Identity Consult – IC The Past – Chapter 2b: “If collaboration were an Olympic sport, IC would be bringing home gold”

As part of our IC20 celebrations, we speak with Louise Anderson, Head of Place Development and Investment at Redcar Borough Council, who shares insights from nearly two decades of collaboration.  

In this latest instalment of our IC20 series – the second feature this week highlighting our longest-standing client relationships – Louise reflects on 17 years of partnership and over 40 completed projects. 

Eston Leisure Centre – images for BGP.
Image: Dawn McNamara 23/01/26

There’s a reason we’ve delivered over 40 projects with IC, and that is quite simply, because they ‘get’ us.  

As a council, we have an unwavering responsibility to embed social value and value for money into all our projects. IC fully understands our priorities and works with us collaboratively to deliver them every time. We have an amazing working relationship and nothing is too much trouble – we trust them.  

I think it helps that they are rooted in the North like us, their teams live and work here, so it’s not just about ticking boxes for any of us, there’s real investment in what we’re doing as they care about the regional and local landscape in the same way that we do.   They understand the challenges we face and are reactive to our needs. It’s a real team effort which fuels motivation and means we have a wonderful and productive working relationship. They also have sharp pencils which we appreciate!  

There are so many projects we’ve worked on together but one of the standouts is The Regent on Redcar Beach – a three-screen cinema. Despite many challenges, including the prehistoric, petrified woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a backdrop of Covid, as well as the terrain, we delivered an outstanding, award-winning, building ahead of time and under budget – incredible.  

One of our favourite schemes is the Eston Pool project. Working with Andy feels like having a very calm, very organised lifeguard permanently stationed at the deep end, always watching, always ready, and somehow never breaking a sweat. 

One unforgettable moment which seems fitting to reminisce over on this landmark anniversary has to be the now‑legendary episode where Andy steered us through an asbestos discovery big enough to qualify for its own lane. On top of this – the discovery of a swimmer seemingly embedded in the wall.  Not quite the record anyone hoped to break, but certainly one we’ll never forget. 

Andy has clocked up more ‘extra mile’ moments than we can count, and his uncanny ability to produce the right answer just as we were all about to panic is nothing short of heroic. If collaboration were an Olympic sport, IC would be bringing home Gold Eston Pool!  

Official opening of the new Eston Baths. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/RCBC

An ode to an impactful scheme – DUNCAN PLACE, LOFTUS 

Duncan Place – Reimagined 

In Loftus, something new was made,
From careful work and plans well laid—
A place where community could grow,
With space for learning at its core. 

With £2.2 million to shape the way,
Old walls transformed for modern day;
For youth and families, books and more,
All welcomed through a single door. 

With Kayleigh Fuller leading strong,
Ensuring everything moved right along—
Through change and challenge, time and cost,
No step delayed, no purpose lost. 

Now bright and open, warm and wide,
A hub where people come with pride—
And in year one, its impact shown,
As readership rose by 34%! 

If we’re talking about going the extra mile – IC are it. We must single out Greg Humphreyson; 

Greg who played a pivotal role in the Eston Precinct project, consistently demonstrating leadership beyond his core remit. 

Responding to a critical funding opportunity, he took the initiative to support the Council with a £2m Tees Valley Combined Authority bid. 

Exceeding expectations, he developed a comprehensive business case that enabled the Council to strengthen and secure the funding. 

Going above and beyond his commission, his work was instrumental in delivering the full build-out of Phase 1. 

Congratulations to all at IC on reaching this milestone birthday. From all at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.