ID Compass is built on a deep, personal passion for the transformative work of Students' Unions. We believe these brilliant organisations, along with vital partners like student accommodation providers and trusted external partners, are essential to the success and experience of students. Our expertise is rooted in Students' Unions, and our strategic focus is ensuring these essential organisations thrive within the wider University space.
We are not just consultants; we are veterans of the sector. Having been shaped by the Students' Union movement, we possess a comprehensive understanding of their mission, operations, and commercial challenges. This unique perspective allows us to guide both Students’ Unions and external businesses to achieve sustainable growth and effective engagement within the UK Higher Education landscape
ID COMPASS
Empowering Students' Unions
Our consultancy services are designed to optimise your Students’ Unions commercial operations. Drawing on our unique blend of SU leadership and commercial sector expertise, we deliver tangible strategies focused on revenue streams.
Commercial Consultancy
01
Commercial Review
We offer comprehensive, tailored reviews covering all commercial operations (including food and beverage, retail, membership services, partnerships and media sales) to identify optimisation opportunities and a clear roadmap for growth.
02
Feasibility Assessment
We provide support if you are assessing the viability of new commercial operations. This can encompass stakeholder feedback from students, officers and staff to establish the need requirements and financial modelling to forecast the growth and returns.
Media & Advertising Support
We help optimise your media and advertising assets into high-performing revenue channels, providing flexible support for Unions of all sizes. Our primary aim is to empower and equip your team with the strategy and skills needed to sustainably maximise this revenue stream yourselves.
01
Media Diagnostic
A top-line diagnostic review of your media assets resulting in quick-win recommendations for immediate implementation.
02
Media Strategy
An in-depth review (including stakeholder and client interviews, and market benchmarking), culminating in a full set of recommendations and an action plan delivered during a dedicated strategy day.
03
Media Plus
Ongoing mentoring and support for your media sales team, ensuring recommendations are successfully implemented and commercial confidence is built.
04
Interim Sales Support
Ongoing mentoring and support for your media sales team, ensuring recommendations are successfully implemented and commercial confidence is built.
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Accommodation Support
We apply our deep understanding of the student environment as a strategic partner for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) providers. We focus on two critical areas: optimising your annual room sales and enhancing the on-site resident experience through the following solutions:
01
Student Engagement and Sales Strategy
Strategic Marketing Development: We craft campaigns to fill bed spaces, providing expert knowledge on the best routes to reach students.
02
Navigating the sector
We provide crucial guidance on local requirements and institutional vetoes to ensure your campaigns are effective.
03
Media Planning and Activation
We support your media planning process and facilitate successful, high-impact, in-person campaigns on the ground (via our sister company, Bounce Activations).
04
On-site Staff Support
Specialised support and dedicated staffing for your high-stakes, logistical events. We ensure your critical move-in periods are smooth and positive for new residents, and provide key staff assistance to optimise the resident experience during Open Day events.
05
Bespoke Welcome Pack Curation
We design and sourcing custom welcome packs that provide genuine value and enhance the initial resident experience as they move in. Working with our commercial partners we can ensure all your new residents receive a premium pack to say a warm welcome from your team
Strategic B2B Growth
For trusted partners and businesses with valuable products, we are ready to act as your specialised UK agent and strategic growth partner for the education space. We only work with a small number of partners at any time and only where we are certain we can work in partnership to create a win win for the sector.
Procurement Navigation & Trusted Access
Our service is built on two pillars essential for B2B success in the HE space: Sector Network and Procurement Expertise. We leverage our knowledge to ensure you gain efficient access to key stakeholders in this market.
We Are Your UK Growth Agent
We offer a high-touch, dedicated agency model for businesses looking to establish or grow their footprint in the UK.
Unlocking Your Target Audience
We are positioned to support your B2B sales strategy across the key areas of the student environment: Students’ Unions, PBSA/Accommodation Providers, and relevant University Departments.
Meet the Team.
At ID Compass our expertise is grounded in lived experience. We pair decades of Students' Union leadership with a proven track record of delivering commercial growth for brands and organisations throughout the sector.
Ian Pain
Director
With his strategic vision and unparalleled experience Ian has become a highly trusted voice for anyone interested in the students' union sector.
With his 20+ years experience in the university space there isn’t much he hasn’t seen in this vibrant and wonderful market. Having spent time as a Chief Executive of a Students’ Union, managing partnerships for UCAS and helping hundreds of brands plan and execute their student marketing strategy you’re unlikely to meet anyone with a more holistic view of the industry.
David Cook
Director
With a focus on driving creativity and effective engagement strategies, David brings a unique perspective to connecting companies with the student audience.
Starting his career helping graduate recruiters promote their schemes on UK campuses gained a detailed understanding of what it is that makes students tick. He has since gone on to design and implement industry leading campaigns for some of the UK's most recognisable brands, supporting them in becoming leaders in the student space.
