Professor Henry Overman LSE
Professor Henry Overman has been awarded an OBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours for his services to local growth.
He is renowned for his work on the causes and consequences of spatial disparities. His research interests also include the impact of urban and regional policy, transport, and housing economics.
At LSE he is Professor of Economic Geography in the Department of Geography and Environment and Research Director of the Centre for Economic Performance. He is also director of the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth.
Professor Overman helped lead the Economy 2030 Inquiry, a joint initiative between CEP and the Resolution Foundation, which outlined a new economic strategy that builds on Britain’s strengths as a services superpower, prioritises public and private investment, expands its great cities, and ensures good work in every town.
His work to develop improved appraisal and evaluation methods for considering the impact of polices on local economic growth has helped support better-informed policy design and decision-making.
Commenting on the award, Professor Overman said: “This award recognises work from many collaborations developed over my 30 years at the LSE. This would not have been possible without the support of colleagues at the LSE, the Department of Geography and Environment, and the Centre for Economic Performance.
“The team at the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth, a partnership with Centre for Cities, has helped make sure the work is useful to, and used by, policymakers in local and central government. I am grateful to the Economic and Social Research Council and other funders who have supported much of my research.”
The King's Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK.