David Hope

Meet David

David Hope is a Business Development Manager in the Economic Development Service. His role focuses on using data, intelligence, and research to inform Council strategies and funding programmes. He's feeding Coventry’s input into similar activities led by the West Midlands Combined Authority. 

For David, becoming a Research Ambassador felt like a natural extension of his work: 

“It's given me an avenue to expand my horizons in terms of the additional research that could improve policy and services. You have additional expertise from the universities that you're able to call on and I think the HDRC is a vital link to that.” 

What has David learned? 

In his first six months as an Research Ambassador, David has discovered: 

• The depth of research expertise available at local universities and how it can shape better services; and the keenness within universities to work with our Authority to help improve services and deliver positive outcomes for Coventry residents. 

• The value of existing evidence when designing projects and policies. 

• The potential for new funding, especially to carry out research and/or deliver pilot projects that address health determinants like housing, employment, and digital access. 

• One example is the Council's work on retrofitting homes, which not only tackles fuel poverty but also has potential to support local jobs, upskilling opportunities, and boost business competitiveness. David sees this kind of multi-layered impact as key to improving lives in Coventry. 

Making a difference 

David's Research Ambassador role has helped his team think differently about service delivery; focusing more on people than just the performance metrics funders set around businesses supported: 

“It's getting people to think more about the workforce within businesses… what can we do to improve their standard of living and cut inequalities?” 

This shift has helped bring community voices into the conversation, making services more responsive and inclusive. 

Personal growth and new opportunities 

Being an Research Ambassador has also opened doors for David’s own development: 

• He's built new networks across the Council and with university researchers. 

• He's explored new subject areas, like economic inactivity, in greater depth. 

• He's had access to new training courses, including leadership development and peer-to-peer learning. 

• And with the HDRC's growing research pipeline, David sees even more opportunities ahead – not just in economy and skills, but in areas like sustainability, green spaces, sport, active travel, and digital inclusion. 

David's advice is simple: 

“I would just encourage colleagues to… have a good look at the next opportunity to be a Research Ambassador. It gives people great exposure to wider things going on in the authority, and an ability to contribute to the Council's work in a number of subject areas, over and above what they would be doing in their own team.”