Institute of Economic Development revealed annual awards shortlist

Following a record number of entries the Institute of Economic Development (IED) has announced the nominees for the 2023 awards.

The awards, which are held annually and this year’s mark their 40^th anniversary, were established to recognise high achievers in the public and private sector through a series of individual, team and organisation categories.  

Due to take place in the Sky Gallery at the Park Regis hotel in Birmingham on 7^th November, this is the first time the awards will be announced at a dinner that follows directly after the IED annual conference ‘Grow for Good? Reappraising the UK’s Growth Objectives’.

‘Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted, and thanks to everyone who has taken the opportunity to enter the IED Annual Awards,” said Executive Director Nigel Wilcock. ‘We are delighted that the enthusiasm for our awards continues to grow and have been blown away by the quality of entries received. They certainly encapsulate the full spectrum and contribution of economic development as we intended.’

Nigel added: ‘With just six weeks to go until the awards, we are incredibly proud to host the biggest celebration of the economic development sector, and are particularly excited this year by the prospect of holding the IED Annual Conference and Awards Dinner together for the first time.’

The nominations for the awards are as follows:

Leader of the year:

• Clare Elliot, Service Director: Economic Growth and Skills, Wakefield Council
• Julie Kapsalis, Chair, Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South, Principal and CEO, North East Surrey College of Technology
• Zach Wilcox, City Economics and Planning Associate, Arup

Team of the year:

• Norfolk County Council Business Development Team
• Sefton Council Economic Growth and Housing Directorate
• South of Scotland Enterprise Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team

Rising start of the year:

• Alejandro Lomeli Viramontes, Consultant, Inner Circle Consulting
• Emma Leung, Senior Consultant/Senior Economist, Savills
• Sarah Husselbee, Programme Manager – Economic Growth and Visitor Economy, Newark and Sherwood District Council

Equality, diversity and inclusion champion of the year:

• Jayne Murdoch, Women Enterprise Coach, South of Scotland Enterprise
• Julie Kapsalis, Chair, Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South, Principal and CEO, North East Surrey College of Technology
• Sevenoaks District Council Economic Development Team

Social value champion of the year:

• Beth Parsons, Social Value Lead, North London Heat and Power Project, on behalf of the North London Waste Authority; Economic Development Consultant, AECOM
• Kim Power, Principal Urban Planner, Arup
• Nina Howells, Commercial Project Manager, Salford City Council 

Most innovative project of the year:

• London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Industrial Strategy
• North London Heat and Power Project Schools Engagement Programme
• Sefton Council Economic Growth and Housing Directorate Salt and Tar Project

 Collaborative initiative of the year:

• Arup/Sheffield Masterplans, collaboration with Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Homes England, and local Housing Associations
• Wakefield Council, Tileyard North at Rutland Mills
• Salford City Council, Build Salford employer consortium

 Outstanding impact:

• Norfolk County Council, Go Digital
• Sellafield Ltd, redeveloping, and repurposing Whitehaven Bus Station
• Wakefield Council, Backstage Innovation Hub

The event is being sponsored by Key Cities and tickets can be purchased here.

Image: Giorgio Trovato

More on this topic:

Bath & Somerset Council developments win big at property awards

London mayor awards 19 projects £4m to improve city’s climate resilience