Economic Development Services

Quality outputs and deliverables
Flexible and timely advice
Inclusive approaches

Buckman Associates Ltd

Founded by Emma Buckman in 2010, Buckman Associates delivers expert economic development services that create lasting impact. From our base in Devon, we support public, private, and social sector clients across the South West and UK-wide. By working as a dedicated part of your team, we help you secure funding, shape strategy, and achieve your most ambitious goals.

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Our Economic Development Services

Strategy Development

We provide an inclusive, evidence-based strategy and planning service that builds consensus and ensures commitment to delivery. Working collaboratively with you, we create a clear roadmap for sustainable growth, tailored to the unique opportunities of your region.

Project Development, Business Planning & Bid Writing

Let us help you turn your project idea into a reality. We support you in developing compelling business cases and securing investment through persuasive, robust bid writing. Our goal is to ensure your project is deliverable, sustainable, and ready to fund.

Evaluation and Impact Assessment

Our evaluation and impact assessment services help you to understand and demonstrate the impact of your projects and programmes. We have experience evaluating many different types of project and meeting funder requirements including the National Lottery, UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and ERDF/ESF.

Research and Analysis

Our robust, evidence-based research underpins all our services. We provide the intelligence and insight you need to accurately target projects, shape policy, and make informed decisions with a clear understanding of the issues at hand.

Who We Work With

We support a diverse range of organisations across the public, private, and third sectors to drive economic growth and create lasting impact. Our clients value our collaborative and flexible approach to developing strategies, securing funding, and delivering projects that make a real difference to the communities they serve.

– Local & Combined Authorities
– Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
– Public & Third-Sector Partnerships
– National & Community Initiatives

Your Partner in Economic Development

Founded in 2010 by Emma Buckman, Buckman Associates provides bespoke economic development services to the public, private, and voluntary sectors. We operate as a trusted advisor, working collaboratively with our clients to deliver high-quality, robust reports and strategies that are, above all, useful.

Meet Our Founder, Emma Buckman

With over 25 years of experience in the consultancy environment, Emma is a strategic and creative thinker with an eye for detail. She is passionate about delivering results and has a detailed knowledge of all aspects of economic development. Her values of honesty and integrity are appreciated by colleagues and clients alike.

What our clients say about us

Much valued and appreciated

“Buckman Associates supported Swindon Borough Council and the wider Honda Response Steering Committee to deliver an impartial evaluation of the large body of work undertaken by a multitude of supporting agencies under the banner of the Steering Committee between 2019 and 2022 to mitigate the impact of Honda’s disinvestment. Buckman Associates worked closely with stakeholders […]

Chris Parsons

Economic Development Officer, Swindon Borough Council

I had heard about Buckman Associates by reputation and they didn’t disappoint

I worked closely with Emma Buckman and Rebekah Southern between May and October 2019 as part of the Steering Group for the Heart of the South West Local Industrial Strategy (LIS). Buckman Associates were brought in to lead the drafting of the LIS at a critical moment where the many good ideas, clear vision and […]

Suzanne Bond

Assistant Director - South West, Cities and Local Growth Unit

Second to none

I’ve called on Emma’s support through Buckman Associates on a number of occasions and each time her professionalism, coupled with the drive to get things done to tight timescales, has been second to none.

Steve Turner

Economy and Enterprise Team Manager, Devon County Council

Emma has a high-level of expertise

Emma led on evaluation of our Water Design Challenge schools project. Emma has a high-level of expertise on evaluating the impact of design – which is often a very difficult thing to measure! She successfully managed to balance this with the needs of the funding partner looking at impact the project had on water usage. […]

Bel Reed

Programme Manager, Education and Design, Design Council

An absolute pleasure to work with Emma

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Emma and Rebekah at Buckman Associates Ltd and Southern Horizons (UK). They are a very professional and experienced outfit, with an extremely flexible and helpful approach to ensuring the best results for all involved. They offer solutions and options to an issues that arise. What I […]

Lucy Harris

Operations Director, Cornwall Marine Network

I found them to be professional and efficient

Rebekah and Emma demonstrated an excellent knowledge of EU projects and partnerships through the work they did for us on the DS4B evaluation. I found them to be professional and efficient in evidence collection, meetings and interviews. They produced thorough and concise reports that were delivered on time and to brief, also reflecting some changes […]

Chloe Severn

Project and Partnership Manager, Cornwall College

She played a crucial role

We worked with Emma on an important strategic funding bid that was vital to the University. She played a crucial role in helping us develop the concept into a workable and fundable proposition, and in contributing to the drafting of the business plan. She became a trusted part of the project team, working alongside us […]

Adrian Dawson

Head of Gain Projects and Partnerships, Plymouth University

She is a logical thinker, with an eye for detail

Emma has played an instrumental role in securing vital resources to support growth across the Heart of the SW area. She is a logical thinker, with an eye for detail necessary for producing quality bid documents. Emma’s friendly but professional approach means she quickly becomes part of the team!

Chris Garcia

CEO Heart of the SW LEP

A caring and comprehensive approach to your economic development services

Call us today!