Competition in regen consultancy ‘never greater’
Regeneration consultancies are experiencing tough times, with no let-up in sight in the short-term, according to a survey.
The poll, conducted by New Start, found 90% of respondents believe competition in regeneration consultancy has never been greater.
Carried out ahead of the government’s public sector cutback announcements, it also revealed a pessimistic outlook for the future, with more than 60% expecting fewer prospects for consultancy work on a national basis in 2010-11.
More than half (57.5%) also feared smaller and community-owned consultancies could be edged out of the market by more intense competition.
Angles Consulting director Angela Elniff-Larsen said: ‘The big boys are in the small people’s territory’.
Neil de Reybekill, chief executive of Life Research, agreed: ‘Big players are working the smaller contracts and recently redundant public sector managers are working their connections to milk unadvertised work from their former colleagues.
‘This is a climate that has never been harder in the last ten years.’
However, nearly a third of respondents (32.5%) were more positive about the possible fate of smaller operators, including Sally Thomas.
The Social Regeneration Consultants director said smaller consultancies would survive provided ‘they have been around for a while, have achieved an impressive body of work, are respected, have a good reputation, work in niche markets, have good networks, have a strong regional presence and price their work competitively’.
On a similarly positive note, less than a quarter of respondents expected to win less work in 2010-11.
The full results of the survey will be published next week in the 2010 Regen Index .
As well as an overview of New Start’s consultancy research, the index will include a guide to procurement by the Welsh Assembly Government and analysis of the potential effects of higher education cutbacks on regeneration provision.
Subscribers will receive a copy with June’s edition of New Start and it will also be available as a free download via the New Start online shop. Print copies are available for £5.
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