Economic Development Services - Company Profile

Our History and Background

EDS (formerly the Lancashire Cooperative Development Agency) is a results-driven regeneration consultancy, drawing upon over 20 years of experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The company was created as a social enterprise following the appointment of former senior managers of Enterprise Plc to the Lancashire Cooperative Development Agency (LCDA) management team. This has now been restructured and re-branded as EDS.

EDS has a wealth of practical experience, working with agencies to facilitate the delivery of strategic operational reviews and the development of forward strategies.

We have an exceptional track record in the creation and development of public, private and voluntary sector partnerships, including the development and management of economic development and regeneration projects and programmes. This expertise, combined with an extensive track record of successful project and programme implementation, has served to achieve our goal of building successful local economies and communities in partnership with a variety of stakeholders.

We adopt an innovative and flexible ‘can do’ approach to the delivery of services. This strong, customer focused approach is underpinned by our core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, potential and sustainability.

Core Values

• Sustainability - we always ensure that solutions and actions seek a positive economic, social and environmental impact.
• Potential - we always endeavour to achieve maximum potential.
• Excellence - we always strive for the highest level of quality and professionalism.
• Integrity - we always operate with the highest level of ethics and transparency.
• Creativity - we always aim to be innovative and inspirational in the identification and delivery of solutions.

We work in partnership to regenerate economies and communities for the benefit of the individuals and organisations in the area. We are committed to maximising opportunities by investing in people and places through effective intervention and partnership working.

Our aim is to realise the full potential of individuals and organisations to build successful local economies where people are proud to live, work and spend their leisure time.

Our Chief Executive

Pat Donoghue, Chief Executive
MA Town & Regional Planning, BSc (Hons) Geography, Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).

Pat has over 20 years experience of economic development, business support, community economic development, urban and rural regeneration in both public and private sectors.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive in August 2005, he was a self-employed consultant undertaking interim management contracts in the public sector. Previously, he was Director of Economic Development at Enterprise Plc with responsibility for managing the UK and International consultancy departments of the company as well as working as contract manager for the economic development services provided by Enterprise Plc for Lancashire County Council and the District of Bolsover.

He has considerable experience of the preparation, implementation and evaluation of regeneration programmes for Local and National Government and the European Commission.

Contact: donoghue@edsnw.co.uk

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EDS Activities

Our Project Portfolio section illustrates the results of some of our activities.