Reviews and testimonials

“Glenn Athey has written the book the new devolved institutions need before they need it. He is unflinching about forty years of central failure, but braver still in holding a mirror up to those of us who lead locally. If you are building a strategic authority or a new unitary council and you want it to deliver, not just announce, read this now.”

Rob Huntington Chief Executive, Rossendale Borough Council

“The new Labour government Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has made ‘growth in every postcode’ a key policy promise. This excellent book sets out the intellectual arguments and policy mechanisms for securing this goal. It is replete with well-founded policy guidance, based on the author’s many years of practical local development practice. It shows how the enormous scope that exists for local place-based policy action can be marshalled to help secure sustainable and inclusive improvements to local economic performance and prosperity, improvements which are vital if economic growth, living standards and social cohesion are to be raised right across Britain. This highly engaging and important book should be mandatory reading not just for academics interested in greater spatial economic balance, but crucially for all those involved in economic policymaking, both at local and national levels. Glenn Athey is to be congratulated for writing what for long has been sorely needed: a cogent, informed, hard-hitting but eminently practical book on how ‘prosperity in every postcode’ can actually be achieved.”

Professor Ron Martin ScD FBA Professor of Economic Geography, University of Cambridge

“What a brilliant book! It shines an important light on how to actually make economic development work at what is a pivotal time in the industry. Glenn is genuinely curious in examining best practice and barriers to economic development and is generous in sharing his considerable experiences to bring together practical ways to build a best in class economic development team. I wish I had this years ago!”

James Cushing Head of Local Growth, Connected Places Catapult

“As we move to a new phase of devolution in England, this book challenges place leaders to start with an honest and critical view of their local economy’s past, present and potential future. This powerful book jumps straight to the hard truths about local economic development - and gives practitioners the tools to face those hard truths.”

Majeed Neky Assistant Director, Economy, West London Alliance

“Glenn Athey pulls no punches when he says that, if we want to achieve growth in the places we work to support, then that economic development work and the teams that deliver it needs to be great. Not good or adequate, but GREAT. Because, as he explains, 40 years of good and well-intended economic development work hasn’t achieved that aim.

He sets out clearly the underlying causes of that and, encouragingly, clear and achievable steps to address those. He also leaves no doubt that this work is urgent. Obviously so for the people and communities that will benefit, but because government have been proven to be fickle, opting to change or defund anything that can’t be shown to be successful rather than wait for improvement. Without measurable results in five years, those doubts will start to arise, and red pens will be poised over the work and the teams that strive to deliver growth.

The book provides the motivation and clear steps to build and lead great economic development work. If you need to be convinced, or to convince others, that great work is both essential and achievable, read Prosperity in Every Postcode now.”

Howard Partridge Former Innovation Lead for Innovate UK’s Strength in Places Fund

“This is the ultimate actionable guide to delivering great local economic development. Not only a must-read, it’s a must-do, with practical tips and solutions backed by evidence and best practice.”

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