Rob currently works for RTC North on the Enterprise Europe Network to assist North West SMEs wishing to participate in FP7 and other EC research and innovation funding programmes. Rob initially trained as a biochemist before taking up a career in sewage. He has varied experience in this field initially researching nitrogen cycling in a reed bed sewage treatment system and then working for an SME manufacturing package treatment systems. This was followed by a period with the Technology Development Team at United Utilities and then several years as a water quality planner for the Environment Agency. All this has given him a broad perspective on the role of research and regulation in the working environment which is valuable for providing appropriate business support and future planning.