Freddie Bennet

Behavioural science consultant with 3+ years' experience applying behavioural science, qualitative research and behaviour-change frameworks to complex real-world policy, service and infrastructure challenges. Experienced in behavioural diagnosis, evidence synthesis, persona development, workshop and focus-group design, stakeholder research, and translating findings into actionable recommendations. Has managed multidisciplinary consultancy projects and client relationships, contributed to policy and strategic decision-making for major public-sector organisations, and supported business development through research methodology design and capability promotion.

MSc Behavioural Science (Merit), with particular interests in systems thinking, complexity and applying behavioural science across new sectors.

Assistant Consultant, Behavioural Science at AtkinsRéalis (2022-12 – Present)

• Project-managed a five-person team supporting Transport for the South East's Transport Strategy Refresh, leading programme management, resourcing and the client relationship, with shared responsibility for budget. Designed and delivered engagement with diverse and socially excluded groups; translated findings into policy packages that informed TfSE's implemented transport strategy and supported a more customer-centred approach.
• Conducted behavioural evidence reviews for National Highways on close following (tailgating), roadworks incursions, and customer experiences of delays and closures. Identified behavioural drivers, barriers and potential interventions; findings informed National Highways' understanding of these issues and contributed to policy and decision-making.
• Reviewed National Highways' Professional Driver Experience Panel and Intercept Survey through stakeholder interviews, methodological review and assessment of alternative insight tools. The research identified that the panel was no longer providing sufficient additional value and contributed to the decision to discontinue it as a research tool.
• Developed and applied personas and behavioural frameworks to help public-sector clients understand how transport policies and infrastructure affect different population groups. Projects included Oxfordshire County Council (using COM-B to identify barriers and enablers), Wiltshire County Council, and the Lower Thames Crossing area, where personas helped the project team understand potential impacts on nearby residents.
• Led and contributed to stakeholder research, including interviewing 14 industry stakeholders across local authorities, National Highways and the supply chain for BT Active Intelligence; conducted thematic analysis and translated findings into recommendations for development of a data-based diversions product.
• Helped design and facilitate 10+ client workshops and focus groups, including designing behavioural research activities, leading substantial portions of sessions, synthesising findings and converting insight into client recommendations.
• Contributed substantially to business development, particularly by drafting behavioural-science and research methodology sections for bids, and promoted the team's capabilities to other parts of the business through presentations and internal engagement.
• Member of the Social and Behavioural Science Network steering group, helping organise monthly knowledge-sharing sessions across the organisation. Delivered talks on systems thinking and complexity at the Intelligent Mobility and Smart Technology Growth Summit and the Social and Behavioural Science Network, raising awareness of systems mapping and complexity-informed approaches.
• Supported capability building by teaching junior colleagues how to apply behavioural-science tools including COM-B and how to use personas as a research and decision-support tool.

Recruitment Consultant, Industrial Cybersecurity at Hamlyn Williams (2019 – 2021)

• Built a new industrial cybersecurity recruitment business from scratch, combining market research, business development, client management, candidate sourcing, networking and negotiation.
• Generated £50,000 in profit in 2020 and established partnerships and repeat business with major organisations including Deloitte, Accenture and Rockwell Automation.
• Expanded the Accenture relationship across eight European countries, negotiated an average fee of 22.5% versus an industry average of 17%, and achieved promotion for strong billings and company conduct.

MSc in Behavioural Science – Durham University (2021 – 2022)

BA in Sociology – University of Leicester (2016 – 2019)