Testimonials for Buckman Associates Ltd

“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 to understand and evaluate their input into the process alongside contextualising the environment in which this work was undertaken.

From a Swindon Borough Council perspective having Buckman Associates on board was crucial to delivering such an economically important document for the region at the end of a large-scale project. Their ability to quickly win trust with stakeholders whilst understanding the commercial sensitivity of such a complex multi-stage programme meant that the compiling of the document, was for SBC, in safe hands. In particular the ability to gather, analyse and evaluate large quantities of often anecdotal information into a format which made clear and logical sense made Buckman Associates input and steer into the process much valued and appreciated”.

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 evidence-base needed to be pulled together into a single document with a clear logic chain, strategic line of sight and shared objectives. The latter was perhaps the most challenging in a region such as the Heart of the SW which, although with one LEP, has 16 local authorities (of which 4 top tier); a population of over 1.8m; a diverse business/sector base and a desire to prioritise both growth and inclusion. And added to this, the objectives and the commitments (actions) needed to be agreed and shared with government in the spirit of co-design.

I had heard about Buckman Associates by reputation and they didn’t disappoint. Emma and Rebekah demonstrated remarkable emotional intelligence working with partners and a thorough understanding of the complex brief. Their ability to navigate subtleties in political imperatives, aligned to their core skills in economic research and strategy development, ensured that the Heart of the South West LEP were able to present a LIS co-designed with government that is widely considered to be an excellent piece of work and, more importantly, an excellent route-map for the economic development of the region.

One final point – Emma and Rebekah needed patience, pragmatism and humour in spades to stay sane in managing the multiple and sometimes conflicting viewpoints and ensure an optimal outcome!

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.

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. Emma was tenacious in sourcing the relevant data and information and provided an exemplary final report – this has provided us tangible recommendations and solid facts and figures to promote the project.

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 liked most about working with them is that they adapted to changing circumstances and my (probably frustrating) demands but always maintained their integrity and that of the data and the evidence that this showed. I would most certainly be asking them to quote for future work where relevant.

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 to the project (as a result of a PCR submitted) midway through delivery. Overall they were a pleasure to work with and dealt with project participants and stakeholders sensitively.

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 in those crucial days leading up to submission and she provided real added value to us in ensuring a successful outcome.

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! 

We employed Emma’s services to support us with a £1.4m European funding application towards the development of an £8M innovation centre to support hi-tech microelectronics and photonics companies. Emma was extremely diligent and professional. Her knowledge and experience proved invaluable in helping us secure the funding during a very challenging time. I would unequivocally recommend Buckman Associates.

In 2011 Torbay Development Agency commissioned Buckman Associates to undertake research and develop a Marine Economy Action Plan on our behalf. Emma’s work was well planned, comprehensive and delivered according to the agreed programme.

Emma played an instrumental role in the development of the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan and ESIF strategies.  She developed a strong evidence base and supported a wide consultation with LEP partners to agree our strategic ambition and priorities. Her expertise and knowledge of EU programmes proved invaluable in developing a robust ESIF strategy, that met Government requirements as well as providing a clear strategic direction for the programme.