Policy & Economics
Bournemouth Airport Aviation Park Planning Framework: Economic Impact
The Brief: We were commissioned to prepare an assessment of the potential economic impact of an extension to the Business Park at Bournemouth International Airport.
Understanding the impact of cultural tourism in Cornwall
The Brief: We have been appointed by The Cornwall Arts Partnership to undertake a study to identify the impact of cultural tourism in Cornwall.
Strategic Economic Assessments for South, North and
West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forward
The Brief: We have been commissioned by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to produce a powerful, evidence based economic strategy to assist them in achieving their long-term vision and aim to become a thriving European city.
Doncaster Economic Development Strategy, Doncaster MBC
The Brief: We have been commissioned by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to produce a powerful, evidence based economic strategy to assist them in achieving their long-term vision and aim to become a thriving European city.
Increasing VAT Registrations in County Durham, Business Link County Durham
The Brief: We compiled a short, strategic study to assess barriers to small business growth in the County. We examined the use VAT registrations as an indicator of business start-up and assessed the range of other factors (skills, relative deprivation, attitudes to risk) that influence business creation and VAT registration.
South Yorkshire Investor AfterCare Review of Grants, Renaissance South Yorkshire
The Brief: The study reviewed the role of grants in meeting the broad objectives of the AfterCare Programme, including their ability to demonstrate sufficient economic benefit for the business and the region. It reviewed how effectively the grants are aligned to other financial products in SY.
LEGI Investment Study, Derwentside District Council
The Brief: We developed an investment vehicle to be applied in the areas identified in the LEGI demand study. The study established an effective and appropriate mechanism / investment vehicle to lever further public sector, and where possible, private sector investment to instigate physical regeneration in the areas identified in the demand study
Final Evaluation of the Business Support Network (BSN) County Durham, Business Link County Durham
The Brief: We completed the final evaluation of the BSN in County Durham, focusing on impact assessment of the Network. We undertook an on-line survey of 200 businesses and interviewed both delivery staff and wider stakeholders.
Ex Ante Evaluations, Government Office Yorkshire and Humber / Government Office for the West Midlands
The Brief: Our company has undertaken Ex Ante Evaluations of the Competitiveness and Employment Programme for the 2007-2013 period for Government Office Yorkshire and Humber and Government Office West Midlands.
Project Appraisals, Transform South Yorkshire
The Brief: We carried out technical appraisals of Transform South Yorkshire’s housing based regeneration projects over a two-year period. We developed guidance for applicants and facilitated workshops to assist applicants to understand appraisal requirements and enhance the robustness of their submissions.
West Yorkshire Incubation Programme, West Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership
The Brief: This review provided interesting insights into the delivery of business support in the region. Some of the ‘incubation’ of new businesses is arguably more akin to generic business support advice, appropriate for delivering support to larger numbers of businesses.
Restructuring Business Gateway
The Brief: Scottish Enterprise asked a simple enough question “How is our money best directed for greatest efficiency and effectiveness?” In reviewing the core Business Gateway Services this was the question that we were asked to address. Using our experience of public sector organisations and our track-record in professional analysis meant we delivered the results asked for.
ACT NOW GVA STUDY
The Brief: To devise and utilise a methodology for measuring the economic impact of Broadband adoption. Using our experience of business surveys, research techniques and quantification methodologies we delivered the required outputs. The method was so successful that it has now been repeated to measure the changing impact of Broadband over time.
An Evaluation of the Targeted Export Support Scheme (TESS)
The Brief: To what extent is TESS, one the region’s important exporting programmes, helping businesses achieve a ‘step-change’ in their international trade activity? To answer this question, Yorkshire Forward asked us to undertake a review of the programme.
North & West Lancashire ERDF Priority 1 Action Plan Mid Term Evaluation
The Brief: To assess the effectiveness of a range of business support initiatives aimed at improving SME competitiveness. Using our skills in evaluations and the provision of advice to the public sector in the field of business improvement, we provided a range of recommendations for the second phase of the plan.
Access to Finance Programme Evaluation
The brief: We were commissioned by Business Link South Yorkshire (BLSY) and partner organisations to undertake a review
of access to finance for SMEs within South Yorkshire. The study involved extensive consultation with national, regional, sub-regional and local organisations and individuals in the sphere of finance provision to SMEs. It also brought together desk-based and business case study research into the motivations and processes of SME take up of finance. The review assessed where the gaps in market provision of finance existed and made recommendations as to the future direction of access to finance public policy in stimulating the sub-regional economy.
