Independent Appraisers

Independent Appraisers – DRIVE35 Supplier Readiness & Transformation Fund Remote (UK-based)
£260 per appraisal day | £ per hour for panel participation
Start: ASAP
Interim – ongoing contract
Programme OverviewWe are supporting a large public sector organisation in delivering a major programme designed to accelerate the UK’s transition to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains.This multi-year initiative will award capital grants (£250k–£3m) to businesses investing in EV manufacturing capability, automation, advanced materials, battery technology and supply chain resilience.To support delivery, we are building a diverse pool of independent appraisers to assess applications and provide expert, impartial rmendations.
The OpportunityWe are seeking a number of experienced independent appraisers to join a flexible pool supporting the assessment of funding applications.

Year 1 includes 16 applications (approx. 2–3 per appraiser)

Work is delivered fully remotely.

Appraisers will:
Independently review applications

Score proposals against defined criteria

Participate in 2-hour panel discussions (3 appraisers per panel)

Scope of WorkApplication AppraisalYou will conduct structured reviews of funding applications across:

Technical feasibility & engineering credibility

Delivery capability and operational readiness

Strategic alignment to EV supply chain priorities

Risk and additionality assessment

Validation of value-for-money assumptions

Each appraisal will require written feedback and scoring against programme criteria.Panel Participation

Join virtual moderation panels (approx. 2 hours per session)

Collaborate with fellow appraisers to agree consensus scores and funding rmendations

Provide justification and challenge where appropriate

Required ExpertiseWe are looking for a broad andplementary mix of backgrounds, ideally spanning:Technical / Engineering

EV technologies (battery, power electronics, motors, fuel cells)

Advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, Industry

Production process design and scale-up readiness

Automotive / EV supply chains (OEMs, Tier 1–3)

Manufacturingmercialisation and market entry

Demand validation andpetitive positioning

Delivery & Operations

Capex project delivery and implementation

Risk assessment and operational feasibility

Supply chain and procurement understanding

Public Sector / Funding Appraisal (Desirable)

Experience with programmes such as Innovate UK, APC, Catapult, LEPs or similar

Familiarity with structured scoring frameworks and panel moderation

Key Requirements

Ability to provide independent, evidence-based assessments

Strong written reporting skills

Experience working in cross-disciplinary panels

High levels of integrity and conflict of interest awareness

Availability for: Individual appraisal work (a few hours per application) and panel meetings during July–August and October–November