South London Partnership commissioned Regeneris Consulting and Sharp Business Insights to undertake research into the Tech Sector across Richmond, Kingston, Merton, Sutton and Croydon Boroughs. They sought to understand at a granular level the nature of the tech sector across the sub-region, its nuances and opportunities within and between the individual boroughs and requested the development of an action plan of interventions to help support the sector.

Regeneris Consulting, as lead partner, undertook the deep dive into the economic data, oversaw the project and produced the end report and evidence base. Sharp Business Insights used local connections and an ability to engage with stakeholders to undertake qualitative research in the form of in-depth stakeholder interviews. They did this through a mix of face to face and telephone interviews, and a number of focus groups to test the emerging findings from the economic data. The benefits of doing so were vast – it enabled us to not only produce a series of case studies and a report on insights from the ground which was incredibly valuable, but also to create potential opportunities for further collaboration, to feed into the findings and recommendations for the action plan.

Our shared expertise complemented each other and enabled us to produce a comprehensive report and action plan that met requirements of the five boroughs as well as those of South London Partnership. The findings have had a big impact and are being used by each of the Local Authorities to develop meaningful interventions at a local level as well as sub-regional.  Collaborations are more effective, and the tech offer across the sub-region is better understood and utilised.