Local Futures Staff

John Fisher - Director

John is Director of the Local Futures Group. He worked in the field of economic development and regeneration for many years, with local authorities and regional development agencies, before joining the Henley Centre for Forecasting, where he established the successful Planning for Local Change programme. At the Local Futures Group he manages a wide range of research and strategy projects, at a regional and local level, and leads the company’s work on economic development and sustainable community strategies. He also champions the Local Futures ‘Place Shaping’ programme, where he works closely with the Leadership Centre for local government to promote and inform this important agenda.

Cordelia Canning - Data Analyst

Cordelia is part of the Data Analysis team who are in charge of maintaining and updating our Local Knowledge database. Responsibilities include creating new Local Knowledge indicators, dealing with LK queries and producing map outputs for audit work.

She holds a BSc Hons in Geography form the University of Nottingham and has worked previously for the Royal Geographical Society as a Research Officer and as a Sustainability Consultant for a firm of engineering consultants. She has a strong interest in environmental and sustainability issues and has carried out conservation work during her gap year.

Michael Dee - Data Analyst

Michael is part of the data analysis team, managing and maintaining our Local Knowledge system. In his role as Data Analyst, he is responsible for reviewing and updating LK-indicators as well as producing data analysis and mapping outputs for our audit and consultancy projects.

Michael joined us from University College London where he received an MSc in Globalisation in addition to a BSc(Econ) in Economics and Geography. He has particular interests in political economy and regional development issues.

Liane Hoogland - Operations Manager

Liane is responsible for strategic planning, financial management and product development at the Local Futures Group and leads the KTP project. She has 10+ years experience in communication, both on the marketing/PR side and as a journalist and broadcaster. Her main interests are digital communication, civic participation and customer insight.  

Before relocating to the UK, she worked for the Dutch Centre for Political Participation (IPP) where she was involved in the now internationally renowned Stemwijzer (Votematch). She developed and managed several innovative community engagement programmes. These projects where highly innovative at that time, using XML-driven databases, online surveys, user forums and promoting e-politics. This work enabled her to combine a sound understanding of research design with a passion for new media and politics.

In the UK, Liane has worked for the Probation Service and the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication studies (specialising in economic journalism) and a Master in Public Policy (specialising in information management). In her spare time, she is active as a filmmaker for a charity that promotes global equality.

Mark Urban - Data Analyst

Mark maintains our Local Knowledge database, keeping over a thousand indicators form a variety of national and international sources up to date. Being at the core of our data, he is also involved in creating new bespoke LK-indicators. In his role of data analyst, he is the first point of contact for queries our Local Knowledge users have and he has responsibility for the data and map outputs in all of our audit work.

He joined us from the University of London where he received a First Grade in BA Human Geography.