Policy development, strategy and action planning, and the analytical research and reflective thinking which underlie these, are core and large parts of SQW’s capability. We place emphasis on working data hard and robustly to provide insightful explanation, and then using this to frame policy approaches, strategic directions and action plans which are coherent and comprehensive, as well as rational and sustainable for the long term. An important and sought-after feature of our work is the dynamic view we bring of how economies and their hard and soft assets may change over time, often delivered through our close links with forecasting specialists, and our own in-house knowledge of Market and Technology Foresight (we led the management of the UK’s first Foresight exercise in the late 1990s).
Our track record in economic development policy, strategy and action planning spans national, sub-national, city-regional and local geographies. And we don’t just work for clients; our emphasis is working with clients, recognising that they and their partners will be responsible for taking forward the policies and plans we catalyse. Engagement is at the heart of how we work, as is our commitment to capacity building and knowledge transfer with colleagues in client organisations.
Examples of SQW projects
Local Economic Assessments
We have undertaken the development of almost a dozen Local Economic Assessments (LEAs) for local authorities across England. These have ranged across places as varied as Hounslow and Devon County through to Oldham and North Lincolnshire. Our work has typically involved a comprehensive assessment and interpretation of secondary data, a survey with businesses, extensive stakeholder engagement programmes, and guidance on economic priorities going forward.
Improving the Coherence, Coordination and Consistency of National and Regional Venture Capital Provision
In 2010, the Government announced an urgent review of publicly funded venture capital provision. The focus was on how Government could enhance coherence and impact of venture capital funds through an effective national framework and strong regional capacity. We were commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) to undertake this review, involving wide-ranging research and consultations with the then Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), BIS, the Treasury, the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), commercial fund managers, and a range of the other stakeholders. The output of our work was a set how recommendations and actions for improving the delivery of venture capital funds at sub-national level.
The Crewe Vision and Masterplan
Supported by Colin Buchanan and Cambridge Econometrics, we were commissioned by Cheshire East Council to lead a high-level visioning and masterplanning process for Crewe. Spanning a 20-year forward period, the key outputs from the study included a detailed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) assessment, a strategic framework and five-year action plan. Over 250 partners and organisations were approached in undertaking the work, delivering a high level of local buy-in and support.
The feasibility of Low Carbon Opportunities for Growth in Kent
We were commissioned by the County Council to carry out a feasibility study into a series of interventions proposed to support low carbon economic development in Kent. The proposed programme included business support, accreditation, and employer responsive training as well as a low carbon capital fund. The study included a review of existing and developing local and national provision, a survey of business and household demand, and consultations with industry and skills specialist in low carbon technologies. The outputs at interim and final stage were developed in close cooperation with Kent County Council as an input to the business case and action plan for the Low Carbon Opportunities for Growth (LCOG) programme.
Developing a Joint Implementation Plan in the East of England
Working with a group of regional partners led by the then Regional Development Agency, we developed a Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) for the East of England. The JIP was intended as a high-level business plan to deliver both the then new Regional Economic Strategy and Regional Spatial Strategy, and in anticipation of the likely requirement for a single regional strategy. Additionally, the output from the exercise formed a key part of the region’s submission to government in the context of the Regional Funding Allocations. In preparing the JIP, our work involved a technical review of implementation priorities as well as extensive stakeholder engagement, including through a formal public consultation on the draft JIP.
A Strategic Framework for University Expansion
The University of Swansea was considering ambitious expansion plans, which would extend the University onto a second campus in Swansea. The strategy was for an ‘open innovation’ campus with businesses co-locating alongside academic activities. We were commissioned to advise the University on the feasibility of the expansion, and tactics for its subsequent realisation. We reviewed academic plans and strategies, and considered in broad terms the attractiveness of the new campus to businesses.
Renewable Energy Capacity in the West Midlands
We undertook a full resource assessment for on-shore low carbon and renewable energy technology capacity, constraints and opportunities for the West Midlands, ensuring consistency with the standardised national Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) methodology, which we had previously developed. The project included the production of energy planning action guidance to assist local authorities in the consideration of planning decisions on the use and location of low carbon and renewable energy technologies.
The Development of an Employment and Skills Strategy for the Fylde Coast
We were commissioned by Blackpool Council, on behalf of the Fylde Coast Multi Area Agreement partners, to research and develop an employment and skills strategy for the area. Our initial work included developing a baseline of key employment and skills indicators, and mapping delivery activities to support employment and skills. A survey of Fylde Coast businesses was also undertaken to explore their short and longer-term employment and skills needs, which were compared against the mapping of delivery. The strategy was developed based on a set of agreed priorities, with action planning (including a series of public workshops) involving delivery partners.
Achieving Growth in Milton Keynes South Midlands
The Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) Growth Area had been set an ambitious jobs target to 2021. We were commissioned to assess the likely employment trajectory of the sub-region to 2021. Baseline forecasts were produced using Cambridge Econometrics’ forecasting model and a ‘growth scenario’ was modelled factoring in the sub-region’s housing delivery target and the potential for above-trend employment generation from local economic development interventions underway. We also assessed the sub-region’s strengths and assets in five priority sectors, and the growth potential of these sectors based on forecasts and consultations with sector leads and local partners. The research findings informed the development of an economic development implementation plan for MKSM.
Analysing the Interface Between the Economy and Housing Markets in the West Midlands
We were commissioned to study the interplay between housing and the economy in the West Midlands, and to project the likely forecast balance between housing demand and planned housing supply by 2030. The study identified those changes needed to ensure sub-regional and local housing market supply was aligned with modelled demand, which was used to inform the nascent Integrated Regional Strategy.
Developing a Sustainable Community Strategy in Nottingham
We were appointed by Nottingham City Council to support the Council and One Nottingham in preparing a new ten-year Sustainable Community Strategy for the city. Our work built upon previous work we had done for the Council in supporting the preparation of its earlier State of the City report and the development of a long-term city vision. The strategy development process involved strategic consultations, supporting research and analysis, the facilitation of work streams, the delivery of challenge workshops, and the final development and drafting of the strategy document.
Opportunities in the Low Carbon Sectors in Emerging and High Growth Markets
We were commissioned by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to conduct a study to assess the opportunities in environmental and carbon abatement sectors in target emerging and high growth overseas markets and map these against UK strengths and capabilities in these sectors. The study involved an intensive analysis of the size and scale of each market, assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of their policy and regulatory frameworks and identification and mapping of opportunities against UK comparative advantage. The approach comprised the review and interrogation of data and literature, consultations with select UKTI overseas posts and with key UK stakeholders.
The Environmental Considerations of Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth in the North West of England
We were tasked with mapping the environmental resources (natural and man-made) in the North West of England, and to consider the role that these might play in supporting the region’s socio-economic development objectives through to 2025. The focus for the study was on four critical types of infrastructures: energy, transport, water and waste. Using existing evidence from a very wide range of sources, SQW examined the current and likely future demand on these infrastructures, and offered policy choices on how these demands might be managed to best accommodate growth and sustainability objectives.