Project Experience
Business Needs and Economic Strategy
- Upper Forth Sub-Regional Employment Park review, 2017, for Fife Council (ongoing)
- Bute Business Training Needs and Capacity study (2017), for Bute Island Alliance
- Rothesay Business Infrastructure and Market Needs Study (2016), for Bute Island Alliance
Whilst with ekosgen:
- Business needs analysis, innovation and R&D scoping (2014-15), North Ayrshire Council
Growth Deal, funding bid and application support
- Ayrshire Growth Deal, Internationalisation and Innovation Framework support (with ekosgen) (2017)
- Ayrshire Growth Deal, Outline Business Case Support (with ekosgen), for East Ayrshire Council (2016)
- Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, Strategic Business Case support for City Deal investment (2015), Glasgow City Council
Business support programme development & evaluation
Whilst with ekosgen, Richard led the following:
evaluation of Co-operative Development Scotland and review of the contribution of co-operative models to the Scottish Economy (2015), for SE, HIE and SG
http://www.evaluationsonline.org.uk/evaluations/Search.do?ui=basic&action=showPromoted&id=579
- Grant for Research & Development Northern Ireland (Mid-Term) Evaluation (2013), for DETNI
- 2007-2013 Argyll and the Islands LEADER programme evaluation, for the Local Action Group
- Evaluation of the (Food and Drink) Access to Markets programme (2015), for HIE
- Evaluation of the Business Mentoring programme (2014), for HIE Research
Social research and policy review
Whilst with ekosgen, Richard led:
- Young people research (2015) for HIE (including Area Office reports) http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/economic-reports-and-research/archive/young-people-and-the-highlands-and-islands–attitudes-and-aspirations-research.html
Business plan reviews and development
Market Options and Business Plan development for Two Listed Buildings, Rothesay, for Argyll and Bute Council (2017)
Richard has worked on ERDF appraisal contracts, reviewing business plans in various English regions
Project appraisal and programme evaluation
Liverpool City Region appraisals, 2017, with AddSpecialists
Economic development research
Whilst with ekosgen, Richard led:
- Economic and social benefits of proposed Air Services at Skye Airport (2016), for HIE http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/economic-reports-and-research/archive/skye-air-services-study-2016.html
Socio-economic baselines and funding analysis
Socio-economic analysis and policy review to support the Ardencraig project development, Isle of Bute, Fyne Futures (2016)
Socio-economic analysis and funding analysis for the Crinan Corridor, Mid Argyll (2016), with Oliver Chapman associates
Socio-economic analysis and funding analysis for Kincardine, Fife (2017), with Oliver Chapman associates (ongoing)
Social Enterprise and Communities support
Business Support for Vital Spark programme social enterprise participants.
Whilst with ekosgen, Richard led:
- Community Benefit research (2015), for East Renfrewshire Council
- Socio-economic and mid-market housing analysis (2014), for River Clyde Homes
- Richard has also delivered ERDF and Housing Market Renewal Programme appraisal contracts and led various funding applications.
Skills and labour market research
Whilst with ekosgen:
- Regional Skills Assessments (2016), for SDS (including 32 local authority reports) https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/partnerships/regional-skills-assessments/
Context Economics have and continue to support Skills Development Scotland through 2016 and 2017
Sector studies
- National Adventure Tourism research (2015) HIE, SE, Visit Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/economic-reports-and-research/archive/adventure-tourism-in-scotland—exploring-the-opportunity-for-growth.html