Organisation Membership: FOCUS Consultants

FOCUS Consultants provides a single point of service for its clients, delivering excellence in economic development, construction and sustainability.

When FOCUS joined the Institute of Economic Development (iED) in 2022, the initial motivation was straightforward. “Initially, I think we saw it as a marketing opportunity,” recalled Heather Frecklington, Partner at FOCUS Consultants. “We thought it might help raise our profile among people visiting the website looking for services and support. These days, we probably see it more as something that’s good to be part of and good to be associated with. It’s also useful from a training perspective, particularly for more junior staff who can access the training and development opportunities.”

As a multidisciplinary consultancy, FOCUS employs specialists across a range of disciplines. Whist team members registered through the iED are primarily those working within the economic development side of the business, Heather believes that there is growing potential for wider engagement across the company.

The area where Organisation Membership has delivered the greatest value to date is professional development. Several members of the team have completed, or are planning to complete, the iED’s Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Economic Development.

“The training gives them a good broad understanding of the sector and helps them become familiar with the language, concepts and issues we deal with,” Heather explained. “This is particularly valuable when recruiting graduates and early-career professionals who may have relevant academic backgrounds but little direct experience of economic development practice.

Whenever I ask people about it, the feedback is always positive. Everyone says it’s useful. The iED is really the only source of training that is directly relevant to what we do.”

Alongside formal training, the organisation regularly benefits from iED communications and updates. “Everyone likes the Bulletins and finds them useful. They’re good for dipping in and out of when people have time, and colleagues have specifically told me they value the updates and the information provided,” Heather added.

As a consultancy operating across a fast-changing policy environment, access to insight is highly valued. As a result, FOCUS now views the iED as much more than a professional association.

Heather stated: “I’d say we see the iED as a trusted source of information, a way of staying informed about developments across the sector, and a means of keeping up-to-date with what’s happening in economic development.”

Membership also provides an important external signal of professionalism and sector engagement. “We tend to reference our membership in bids and tender submissions,” Heather said.  “It feels valuable to be able to say we are members of the iED – it adds real credibility.”

For a consultancy working with local authorities, public sector organisations and other partners, that association with the UK’s leading independent body representing economic development professionals helps reinforce confidence in the team’s expertise and commitment to professional standards.

Reflecting on why FOCUS originally joined the iED, Heather notes that economic development lacked the equivalent professional body available to some of the consultancy’s other disciplines: “One of the reasons we joined the iED was because economic development was the one part of the business that didn’t have an equivalent professional body. We wanted to build credibility and profile, and connect with prospective clients. We have attended the Annual Conference and the whole team definitely values that in-person interaction. Those who engage most actively with the Institute are very positive about it.”

Today, that decision to join the iED continues to deliver value for FOCUS through professional development, industry insight and organisational credibility.

Case study developed: July 2026