AMION appointed to evaluate Forest of Dean Levelling Up Fund scheme
AMION have been appointed to carry out an evaluation of the Forest of Dean District Council’s Levelling Up Fund scheme. We will be carrying out a baseline review this year with interim and final evaluations following in the next two years. AMION are leading a team which also includes Focus Consultants and Spirul. In 2021 the Council secured £20 million of Levelling Up Fund support to improve leisure and community facilities, repurpose vacant buildings and grow the local economy across the area. The scheme focuses on three projects: a new Enterprise Learning Centre at Hartpury University, a new leisure centre and community hub at Five Acres and the regeneration of Cinderford Town Centre. AMION are also currently evaluating Canterbury’s Levelling Up Fund scheme. If you would like to enquire about AMION’s capabilities and relevant experience with regard to evaluating Levelling Up Fund or similar schemes, please contact either Brenda Graham (brendagraham@amion.co.uk) or Tim Sullivan (timsullivan@amion.co.uk).
AMION evaluating two Innovate UK Business Growth projects
AMION are currently evaluating two projects funded by Innovate UK Business Growth. The first is the Design for Growth project being delivered by Magnetic. AMION are carrying out an interim evaluation of the project, having previously carried out an evaluation of the pilot project. Design for Growth provides support to SMEs in relation to improving a broad range of design-related issues such as product design, website design and branding. The other is the Invest-Ability Pathway being delivered by Newable. As with Design for Growth, AMION also carried out the evaluation of the pilot initiative. The Invest-Ability Pathway supports businesses looking to attract investment by providing support in preparing investment pitches and in practicing their pitches to a panel of investors for constructive feedback.
AMION appointed to Centre for Process Innovation Economist Framework
AMION have been appointed to Lot 2 of the CPI’s Economist Framework. CPI is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and brings together academia, businesses, government and investors to translate bright ideas and research into the marketplace. Lot 2 of the Framework relates to evaluations and will provide us with opportunities to build on our extensive experience of evaluating innovation projects and programmes. This experience includes evaluations for a wide range of clients such as universities (for example, Lancaster University, Imperial College London, University of East London, Warwick University, Loughborough University and Liverpool University), sector support bodies (such as NIAB and BioCity) and other organisations such as Newable and Magnetic.
AMION Consulting have been appointed to lead the evaluation of the “Cultural Pillar” of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund (CWGLEF).
AMION Consulting have been appointed to lead the evaluation of the “Cultural Pillar” of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund (CWGLEF). CWGLEF is a £70 million fund delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to build on the legacy of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The Cultural Pillar has been allocated £4.1 million, and the programme runs until March 2025, with activities including grants for Cultural and Heritage Action Zones, artistic commissions, business support schemes, and skills and training opportunities. The commission will inform the WMCA’s Culture departments’ future activities and meet reporting requirements to DCMS on the delivery of the fund. If you have any questions on this assignment, please contact Matthew Budd (07548 632 323 / matthewbudd@amion.co.uk)
AMION Consulting has been appointed to the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Business Case Development
AMION Consulting has been appointed to the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Business Case Development for the University of Newcastle – trading as Newcastle University acting in its own right – and on behalf of the University of Durham, the University of Sunderland and the University of Northumbria. The DPS responds to funding calls from the government including Industrial Strategy Challenge Funds, Regional and Local Growth Funds, and devolved funds to the region. It helps the universities undertake tasks to assist preparing applications for funding. A key requirement is an understanding of “HM Treasury Green Book” Business Cases and their component parts. Please contact Simon Dancer for further information (simondancer@amion.co.uk / 07557 501781)
AMION joins the Institute of Economic Development
AMION has taken another significant step forward in our commitment to excellence in economic development! We are proud to share that AMION has formally joined the prestigious Institute of Economic Development (IED), reinforcing our position as leaders in the field. The IED stands as the foremost professional body representing economic development and regeneration practitioners nationwide. As members, we embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement, committing to complete 40 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) over a two-year period to maintain our accreditation. Our decision to pursue organizational membership with the IED underscores our dedication to upholding the highest standards in economic development. We’re excited about the opportunities this partnership brings, as we continue to push boundaries, drive positive change, and deliver exceptional results for our clients and communities.
