UK & International economic development consultancy · Est. 2011
Evidence that drives
better decisions.
Independent social and economic research, analysis and advice for the public, private and non-profit sectors — incisive, challenging and evidence-based.
Case studies
100+ projects, captured as evidence.
Every engagement becomes a published case study — a report-ready record of the question, the method and the impact.
Expertise
Empowering people, shaping places, transforming businesses
Our research benefits people, places and businesses. We help clients use resources responsibly, make confident decisions and demonstrate the true value of their work.
Public · Private · Non-profit
Trusted where the decisions are hardest.
Since 2011 we've helped central and local government, agencies, universities, businesses and civil society turn complex evidence into confident decisions — across the UK and internationally.
I really cannot commend your team enough. It has been a pleasure working with you. [The report] was one of the best I have ever seen.
The Sheffield Property Association praised Kada’s report as one of the best it had commissioned, highlighting its thoughtful, well-evidenced analysis and excellent recommendations.
The Yorkshire Manufacturing Deep Dive was praised for the depth and relevance of its evidence and the clarity of its business support recommendations, alongside an efficient research process and high-quality report and presentation.
Working with Kada has been easy — they are responsive and have delivered research outputs on time, to budget and to a high standard.
Karl and his team responded proactively, providing in-depth analysis and additional support. I cannot recommend Kada highly enough.
We enjoyed working with Kada, and they exceeded our expectations with the level of insight and benchmarking against other activity.
Working with Kada was like having extra members of the team — a true collaboration.
I found the Kada team really helpful, quick to respond whilst always providing regular updates. The final report was on time, and very informative.
Kada were both professional and friendly, a winning combination — close attention to detail and an excellent report.
Built around you
Tell us who you are.
Select your sector and we'll surface the services, work and people most relevant to you — so you find what matters in seconds.
Central & local government, combined authorities, agencies and the LGA. Evidence that stands up to scrutiny and unlocks investment.
Services most relevant to you
Our public sector team
Relevant case studies
Property, developers, business support organisations and industry bodies. Independent analysis that builds the case for investment and growth.
Services most relevant to you
Our private sector & property team
Relevant case studies
Universities, charities, civil society and non-profit organisations. Evaluation and insight that evidence impact and win funding.
Services most relevant to you
Our universities & third sector team
Latest case study
How Kada Helped York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Understand and Address Economic Inactivity Among Women Who Care and Study
As part of the government’s Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) set out to understand why so many women across the region are locked out of the labour market by caring responsibilities and study. Existing evidence already pointed to caring as a recognised, but under-served, barrier to work – YNYCA wanted lived experience to sit alongside that evidence, to understand not just that caring is a barrier, but how and why.
100+
published case studies and counting
FAQ
Quick answers.
A few of the questions we're asked most often — about what we do, the sectors and clients we work with, our independence, and how we deliver. Can't see yours? Get in touch and we'll happily talk it through.
Kada Research is a UK and international economic development consultancy, founded in 2011. We provide social and economic research, analysis and advice to the public, private and non-profit sectors — high-quality, independent, incisive, challenging and evidence-based reports and recommendations that make our clients' decision-making easy.
We work across the economy — from skills, place and the visitor economy to innovation, low carbon and agritech. Our clients include central and local government, combined authorities, LEPs, universities, agencies, businesses and civil society organisations, in the UK and internationally.
Our conclusions are led by the evidence, not the brief. We triangulate data, fieldwork and stakeholder engagement, test assumptions, and challenge what's claimed against what the evidence shows — with close attention to detail at every stage.
Yes. Alongside extensive UK work, we deliver research and evaluation for international bodies and partnerships, including EC and EU programmes and cross-border collaborations.
It depends on scope — from rapid evidence reviews in a few weeks to multi-stage strategies and evaluations over several months. Whatever the timescale, we agree milestones up front and deliver on time, every time.
Get in touch with our Sheffield or Gateshead office to discuss your question. We'll talk through your aims, the decisions you need to make, and how we can build the evidence base to support them.
Let's build the evidence base for your next decision.
Tell us the question you're wrestling with. We'll help you answer it — independently, incisively, on time.
With offices in Sheffield, Gateshead and Clevedon, we’re well placed to support clients across the UK.
