News: 2004

Dec 2004 – North West Regional Assembly (NWRA)

SQW produced a report entitled “The Economic Contribution of Equalities Communities in the North West” on behalf of the NWRA. The report maps out the regional picture with regard to equality and diversity, considers where vital information or evidence is missing and makes recommendations for further activity or investigation. To view the report, please click here.

Nov 2004 – 'Planted World' Conference

Bill Wicksteed, a Director of SQW, gave a key speech at the Planted World Conference in Dublin entitled “Clustering, Collaboration and Competitiveness”. The presentation introduced the theoretical grounding of the cluster concept; provided descriptions of the make-up of current clusters in the UK and Europe ; reflected on what actually happens in a cluster to increase competitiveness; suggested some questions to raise when considering whether a cluster approach is appropriate; and, finally, outlined a sequence of actions for implementing a cluster initiative. To view the paper on which this presentation is based, please click here.

Oct 2004 – Joined up strategies in the East of England

SQW in conjunction with LUC have prepared an Integrated Regional Strategy for the East of England on behalf of the East of England Regional Assembly.

Oct 2004 – Conference: International Association of Science Parks

Bill Wicksteed, a Director of SQW, gave a key speech entitled “Elements of Attractiveness in the Knowledge Economy – Reflections from Cambridge and Singapore” at the International Association of Science Parks Conference in Bergamo. The presentation described the comprehensive and integrated strategic response that Singapore has taken to increasing its range of attractions in the knowledge economy and from the Cambridge experience. To view the presentation paper, please click “here”/publications/archive#p31.

Sep 2004 – Small Business Service: Investment Readiness

SQW has conducted an evaluation of the Investment Readiness Demonstrator Projects and Fit4Finance on behalf of the Small Business Service. The study assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of the approaches to improving investment readiness taken by each of the seven demonstrator projects in order to identify those practices which might be replicated elsewhere in the country. To view the report, click here to go to our publications page.

Sep 2004 – DTI: Biotechnology solutions

SQW has undertaken an Economic Evaluation of the BIO-WISE programme for the DTI. BIO-WISE aimed to encourage traditional industries, such as chemicals, engineering and textiles, to consider the adoption of biotechnology solutions and to help foster the development of the UK industry that supplies expertise, equipment and materials for biotechnology. The evaluation was designed to identify: impacts from the programme; how well it was managed; useful lessons for future interventions of this nature; and prospective needs/opportunities for use of biotechnology. This report is to be published later this year.

Sep 2004 – Conference: Resource Mapping of Public Sector Expenditure

Since 2003 SQW have undertaken two studies which have attempted to identify the level of public sector resources flowing into a specific geographical area. The first of these projects was focussed on Blackburn with Darwen, whose Borough Council wanted to develop a better understanding of the nature and existing level of resources going into both the borough as a whole, and into its deprived and non-deprived wards. The second piece of work concentrated on Blackpool with the aim of improving the provision of public policy decision making within the borough.

Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Partnership are organising a conference titled ‘Reshaping Public Services – Where does the mon£y go?’ which will discuss the resource mapping work, the methodology used and the findings that have emerged, in particular from the Blackburn project. To find out more details on the conference please click here.

Aug 2004 – Launch of newly published book on International Development

The book, which was co-edited by SQW’s Edinburgh based consultant, Leslie Groves, entitled “Inclusive Aid: Changing Power and Relationships in International Development” was launched on the 15th of July 2004 at the Parliamentary Estate. The Launch was presided over by the Liberal Democrat Spokesman for International Development, the Rt Hon Tom Brake and was organised by the Institute for Development Studies.

Aug 2004 – Activities for Young People

The Summary report of SQWs year two interim report on the three year Activities for Young People programme has recently been published by the Big Lottery Fund. The summary report offers the Big Lottery Fund’s interpretation of SQW’s findings. The report details the findings for each of the individual country programmes and identifies emerging policy, emerging good practice and themes to be explored in 2004.

Jul 2004 – North East Community Forests

SQW in conjunction with Bow Community Partnership and the University of Newcastle undertook an impact study looking at the different activities taking place within the North East Community Forests. The report entitled “Impact of Community Engagement in the North East Community Forests” has recently been published by the NECF.

Jun 2004 – Joint Working in Sport and Neighbourhood Renewal

“Joint Working in Sport and Neighbourhood Renewal” (Research Report 9) was written for the NRU by SQW. The report, which draws on eight case studies, looked at the nature and extent of joint working between sports and neighbourhood renewal organisations. To view the report, click here to go to our publications page.

Jun 2004 – Incubation Strategy for Tameside

SQW in conjunction with Zernike UK and BBP have developed an incubation strategy for Tameside MBC, an area which is suffering from an “enterprise deficit”. The work seeks to address two main questions: Is the development of business incubation space a sensible economic development policy approach to adopt by Tameside? and if so, what are the existing barriers to incubation in the Borough and how best could these be overcome?

Jun 2004 – Higher Education Funding Council for England

SQW have been appointed to undertake an appraisal of options for the provision of higher education in Herefordshire, Powys and Shropshire, which will in turn contribute towards understanding the problems of diversity and participation in Higher Education. The project will involve conducting surveys of actual and potential beneficiaries of Higher Education and in-depth consultations with Higher and Further Education providers, Local and Health and Regional Development Institutions.

Jun 2004 – One NorthEast

SQW in conjunction with Land Use Consultants are undertaking a study to estimate the economic contribution of protected landscapes in the North East region.

May 2004 – Yorkshire Forward Renaissance Towns Initiative

SQW have been commissioned by Yorkshire Forward to undertake a thorough review of the Yorkshire Forward Renaissance Towns Programme, which will encompass an analysis and evaluation of the objectives, processes and results of the initiative.

