Independent Appraisers – DRIVE35 Supplier Readiness & Transformation Fund Remote (UK-based)
£260 per appraisal day | £ per hour for panel participation
Start: End of June 2026
Contract: Interim / Consultancy (Outside IR35)
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 6 experienced independent appraisers to join a flexible pool supporting the assessment of funding applications.
1. Year 1 includes 16 applications (approx. 2–3 per appraiser)
2. Work is delivered fully remotely.
Appraisers will:
Independently review applications
3. Score proposals against defined criteria
4. Participate in 2-hour panel discussions (3 appraisers per panel)
Scope of WorkApplication AppraisalYou will conduct structured reviews of funding applications across:
5. Technical feasibility & engineering credibility
6. Delivery capability and operational readiness
7. Strategic alignment to EV supply chain priorities
8. Risk and additionality assessment
9. Validation of value-for-money assumptions
Each appraisal will require written feedback and scoring against programme criteria.
Panel Participation
10. Join virtual moderation panels (approx. 2 hours per session)
11. Collaborate with fellow appraisers to agree consensus scores and funding rmendations
12. Provide justification and challenge where appropriate
Required ExpertiseWe are looking for a broad andplementary mix of backgrounds, ideally spanning:Technical / Engineering
13. EV technologies (battery, power electronics, motors, fuel cells)
14. Advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, Industry
15. Production process design and scale-up readiness
16. Automotive / EV supply chains (OEMs, Tier 1–3)
17. Manufacturingmercialisation and market entry
18. Demand validation andpetitive positioning
Delivery & Operations
19. Capex project delivery and implementation
20. Risk assessment and operational feasibility
21. Supply chain and procurement understanding
Public Sector / Funding Appraisal (Desirable)
22. Experience with programmes such as Innovate UK, APC, Catapult, LEPs or similar
23. Familiarity with structured scoring frameworks and panel moderation
Key Requirements
24. Ability to provide independent, evidence-based assessments
25. Strong written reporting skills
26. Experience working in cross-disciplinary panels
27. High levels of integrity and conflict of interest awareness
28. Availability for: Individual appraisal work (a few hours per application) and panel meetings during July–August and October–November