Brief Examples of consultancy commissions delivered over the past 25 years. More than 400 commissions have been completed for Scottish Government, local authorities, national charities, community organisations and cultural bodies.
Apex Scotland – Evaluation of a variety of pilot projects, and assessment of the potential of these pilots as a model for expansion of organisational specialisms.
North Lanarkshire Council - Evaluation of EmployMe Pilot Project, funded by the UK Government Community Renewal Fund to test approaches to improving the employability of long-term unemployed disabled people.
One Parent Families Scotland – Evaluation of a series of projects, including advice services of lone parents and practitioners. Reviews of national services post-Covid and of the holistic model of service delivery offered by the One Parent Families Scotland’s Glasgow unit.
Scottish Government – Review and revision of Anti-Racism in Education Programme action plan. Preparation of detailed evaluation guidance. Involved extensive engagement and co-design with multiple stakeholders.
Various Third and Private sector cultural organisations - Service design and competitive tender production.
Dunblane Square Ltd – Business plan and funding applications to support acquisition and redevelopment of former bank buildings into a centre for creative and cultural activities. Follow-up support to appraise the options for delivery of a hospitality enterprise from the buildings.
Great Western Community Trust – Business plan for the acquisition of Holburn Parish Church in Aberdeen and its operation as a performing arts venue and community space.
Heart of Newhaven – Business Plan for the acquisition and management of the former Victoria Primary School as a childcare centre, local history museum and artists’ studios. Support to community asset transfer process.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise - Business Plan for the sustainability and growth of Eilean Dorcha Festival. Research, options appraisal, and business case for relocation of Lyth Arts Centre in Caithness.
Luss & Arden Community Development Trust – Business plan for acquisition and operation of the former Luss Visitor Centre. Follow-up support in negotiating with Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority and managing acquisition and diligence processes.
North Ayrshire Council - Business Plan for the purchase of land, build of a Visitor and Community Hub at Garnock Valley and the management of the building. Various follow up work on funding bids, community involvement, and analysis of implications of change in relation to COVID and other circumstances.
North Ayrshire Council - Business plan to support community ownership and management of the former Stoneyholm Mills buildings in Kilbirnie. Various follow up work to support the establishment of appropriate governance structures, recognition of charitable status and detailed financial planning of specific elements.
St Michael’s Parish Church Linlithgow - Business Plan for redevelopment of The Cross House into a community resource, third sector business hub and cultural centre. Fundraising plan for more than £3M repair and redevelopment of the Parish Church, including the repair of the iconic Crown Of Thorns.
East Kilbride Citizens Advice Bureau – Retained to provide support for business development and organisational transformation to alternative models of provision.
Apex Scotland - For around 8 years, Colin was retained by Apex Scotland to provide business development support. This involved drafting grant funding applications and tenders for new business from the Department of Work & Pensions and Scottish Local Authorities.
Cogency