Phil Back BA, MMRS

Phil is a consultation and research expert with more than twenty years’ experience using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and a highly experienced designer, implementer and manager of research and consultation projects. Formerly Head of Local Government Research at RBA, a specialist local government research consultancy, Phil is now working as an independent research associate drawing on his experience of researching in the public sector. Phil’s track record includes the prestigious MRS national award for Excellence in Public Policy Research, which he won for his work with Braintree District Council in 2005; a similar project with Wakefield Council won the LARIA award in 2006. This work, on customer services, led on to several other commissions for similar work in other authorities.

Phil has worked in and with local communities, using techniques such as Planning for Real and participatory methods to enable and empower communities and stakeholders to develop and implement their own priorities and solutions for community needs. He has worked with Ashley Godfrey Associates on a number of parks and open spaces projects.

Phil has a degree in history (Stirling, 1974) and a postgraduate certificate in transport history ( York, 2003). He is a Full Member of the Market Research Society, and a member of the Social Research Association and the Local Authorities’ Research and Intelligence Association.

a2b Spatial Intelligence Ltd - Pete Sinclair B.A. FRGS, FBCart.S

a2b Spatial Intelligence is a small company specialising in very specific aspects of Geographic Information Systems. Combining traditional statistical procedures with geo-spatial information, a2b Spatial Intelligence is a Strategic Partner of the MapInfo and SPSS corporations and provides software, consulting, training, data cleansing and digitizing services to a wide variety of clients at home and abroad.

Pete Sinclair of a2b Spatial intelligence has worked with Ashley Godfrey Associates on a number of projects including the development of the play indicators.

Other recent projects successfully delivered by a2b Spatial Intelligence include; • Liverpool City Council. Delivery and implementation of web based Geographic Information System for internal and public use to report a wide variety of incidents or problems related to council services.

DfES. Web based mapping system matched to curriculum requirements for use in schools by GCSE Geography students.

BBC / eaga plc / DCMS. Strategic deployment and extended consulting services associated with Digital Switchover of UK Television.

Ashley Godfrey Associates. Wide range of GIS services provided to assist with Open Space audits and play provision mapping for a considerable number of local authorities and Play England.

QA Research. Wide range of training and consulting engagements associated with public service analysis for local authorities.