Stoke and North Staffordshire’s ceramics sector is nationally and internationally significant. Rooted in centuries of expertise, the sector not only produces world famous crockery and tableware it underpins supply chains in constructions, energy, health and manufacturing.

The ceramics industry has faced a significant number of challenges in recent years, such as rising energy costs and trade disruption. The number of ceramics firms in Stoke and North Staffordshire have decreased. This has brought risk that if local businesses continue to close or decline, the local sector will lose critical mass and threaten the existence of one of the UK’s most respected, best known and significant industrial clusters. That said there is a shared belief locally and nationally that with the right support the sector can overcome the current risks and economic pressures and prosper.

In order to better understand the health of the sector and what support is needed to reduce the risk of further losses, Kada and research partners Ortus Consulting were commissioned by Stoke-on-Trent Borough Council to review the current performance and resilience of the sector. The commission also included developing a roadmap of the key actions and activities required to support and develop the sector.

This work involved a desk review of relevant local, regional and national policy, a comprehensive local firm and supplier mapping exercise and conducting a performance analysis using TCR and Beauhurst data. This evidence was used to develop a local sector risk assessment, highlighting solvency and financial stability. A consultation programme, focused on operational realities, sector perspectives, challenges and opportunities, was undertaken with interviewees including manufacturers, suppliers, R&D organisations and universities. This was supplemented by a review of best practice within the sector and a review of the most effective cluster organisations.

This research informed a final action plan and roadmap that was co-designed with key stakeholders and ceramics businesses.  The action plan was clearly aligned with Stoke’s Future 100 economic growth prospectus and the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy to ensure that it could be fully utilised to gain governmental support and funding. The key recommendations from this action plan included:

• Lobbying and galvanising collective efforts to develop a consistent and easily digestible statement on the importance of the sector and the key needs.
• Explore funds and investment opportunities, using the data in the report to present feasibility studies and options appraisals.
• Review current careers pathways and development opportunities to ensure local provision meets sectoral demand.
• Maximise internal trade and export potential and investment by identifying international opportunities and developing an inward investment strategy.
• Build a ceramics brand and visitor offering that emphasises heritage, international excellence and immersive visitor experiences.

Kada Research were commissioned by the University of Huddersfield in June 2024 to undertake an evaluation of their £42.2m Health Innovation programme. The programme, utilising £3.8 million of UKSPF funds, aimed to stimulate innovation around health and wellbeing within West Yorkshire’s business ecosystem.

The programme was delivered between September 2023 and March 2025, establishing a Health & Wellbeing Innovation Centre that provided a suite of business support initiatives, events, mentoring, proof-of-concept grants as well as a unique Healthtech makerspace and visualisation suite offering access to bespoke equipment and facilities. Following the conclusion of the business support element in March 2025, 385 businesses had been supported and following the end of UKSPF funding activity has continued in the form of an incubator programme funded through the West Yorkshire Investment Zone.

Kada’s evaluation adopted a mixed methods approach to assess the programme’ s effectiveness in delivering against the four objectives outlined within the initial UKSPF application. The programme evidenced strong performance with all outputs met or exceeded as a result of the high levels of engagement, effective delivery mechanisms and strong strategic partnerships cultivated with partners.

In respect to the economic impact, over the appraisal period the business support element of the Health Innovation programme generated a Net Present Value (NPV) of £5.41m. With total UKSPF revenue expenditure, in addition to public sector funding, the NPV impact represents a benefit cost ratio of 4.2:1.

There were other notable impacts. The development of the Innovation Centre has boosted local perceptions of Huddersfield and increasing pride of place and the programme is expected to increase capacity and boost innovation within the NHS more widely, resulting in improved and faster patient care. Without the UKSPF funding, connections between local businesses and the NHS likely would not have been established.

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Bradford Council to conduct an evaluation of a suite of projects under their Hyper Local UKSPF Programme. The programme received £7.88 million in UKSPF funding, consisted of 49 individual projects across all five West Yorkshire local authority areas and took a bespoke approach to support delivery based on local community needs.

