LED Confidential

As US–Europe tensions over Greenland flare and then cool (for now), David and Mike ask what this kind of geopolitical dispute really means for local economic development. They unpack how tariff threats, critical minerals, energy security and defence policy filter down into business confidence, inward investment, and local growth plans – and why LED professionals need to move from static strategies to live scenario planning that reflects an increasingly uncertain trading environment.

What does it take to turn a 50km stretch of Scotland’s Firth of Forth into a hub for sustainable growth? CEO Sarah Murray gives LEDC the inside track on the Forth Green Freeport. From unlocking £8 billion in investment and creating 34,000 jobs to embedding fair work and Net Zero principles, the Scottish Green Freeport model promises economic, social, and environmental transformation on a grand scale. But how do you balance global capital with local benefit? How do you curate investment, manage complex partnerships, and ensure communities are at the heart of change? Join LEDC as David, Mike, and Sarah unpack the lessons for economic developers everywhere.

2026 could be a year of big moves—or big misses for economic development. In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike share their predictions on placemaking, local growth, and the infrastructure bets that could make or break business confidence.

2025 was a year of contrasts for local economic development in the UK: progress on devolution, persistent financial fragility, and political shake-ups. In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike look back at the stories that mattered—and what they mean for the sector in the year ahead.

Innovation districts have become a cornerstone of urban economic development—but are they truly inclusive? In this episode, David and Mike talk to Dr. Michael Glass of theUniversity of Pittsburgh about the next generation of innovation districts: ID 2.0. Drawing on international comparative research across four cities—Pittsburgh, Medellín,Newcastle, and Belfast—Michael explains how leadership, community engagement, and governance can ensure these don't become inward-looking enclaves but instead are catalysts for regional equity and opportunity. If you care about inclusive growth, urban redevelopment, and the future of innovation policy, this is an essential listen.