AN economic and policy advisory firm has become the latest tenant at one of Belfast's newest office developments.
Perspective Economics, led by experienced local economists, Jonathan Hobson and Sam Donaldson has just launched in the recently-refurbished River House on High Street.
The newly established business has already secured clients across the UK and Ireland, including an appointment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to conduct a detailed economic study of the UK’s cyber security sector.
The company has also won a contract with the UK's largest NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham, to understand the impact of public investment in new medical technologies.
Closer to home Perspective Economics has been working with several local and devolved government bodies to provide economic advisory services.
Such is the company's early success it is currently recruiting for new economic and policy analysts and has projected that the team will grow to 12 staff over the next three years.
Perspective Economics director, Jonathan Hobson said the company wants to change the face of economic consulting.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen the potential impact that emerging technology could have within what has been a relatively risk adverse industry."
“We knew that to maximise the benefit of these new technologies for our clients, and for the public good, we needed to be more agile. By being honest, flexible and evidence-led we want to help change the face of economic consulting – focussing on adding real value for our clients," he said.
Associate director, Sam Donaldson added:
“Now more than ever, there is a need for our clients to understand what makes sectors, economies and societies tick – and to understand how they can best support sustainable and inclusive growth. We’ve invested heavily in data-driven methodologies to make sure that our team provide meaningful and relevant insight that visualises, engages and drives evidence-informed policy-making.”
Just last week US software firm, Signifyd announced it has set up offices in River House as it looks to expand European operations.
The company, which helps online retailers detect fraud, has taken a floor at River House to accommodate around 30 staff, but is actively looking for a permanent base in the city as part of plans to create 151 jobs over the next three to five years.
The 13-storey River House office building re-opened in November following an £11 million refurbishment carried out by Newry-based mac-group.
