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Case Study

Interim Evaluation of National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland

An independent evaluation assessing the performance, impact, and lessons learned from the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland to inform future large-scale infrastructure investments.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The project evaluated the performance of NMIS from 2020, when public sector funding was approved to construct and operate NMIS, to the present day. The scope of the evaluation covered the initial funding approval process and the operational performance of NMIS against agreed SMART objectives. As a major government-backed initiative, the results of this project would not only produce important and actionable insights for NMIS but provide valuable lessons for the design and delivery of large-scale Scottish infrastructure investments in the future.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Assess whether the rationale for public sector intervention was still valid and the extent to which NMIS continued to align with changes in public policy
Assess the approval process for the initial public sector investment in NMIS with a view to identifying lessons learned that could be used in future large-scale infrastructure investment proposals
Review inputs, activities, outputs and early outputs and assess governance, monitoring and evaluation processes
Understand the experience and views of companies supported by NMIS
Identify lessons learned and opportunities to improve future delivery

Assess whether the rationale for public sector intervention was still valid and the extent to which NMIS continued to align with changes in public policy
Assess the approval process for the initial public sector investment in NMIS with a view to identifying lessons learned that could be used in future large-scale infrastructure investment proposals
Review inputs, activities, outputs and early outputs and assess governance, monitoring and evaluation processes

Understand the experience and views of companies supported by NMIS
Identify lessons learned and opportunities to improve future delivery

OUR APPROACH

Our methodology combined desk research, semi-structured stakeholder interviews, and structured company surveys. We worked closely with the client steering group throughout, ensuring alignment at each stage.

Quantitative data from NMIS’s monitoring framework and funding documentation were reviewed to extract key insights efficiently.

Given NMIS’s scale and partnerships, we interviewed 27 stakeholders from 15 organisations in the advanced manufacturing ecosystem. A structured survey of 93 supported companies provided core evidence, complemented by 11 interviews with non-supported firms to add counterfactual insight.

All findings were analysed thematically, addressing the research questions and generating actionable recommendations.

DELIVERY TEAM

John Taylor
Senior Consultant
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Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
About>
Jordan Stodart
Senior Consultant
About>

External: CJM Research

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

Study outputs included the final report and a presentation.

The interim evaluation of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland identified a number of lessons for appraising large scale infrastructure investments and for the operation of NMIS. The full report is available here.

"The team at Optimat clearly understood the requirements of our brief for our interim evaluation. The team was very helpful with good attention to detail, their communication was excellent and they clearly articulated the findings to our project partners. I would have no hesitation in using Optimat in the future."

Scottish Enterprise Study Project Manager

John Taylor

Senior Consultant

I’m John Taylor, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. Since joining the company in 2003, I have developed specialisms in sustainability and net zero related studies. This includes projecting future market demand scenarios, profiling regional supply chain capabilities, identifying and evaluating public sector support interventions and understanding future net zero skills needs across transport, built environment, energy transition, industrial decarbonisation and waste and the circular economy.

I am also one of the lead consultants for economic impact assessments and evaluation of challenge-fund programme and project applications. An experienced innovation due diligence assessor, I focus on reviewing R&D project applications with environmental outcomes. I like to work with good people in teams that deliver insights and outputs that clients value.

Prior to joining Optimat, I started a company to create online platforms to catalyse collaboration between companies and research organisations. Before this, I spent seven years working in the Scottish economic development network, supporting start-up and growing businesses, across all sectors, to develop business plans and access funding.

I have a BA(hons) in Business Economics and Marketing, an MSc in Entrepreneurial Studies and an MSc in Economic Management & Policy with Environmental Economics.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.

Jordan Stodart

Senior Consultant

I’m Jordan, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in digital and data technologies, especially novel and emerging fields such as AI, IoT, immersive tech, and quantum computing. I support the development of high-growth, high-innovation sectors by delivering studies that make a meaningful impact and help shape industries now and in the future.

I’m very passionate about helping industries navigate change by identifying challenges, uncovering opportunities and designing strategies that address both. This often involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

In recent years, I’ve built a strong understanding of the innovation landscape by mapping sector ecosystems, assessing R&D funding bids, contributing to European RD&I consortia, and ultimately delivering a wide range of sector studies in key growth sectors such as digital/data, low carbon and net zero, high value manufacturing, the built environment, and more.

Before joining Optimat, I co-founded a digital tech start-up, an experience that grounded me in the everyday realities of running a business. That perspective has been especially useful in an employee-owned company like Optimat, where everyone helps shape the direction of the business.

I hold an MA (Hons) English Literature and an MLitt (Masters) degree from the University of Glasgow, where I mentor students on the MSc FinTech programme. I also support Scotland’s future entrepreneurs through Young Enterprise’s Company Connect programme where I also provide mentorship.