CATESBY PROJECTS LTD

What CATESBY PROJECTS LTD does

Catesby Projects Ltd. is a UK-based aerodynamic engineering consultancy founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of TotalSim Ltd. and headquartered at the Catesby Innovation Centre in Charwelton, Northamptonshire. The firm delivers CFD consultancy, aerodynamic development, multidimensional aerodynamic mapping, high-resolution 3D scanning, 3D printing (including lifesize mannequins), creative/visualisation services, and acts as the official worldwide reseller for the adjacent 2.7km Catesby Tunnel indoor vehicle testing facility. Its technology foundation is a 20-year-old CFD methodology and best-practice workflow developed within the TotalSim group, validated against the Catesby Tunnel's controlled environmental conditions (temperature stability of ±0.6°C, surface flat to ±2mm over 2.7km).

The company serves three primary verticals: motorsport (Formula One, endurance, touring car teams), automotive OEMs (aerodynamic development, EV drag reduction, ADAS/homologation testing), and elite sport (Olympic programmes, UCI World Tour teams). Additional exposure to Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) has been opened via Catesby Tunnel's 2024 membership in CAM Testbed UK. Go-to-market is direct, project-based B2B consulting complemented by event-led demand generation (Le Mans, Automotive Testing Expo Europe, the in-house Advanced Aerodynamics Conference) and a small productised layer (Scan-to-Map tier programmes, scanning services priced at £109-£113/hour, £50 conference tickets).

Catesby Projects monetises primarily through professional services fees (engineering consultancy, scanning, additive manufacturing, on-site tunnel support). Pricing is custom-quoted for engineering projects, hourly for scanning, multi-year/tiered for Scan-to-Map programmes, and fixed for the annual conference. Senior leadership includes Group Leader Jon Paton (PhD, 16+ years at TotalSim) and Motorsport Team Leader Henry Pang (13+ years CFD experience). The company operates within the TotalSim family alongside Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub, Bramble CFD, and Vorteq, providing a bundled CFD + scanning + physical validation offering.

Name

CATESBY PROJECTS LTD

Legal name

Catesby Projects Ltd.

Website

https://catesbyprojects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Catesby Projects is a UK aerodynamic engineering consultancy and TotalSim subsidiary providing CFD analysis, 3D scanning, additive manufacturing, and worldwide resale of the 2.7km Catesby Tunnel to motorsport teams, automotive OEMs, and elite sport organisations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerodynamic Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• Aerodynamic engineering consultancy
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Vehicle aerodynamic testing
• 3D scanning services
• Motorsport engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Daventry

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consultancy Services: Project-based aerodynamic consultancy serving motorsport, automotive OEMs, and elite sport sectors. Services include CFD analysis, aerodynamic development, and testing support. Revenue generated through direct project engagements with engineering teams.
2. 3D Scanning Services: Hourly-rate 3D scanning services starting from £109/hour for architecture scanning and £113/hour for other applications. Includes vehicle scanning, reverse engineering, athlete scanning, and component quality control.
3. Catesby Tunnel Reseller: Worldwide reseller for Catesby Tunnel services. Provides testing and support capabilities for vehicle aerodynamic testing, ADAS testing, and CAM testing. Revenue generated through booking facilitation and on-site engineering support.
4. Conference and Event Admissions: Advanced Aerodynamics Conference generates revenue through £50 admission tickets. Conference brings together industry professionals for networking and presentations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Catesby Projects provides aerodynamic engineering consultancy combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, 3D scanning, vehicle design and creative visualisation services. The company also acts as the official worldwide reseller for the 2.7km Catesby Tunnel indoor vehicle testing facility. Services are delivered as project-based consultancy to automotive OEMs, motorsport teams, and elite sport organisations, covering concept, computational modelling, physical testing and validation.

Product overview

Catesby Projects is a TotalSim Ltd. company offering a comprehensive engineering and design consultancy portfolio focused on aerodynamics and vehicle performance. The core offering comprises Aerodynamics Consultancy and CFD Consultancy services, supported by specialized sub-products including CFD Aero Development, CFD Aerodynamic Mapping, Scan-to-Map, and CFD Support. The company also provides 3D Scanning Services (with Vehicle and Architecture specializations), Creative Services including Visualisation and Animation, 3D Printed Mannequins, and access to the proprietary Catesby Tunnel testing facility. The integrated approach combines computational methods (CFD) with physical testing capabilities, allowing clients to progress vehicles from concept through development to final validation. The company organizes the Advanced Aerodynamics Conference as an industry event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CatesbyTunnel: A 2.7km indoor vehicle testing facility located at Catesby Park, providing full-scale aerodynamic testing capabilities for automotive and motorsport applications.

