About Centre for Local Economic Strategies
What is Centre for Local Economic Strategies?
CLES — operating today as "the Centre for Local Economies" — is an independent UK economics think tank and registered charity (Charity No. 1089503; Company limited by guarantee No. 4242937; VAT 451 4033 86). Founded in 1986 as the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (the historical name retained by 4dayweek.io's record), the organisation has spent nearly four decades putting "economics in its place" — developing solutions that ensure economies are rooted in the places people call home.
CLES is recognised as the UK's leading voice on community wealth building — the framework for building fairer, stronger local economies that benefit all citizens. The organisation combines on-the-ground expertise, evidence-based research, and advisory services to support community wealth building, improve public services, strengthen social infrastructure, accelerate innovation and facilitate a just climate transition. Areas of expertise span economic development, devolution, health and care, social economy, employment, procurement, and land and regeneration.
CLES partners "as equals with all levels of government, local institutions and communities" across the UK, Ireland and internationally, "challenging outdated methods and tackling local issues with practical, long-term solutions." The organisation also hosts events and convenes relationships that facilitate knowledge exchange between local practitioners.
Where will I work?
CLES is based at 52 Oak Street, Swan Square, Manchester, M4 5JA (Tel +44 (0)161 832 7871; email [email protected]). The team works across the UK supporting places across the UK, Ireland and beyond — so research and advisory engagements often involve travel to local-authority and community-partner sites in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and internationally.
What is the CLES team like?
The team works across the UK, bringing deep expertise in local economies to help places build fairer, stronger local economies. CLES's three operating values — verbatim — are:
- Collaborate like a partner, challenge like a friend — "We work hand-in-hand with all levels of government, local institutions and communities, collaborating as equals. At the same time, we ask the hard questions and push for change when old ways fail to deliver."
- Rooted in place, focussed on impact — "We start at the local level. By understanding the challenges of each place, we improve public services and craft solutions that work for communities, rather than imposing ideas from the top down."
- Driven by evidence, guided by people — "We dive into complex issues to uncover ideas that make a difference. At every step, we take a realistic, hands-on approach, adjusting strategies to fit diverse local contexts."
Press contact: Rosie Lockwood ([email protected] / 07802 453340).
Work-Life Balance
CLES is an accredited Four Day Week organisation — verbatim from the careers page: "CLES is an accredited Four Day Week organisation, with our full time team members working from Monday to Thursday." Full-time team members work Monday to Thursday.
Perks and Benefits
From the CLES Careers page (primary source):
- 4-day week — accredited Four Day Week organisation; full-time staff work Monday to Thursday
- Contributory pension
- Generous annual leave
- Extra day off on your birthday
- Extra day off at Christmas
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Regular team socials