Localis

What Localis does

Localis is an independent, UK-registered not-for-profit think tank (legal entity: Localis Research Limited) that conducts policy research and convening activity focused exclusively on English local government. Founded over two decades ago — with a research archive dating back to 2003 — the organisation works across five named workstreams: Economic Development, Placemaking, Clean Growth and the Low-Carbon Economy, Devolution & Decentralisation, and the Future of our Cities and Towns. Its primary audiences are English local councils, unitary authorities, district councils, combined and strategic authorities, and the finance and digital leaders within them, alongside national policy makers and professional bodies such as CIPFA. Output consists of policy reports, analysis pieces, webinars, in-person events (including the annual LGA Conference Drinks Reception), and a recurring newsletter, all distributed primarily through localis.org.uk.

The organisation does not develop or sell any proprietary technology products, software, or data platforms; its "product" is qualitative research, policy commentary, and event-based convening. It has no mobile applications, no public APIs or SDKs, no disclosed patents or trademarks, and no certifications or compliance regimes relevant to a technology vendor. Its competitive position rests on a 20+ year content archive, recognised brand in localist policy debate, and established relationships with sector bodies, evidenced by research that has informed national policy including the English Devolution White Paper.

Localis's revenue model is built on three streams: commissioned research sponsorships from public-sector bodies, professional associations, and private-sector companies with an interest in local government policy (e.g. TechnologyOne, CIPFA, Core Cities UK); event revenue from hosting webinars, conferences, and drinks receptions for the local government community; and publication access, where most reports are freely downloadable from the website rather than behind a paywall. Specific pricing, sponsorship values, and financial statements are not publicly disclosed, consistent with a small independent non-profit operating from a single London office (Vox Studios, V.311, 1-45 Durham Street) with a team of nine employees led by Chief Executive Jonathan Werran.

Name

Localis

Legal name

Localis Research Limited

Website

https://localis.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Localis is an independent UK not-for-profit think tank conducting policy research on English local government, devolution, placemaking, and economic development. It serves councils, combined authorities, and public sector professionals through sponsored research reports, webinars, and sector events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Public policy research
• Local government think tank
• Devolution policy
• Place-based policy
• Government reorganisation

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research sponsorships and partnerships: Localis receives funding from organisations to commission and publish research reports on local government topics. Sponsors include public sector bodies, professional associations, and private sector companies interested in local government policy.
2. Event revenue: Localis generates revenue through hosting webinars, conferences, and events for local government professionals, including the LGA Conference Drinks Reception and various policy webinars.
3. Publication access: While core research is freely available for download, Localis produces publications and reports that may be accessed through its website, serving as the primary distribution channel for thought leadership content.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Localis is an independent not-for-profit think tank that produces evidence-based policy research, hosts events and webinars, and publishes commentary focused on English local government. Its work covers devolution, local government reorganisation, fiscal decentralisation, placemaking, economic development, clean growth, and the future of cities and towns, delivered primarily through commissioned research reports, policy publications, conferences, and digital content distributed via its website.

