Experts in analysing and interpreting economic and labour market data
“Innovative economics and analysis to support sustainable growth, planning and economic development.”
SGA is a professional economic research consultancy expert in the provision of intelligence to inform evidence-based sustainable economic development, planning and associated decision-making.
Encapsulated in a True Value Report we will structure our evidence-led process that brings together economic intelligence, labour market insight and strategic appraisal to present a complete understanding of value of a particular asset.
We have over 25+ years experience of analysing industry, employment and occupational economic data at a UK national or local level to provide you with compelling, evidence-based conclusions, implications and recommendations that support your business or development case, project or proposal.
Future of Work expertise includes industries and occupations, growth and forecasting of homeworking and demand for coworking space which is a critical consideration for commercial land and property developers and local authority planning for economic development.
Our Green Book expertise is founded on an in-depth understanding of the requirements and implications for project design, implementation and evaluation of the HM Treasury‘s guidance on how to appraise policies, projects and programmes. SGA’s Principal, Jim Plunkett-Cole, advises Chief Economic Development Officers (CEDOS), and its membership, and has sat on the HM Treasury’s Green Book User Group Steering Group.
Our Clients
“I found Jim at Smart Growth insightful and thorough when conducting an evaluation of a business support programme. Taking the time to understand the stakeholders and sensitively conducting interviews to provide a well presented impartial evaluation. This was useful for us to evaluate our performance as an organisation and was well received by our funders to demonstrate impact and value for money”.
“I have worked with Smart Growth Analytics on the ‘Future of Work’ project and found them to be thorough, thoughtful and timely in their analysis, in their policy conclusions and in the usefulness of their report for influencing key decision takers.”
“Working with Smart Growth Analytics is always a pleasure – and provides data and strategic analysis that both underpins with evidence the case for the creation of new communities like Harrington, and makes the key stakeholders like the Councils and LEPs sit up and take notice with data and analysis of their own communities that they have not seen before. Jim delivers.”
“We have been working with SGA for over a decade and have used them to map demand for several potential projects. The work Jim undertakes is robust, detailed and, with the benefit of hindsight, has proved invaluably accurate.”
“The CFPO are very grateful to Jim for working with the Cornish fishing industry and seafood supply chain in uncovering The True Value of Seafood to Cornwall. Jim’s knowledge of all steps of the supply chain and other linked sectors is what made this project come together. His ability to weave complex and novel data to tell the story of the importance of the Cornish fishing and seafood has provided us with sound and robust evidence to take our industry forward. Thanks Jim”
“The work that Smart Growth Analytics undertook for Cornwall Council really helped us to gain a deeper understanding of some of the more challenging aspects of low pay and the resulting economic impacts. As a result, we were able to identify the particular issues that we need to address as well as the different spatial targeting that was required in different areas of Cornwall which we could then use to inform policy development and delivery decisions. Many of the key issues highlighted in the analysis were not immediately identifiable through published data so the analytical approach adopted by Smart Growth Analytics added significant value to our work”.
“Jim Plunkett-Cole has a particular ability to listen to our needs and then, if necessary, challenge our suggested approach in order to ensure that the analysis he undertakes is as robust and useful as possible. This challenge often improves the resulting analysis by suggesting alternative approaches and options that we may wish to consider. Once the brief is agreed he uses his experience to develop analytical tools and approaches and always delivers to agreed timescales and milestones. Jim also has the proven ability to present the data in both detailed technical formats but also in more user-friendly formats depending on the audience. I have no hesitation in recommending Jim to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of their local economy.”