May 2004 – Brent Refugees into Jobs

SQW are carrying out an independent review of the Refugees into Jobs project on behalf of the London borough of Brent. The will include an assessment and forward strategy evaluation of the pioneering agency, which seeks to support community organisations and individuals re-engage with education and employment.

May 2004 – Invest Northern Ireland

SQW have been commissioned by Invest Northern Ireland to conduct an evaluations of their Company Development Programme.

May 2004 – The Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust published their report on costs and business models in scientific research publishing in April 2004. This report has been produced by SQW and has created substantial interest in the sector. It builds on an earlier report produced by SQW in January 2003: Economic analysis of scientific research publishing. The costs and business models report concludes that an author-pays model for scientific journals is a viable option. Open-access, author-pays models appear to be less costly and to have the potential to serve the scientific community successfully. To view the reports click here to go to our publications page.

May 2004 – SQW Recruiting

SQW continues to grow with the recruitment of three new members of staff to the Manchester team – a consultant, research consultant and project administrator.

Apr 2004 – Kent Thameside Regeneration

Kent Thamside forms a major part of the largest regeneration project in Europe, within which 30,000 new homes and 60,000 new jobs are to be created over the next 25 years. SQW have been appointed as the lead consultant in a consortium which will prepare an integrated and sustainable plan for the regeneration of the area.

Apr 2004 – Brunel University

SQW have been commissioned by Brunel University to look at the feasibility of establishing environmental technology clusters in the Heathrow City Growth Area.

Apr 2004 – SQW in Panama

SQW in conjunction with a Spanish consultancy, Idom, have been appointed to undertake a feasibility study of a technopolis in Panama

Apr 2004 – Milton Keynes Millennium Community

Following some initial work, SQW is currently undertaking a full economic appraisal of the proposal for a new Millennium Community to be developed on a brownfield site at Oakgrove, Milton Keynes.

Apr 2004 – South Staffordshire Incubation Feasibility Study

SQW have been commissioned by the Southern Staffordshire Partnership to conduct a business incubation feasibility study.

Apr 2004 – Working for Scottish Enterprise

SQW are carrying out a review of the compliance of Scotland’s “one-stop-shop” publicly funded business support services. SQW are also currently conducting a demand assessment for a proposed Medi-park in Shieldhall, Glasgow. This will encompass both the demand for space in this new development form local life science companies and also other aspects of feasibility including the type of commercial space available.

Apr 2004 – NWDA, Single Programme Appraisal Training

SQW have been commissioned to provide Single Programme Appraisal Guidance Training (SPAG) for NWDA. The sessions are designed to provide clarity on the principles and shape of NWDA’s process for delivering the Single Programme, to build an understanding of the content of the programme within the NWDA and finally to introduce some of the key technical concepts underpinning appraisal.

Mar 2004 – SQW Scholarships

As part of SQW’s commitment to knowledge, the company launched an annual scholarship scheme in September 2003, which awards £2000 to graduate students in five Universities. The first five students from this scheme are soon to graduate and were recently invited to spend a day with SQW to present findings from their studies and to gain an insight into the firm and the type of work SQW undertakes.

Mar 2004 – SQW Continues to Grow

SQW continues to grow, with three new Consultants recently appointed to the London Office, and a Senior Consultant and a Consultant joining our Edinburgh Office. Recruitment is continuing, particularly for senior consultants – available positions are advertised on our Recruitment page.

Mar 2004 – NWDA, Review of International Trade Strategy

SQW have been appointed to conduct a study which aims to review and realign the Regional International Trade Strategy (RITS) so that it contributes more directly to the revised Regional Economic Strategy. This will be achieved by building on existing research to ensure that changes in the support requirements of firms in the Region are reflected in the activities of the UK Trade and Investment / NWDA Pilot and partners. The study also involves reviewing the current business support offer in the Region and understanding how this could be enhanced to maximise impact. Through examining current Regional Trade Strategy targets an updated version of the strategy will be produced.

Mar 2004 – Public Sector Review in the North West

SQW have recently been commissioned by the NWDA to undertake a study to scope the range of opportunities to maximise the contribution of public sector organisations (local authorities, housing associations, NHS, fire and police authorities) to the North West and its economy. The areas of opportunity would include procurement of goods and services, investments related to major upcoming capital projects, contributions to supply chain development, employment, training and workforce development. The study will identify the prospects and provide a draft implementation plan to pursue these opportunities. These outputs are required for discussion among NWDA’s key partners on how to realise the opportunities available in the short, medium and long term.

Mar 2004 – SQW evaluates Office of Science and Technology Funded Programmes

The Office of Science and Technology provides funding through the science budget for a number of programmes designed to promote knowledge transfer from higher education institutions and public sector research establishments. At the end of last year, SQW undertook a desk-based review of these programmes analysing monitoring reports and statements. We have just been commissioned to undertake a more in-depth evaluation which will entail interviews with participating HEIs, PSREs and other stakeholders.

Mar 2004 – The Role of Communities in Improving Public Services

SQW has been appointed by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit to explore the role of communities in the delivery and improvement of public services in deprived areas. SQW is working with the LSE, Cities Research Centre (UWE) and WSD. The research involves reviewing the evidence base on community involvement, to be followed by ten clusters of case studies later in 2004.

Jan 2004 – SQW International Team

The International team at SQW have recently been successful in securing a project from the World Bank studying Corporate Governance, have been commissioned to undertake new projects in Africa, are continuing work in Latvia and have been revitalising contacts in Sweden.

Jan 2004 – SQW Recruiting and Growing

All SQW offices have recruited new staff over the last few months, expanding the capacity of the company and the range of skills available: