European Evaluation Service ? Core Team

CRG's European Evaluation Service is led by a core team of experienced evaluators, with a detailed knowledge of EU project development and delivery.

Richard Gaunt MA, MSc ECN, FCIPD

Richard is a founding director of CRG, and is recognised as one of Wales? leading experts on project evaluation. He has extensive experience of working with EU structural fund projects and programmes.

Past Projects: Project Director for Mid-term evaluations of Objective 1, Objective 3, INTERREG IIIA, LEADER+, RDP programmes in Wales. Project manager for review of ?ESF and the Information Society? project; evaluations of IP Wales, ReACT, Skills in the Workplace, Skills for Business, Sustaining Profitable Growth project, Farming Connect (skills development) and other projects. etc.

Previous Appointments: Formerly Head of Corporate Services, Cardiff City Council: responsibilities included successful bids for ERDF and ESF funding.

Mark Beynon BSc Econ, MSc Econ

Mark has considerable experience in the provision of European policy, funding and project development support to public sector organisations. He has a detailed understanding of Welsh links with Europe, and has first-hand experience in most aspects of EU project development and delivery. Mark is also a fluent Welsh speaker and holds a PRINCE2 qualification in Project Management.

Past Projects: EU project evaluation experience includes the WAG 'Skills in the Workplace' Programme, and the ?Research Skills Training? project on behalf of a consortium of Welsh Universities.

Previous Appointments: Project Manager: Welsh Higher Education Brussels, Senior Policy Advisor: Wales European Centre in Brussels; Senior European Development Officer: National Museum of Wales; European Officer: Newport County Borough Council, and ERDF Coordinator: Welsh European Programme Executive.

Kate Sullivan BSc (Hons), MSc

Kate has over 10 years experience of working with European funds with the public and third sectors. She has extensive understanding of European funding; external funding; and, project development, project management and monitoring and evaluation of EU funded projects.

Past Projects: Research and evaluation experience includes Developing a National Approach to Business Change in Welsh Local Authorities (WAG); Evaluation of Teacher Support Cymru (WAG); Evaluation of Trust Education Project (Tender); Wales Food and Drink Employer Skills Needs and Supply Mapping Study (Improve): Evaluation of Skills in the Workplace (WAG).

Previous Appointments: Formerly Policy Officer (Funding/Research), Caerphilly County Borough Council; Principal European Office, Cardiff Council; Assistant European Funding Officer, Torfaen County Borough Council.

Katy Skidmore BSc (Hons), MSc

Katy has considerable research, evaluation and project management experience, working with a range of organisations in Wales including local authorities, further education colleges and Welsh Assembly Government departments.

Past Projects: EU project evaluation experience includes evaluations of the Local Supplier Development Project and Review of Rural Development Programmes on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. Has also led evaluations of the Common Investment Fund and Farming Connect. Outside of Wales, project management of assignments for the Department of Children, Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice.

Previous Appointments: Involved in research and business development activities for the inward investment division of the former Welsh Development Agency.