James Wilson

Managing Director

He has over 20 years’ experience in policy research and analysis, working with regional, national and international institutions. His work aims to contribute to improving the competitiveness and sustainable development of regions through evidence-based policies and collaborative governance approaches.

James has published extensively in books and peer-reviewed academic journals, and has played a leading role in various European research projects. He regularly participates as an expert speaker and advises institutions such as the European Commission and national and regional governments. He is also an active member of international networks such as the Regional Studies Association and the TCI Network.

As an expert on the economy of the Basque Country, James has led strategic projects on territorial competitiveness for the Basque Government and various regional institutions, coordinating the flagship Basque Country Competitiveness Report annually.

Career

He began his academic career in the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Warwick.
He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town.
He obtained his PhD from the University of Birmingham, where he was a Senior Lecturer until 2007.
He joined Orkestra as a senior researcher in 2007. Between 2018 and 2024, he served as Director of Research.