Dr John Ball is a Senior Lecturer at Swansea Business School. A vastly experienced manager, he trained originally as a telecommunications engineer before moving into management, holding senior posts in some of South Wales' major employers. Immediately prior to joining Swansea Business School he was Business Services Manager with the Welsh Development Agency, a post that provided a unique insight into wider economic development issues. An acknowledged authority on regional policy, (The Independent on Sunday Guide to Business Schools 2005 and 2006 described him as a "guru" on regional policy), he has researched for and advised the shadow cabinet of the National Assembly, the Bank of England, has twice been summoned to provide written and oral evidence to a House of Commons and is regularly called upon by the media for comment on contemporary economic issues. His research interests revolve around the issues of new firms and enterprise, especially within the regional context. His research has been published in academic journals and by The Institute of Welsh Affairs, whilst further work is in hand for publication by the University of Wales Press, Welsh Academic Press, Routeledge and Palgrave Macmillan.