The £2.5 billion Venture Capital Investment Fund supports high-growth and innovative companies to access the long-term finance they need to grow.
A set of Areas across the UK have agreed Investment Funds through their respective Deals signed with HM Government. We have been commissioned to support the evaluation of the progress and impact of these long-term devolved Investment Funds.
The Education and Training Foundation designs, develops and delivers Continuing Professional Development for teachers, leaders, and trainers.
Research, analysis and advice on economic and social development More »
Experts in Economic & Social Research
With over 40 years’ experience, SQW is one of the UK’s leading economic and social research consultancies, providing independent research, analysis and advice.
Delivering evidence-based insight
Operating across the UK and Ireland, we inform, develop, appraise and evaluate social and economic development policies and interventions. These range from individual projects and programmes through to wider strategies and plans. They are defined at different spatial scales, from national and pan-regional, to city-regional and local.
Our breadth of expertise is a particular strength: it equips us to work across different fields, providing integrated and inclusive analyses, assessments and solutions.
Extensive sector expertise
Our clients include government departments, devolved governments, strategic authorities (including mayoral combined authorities), unitary and county and district authorities, public bodies and agencies, universities, charities and private firms.
We bring expertise in:
- spatial and local economic development, and place-based competitiveness
- innovation, cluster and sector development, enterprise and business support
- employment, skills and education
- health and social care
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- the Net Zero transition.
Latest Publications
Our Directors
Director
Bruce specialises in the measurement of public policy interventions across business development, culture and events, inward investment, environmental protection, and community development domains
Director
Christine specialises in sustainable economic and spatial development with particular expertise in analysis, strategy and implementation planning across functional urban, rural, and coastal areas
Associate Director
Donald’s main areas of expertise are evaluation, economic impact assessment, sector studies and business case development, all applied in a local economic development, business growth and innovation context
Director
Graham leads our work in the policy areas of the integration and personalisation of public services, and in skills and employment interventions
Director
Jo specialises in evaluations of national and local service interventions, including labour market transitions, careers education and skills development, to achieve equality in social outcomes for children, young people and adults
Director
Joe specialises in evaluation, appraisal and impact assessment with a focus on research and innovation, enterprise development and business growth, and local economic development
Director
John’s main areas of expertise are economic appraisal and evaluation, economic impact assessments, sector studies and the development of economic development strategies
Director
Lauren specialises in evaluations of health, social care and children’s services initiatives, with a focus on service transformation, new ways of working and innovative approaches to achieving social outcomes
Director
Luke’s main areas of expertise include area-based strategy and action planning, the development of public sector business cases, Green Book appraisal, impact assessment and evaluation
Associate Director
Martin is an Associate Director at SQW, and specialises in economic development, research, and innovation policy, plus sustainability
Director
Osman specialises in evaluation, impact assessment, and economic research in the policy areas of innovation, business finance, and enterprise development
Director
Rebecca specialises in programme evaluation, appraisal and impact assessment, with a focus on innovation and business growth, and analysis of place competitiveness, economic performance and growth
Director
Richard's expertise as an economic development practitioner, designer and evaluator, is in market feasibility studies, project appraisals and plans, programme evaluations and organisation reviews
Associate
Rob’s key areas of expertise are economic and property appraisals, market analysis, and delivery and funding advice for physical regeneration and growth areas
Associate Director
Ross specialises in local and sub-national economic development, including strategy preparation, local economic analysis, project feasibility, business case development, external funding and action planning
Director
Sarah specialises in mixed method evaluations. Her main areas of interest are health and social care, children and young people, and innovation
Associate Director
Sergei is an Associate Director at SQW, and specialises in statistical methods and econometric analysis. He works across policy areas including innovation, labour markets, education and young people, diversity and inclusion
Associate Director
Stuart specialises in the economics of place, with experience leading research, business cases and evaluation across housing, regeneration and economic development