Alex Gardiner

Director

Alex is a local government specialist who works with city regions and local authorities to develop new strategies and ideas to grow the local economy in ways which work for everyone. Most recently her work has focused on inclusive growth, social mobility, innovation and economic resilience & renewal. Alex draws upon her broad knowledge of public services and economic growth to design bespoke solutions and applies a wide knowledge of what works in local government to her work. A significant part of this has been interrogating and redesigning growth strategies, ensuring that they will deliver wealth for local people, are collaborative across public/private partnerships, and that they are both ambitious and achievable.

Her work covers economic and social policy areas, ranging from ageing and low pay to innovation and investment. She is an expert in shaping new narratives and navigating complex stakeholder environments to find consensus. Her skills include providing thought leadership and creative thinking and the ability to develop fresh approaches and innovate. This includes using data and analysis to challenge current thinking and introduce new ideas and creative thinking to address a place’s key issues.

Before joining Metro Dynamics Alex worked at New Economy, Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s strategy, policy and research organisation. She established the strategy team, developing new ideas and commissioning initiatives from concept to point of delivery to grow the economy of Greater Manchester. Alex is also a Governor at Oldham College, a founding partner in the Inclusive Growth Network, and sits on the GM Mayor’s SME Low Pay Taskforce.