What ERS Ltd does

ERS Ltd, trading as Fortia Insight, is a UK-based B2B economic research and consulting firm headquartered in Helsby, Cheshire. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RSK Group, the environmental and engineering solutions conglomerate, providing decision-grade economic and policy analysis to UK and European clients across government, corporates, financial institutions, and non-profits.

The firm delivers five integrated service lines — Econometrics and Economic Modelling, Policy and Programme Evaluation, Policy and Strategy Development, Project Appraisal and Case Making, and Quantitative and Qualitative Research — aligned to HM Treasury Green Book appraisal standards. These are applied across eight policy verticals: Communities and Place; Economic Development and Regeneration; Energy and Environment; Health Care and Wellbeing; Infrastructure; Learning and Skills; Science and Technology; and Social Policy. The core technical asset is the combination of advanced quantitative modelling (econometrics, forecasting, case-making) with sector-specialist policy interpretation, packaged as evidence bases for funding, strategy, and evaluation decisions.

The business model is a sales-led, consultative professional services engagement model: project-based advisory work contracted by public-sector bodies, corporations, and institutions, typically tied to appraisal, evaluation, or strategy mandates. The firm generates revenue through fee-for-service engagements sized by scope and complexity, with the unit economics anchored by specialist consultant billable capacity rather than a software or platform subscription. Distribution is reinforced by its position within the RSK Group ecosystem, which provides cross-sell access and shared brand association across the parent group's environmental and engineering client base.

Name

ERS Ltd

Legal name

Economic Research Services Limited

Website

https://ers.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ERS Ltd, trading as Fortia Insight, is a UK-based economic research and consulting firm that delivers econometric modelling, policy evaluation, appraisal, and strategy services to government, corporate, financial, and non-profit clients across eight policy verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Research and Policy Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Economic research consulting
• Policy programme evaluation
• Econometric modelling services
• HM Treasury appraisal
• Strategic policy advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Economic Research and Consulting Services: Project-based professional services providing economic research, policy analysis, programme evaluation, and strategic consulting to government agencies, corporations, financial institutions, and non-profit organisations. Revenue is generated through consulting engagements, research contracts, and advisory services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

ERS Ltd (Fortia Insight) provides economic research and consulting services to government agencies, corporations, financial institutions, and non-profit organisations. The firm delivers econometric modelling, HM Treasury-compliant policy and programme evaluations, bespoke policy and strategy development, project appraisals and business cases, and tailored quantitative and qualitative research across eight sector specialisms including infrastructure, energy, health, and social policy.

Product overview

Fortia Insight (ERS Ltd) is a consulting firm providing economic research and analysis services rather than a software product company. The firm operates as a unified service offering across five core service areas: Econometrics and Economic Modelling, Policy and Programme Evaluation, Policy and Strategy Development, Project Appraisal and Case Making, and Quantitative and Qualitative Research. These services are delivered across eight sector specialisms including Communities and Place, Economic Development and Regeneration, Energy and Environment, Health Care and Wellbeing, Infrastructure, Learning and Skills, Science and Technology, and Social Policy. The company is part of RSK Group, a global environmental and engineering solutions provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Econometrics and Economic Modelling Econometric analysis and modelling services that transform data into actionable insights for evidence-based government and business decisions. Applied to a broad range of policy and investment questions for government, corporate, and financial sector clients.
• Policy and Programme Evaluation HM Treasury-compliant evaluations of public programmes using advanced methods to assess impact, value for money and equity. Designed for government agencies and public sector clients requiring rigorous, evidence-based programme assessment.
• Policy and Strategy Development Bespoke policy design and sector strategies with implementation support, backed by data, stakeholder insights and economic analysis. Supports government, corporate, and non-profit organisations in shaping actionable policy and strategic direction.
• Project Appraisal and Case Making HM Treasury-aligned economic impact assessments, feasibility studies and business cases for infrastructure, regeneration, and energy projects. Supports investment decisions and public sector project approvals.
• Quantitative and Qualitative Research Tailored social and market research using qualitative, quantitative, primary and secondary research methods. Designed for clients seeking bespoke evidence to support policy, investment, and strategic decisions.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• RSK GroupcoreOthersERS Ltd (trading as Fortia Insight) is a wholly owned subsidiary of RSK Group, a global leader in environmental and engineering solutions. RSK Group provides the parent company infrastructure and brand association, while ERS Ltd operates as an independent economic research and consulting division. The relationship enables cross-selling opportunities within the RSK Group's broader client base.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Oxera Consulting: UK-headquartered economic consultancy offering economic analysis, regulatory and policy advice across energy, environment, infrastructure and competition. Directly comparable in service mix (econometrics, policy evaluation, appraisal) and UK public-sector focus.
• Frontier Economics: Large specialist economic consultancy with deep UK and European public-sector practice, offering economic modelling, policy evaluation and competition economics. Closest direct competitor on service profile and client base.
• IFF Research: UK social and market research firm delivering quantitative and qualitative research for government, charities and corporates. Comparable on the qualitative/quantitative research service line and public-sector client base.
• SQW Group: UK economic development and regeneration consultancy providing evaluation, appraisal and strategy services to government and agencies. Highly comparable across Economic Development & Regeneration and Infrastructure sectors.
• Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA): Economic and policy consultancy advising on regulatory, competition and public policy issues across energy, transport and digital. Overlaps directly in policy evaluation and economic modelling services.
• London Economics: UK-based economic consultancy providing policy evaluation, impact assessment and quantitative research for government, regulators and industry. Comparable in service offering, client mix and HM Treasury-style methodology.

Broad incumbents

• EY-Parthenon (UK): Strategy consulting arm of EY with UK public-sector and infrastructure advisory capabilities. Overlaps on strategy development, business case and policy impact work.
• Deloitte UK (Monitor Deloitte / Public Sector): Big Four consulting practice with strong UK government advisory. Competes for large programme evaluation, economic impact assessment and policy strategy engagements.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) UK: Big Four professional services firm with a large economics and policy practice. Competes for the same UK public-sector evaluation and project appraisal mandates at higher scale and with broader service portfolios.
• KPMG UK: Big Four firm with established economics, infrastructure and public-sector advisory practices. Competes for HM Treasury-aligned business cases and policy evaluation mandates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ers-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ERS Ltd