Government transactions
Advice on privatisation for German government
A federal German government ministry seeking advice on privatisation of a state-owned transport enterprise required outside support in pinpointing specific issues that had affected a comparable transaction in the UK. We provided thorough analysis and detailed insights into the British experience in this field, highlighting where German policy-makers could benefit from a rigorous appraisal of decisions in the UK that had led to less-than-optimal outcomes. The review included a comparative analysis of financial transactions in the field of international transport, yielding a series of relevant international benchmarking data. Our findings, backed up by a presentation to key ministerial advisers, proved an invaluable assistance for ministerial decision-making.
Advice for UK government on contract research in Germany
A UK government department asked london and oxford group to help improve the volume of contract research channelled by German companies to British universities and research institutes. We prepared and implemented a workshop bringing together a large number of interested parties, using our widespread experience of R&D and corporate networks in the UK and Germany. The discussion centred on the pooling of past experience and the need to learn from practical lessons in encounters with the German science & technology community. The assignment led to an action plan with recommendations for more innovative marketing, improved communications and better British-German to improve contract research business for UK science and technology.