Meet the team

Neil McInroy, Chief Executive

Neil is a geographer and has been involved in public sector policy and delivery for over 20 years. Whilst having experience in developing partnerships and innovative policy responses to global, regional and local economic, social and environmental challenges, Neil’s particular skills are in local economic and social research, analysis and development; policy practice, research methodologies; facilitation and strategy building. Neil regularly conducts work across UK and is also developing a growing first-hand experience and knowledge of creative economic and social policy in locations around the world. Neil became Chief Executive of CLES in 2003.

Jonathan Breeze, Director of Policy and Consultancy

Jonathan is an experienced consultant who has worked in economic development and regeneration for over fourteen years. Before joining CLES, he worked for both private sector regeneration consultancies and academic research centres. Jonathan has a strong academic background with an MA in Applied Social Research and a BSc in Geography. As Director of Consultancy, Jonathan has managed consultancy contracts for a range of clients including government departments, regional bodies, local authorities and voluntary and community organisations. He has a refined understanding of the processes and techniques involved in appraisal and evaluation, strategy development, and performance management.

Matthew Jackson, Head of Research

Matthew is a geographer and has been involved in regeneration, local economic development and local governance research activities for over 5 years. Matthew has particular skills in analysing and interpreting public policy, examining the local economic and social impact of public interventions, and in tailoring policy thinking and recommendations to the needs of different organisations. Matthew is involved in all aspects of CLES activities including membership, training, policy research, policy advice and consultancy. Matthew has a recent array of experience in understanding the local economic impact of public spending and procurement decisions. Matthew has worked at CLES since April 2005, prior to which he worked in an academic research centre.

Adrian Nolan, Senior Policy Consultant

Adrian is an experienced researcher, having been working within economic development and regeneration for over four years, joining CLES as a Senior Policy Consultant in July 2009. He has particular skills in economic research delivery at a range of scales, utilising a range of research methods to develop an appreciation of socio-economic trends and the implications of these trends for policy formation. Adrian has delivered a range of research projects for clients in both the public and private sector, and has developed a clear and detailed appreciation of local, regional and national economic development strategy and policy.

Natalie Qureshi, Consultant

Natalie has an MA (Hons) in History and an Mphil in Urban Policy and Practice, both from the University of Glasgow. She joined CLES in 2007 and prior to this had over five years’ consultancy experience having previously worked for private sector consultancies specialising in economic and social regeneration. Prior to working in consultancy, Natalie held positions with Oxfam Scotland and as a researcher at the Scottish Parliament, specialising in the areas of Social Justice and Enterprise and Lifelong Learning. She has a strong background in projects relating research and evaluation having worked on projects for a range of clients including government departments, regional development agencies, local authorities and voluntary and community organisations. She is experienced in a range of consultation methods including in-depth interviews, workshops and in focus groups with young people and community members. Her professional interests include well-being, social exclusion and employment and worklessness.

Clare Cummings, Research Consultant

Clare is an experienced researcher who has developed her skills working on community development issues with national and international development organisations. She has strong experience of developing and conducting project evaluations and undertaking cost-benefit analysis. Clare has an MSc in International Development Studies and has strong qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis skills. She has experience of using a range of research methods, including focus groups, life history interviews and participatory research methods.  She is particularly experienced in conducting research in deprived communities and working with vulnerable people.

New Start staff 

Clare Goff, Editor

Administrative staff

Laura Symonds, Office Manager

Zoe Mort, Office Administrator