Sandy Findlay, Partnership Director at Edinburgh-headquartered innovation advisors ABGI UK, has been appointed to the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) Scotland Proposal Review Panel (PRP).

NATEP Scotland PRP supports Scottish aerospace businesses, to encourage collaborative R&D projects in the development of innovative technologies. As well as providing grant funding, the programme offers high calibre technical and management resources to help companies bring their technology developments to market.

The NATEP Scotland PRP is led by ADS Scotland, the official trade organisation for the Scottish Aerospace, Defence and Security sectors. Findlay will provide support to the panel in reviewing applicants’ potential for collaborative R&D projects. NATEP Scotland’s aim is to support new or improved manufacturing process technologies that will enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Scottish aerospace manufacturing sector, which may have further applications within other industry sectors such as automotive, rail or space.

Commenting on Findlay’s appointment, NATEP Scotland chairman, Sean McGovern said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sandy to the Scottish review panel. His expertise will provide invaluable support in filtering though the complexities of managing different sources of funding and will also help ensure that successful applicant companies maximise the benefits of all available sources.

“We encourage Scottish-based companies with innovation ideas that apply to aerospace and related industries to get in touch. There is a wealth of support our panel can provide to applicants to help them develop their technology and link it to the wider marketplace.”

Sandy Findlay said: “I’m pleased to lend my support to the NATEP initiative in Scotland. Our aim is to help Scottish businesses adopt a more strategic approach in funding innovation projects within the aerospace sector and across related industries, all of which are key to future economic growth.”