Barnard Castle Vision
The Brief: Help us to establish a shared 20 year vision for the future economic regeneration and development of Barnard Castle and its hinterland. We are currently preparing a new economic vision and development strategy for Barnard Castle.
West Midlands Objective 2 Economic Appraisals: Government Office for the West
The brief: Perform a comprehensive economic appraisal of more than 100 Objective 2 projects. Each project was covered in depth with emphasis on impact, added value, deliverability and complementarity.
Ex-ante Evaluation of the emerging 2007-2013 Structural Fund programmes
The Brief: Government Offices for the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber required support to assess the emerging Regional Competitiveness and Employment programmes in the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. The assignments involved a thorough review of the programmes’ Operational Plans which will guide the investment of funding over the 2007-2013 period.
Government Office North East, Mid Term Evaluation of the North East of England Objective 2 Programme
The Brief: Government Office North East asked us to complete a mid term evaluation of their Objective 2 Programme. We used a variety of research techniques and completed an in depth analysis of the programme performance, resulting in a series of key recommendations. We have recently been commissioned to undertake an update of the evaluation.
North & West Lancashire ERDF Priority 1 Action Plan Mid Term Evaluation
The Brief: To assess the effectiveness of a range of business support initiatives aimed at improving SME competitiveness. Using our skills in evaluations and the provision of advice to the public sector in the field of business improvement, we provided a range of recommendations for the second phase of the plan.
Structural Funds Programme Development
The Brief: We are currently working on behalf of the South West Regional Development Agency to develop the framework for delivery of the 2007-2013 round of Structural Funds investment.
National Evaluation of the Scottish Executive’s Community Wardens Initiative
The Brief: To undertake a major 2 year formulative evaluation on behalf of the Scottish Executive. As a company we have experience of undertaking both formative and longitudinal evaluations of a range of public sector interventions. The company also has specific experience of community wardens schemes, having undertaken evaluations of schemes funded under the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.
Economic Development Experiences of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities in South Yorkshire
The Brief: To evaluate the economic development experiences of BME communities within the South Yorkshire sub-region.
Connecting South West Programme
The Brief: Assist in the establishment and development of the sub-regional partnerships tasked with rolling out broadband and boosting take up levels across the region. Using our abilities in partnership building, monitoring and evaluation and research we have engaged with each of the sub-regional partners and devised the ICT Development Framework, which has been used as a basis for developing and appraising other sub-regional ICT projects.
Broadband Access Programme Evaluation
The Brief: To carry out an evaluation of the £24 million Broadband Access Programme on behalf of the Scottish Enterprise E-Business Group. The programme aimed to increase broadband availability throughout Scotland through a targeted marketing campaign, a number of local projects and additional funding around centres that promote the use of E-Business and Broadband (E-Business Demonstration Centres).
Identifying appropriate support measures
for the Construction sector in Scotland
The Brief: GEN has been commissioned to carry out a major research study identifying appropriate support measures for the Construction Sector in Scotland to 2020. The outcomes form the study will be used to support and influence Scottish Enterprise’s Priority Industries Strategy for Construction.
Review of High Growth Start Up Unit
The Brief: GEN was commissioned to evaluate the High Growth Start-Up Unit on behalf of Scottish Enterprise. The unit was established in 2002 in response to research which suggested that Scotland does not produce enough ‘high growth’ companies.
Small Community Grants Analysis for Highlands & Islands Enterprise
The Brief: Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the development agency for the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Unlike many other development agencies in the United Kingdom, social development is an integral part of its remit.
Working for Families
The Brief: Working for Families is a Scottish Government initiative whereby funding is given to local authorities to set up projects to help parents and carers move into, or nearer to, employability. Although the implementation by local authorities varies, as it reflects their own priorities, the general model that has evolved is for link workers to be employed.
South West Objective 1 & 2 Programmes – Investment in the environment sector, evaluation study
The Brief: In March 2007, we were commissioned by the South West Objective 2 Programme Environmental Theme Partnership to undertake an evaluation of the investment made through the Objective 1 & 2 programmes in the environmental sector.
Sheffield