AMION inspiring the next generation of economists
In January three of our consultants, Greg Hunt, Tim Sullivan and Ivy Tagoe delivered a talk to A level students at Winstanley College near Wigan. We discussed the work of AMION including examples of the regeneration projects we have worked on and how these projects have delivered benefits to local economies and local communities. The students were fully engaged and enjoyed participating in discussions about the potential impacts of various projects. We also discussed careers in economic consultancy and provided students with details of the types of skills needed and suitable degree subjects. AMION will also welcome a student from the College on a week-long work placement in February and we are looking forward to working with more students from the College in future.
Levelling Up Fund – Round 3
The government has announced the third round of successful Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bids across the country. Building on successes in Rounds 1 & 2, AMION has further cemented its status as market-leaders in funding bid applications, having now helped to secure £459 million of LUF grant across the country. This success is unparalleled in the sector. Highlights from Round 3 include AMION assisting Wolverhampton City Council’s Green Innovation Corridor which was awarded £19.9 million. AMION also worked with Wigan Council on the Leigh Town Centre scheme which received £11.4 million. In Manchester, AMION supported the economic analysis underpinning the Wythenshawe Town Centre bid which got £20 million. In Wales, AMION helped Pembrokeshire County Council with their Westgate to Eastgate project which was allocated £10.5 million.
Eurovision 2023 – Impact on Liverpool City Region Economy
AMION Consulting was commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in April 2023 to undertake an economic impact assessment of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. The study examined the direct and indirect economic benefits of the event, including analysis of the number of visitors attracted to the city and the generation of expenditure, employment, and Gross Value Added (GVA). The report shows that the event provided a £54.8m net economic boost to the Liverpool City Region with 473,000 attendees at Eurovision events and 2 million people reached through the education and community programmes. You can read the report the summary report here AMION – Eurovision Economic Impact – Summary Report Or the full report here AMION – Eurovision Economic Impact – Full Report The economic impact assessment is being funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Homes England publish AMION research on housing-led regeneration
The report focuses on measuring the placemaking impacts and wider benefits housing-led regeneration can create. Importantly, it also enables the inclusion of these benefits within BCRs. Guidance on applying the research has been incorporated within the recently updated version of the DLUHC appraisal guide (March 2023). Measuring_place_making_impacts_of_housing_led_regeneration.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) If you would like further information this research study, please contact us at info@amion.co.uk
AMION appointed to carry out evaluation of Canterbury Levelling Up Fund Programme
AMION Consulting has been appointed to carry out a three-stage evaluation of Canterbury City Council’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) programme. Canterbury City Council was successful with its £19.9 million bid for funding in LUF Round 2 for the ‘Connected Canterbury – Unlocking the Tales of England’ programme which will regenerate the city’s heritage assets and spaces and transform its public realm. Interventions within the programme include investment in heritage assets such as Canterbury Castle, improved public realm around the city’s arrival points, heritage trails and electric vehicle charging. If you would like further information on how we can help with the evaluation of your LUF programme, please contact us at info@amion.co.uk.
AMION appointed to Blackpool Economics Panel
AMION Consulting has been selected to join the Blackpool Council Framework Panel for the Provision of Economic Consultancy Services. AMION has previously worked with the Blackpool Town Board and Blackpool Council to prepare their Town Investment Plan, and is delighted to have been chosen for their Economics Panel. Blackpool Council has exciting regeneration plans, and AMION hope to assist with these ambitions. The Panel selection was from open procurement and runs for two years For further information, please contact Graham Russell email: grahamrussell@amion.co.uk Tel: 07940 540260