The consultancy was founded by Dr George Deacon and for a decade traded as Innovation Resources, a name that reflected the original direction of his consultancy business. As the founding director of The Magdalen Centre at the Oxford Science Park he was responsible for developing resources to support the development of high technology businesses. Prior to this he had provided support for start-up businesses in areas of steel closure.

In 1993 he was asked to develop a strategy to improve the performance of the Community Loan Stores in Oxfordshire. The contract and service specification he developed were reviewed by the Office of Fair Trading who said: (the contract) "ensures that [the Purchaser] receives only what it and the end consumer wants...and is designed to ensure that [the supplier] holds in stock only those products which the occupational therapists specify, The [Oxfordshire] experience shows the value of establishing a system which ensures that any manufacturer who wins a contract provides good value for the consumer. I imagine other authorities contemplating contracting out are aware of the nature of the process."

Since that time his work has focussed on the development of service strategies for health and social care. In 2002 the company name was changed to Strategic Services Development Ltd to reflect this change and more accurately reflect its principal business activity.

For more details contact:
Dr George Deacon
Director
Strategic Services Development Ltd
46 The Glebe
Cumnor
Oxford
OX2 9QB