Kevin Fenning is the founder of economic research and policy consultancy Evidence First, and a Research Associate of Centre for the New Midlands. With nearly 20 years’ experience leading teams on behalf of public and private sector clients, his work focusses on economic strategy and analysis, and building the case for investment in locally significant projects.
Kevin works extensively with local and central government to support and promote economic development, as well as working on behalf of a range of other organisations and anchor institutions, including: research councils, universities, business representative organisations, investors and developers, and NHS Trusts.
Kevin is a Fellow of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, hosted by the University of Birmingham and funded by ESRC to solve local challenges around the UK through using innovative approaches to place-based policy making and public service delivery. He is also a member of the Social Mobility Leaders Forum, a group of partners dedicated to driving improved social mobility in British business.
Publications / Articles
Fenning, K. (Forthcoming – 2026) Development Corporations, Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub
Houghton, J. & Fenning, K. (Forthcoming – 2026) Only Reconnect: How Runcorn is renewing pride in an Old Town, Journal of Urban Regeneration & Renewal
Fenning, K. (2026) AI in local government – the issues for national preparedness, National Preparedness Commission – https://nationalpreparednesscommission.uk/publications/ai-in-local-government-the-issues-for-national-preparedness/
Fenning, K. (2026) AI in Local Government: Adoption, Benefits and Challenges, Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub- https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/ai-in-local-government-adoption-benefits-and-challenges/
Fenning, K. (2026): Mitigating AI misuse in public submissions, Local Government Innovation Unit – https://lgiu.org/briefing/mitigating-ai-misuse-in-public-submissions/
Fenning, K. & Ting, H. (2025) Tools and evidence for green space investment in new town planning, Cities & Health Journal – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23748834.2025.2501473?src=
Fenning, K. et. al (2025) Green infrastructure appraisal tools: Improving Cost– Benefit Analysis Tools to Encourage City-level Investment, Global Solutions Journal – https://www.global-solutions-initiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/v8_WS_GS_journal_11_S74-83.pdf
Fenning, K. (2025) Embedding the labour market implications of AI into national policy frameworks, National Preparedness Commission – https://nationalpreparednesscommission.uk/publications/embedding-the-labour-market-implications-of-ai-into-national-policy-frameworks/
Co-author of Bristow, S et. al (2025) Aligning local and national governance for net zero—what is the potential for locally determined contributions? British Academy – https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/5826/Aligning_local_and_national_governance_for_net_zero_-_2025.pdf