Industry topics
Funding and support
Accessing sources of funding, finance and support can bring significant benefits to your organisation, beyond just a cash or efficiency injection. The widening of your network, the development and commercialisation of intellectual property and entry into new markets may all result from participation in such schemes.
As an economic recovery slowly begins to take shape in the UK, government is frequently reviewing and creating various initiatives to support R&D, business growth, low carbon and business efficiency improvements. SMMT has created a document to capture information about current and future schemes and their availability. As industry continues to change the document is subject to regular alteration and we recommend that you access the document on-line to ensure you are accessing the most up-to-date version and follow the links to the facility provider before embarking on any application process.
SMMT’s Funding and Support Guide
The updated SMMT list of funding, finance and support schemes is now available on the next tab.
Meet the Funder event – 21 November 2012
For more information about the Meet the Funder, finance and support networking event, please click here.
Low carbon focus
The Low Carbon Funding Landscape Navigator has been developed to provide clear guidance on public and private funding sources and support mechanisms for UK low carbon energy projects. It highlights what sort of funding is available and who might be able to partner with, covering both energy efficiency projects in manufacturing and low carbon vehicles. By placing this information at the users’ fingertips the Navigator will reduce time wasted and opportunities missed.
As a non-registered user you will be able to search for the latest funding opportunities in the low carbon area and will be able to get background information on current private and public funding providers.
As a registered user looking for funding you will be able to indicate which calls you are interested in and get support in finding the right partners to build consortia for specific calls.
It has been developed by the Energy Generation & Supply Knowledge Transfer Network and is available at www.lowcarbonfunding.org.uk
For further information about our proposal checking service or funding queries contact our Technology and Innovation Officer, Luke Hampton.
lhampton@smmt.co.uk, 0207 344 1625
The updated SMMT list of funding, finance and support schemes is now available here.
The guide includes programme categorisation for easy identification of available schemes for information on UK, regional and European funding and support schemes, eligibilty, descriptions, application information, contact details where appropriate and useful links.
- Click on the link to download the updated Funding and Support Guide.
Accessing sources of funding, finance and support can bring significant benefits to your organisation, beyond just a cash or efficiency injection. The widening of your network, the development and commercialisation of intellectual property and entry into new markets may all result from participation in such schemes.
We welcome any contribution to the report in terms of the schemes that should be included in the document. Suggestions should be made to memberservices@smmt.co.uk. SMMT updates the list regularly but cannot guarantee that the latest available information will be reflected here. You are strongly advised to contact the scheme provider before taking action.
SMMT’s Meet the Funder event – Finance and support networking event
21 November 2012, Cranmore Park, Solihull
SMMT’s first Meet the Funder event was the largest automotive specific access to finance and support networking event. In response to a key recommendation as outlined in the SMMT’s commissioned report to identify the barriers to funding within the UK’s automotive supply chain SMMT hosted the first event in November 2012. Produced by The Smith Institute, the report, ‘Give them some credit!’, was launched in June 2012 and outlined the main financial and growth constraints affecting the UK automotive supply chain. This in-depth investigation goes further to explore the nature and extent of the specific financing issues affecting the sector.
A key objective of the SMMT is sustaining and developing the UK’s automotive supply chain and following one of the recommendations highlighted in the report, SMMT is keen to improve the two way dialogue between the financial sector and the UK automotive industry.
The industry has had much positive news lately with OEMs committing some £6bn in investment to the UK. This coincides with a survey done by government which highlights some £3bn worth of opportunities for UK based suppliers as OEMs expand their UK manufacturing operations. More recently, a report compiled by KPMG suggests the UK has become the destination of choice for global vehicle manufacturers. Despite all this positive news and unprecedented level of investment, many small and medium sized businesses are continuing to struggle to secure funding for growth as they look to capitalise on the business opportunities.
We had a great response from the finance community and had a strong showing with a range of banks and non-bank lenders on the day. Many vehicle manufacturers alongside regional support bodies and financial advisors attended. We also had a number of regional support bodies offering funding and advice on a regional basis.
If you would like to download the slides from the event please use the links below.
Agenda for the day
8.30 – 9.30am – Registration, coffee and breakfast rolls
9.30 – 10.30am - Presentations as follows
Welcome and introductions – Paul Everitt, Chief Executive, SMMT
Attracting investment into the UK motor industry - Mark Orton, Partner, KPMG
Vehicle manufacturer perspective – Simon Moger, Head of Government Programmes, Jaguar Land Rover
Funder perspective - Irene Graham, Managing Director, British Bankers Association
Arrangements for the day – Yung Tran, Head of Member Services and Business Improvement, SMMT
10.45am – 5pm One –to-One meetings and networking
View the SMMT’s news story from the day here.
If you are interested in participating in the next event as a potential funder, lender or support agency or would like to exhibit at the next event please contact Nikki Huggett on nhuggett@smmt.co.uk or call 0207 344 1611 for more information.
There is no charge for this event so if you are interested in attending, please register your interest using the following link.