The What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth (WWG) was set up in October 2013 as part of the What Works Network to analyse which policies are most effective in supporting and increasing local economic growth. This is a question that continues to both perplex and challenge policy makers and researchers. It is even more important as government is faced with slower growth and tighter budgets, and local decision makers take on new powers and freedoms for economic development. Careful research and evaluation have a crucial role to play in increasing the effectiveness of policy making and in understanding what works.