Stephen Thake

Stephen Thake, Reader in Urban Policy

Stephen is an acknowledged expert in community and economic development in disadvantaged neighbourhoods and is an experienced in the management of major work programmes. Funded by various bodies (including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and, Economic Social Research Council) Stephen has researched and reported on urban policy and community regeneration activity throughout England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He has developed long standing working relationships with a range of community-based organisations across the UK, including the School for Social Entrepreneurs, the New Economics Foundation, the Development Trusts Association and British Association of Settlements and Action Centres. Working with these organisations he has been able to explore the array of organisations and individuals that foster regeneration at policy and grassroots level. Stephen's work has also included commissions from central government departments (DfES, ODPM, Home Office), regional development agencies (LDA, SEEDA, EEDA) and numerous local authorities to provide advice, policy analysis and programme evaluation. He currently leads the team that is evaluating the Adventure Capital Fund programme, sponsored by the Home Office, ODPM and the DTI. He has also worked extensively abroad. In Europe he has undertaken projects in Germany, Poland, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. In North America he has undertaken work with LISC and the Neighbourhood Reinvestment Corporation and developed an International Community Leadership Programme in partnership with Millersville University, in Pennsylvania.Prior to joining the higher education sector, Stephen was Group Chief Executive of United Kingdom Housing Trust, a major housing association with over 7,000 properties under management and employing over 300 staff across six of the English Regions.

Selected publications:

S. Thake (2004) Sustainable Futures: investing in community-based organisations, New Economics Foundation, London.

S. Thake (2003 ) Primed for Growth: Adventure Capital Fund Baseline Report, New Economics Foundation, London.

S. Thake (2002 ) Putting Down the Anchor: support programme for community-based regeneration organisations, LDA, London.

S. Thake (2001 ) Building Communities: Changing Lives: the contribution of large, independent neighbourhood-based regeneration organisations, Policy Press, Bristol.

S. Thake (2000) Holloway Transverse: strategic masterplan for the Finsbury Park to Kings Cross corridor, University of North London, London.

S. Thake (1997) Practical People, Noble Causes: how to support community based social entrepreneurs, New Economics Foundation, London.

S. Thake (1995) Staying the Course: the role and structures of community regeneration organisations, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York.