The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has launched its latest business transformation activity to support the UK offshore wind supply chain through the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) initiative.
The F40R programme, delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and funded by OWGP, is seeking applications from ambitious companies who want to get ready to bid for work in the offshore wind sector.
It will support 14 companies from across the UK through a 12-18 month programme focusing on improving business operations and sector competence.
The programme aims to build on the success of the regional F4OR programmes that have been delivered across the UK by ORE Catapult and its partners, Nuclear AMRC and Opergy.
It will bring the total number of companies supported through the programme to 88 with 20 companies having already gained the F4OR Granted status so far and many more actively progressing towards this milestone.
Companies progressing through F4OR typically see an increase in turnover of almost 23%, and job creation up 13%, OWGP said.
The intermediate level F4OR programme complements the existing suite of business transformation programmes developed and delivered by OWGP and partner organisations, it added.
These include the Wind Expert Support Toolkit, a foundation engagement activity, and the advanced Sharing in Growth Offshore Wind Programme.
OWGP programme director Andrew Macdonald said: “The launch of the F4OR Programme in partnership with ORE Catapult, NAMRC and Opergy is a fantastic step forward, bolstering our suite of Business Transformation Programmes supporting the growth of the UK Offshore Wind supply chain.
“This initiative is complementary to our existing programmes and ensures we can provide progressive support to companies as they grow and increase their capability delivering to the sector.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the development of the selected companies and opportunities which arise for them on completion of the F4OR Programme.”
F4OR Programme Manager for ORE Catapult Andrew Stormonth-Darling added: “Seeing our successful regional programme being launched on a national scale is just what is needed to open the doors to any promising business from across the country.
“Our regional initiatives have been heavily oversubscribed so by working with the OWGP it now means we can tap into talent, wherever it emerges.
“This allows us to focus on supporting the entry and growth of the most committed businesses with the most in-demand products and services.
“I look forward to seeing how this new cohort will not only build capability, but also share it, via newly formed relationships that will ultimately help establish and maintain a stable UK offshore wind supply chain long into the future.”
The OWGP supports the delivery of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and is funded by members of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), with a budget of £100m (€120m) over 10 years.
Over 100 companies have now received support through either grant funding or business transformation initiatives since the launch of OWGP in 2019.
Further information on this and all Grant Funding and Business Transformation programmes can be found at the OWGP website https://owgp.org.uk/