Derek is an independent economic development consultant and established his consultancy in 1998, providing a broad range of economic development services for local government, regeneration partnerships, national and regional agencies and the private sector. A number of his consultancy reports have been published nationally.

Before that, he had many years of experience in economic development in local government and prior to setting up his consultancy he was Head of Economic Development for Lincolnshire County Council. Nationally, he provides consultancy services to CEDOS – the Chief Economic Development Officers Society and to the County Surveyors Society [CSS]. He works closely with Government Departments, Regional Development Agencies, the Local Government Association and other national and regional organisations.

He is a member of the Regional Studies Association and associated research networks and has successfully developed economic links with areas in Western and Eastern Europe and North America.  He maintains a wide network of contacts in the UK and overseas.

Derek has been a Director of the Institute of Economic Development since 2005 and is a strong believer in the vitally important work of the National Council and the IED Branches in developing the role, profile and influence of the economic development profession.