At the end of November the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his Autumn Statement, in which he stressed the role of infrastructure in supporting growth and supported the importance of the UK having a world class airport. These are arguments which Bridget has been pressing for many years so this recognition of their significance is very welcome. Bridget has also partnered with Foster +Partners and Halcrow in producing a vision for a Thames Hub – an integrated vision for Britain. The report can be found here.

Volterra Health Director Nick Bosanquet recently paid a visit to the site of the New UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre in Huntley Street. Nick played a part in the design of this incredibly innovative new centre and was thrilled to get a first hand view of the progress of the building which is due to open in April 2012. The purpose built day-care facility aims to redefine cancer-care with a building constructed around cancer-specific zones ensuring patients have immediate access to the best treatment, support and advice for their particular type of cancer. It will also give special service to the somewhat neglected cancers of lung and colorectal, and will provide the first UK specialist centre for teenagers and young adults.

A modern technique which lies behind a lot of the work which Volterra does is a concept called ‘agent-based modelling’, or ABM for short. It enables the behaviour of people, firms, regulators and governments to be represented in more realistic ways than is the case with conventional economics. Here is a presentation Paul gave to policy makers at the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This explains what ABMs are and how they have been helpful to decision makers in a variety of contexts

Christmas has brought us two new members of the busy Volterra team: Colm Sheehy joins us as Consultant having previously held roles at both the Irish Investment and Development Agency and Forfás (Ireland’s enterprise policy advisory agency). Katie Caldwell joins us as our new Marketing Executive and is busy at work on a new Volterra website that is set to go live early in the new year.

So as 2011 draws to a close we send our best wishes for a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year from Bridget, Paul and all the Volterra team. See you in 2012!