Cluster Development in Practice

Cluster development is a common framework for engagement within regional economies, addressing business growth, competitiveness and innovation. This booklet guides the design of clustering initiatives, activities of cluster organisations and identifies the role and characteristics of the cluster manager. Ifor Ffowcs-Williams’ cluster development experience extends to over fifty countries. He has been described as ‘one of the most influential cluster practitioners in the world’. Ifor is a Founder, Past President and a Member of the Board of Advisors of The Competitiveness Institute (Barcelona, Spain), the global network for practitioners, policy makers and business leaders working on regional competitiveness. He has served on the Advisory Boards of the Danish Cluster Academy, the European Cluster Observatory, the Indian Institute for Competitiveness and the Pan African Competitiveness Council. At home in New Zealand, Ifor is a Trustee of the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency.