Date posted: 24th Sep 2025
The UK automotive industry remains a pillar of economic innovation, with organisations continually investing in new technologies, facilities and processes. Yet for many businesses operating across the sector and its wider supply chain, accessing the right funding to support these investments can be a complex and time-sensitive challenge.
Clive Owen LLP, a leading independent accountancy firm across the North East and North Yorkshire, has established itself as a trusted advisor to the automotive and off-highway sectors, supporting a range of OEMs and multiple supply chain businesses, to access grant funding.
Through initiatives such as DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) and other targeted funding streams, the firm helps clients secure grants that underpin capital investment, operational expansion and technological advancement.
DRIVE35 is a government-backed initiative focused on accelerating the transformation of the UK automotive industry. It is designed to support automotive supply chain companies adopt new technologies, enhance productivity and increase competitiveness, while helping suppliers implement projects that might otherwise be delayed due to financial constraints.
Additional capital grants, such as those offered through the Durham Business Growth Fund and the Business Growth Fund, provide significant opportunities for the automotive supply chain to enhance production capabilities and adopt new equipment.
However, navigating these funding routes requires technical knowledge, precise documentation and careful alignment with project objectives, which can be a barrier to growth for many companies. Preparing a competitive application often involves interpreting complex criteria, coordinating internal teams and meeting strict deadlines.
Over the years, Clive Owen LLP’s dedicated grants advisory division has secured more than £350m in grant funding for over 300 organisations across the UK through successful applications. These range from global organisations to regional suppliers, demonstrating the firm’s deep sector expertise and ability to translate complex funding opportunities into tangible business outcomes.
With offices in Darlington, York, Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, the firm’s grants team is able to provide a structured, personal approach to funding applications. By combining sector insight with regulatory and financial expertise, the team ensures clients are well-positioned to access funding efficiently and successfully.
“Many businesses know funding exists but lack the resources or experience to secure it,” said Carl Wright, Grants Advisory Partner at Clive Owen LLP. “Our role is to translate scheme requirements into actionable steps, ensuring projects are presented clearly to maximise approval chances.”
In 2025 alone, the firm celebrated a record first half of the year, securing more than £25m in grant funding on behalf of clients.
“Access to funding allows companies to act strategically rather than reactively,” Carl explained. “In an industry defined by precision, efficiency, and innovation, the ability to invest in new technologies and facilities is critical for organisations operating across the automotive sector.”
Beyond individual client success, grant-backed projects have a wider impact on the sector, with investments in modern machinery, as an example, helping to drive productivity gains and expand capacity, all of which strengthens the resilience of the UK automotive supply chain.
Clive Owen LLP’s approach continues to deliver tangible results, with ADM Pressings, a Newcastle-based manufacturer that specialises in metal pressings, production, fabrication, assembly, painting and customised turnkey solutions, a prime example.
Following an introduction by Joe Routledge, Membership Manager of the North East Automotive Alliance, which is one of Europe’s fastest-growing automotive and electrification clusters, Carl and the wider Grants team worked to a tight schedule to secure six-figure grant funding for new equipment, further demonstrating their expertise and commitment to clients.
“Carl was very helpful at short notice for a bid writing assignment for a grant to fund new capital equipment for our site,” Jonathan Hunter, of ADM Pressings, said.
“He and his team quickly understood our needs and guided us through the process, providing easy to understand updates and insight along the way. Always professional and efficient, this ensured a positive outcome, meaning we were successful in securing the grant and could achieve our project timeline.
“I would have no hesitation reaching out to the Clive Owen team again should similar services be required.”
Carl added: “There are currently multiple grant schemes available in the North East and Yorkshire and we are working with more businesses on some very exciting projects. The current funding opportunities are time limited, so it is vital for companies with growth plans to act now to secure grant support before these schemes close.”
If you would like to learn more about potential grant funding opportunities, please feel free to get in touch with a member of the team here.
