Simon Dancer
Director
Simon is an economist with over 25 years’ experience in economic development, housing and regeneration. He is a member of the Society of Professional Economists, Royal Economics Society, and Institute of Economic Development.
Prior to joining AMION, Simon was lead economist at the Homes & Communities Agency (now Homes England) in Whitehall, managing a team of specialised economists. In addition to an extensive understanding of “Green Book” economic appraisal and business cases, Simon has helped produce several economics policy guidance notes that have become “industry standards”. These include the ground-breaking Employment Densities Guide – applied across the United Kingdom – to calculate job capacity within built development. There is also the pioneering Additionality Guide, which is used around the world to help public sector agencies identify the real effect of government intervention. This Guide led Simon presenting to a global academic audience at the World Bank in Paris, France. Similarly, Simon initiated the Endowments Best Practice Note – now in its 4th edition – which underpins endowment policy across the country and is crucial for those assets which cannot be disposed of in the open market.
Simon has wide-ranging experience working with government departments including HM Treasury, DLUHC, Cabinet Office, Homes England, BEIS, DfT, DEFRA and DCMS. Experience includes:
- Housing policy advice for the South Korean government
- Guiding the World Bank on the use of public sector additionality
- Advising a former Prime Minister’s household
- Consultee for updates of HM Treasury’s Green Book whilst in Whitehall
- Retained economic adviser for West Midlands Combined Authority (four years and ongoing)
- Creating an endowment methodology for the London Olympics Legacy
- Providing value for money assessments of the Athletes Village for Birmingham Commonwealth Games
- Lecturing Masters students at Leeds Metropolitan University
- Developing a regeneration strategy for Longbridge in Birmingham
- Delivering business case support for HS2 investment
- Providing Towns Fund support in Burton, Dudley, Smethwick and Wolverhampton
- Preparing Future High Street Fund business cases for Dudley, Great Yarmouth and Worcester
- Leading Levelling Up Fund bids in Broxtowe, Boston, Carlisle, Canterbury, East Lindsey, Scarborough, South Holland, Swansea, Tamworth, Pembrokeshire and York