Scotland’s Snowsports Sector
In 2023, EKOS was commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the economic, cultural and social value of the Scottish Snowsports sector. The research aims were also to understand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the snowsports sector, consider the long-term sustainability of the snowsports sector in Scotland and recommend how the sector may be […]
Scottish University Spin Outs review
Background Scotland possesses world-class research capabilities across disciplines such as life sciences, AI/software, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology. However, this academic strength has not fully translated into a high-growth spin-out ecosystem. Key barriers include limited equity investment, institutional inertia, and insufficient supports for early-stage ventures. The Spin-Out Review was commissioned to highlight these challenges and […]
Ayrshire Growth Deal Skills Mapping
Background EKOS was commissioned by the Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) Sub-Committee to identify the most relevant, effective, targeted, and innovative skills development and employment interventions to ensure the Fund delivers on its strategic investment objectives in support of the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD). The study was designed to provide the Sub-Committee with robust evidence […]
Craft Scotland Sector Report
Background Craft Scotland, the national development agency for craft, sought to better understand the scale, structure, and economic contribution of the craft sector in Scotland, particularly in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. With rising costs and increasing uncertainty, a robust evidence base was needed to inform Craft Scotland’s new strategic direction and […]
Synthetic Biology for Growth programme economic impact evaluation
Working in partnership with Optimat, EKOS undertook an evaluation of the economic impacts arising from the UK research councils’ investment in the Synthetic Biology for Growth (SBfG) programme. EKOS led the economic modelling and the full report can be accessed here
Digital Planning Portal
With support from EKOS, the RTPI have launched the digital skills planning portal – a ‘one stop’ portal designed to improve the confidence of digital skills, amongst all planners, in their everyday roles.
Qualitative Review of Scottish Enterprise’s Large Grant Programmes
In 2019, EKOS were commissioned to undertake a qualitative review of Scottish Enterprise’s large grant programmes (2009-10 to 2017-18), covering around 1,300 individual companies that had received almost £512 million, through 1,700 grants. The review covered the following grant programmes: Regional Selective Assistance (RSA), SMART, R&D, Training Plus, High Growth Spinout Programme (HGSP), Proof of […]
Tackling unfair delivery charges in rural Scotland
As part of their commitment to tackling unfair and discriminatory parcel delivery charges faced by communities in remote and rural Scotland, in 2019 the Scottish Government commissioned EKOS to review the impact and reach of an early action to tackle this longstanding problem: the Statement of Principles for Parcel Deliveries. Setting out best practice for […]
Where now for construction in Scotland?
As the construction sector looks set to gradually emerge from the shutdown, this short paper considers some of the issues which may impact on the future of the construction sector in Scotland. Download the PDF here. Featured image © Copyright Jim Barton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Solway Firth Socio-Economic Analysis
Over the last year, EKOS has been working on twin reports for the Solway Firth Partnership, which provide a socio-economic assessment of the Solway Firth area on each side of the border. The detailed reports follow the structure of the Marine Scotland publication Scotland’s Marine Atlas First established in 1994, Solway Firth Partnership is a […]