Jim Plunkett-Cole is a professional economist and analyst with 25 years’ experience in local economic development.  He works to secure the highest levels of sustainable economic growth and competitiveness by informing economic development decision-making with cutting-edge evidence-based intelligence.  He has worked at all levels for public and private sector clients across the UK, including Multi-National Corporations and HM Treasury (where he has represented more than 200 CEDOS members on the Green Book User Steering Group to ensure that the Green Book is fit for purpose at the local level and supports the Levelling Up agenda and Shared Prosperity Fund). He has acted as economic advisor to the largest rural local authority in the UK, working across all Council departments (including housing, planning, economic growth, transport and the LEP).

Jim’s experience covers each and every aspect of economic activity and competitiveness, but specialises in the development of bespoke sustainable economic development models and analytical frameworks to support, and enable, an informed understanding of complex issues (including scenario development and forecasting).  He is a ‘Future of Work Pioneer’ and the UK’s leading economic expert in issues surrounding contemporary working patterns and their implications for local economic development and planning (including homeworking, coworking, hybrid / tribrid working, ‘hidden business parks’).

He has an excellent understanding of the increasingly important relationships which exist between economic development and social and environmental support and development (i.e., sustainable development).  His work has covered the widest variety of sectors / issues, including: Defence, Biotechnology, Information & communication, Digital, Tech, Professional business services, Agriculture, Creative, Co-working, Homeworking, Floating off-shore wind (FLOW), Construction, Crisis recovery, Lithium recovery, Retrofit, Fishing & Seafood.

Jim has extensive knowledge of the sources of secondary data and other information covering all aspects of sustainable economic development. He is a highly experienced primary research survey practitioner, having project managed and delivered surveys covering all aspects of business and enterprise.  He has evaluated business support programmes all over the UK. His vast practical experience is consolidated by a sound academic background in economics and expertise in the use of specialist software tools (for such activities as survey work, professional statistical analysis, mapping and modelling).