Fred Morley is the chief economist of Nova Scotia’s Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness. Prior to this, he was executive-vice president and chief economist at the Halifax Partnership. He holds undergraduate degrees in chemistry and economics from Dalhousie University, and did graduate work in economics and economic development issues at both Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s University.
Before joining the Partnership in 2002, Morley was a senior manager responsible for business retention and expansion and research at Nova Scotia Business Inc. As director of the marketing and research branch of Nova Scotia’s Economic Development department, he co-developed and co-authored the province’s first economic plan in more than 10 years, and led the branch to 11 national and international marketing awards in three years.
Morley currently serves on the boards of the International Economic Development Council, the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre, Saint Mary’s University’s Business Development Centre, and the Gorsebrook Research Institute. He previously served as a member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s governing council, chair of the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre, and president of Business Retention Expansion International and the Atlantic Association of Applied Economists.
He is the author of more than 100 articles on economic development; has presented to hundreds of organizations, companies and government groups; and is a frequent media commentator.