Key Themes

We provide research & consultancy, technical assistance and delivery support to help businesses, economies, people and places achieve optimal performance. Below are a few of our key themes:

• Economic and spatial analysis - understanding the spatial perspective of economic development and regeneration.
• Competitiveness and economic development - supporting enterprise development and wealth creation and identifying and improving the conditions that underpin this.
• Regeneration and renewal - Monitoring and improving the effectiveness of area and thematic-based regeneration programmes and projects.
• Urban and rural development - supporting sustainable urban and rural areas and developing the economic and spatial interdependencies that exist between these areas.
  

For more information, you can download our brochure here.

Services & Products

At ECOTEC, we understand that each project requires a 'tailor-made' approach in order to guarantee results. Our suite of services and products, which cut across our work and can be applied at a range of spatial levels, are suitably adapted to meet your needs. In many cases, projects require a complementary blend of these services.

• Baselining - We apply quantitative and qualitative research tools to establish a baseline position from
  which to capture trends and measure change.
• Economic appraisal – We conduct project appraisals for public sector agencies and funding bodies
  and have particular expertise in conducting green book appraisals and cost-benefit analyses.
• Economic modelling – We have developed a sophisticated impact and policy assessment model –
  the REMI-ECOTEC Model – which can provide the basis for rigorous approaches to the economic
  assessment of programmes and projects.
• Evaluation and monitoring – We have a strong track record of providing clients with IEF compliant
  evaluations that offer a valuable unbiased viewpoint of the economy, efficiency, effectiveness and
  impact of interventions.
• Feasibility testing – We collate, analyse and interpret a range of data and information to support
  clients in identifying the need and demand for a proposed project or development.
• Funding support – We have a high level understanding of the plethora of funding opportunities
  available and have the ability to support strategic funding and case making. Our experience is directly
  informed through ECOTEC's management of major European funded programmes.
• Impact assessment – We capture the economic impact of organisations, industry sectors, physical
  developments and events, in terms of the direct and indirect impacts, and any associated social and
  cultural impacts.
• Local economic assessment – We have developed innovative and cost effective approaches to
  undertaking local economic and area assessments, and can provide access to a range of relevant
  data sources and analytical tools.
• Partnership development – We support clients in identifying effective governance and
  organisational structures, outlining appropriate delivery mechanisms and developing sustainable
  strategies.
• Performance measurement – We have developed in-house economic models that assess socialeconomic
  performance at various spatial levels. We are also able to readily identify appropriate
  comparator areas or regions.
• Policy and strategy development – We have very extensive experience of supporting clients in
  policy and strategy development, particularly around economic development, enterprise, innovation,
  regeneration and skills.
• Programme and project development – Drawing upon our suite of services, we are particularly well
  placed to support clients during the development stages of economic development and regeneration
  interventions.
• Skills assessment – Our understanding of labour markets means that we are well placed to conduct
  assessments of sector skills demand from employers and their industrial sector bodies.

Case Studies

Impacts of the Economic Downturn on West Midlands Housing Markets and Implications for Regional
Housing Policy

Client: West Midlands Regional Assembly
Description: ECOTEC's work encompassed an extensive economic scenario development exercise directed at anticipating potential regional futures. The study also featured desk research and a programme of consultations to better explore likely scenario impacts on regional and sub-regional housing markets.

Evaluation of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal

Client: Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Description: ECOTEC conducted a longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. In-depth case studies were carried out in 13 of the UK's most deprived local areas. Through a range of qualitative and quantitative research, the work generated constructive and practical advice on how to improve the design and delivery of the strategy.

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Contacts

To discuss issues relating to Regeneration & Economic Development, please contact:

Paul Jeffrey Managing Director   Tel: +44 (0) 121 212 8845 Email:paul.jeffrey@ecotec.com