Consultancy

David Beaton, who heads up CF Consultancy, has a lifetime experience in the business world working in the marketing and social research profession. In a career spanning more than 40 years he has lived and worked both in this country and overseas. His career focus has been on the execution and implementation of marketing research and marketing consultancy. David has worked with a number of blue chip clients on benchmarking and research based strategic planning. His research experience includes the application of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. During the 1980’s he developed the ‘Creative Event’, a structured brainstorm designed to elicit a range of ideas, options, and concepts for both goods and services. More recently he has facilitated Scenario Planning for public and statutory bodies. He has also written articles on the use of market research as well as lectured on the subject.

He joined Community First in January 2005 as Business Adviser for the Leader+ Sustain the Plain project. In this role he advises existing and potential social enterprises within and around Salisbury Plain. Successes to date include a new and successful community shop, and the establishment of Warminster Development Trust. His advice includes strategic direction and business planning.

In October 2005 David was seconded to ACRE as Project and Liaison Co-ordinator for the E4I programme for the East Midlands and South West. In this role he has advised c.50 beneficiaries, many of whom are CVS organisations. He wrote the Action Research report on this programme, bringing together a number of research studies carried out as part of the programme. As E4I is run by a consortium this has given him the opportunity to work with other organisations and he is aware of the need for sensitivity when trying to achieve common objectives.

Whilst Chairman of IFF Research Ltd, a business to business and public policy research agency, he had experience of dealing with MPs and government ministers. As Chairman of Everleigh Parish Council he seeks to implement change at the local, regional, and national level through lobbying MPs and government departments particularly in relation to planning and the powers of Parish Councils.

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CF Consultancy is currently engaged in a number of projects in Wiltshire, including research among village shops and their customers, and transport issues particularly as they relate to younger people. CF Consultancy is also carrying out a major study funded by Kennet District Council, which will result in a comprehensive business plan for a combined leisure centre, children's centre amd activity studio in Pewsey.

HOME Community Involvement Community Support Community Transport Consultancy Credit Unions Fit Together Grants Link Schemes Local Councils Parish Council Insurance Parish Plans & Community Consultation Rural Housing Rural Renaissance Social Enterprise Sustain the Plain Village Halls Village Hall Insurance Village Shops Wheels to Work Youth	WHAT WE DO Many organisations in the Third Sector need advice and assistance to carry out specific assignments outside their day to day work but do not have the time or resources. CF Consultancy has a team of specialists who have many years experience of the voluntary or third sector and undertake commissioned projects on behalf of a wide range of clients. Our principal areas of expertise are: • Undertaking all forms of market and social research and advising on the implementation of findings • Business and strategic planning • Social and environmental issues • Training • Social and community planning • Village retailing • Financial planning • Category specific assignments: - Transport - Rural Housing - Community Enterprise - Community Shops WHO WE ARE CF Consultancy is the consultancy arm of Community First, the Rural Community Council for Wiltshire. Established in April 2006, CF Consultancy draws on the expertise and skills of senior members of staff including the Director, Deputy Director and Strategic Management Team of Community First. All have many years experience in the business world as well as the voluntary sector. We focus specifically on areas and organisations with which Community First is directly involved: Village Halls, Parish Councils, Community Transport, Village Shops, Community Involvement and Support, Social Enterprise and Rural Housing. WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT As a major Rural Community Council in the South West we have an intimate knowledge and understanding of the problems and opportunities facing Third Sector organisations in rural areas. We have highly qualified personnel who have extensive experience working in the Third Sector as consultants, as well as elsewhere in the commercial world. We believe in providing value added research and consultancy, providing robust and actionable recommendations: our consultancy sees the work we do as a means to an end rather than the end itself. We work in partnership with our clients and remain available for any follow up consultation if and when required. WHERE WE WORK We carry out assignments locally, regionally and nationally from our offices in Devizes, Wiltshire. WHO TO CONTACT If you would like to hear more about the services we can provide, or discuss a specific project, contact our Principal Consultant, David Beaton by phone: 01380 722475, or by e-mail: dbeaton@communityfirst.org.uk RECENT & CURRENT CLIENTS • Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) • Plunkett Foundation • South Marston Parish Council • Pewsey Area Community Trust • North Wessex Downs AONB • Yatton Farmers’ Market • Broad Town Parish Council • Leader + (Sustain the Plain) • Pewsey Parish Council Follow this link to download the End of Year Report - April 2008. (PDF File - 307kb)
		David Beaton, who heads up CF Consultancy, has a lifetime experience in the business world working in the marketing and social research profession. In a career spanning more than 40 years he has lived and worked both in this country and overseas. His career focus has been on the execution and implementation of marketing research and marketing consultancy. David has worked with a number of blue chip clients on benchmarking and research based strategic planning. His research experience includes the application of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. During the 1980’s he developed the ‘Creative Event’, a structured brainstorm designed to elicit a range of ideas, options, and concepts for both goods and services. More recently he has facilitated Scenario Planning for public and statutory bodies. He has also written articles on the use of market research as well as lectured on the subject. He joined Community First in January 2005 as Business Adviser for the Leader+ Sustain the Plain project. In this role he advises existing and potential social enterprises within and around Salisbury Plain. Successes to date include a new and successful community shop, and the establishment of Warminster Development Trust. His advice includes strategic direction and business planning. In October 2005 David was seconded to ACRE as Project and Liaison Co-ordinator for the E4I programme for the East Midlands and South West. In this role he has advised c.50 beneficiaries, many of whom are CVS organisations. He wrote the Action Research report on this programme, bringing together a number of research studies carried out as part of the programme. As E4I is run by a consortium this has given him the opportunity to work with other organisations and he is aware of the need for sensitivity when trying to achieve common objectives. Whilst Chairman of IFF Research Ltd, a business to business and public policy research agency, he had experience of dealing with MPs and government ministers. As Chairman of Everleigh Parish Council he seeks to implement change at the local, regional, and national level through lobbying MPs and government departments particularly in relation to planning and the powers of Parish Councils. __________________ CF Consultancy is currently engaged in a number of projects in Wiltshire, including research among village shops and their customers, and transport issues particularly as they relate to younger people. CF Consultancy is also carrying out a major study funded by Kennet District Council, which will result in a comprehensive business plan for a combined leisure centre, children's centre amd activity studio in Pewsey.
COMMUNITY FIRST Wyndhams, St Josephs Place, Devizes SN10 1DD Tel: 01380 722475 Registered Charity no: 288117 Company Limited by Guarantee Reg no: 1757334 VAT Registration No: 639 3860 06 Registered with the Financial Services Authority No: FRN 311971


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