Sector Focus Theatre funding
gets a good Rep Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s bid to produce future theatre makers, writers and directors has received a £332,000 funding boost. Grants from the Esmée Fairbairn
Funding aid (from left): Jevon Thurston-Thorpe, operations director at Penso, Marie Kelly, investment manager at Finance Birmingham, Chris Buckenham, group finance director at Penso and Steve Hetherington
Investment fuels business
Penso City Vehicles, a Coventry-based manufacturer that provides specialist modification to vehicles in the automotive, aerospace, defence and rail sectors has received a £1million investment. The firm is being backed by the £24m Tooling Fund,
supported by the Regional Growth Fund and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI). The Tooling Funding Programme is designed to help
toolmakers and component manufacturers fund the design, development and manufacture of tooling or to expand their tooling capacity. Additional investment was provided from the AMSCI fund to improve the global competitiveness of UK advance manufacturing supply chain clients. The firm will use the funding to invest in tools to modify the Mercedes Vito Tourer into a low emission
taxi, with modifications that include improving its turning circle and enabling side door wheelchair access. The deal will see the business create 20 new jobs and safeguard a further 50 in the next 12 months. Michael Collins, director of Penso City Vehicles, said:
“The investment has not only given us the ability to invest in new processes and technologies for the Vito Taxi, but it has also helped us to focus and develop our two other divisions, in lightweight composites and consulting to further grow the business.” Steve Hetherington, investment director at Finance Birmingham, said: “Penso City Vehicles is a business built on strong foundations and has a track record for delivering major projects for international names. The funding will help it to unlock its further potential by developing its offering and growing its staff base.”
Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust will enable The Rep to run its hugely successful Rep Foundry programme for a further three years until 2019, allowing it to discover, develop and support more theatre artists at the start of their careers. Created in 2013 by artistic director
Roxana Silbert, Rep Foundry aims to discover and promote the West Midlands’ most promising talent. Writers, directors and theatre
makers receive mentoring and professional support at The Rep, using the skills and knowledge of its team of experienced professionals alongside its network of specialist industry partners.
Promoting talent: Members of the Rep Foundry
September 2016 CHAMBERLINK 47
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