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Better decisions,
stronger cases,
We provide consultancy services to public, private and third sector clients enabling them to develop and deliver schemes which boost local economies and communities, and protect or enhance the environment.
SERVICES
proven results.
STRATEGY
Developing sustainable growth strategies
01
We help our clients to develop, test and refine strategies which deliver economic, environmental and social change.
We use a variety of proven techniques including:
Data review
We analyse relevant data sources to ensure there is a clear understanding of the nature and scale of the challenges and opportunities the strategy will address, and portray complex data in a clear and accessible manner.
Engaging service users
We help our clients identify and consult service users to gather their views on what is working well and what needs to be improved, using one-to-one interviews, facilitated group workshops and online surveys.
Reviewing best practice
We complete research on best practice across the world in the relevant policy areas, gathering lessons on how other organisations and businesses organise their resources and co-ordinate activity.
Setting SMART objectives
We create measurable objectives to drive and measure progress on delivering the strategy.
Visioning workshops
We work with your staff, service users and stakeholders to identify the current situation, the desired end location and the steps to progress towards it, helping our clients to articulate their strategic vision.
Identifying priorities
We design and deliver facilitated workshops to engage staff, stakeholders and service users in identifying the priorities that will deliver the vision and SMART objectives.
02
FUNDING
Making compelling cases
Since our formation in 2010, we have secured hundreds of millions in grant and loan funding for private and public sector clients. We write feasibility studies, funding applications and HM Treasury Green Book business cases that secure investment from Government, Combined Authorities and private partners.
£1bn+
Over a billion in grant and loan funding secured
Combined Authorities, Local Authorities, LEPs and Universities
Public sector
Manufacturers, laboratories and growing businesses
Private sector
Explore the business cases and funding applications we have completed, including a £3.9 million Cultural Development Fund bid for Elsecar Heritage Centre.
Contact Dom Chapman to discuss a business case or funding application you are preparing, or complete our enquiry form and we will come back to you.
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ECONOMICS
Assessing economic impact
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We help our clients to calculate and demonstrate the economic impact of proposed schemes, with a focus on establishing Value for Money returns. All of our impact assessment work is completed to recognised HM Treasury Green Book standards.
Costs & options
Business as usual + alternatives
Outputs
E.g. floorspace, homes, businesses
Monetised benefits
Land value uplift, jobs, GVA
Sensitivity & stress testing
Optimism bias, displacement
Benefit cost ratio
Value for Money
Green Book Impact Assessment
We complete robust assessments of Land Value Uplift, Employment, GVA and Social and Environmental Impacts.
Stress Testing and Sensitivity Analysis
All of our Impact Models are developed for flexible adaptation, enabling validation, stress-testing and reflection of uncertainties.
Impact Approach Innovation
We develop new approaches to impact assessment for non-standard development. Our pioneering approaches become recognised practice in national impact assessment work.
Options Appraisal
We help clients to develop a Preferred Investment Option based on scenario testing of investment and delivery options, maximising the economic return on investment.
Scrutiny and Validation
We provide peer review and appraisal of impact assessment approaches to give clients assurance over the validity of impacts claimed.
Wider Benefits Assessment
Alongside quantitative assessments, we set out the wider economic, social and environmental benefits of an investment, reinforcing the strategic rationale.
Programme and Project Assessment
Our work ranges from individual projects to major capital programmes, including business parks, housing, flood defence infrastructure, visitor attractions and capital grant schemes.
Financial Modelling
We develop financial projections to inform assessment of Value for Money, comparing benefits against costs to derive Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs).
Place-based Assessment
We complete Economic Assessments and Socio-Economic Impact Assessments of local economies across the UK to assist strategy formation or planning consents, typically in a 'People, Business, Place' format.
04
APPRAISAL
Providing robust, independent appraisals
We provide a robust independent appraisal service for Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Combined Authorities and other public service organisations. Since our formation in 2010 we have completed hundreds of Green Book appraisals, and we help clients to establish or revise the assurance frameworks that sit behind them.
INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL
Strategic
Economic
Commercial
Financial
Management
Strategic dimension
Is there a clear case for change? How does the scheme reflect local, regional and national policy drivers? Is it clear what the current situation is and that investment will lead to the forecast outputs and outcomes?
Economic dimension
Are there credible alternative delivery options, including a business as usual scenario? Have appropriate monetised and non-monetised benefits and costs been included? Has the Benefit Cost Ratio been calculated correctly?
Commercial dimension
Does the business case demonstrate a strong understanding of risks, with suitable mitigations? Is it clear how the scheme will be commercially structured? Is there a clear demand case for commercial schemes?
Financial dimension
Has each alternative delivery option been costed? Do the financial projections appear appropriate? For housing and commercial schemes, is the development appraisal robust and is the viability gap supported?
Management dimension
Are there realistic and robust delivery plans? Does the scheme appear deliverable within budget and timescale? Does the applicant have robust management and governance arrangements in place?
EVALUATION
Identifying lessons learned and demonstrating impact
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We are recognised as a leading provider of independent evaluations of schemes funded by the public purse. Our evaluation services include:
Evaluation Frameworks & Plans
We develop Evaluation Frameworks and Plans setting out how complex impact evaluations will be completed, including robust logic models and theories of change.
Impact evaluations
We conduct robust, independent Impact Evaluations informed by primary research with service users, beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Process Evaluations
We complete Process Evaluations to help our clients test how well projects or programmes are working in practice and where improvements can be introduced to maximise effectiveness and impact.
LOGIC MODEL
Inputs
Activities
Outputs
Outcomes
Impacts
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
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Logic models
We analyse relevant data sources to ensure there is a clear understanding of the nature and scale of the challenges and opportunities the strategy will address, and portray complex data in a clear and accessible manner.
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Focus groups
We complete research on best practice across the world in the relevant policy areas, gathering lessons on how other organisations and businesses organise their resources and co-ordinate activity.
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Online surveys
We design and deliver online surveys for service users, beneficiaries and stakeholders, with questions that enable us to identify gross economic, environmental and social impacts and calculate the overall net impact.
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Research
We complete secondary and primary research, exploring the context in which schemes were delivered and documenting key trends that may have affected the ability to achieve the original targets.
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Stakeholder interviews
We create interview scripts and complete one-to-one interviews with stakeholders to obtain their perspectives on how effectively schemes have been designed and delivered.
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Statistical analysis
We analyse quantitative data from surveys, focus groups and interviews to investigate trends, patterns and relationships, and help our clients understand how to respond to key findings.
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