OCO Global has announced that Andrew Webb has been appointed to lead the company’s new economics practice, strengthening the firm’s advisory capabilities across the UK and Ireland and supporting its global investment and economic development work.
Andrew brings more than 25 years’ experience working at the intersection of economics, policy and delivery. Most recently Chief Economist at Grant Thornton Ireland, he led the firm’s Economic Advisory practice and advised governments, development agencies and city authorities on a wide range of strategic economic issues including infrastructure investment, tourism development, labour markets and regional growth.
His work has focused particularly on place-based economic development and the practical challenges associated with delivering investment-led growth. Over the course of his career, Andrew has worked extensively with public sector clients across the UK and Ireland, as well as internationally, supporting economic strategy, funding models, policy development and investment propositions. The move also represents a return to OCO for Andrew, who previously worked with the firm earlier in his career.
In his new role as Managing Director – Economics, Andrew will lead the creation of a dedicated Economics practice within OCO Global, designed to complement and strengthen the firm’s existing strengths in foreign direct investment, trade and investment promotion.
The practice will focus on providing economic insight and strategy that directly supports investment attraction, sector development and place competitiveness. This will include work on infrastructure funding, investment readiness, economic strategy and the development of investment propositions, alongside appraisal, evaluation and economic impact analysis to support public investment and policy decisions.
Commenting on the appointment, Joachim Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of OCO Global, said: “Andrew’s appointment reflects our ambition to deepen OCO’s advisory capabilities at a time when governments and regions are increasingly focused on investment-led growth. His experience advising public sector leaders on economic strategy, infrastructure and place competitiveness will strengthen the way we support clients across the UK, Ireland and internationally.”
Mark O’Connell, Executive Chair of OCO Global, added: “As we enter a new phase of growth for the firm, establishing a dedicated Economics practice is a natural step and Andrew is perfectly positioned to lead it with a combination of economic insight, policy experience and commercial understanding. The practice will strengthen our ability to connect economic strategy with the practical work of attracting investment, supporting trade and helping places compete internationally.”
Andrew Webb, Managing Director – Economics, OCO Global said: “The opportunity to build a new Economics practice within OCO is an exciting one. There is growing demand from governments and regions for economic advice that connects rigorous analysis with investment and delivery. By combining strategy, appraisal and evaluation with OCO’s expertise in trade and investment, we can help clients move from economic insight to real economic outcomes.
“Economic development is increasingly about connecting strategy, investment and delivery. By bringing together economic insight with OCO’s global platform in investment attraction and trade, we can help clients position themselves more effectively in a highly competitive international landscape.”
The new practice will initially focus on the UK and Ireland while working closely with OCO’s international teams to support clients globally. The establishment of the Economics practice forms part of OCO Global’s wider plans to expand its advisory capabilities as the firm enters a new phase of growth in 2026.