Find Out About Us

Who We Are

The Project Managers was founded by two PhD scientists who bring over 25 years experience managing R&D programs, including Innovate UK and EU research and innovation funding. We pair deep technical understanding of the projects we support with hands-on, current expertise in how Innovate UK funding is won, delivered and claimed. We have direct relationships with Innovate UK, their Monitoring Officers and Innovation Leads.

We started this business because we kept seeing the same thing: brilliant teams winning funding, then struggling under the administrative weight of managing it. We knew we could take that weight off them and run their projects to an exceptional standard, because we've done it from the inside.

How We Work

We run our business as a genuine partnership. We're not a big firm where your project gets passed to whoever's free. When you work with us, you get both of us. We share the work and bring two experienced heads to every project rather than one. It means nothing slips through the cracks, there's always someone who knows your project inside out, and you're never left waiting on a single point of contact.

Meet the Founders

Dr Amy Charbonneau — Co-founder

Representing your project to Innovate UK is where I'm most at home, showcasing what it has achieved and giving monitoring officers and innovation leads complete confidence in your project. I'm here to help you deliver a well-managed project, which will not just optimise project outcomes for your business and the funder, but also accelerate company growth and future fundraising efforts.

Key experience:

  • PhD in Microbiology from the University of Cambridge

  • Over 7 years of R&D project management experience, predominantly within the Innovate UK and EIT grant structure

  • Hands-on experience leading all aspects of grant reporting, including quarterly reviews directly with Innovate UK Monitoring Officers and Innovation Leads

  • Skilled at engaging with the technical substance of clients' projects and translating into language funders responds to

  • Previous roles held at Cambridge-based SMEs: Project Manager, Research Manager & Head of Operations

Dr Nickie Smith — Co-founder

Making sure your project has exactly what it needs to succeed, and that you feel entirely supported throughout, is what drives me. I focus on keeping everything on track so you can focus on the R&D. For me, the ultimate goal is to deliver the best possible result for your business, giving you total peace of mind that your project is in safe hands.

Key experience:

  • PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London

  • Over 20 years of R&D project management experience

  • Delivered projects across UK government funding (DTI, TSB, Innovate UK), EU programmes (FP6, FP7, Horizon 2020) and commercially funded R&D

  • Skilled at building trusted, long-term relationships with clients and stakeholders

  • Deep technical and scientific understanding of the innovation projects

Ready to Chat?

Whether you'd like to book an introductory call or just ask a question, send us an enquiry below.