After more than two decades working in economic development, Neil McInroy has become a leading international figure in social and economic policy, including the advancement of democratic economic models. He is currently the Global Lead for Community Wealth Building at the USA-based research organisation The Democracy Collaborative, where he supports inclusive ownership strategies and systemic economic reform across the United States and globally.
Neil was previously the Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), where he led pioneering work on local economies and public sector innovation. He is also Chair of the Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS), and served as a part-time seconded adviser to the Scottish Government, helping shape national policy on community wealth building and inclusive business models.
He has recently chaired a strategic review for the Scottish Government, into inclusive and democratic business models (IDBMs), and also recently chaired the Shetland Islands Energy Transition Taskforce. These roles reflect his leadership in embedding structural reform and inclusive economic principles into national, regional, and local policy.
Neil has advised governments, anchor institutions and philanthropic foundations, and has led numerous research projects across the UK, US, South Korea, and Australia. His work includes developing CWB action plans, designing anchor institution strategies, and leading evaluations on poverty, health equity, and democratic governance.
He continues to be a leading voice in advocating for radical social innovation and in shaping inclusive economic development worldwide.