As a multi-disciplinary company, our team bring with them a whole range of skills for their roles within Project Management, Economic Development, Surveying and Energy Assessment making us an extremely diverse and dynamic team to work with. Recently promoted Senior Consultant, George Jones, shares his experiences of working within our Economic Development department.

So, if you think you’ve got what it takes then we would love to hear from you.

Q: What does a typical day look like?

The exciting thing about Economic Development Consultancy is that no two days look the same. I might spend the morning working on an economic impact assessment, before spending a few hours supporting a local authority with their bids/plans for growth and investment. The day could be closed out with some interviews, research and data analysis to support a project evaluation, feasibility study or business plan. You’re always spinning lots of plates at once, but it keeps you on your toes.

Q: What is it about the role that attracted you?

Focus gave me the opportunity to apply the research and writing skillset I had developed studying History at university in a real-world scenario. Eager to find a job that makes a difference, I jumped at the chance to work for an organisation so focused on regeneration and economic growth. It’s incredibly rewarding that our work can support projects that transform from just an idea or concept into a physical space or initiative that truly supports local people, local places and the local economy.

Q: What excites you about your role?

I have always found the diversity of projects and clients to be the most exciting part of the role. We’re always learning; for one client we might need to be experts in the logistics sector, for others we have to master the art of economic forecasting. At any one time, we might have to understand the challenges and opportunities facing an entire range of sectors, from local government and local skills needs; to tourism, culture and heritage; even construction, sustainability, textiles and the food and drink sectors. I think the job gives you a great perspective on how the world works and how growth can best be achieved through this complex web of overlapping sectors. 

Q: What are the challenges and how do you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is managing lots of clients at the same time. It’s important that we provide the same level of service to all our clients, and at times it can be difficult to manage workloads. Some projects are delivered over a few years, others over a few weeks, and even with the most thought-out plans in the world we will pick up work at short notice from well-known clients. There’s a lot more planning and organising of our time that goes on in the background than is probably acknowledged. 

Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment on the job?

We understand that much of the work we do in the Economic Development team is in the early, concept-level phases of project development; if we do a great job, we leave projects in a good place to secure funding, or to move on to the next stage of their development, which can sometimes take years. For example, a few years ago we worked on the proposed DRIIVe project, a £5.1m Rail Innovation and Training Centre designed to capitalise on HS2 and an expansion in rail sector investment, a project combining heritage, innovation and economic regeneration. Based on our Business Case, the project later secured funding from the Staveley Town Deal and from Chesterfield Borough Council, a huge success and a vindication of the hard work we put into testing the market viability and potential impact of a range of proposals. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to get into this field?

Economic Development might sound like a niche area beknown only to those working across local government, but in reality it’s so broad. You come to realise that we, as consultants, are involved every step of the way when it comes to new projects and programmes, from concept level to project management and delivery. There is also a real autonomy that comes with the role – you manage your own commissions, your own time, there is a weight of responsibility but also a high degree of flexibility and trust, which really helps with work/life balance.

Q: How did you get into this career?

Fresh out of university in 2017, Focus picked me up to work in what was the Funding, Research and Economic Development team as part of a local internship programme. I wanted to use my degree skills and pursue a career in something I felt to be worthwhile, rather than the traditional graduate avenues of accountancy or marketing. After earning my stripes for a few years, I made the steps up to Consultant (2020) and Senior Consultant (2022) level respectively.

Q: What skills/personality are required

Consultancy relies on strengths in both the people-facing and analytical sides of the role. It is just as important to be personable, confident and articulate in dealing with clients or delivering presentations as it is to have strong attention to detail and to be competent writing data-driven reports.