Mr George Bramley MSc, MBPsS

• Better Business Cases 2022
• PRINCE2 project management 2011
• MSc in Applied Psychology, Cranfield University, 1992
• Level A, Occupational Testing, British Psychological Society, 1992
• British Psychological Society, 1990
• BSc (Hons) Psychology, Bolton Institute, 1990

George has over twenty five years of experience in research, evaluation and evidence reviews to support policymaking and practice across a range of areas including innovation, education, enterprise, social inclusion, as well as in health.

George started his career as a researcher in 1993 on the Harris City Technology College Dyslexia Project evaluating computer-aided learning and polices to promote mainstreaming of support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties. He was then a Research Fellow in School Performance Indicators at the University of Wolverhampton (1994-1997) examining the links between different types of neighbourhoods in the Black Country and educational performance and taught on the MA in Practitioner Research and Consultancy aimed at mid-career professionals.

In 1997 George joined the civil service as a Government Social Researcher where his experience in performance indicators resulted in him working in the Department of Trade and Industry Business Link Directorate evaluating the impact of government support on small businesses. In this role he developed skills in evidence policymaking and knowledge exchange as well as detailed understanding of the evaluation of enterprise, innovation and skills policies and programmes. He became Head of Evaluation at the Small Business Service (2002-2006) and was Assistant Director (Research and Evaluation, Enterprise Directorate) with oversight and responsibility for the design, commissioning and management of research, evaluations and evidence reviews for business support services and enterprise policies (2006-2008) where he:

• developed the evidence base for the simplification and redesign of government funded services for small businesses;
• co-authored evidence sections of Government Action Plans and Strategy Papers including the Action Plan for Small Business (2004) and the Enterprise Strategy (2008)
• was the UK Delegate to the OECD working party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship.

In 2008, George left the civil service to do more hands-on research as at the National Foundation for Education Research (2008-2011) where he was a Research Director where he worked on several studies including:

• Research into methodologies to assess the economic impact of early interventions (LGA, 2011)
•  International Review of adult basic skills and employability skills (CFBT Trust, 2010)
• Evaluation of school improvement programmes (Evaluation of Gaining Ground, City Challenge).

George joined the University in 2011, first working in the Black Country CLAHRC (Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care) supporting knowledge exchange activities and as a systematic reviewer. In 2014 became Project Manager for the Birmingham and Brunel External Assessment Centre for NICE Medical Technology Evaluation Programme, where he was closely involved in development of Medtech Early Technology Assessment Tool.

In 2018 George joined City-REDI as Senior Analyst with responsibility for developing and delivering business cases for new programmes and formative and impact evaluation to range of clients. In 2021 George became a Principal Analyst. Projects he has worked have covered:

• workforce issues in health and social care in rural areas,
• evidence bases to support local industrial strategies,
• migration and employment initiatives
• innovation and enterprise support including commercialisation of university technology
• business cases for regional energy and MedTech interventions.

See WM-REDI page for recent and currently projects.

Research interests include education, skills, enterprise, public service redesign, health technology assessment, enterprise and business support, and innovation.

• Council Member and Treasurer for the UK Evaluation Society (2010-present)
• Council Member and Treasurer (2010-18) for the UK Evaluation Society (2010-present).
• Evaluation Advisory Group for West Midlands Combined Authority