GRANT Thornton was recently appointed as part of a four partner consortium to deliver support for the manufacturing industry through the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

The Government says the new model will help create £1.5bn in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard a further 50,000 jobs.

Neil Sturmey, a partner at the Liverpool office of Grant Thornton in the Liver Building explained one of area the MAS will focus on is the SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) advanced manufacturing supply chain.

“That’s one of the key objectives in this new initiative because it is seen to be a good return on capital.

“We’re expecting to get a four times return on the investment that has been made through this project.”

He said the accountants and business adviser will also be able to offer SMEs expertise in improving their presentational skills for business plans in the pursuit of vital funding.

“Big improvements is where our skills fit.

“We are focused on SMEs where they haven’t got the skills and the element where we are particularly involved in is in the business improvement aspect, and that’s where our skills set fits.”

He said their input into the MAS consortium will improve the “in-house” skills that SMEs lack.

Grant Thornton will also concentrate on the entrepreneurial element of SMEs.

Mr Sturmey added: “Some are small, some are big, like Iceland Foods, but that’s the whole range, and the characteristic is entrepreneurial.

“There are different levels of the MAS we are involved in, from a very low level inquiry help line to a manufacturing review, looking through to more detailed projects and business improvement specific aspects.”

The other consortium members are East Midlands training organisation Pera Foundation, WM Manufacturing Consortium and South West Manufacturing Advisory Service.