Products and services

• Aerodynamics Consultancy Expert aerodynamics consultancy services providing analysis, insight and advice for vehicles across motorsport, automotive, and elite sport sectors. Combines CFD and experimental testing methodologies.
• CFD Consultancy Full turnkey Computational Fluid Dynamics consultancy solution offering accurate, cost-effective and rapid turnaround CFD services. Created by TotalSim Ltd. with 20 years of industry-proven methodology.
• CFD Aero Development Mission-critical aerodynamic performance development delivering bespoke, high-performing aerodynamic solutions to achieve performance targets within challenging constraints using next-generation cloud CFD technologies.
• CFD Aerodynamic Mapping Multidimensional aerodynamic lookup tables enabling race engineers to quickly identify optimum ride heights and configurations. Uses unique multidimensional sampling distribution combined with advanced spatial interpolation techniques.
• Scan to Map Combined 3D Scanning and Mapping service providing high-resolution vehicle scanning, advanced kinematics, multi-parameter aerodynamic maps, and CFD model validation for homologated and one-make racing series. Available in tiered programmes from Bronze through Diamond.
• CFD Support Bespoke CFD support for customers building in-house CFD capabilities, providing training, workflows, and expert guidance using next-generation cloud CFD technology.
• 3D Scanning Services Three-dimensional data gathering services for scanning objects from millimetres to tens of meters, with point accuracy from 0.05mm and 3D resolution of 0.1mm. Applications span automotive, motorsport, elite sport, and architecture sectors.
• Vehicle 3D Scanning Complete vehicle and component 3D scanning services for CFD simulations, reverse engineering, competitor benchmarking, tyre contact patch scanning, assembly quality control, and historic racing geometry capture.
• Architecture 3D Scanning Expert 3D scanning services for architecture and large-scale projects using Artec Ray II, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), site surveys, heritage conservation, and urban planning applications.
• Creative Services Automotive visualisation and design services including 3D visualisation, 3D animation, creative design, and livery design. Integrates creative design with performance-driven engineering for automotive and motorsport industries.
• 3D Printed Mannequins Lifesize 3D printed human replicas for aerodynamic testing, constructed as 1:1 athlete-specific replicas with proprietary precision joints. Available in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers with customisation options for cycling, running, and winter sports.
• Catesby Tunnel Testing Facility World's longest vehicle indoor testing facility at 2.7km long and 8.2m wide. Provides full-scale, confidential vehicle testing with repeatable environmental conditions for aerodynamic testing, aeroacoustic testing, thermal testing, ADAS and LiDAR testing, and private commissioning. Catesby Projects is the official worldwide reseller.
• Advanced Aerodynamics Conference Annual international conference bringing together world-renowned experts, researchers, and industry leaders for presentations, discussions, and networking in the field of aerodynamics. Hosted at Catesby Innovation Centre with admission priced at £50 per ticket.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% drag reduction observed for following car in slipstream scenario at 50m/s (~112mph)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LaVisionminorOthers · 1 January 2025Exhibited at Advanced Aerodynamics Conference 2025. Provides measurement and testing technology solutions.
• Evolution MeasurementminorOthers · 1 January 2025Exhibited at Advanced Aerodynamics Conference 2025. Provides measurement technology solutions.
• CAM Testbed UK / ZenziccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Catesby Tunnel officially joined CAM Testbed UK in 2024, becoming the sixth test facility in the network managed by Zenzic. CAM Testbed UK is a global centre for connected and self-driving vehicle technologies. Membership strengthens UK's offering to suppliers and manufacturers.
• UTAC Millbrook - CulhamminorOthers · 1 January 2024CAM Testbed UK member alongside Catesby Tunnel. Offers controlled testing facilities. Part of the coordinated UK test facility network.
• ASSURED CAVminorOthers · 1 January 2024Part of Horiba MIRA. CAM Testbed UK member offering assured connected and autonomous vehicle facilities. Part of coordinated UK test network.
• Smart Mobility Living Lab LondonminorOthers · 1 January 2024CAM Testbed UK member providing public environment testing space. Part of coordinated UK test facility network.
• Midlands Future MobilityminorOthers · 1 January 2024CAM Testbed UK member providing public environment testing capabilities. Part of coordinated UK test network.
• ConvexminorOthers · 1 January 2024CAM Testbed UK member and data exchange expert. Completes the group of network partners alongside physical test facilities.
• Motorsport Industry Association (MIA)minorOthers · 1 January 2023Joined MIA in February 2023. Provides networking opportunities within motorsport industry. Catesby Projects hosted MIA Motorsport Industry Forum at Catesby Innovation Centre.
• JRMminorOthers · 1 January 2023Exhibited at Catesby Tunnel Open Day 2023. Engineering and motorsport services provider.
• TotalSim LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Parent company of Catesby Projects. TotalSim is a multi-disciplinary UK engineering consultancy specialising in computational and experimental aerodynamic development. Has collaborated with major road car OEMs, designed world championship winning race cars, and helped athletes secure multiple Olympic gold medals. Catesby Projects was created by TotalSim to provide one-stop solution for engineering and design services.
• Silverstone Sports Engineering HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Sister company within TotalSim family providing wind tunnel testing capabilities. Offers twelve large 3D printers for cycling surface testing. Projects such as Pedalling Efficiency Rig (PER) for Olympic cycling involve collaboration between Catesby Projects and Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub.
• Catesby TunnelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021World's longest vehicle indoor testing facility at 2.7km. Catesby Projects is the official worldwide reseller for Catesby Tunnel services. Located at Catesby Park adjacent to Catesby Innovation Centre. Provides controlled testing environment with temperature stability and smooth surface.
• Bramble CFDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Part of TotalSim family. Managing Director Ivor Annetts presented at Advanced Aerodynamics Conference. Provides CFD expertise within the group.
• VorteqminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Part of TotalSim family. Sports equipment manufacturer. Trust Catesby Projects' mannequins for aerodynamic testing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ricardo plc: Established UK engineering consultancy covering vehicle propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management and homologation for global automotive OEMs. Comparable in B2B engineering services and automotive OEM customer base, but operates at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• HORIBA MIRA: UK-based vehicle engineering, test and certification provider with extensive proving grounds and climatic test facilities. Comparable on UK-based automotive test infrastructure, CAM/ADAS testing and OEM customer overlap, but at substantially larger scale and broader service portfolio.
• AVL List GmbH: Global automotive engineering services firm covering powertrain, vehicle integration, ADAS/AD and simulation for OEMs. Comparable in CFD and simulation-led engineering services, but with much broader portfolio and global footprint.
• Mahle Powertrain: UK-based powertrain and vehicle engineering consultancy serving global automotive OEMs with testing, simulation and development services. Comparable in B2B automotive engineering consultancy model and UK delivery footprint, though focused upstream of aerodynamics.

