Research & Policy Insight

At Fortis Advisory CIC, we believe support systems work best when they are informed by real insight and lived experience.

Our work with individuals, charities, and community groups gives us a unique window into the everyday barriers people face, from navigating benefits to accessing food, energy, or debt advice. Through our research, we aim to turn that experience into learning that strengthens services, informs funders, and shapes better policy.

What We Do

  • Conduct community-led research focused on poverty, access to support, and inclusion
  • Use data and referral insight from our partner portal to identify gaps in service delivery
  • Explore how systems can improve for neurodivergent adults and those without strong support networks
  • Draw on international examples of best practice to inform UK-based solutions

Current Focus

  • The impact of social isolation on neurodivergent adults in financial crisis
  • Barriers to accessing benefits, housing, and advice services across the UK
  • Cross-country comparisons on how societal differences influence access to support

Who Leads This Work

Nicola King leads our research activity. A former mental health nurse and current peer support organiser, Nicola brings professional insight and a strong interest in evidence-led change.

She has lived and worked in multiple countries, offering valuable perspective on how different societies approach care, inclusion and crisis response. Her work focuses on how support systems, or the lack of them, affect people’s ability to recover from financial or social hardship, particularly for neurodivergent individuals.

Our CEO, who has a background in economics and experience in econometrics and statistical analysis, oversees the quantitative elements of our research. This ensures that our insights are grounded in both structured data and frontline experience.

Partner With Us

We welcome collaboration with:

  • Neurodivergent charities
  • Foodbanks and advice providers
  • Research institutions
  • Small CICs and grassroots organisations

If you’re interested in sharing a survey with your service users or contributing to future research, get in touch.