Member Article

Doncaster innovation consultancy launches JV in Australia

Beta Technology Limited, a Doncaster-based consultancy that provides innovation and business growth strategies to the public and private sectors, has launched a joint venture with an Australian partner.

Beta’s JV with Australian partners known as AMPLIFi Governance UK will enable it to source and provide non-executive directors to family and private businesses to improve performance, accountability, sustainability and innovation. This latest development builds on Beta’s work in Australia which has grown over the last 12 months.

Launched in 1984 as a specialist metallurgy consultancy, Beta has expanded to deliver a range of services from strategy development to programme design, bid writing and management to stakeholder engagement and project management. It is able to tap into a global network of experts to give companies access to new knowledge, people and funding. Its specialisms include helping businesses and universities in the UK to access European funding to support scientific research and innovation and bringing together potential partners.

Beta employs 22 staff at its head office in Doncaster and has a turnover of around £2m.

“With over 20 years’ experience of European funding, our specialist knowledge of this arena has enabled us to establish ourselves as a vital source of information and support for UK companies seeking European grant funding to develop new products and processes,” explains Antony Davies, director of Beta.

“We have also seen a significant increase in demand internationally which now accounts for around 20% of our work. As well as working with UK clients, we operate across Europe and have also worked in Russia and the Far East. In fact, our largest client is a mining company in Brazil and this latest JV will enable us to continue to build our presence in Australia.”

Mr Davies continues: “Beta has worked with Grant Thornton as auditors and advisers for almost 30 years. We’ve enjoyed a close and positive relationship with the firm – as well as providing expert and sound compliance advice, Grant Thornton has also given us the assurance of being associated with a reputable, leading firm of business advisers with an overseas presence. Its strong reputation and recognition has been particularly important when we have been tendering for overseas work.

“As well as providing sound financial advice, including advice on taxation and VAT, the firm has also supported our strategy development. Their advisers supported on our MBO in 2006 and have developed an expertise in providing the specialist European project audits we require when bidding for contracts from the European Commission. We are comfortable asking them for whatever help we need and they even attend our board meetings occasionally, providing a valuable external perspective.”

Peter Edwards, director at the Sheffield office of Grant Thornton UK LLP, comments: “It’s great to see a South Yorkshire company once again successfully exporting its skills overseas, this time in the form of specialist business consultancy. Beta has grown organically over the last ten years, and the focus of the business is now firmly beyond the UK, whether working with British companies to help them access tens of millions of pounds of EU funding or directly serving international clients. This latest development in Australia will enable the company to continue to grow its international presence.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grant Thornton .