29th April 2020

Investment boosts Nottinghamshire Engineering Start-Up

A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE-based engineering consultancy has received a six-figure sum investment from Enterprise Loans East Midlands through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund.

Engineering Consultancy Services Limited provides a wide range of engineering and infrastructure solutions including civil and structural design, inspection and assessment, as well as condition repair work. The funding injection will allow the business to scale up, with five specialist team members hired so far – the investment will also enable staff to gain further training and accreditations.

The start-up was founded at the end of 2019 by Dr David Gent. David has more than 20 years’ experience in the engineering industry, working on projects such as Crossrail, HS2, Great Western Railway and the Midland Mainline. Gent’s main specialism is in historic bridges.

Dr David Gent, founder of Engineering Consultancy Services Limited, said:

“I decided to set up Engineering Consultancy Services following a ‘lightbulb’ moment during a trip to Jordan in the Middle East. Jordan has no rail network so once I was back in the UK, I put together a proposal linking the Jordan Economic Growth plan with the economic benefits of a railway. We had a successful meeting with the Minister of Transport and we have since delivered the Economic Study and Detailed Proposal for the Government.

“The firm has successfully tendered for a number of UK projects, and I am currently lecturing at Nottingham Trent University where I work to mentor and encourage future engineers from within the local community.

“I set up my own business to not only challenge the way things are done in terms of innovation and efficiency but to also leave a legacy. Enterprise Loans has been fantastic at supporting this aim, helping with my business growth not just with funding but also advice and encouragement.”

Matthew Wright, business advisor at Enterprise Loans, said:

“David has an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience so it was clear that his business would thrive with a little support from us. Since setting up at the end of 2019 he has already won six projects and counting, showing an incredible aptitude for innovation. I’m delighted that we’re able to support David with his journey and wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Lewis Stringer, senior manager at the British Business Bank, said:

“Helping to cultivate start-up growth is a key priority for the MEIF and this represents a good example of the regional innovation the fund is supporting. The firm is establishing itself in the market and is now set to use this finance to begin scaling up.”

Sajeeda Rose, CEO at D2N2 LEP, said:

“I’m delighted to see another strong example of the MEIF being utilised by innovative start-ups across the D2N2 region, especially in the midst of the current pandemic.

“Firms such as Engineering Consultancy Services, with the ability to both scale up rapidly and offer new employment opportunities in a vital sector, will be key to our economy’s recovery from Covid-19.”

The MEIF project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the ERDF as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

For more information on Enterprise Loans visit www.first-enterprise.co.uk or follow @1st_Enterprise on Twitter. For further information on the MEIF please visit www.meif.co.uk or follow @MidsEngInv.