an exceptionally comprehensive and authoritative guide to local and regional economic development, in which Glenn has combined deep expertise with practical, real‑world insight. Its clear structure, strong evidence base, and actionable frameworks make it an invaluable resource for practitioners, policymakers, and leaders seeking to deliver meaningful economic change. Highly recommended!”

Ben Gardiner, Chief Operations Officer and Director at Cambridge Econometrics

“This economic development handbook is a ‘must have’ for anyone in the place-based economic field and provides valuable insights from Glenn’s extensive practical experience which is grounded in strong evidence and research.”

Sarah Murray, Chief Executive, Forth Green Freeport

“A highly engaging, carefully crafted and thoughtful work grounded in reality and the practice of placemaking. Easy to read and extremely useful as an aide memoire for all members of the economic development community – wherever they may be! International case studies provide fascinating insights into how other places have tried to make a difference through novel approaches and interventions. In an age of flux and geopolitical turmoil, Glenn reminds how global ‘megatrends’ continue to shape local economies and have a profound impact on our own individual lives and local communities.”

Mark Beresford, International Trade, Tech Business and FDI expert, Director, Kinetic Cubed

“As a practitioner  in economic development  for forty years  this handbook is the best resource on economic development that I have ever read. It is comprehensive in scope right up to date with current practice and its unusual mix of theory and practice is hugely impressive. This book would be invaluable to anybody entering the economic development profession but also to those already in the field.”

Gordon Kennedy, Former Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and Director of Strategy and Glasgow Development Agency.

 “This is a must read book and an added value accessary to anyone involved in economic development. You will learn a lot from his book and it is articulated in a way where you can translate good practice into your own locality.”

Clive Gibbon, Economic Development Services Manager, Bolton Council

“Based on more than three decades of experience in the field, this handbook provides an in-depth introduction to economic development. It is peppered throughout with real-life examples, both from across the UK and internationally. The breadth of coverage is impressive. The focus on practice and impact shines throughout.”

Dr Patrick Watt, Head of Evaluation and Research, Skills Development Scotland

“Whether you’re starting out in one of the economic development disciplines, innovation, education & skills, inward investment, or taking these on as part a senior portfolio, this handbook is a solid foundation in local and regional economic development. I’ve worked in regional economic development for twenty-five years. This book could have been hugely beneficial at any point in that journey and conveys very clearly that economic development is complex. Every place is unique in its history, its assets and situation. This book is a guide to making robust plans for creating the conditions in which people and businesses are more willing and better able to succeed. That is what will lead to growth in your local economy and so improve the lives of more of the people who live and work there.”

Howard Partridge, former Innovation Lead for the UKRI Strength in Places Fund

“Place policies, including local economic development, in the UK have become, since 1970’s, steadily more complex in their goals, drivers, policy influences and governance arrangements. So much of what needs to be done, how to deliver change, and create innovative networks and spaces for change is now local. Neighbourhood as well as regional-metropolitan approaches are required. Half a century ago national silos for economic and regional economic policies drove narrow understanding of which places to change and how. Now we need to recognise that localism is not merely a route to revealing more local policy preferences but that wicked systems for decline and growth need to be understood, change priorities identified, and delivery vehicles and action networks galvanised at local scales. Collaborative, polycentric governance with local leadership have evolved to shape a new framework for local economic development in the UK. That understanding has not primarily emerged from the often discipline or sectoral silos of academic research, but from the on the ground of those pursuing change. Glenn Athey has for decades been a leader in practitioner-based learning of how to understand and address local economic change. This impressive volume is intellectually rigorous and full of insight. It will become the go to reference for those involved and interested in place based economic change – including town planning and housing sector professionals . Place professionals that need to take the economic consequences of their ‘silo’ actions more seriously should start reading now.”

Professor Duncan Maclennan CBE FRSE FASS RTPI (Hon) RCIS(Hon) MCIH (Hon), University of Glasgow

“Like all great products, Glenn Athey’s Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook fills a major gap by providing a comprehensive guide to the subject that is grounded in real-world experience and shaped by the author’s deep passion for the subject. In purely academic analyses of economic development, actual places are an afterthought. They are treated as the testing grounds on which theories can be verified or disproved, devoid of human context. By contrast, The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook has a humanist appreciation of the “tangible…and intangible” aspects of place such as pride and belonging. If you work in regeneration and want to know more about economic development, put Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook at the top of your reading list.”

John Houghton, Director, Hope Street Strategy Company