Direct peers

• Williams Advanced Engineering: UK motorsport-engineering firm spun out of Williams F1, providing CFD, aerodynamic development, simulation and prototype services to motorsport and automotive OEMs. Closely comparable on motorsport pedigree, CFD-to-physical correlation and OEM engagement model.
• Cosworth: Heritage motorsport engineering firm offering engine development, electronics and vehicle integration services to race series and OEMs. Comparable in motorsport customer base, project-based engineering services and UK-based delivery model.
• Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub: Sister company within the TotalSim group providing wind tunnel and large-format 3D printing capability for motorsport and elite sport. Directly comparable in target customers (F1, endurance racing, Olympic cycling) and complementary in capability to Catesby.
• TotalSim Ltd: Parent company of Catesby Projects and origin of the CFD methodology (20+ years) that underpins Catesby's offering. Operates in the same UK aerodynamic engineering space and is the closest comparator by methodology, customer base and talent pool.
• McLaren Applied Technologies: Motorsport-to-road technology business applying F1-derived simulation, CFD and vehicle development expertise to automotive and elite sport customers. Comparable on aerodynamic consultancy, simulation methodology and elite-sport programmes.
• Bramble CFD: Sister company within the TotalSim group specialising in CFD, with Managing Director Ivor Annetts speaking at the Advanced Aerodynamics Conference. Directly comparable in CFD methodology, tooling and customer overlap with Catesby Projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• Facebookfacebook.com/CatesbyProjects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catesby-projects
• Instagraminstagram.com/catesbyprojects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CATESBY PROJECTS LTD