"The Progress Marlborough regional economic development strategy produced under Tony's direction remains the template for regional economic development strategies." Professor Paul Dalziel - AERU
Forté provide Economic Development Agencies, local and central government and NGOs a broad range of services. These include but are not limited to:
- Research and analysis.
- Policy, programme and project development and management.
- Strategies and action plans.
- Monitoring and evaluation including peer review.
- Partnership development.
- Business plans and feasibility studies.
- Organisation reviews.
- Workforce planning and development.
- Innovation planning and development.
- Sustainable development.
- Data assembly, analysis and interpretation.
Forté builds from a strong platform of technical knowledge and proven research, analytic and consultative/collaborative strategy processes to offer clients the integrated services they require to achieve a high performing agency and regional economy.
Economic development should be an amalgam of science and art. The evidence based science is essential. But so to is the art from which emerges the vision, imagination and passion to see beyond what is currently possible to create new futures. Forté is able to offer clients a variety of services customised to their particular needs. They will provide you with an integrated strategy or focus on the critical challenges that face your region's and your organisation's performance.
Forté's approach is based on this four-way matrix.
Recently completed assignments including strategic planning, workforce analysis and planning for the Marlborough District Council, sustainable development response planning, and innovation management.
Forté combine work for private firms and local and central government agencies. "Working both sides of the public/private fence gives us a pretty unique view of business and the opportunities on offer." says Tony.
Tony's experience includes both management (Chief Executive), governance (Chairman) and consulting experience in economic development since 1987. His first role was as Executive Director of the Marlborough Regional Development Council from 1987 to 1991. Then in 2000 he was appointed inaugural Chairman of the Marlborough Regional Development Trust followed from 2004 to 2006 by a term as Manager. He has subsequently provided economic development consulting services to a number of organisations including the Marlborough Regional Development Trust, the Marlborough District Council and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
Tony represented New Zealand at the OECD LEED forum in Vienna, Click here for a copy of Tony's OECD LEED Forum paper. He then served on two OECD economic development advisory groups Click here for the OECD guide to "Successful partnerships" that Tony was a contributor to, He also presented at the UNFCCC conference in Bonn on a regional response to climate change and was key-note speaker at a workshop for the Queensland Government State Development & Innovation service. Click here for a PDF copy of the keynote address to the Leading Smart Regions workshop. In New Zealand, as well as hands on economic development practise, he has been involved in numerous workshops and conferences on innovation, economic and sustainable development and served on a number of advisory committees including for the Foundation for Research Science and Technology, the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Ministry of Research Science and Technology and for the Economic Development Agencies of New Zealand (EDANZ).
Relevant qualifications and recent professional development includes:
- University of Reading Henley Business School Master of Business Administration (Dissertation addressed the question of New Zealand's high level of inventiveness but mediocre economic performance).
- Massey University Diploma of Health Administration.
- Economic Gardening workshop with Chris Gibbons.
- Asset Based Community Development National Facilitator Training (with Peter Kenyon).
- Economic Gardening Practitioner Training (with Chris Gibbons).
- Sustainability Appraisal Master Class (with Landcare Research).
- Landcare Research carboNZero Programme consultant training.
- EDANZ Accredited Economic Development Professional [AEcD (NZ)].
Click here for a PDF copy of Tony's CV that details qualifications, experience, speaking engagements and professional development.
For further information click here to contact Tony Smale at Forté.