We work with our clients to develop compelling economic analysis backed up by robust evidence. We know that analysis and evidence can be powerful tools when seeking to engage and influence decision-makers, but only when done properly. That means getting the economics right, as well as assembling the appropriate evidence and understanding the broader political and policy context.
Our team of expert economists have developed theoretical arguments and conducted empirical analysis to help clients achieve the outcomes they want in a very broad range of settings – including influencing regulatory decisions and public policy discussions in the UK, EU and beyond. We have worked at senior levels in regulatory agencies and government bodies and we understand how economic arguments interface with wider political, policy, legal and technical considerations.
Our experience puts us in a unique position to advise on the evidence needed to support economic arguments and how to present that evidence in a way that will resonate with the decision-makers and officials who matter. We use our experience – along with our technical skills – to help our clients present a well-evidenced narrative that will achieve the outcomes they seek.
Flint’s approach
Flint works with companies, investors and regulators to understand their needs and help them put their cases across effectively and powerfully, drawing on economic theory and empirical techniques.
Sound economic argumentation
Linking economic theory to practical reality to make cases that land effectively and fully recognise wider political and policy objectives.
Synthesise economic analysis
Drawing together diverse and often highly technical analyses to make concise, persuasive and robust arguments that are accessible to their intended audience.
Align economic, policy, legal and technical arguments
Blending economic assessment with wider considerations, working with other advisors to secure the maximum effectiveness.
Assembling and presenting the right evidence
Ensuring that economic arguments are properly backed up and can be understood and relied upon by decision-makers.
Case studies
Developing a Strategic and Outline Business Case for a new RegTech hub in a devolved administration
Developing a Strategic and Outline Business Case for a new RegTech hub in a devolved administration
The client needed to prepare a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) and an Outline Business Case (OBC) for a new project following the relevant HMT guidance, Five Case Model and associated Green Book.
The purpose of this document was to engage Government Officials in discussions for funding the project, and in particular a physical site.
Developed a compelling and evidence-based strategic rationale for the project, aligned with the UK government priorities.
Estimated the social return on investment (ROI) and required funding to kick-start the project.
Liaised with the team to understand the business case proposal and generate relevant data for developing the business case.
Analysed the strategic fit and social ROI for different delivery options.
The client gained a better understanding of how to promote the project to policy markets
The project has now a flexible model for the team to update the financial assumptions as the business model evolves, or more data becomes available.
The report served to initiate discussion for funding with Government Officials. This is part of an iterative process still ongoing.
Using AI for evidence-based decisions
Using AI for evidence-based decisions
A leading digital company wanted to use AI to explore whether sophisticated models, able to process larger volumes and use different types of data, could provide useful insights or unexpected answers to its questions compared to less data-intensive methods.
Collaborated with an AI-focussed consultancy to understand the capabilities of machine learning for providing answers to our client’s questions by processing large volumes of publicly available information.
Identified the most relevant insights that could be drawn from the analysis, combining the results from the model with Flint’s expertise in economics, policy and politics.
Presented the analysis in a way that was easy to understand and could be used as input to the client’s work.
The client had access to insights that would have not been possible to obtain without AI capabilities.
The results from the analysis provided the client with a strong evidence base to identify issues that would be valuable to explore in more detail.
Impact on households from reforming policy cost allocation
Impact on households from reforming policy cost allocation
The client wanted to understand the effect of ’policy costs’* on electricity and gas bills in the future and identify alternative and better approaches to allocating costs to each element of the energy bill.
*‘Policy costs’ are levies included in energy bills, which fund social and environmental schemes, such as subsidies for insulation and renewable generation.
Estimated the trajectory for policy costs on energy bills, and tested alternative approaches to allocating them between electricity and gas billpayers.
Set out the major challenges with cost allocation – for example how to protect vulnerable consumers – and how these can be mitigated.
Identified the core principles policymakers should consider in guiding its cost allocation approach.
Identified a preferred cost allocation approach, which was consistent with government objectives while minimising distortions and avoiding increasing costs for vulnerable consumers.
Helped clients develop a narrative that supported them in explaining and justifying their preferred approach to allocating policy costs in engagement with government.
Identifying alternative, more suitable approaches compared to the status quo and other parties’ proposals.
Developed an evidence base demonstrating the trajectory for policy costs and the effect of the ‘status quo.'
Flint helps financial services institutions, from established players to growing fintechs, navigate an ever-more complex regulatory and policy landscape and understand the broader political context in which these events take place.
Flint supports companies at the heart of the energy transition to navigate the rapidly changing policy and regulatory environment that impacts investment and commercial plans.
Flint works with major players in the media, sports and entertainment sectors to provide strategic advice at a time where policy and regulation is seeking to adapt to rapid developments in technology and societal expectations.
Flint helps telecommunications providers and investors navigate a complex and ever-changing competition, policy and regulatory landscape drawing on our deep sector knowledge and extensive senior level industry experience.
Flint helps companies and investors navigate the UK water sector, and the complex – and evolving – political, policy and regulatory environment in which it operates.
A late change to an incoming prudential regime resulted in a client’s international operations being brought in scope, meaning the client would be required to hold significant additional capital. The client needed support to consider the options and make a decision about how best to mitigate the impact of this.
What Flint Did
Outcome
Flint advises international businesses and investors on policy, politics, regulation and competition.
