James BeARdis a senior social and economic research consultant with extensive experience in evaluation, economic analysis and policy appraisal issues in the field of economic and social development. His expertise includes social and economic research analysis; evaluation and impact assessment; policy and strategic review; focus group and workshop design and delivery; stakeholder consultation; and case study development. Dr. Beard applies his knowledge and experience to a range of economic development and regeneration related projects, bothin the UK and internationally. He has conducted extensive policy research and analysis for the UK Local Government Association and other public sector clientson LEP strategy and development as well as worked on a number of other socio-economic, regeneration and inclusion projects. This work included intelligence gathering on LEP development; drafting a range of guidance notes and papers on economic strategy and project prioritization; working with LEPs to highlight good practice; and supporting members and officers through workshops and desk research. Recently, Dr. Beard has been involved with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Welsh European Funding Office to support ex-ante evaluations of their forthcoming ERDF, ESF, RDP and INTERREG programs. Prior to joining Mott MacDonald, he spent eighteen months as a policy researcher at a West Midlands regeneration partnership. He holds a B.A., an M.A. and a Ph.D. from University of Wales and Swansea University.