It's nice to meet you.
We’re a small team with a diverse background, but that’s what makes us so unique.
Lachlan Smith
I’m a qualitative researcher who draws on my background in the higher education and public sectors to helps funders, universities, and charities to understand and improve the impact of their programmes and research. I am passionate about equality and diversity and reflects this in all of my work.
My favourite part of the job is talking with clients about complex or difficult strategic and operational issues, helping them to challenge the status quo, improving opportunity for everyone.
My career highlight was having the opportunity to work with amazing academics and universities in China and Kenya, helping them to produce outstanding research in complex environments.
Outside of work, I love cricket, especially Australian cricket! I’ve recently established Birmingham’s first LGBTQ+ inclusive cricket club, the Unicorns.
Richard Stephens
I have a background in research and strategy and specialise in applying these skills to developing business cases from the perspective of service users. I have worked in the public, private and third sectors and enjoy applying the different perspectives from these experiences to bring fresh thinking to the challenges facing our clients. I’m particularly happy visiting services and seeing how things work in practice so that our analysis and recommendations are grounded in real-world issues.
My favourite part of the job is being able to frame and structure difficult problems in ways that allow progress to be made based on robust evidence and a focus on ‘what really matters’. I am used to dealing with particularly challenging or political situations and find it very rewarding being able to cut through this. This is particularly relevant in the third sector where our clients are often faced with difficult decisions as they adapt to a rapidly changing world.
My career highlight was the five years I spent working with the European Commission to report on the illegal cigarette trade within the EU. As well as leading a complex international research effort, this required me to build trust, rapport, and consensus with each of the 27 Member States to agree our findings at an annual presentation to the Berlaymont in Brussels.
Outside of work, I have two teenage daughters and, not uncoincidentally, enjoy cycling long distances and travelling.
Matthew Terry
I lead Cloud Chamber’s evaluation practice. I’ve been an evaluator for more than a decade and have worked with some of the country’s most respected and well-known organisations such as the RNLI, Macmillan Cancer Support, the British Science Association and the British Academy.
My favourite part of the job is the sheer variety: no two weeks are the same. It helps to keep me on my toes and our clients benefit from the cross-fertilisation of ideas that comes from such a diverse portfolio of work.
I’m most proud of how the company has grown and established itself since I founded it in 2012. We’ve shown how research and evaluation can make a real difference.
I’m a nerdy lover of programme theory, behaviour change and evaluation training. I’m currently a Council Member of the UK Evaluation Society.
Outside of work I’m a fan of board games, bats, and astronomy.
Partners we work with
These are the five words we live by. They're our values and our guiding principles.
Equity
We start by acknowledging privilege and power, striving for inclusive methodologies and approaches.
Curiosity
We have curiously enquiring minds and know how to ask the right questions and get meaningful insight.
Evidence
We collect powerful data, narratives and evidence to answer your questions.
Creativity
We work creatively to tailor our approach and draw on the best methods to inspire.
Excellence
We strive for excellence and deliver rigorous research while keeping to commercial timelines and expectations