YTKO CEO Bev Hurley has been elected to the Board of the Institute of Economic Development (IED) at the organisation’s annual AGM in London.

A successful entrepreneur for more than 30 years, Bev has driven unprecedented growth for leading enterprise consultancy YTKO and is a respected figure in the development and provision of startup, growth and investment support programmes.

As the UK’s leading body for economic development and regeneration professionals, the IED operates in the private and public sectors, to represent and serve the interests of local and regional communities. Work includes setting standards for professional conduct, and representing members’ interests at a national level, while providing information and support through its regional Branch Network.

In welcoming Bev Hurley to the Board, the IED Chair Keith Burge said, “We need experienced people like Bev to serve on our Board who are committed to representing our members and promote the value of economic development.”

Keith went on to say, “Bev is an excellent example of exactly what we need to develop and thrive as a professional body in the future and she is a most welcome addition to our Board.”

An active mentor, angel investor, lecturer and ambassador for Women’s Enterprise in the UK, Bev is looking forward to her new role. Commenting after the announcement, she said: “I am looking forward to representing the IED and its members, particularly to underpin the critical importance of achieving sustainable jobs and enterprise growth.”

Holder of a number of non-executive directorships in both the private and public sectors, Bev received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2010, winning the Business Services category at the First Women Awards earlier this year. She has six years of experience in London housing regeneration, having risen from Housing Officer to Deputy CEO for a registered social landlord. Bev is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and an Enterprise Fellow of the University of East Anglia.