Regional Development Solutions

A Unique Consultancy at a Unique Time

Regional Development Solutions Limited (RDS) provides services to policy makers and practitioners working at the international, national and regional levels to assist delivery of sustainable and equitable regional economic development. RDS was established in response to the growing demand for advice and support which reflects the changing realities of economic development, including decarbonisation and just transition.

RDS recognises that successful economic and industrial development is a team effort set within a unique regional context, one that needs to engage numerous partners and work across differing geographic levels to optimise positive change. RDS provides a distinctive mix of services focused on supporting the creation and evolution of regional and local strategies, capacity building for delivery, project design and evaluation.

Services

Strategy Development

RDS works with clients to develop strategies which recognise the unique assets, opportunities, challenges and legacies of regional and local economies. By working closely with the client and their partners, regional uniqueness can be matched with broader national and international drivers of economic, technical and social change to create strategies which are ambitious, bespoke, realistic and accepted by stakeholders.

Economic and Social Research

RDS offers a range of research services relating to regional development, in areas such as industrial, urban, labour market and community development. These include: stakeholder analysis and consultation; regional, industrial and socio-technical fore-sighting; comparative analysis; and benchmarking.

Economic and Social Research

RDS offers a range of research services relating to regional development, in areas such as industrial, urban, labour market and community development. These include: stakeholder analysis and consultation; regional, industrial and socio-technical fore-sighting; comparative analysis; and benchmarking.

Capacity Building and Institutional Development

RDS works with clients to develop the capacity to deliver and manage their strategies and achieve their goals. This not only relates to the development of capacity within a client’s organisation, including policy, practice and governance, but also identifying and facilitating the required relations and alignment between key institutions, partners and stakeholders, within the region and beyond.

Project Appraisal and Evaluation

RDS offers services relating to project identification and appraisal, development, consultation, funding and delivery. In addition, services are provided in regard to strategy, programme and project monitoring and evaluation.

Project Appraisal and Evaluation

RDS offers services relating to project identification and appraisal, development, consultation, funding and delivery. In addition, services are provided in regard to strategy, programme and project monitoring and evaluation.

Decarbonisation and Just Transition

RDS is a consultancy established to assist regions address the opportunities and challenges of decarbonisation and socio-technical transition. This distinct offering is built around a suite of tools developed through extensive regional and industrial engagement and academic research.

About Us

Robert Pollock

Director and Consultant

Robert has over thirty years of experience of regional development in relation to strategy and policy design, project delivery, research and evaluation, and capacity building and institutional development. He has been an advisor to the EC, OECD, UN, World Bank and EU states on regional and industrial development and energy transition. He has designed and delivered a range of national, regional and industrial development strategies in both urban and rural contexts. Robert has worked at senior levels in government and in international consultancy. He has an extensive international network comprising policy makers, practitioners and academics. Robert’s doctoral thesis was on the creation of regional industries and energy transition. He is a former Chair of Economic Development Association Scotland.

Judith Pollock

Director and Consultant

Judith has been involved in a range of economic development roles in local, regional and national government, working closely with the private, public and third sectors for over 30 years. She has managed multi-disciplinary teams, developed and delivered strategies and projects and secured and managed funding packages relating to business development and support, training, regeneration and tourism development. She has also worked as a project manager in the university sector.

 

Associates

We have a strong network of associates throughout the UK and EU with whom we engage on relevant projects.

RDS has been providing advisory services to the European Commission and numerous EU regions on energy transition and economic development. This work has focused on strategies, projects and programmes, and governance and capacity development.
RDS is a framework provider for economic development services to a number of Scottish local authorities.
RDS has developed training materials and delivered training on energy transition for EU diplomats and civil servants.

RDS has provided guidance to The World Bank on a diverse range of issues relating to just transition and decarbonisation.

RDS contributed to the development of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance’s Policy Design Guide.
RDS has undertaken an analysis of the demand for additional space for workers in the creative sector for a Scottish local authority.
RDS has undertaken analysis and stakeholder engagement for the Scottish Council for Development and Industry on the opportunities and drivers for a national Blue Economy strategy.
RDS has been working in Southeast Asia with a range of international partners on projects relating to just transition and the replacement of coal.

Contact Us