Savings of over £60 million for PwC's clients have come from R&D claims, grant funding, R&D capital allowances and patent box – the Government’s new regime to incentivise companies to base their development and innovation activities in the UK.

Now called the Innovation Incentives Group (IIG), the team is made up of thirteen dedicated experts, including a newly created role focusing on European grant funding.

Angela Browning, director and IIG leader at PwC in the Midlands, said:

“The Midlands market place is a real hive of innovation, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and automotive. At PwC we have responded to a market that punches above its weight by helping companies take a holistic view of funding as part of their investment strategy.

“We have restructured the way we work with companies to add the best value, and have relaunched as the Innovation Incentives Group, working with many SMEs as well as large corporates in the region.

“We talk to businesses about the whole suite of innovation incentives available, and look at funding through the full life cycle. By getting into the mindset of companies, we have not only saved them money, but have helped them create jobs and support long term growth.

“We also advise global businesses and encourage them to consider funding as one of many factors when deciding on a location for R&D.”

The IIG team, which also draws on specialist industry expertise from PwC’s Consulting arm, consists of Angela Browning, Caroline Rigby, Catherine Garrard, Christopher Norgrove, David Mills, Eleanor Perfect, Jennifer Hill, John Webb, Katie Attenborough, Lisa Thomas, Paul Harris, Sophie Crossley and Thomas Moore.