Social and economic

Our experts assist evidence-based decision making, ensuring that analyses are robust, reliable and relevant.

Economic research

Our expertise in economics, economic research and development, and urban planning is being applied in various countries. Our project portfolio covers sectors such as road and rail infrastructure, health service reconfiguration, aviation, digital infrastructure, urban development, environment and climate change, tourism and leisure, and education.

Calculating impacts on communities

Economic impact data is essential for appraising or prioritizing project proposals, bidding for funding, or allocating funds. We developed the transparent economic assessment model (TEAM) to deliver fast and credible monetized values for any project’s impact on jobs, income and other variables.

For example, we calculated that a new road in the UK would deliver 5,230 jobs and £1 billion in gross value over 30 years.

This automated, spreadsheet-based tool is calibrated for local economic geography. It can also be used for scenario testing if there is uncertainty about a project site.

TEAM is populated with project data, economic data including salary rates, our own derived data such as gross value added per worker and a set of custom formulas. The calculations are consistent, transparent and compliant with UK Government project appraisal guidance, so the resulting business case is open and defensible.

We’ve used TEAM to assess project proposals across countries such as the UAE, Kenya, and the USA. TEAM provides comprehensive and credible business case insight for decision makers to maximize the value of project investments worldwide.

Added value

We've worked for a vast range of clients over the years. As advisors on local economic development for the Local Government Association, we delivered local economic development workshops in different parts of the UK, aimed at the facilitation of peer-to-peer learning with local authority officers. We've also produced research papers on the transition to Local Enterprise Partnerships and the role of transport, finance and skills in local economic development.

We've undertaken extensive work on the resources available for economic development in a time of austerity. Our team has offered advice on the relative merits of new funding mechanisms applied directly to site appraisal and analysis, for example. Working with developers and public sector sponsors, we assess the relative merits of funding streams, taxation and borrowing powers to maximize growth and return on investment.

Social research

Understanding the effects of policies, projects, and programs on individuals, communities, societies, and service users has become a central element of the project life cycle. More than ever, the evidence underpinning the decision-making process is an essential element of project development.

Our expertise covers multiple disciplines across a range of sectors and we work with public and private clients to understand the social effects of their proposals on the wider community. Our social research experts help clients meet these goals:

Highlight and maximize the potential positive effects of their projects
Identify practical steps to tackle negative effects and unintended discrimination
Evidence how, when, and where they have considered the relevant policy drivers
Minimize commercial, reputational and legal risk
Prevent costly delays as result of challenges related to legislation
Win support by involving local people and stakeholders in development and decision-making processes

Our track record

Based on these principles, we have developed a strong track record in: