UK Consultancy Services

Our typical services are outlined in the list below.  Click on each one to find out more.

• Project and Programme Evaluations ...»
• Innovation Services ...»
• Feasibility Studies and Business Planning ...»
• Economic Analysis and Economic Forecasting ...»
• Employment Land Studies ...»
• Sector Studies ...»
• Employer and Skills Surveys ...»
• Business Support (including LEGI Bid Development) ...»
• Bid Writing and Appraisal ...»
• Mapping Exercises and Baseline Studies ...»
• Strategy Development ...»
• Rural Development ...»
• Community Consultation ...»
• Equality and Diversity ...»
• Investment Fund Consultancy and Technology Transfer ...»

 
WM Enterprise has a demonstrable track record in conducting a variety of evaluations with respect to:

• area based regeneration programmes (NRF, NDC, SRB, NMP)
• education and skills programmes
• employment programmes
• business support programmes
• crime and community safety programmes
• equality and diversity initiatives
• European funded programmes (ESF, ERDF)

We have also conducted a number of rolling evaluations, conducted throughout the lifetime of a particular programme. A few examples which demonstrate the breadth and depth of our experience are as follows:

• Southwark Council - A rolling evaluation (2005-08) of NRF funded  worklessness programmes in Southwark.  Work to date has included the evaluation of the existing Southwark Works! Programme.  We have now been commissioned to undertake a rolling evaluation of the initiative to its end in 2008, with a key role in making a business case for mainstreaming all or part of the programme.
  

• Springbourne & Boscombe West Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder - An ongoing project evaluating the NMP throughout the lifetime of the 6-year programme.  This has included to date, an evaluation of baseline indicators, a community engagement study, a review of flagship projects and a major residents survey.
  

• New Deal New Horizons NDC (Walsall) - An evaluation of the Neighbourhood Wardens Scheme in Walsall's NDC area.  This examined the effectiveness of a major community safety intervention and led to recommendations to improve the project's effectiveness in the future.
  

• Sandwell Town Teams (NRF) - A mid term evaluation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme,which in particular, focused on the 6 Town Teams which are the principal delivery vehicle for the programme in Sandwell. The evaluation included a review of each Town Team and its structure, significant stakeholder consultation, an analysis of performance against floor targets and a series of recommendations going forward.
  

• HM Prison Service - We are in the process of undertaking an ongoing evaluation (2005-07) of the IMPACT programme, delivering training and support provision to prison inmates to help increase the chances of obtaining employment or self-employment, when released, thus helping to minimise the risk of re-offending.
  

• SEEDA - We conducted an interim evaluation of the ‘Gateway to Regenerating Construction Skills’ (Skillsgateway) Project. This involved an assessment of the project outputs, outcomes and the strategic added value generated by the project. There was also be consultation with key beneficiaries, trainers and partners to establish the successes and limitations of the project and to assess the future sustainability of the project.
  

• Quality Improvement Agency - We helped evaluate NVQ delivery and assessment in custodial settings throughout England. This evaluation assessed the range of provision of NVQs in custodial settings and identified best practice in existing delivery.

We have demonstrable expertise in the field of innovation and are currently managing a 3 year flagship innovation programme supporting innovative SMEs.  We have been involved in reviewing the innovation requirements of SMEs and have also been working closely with University Technology Transfer departments across the country.  Project examples include:

• Northwest Development Agency - We are currently managing the 3 year Knowledge to Innovate (K2i) Programme on behalf of Northwest Development Agency. The programme is centred on embedding innovation in SMEs in the Northwest region. Critical aspects of the project include: a tailored programme of consultancy support in areas such as innovation leadership, organisational change, business strategy and embedding innovation within company practices, and a series of management workshops with industry leaders and innovators.
  

• Northwest Development Agency / GONW - Management of the 3 year £1.5m Motivating Merseyside Businesses to Innovate (MMBI) programme.  Worked alongside HE and Business Link partners, we provided support to over 180 SMEs looking to develop innovative products, services, processes and ideas.
  

• emda - Strategic assignment which mapped the innovation support requirements of SMEs across the region which contributed to the East Midlands Innovation Strategy.
  

• EEDA - A review of managed workspace and business incubation facilities in the East of England region
  

• East Hampshire DC - Established the likely demand for enterprise and innovation facilities in East Hampshire to support new businesses.
  

• Advantage West Midlands - We undertook a business survey on Keele University Science Park in order to ascertain likely expansion requirements of businesses to establish the feasibility of expanding the science park.
  

Also see Investment Fund Consultancy and Technology Transfer services below.

• Community Centres
• Exhibition & Conference Facilities
• Business Incubator Units
• Livestock Market
• Multi-purpose Resource Centres

• Heritage Centre
• Disability Resource Centre
• Community Finance Agency
• Social Enterprises
• Health Centres

Typically feasibility studies have involved identifying demand/supply, options analyses and developing robust business plans.  We often subsequently identify funding sources and help prepare funding bids, if schemes prove feasible.  Examples include:

• Community Action Project (Smethwick) -  Feasibility study into a new £2.5m resource centre for the African Caribbean community.  This project involved community consultation, the development of a robust business plan and bid writing.  Nearly £2m was raised from a variety of sources including SRB, ERDF and Futurebuilders. The Centre has now been built.
  

• Rotherwas Business Centre - We developed a business plan for a proposed business incubator centre including an analysis of existing and future market demand for managed workspace and incubator provision.
  

• Caia Park Community Facilities - We undertook a review of community facilities on the Caia Park estate, Wrexham, to establish the best usage of the existing buildings and facilities and established the needs and demands of the local community.

• Malvern Hills Science Park Extension - Working with GVA Grimley, this project involved a review of the development to-date, together with the preparation of estimates of future levels of demand.
  

• Craven Arms Carriage Sheds - We completed a feasibility study into converting disused carriage sheds into either industrial units or a railway heritage centre.

WM Enterprise Consultants have a 20 year track record in providing economic consultancy services across the UK.  Our expert economists are able to undertake:

• regional economic analyses
• economic impact assessments and appraisals
• economic forecasts by industry (SIC), land use and demography

We have recently undertaken economic forecasting exercises in: Burnley, Black Country, West Lancashire, Kidderminster, Forest of Dean, Hastings, Nottingham, Harrogate, Congleton and Tonbridge& Malling.

Examples of a selection of economic analysis projects include:

• Bradford MDC - We provided inputs into the new Economic Development Strategy with respect to economic migration, international trade, business competitiveness and risks and scenario planning.
  

• South West of England RDA -  We undertook a major employment study in the Forest of Dean, following the announced job losses at the Xerox plant in Mitcheldean.  This involved economic analyses, forecasting, skills surveys and the development of an action plan, following visioning and scenario building workshops.
  

• CENTRO - Working alongside RPS, this project involved establishing the economic impact of the Midland Metro Line 1, between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. It involved extensive desk research and the carrying out of five surveys including a street survey of 500 individuals, a survey of local employers, a survey of residents living in close proximity to Line I, a survey of local job seekers, and a survey of property agents and property developers.
  

• Telford & Wrekin Council - We reviewed the likely social and economic impacts of the proposed housing regeneration in the ward of Woodside, including estimates of the effect on its ratings and rank in the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Working alongside Drivers Jonas, and using latest ODPM guidelines, we have conducted a number of employment land studies.  These have involved forecasts of local economies, which have been translated into floorspace and land requirements.  An integral part of the work has been the conducting of local employer surveys.  Recent projects have included:

• Black Country Consortium - We reviewed the forecasts and assumptions used in the first draft of the employment land review.  Modifications were made and considered in the "Black Country Study" which formed part of the West Midlands Spatial Strategy.
  

• Harrogate Borough Council - Working alongside Driver Jonas, we provided a quantitative and qualitative review of the existing employment land supply and the requirements up to 2021, including an employment forecasting exercise and a survey of over 200 businesses to establish future land-use requirements.
  

• Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council - Working alongside Drivers Jonas, we undertook a review of their employment land requirements to 2016, including the production of forecasts for the Tonbridge and Malling economy and through a telephone survey of 200 business operating within the borough.

