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 West Yorkshire Combined Authority on behalf of the Yorkshire Growth Hub Cluster to conduct a deep dive into Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector. The commission covered Yorkshire’s four combined authorities: Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA), South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNCA).

Kada’s commissioned work provided insights into the sector makeup, sector health, the range, scope and nature of the Yorkshire’s business support network, manufacturing business perspectives, and business support best practice. Additionally, Kada provided a series of recommendations on how Growth Hubs can address challenges, improve the impact of their support, increase collaboration and replicate successful models from other regions.

The research followed a phased design with each stage building on the last. It combined qualitative depth with quantitative breadth to deliver a comprehensive analysis of the region’s manufacturing landscape. Firstly, a literature and policy review was undertaken to establish the contextual foundations of the sector. Next, focus group discussions were held across the four sub-regions to identify business challenges and opportunities. Building on these insights, a survey of 215 manufacturing businesses was conducted to develop a deeper understanding of key issues. To explore these findings further, in-depth interviews were carried out with a further 55 businesses. Finally, 47 interviews with stakeholders including industry bodies, local government, and training providers offered wider perspectives and contextual nuance.

This very well received commission showed that Yorkshire’s manufacturing sector has shown clear resilience with the number of firms across the region returning to pre-2018 levels in 2024. This was largely driven by growth in West Yorkshire and stability in HEY and York and North Yorkshire. Economic output has also grown by an impressive 10% across all sub-regions. The region retains key strengths and specialisms in sectors such as food and drink, chemicals, rubber and plastics, positioning Yorkshire competitively at a national level. Key challenges facing the sector include skills shortages, access to finance, and fragmented business support. Identified opportunities for advanced manufacturing included defence procurement, sustainability solutions, and driving productivity improvements through digitalisation. Stakeholders called for clearer support pathways, improved infrastructure, and a stronger pipeline of skilled talent to sustain long-term growth.

The research identified five key areas where MCA/Growth Hubs can best support the manufacturing sector in Yorkshire. These are: skills and workforce; capital investment and finance; business support; supply chain resilience; net zero and sustainability.

If you are thinking about commissioning a sector deep dive 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.

In Autumn 2021, the York & North Yorkshire (Y&NY) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) commissioned Kada Research to undertake a comprehensive review of key economic sectors across the sub-region in two distinct parts comprising:

• a research report to build intelligence on which economic sectors had the potential to make the greatest contribution to future economic growth
• a report to consider what actions the LEP and partners could take to support the further growth of the identified sectors.

The client asked the team to take a fresh perspective, including the consideration of new ideas about where future investment might best be focused. This included cross cutting technologies and industries tackling urgent global issues such as climate change, food security, and energy.

As well as sectors with growth potential the team also looked at foundation and mature industries as they underpin much activity within the sub-region, and also have a strong presence. The second part of the study considered what actions the LEP and its partners should take to stimulate economic growth in the chosen sectors.

Initially we assessed the evidence using commercial data and official statistics to look at industries across a number of domains. These included sector dynamics and prospects. For instance, how were different industries affected by Covid? How were they predicted to grow? And what is their export propensity?

The team looked at historic trends in employment and output against the predicted trajectories, as well as identifying some ‘productivity heroes’ and niches where there were particularly high concentrations of activity.

Some sectors were identified using insights from stakeholders as areas of potential, which was based on their contribution to a carbon negative future, their employment potential, or their significance in innovation or technology adoption terms. Key supporting assets and critical infrastructure supporting the sectors were identified and mapped.

As a result of the above the following broad economic areas were identified and key firms and strengths were highlighted for each.

• agri-food
• sustainable energy
• the bio economy
• health, pharma & life sciences
• digitech, data & creative industries
• advanced manufacturing

Part two of the study unpicked these further. This report outlined a five-point action plan designed to support sustainable growth and resilience in the priority sectors. It included the following priorities:

• Objective 1: Green innovation – net-zero pathways and low-carbon solutions.
• Objective 2: Empowering people for a fairer, stronger economy.
• Objective 3: Supply chain resilience and growth and digital adoption.
• Objective 4: Strengthening R&D, science and innovation investment in the priority sectors.
• Objective 5: Trade, inward investment and high-value opportunities.

The final reports and supporting presentation were well received by the client who commented on “the breadth, depth and high-quality content and presentation of the reports”. The client added “many thanks for once again for the excellent work your team has produced”.

The LEP strategy and Inward Investment team have used the findings to promote the sub-region in its inward investment and growth activity.