Product overview

Localis is an independent not-for-profit think tank that promotes localist ideas through research, events, and commentary focused on English local government. Their work encompasses research publications on devolution, placemaking, economic development, clean growth, and the future of cities and towns. They produce policy reports, host webinars and events, and provide analysis on topics including local government reorganisation, fiscal devolution, and public service reform. The organization does not appear to offer commercial software products or technology platforms — their output consists of research publications, policy recommendations, and hosted events rather than products or services in the traditional sense.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Everything in its Right Place A Localis policy research report on establishing strong organisations and practices for successful devolution, intended for local government leaders, combined authorities, and policy makers in England. Sponsored by Local Partnerships.
• New Values, New Landscape (Public contracts for social prosperity) A Localis policy research report on public contracts and procurement reform for good local growth and jobs, targeted at local authorities, commissioners, and procurement policy leads.
• Connected Devolution: digital systems for successful, holistic reorganisation A Localis policy research report on digital systems integration during local government reorganisation, authored by Senior Researcher Callin McLinden and commissioned by TechnologyOne. Intended for local authority digital, data, and IT leaders.
• Ride the Wave: Balancing investment risk and opportunity to guide urban renewal A Localis policy research report examining how council finance directors can manage urban investment risks, co-sponsored by Core Cities UK and CIPFA. Intended for CFOs and finance directors in councils and combined authorities.
• What's past is prologue A Localis research partnership programme with Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Stratford-on-Avon District Council examining the heritage sector's role in local economies and placemaking, using Stratford-upon-Avon as a case study.
• LGA Conference Drinks Reception 2026 An in-person Localis-hosted reception at the LGA (Local Government Association) Conference, convening local government leaders, councillors, and sector stakeholders.
• Policy Webinar Series A series of Localis-hosted online policy webinars covering devolution, local government reorganisation, procurement reform, asset valuation, and other local government topics, typically featuring guest speakers from local government and partner organisations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Heritage sector contributes £44.9bn GVA to UK economy annually and supports 523,000+ jobs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Shakespeare Birthplace TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2026Research partnership for 'What's past is prologue' programme examining the role and potential of the heritage sector for place. The study uses Stratford-upon-Avon as a case study to understand heritage's contribution to local, regional and national prosperity and inform potential reforms.
• Stratford-on-Avon District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2026Joint research partnership with Shakespeare Birthplace Trust examining heritage sector's role in local economies, using the birthplace of Shakespeare as case study to inform placemaking and economic development policy.
• Local PartnershipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership and sponsorship for 'Everything in its right place' report on establishing strong organisations and practices for successful devolution. Local Partnerships works across the public sector to strengthen capability and navigate complexity in devolution delivery.
• Core Cities UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported research on 'Ride the Wave' examining how council finance directors can manage urban investment risks. Core Cities UK represents the UK's major city economies and advocates for cities to compete globally.
• CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsored research on balancing investment risk and opportunity in urban renewal. CIPFA is the professional institute for public finance and accountancy, providing expertise on local government finance.
• TechnologyOnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal SaaS company that commissioned the 'Connected Devolution' report on digital systems for successful local government reorganisation. TechnologyOne provides enterprise software to councils and has experience supporting digital transformation in local government.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research): Larger UK think tank covering devolution, regional economics, and public services among many other topics. Comparable as a policy-research organisation working on devolution/decentralisation, but with broader remit and greater resources than Localis.
• Reform (think tank): UK public-services reform think tank covering local government, devolution, and public sector productivity. Comparable as a publishing-driven think tank engaging policymakers on local government reform.
• Policy Exchange: UK think tank producing research across domestic policy, including planning, local government, and devolution. Comparable publishing-driven model serving policymakers, but with wider thematic remit.
• Centre for Policy Studies: Established UK centre-right think tank covering public policy including local government and devolution. Comparable as a research-publishing think tank targeting policymakers, though with a broader national policy portfolio.
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation: UK research and policy foundation covering place-based poverty, local economies, and devolved governance. Comparable policy-research model with similar audience of local authorities and national policymakers, though broader social-policy remit.

Direct peers

• Smith Institute: UK think tank producing research on economic policy, cities, and place-based growth. Comparable in scope (city/regional economics), sponsorship model, and target audience of policymakers and local authorities.
• Centre for Cities: UK-based think tank producing data-driven research on city economies and urban policy. Highly comparable as a policy research outfit serving local/national government stakeholders with publications and events, focused on a similar urban-policy niche.
• New Local: Independent UK think tank focused on the future of local government, community power, and place-based public services. Closely aligned with Localis's localism agenda, audience (councils, combined authorities), and policy-publication business model.
• UK2070 Commission / UK100: Network and policy organisation focused on devolved/local government climate and place leadership across UK cities. Comparable in serving combined and local authorities with policy research, events, and convening activity.
• Resolution Foundation: UK think tank focused on economic and social policy with a strong place-based and local-economy dimension. Comparable research-and-events model serving policymakers, with overlapping interest in regional fiscal policy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/localis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/localis-think-tank

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Localis