• food and drink
• professional services
• engineering
• motor industry
• construction
• ceramics
• plumbing / electrical / heating

• leisure and tourism
• aviation
• marine technologies and port & related
• logistics
• ICT
• medical technology
• professional services

• North West LSCs - Undertook sector skills research to inform strategies in seven sectors in the North West, namely the aviation, logistics, port & related services, leisure & tourism, professional & financial services, automotive and engineering sectors.
  

• LSC London West - Undertook a survey of employers and key stakeholders in the West London area concerned with the food processing and manufacturing sector, which is particularly prevalent in the area.
  

• Financial Services Sector Skills Council - Undertook research exploring the concentration of financial services activity in regional financial services clusters. This research helped inform the Skills Bill, a major UK-wide programme of work which will culminate in the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA).
  

• Norfolk County Council / EEDA - We undertook a study reviewing the role of the Financial Industry Group (FIG). This work included identifying financial services clusters in the region, interviewing decision makers within financial services companies, interviewing other stakeholders and making recommendations regarding the established financial industries support body that currently focuses on Norwich and Norfolk.
  

• Summit Skills   - Undertook a nationwide business survey of over 800 companies for the Sector Skills Council concerned with the electrical, heating, air conditioning and plumbing sector.

• Advantage West Midlands - Undertook a review of the Priority Sectors outlined in the Regional Economic Strategy.  This involved an in-depth analysis of the local and regional economy in respect to the automotive, ceramics, food and drink, engineering, leisure/tourism, engineering design, creative and food & drink sectors.
  

Employer Surveys , are typically conducted by telephone but are occasionally carried out face-to-face.  We have undertaken numerous surveys which have focused on particular industrial sectors or issues such as skill shortages or recruitment difficulties as well as having wider coverage.

Skill Surveys are usually undertaken through household surveys and help identify skills needs and training gaps and are often undertaken alongside employer surveys to match local people with local jobs.

Examples include:

• North Northants Development Company - Survey of businesses in Kettering and Corby to establish existing skill requirements and mapping of current training provision.

• Wolverhampton City Council - Telephone survey of approximately 200 businesses investigating the extent and impact of business crime.

• New Cross Gate NDC (Lewisham) - Household survey of 2,000 residents and focus groups with community groups.  This was complemented by a business survey to match local people with local jobs.

• LSC London West - Household survey of 800 residents on 6 deprived estates  in order to ascertain skill levels and training needs.  This was complemented by a business survey to ascertain skill requirements in 5 economic 'hotspots' close to these estates to help match local skills and jobs.

• Merton Council - Face-to-face survey of 300 workless residents, which included training local residents to help undertake the survey work.  The project also included a telephone survey of 200 businesses and a number of focus groups with hard to reach groups.

WM Enterprise is able to provide local authorities, RDAs and other business support organisations with a range of services based on our experience and expertise in enterprise development.

We have been involved in submitting several Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) bids, including developing evidence bases, consulting with interested groups, engaging with local SMEs, completing the bid documentation and drawing up delivery plans. Examples include:

• Ashfield, Mansfield and Bolsover District Councils - Helped research and develop the combined LEGI bid for these three district councils, which successfully won £3.8m in the 1st round.
  

• Norwich City Council - Helped research and develop the 2nd Round LEGI bid, which successfully won £8.9m of funding.

• Wigan Council - Helped to shape and identify projects for the submission of this 1st round LEGI bid.  The bid reached the final 15 from the 56 submitted nationwide and narrowly missed getting funding.  It is expected to get funding in the 2nd round.
  

WM Enterprise also has  a track record in contributing to business support strategies and policies and has also helped set up and re-organise a number of enterprise centres. Examples include:

• emda / GOEM - Development of a model for business support for land based industries across the East Midlands
  

• West Midlands Social Economy Partnership - Leading a consortium including the University of Warwick, and New Economic Foundation, we mapped social enterprises in the West Midlands and developed a forward strategy to assist the sector in the future.
  

• emda - We conducted research into the provision of support by Community Development Finance Institutions in the East Midlands region.
  

• Business Link Staffordshire - We undertook a comprehensive review of business start-up support provision in Staffordshire

• SENTA - We carried out a feasibility study and business planning exercise to re-focus the centre in order to foster the creation of an 'Exemplar Enterprise Agency'.  This project subsequently included the interim management of the agency for three months.

