NEWS

Sunderland‑based engineering firm Owben has strengthened its capability, compliance and defence readiness after taking part in the Sunderland Supply Chain programme, delivered by RTC North and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).

Founded in 2011 as a small, family‑run business, Owben has built a strong reputation for delivering bespoke electrical and mechanical engineering solutions across major industrial clients, while retaining the family values that have shaped the business from the outset. Through the programme, Owben sought to diversify into new and higher‑value markets, including defence, data centres, process industries, and food and drink.

Delivered by RTC North, the Sunderland Supply Chain programme supported Owben to assess its operational and strategic readiness, remove critical compliance barriers, and strengthen how it positions and communicates its engineering capability to new supply chain buyers.

A key challenge identified was cybersecurity compliance. While Owben had a strong and growing client base, the absence of Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) accreditation limited its ability to engage with Ministry of Defence projects and defence prime contractors.

Support began with structured one‑to‑one engagement, including completion of a Sunderland Supply Chain Diagnostic Assessment and Action Plan, delivered by RTC North. This reviewed Owben’s core capabilities, growth ambitions, operational readiness and diversification potential. To address compliance barriers, the programme commissioned a fully funded third‑party specialist consultancy to deliver a Cyber Essentials Plus gap analysis, giving the business a clear and proportionate roadmap towards accreditation.

Alongside this, Owben was supported to take part in sector‑focused activity delivered through the Sunderland Supply Chain programme and the North East Defence and Security Cluster (NERDSC). This engagement improved understanding of buyer requirements, sector standards and expectations, and helped build confidence within defence‑focused supply chains.

Owben is continuing to progress towards Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, a key enabler for defence and public‑sector opportunities. Building on its engagement with NERDSC, the business is strengthening relationships, responding to new supply chain opportunities, and positioning itself as a UK‑wide turnkey mechanical and electrical engineering provider across high‑value sectors.

Lesley Hawke, Sunderland Supply Chain Project Manager at RTC North, said:

“Owben has engaged with the programme in a highly proactive and strategic way. Addressing Cyber Essentials Plus has been a critical step in unlocking defence and public‑sector opportunities, while participation in Sunderland Supply Chain and NERDSC activity has strengthened market understanding, sector confidence and long‑term resilience.”

Andrew Corsar, Managing Director at Owben, said:

“The support provided through the Sunderland Supply Chain programme, delivered by RTC North, has played a key role in strengthening our operational readiness and strategic direction as we diversify into new sectors. The guidance around compliance, Cyber Essentials Plus, and engagement with NERDSC has given us greater confidence to pursue opportunities within defence, data centres and other high‑value industries. As a Sunderland‑based business, we are proud to be investing in the region while building a more resilient and future‑focused company.”

Owben has demonstrated strong growth ambition, including significant investment in a new Sunderland facility and plans to expand its presence across defence, data centres and process industries. Ongoing support will focus on continued diversification, deeper supply chain engagement and strengthening compliance and assurance credentials to support long‑term resilience and sustainable growth.

Support is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £900 million of funding for local investment in 2025/26. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.