RDI was formed in March 2005, when the managing agents for the two woodland initiatives, Northwoods and Yorwoods, were unable to continue in that role. Initially with 9 staff, the management team created Rural Development Initiatives Limited as a not-for-profit company which would not only take on the management of these two important partnership projects, but would expand to offer similar services to the wider rural sector.
The latent demand for RDI's unique offering was quickly realised, and turnover doubled from year 1 to year 2, and again from year 2 to year 3 of operations. From the initial forestry-focused projects, RDI has grown into a range of other sectors, including farming, horticulture, renewable energy, environmental conservation and moorland management.
RDI are now a full-service project management company - with a not-for-profit focus on the many industries that go to make up the UK rural economy. We have offices and home workers across the UK, including in north east England, Yorkshire, north east Scotland and in central London. Our highly trained and experienced staff are able to design, develop and then implement complex projects involving multiple work streams, with activities ranging from training to business support, evaluation and market accelleration. Many of our staff have experience of working overseas, and particularly with European funding sources. We are also able to draw on a wide network of associate staff based in the UK, Europe and further afield.
All of the surpluses from RDI's activities are re-invested in the company, often providing much of the match funding that our publicly funded projects require.
We have a particularly stong track record in running training and workforce development programmes, many of which are profiled in the Case Studies section. You can read an overview of our learning and training activities in the Learning section. RDI are a National Training Award winner, and a registered centre with Lantra Awards.