We offer consultancy advice in relation to obtaining funding these include:

• advising / searching for funding sources
• writing bids (a very high success rate - also see feasibility studies)
• providing support / appraisal of bids prior to submission
• assessing submitted bids (e.g. ESF Co-Financing Bids)

Examples of bids that we have written or appraised include:

• ERDF (Objective 1/2)
• ESF (Objective 2/3)
• Phoenix Development Fund
• Leader +
• Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

• LEGI (click HERE for more details)
• Future Builders
• Big Lottery Fund
• Building Neighbourhood Nurseries
• SRB

Examples of bid appraisals include:

• LSC London West - Over 400 ESF Co-Financing Bid appraisals conducted in 2003, 2004 and 2005

• LSC London South - Over 350 ESF Co-Financing appraisals conducted between 2004 and 2006.

• Birmingham City Council - Assessed over 200 ESF Co-Financing Bids in 2004 and 2005 and also appraised 25 ERDF "Enterprising Communities" bids.

• LSC London West - Negotiated and drafted performance related contracts with over 65 successful delivery organisations

We have undertaken mapping exercises for a variety of clients and have also conducted a number of baseline studies covering areas such as skills, employment, housing, health and crime, amongst others.  Examples include:

• Northwest Development Agency -  This was a project which benchmarked the success of regeneration projects across the region through establishing key performance indicators.
  

• Alliance for Enterprise - Spatial targeting exercise mapping business crime hotspots to help target LEGI funding in the areas of most need.

• emda - A research project which mapped the provision of financial support by Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI's) in the East Midlands region.  The project involved significant desk research, a survey of SMEs in the region and interviews with CDFI's and other similar organisations.

• Luton Forum (LSP) -  This was a study mapping the funds directed into Luton from the public sector to help shape the future development of the Community Strategy. The project involved significant desk research and consultation with over 30 key stakeholders.

• Burnley Council for Voluntary Services - We undertook a study mapping voluntary and community organisations in Burnley.  This included a telephone survey of over 350 organisations and also involved an analysis of the contribution of the sector to the local economy.

Developing strategies form an important part of many of our assignments.  These include those undertaken as part of the Market Town Initiative and those developed at the end of programmes which require a forward/exit strategy.  We are also experienced in conducting workshops, focus groups and other consultation events to help shape future strategies. 

Recent strategy work includes:

• LSC London West / BAA - Heathrow Terminal 5 Local Labour Strategy. We helped to develop a local labour market strategy through extensive stakeholder consultation, which culminated in the development of a number of options considering management and delivery arrangements, funding, training content and provision of supplementary services.
  

• Hastings BC / SEEDA - Employability Action Plan and Strategy.  We conducted a research project aimed at providing a full understanding of the barriers to employment and future workforce needs.  The project involved a large resident and business survey (over 1,000 surveyed in total), focus groups, economic sector forecasts and culminated in the production of an Action Plan and Strategy detailing future priorities for the area.
  

• Wyre Forest DC - Kidderminster Economic Strategy Review.  We reviewed the existing draft strategy’s strategic objectives through an extensive stakeholder consultation, backed up with economic forecasts, which identified the long-term economic trends for the town. This culminated in the development of a new Action Plan identifying specific projects for each proposed strategic action.
  

• Oadby & Wigston BC - South Wigston Masterplan.  WM Enterprise  led a consortium of consultants to develop a regeneration Masterplan for  South Wigston.  This pioneering project included socio-economic and planning analyses, community engagement, visioning, illustrative services and partnership development.

We undertake a number of assignments each year in rural areas and have established a track record, in particular, in working in Market Towns.  We have been involved in the Market Town Initiative since its inception undertaking some of the first market town healthchecks in the country.  A number of the resultant plans and strategies are regarded highly, with the Church Stretton and Newport strategies regarded as Best Practice in the West MIdlands by Advantage West Midlands.  In addition the action plan and strategy developed in Newent in the Forest of Dean, has been widely acclaimed and is now used as a model throughout Gloucestershire.  Recent examples include

