City Global Futures has a track record of delivering high quality, independent consultancy services since launching in 2016.
We earn trust by understanding the specific challenges and opportunities each of our clients faces. We earn their respect through the quality of our insights and inputs and the results that we achieve together.
Why work with us?
We provide a safe pair of hands - but this is only one reason why clients choose to work with us - the constructive challenge that we bring is equally as important. We push clients to go further and faster than they thought would be possible and our focus on real-world impact helps deliver tangible results.
We have the advantage of being a small business with low overheads. We work quickly to pull together bespoke packages of support – and can do so in a cost-effective way. City Global Futures is not beholden to a Government Department, party whip or remote corporate HQ. We are an honest-broker, impartial and fair – ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients and their partners whilst keeping a close eye on quality, cost and value for money.
Our services
We help public and private sector clients and universities to bring focus and direction to their work on smart and sustainable futures. For Local Authorities this might involve place-based visions, strategies and plans whilst businesses might ask for help testing innovative new products and services. University clients welcome our assistance with collaborative research, or civic value. Examples of the specific services we provide include:
Expert, impartial and confidential advice
Stakeholder engagement
Partnership building
Consortium leadership and management
Future visioning and placemaking
Business planning
Strategy development and review
Research and reporting
Programme and project management
White papers and horizon scanning
Evaluation
Coordinating and preparing funding bids
Running workshops, events and public speaking
Our Expertise
Clients recognise our expertise in smart, sustainable and inclusive placemaking as well as our ability to cross-connect the blocks between different sectors. We build shared understanding and commitment to ideas and opportunities by carefully listening to different stakeholders’ perspectives whilst working creatively to spot and build connections.
Our significant experience of working with senior managers and leaders in the public and private sectors, as well as our understanding of the political context, means we appreciate when and how to introduce challenge as a tool for breaking down silos and securing commitment to ambitious shared goals.
Expert Advice
Cutting edge knowledge of best practice in Smart and Sustainable cities, regions and places
Experienced at working with senior leaders in the public and private sectors
Well-honed political antennae
Experienced in working with and for universities
Inclusive and resilient economic development
Digital innovation
Placemaking
Low carbon strategy and sustainable transport
Vision and Strategy
Future visioning and business planning
Focus on economic, social and environmental benefits
Strong commitment to fairness and inclusion
Stakeholder, citizen and user engagement
Qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis
White papers, horizon scanning and desk-top research
Workshops, conferences, events, public speaking
Drafting and designing compelling and readable reports
Programme Delivery
Agile programme and project management
Consortium leadership
Project reporting and communication
Benefits realisation and quality assurance
Post project evaluation
Relationship Building
Building cross-sector partnerships
Shared action-planning
Coordinating and preparing funding bids
Developing business and investment cases
Strategic stakeholder communication
Creative Outlook
Idea generation
Working with artists, illustrators and creatives
Storytelling and visualisation methodology
Divergent thinking and networks
High quality immersive presentation
Hybrid methodology - effectively combining virtual and physical ways of working
Local and global perspectives and networks
How we help our clients
We help clients create space where ideas and opportunities can be explored
This often means bridging the gaps between public and private sectors, government bodies, universities and local communities. Making connections is our speciality and we spot opportunities for collaboration between widely different stakeholders. We are skilled at synthesising complex information, breaking down big ideas into smaller blocks that all stakeholders can get to grips with.
We are not afraid to be creative or playful
Even when dealing with serious issues such as, the climate and the economy. We use the power of story telling and creative visualisation to inspire clients re-imagine future possibilities. Our robust research methods also give clients the evidence they need to take these visions forward.
What makes us different
Our Experience
Our experience and interests span placemaking, digital technology, innovation, the environment, sustainable transport and social and economic inclusion as well as the creative and cultural sectors. This is a potent cocktail, which is heady with potential that can unlock bold and fresh thinking.
Our Approach
As an independent business, we are not bound to proprietary solutions or off-the-shelf ideas, Our approach to each project is bespoke and responds to client’s specific needs and local context.
Our Perspective
When we take on projects in Bristol or Bath, we have the benefit of deep-rooted local connections and established networks and relationships. When we take on projects that are further afield, we bring a fresh and impartial perspective backed-up with a portfolio of frameworks and proven track record.
Our Agility
Our ability to be nimble and adaptable gives us the freedom to try new things, think differently and create a blended approach to each project, combining experience and methodologies. We are independent, fearless and resilient to the challenges we come face-to-face with. We stand side by side with our clients and collaborators, building connections to shape the future together.
Shaping the future is complex, so we simplify things by thinking in terms of blocks.
Blocks can be immovable objects, or can add strength. They can bring us together by building bridges or keep us apart by building walls. They can provide a step to help us reach higher or weigh us down under their weight. At City Global Futures we find creative ways to cross-connect the blocks, creating a firm foundation for building smart, sustainable futures.
This unique perspective is a fusion of our expertise, years of experience, and a great passion to create places where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Each project we tackle has a unique approach and structure - a truly bespoke set of blocks. Our ability to quickly assemble these packages with clients sets us apart from more generic, off-the-shelf approaches.
