We’re expanding! We have a new senior appointment

Ian joins us after eight years with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) based at Pera Consulting. During this time, he worked with over 1000 businesses in every manufacturing sector from food and drink to aerospace. His appointment brings the number of staff here to 15, and significantly strengthens TBAT’s manufacturing expertise.

A mechanical engineer by training, Ian’s early career covered several years with Rolls-Royce, followed by positions with Medaes Ltd and Daher Aerospace Ltd. He acquired a fascination for working with smaller companies whilst with MAS and is now able to apply his considerable expertise to the consultancy service provided by TBAT Innovation across the UK.

Ian says: “I’m bringing my contacts as well as expertise to help build the TBAT client portfolio. Although there is plenty of external support for smaller companies, many don’t know how to tap into it. This is especially true of the R&D Tax Relief scheme which is available to innovative, research-based firms. In the new Brexit era, we are seeing an increasing number of ambitious companies turning to advisory organisations such as TBAT for business growth planning, support and guidance.”

Matt Symonds, TBAT director comments: “Having Ian within the core team significantly strengthens our understanding of all aspects of the manufacturing process. Productivity is a real issue for many UK manufacturers as they try to compete with firms in the rest of the G7 known to be around 20% more productive than the ‘average’ UK business. Ian’s expertise further strengthens the team in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, manufacturing strategy as well as team leader development, and will make a significant difference to our clients’ long term prospects.”

Following the withdrawal of the MAS service in the 2015 Government spending review, we understand there is still a substantial need for the strategic and operational support which MAS once offered. With Ian now part of the TBAT team, businesses are urged to get in touch to discuss their long term business strategy, improvements to production processes and how to bring new products to market.