Glasgow City Region
Enterprise portfolio strategy development and action planning
Smart Consultancy Scotland was commissioned by the Glasgow City Region to undertake research and prepare an action plan for the Enterprise portfolio. This included extensive academic, best practice, and international research, service mapping, facilitation, and wide-ranging individual and group consultations with political and officer leaders across the 8 city region authorities, and with other partner agencies. This resulted in a comprehensive research report, strategy, and a subsequent City Region Enterprise Action Plan.
“We made the correct choice in selecting Smart Consultancy for this work. They offer a very professional approach when dealing with politically sensitive issues. The feedback from across the city-region for this piece of work was extremely positive. David always made himself available for briefings and meetings at short notice and responded flexibly and positively to demanding deadlines. I would have no difficulty in recommending Smart Consultancy to others seeking astute advice in this sector.” Sandra Black, Chief Executive Renfrewshire Council and Chair Glasgow City Region Economic Delivery Group
First Choice Homes Oldham
Development of ‘Skills for Life’, Learning and Work Strategy and Action Plan
This work that we carried out in Oldham involved a range of research, best practice analysis, consultations (within and out-with FCHO) and workshop facilitation to develop a strategy for a large Housing Association. The final document maximised and combined all the various ways the work of the association could advance educational and learning challenges in Oldham. A range of actions were identified which were approved by the FCHO and subsequently implemented.
“Smart Consultancy Scotland were able to come in quickly, grasp what we were trying to achieve, the local issues we were facing and see a way forward. They worked with a wide range of colleagues and partners in developing a simple but effective strategy for us that was quickly supported by the wider local educational partners. This identified 5 areas and ways for us to start to make a real positive impact and has helped us start on the journey to delivering these, all within agreed budget and timescales.” David Smith, Customer First Director, First Choice Homes Oldham
North Ayrshire Council
Financial Inclusion Strategy preparation and Big Lottery Fund consortium bid support
Smart Consultancy Scotland were invited by North Ayrshire Council to help support a large scale application to the Big Lottery Fund – led by the Council on behalf of a consortium of voluntary sector and other public agencies. As a foundation to this, Smart Consultancy prepared a Financial Inclusion Strategy for North Ayrshire. This led to intensive group and 1:1 work with consortium members to design the content of the bid, develop costs, establish the structure of the consortium, and support formal bid drafting. The bid was successful, and £3 million was accessed to establish the ongoing ‘Better Off North Ayrshire’ project.
“David’s facilitation skills were invaluable in pulling together a shared vision and formulating a consortium of providers to move forward with a Lottery funding bid. Smart Consultancy Scotland offer an objective, analytical and engaging support and I would recommend their work to anyone.” Greg Robson, Senior Manager of Employment and Skills, North Ayrshire Council
Improvement Service
Various consultancy assignments.
As an associate of the Improvement Service, David Smart has undertaken a range of assignments in recent years. These have included: support to the preparation of Economic Footprint reports for 4 local authorities; feasibility work and generic Business Case preparation for Council Community Lotteries; preparation of an elected member briefing note and the design and delivery of a series of workshops on Inclusive Growth; and ongoing research support, mapping and information dissemination on collaborative working and shared services across Scottish Local Government
“I would have no hesitation in recommending Smart Consultancy Scotland to others. David Smart is extremely knowledgeable and well regarded across a range of fields, he also has expert facilitation skills and his inclusive, affable and focused approach is ideal for helping tease out issues and build consensus across stakeholders.” Dr Andrew Maguire, Head of Improving Outcomes, Improvement Service
Supplier Development Programme
Transformation process and interim project management
Smart Consultancy Scotland supported the SDP for over a year to support the transformation of this joint local authority programme to assist SMEs and third sector organisations access public sector contracts. We were brought in to support a comprehensive transformation process to reform the programme’s services, structures, membership arrangements, and funding base. This included designing and actioning a Transformation Transition Plan and the preparation of a full future SDP Business Plan. Outcomes included accessing significant new Scottish Government funding, increased membership, revised governance structures, and the establishment of a new dedicated SDP staff team.
“David’s knowledge of economic development and local government ensured that he was best placed to achieve positive outcomes to move the Programme forward. His approachable and friendly manner facilitated a smooth handover to the new team having built up a solid foundation for the Programme’s long-term success” Gillian Cameron, Programme Manager, Supplier Development Programme
Renfrewshire Council
Invest In Renfrewshire
We have provided ongoing consultancy and support to Invest in Renfrewshire (IIR) which has advanced a very successful strategic approach to combining economic development and employability services within an employer led model. IIR now aligns around advancing inclusive economic growth. This had included support to initial design, a formal interim evaluation, and ongoing advice and facilitation support.
“We have always been very pleased with Smart Consultancy Scotland’s contribution and approach. David and team are very easy to work with – they bring a wide range of experiences, have an in-depth understanding of economic development issues, and offer fresh and interesting new ideas. We have really benefitted from their knowledge and skills. They have consistently provided thorough and well received reports and evaluations for us and I would not hesitate to use them again or to recommend them to others.” Ruth Cooper Economic Development Manager, Renfrewshire Council
East Kilbride Task Force
Development of Smart Sustainable East Kilbride
We were commissioned to review and suggest new options for the work of the Task Force. Based on extensive research, consultations and workshop facilitation this led to the development of the new ‘Smart Sustainable East Kilbride’ (SSEK) initiative. This led from the strategy document we prepared “A Plan for Growth’ which details a new vision for the town through a combination of complimentary low carbon focused actions. The plan was subsequently adopted by the Task Force, including its core recommendation that dedicated developmental resources were accessed from a combination of public sector agencies. SSEK snow being established as a private-public sector company and will be formally launched in late 2019.
“Smart Consultancy Scotland provided us with a clear focused strategy to turn our visions and aspirations for East Kilbride into tangible projects. David’s impressive comprehension of our task through consultation with relevant stakeholders enabled our strategic plan for growth to be effectively presented, securing the initial funding for a new public/private collaboration. David’s is a well-recognised consultant and his input has been essential in securing the confidence of our stakeholders and future investors.” Craig Smith, Chair, East Kilbride Task Force
Capital City Partnership
Evaluation of ‘All in Edinburgh’ programme.
Smart Consultancy Scotland were commissioned to undertake an evaluation of All in Edinburgh – an ambitious and innovative cross agency consortium initiative providing supported employment opportunities across the city. The evaluation included an extensive range of: service provider, service user, employer, and strategic partner consultations; data and context analysis; workshop facilitation; and case study development. The final report included a series of recommendations for continuous project development which are now being actioned by partners.
“We received an excellent service from Smart Consultancy Scotland. David understood the needs of the consortium and ensured that stakeholder, delivery partner and client voices were captured throughout the process. Particularly useful was his deep knowledge about the third and public sector in Scotland.” Kate Kelman, Strategy and Performance Manager, Capital City Partnership
“All in Edinburgh thoroughly enjoyed working with Smart Consultancy to review the first 4 years of our project. David built up trust and respect from our service users and was able to analyse the service in a non-biased and creative way, giving us a new perspective on what we need to improve on. David reporting back findings to us at all the deadlines agreed on the project plan and was more than willing to present findings at our launch event. Thanks”. Lucy Pearson, Delivery Manager, ENABLE Scotland
Smart Consultancy Scotland 