Greg Clark named as new patron of Institute of Economic Development

Former communities secretary Greg Clark has been named as the new patron of the Institute for Economic Development (IED).

Mr Clark takes up the unpaid role from retiring patron and former Manchester City Council chief executive, Sir Howard Bernstein, who held the position for the past four years.

The Tunbridge Wells MP served as communities secretary from May 2015 until July 2016 and was secretary of state for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) from 2016 to 2019.

‘The levelling up agenda means that this is an exciting time for economic development and the argument that there is always a local dimension to economic development has been won,’ said Mr Clark.

‘The government has shown a clear commitment to levelling up, but does not yet have a complete set of tools in this area, and organisations like the Institute of Economic Development are well placed to inform policy and practice.

‘Whilst our immediate focus over the next few difficult weeks and months is on lockdown, I am looking forward to supporting the Institute of Economic Development in its work championing the interests of economic development within local and regional communities during my time as patron,’ said the former minister.

IED Chair Bev Hurley CBE added: ‘I would like to thank Sir Howard Bernstein for his support as Patron since 2017 and am absolutely thrilled to welcome Greg Clark to the role. His enthusiasm for the IED is infectious, and I have no doubt that he will be extremely influential in helping to shape our work to support the UK’s recovery and rebuild through the lens of economic development, and ultimately informing policy development.’

Photo Credit – Supplied by IED