Feb 2014 Speaker Andrew Hoolachan - the Legacy of the Olympic Gamess

Andrew Hoolachan kindly stepped in to talk to us about the Legacy of the Olympic Games in East London.

During his interesting talk it became clear that the overall success of the transformation of East London around the Olympic Park is a tribute to the many parties involved. The Olympic Legacy has largely seen the removal of a seriously derelict area, new businesses have been set up and employment vastly improved. But through his PhD studies at Cambridge University Andrew has shown the strain put on the working of the new Localism Act in an area so diverse at East London - it being much easier to see the Localism Act working efficiently within the closer communities of smaller towns and villages with more focussed local administrations.  Members were impressed to see the indepth studies being made to aid the efficient working of the Localism Act and wished Andrew success in his final PhD year.

Biography :

He trained originally in Geography and Urban Planning. His work experience has included the Civil Service in London where he has been part of the Dept of Culture, Media and Sport, the Cabinet Office and the office of the Chief Whip in the Lords. More recently he has moved into research and is now part of the Dept of Urban Conflict - University of Cambridge