Helping hand from law firm

A Midlands law firm will be supporting businesses across Shropshire to access grant funding to develop new products and services.

FBC Manby Bowdler has joined forces with East Midlands-based TBAT Innovation, which has a track record of helping companies secure millions of pounds of both UK and EU funding available to support research and development projects.

Lead partner for FBC Manby Bowdler’s Corporate Department, James Sage (pictured), said the new partnership would add value to the services available to the firm’s corporate clients by helping them tap into the funding opportunities available.

James said: “Funding for research and development is available through two schemes, Innovate UK and Horizon 2020, but many SMEs often need additional support to successfully bid for the funds.

“We have a strong client base in manufacturing and other commercial sectors across Shropshire that could benefit from working with TBAT Innovation.

“It has a strong track record in accessing grant funding across a number of sectors, and for projects as diverse as £136,000 for the development of steel strengthening processes for a manufacturer to £250,000 towards the innovation of a new product for use in orthopaedics.

“This exciting partnership will provide an extra strand of business support to our clients and see them supported to access the financial help they need to grow and expand their businesses.”

Matt Symonds, managing director at TBAT Innovation who heads up the Grant Writing Team added: “We are delighted to be working with FBC Manby Bowdler.

“The unique technical skill set held by our bid writing team has enabled us to achieve consistent high success rates across all UK and EU research and development grant funding schemes such as Innovate UK and Horizon 2020.

“We are looking forward to using our skills to benefit FBC Manby Bowdler’s clients.”