The evaluation focused on 10 varied projects, ranging from the creation of new green spaces in inner city areas, youth engagement across diverse communities, one-to-one enterprise support and supporting young adults who face barriers to accessing work. The method centred on a theory-based approach, drawing on a range of qualitative and quantitative research sources to assess the extent to which the programme had delivered appropriate value for money interventions, and which should be supported in the event of future funding.

The evaluation concluded that, overall, the programme has performed strongly against its contracted output targets in particular evidencing strong performance via projects under the  people and skills investment priority. Delivery stakeholders also cited several wider benefits, such as health and wellbeing support for young people in local communities, support for the development of social enterprises, community cohesion as a result of the development of green spaces.

The majority of Hyper Local activity has given rise to community, wellbeing and social benefits, rather than directly generating jobs or economic impacts. The evaluation process included a review of social benefits that have been achieved and their monetary value. The benefits for which an estimate has been made include public realm created or improved, volunteering opportunities supported, people sustaining engagement with a voluntary or local organisation and people gaining qualifications, licences or skills

Based on the monitoring data available and using benchmark data to fill data gaps, the combined value of the net economic and social benefits of the Hyper Local programme is estimated to be £15.6m. This compares to total expenditure of £8.1m. An estimate of the programme’s Return on Investment (ROI) is therefore 1.9:1, i.e. each £1.00 of public investment is estimated to generate £1.90 of economic and social value.

There were some lessons learnt around the programme’s governance, linkages between projects, and shortened timelines. The evaluation built on these lessons to suggest a series of practical and actionable recommendations to take forward.

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada Research were commissioned by Kirklees Council to evaluate a suite of projects as part of the £5.82 million Hyper Local UKSPF programme. The evaluation assessed the programme’s strengths and weaknesses and identified lessons to improve delivery and increase the impact of future programmes.

The Hyper Local programme consisted of targeted, UKSPF funded support delivered in all five West Yorkshire local authority areas. The support was tailored to local need and took a bespoke approach to delivery based on local community needs. Of the £30 million UKSPF allocation in West Yorkshire, £5.824 million (19%) was allocated to Kirklees to deliver a suite of capital and revenue funded activities. Kirklees’ Hyper Local programme was comprised of 26 projects, split across the three UKSPF investment themes which aimed to deliver ambitions of improving local pride in place, increasing life chances, helping spread and create opportunity and build a sense of community and belonging.

Kada’s evaluation focussed on ten of these projects which included a range of activities from New to English support to a Participation in the Arts and Creative Economy (PACE) project, as well as a standalone Safety of Women and Girls project in Kirklees. The evaluation followed a process and theory-based approach, drawing on a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess the effectiveness of delivery processes and evidence the programme’s impact.

Projects performed well and overachieved against the majority of profiled outputs and outcomes. Delivery stakeholders cited several wider benefits including digital and social inclusion, regeneration benefits, societal awareness and advocacy, progression towards volunteering, learning and employment, and community cohesion. The economic impact assessment of the projects evaluated found that £6.9m net benefits have been estimated to be generated, with a return on investment of 1.2:1. Potential total benefits (including those yet to be secured) against total programme spend generated a return of investment of 2.5:1.

The evaluation concluded that the Hyper Local programme had delivered many successes, and a range of impacts. The evaluation built on these lessons learnt to suggest a series of recommendations to take forward.

The Kirklees UKSPF team outlined:

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada research, in partnership with Ortus Economic Research, were commissioned by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (now the North East Combined Authority) to undertake a research study to contribute to Our Economy 2023. The annual report provides an update on progress and change in the North East’s economy. The theme for 2023 focused on ‘inclusive productivity’.

Kada’s literature review on inclusive productivity informed a framework for analysing data on productivity levels, productivity drivers, and economic inclusion conducted by Ortus. The data assessed how regions around the world which performed similarly to the North East in 2008 changed over time. Kada then researched policy interventions and their economic impacts to find cases of exemplary performance. We presented the case study regions (West Midlands, New Zealand, Wisconsin, Saxony and the Basque Region) on behalf of the LEP in two afternoon workshops at the Our Economy event at the Catalyst in Newcastle.