Study director, Karl Dalgleish, said:

If you are thinking about commissioning a sector study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work you can contact karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk or cassie@kadaresearch.co.uk.

The Innovation Partnership and Kada Research were commissioned by Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to assess the make-up, scope and opportunities of the Creative and Technology sectors (the CreativeTech sector) in Worcestershire. In a time of rapid globalisation and growth, many creative and technology industries are thriving.  WCC wanted to know if the County had a strong CreativeTech sector and ecosystem to support its growth.  What opportunities are there and what is needed to help the sector flourish?

A review of the global and national strategic context was undertaken. The County’s key CreativeTech assets and institutions were mapped, and the composition of the sector’s regional economy assessed.  The impact of the coronavirus outbreak was considered. Surveys with 75 CreativeTech companies were undertaken and the report featured mini profiles of local firms with CreativeTech specialisms.

Kada has also been retained by the WCC to draft ten case studies for their new website, showcasing how firms have adapted and thrived during Coronavirus.

This was an important study for the CreativeTech sector that has had very mixed fortunes since the Coronavirus outbreak. Our study provided the first assessment of this diverse and growing set of industries. As part of the work an action plan was developed to support the development, recovery, and resilience of the sector.

– Karl Dalgleish (Study Director, Kada Research).

Want to understand a sector better? Think you have a sector or cluster with untapped potential and opportunity? Need help in developing some clear actions to support sectoral growth? Speak to Karl Dalgleish (karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk).

The Medical Technology sector has witnessed considerable change as a consequence of shifting attitudes, new technologies and digitisation. By 2050, the world’s population over 65 is expected to triple, and the costs of treating chronic diseases will reach an estimated US$47 trillion. Innovation across the healthcare value chain and the digitalisation of products and services for Meditech suppliers is becoming an increasing necessity in delivering more personalised and cost-effective care. This has profound implications for the sector.

Worcestershire City Council wanted to understand the size and scope of their Meditech sector and identify key areas of potential growth and development. The changing context for the sector was assessed as well as key barriers to growth.  Within a short timeframe, Kada produced a detailed report summarising the sector, based on data analysis and interviews with key players in the sector.

The report highlights some local companies with Meditech specialisms as well as the support infrastructure and assets around the sector. The sector is quantified in business, employment and productivity (GVA) terms, and compared to other Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) priority sectors and other LEPs. The study looks in more depth at niches and comparator areas. The client was provided with a MediTech database so it could engage and work with companies in the future. Looking at global good practice, we assessed how other areas promoted and boosted their medical technology sector.  Following an implementation workshop with key players, we developed a workable action plan so the client team could support the growth of the sector.

We identified some notable examples of really successful Worcestershire based companies with strong international customer bases and supply chains. Whilst it certainly has some very interesting medical niches, Worcestershire lacks the gravitas of a traditional industrial MediTech cluster. That said, in economic terms it can match other local niches like agri-tech and cyber, so we worked with the client to consider what pragmatic actions might be taken to support firms with potential in this important and growing sector. These actions covered inward investment and promotion, better exploitation of UK wide national resources and cross sectoral networking events. They also included supply chain development, cyber development and R&D opportunities. Finally, we considered measures to attract young people into the sector

Karl Dalgleish (Study Director, Kada Research).

Want to understand a sector better? Think you have a sector or cluster with untapped potential and opportunity? Need help in developing some clear actions to support sectoral growth? Speak to Karl Dalgleish (karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk).

This study of Anaerobic Digestion provides a snapshot of the health and prospects for this growing sector highlighting its scale, economic significance, key drivers and trends. Using available intelligence it also assesses the current and future composition of the workforce. Data is presented about the sector’s size, demography and geography as well as its occupational structure, skills and qualifications. We were granted access to five very diverse AD plants across the UK as part of the review illuminating quite different operational circumstances. We commissioned the Bioeconomy Consultants NNFCC to offer specialist technical expertise on the study and spoke to several UK experts to give us their insights on the future of industry.

Given that it is quite a new sector (at least outside the water industry), much of the intelligence is fairly recent, the technology still undergoing refinements and the learning and skills infrastructure still quite embryonic, having to react quickly to the relatively fast pace of change. The client was very pleased with the review which helped them shape and formulate their labour market policies in response to the sectors’ changing requirements.

“As a niche but thriving industry, Anaerobic Digestion has the potential to deliver new green jobs and renewable energy. Much AD intelligence is fairly recent, the technology still undergoing refinements and the learning and skills infrastructure still quite embryonic, having to react quickly to the relatively fast pace of change.”

~ Anaerobic Digestion: A Market Profile, Kada Research, 2013