News

Volterra are challenge partners for UCL’s How to Change the World Programme

UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy has run a hands-on training programme - How to Change the World - for its students since 2014. The programme aims to teach students how to direct their own learning and use their initiative to scope out problem statements and design solutions, with guidance from industry partner organisations. This year Volterra are one of the partner organisations. Paul Buchanan and Kieran Arter will be on hand to advise the students during the week long programme (5th–9th June). You can view the programme here

The Wolfson Economics Prize 2017 – our shortlisted entry led by Paul Buchanan

As a niche consultancy with expertise in the planning, economic and financial appraisal of public and private sector transport, the question for this years’ Wolfson Economics Prize “How can we pay for better, safer, more reliable roads in a way that is fair to road users and good for the economy and the environment?” was perfectly suited to us. We are delighted to have been shortlisted with our entry “Pricing for Prosperity”, and will now continue to develop our submission with our collaborators at Jacobs, over the next two months for the final round. You can view the full article here.

Prospects for Property – Strutt and Parker annual event

Volterra Partner Paul Ormerod was invited to speak at our clients’ Strutt and Parker’s recent annual property outlook event. You can view the full article here.

Volterra has a new team member

Having spent his 2015/16 work placement year with us whilst at Bath University, Chris Bailey has now completed his degree and we are pleased that he has now joined us as a permanent member of our team.

Dissington Garden Village – ‘minded to approve’ decision secured

Lugano Property Group has recently secured a minded to approve decision, subject to referral to the National Planning Case Work Unit, for a garden village on green belt land in Ponteland, Northumberland. The proposed development, Dissington Garden Village, would deliver around 2,000 homes alongside a school, shops, employment floorspace and community facilities. Volterra supported the planning application, outlining the economic case for the scheme. Our work found that the garden village would contribute significant direct economic benefits in terms of temporary construction jobs, up to 990 permanent jobs across the garden village as well as £22.5m worth of resident spending in the North East economy each year. Nationally, the economic case for housing is strong. The North East region’s economy has struggled but has many opportunities for future growth. Key to harnessing this future growth is attracting and retaining skilled people. Ponteland is one of the most attractive places to locate in Northumberland. Dissington Garden Village will contribute positively to this by delivering much needed housing in a location where people want to live. Volterra Partner, Ellie Evans, says that “Dissington Garden Village is a major opportunity for the North East. By providing sensitively designed housing and commercial space in an attractive location alongside investment in social and physical infrastructure, the garden village will attract skilled people to the area, thus contributing positively to the region’s economy, which is in much need of a positive boost.”

DVSA has appointed Bridget Rosewell as non-executive chair

Volterra’s co-founder and senior adviser Bridget Rosewell OBE has been appointed as the first non-executive chair of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Bridget has a track record of advising public and private sector organisations on large-scale transformation. She’s been a commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission since its inception in October 2015, and is currently a non-executive director of Network Rail and Atom Bank. Bridget joins DVSA at a time when it is preparing to launch a new, 5-year strategy which will further improve road safety while providing customers with the best possible user experience and ensuring services offer value for money. Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: Bridget brings extensive experience of the transport and infrastructure industry and will be a great asset to DVSA. Her previous roles will be vital in supporting and driving forward DVSA during the implementation of its 5-year strategy. Bridget Rosewell said: DVSA’s important work affects everyone in the country. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping DVSA achieve its road safety objectives. Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA Chief Executive, said: I am delighted to welcome Bridget to the team at DVSA. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we set out on our 5-year journey to achieve our vision – safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer journeys for all. She has previously sat on the Boards of Ulster Bank, where she chaired the Risk Committee, the Britannia Building Society and the Department of Work and Pensions, chairing the audit committee in both cases.

Paul Ormerod to speak at Economic Research Council: buy tickets now!

Volterra’s Paul Ormerod to speak at the Economic Research Council on Monday 20th February 18.30 - 20.00. Paul will be discussing why so many economists are opposed to Brexit. Book your ticket here. A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available for £15 each. Following a Financial Times survey in January that showed that nine times as many economists are opposed to Brexit as are in favour. Paul Ormerod explains why the thought processes of economists traps them in the past, and makes it difficult for them to appreciate the importance of change and innovation. He will expand on how Brexit opposition has intensified over the past year, despite the strong post-Brexit performance of the UK economy. The Economic Research Council, Britain's oldest economics-based think tank, is dedicated to extending the reach of economic education, debate and leadership. In support of this, the ERC raises the profile of economic conversations; we host events to cultivate wider accessibility, inclusion and civic participation.

Paul Ormerod: why are so few economists Brexiteers?

Leading Economist Paul Ormerod wrote an article for Prospect Magazine on 9th January asking why so few economists are Brexiteers... Groupthink culture in the economics profession led the Bank of England’s Chief Economist, Andy Haldane, to admit last week that economic forecasting is in crisis. You can read the full article here.

Volterra celebrates a successful year with staff promotions!

As Christmas and the end of 2016 approaches we have taken a moment to look back over the year and review our achievements, of which there are many. A few words from Partners Paul Buchanan and Ellie Evans: “2016 has been a record breaking year at Volterra. We have won work in Stockholm, Toronto and four projects in Sydney as well as growing our UK market. We continue to be involved in major Development projects (Battersea Power Station, Paddington Quarter and Ilona Rose House) and on exciting Transport projects (Crossrail 2, Hyperloop and the evaluation of Crossrail). Our team has grown and our staff are building skills and experience. The quality of our work is as high as ever.” We have delivered on over 60 projects. We have worked with 46 different clients, of which 21 were NEW to us this year. We have worked in more countries than ever before, including Australia, Canada and Stockholm. We are delighted to have promoted three members of staff. Alex O'Byrne and Sophie Beevers have been rewarded for all of their hard work and been promoted to Senior Consultants. In order to recognise Lucy Dean’s continued outstanding achievements she has been promoted to Associate. We would like to thank all of our clients for their support this year and we look forward to working together successfully in 2017!

A very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Volterra.