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32. Sheffield City Region creative clusters study to inform a funding bid

I cannot recommend KADA highly enough.” Professor Peter Wells (Assistant Dean, Research and Knowledge Transfer, Faculty of Development and Society).

Sheffield City Region creative clusters study to inform a funding bid

Sheffield Hallam University, in cooperation with the University of Sheffield, was interested in bidding for funding through the Creative Industries Clusters Programme, led by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. To support a credible and robust bid, the Universities commissioned Kada Research to assess the current make-up and potential of the creative industries in the Sheffield City Region.  The client suspected there were some hidden gems but needed some robust evidence to back up their instincts.

The study involved the collation of a business sample for the sector using a combination of commercial datasets, local knowledge and locally complied lists.  An agreed business survey was drafted, piloted and conducted in 2018 with 180 businesses from three sub sectors: design, publishing, and music and performance. This study included a summary of current activities and characteristics, an assessment of growth and barriers to growth, and a review of the environment and support for growth. The report showed that Sheffield has a vibrant and productive creative sector but has a number of business support needs.

Sheffield Hallam University worked closely with KADA to develop a major research and innovation proposal to central government. Karl and his team responded proactively and were able to provide the in-depth analysis we needed for the bid – and all within three weeks of agreeing the commission. KADA then provided us with additional support on the bid, drawing on their expertise and experience of economic development. I cannot recommend KADA highly enough.

Professor Peter Wells (Assistant Dean, Research and Knowledge Transfer, Faculty of Development and Society).

Get in touch: If you are thinking about collating some evidence to inform a bid or want to conduct a business survey e-mail karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk and we will respond within 24 hours.