The case study selections were made via a three-stage process. First a longlist was established of regions that were historically similar to the North East in performance against three key indicators of inclusive productivity, The second stage looked at more recent data to produce a shortlist of regions that showed similar or exceptional performance compared to the North East, from which policy lessons might be learned. The final stage involved desk research to identify those regions from which policy lessons were available and pertinent; these regions and policy lessons form the basis of the case studies.

The study findings highlighted the challenges that the North East faces such as lower productivity lower disposable income and a higher population living in relative poverty than global regions with similar historical economic performance. A key lesson from the case studies is the need to use new approaches to tackle health inequalities and remove barriers to work such as childcare through social and place-based interventions. The case studies demonstrated several common themes aimed at addressing similar issues to those faced by the North East, such as increasing youth employment and growing employment in a range of important sectors. The case study regions also show that a different economic future – and a positive future for the North East – is possible. The comparator regions have since seen overall better economic performance, growth in productivity, and growing household income, showing a trajectory the North East can aim for.

To see the case studies in full you can visit: https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/our-economy-23/our-economy-2023-international-case-studies

To see the full report and wider body of work: https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/our-economy-23

If you would like to find out more about our economic development consultancy, are thinking about commissioning a study or if you would like to talk through an idea you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk

Sheffield City Council commissioned Kada Research to evaluate the RISE Enhancement project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered in partnership with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

Thousands of highly skilled individuals graduate from Sheffield’s two world-leading Universities and from University Centres in Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster each year, but data from a LEP survey shows many SMEs miss out on their talent, skills and innovative thinking, with only 15% of South Yorkshire’s microbusinesses and 20% of small businesses employing graduates.

The RISE Enhancement project used ERDF funding to help SMEs in South Yorkshire access and employ the region’s graduate talent, building on the forerunner RISE project. Greater financial support was made available in priority sectors and more emphasis was placed on driving business growth through graduate recruitment. SMEs were supported to develop graduate recruitment capability and capacity and given greater visibility in the graduate jobs market.

The project’s aims of supporting business growth through graduate employment align with ambitions set out in both national and local plans, which seek to improve productivity and innovation, by better exploiting increased skills in the workplace. The project also supports levelling up by retaining graduate talent which might otherwise be lost to more prosperous areas of the country.

The evaluation assessed the success of the project in meeting its objectives and delivering its targets, in the context of the labour market turbulence experienced during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Kada used a combination of desk research, analysis of project monitoring data, online research with participating businesses, qualitative interviews with stakeholders and case study SMEs, and a review of economic and wider impacts and performance.

Kada found the RISE Enhancement project was successful in engaging SMEs who do not regularly recruit graduates, raising awareness of the benefits, and providing them with the skills and capacity to become successful graduate recruiters. Although the number of graduates moving into work through RISE was lower than had been planned prior to the pandemic, the project provided a huge and lasting impact to SMEs who recruited and retained new graduate employees, generating substantial business and commercial benefits.

SMEs told of their new graduates thriving in the workplace, and contributing significantly to company capacity, productivity and, in turn, company growth. The project generates substantial economic benefits for the South Yorkshire economy and provides good value for money. Whilst the current funding stream has come to an end, the evaluation found that continuation of the RISE project would be beneficial, particularly given its alignment with the regional focus on raising productivity and the national levelling up agenda.

If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or would like to talk through an idea or hear about this piece of work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk or the project director Cassie Houlden at cassie@kadaresearch.co.uk.

Kada was commissioned to evaluate a business support scheme and two major new investments in research facilities in the heart of Sheffield City Region’s (SCR) Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District in the Lower Don Valley:

• Sheffield Innovation Programme – a regional initiative delivered by SHU and the University of Sheffield which aims to stimulate business growth and promote the development of long-term relationships with SMEs by providing access to a broad range of academic expertise and university facilities. The support is in the form of bespoke research and innovation-based consultancy, workshops, and other events.
• The National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE), serving companies including SMEs in the manufacturing, engineering, and food sectors, with a focus on promoting opportunities to SMEs in the SCR. The project will deliver research and development activities and includes food industry standard production space for collaborative R&D purposes and flexible production lines able to accommodate a range of equipment and production processes.
• The Emerging Technologies Hub within the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) which aims to be a world-renowned centre for research and innovation into physical activity. The Centre is funded from a £14m investment from the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care and the ERDF. The Emerging Technologies Hub is based in the AWRC and is a national focal point for health focused innovation developments. The Hub provides a co-location incubator space for researchers, SME’s, investors, and service users. All users collaborate with the aim of developing market leading medical devices and health applications.

