We’re here to bring clarity to your plans. We help you understand problems, identify opportunities, demonstrate your value and make a difference in the world.
Why does clarity matter? Because it doesn’t just sharpen your argument; it makes your whole project better.
In a world of colour,
clarity stands out
in black and white.
Through upfront research and analysis we lay the groundwork for effective action and investment.
We work with you at the early policy and project planning stages to help you understand the landscape and identify opportunities to make a difference.
We ask difficult questions and dig deeper to understand your ambitions. We challenge your assumptions and build on your good ideas, whilst being candid about any gaps that need further exploration. We provide you with the analysis you need to make the difference you want to make.
Examples of our work
Economics is all about value. We help our clients understand, quantify and demonstrate the value they create, so they can secure the support and investment they need.
We specialise in Green Book value-for-money appraisals of complex projects and programmes, particularly in hard-to-measure sectors like R&D and arts and culture. We understand how to identify, monetise and explain different sources of economic and social value, presenting our findings clearly and concisely in accessible, engaging language. This gives you the evidence you need to make the arguments you need to make.
Examples of our work
A good business case doesn’t just unlock investment; it makes the project better.
We’re specialists in developing clear, compelling Green Book business cases for complex, high-profile projects and programmes. Since we started out in 2019, we’ve written over 70 Green Book business cases, and every one submitted has been approved.
Our collaborative approach emphasises that a business case is a process, not just a product. We help you cut through the jargon, understand what’s really required, and avoid common pitfalls. Our goal is not just to secure funding for your plans, but to make those plans better, so you get the best possible results.
Examples of our work
We help you realise the potential of your organisation through clear, focused plans.
Defining what you do, why you do it, and how you’ll deliver it isn’t easy. But doing this well is essential for building consensus, generating momentum, and creating the conditions for real-world success.
We work with you to articulate your vision for the world and your role in shaping it. From there, we develop strategies and implementation plans supported by robust financial models and clear, measurable goals. We help you focus on what’s important, enabling you to deliver the change you want to see.
Examples of our work
We help you understand what’s working, what isn’t, and why, so you can learn from your projects and make stronger decisions in the future.
Through process, impact, and value-for-money evaluations, we dig deeper to help you get to the heart of what your project is really achieving. By learning from what has happened and understanding what made the difference, we provide the evidence you need to adapt, respond, and plan your next project with clarity and confidence.
Examples of our work
How we can help —
Our services cover your project’s full lifecycle: from early research and analysis to business case development, strategy, and evaluation. We help you develop your plans from initial ideas to investable propositions, and realise their potential through tailored business strategies. We also track the impact your projects are having on the world, using this insight to help make your next ones even better.
We apply these services to projects in complex, fast-moving sectors like arts and culture, the creative industries, technology, education, the space sector and R&D. We’re specialists in the development, appraisal and evaluation of large-scale research infrastructures, helping you to unlock funding and demonstrate the value of game-changing investments.
How we work —
Five ways we’re different
1 — We work with you,
not for you
We see our clients as long-term partners, not one-off projects. We listen, empathise, and work hard to understand the contexts within which you work.
2 — We take time to understand your needs
We see our clients as long-term partners, not one-off projects. We listen, empathise, and work hard to understand the contexts within which you work.
3 — We do what’s right for you, not what's easiset
We’re honest and transparent, focused on what you need to succeed — even when that means challenging assumptions or rethinking the project.
3 — We do what’s right for you, not what's easiset
We’re honest and transparent, focused on what you need to succeed — even when that means challenging assumptions or rethinking the project.
4 — We train as we go, building confidence
We see our clients as long-term partners, not one-off projects. We listen, empathise, and work hard to understand the contexts within which you work.
5 — We use clear, accessible language
We see our clients as long-term partners, not one-off projects. We listen, empathise, and work hard to understand the contexts within which you work.
Who we work with —
We work on projects we care about, for clients we believe in, across the arts, culture, heritage, technology and R&D.
Our projects —
Research & Policy Analysis
Framing the benefits of a national digital collection for the Arts and Humanities Research Council
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
Revealing the RICHeS in UK heritage science
Business Case Development
Making the case for digitising the UK’s natural science collections
Economic Analysis
Digging deeper to demonstrate the value of the National Geological Repository
Business Strategy & Implementation
Helping Birmingham Museums Trust navigate their way to a brighter future
Research & Policy Analysis
From hidden collections to discovery research: mapping an ecosystem for Wellcome
Our Team —
Our core team comprises economists, financial analysts, business case experts, strategy consultants, evaluators and technology experts. We work with a wide range of associates, which allows us to bring the right mix of skills, experience and capacity to every project.
Tom Callahan
Founder and CEO. Responsible for the work we do and the way we do it. Public value economist and business case expert, leading our economic analysis, business case development and evaluation work. A stickler for clarity.
Dr. Chris Michaels
Managing Director and lead for our research and analysis. Subject matter expert on emerging technology, digitisation and the cultural sector. Writer, journalist and Deputy Chair of English Heritage. Has a way with words.
Alex Campbell-Moffat
Researcher and communications specialist. Helps turn complex evidence and strategy into clear, engaging stories for our clients and their stakeholders. Known for sharp questions, tidy drafts and staying calm under pressure.
Deji Ajijedidun
Economist and accredited business case practitioner. Project manages our economic analysis and business case development projects, drawing on experience across the public and private sectors. Keeps complex projects moving.
Sabrina Etherington
Project manager and Chief of Staff. Ex-Deloitte consultant with experience creating clarity in complex programmes. Focused on building an inclusive, sustainable workplace. Keeps the wheels turning and the humans sane.
Antony Hawkerr
Leads our business strategy and implementation work. Strategy and change management specialist, former McKinsey management consultant and not-for-profit sector leader. Loves a good PowerPoint slide.
And you?
Like the look of what we do? Think you could bring something to our team? Then we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch
“
Both reports passed with flying colours and became the exemplar for UKRI. If you want to write a good business case, you read these two - they set a whole new bar.”
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Associate Director
“
I’d describe them as the human face of consultancy. Human Economics isn’t the typical Big Four-style consultancy and please, let’s keep it that way.”
Xxxx Xxxxxx, COO, Humanities Division
“
I keep going back to them because of their track record and experience in research infrastructure and heritage. They’re competent, reliable and deliver what they say they will”
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Programme Director
“
Human Economics always comes prepared, and I never felt I needed to worry, I could just let them get on with it.”
Xxxx Xxxxx, Chief of Staff
Contact us —
Get in touch
Talk to us about bringing clarity
to your next project at: hello@humaneconomics.com