Drawing on 20 years of economic consultancy experience, Simon heads up GC Insight. He provides specialist advice to our project teams and clients, with a focus on business competitiveness, skills, tourism/culture, sectors, digital and innovation.

His exceptional project management skills have seen him direct a large number of evaluation and appraisal projects, assess the impact of economic growth interventions, and provide practical input on the design of new solutions to address economic development priorities. Simon has experience in both the UK and Canada of working with clients to develop economic strategy and investment plans to boost growth for local places and priority sectors.

Project Examples:

Barrow in Furness Proposition – Cumbria County Council 

Warwickshire Business Support Review – Warwickshire County Council 

Now Managing Director of Winning Moves, following four years as Chief Operations Officer, Debs is an experienced and effective business manager.  

She oversees strategy and business performance, ensuring our client’s needs are fully met and that we recruit and retain a culturally committed, accountable, skilled and flexible workforce.  

Debs has operated in the research and evaluation industry since 2002. Her experience includes leading a senior team as Chief Executive, directing strategy towards profitable growth and operation. And she has also supported clients across a comprehensive range of policy areas in roles ranging from researcher to consultant and project manager. 

Project Examples

Purpose Built Flats Research – WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) 
Home Renewables Advice Service evaluation – Energy Saving Trust 
Budget Planner evaluation – Money Advice Service 

Kirsten has worked in the economic development and regeneration sector for over 20 years, delivering contracts for both public and private sector clients.  

As Managing Director of ekosgen, she collaborates closely with clients to develop investment propositions, understand the needs of local areas, and assess the effectiveness and impact of programmes of activity. Internally, she manages the day-to-day operations of ekosgen, including HR.  

Kirsten’s recent workload has focused on preparing Green Book (and fund specific) business cases to secure investment; undertaking project and programme evaluations; and supporting clients to prioritise programmes of investment and ensure compliance with funder requirements.  

Project Examples

Energy House 2.0 Evaluation – University of Salford  

Community Renewal Fund Investment Prioritisation – Blackpool Council  

Translational Energy Research Centre Summative Assessment – University of Sheffield 

Richard is an economic development leader, skilled in business growth, international trade and investment, business planning, strategic planning, business development and funding. 
He is leading the national expansion of The Growth Company’s support services, providing advisory services to local areas, government departments and private partners on how best to design and deliver business growth programmes. 
 
Richard received the Public and Third Sector Director of the Year award from the Institute of Directors (North West) in 2018, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and holds an Associateship of the Textile Institute (CText ATI). 

Project Examples

Review of Business Support in Warwickshire - Warwickshire County Council (Special Advisor) 

Be the Business Mentoring for Growth Programme (SRO)