CLES appoints new Associate Director

The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), has today announced the appointment of a new Associate Director.

Rachel Bentley is an established international tax consultant committed to building a world where everyone can thrive. An experienced former PwC Director with a history of working successfully in the US, UK, Japan and South Africa, Bentley specialised in providing cross-border individual tax consulting and compliance to executives, entrepreneurs and family businesses.

Bentley is a graduate of the University of Warwick, and also holds a Masters in Law from Nagoya University in Japan where she studied the decentralisation of fiscal powers to Japanese local governments. Following the recent completion of a Masters in Public Administration at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, she has turned her focus to public policy projects including working with the Biscay Government in Northern Spain on the development of a world-first tax system centred around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 2016, Bentley has also served as a Trustee of Fair Money Advice, a charity which provides free and impartial debt advice with the mission of helping individuals regain control of their money and develop financial capabilities.

Bentley brings significant expertise in financial services and project management to her Associate Director role. Her skills in this field and her passion for progressive change bring a new area of expertise to CLES’ work championing people, place and the planet.

Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of CLES, said:

“CLES goes from strength to strength as we welcome another member of such high calibre to the team.  Rachel’s extensive experience in the world of finance and tax adds another important element to creating a progressive economic ecosystem and building good local economies for everyone.”

Rachel Bentley commented:

“I’m delighted to be joining CLES. This move represents the next step in my desire to concentrate my energy into creating stronger local economies that work for everyone. CLES’s innovative approach is needed now more than ever, and I am looking forward to working alongside the broader team in making a tangible positive difference to places across the country.”

CLES is the UK’s leading independent think and do tank realising progressive economics for people and place. Founded in 1986, it is committed to achieving social justice, good local economies and effective public services for everyone, everywhere.

Visit Rachel Bentley’s profile page.

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