Our Mission and Vision

David Gourlay, Founder started his career in oil and gas exploration as a petroleum geologist before moving into consultancy work, after an M.Phil (Urban Policy), that more "floated his boat".

He focused on social and economic development. Afterwards he spent time establishing and managing local economic initiatives. He  then spent three years as Programme Manager with Strathclyde European Partnership, managing the Community Economic Development priority across the West of Scotland.  He has been designing, supporting and evaluating local, regional and national as well as EU structural fund programmes and projects for over 30 years. 

At SEDRO, we’re proud to support a wide range of clients—from grassroots community groups to national organisations and global companies.  Our work is rooted in best practice: we follow Magenta Book guidance for evaluation, apply PRINCE2 principles to manage projects effectively, and use Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodologies—powered by the Social Value Engine—to demonstrate impact.

As a Director of two of Scotland’s respected consultancy firms, Hall Aitken and then Social Value Lab, David Gourlay has won contracts, managed and successfully delivered results for scores of projects.  A selection of these he has been intrinsically involved in are listed below.  

Evaluation that Drives Change

Evaluation is central to what we do. We've completed dozens of robust, evidence-based evaluations that shape future investment and improve delivery.

Highlights include:

• Amazon UK – Employability Programme
  Evaluated a programme supporting disadvantaged individuals into training and work, measuring short- and long-term outcomes using SROI metrics.
• Amazon UK – Apprenticeships Programme
  Assessed the impact of apprenticeships on career progression and workforce development, applying PRINCE2 and Magenta Book methods.
• Hermitage Park – Argyll and Bute Council
  Delivered a mixed-methods evaluation of this NLHF-funded Parks for People project using surveys, desk research, and interviews.
• Sport and Physical Activity Programmes
  Evaluated initiatives for Sport England, England Golf, National Lottery Community Fund, and the Premier League Charitable Trust, exploring their projects impact on health, participation, and community inclusion.
• Regional regeneration Programmes
  Conducted LEADER evaluations for Ayrshire Local Action Group and Argyll and the Islands, looking at rural development outcomes, capacity building, and long-term legacy.

Measuring Social Value

We quantify social impact following SROI principles and using the Social Value Engine—turning outcomes into powerful stories and investment cases.

• Amazon UK - Calculated Social Return on Investment return on investment for Multibanks, Employability programmes and  their Apprenticeship programme.
• Firstport
  Calculated return on investment (ROI) for enterprise development programmes, showing their impact on job creation, wellbeing, and local economies.
• Aberlour Children's Charity
  Calculated SROI t for Sustain programmes, showing their impact on families and local authorities.

Custom Outcomes Frameworks
We can design tailored measurement frameworks for organisations and funders, ensuring they are set up with appropriate Theory of Change and evaluation frameworks so they can track and communicate the outcomes that matter most. 

Strategic Development and Social Enterprise

We help public bodies and third-sector organisations create strategies that are practical, inclusive, and focused on outcomes.

• Perth and Kinross Council LEP
  Led the development of a local employability strategy, informed by labour market analysis and stakeholder input.
• Argyll and Bute TSI
  Delivered a Social Enterprise Strategy for the area, addressing key gaps in enterprise support and market access.
• South Kyle Windfarm
  Carried out a socio-economic review to guide community benefit spending and align local social objectives with investment priorities.

Organisational Development and Governance

We support organisations to grow with purpose, build resilience, and improve how they work.

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  Reviewed legal and governance structures used by Development Trusts and created a guide to support informed choices across the network.
• Stòras Uibhist
  Assessed governance strength and supported improvement planning for one of Scotland’s leading community landowners.

Community Engagement and Co-Design

We design inclusive and effective engagement processes that give communities a real voice in shaping plans and investments.

• EQIA - Equality Impact Assessment  to ensure that the Glasgow Avenues cycleway project,  does not unlawfully discriminate and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. Successfully submitted to Glasgow City Council.
• Uist Repopulation Action Zone
  Led community consultation for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s draft plan, gathering insights through focus groups, interviews, and online surveys.
• Community Mapping and Needs Assessments
  Delivered community engagement and analysis for projects across Scotland, identifying local strengths, gaps, and development priorities.

Bringing in expertise using trusted associates

We can bring in other organisations and  people with specialist skills, adding value and capacity—helping us and our clients work more efficiently, effectively, and with the right expertise at the right time.

Working with Purpose

From employability to enterprise, from urban parks to island communities—we bring expertise, clarity, and commitment to every project.

• Our evaluations inform funding decisions.
   
• Our strategies build resilience.
   
• Our reports help shape a better future.

Let’s build something better, together.