"Phil and Erik are great, but with James in particular... he knows his stuff and he explains it really well."
Caitlin Buckley, Global Head of Projects @ Sound Diplomacy
Principal Consultant
James McGowan
James McGowan is the Principal Consultant at RealWorth, with a passion for understanding how places influence society. He leads project delivery across RealWorth’s portfolio, spanning stakeholder research, evaluation, strategy and optimisation. James is responsible for developing methodologies, setting strategic direction, delivering high-value client work, and ensuring project quality.
Holding a master’s degree in Town and Regional Planning and a BA in History and Economics, James combines expertise in the built environment with strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical skills. His work supports development projects and social and cultural infrastructure that enhance people’s lives.
Away from RealWorth, James has published research on community-led planning and wellbeing and established and supervises a master’s programme focused on the Social Value of Music and Culture. He is active in his community, supporting musicians and charities by promoting non-profit live music nights, as well as organising for Love Music Hate Racism Merseyside. James also serves as the Cultural Lead on the Board for the Fabric District CIC, an organisation which drives the development of a regeneration area in the Liverpool City Centre.
My projects
The Social Hub: Evaluating the Impact of a Cross-European Portfolio of Mixed-Use Hotels
The Social Hub (TSH) brand provides hotels, student accommodation and co-working spaces, creating a more connected community. Adding to 21 locations around Europe, TSH wants to improve its social, economic and environmental performance across Europe and has developed plans to upgrade and expand its sites.
To support the assessment of current sites and future plans, TSH contacted RealWorth to demonstrate the social value of different sites across Europe, RealWorth measured and analysed the social change caused by projects and programmes using Social Return On Investment (SROI).
This analysis assisted the TSH sites in demonstrating the benefits of existing sites to its stakeholders and host cities by creating a range of social impact activities. The analysis indicated that the planned improvements could enhance the social value that these locations have brought to their surrounding areas. To date, RealWorth have worked with TSH across multiple sites in Spain, the Netherlands and Scotland.
Case study
KERB: Assessing the Social Value of KERBs Unique Approach to Food Markets
KERB is a membership-led street food organisation that supports independent food entrepreneurs through markets, food halls and events. Since its founding in 2012, KERB has grown from a collective of London street traders into an established market operator, while maintaining a strong focus on supporting small businesses and widening access to opportunities in the food industry.
Over a 12-month period from April 2025, KERB supported participants from underrepresented backgrounds into employment, trading and placements through a set of thoughtfully designed employment and skills programmes. KERB knew that this work had a positive social impact on its network and to better understand and evidence this wider impact, commissioned RealWorth to assess the social value created through its trading activities, membership model and KERB+ programmes using Social Return on Investment (SROI).
Our findings demonstrate the social value generated by KERB over a 12-month period and highlighted the role the organisation plays in supporting entrepreneurs, building skills and creating inclusive opportunities across its network. Going forward, our report will support KERB to develop and expand its programme and social impact strategy, informing key decisions and obtaining additional funding to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
Case study
The Liverpool City Region: Reviewing the Impact of the Spatial Development Strategy
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) is a statutory planning document that provides a strategic plan for the development and use of land across six local authorities. The SDS will set out an integrated economic, environmental, transport and social framework for the development of the Liverpool City Region.
RealWorth has a long-running appointment with the LCRCA to deliver an ongoing social value evaluation of the SDS. Since 2019, RealWorth has been tasked with evaluating the social value of every policy within the SDS at every stage in its development, to ensure that it considers social impacts in areas such as health and wellbeing, as well as their economic outcomes.
Case study