• Bingham - Action plan workshop facilitation
• Bromyard - Healthcheck and action plan
• Bishops Castle - Retail survey and catchment area analysis
• Church Stretton -Public consultation business survey and action plan
• Cheadle - Healthcheck and action plan
• Kington - Healthcheck and action plan
• Ledbury - Healthcheck and action plan
• Leek - Healthcheck and action plan
• Leominster - Healthcheck and action plan
• Newent - Healthcheck and action plan
• Newport - Community consultation and action plan
• Tewkesbury – Community consultation regarding a multi-use centre
• Uttoxeter - Healthcheck and action plan

Other examples include:

• Northwest Development Agency - Affordable Housing in Cumbria.  This study examined the impact of a lack of affordable housing on the local economies in 6 villages.  The project included a survey of residents, employers and estate agents.
  

• emda/GOEM - Business Needs and Skills Requirements of Land-based Industries Arising from Diversification.  In partnership with Harper Adams Agricultural College, we undertook interviews with land based employers and training providers as well as extensive consultation with a range of land based associations in order to develop a 'model of support' to assist the industry.

We use a variety of community consultation techniques, including workshops, public meetings, focus groups, 'drop in' centres, 'fun days', street interviews and door to door surveys.  In addition, our in-house marketing department helps to co-ordinate promotional campaigns, leaflets, press releases and handouts to raise awareness of consultation events.

We have a track record in involving local people in surveys and have trained and employed local people to undertake face-to-face household interviews as well as telephone interviews and have also trained community members in data input/ data processing and have conducted training on how to present data.   We have targeted hard to reach groups such as ethnic minority groups, disaffected youths, unemployed individuals and also have a track record of consulting with young people.  Project examples include:

• Sandwell HMRA (Urban Living) - Community consultation and awareness raising of the Sandwell Housing Market Renewal Programme to encourage the long-term participation of residents in the scheme. This also included the facilitation of a day long 'Community Conference' at WBA Football Club.
  

• LSC Nottinghamshire - Facilitated 25 focus groups with school children in Nottinghamshire to examine the reasons why Year 11 pupils were leaving school and explored attitudes to Work Based Learning.
  

• Manufacturing Foundation - Investigated the attitudes of young people towards careers in the manufacturing industry, through focus groups and questionnaires with young people at schools and colleges.
  

• Brent Council - In order to help develop a forward strategy for the Church End and Roundwood, an area which was suffering from 'consultation fatigue', we helped facilitate a fun day at a local school whereby activities were provided for children so that parents and other community representatives could be consulted.

We have extensive experience and expertise in the area of equality and diversity and have conducted a number of assignments where the task is to establish the viewpoints of disadvantaged communities. We have expertise in a number of key areas including:

• Conducting Equalities Impact Assessments
• Providing training and advice on meeting the ‘Race Equality Duty’
• Engaging with Hard to Reach Communities
• Working with Disadvantaged groups
• Developing community cohesion strategies

• Liverpool HMR (New Heartlands) - WM Enterprise was commissioned to undertake a race equality impact assessment for the New Heartlands Housing Market Renewal Programme.  It is the first assessment of its type to have been commissioned by any of the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders.
  

As both a fund manager and consultancy business, WM Enterprise is in the unique position of helping agencies set up venture capital funds and provide support and advice concerning spinning out innovative ideas, products and processes from HEI and other research institutions.

We have also advised a number of other organisations on aspects of establishing funds including those based in Cornwall, Swindon and Bristol.

• EEDA - We recently undertook a feasibility study for a ‘Proof of Concept Fund’ to ascertain the level of demand for such a fund in the East of England. The project concluded there was demand and suggested a number of options on how such a fund could be set up. The Fund was subsequently established.
  

• Advantage West Midlands - We are in the process of undertaking an assessment of the extent of market failure in the supply of debt based finance to viable businesses in the West Midlands region. This has involved a review of managed funds providing debt finance and the role of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme (SFLG) as well as consultations with finance institutions, loan providers and other RDA’s to ascertain their experiences in setting up funds in this field.

• WM Enterprise’s investment division, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, are presently managing the Mercia Technology Seed Fund, a £12.8 million fund investing in spinouts from universities and research establishments in the West Midlands. The Fund works closely with HEI Technology Transfer departments and has been highly successful in developing a number of new high technology enterprises. This is one of four funds currently managed.