West Midlands Regional Observatory
Level 3, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG
Main switchboard telephone 0121 202 3250
Fax 0121 202 3240
Email enquiries@wmro.org
For research enquiries please telephone 0121 202 3243 or use our enquiry form.
Meet the Observatory team
Rosie Paskins
Chief Executive
Email rosie.paskins@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3242
Rosie is keen to promote the improved use of data and intelligence resources throughout the West Midlands and develop the regional evidence base needed to support organisations in their strategy development, policy formulation and service delivery.
Before joining the Observatory in January 2007, Rosie worked for Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency, in a variety of roles encompassing both delivery and policy. Most recently she was Corporate Director for Economic Regeneration, leading the Agency’s policy work on regeneration and economic inclusion, planning and transport, urban and rural renaissance, health, tourism and sustainable development.
Prior to joining the Agency, Rosie played a significant role in the creation of the national Learning & Skills Council, heading up the national corporate planning and secretariat functions. This built on her experience at the Government Office for the West Midlands, where she was Deputy Director for Skills and Enterprise until July 2001.
Rosie started her working career as a chartered accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in London, where she worked on a variety of audits and management consultancy assignments, before moving to a specialist venture capital company investing in British technology.
Stephen Howarth
Deputy Chief Executive
Email stephen.howarth@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3258
Stephen leads the Observatory’s research team, delivering data and intelligence research projects to meet partner needs. He is responsible for the development of the State of the Region Report and updates, the provision of the evidence base to support regional strategies and the monitoring of their outcomes and for the delivery of gap-filling projects led by the Observatory. Also, he is responsible for the delivery of a programme of commissioned research projects for a range of organisations and the Observatory’s relationship with the Office for National Statistics' regional presence.
Stephen came to the Observatory from the Adult Learning Inspectorate where he headed the data and research team, responsible for providing much of the statistical evidence feeding into the inspection of adult learning providers, analysing the results of inspections and evaluating the impact of the inspection process. Prior to that he was a government statistician working in the Department for Education.
Andy Phillips
Head of Skills Research
Email andy.phillips@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3251
Andy leads the Observatory’s skills research team, which provides the skills evidence base for key regional partners and for a range of key strategies and action plans. He is responsible for the delivery of an annual Regional Skills Assessment, a programme of sector-based and cross-cutting research on key issues, a framework of indicators that tracks trends in the region’s skills performance and a programme of primary gap filling research.
He has 20 years experience in economic, labour market and skills research and policy, mostly in a West Midlands context, previously working for a range of local authorities, a regional investment agency, a private sector consultant, a Training and Enterprise Council, the Learning and Skills Council and a Sector Skills Council.
Stewart Meikle
Web & Data Manager
Email stewart.meikle@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3245
Directory of Specialists profile
Stewart manages the supporting activities that help make the Observatory effective in its work. He is responsible for this website and for identifying, cataloguing and making known the region's information resources. Stewart also leads the Observatory's work in promoting knowledge management within the West Midlands.
With a PhD in Engineering and a chartered engineer, Stewart comes from the manufacturing sector, where he has held senior IT and engineering roles in the metals, plastics and aerospace industries.
Anthony Szary
Regional Statistician, Office for National Statistics
Email anthony.szary@ons.gsi.gov.uk
Tel 0121 202 3256
Anthony has headed the two member ONS (West Midlands) team based within the Observatory since April 2007, when ONS initially established a presence in each of the nine English regions. The team are helping to develop the regional evidence base in collaboration with regional stakeholders, and provide advice and support on its use and dissemination. The team also works on collaborative projects and informs ONS decision making on sub-national data, their use, and sources.
Anthony has worked in the arena of UK official statistics for around eight years. Prior to taking up the post of Regional Statistician, Anthony was based at the Newport headquarters of ONS, where he worked on survey methods for business inquiries and time series analysis/seasonal adjustment of a wide range of data series.
Oliver Nicholls
Head of Communications and Networking
Email oliver.nicholls@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3244
Oliver joined the Observatory as Head of Communications and Networking in June 2008, from the West Midlands Regional Team of Big Lottery Fund. Oliver is responsible for the Observatory’s external communications, including events and newsletters. He also co-ordinates the work of the Regional Data and Intelligence Network (RDIN) and its four Topic Groups. As a result, Oliver’s work tends to cross over all aspects of the Observatory, as he links the research work of the Observatory with external partners and communicates research to the region.
Before Big Lottery Fund, Oliver worked as an independent research consultant and for a variety of community-based projects across the Black Country. He is passionate about evidence and research being used to make a positive difference to the lives of people in the region, and improving the West Midlands as a place to live, work and invest.
Brian MacAulay
Senior Research Analyst
Email brian.macaulay@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3247
Directory of Specialists profile
Brian leads the Innovation and Enterprise team focusing research on these key regional challenges. While continuing to provide analysis and commentary of current and future broader economic questions affecting the region and contributing economic analysis on wider strategic research, his focus is on the delivery of research and analysis to support the Enterprise Board and Innovation Technology Council.
