About Us
Impact Consultancy & Research was formed 15 years ago and during this time we have undertaken 120+ contracts. These contracts have been commissioned by clients ranging from national charities to large public sector organisations. We have a strong track record of building excellent relationships with our clients and delivering work to a high standard. Where contracts require specialist skills outside of our area of expertise we draw on our pool of expert associates to enhance our team.
Claire Carter
Claire established Impact Consultancy & Research with Sarah in 2006 and during this time has developed significant experience of working with local and national voluntary organisations and local authorities supporting them to review, develop and evaluate the services and programmes they deliver. Prior to this she had a background in the arts and community development which underpins her interest in developing creative and collaborative approaches to contracts and exploring how policy translates into practice. Claire is passionate about processes that enable people to have a say on how the issues that affect them are addressed and engaging people in a meaningful and purposeful way. Claire is also an accomplished facilitator and has worked with large global blue-chip companies facilitating training and conferences. Claire lives in Shropshire with her partner, two children and loves gardening and trawling collectors fairs looking for vintage treasures.
Sarah Fishbourne
Most of Sarah’s professional career has been spent supporting the voluntary and community and public sectors. Sarah’s career began within the field of community development and from this grew a strong commitment to working with communities to ensure that they are involved and engaged in shaping decisions that affect their lives. In 2004 Sarah completed an MsC in Policy Research, following which she worked at a national level for Urban Forum and ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural Communities) and later Community First in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, to help shape policy affecting communities. Throughout this time Sarah worked at a senior level in VCS organisations and acquired essential management skills.
In 2007, Sarah began a freelance career and quickly formed a working partnership with Claire, which later became known as Impact Consultancy and Research. Sarah brings a combination of skills to the partnership; research and analysis, policy development and facilitation. These skills are combined with extensive knowledge of the voluntary and community sector and a continued commitment to helping people and communities identify and achieve their goals, and to be equal partners in the policy shaping process.
