About Us

Hardisty Jones Associates is an expert economic development consultancy that operates throughout the UK. We provide consultancy advice and support throughout the UK on economic development, often at the interface between the public and private sectors.

About Hardisty Jones Associates

We help local authorities, government, communities, developers and businesses to plan for economic development and understand the socio-economic impacts of projects and programmes on areas and societies. Our work covers issues such as jobs, enterprise, investment, employment of local people, skills, productivity, energy, infrastructure, sites and premises.

The company was founded in 2011 by Dr Gareth Jones and Stuart Hardisty who have been involved in economic development, regeneration and sustainability advice, support and academic research since the early 1990s. They have provided economic development support to many public, private and community bodies in the UK and overseas.

How do we operate?

  • We develop an intelligent understanding of your needs, enabling us to deliver a bespoke service
  • We are clear about the outputs that you require from working with us, and deliver these outputs
  • We aim to become your trusted advisors and will not be afraid to offer constructive challenge
  • We follow the Institute of Economic Development‘s Code of Professional Conduct for Consultancy – click here.

Meet the team

  • Stuart Hardisty

    Director

  • Gareth Jones

    Director

  • Sarah Lane

    Consultant

  • Joshua Harding-Jones

    Senior Consultant

  • Emily Hung

    Assistant Consultant

  • Stephanie Gauvin

    Assistant Consultant

Join the Hardisty Jones Associates Team

If you are interested in exploring a career in economic development and joining our growing team, we would love to hear from you. At HJA we are looking for individuals eager to have a positive impact on the economy and society, who align with our values.

We offer the following:

  • Growth opportunities: thrive in our inclusive environment, fostering professional and personal development.
  • Learning and innovation: every project is an opportunity to learn from clients and colleagues, engaging in high-profile, challenging assignments.
  • Rewards: competitive pay, pension, annual bonus, and industry-matching benefits.
  • Enjoyable workplace: collaborate with inquisitive, open-minded, and engaged colleagues as part of a hardworking, friendly, and supportive team.

How to Apply

Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, we would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in joining our team. Please send your CV to contact@hardistyjones.com, and include a cover note explaining why you are interested in joining us and what you think you would bring to the team.

  • We have worked with Hardisty Jones on a number of occasions and return to the agency due to their professionalism  and depth of subject knowledge.
    Bea Symington
    Business Officer, Bath & North East Somerset Council
  • Their technical work is always of the highest quality and on many occasions their outputs have been instrumental in the achievement of our client’s desired outcomes.
    Neil Mantell
    Director, LRM Planning
  • The depth of their expertise combined with their ability to naturally become part of the team and fully understand our needs led to high quality outputs meeting and exceeding our expectations.
    Edita Adamicikova
    Head of ESG, Viridor
  • Hardisty Jones Associates have an impressive ability to fully understand the needs of their client. High quality outputs to achieve desired outcomes is the experience enjoyed to date.
    Sam Terrell
    Principal Economic Growth Officer, Harlow & Gilston Garden Town
  • HJA are approachable, easy to work with, listen to the needs of the client, and maintained good client relationships communicating well at all stages of the project. 
    Stuart Williams
    Group Leader – Planning Policy, Cardiff Council
  • HJA are collaborative team members working well across disciplines with various consultants, taking their own initiative rather than waiting for direction to maximise the impact their research has.
    Pete Brown
    Director, Estrans Developments
  • Throughout the on going evaluation of Social Business Wales, Hardisty Jones Associates have provided on going guidance and positive challenge, with clear recommendations.
    Glenn Bowen
    Enterprise Programme Director, Social Business Wales