Brian continues to lead on the Observatory’s Integrated Policy Model, a new integrated spatial modelling tool that will support a wide range of strategic themes. He is the Observatory’s main contact for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Helena Duignan
Senior Research Analyst
Email helena.duignan@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3253
Helena leads the Observatory’s programme of work on Economic Inclusion, and is the Observatory’s key contact for Birmingham and Solihull. Helena has a background in social and market research and a Masters degree in Research and Social Policy from the University of Birmingham. Prior to joining the Observatory Helena was an independent research consultant and spent several years conducting research for charities in the West Midlands and nationally.
John Walker
Senior Research Analyst
Email john.walker@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3246
John is one of three Senior Research Analysts at the Observatory and leads our work on Sustainable Development and Transport. John will be developing our work on both sustainable development and transport to explore key issues facing policy makers in these areas and provide a robust evidence base to help their decision-making. He also manages our work on Local Area Agreements (LAA), working closely with Government Office and local authorities in the region to support the development and monitoring of LAAs. He is our main contact for The Marches.
John brings practical experience from the rural and economic development sectors from his previous roles within the Economic Regeneration department of Walsall Council and the Countryside Agency. John also has five years of sales and project management experience gained within the private sector and an academic background in Geography and Protected Landscape Management.
Katy Bregazzi
Research Analyst
Email katy.bregazzi@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3329
Directory of Specialists member
Katy's role is to contribute to the Research Programme of the Observatory through the production of commentary and analysis of datasets, and to help identify intelligence gaps throughout the region. Katy has responsibility for Environment and Natural Resources, Health and Geographical Information Science (GIS) topic areas. She also provides the Observatory with advice on geographical information systems.
She attends the Geographical Information and Environment and Natural Resources Topic Groups, the Black Country Research and Intelligence network (BRAIN), the Worcestershire Research Forum and the Regional Assembly Advisory Group on Ageing.
Stewart Houghton
Research Analyst
Email stewart.houghton@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3254
Stewart contributes to the data and intelligence work of the Regional Skills Partnership as part of the Observatory's Skills Team through the production of commentary and analysis of data resources and the identification of skills-related research for the region.
Stewart has an MSc in Economics from the University of Nottingham and a first degree in Economics from the University of Liverpool. Prior to working for the Observatory he has worked as an economist within Birmingham City Council and the Civil Aviation Authority in London, working on a wide range of regulatory and economic development issues.
Rosie Day
Research Analyst
Email rosie.day@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3286
Rosie has recently joined the Observatory as a member of the Research Team and is focusing on a programme of work looking at Economic Inclusion. Rosie’s role involves analysing and interpreting data to draw out key issues and policy implications to meet the data and intelligence requirements of the Observatory’s regional partners.
Prior to joining the Observatory, Rosie worked at the West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit as a member of the Research and Information Team. Rosie has a degree in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Liverpool.
Russell Hornsey
Research Analyst
Email russell.hornsey@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3287
Russell joins us from Advantage West Midlands where he was Intelligence & Information Manager in the Strategy Team providing data, analysis and GIS mapping solutions to Agency staff and external enquirers. Russell has joined the Observatory as a Research Analyst to work on Enterprise and Innovation projects as well as leading on monitoring and reporting inward investment into the Region. Before his time at AWM, Russell worked as a researcher in industries as varied as media production and mortgage fraud investigation.
Nicki Schiessel
Research Analyst
Email nicki.schiessel@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3283
Nicki joined the Observatory’s Research Team in July 2008. She is focusing on developing the evidence base for Sustainable Development aspects of the Observatory’s work programme, analysing data resources and identifying sustainability-related research to draw out key issues and policy implications.
Before joining the Observatory, Nicki was at Atkins Consulting where she worked across a range of planning and economic development areas including environmental impact assessments and sustainability appraisal/SEA of planning policy. She has a background in tourism and education and a MSc in Environmental Management & Tourism from Oxford Brookes University.
Lauren Amery
Cultural Research Analyst
Email lauren.amery@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3249
Lauren’s post is funded by the Arts Council, Museums Libraries & Archives and Sport England via Culture West Midlands, the Regional Cultural Consortium.
Her role is to coordinate and collate research into the impact of cultural sector activities in the region. Her aim is to provide an evidence base for regional policy associated with the culture and image of the West Midlands. As part of her work, she supports the Cultural Research and Intelligence Group (CRAIG), which brings together all regional cultural bodies.
Prior to joining the Observatory, Lauren graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in English from the University of Leeds and a PGCE from the University of Birmingham. Lauren has had a variety of research-focused roles within the Education and Regeneration sectors.
Clare Rapkins
Research Analyst
Email clare.rapkins@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3282
Clare contributes to the data and intelligence work of the Regional Skills Partnership as part of the Observatory's skills team and the commentary and analysis of data resources, and the identification of skills-related research for the region.
