Income Generation Review
Client Context
As part of Human Engine's role as Luton Borough Council's strategic transformation partner, we were commissioned to identify and develop new income generation opportunities to help address growing financial pressures and support the Council's long-term financial sustainability. The Council wanted to maximise existing income streams, identify new commercial opportunities and strengthen its overall commercial approach across all service areas, including schools traded services, asset utilisation and frontline services. Human Engine was engaged to identify opportunities, develop robust business cases and support implementation to ensure benefits could be realised.
Our Approach
Key areas of our approach included:
Commercial Discovery Review: Undertook a council-wide review of existing income streams, commercial activities and traded services to establish the current baseline and identify opportunities for growth.
Stakeholder Engagement and Market Analysis: Conducted interviews and workshops with senior leaders and service managers, supported by analysis of income, customer and performance data.
Opportunity Development and Business Case Design: Assessed the viability of identified opportunities, quantified potential benefits and developed delivery plans to support implementation.
Commercial Strategy Development: Produced a new Commercial Strategy to provide a framework for future income generation and support a more commercial culture across the organisation.
Implementation and Benefits Realisation Support: Worked alongside council officers to prioritise opportunities, develop delivery plans and support the transition into implementation.
Outputs and Outcomes
Key outcomes from the work included:
Income Opportunities Identified: Initial discovery work identified £690,000 of potential additional income opportunities across a three-year period.
Additional Benefits Increased Through Detailed Development: Further analysis and stakeholder engagement increased the identified opportunity to £1.209 million of additional income over three years.
Schools Traded Services Review: Delivered a detailed assessment of schools traded services, identifying opportunities to strengthen the offer and increase income generation.
Commercial Strategy Produced: Developed a council-wide Commercial Strategy to guide future income generation activity and support cultural change.
Asset and Service Income Opportunities: Identified opportunities to maximise returns from physical assets, existing services and new commercial initiatives.
Implementation Roadmap: Produced prioritised delivery plans to support the realisation of identified benefits and embed a more commercial approach across the Council.
About Us
Human Engine is a leading management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, transformation, digital, commercial, procurement and projects.
Founded in 2018, we have partnered with more than 50 local authorities, central government, NHS organisations and national charities to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures.
Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives. We do this by blending first-hand, practical experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.