What some of our clients say about Smart Consultancy:
Sandra Black, Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council
‘Smart Consultancy were commissioned by the Glasgow City Region to undertake a comprehensive review of enterprise services in 2015. Their “case for change” report in summer 2016 suggested a new approach to delivering enterprise services and was used as the basis for the city-region’s response to the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review. They have subsequently been commissioned to further develop some of the specific recommendations included in their review. I commissioned this work as lead officer for the city-region enterprise portfolio. I consider 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.’
David Smith, Customer First Director, First Choice Homes Oldham
First Choice Homes Oldham, as a large local social housing provider, were looking to see what impacts we could have on helping to improve educational and employment outcomes in one of England’s poorest borough’s with low educational attainment levels. We struggled to find any experts in this field to work with us but thankfully David was recommended to us for his innovative work in Scotland. David was able to come in quickly, grasped what we were trying to achieve, the local issues we were facing and see a way forward. He 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. In 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
Richard Cairns, Strategic Director, West Dunbartonshire Council
‘David Smart carried out detailed strategy and development work for the Glasgow City Region City Deal over a period of some 18 months. This included planning and conducting consultations with stakeholders at the most senior level, and synthesising this into a series of plans for action which he then had to present to groups of senior local politicians and senior Council officers. I was a participant in, and a recipient of, the outcomes of that process. David’s work was, without exception, thorough, accessible, and insightful. He managed to quickly grasp complex concepts and distil the product of multiple consultations and meetings into a straightforward set of conclusions and recommendations. And it was all delivered in a very professional, approachable manner, and on time. I can’t think of anyone who could have done a better job of this than he did.’
Greig Robson, Senior Manager of Employment and Skills, North Ayrshire Council
‘I have utilised David’ extensive knowledge and skills over a 10 year period. Most recently David supported North Ayrshire to develop a new financial inclusion strategy. 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 offers an objective, analytical and engaging support and I would recommend their work to anyone.’
Dr Andrew Maguire, Head of Improving Outcomes, Improvement Service
‘The Improvement Service has used Smart Consultancy and I would have no hesitation in recommending the service to others. David Smart is extremely knowledgeable and well regarded across a range of fields. We commissioned David to undertake a project which involved a combination of desk research, stakeholder engagement and report writing. The work was carried out on time and to a very high standard. The thoughtful analysis set out within the final report helped us shape our approach on the issue. David also has expert facilitation skills and his inclusive, affable and focused approach is ideal for helping tease out issues and build consensus across stakeholders’
Abigail Kinsella, Principal Officer, Glasgow City Council, Education Services
‘I have worked with Smart Consultancy over many projects since the late 1990s. David and his team can be relied upon to exceed expectations for very thorough and thought provoking investigations into project and service design and delivery. I have always been impressed by the team’s ability to turn around any asks in double quick time with no compromise on quality. Through my involvement with a number of public sector and third sector organisations, I have often valued the expertise that Smart Consultancy has been able to provide. The services on offer enhance the planning, implementation and evaluation of projects. All aspects of their services from tendering, through to negotiation of services, delivery of activities, facilitation of events and discussion groups and production or reports and user guides, are highly commendable.’
Paul Kane, Employability Services Team Leader, North Lanarkshire Council, Education and Learning Services
‘Smart Consultancy played a key role in the development of North Lanarkshire Council’s Employability Strategy for 2015-18. The development process was effectively led and facilitated by David Smart and his team within budget and within the timescale set and they delivered an excellent service throughout our engagement with them.’
Robert Gemmell, Area Manager, Skills Development Scotland
‘David works extremely well in partnerships. As a facilitator and energiser he gets meetings and workshops going with a sense of purpose and humour. Great to work with!
Stephen Bennett, Management Consultant, Chair of East Kilbride and District Shopmobility
‘David wrote an excellent Business Plan for East Kilbride and District Shopmobility. It was well written, which is not often the case with business plans, and well researched. David worked very well with staff and volunteers and we all found him very easy to work with. He’s very bright and very sharp. I would be very happy to work with him again.’
George Sneddon, Service Manager Economic Development Fife Council and Chair of the SDP Transformation Board
‘I am happy to provide an endorsement of the work undertaken by Smart Consultancy over the review and restructuring of the Supplier Development Programme (SDP). This was not an easy piece of work, involving negotiating the transfer of the SDP from Glasgow to South Lanarkshire Council, and securing funding from Scottish Enterprise and the support of all local authorities and Scottish Government: an excellent piece of work.’
Robin Turner, Chief Executive, Routes to Work Ltd
David has worked on a number of strategic and business planning assignments for Routes to Work over the past ten years or so and we have always been delighted with the end product. He always understands the brief, meets agreed deadlines, and constantly delivers high quality outputs. I would have no hesitation in recommending his services.”
Gillian Cameron, Programme Manager, Supplier Development Programme
‘David was contracted to support the transformation of the Supplier Development Programme. His 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’.
Julia Abel, Performance Advisor, Inspiring Scotland
‘Inspiring Scotland commissioned Smart Consultancy to conduct an interim and final evaluation of our Go2play Fund. This involved stakeholder consultation, statistical analysis, venture interviews and portfolio workshops. All work was conducted timeously and David Smart liaised well with our partners and charities to produce an effective and useful evaluation report. David was flexible, responsive and professional in all aspects of the review and I have no hesitation in recommending him to others’.
Ruth Cooper, Economic Development Manager, Renfrewshire Council
‘Renfrewshire Council have contracted with Smart Consultancy to support a number of our key ‘Invest in Renfrewshire’ programmes over the last few years and we have always been very pleased with their 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, offer fresh and interesting new ideas – and 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.’
Brendan Rooney, Executive Director, Heathy n Happy Community Development Trust
‘We have worked really successfully with Smart Consultancy and David many times over the last 7 years. David has facilitated and supported us on formation of strategy, business planning, managing culture and values and several project design and development events. Feedback from stakeholders such as volunteers, staff members, board members and local funders has been consistently excellent and this is no surprise. We get what we ask for and on time and we get feedback on what we need to hear rather than what we want to hear. No hesitation to recommend Smart Consultancy.’
Smart Consultancy Scotland 