Markets – Frontline Consultants

Our Markets

Economic Development

Smart economic development is about creativity, thoughtful strategy, crossing organisational boundaries, and achieving real benefits. We support our clients to deliver better outcomes in:

Economic impact assessment
Summative and formative evaluation
Economic and options appraisal
Multi-agency partnership processes
Industry cluster and sector strategies
Policy, programme and project design and development
Business growth, enterprise and entrepreneurship
Skills and employability
Due diligence and grant bid writing support

Examples of our recent projects include:

Newcastle City Council – Evaluation of Enterprising Newcastle Programme

Enterprise Ireland – Impact Evaluation of the Innovation Partnership Programme

SCDI – Evaluation of the Productivity Club

Organisation Design and Restructuring

Organisations are dynamic, subject to constant change. Through aligning the key elements of operational delivery, we work with you to ensure an effective structure to achieve long term sustained success. Using practical tools and experience our approach is straightforward, comprising:

Diagnosis - evaluating key performance metrics, reviewing staff structures and operational processes, and analysing market sector data
Design - creating an optimal model for the organisation including staff structures, role profiles, operational processes and leadership frameworks
Implementation - working alongside you to introduce the changes and transfer our knowledge to you and your staff
Feedback - ensuring the changes work in practice, help your organisation meet its objectives and obtain a successful outcome

Our clients in this area include:

Health Care

Health care organisations are consistently facing the challenge of rising demand while improving quality and the patient experience. The current pressures on the health care system are unprecedented, requiring optimal use of available resources. We are helping clients meet these challenges through:

Research to support strategy and policy
Developing high performance leadership teams and workforces
Evaluation of programmes and projects
Organisation and board development
Coaching and mentoring
Evaluating outcomes, performance and processes

Examples of our recent projects include:

East Midlands Leadership Academy – Organisational Development Essentials

Macmillan Cancer Support – Evaluation of Phase 1 of the One-to-One Support Implementation Project

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust – Culture Audit and Organisational Development Strategy

Government

National and Local Government are working to deliver real benefits from policy and investment, generate savings and meet rising stakeholder expectations in an increasingly challenging economic environment. We support this work through:

Policy analysis and reviews
Research to inform policy choice
Strategy development and scenario planning
Multi-agency partnership processes
Organisation design and restructuring
Workforce and organisational development
Options appraisal and economic assessment
Programme impact evaluation and learning reviews
Social return on investment

Examples of our recent projects include:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Impact Assessment for the Marine Bill

Glasgow Life – Workforce Planning Strategy and Financial Performance Improvement

Hub North Scotland – North Infrastructure Commission Hub – Socio Economic Modelling

Tourism and Events

A successful, strong and sustainable tourism economy supports jobs, business growth and creates attractive places to visit. Regional and nationwide events add further to this tourism offering. We help our clients understand how to strengthen their tourism and events proposition through:

Economic appraisal to support decision making and funding cases
Economic impact assessment to assess outcomes and benefits
Formative and summative evaluation to support future case making
Business case development, review and options appraisal
Industry strategies and programme review and development
Market appraisal and sectoral review
Performance measurement and framework development

Examples of our recent projects include:

The UK Caravan and Camping Alliance – Economic Benefits Report of the Holiday Park/Camping Sector in the UK, including country reports for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland

SweetSpot – The Tour of Britain – Economic Impact Support for the Tour Series, the Tour of Britain and the Women’s Tour

The Ethical Partnership – Economic Impact of the proposed Elizabeth Landmark Sculpture

Not-For-Profit Organisations

Not-for-profit organisations are pushed for more outcomes from less resources, so robust decision-making is critical. We have a track record of working with charities, social enterprises and funders to support processes in:

Making choices using targeted research
Identifying benefits for all stakeholders
Improving performance in projects and programmes, and the organisation itself
Capturing and sharing learning across sites, projects and programmes
Assessing both economic and social impact and outcomes
Providing compelling evidence and achieving influence

Our clients in this area include:

Research, Development and Innovation Support

R,D&I is about turning ideas into new or improved products, services or business processes. R,D&I is the engine of long term economic development, playing a pivotal role in driving economic growth and employment. We support R,D&I activity in a number of ways:

Identifying what R,D&I projects to pursue or fund through market and demand assessment, due diligence, options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis
Helping organisations implement their R,D&I policy through business plan appraisal, market research, skills development, review of innovation support processes and structures
Supporting organisations to make the case for R,D&I funding via grant applications, business case development and feasibility studies
Helping organisations commercialise their research through market and demand research, evaluation and appraisal

Examples of our recent projects include:

Enterprise Ireland – Impact Evaluation of the Commercialisation Fund

Scottish Enterprise – Formative Evaluation & Impact Assessment of the Can Do Innovation Summer School

Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre – Impact and Benefits Assessment including PMF Support