Kada worked with us to carry out a summative assessment of the Sheffield Innovation Programme. They designed and delivered a comprehensive evaluation in an entirely professional manner, ensuring full compliance with ERDF guidelines. Their detailed analysis and report provided valuable insight on programme performance from different stakeholder perspectives, with a clear set of recommendations for the follow-on project.

Ian Henderson (Project Manager – Sheffield Innovation Programme).

Get in touch: If you are thinking about an evaluation of a project or programme you are involved with, speak to karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk and he will respond within 24 hours.

The South East Business Hub (SEBH) was created by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership to act as a focal point for business support, helping local businesses to grow and develop. It received core funding by BEIS, who request that LEPs independently evaluate their Growth Hubs’ progress to ensure that the Hub is making the most of its resources, identify good practice and build on any lessons to date. SEBH operates a Federated Model comprised of three hubs: Business Essex, Southend and Thurrock (BEST), Business East Sussex (BES) and Kent & Medway (K&M) Growth Hub (‘the hubs’).  This meant we had to synthesise the progress in all three sub-hubs. We concluded the Federated Model makes sense, with SELEP offering additional weight and ensuring consistent provision across a very large geographical area.  It could cope with the nuances of local need and delivery.

Kada conducted a survey of those receiving light touch and intensive support. We found that SEBH has made good progress and become an integral part of local business growth, supporting thousands of local businesses in finding support. There has been a steady rise in satisfaction among the businesses who have grown with the Hub’s support, with almost half of the businesses creating new jobs. The benefits recognised included the ability to provide a staffed service with local, hands-on knowledge that local businesses can directly interact with. It has a strong geographical reach, good relationships with stakeholders, and is well-publicised to local businesses.

Want an independent review of your growth hub’s activities? Get in touch with karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk and we can tell you how it can be done.

The Government’s Export Strategy sets out an ambition to transform the UK’s export performance and raise exports as a proportion of the UK’s GDP from 30% to 35%. East Midlands Business Ltd (EMB) supports small- and medium-sized enterprises to grow by providing a range of business support, including in international trade. After a competitive tender, Kada was commissioned to undertake a mid-term evaluation to assess the delivery, impact and performance of their £5.4m ISME project, designed to help SMEs internationalise in the East and South Midlands.

Match funding was provided by the Department for International Trade (DIT). ERDF funding was secured from the following Local Enterprise Partnerships: Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP, Greater Lincolnshire LEP (GLLEP), Leicester and Leicestershire LEP (LLEP) and South East Midlands LEP (SEMLEP). For EMB, this was a high-profile programme, so a robust evaluation was required to demonstrate progress to partners and the Department of International Trade.

ISME has made good progress against its strategic objectives: raising awareness of export support and the number and frequency of SMEs exporting. 82% of survey respondents claimed ISME has already, will or may improve their capacity to internationalise. The survey shows many SMEs will or might overcome barriers either fully or partially to international trade. Business wins data shows over 1,500 exports worth some £0.6bn. Almost two thirds of these are in EU, Asian and African markets. There is appetite from partners for the ISME project to continue and it is confirmed to continue to March 2021.

International trade studies are some of our favourite business support programmes to evaluate. We like the fact they result in very tangible outcomes that are clearly measurable. The client team was pleased to find the evaluation highlighted the project’s excellent value for money and the fact it was very well regarded by SMEs. We noted that Brexit was likely to become a key issue requiring further support. We provided EMB with a detailed report on why and how the project was successful, what net impact it had, and how it could be improved. We have been retained by the client to complete the final evaluation

Karl Dalgleish (Study Director, Kada Research).

Want to assess trade performance in your area? Get in touch with karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk and we can tell you how it can be done.