Prior to joining the observatory, Clare worked at the National Audit Office and the Department of Health as a statistician. Clare has a degree in Business Decision Analysis from the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Gavin Wray
Web and Data Officer
Email gavin.wray@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3252
Directory of Specialists profile
Gavin manages the content, administration and technical development of this website. He also provides design expertise, web-based tools and training to support the Observatory in its ICT activities.
Prior to joining the Observatory in 2005, Gavin worked in web content and knowledge management for a public health organisation's national centre. He also has three years editorial experience with UK and US book publishers, commissioning in web design, motion graphics, digital workflow, photography and illustration. He has a B.A. (Hons) in English from the University of Hull.
Steven Dovey
Information Analyst
Email steven.dovey@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3255
Steven has a keen interest in providing easier access to information for people across the region. As part of his role with the Observatory, he manages the development and administration of the Resource Catalogue in support of the Observatory's objective to identify and disseminate regional data and intelligence resources. He is responsible for cataloguing resources, supporting projects with partners and contributing to the development of the website as a regional knowledge portal. In particular, Steven has initiated numerous improvements to the search and retrieval process on wmro.org.
Steven has recently worked with capacitybuilders to create a directory of capacitybuilders-funded resources across the region and is currently working with Advantage West Midlands to create a directory to support e-business adoption in SMEs in the West Midlands. He also works to support colleagues by ensuring that they have appropriate software available to perform their own roles.
Prior to joining the Observatory, Steven has worked as a Business Analyst in software development and has held roles in academic and public libraries. He has an M.A. in Library & Information Studies from Loughborough University and a first degree in Politics from the University of Liverpool.
Marion Doherty
Office Manager & PA to Chief Executive
Email marion.doherty@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3241
Marion manages the day to day running and upkeep of the office. The administrative needs of the office-based teams are varied and Marion, working alongside the Administrator, accommodates these needs whilst ensuring the smooth running of the office through best practice. Marion also provides administration and secretarial support to the Chief Executive.
Marion studied Hotel Management in Dublin and has also worked in Central Europe before settling in the UK. She has worked in both the Hospitality sector and the Medical sector. She moved from London to Birmingham five years ago and is currently seconded to the Observatory from Advantage West Midlands.
Evette Jayatilake
Team Administrator
Email evette.jayatilake@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3250
I joined the Observatory as Team Administrator in January 2008. Prior to joining the Observatory, I worked as an Administrative Officer for the Child Support Agency from 2003 to December 2007. This involved undertaking a varied role in terms of answering clients' enquiries via telephone and email, ensuring that information was collated on a daily basis and passed to appropriate case officers.
Before working for the Child Support Agency, I graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a BA in Media and Cultural studies. Additionally, this enabled me to work for the university for a year after graduating as an English teacher in China.
Rajdeep Kaur
Research Assistant
Email rajdeep.kaur@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3248
Rajdeep contributes to the data and intelligence work of the Regional Skills Partnership as part of the Observatory's Skills Team. Rajdeep is responsible for data collection, presentation of results in tables and charts, and assisting with analysis of data and report commentary.
Since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Sociology & Social Policy from the University of Warwick in July 2004, Rajdeep has worked for Birmingham City Council Education and Social Care & Health Departments, and as the Observatory's Administrator.
Naomi Winchurch
Research Assistant
Email naomi.winchurch@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3243
Naomi contributes to the research programme of the Observatory as a member of the Research Team. Her responsibilities include supporting the Research team by sourcing data for datasets, presenting data in tables and charts, and assisting with analysis of data and commentary. Naomi also administers our research enquiries service.
Naomi graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2003 with a BA (Hons) in Sociology. Prior to working for the Observatory, Naomi worked as a Research Assistant for ECOTEC Research and Consulting in the Social Policy Division, where she worked on a range of national, regional and local level research projects across a variety of themes including learning and skills, employment and labour markets, children and young people, equality and diversity, e-learning, and rural issues.
Martin Sullivan
Research Assistant
Email martin.sullivan@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3281
Martin is part of the Innovation and Enterprise team, collecting economic information and assisting with data processing, presentation, and report writing.
Before working at the Observatory, Martin supported a number of projects for Medway Council's Research and Review team and Birmingham City Council's Planning and Regeneration service. Martin has a BA in Geography from Oxford University
Marie Kibble
Research Assistant
Email marie.kibble@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3285
Marie contributes to the Research Programme of the Observatory as part of the Research team. Her responsibilities include dataset compilation, data presentation using tables and charts, and assisting with analysis of data and commentary. She also assists with the collection of Inward Investment Data.
Marie graduated from the University of Luton in 1994 with a BSc (Hons) in Geology with Environmental Science. Since graduating, Marie worked for eight years at Advantage West Midlands as an Intelligence and Information Executive, contributing to many regional and local level projects including the Regional Economy Strategy. Prior to that, she was a researcher with the West Midlands Poisons Unit.