Countif? Sumproduct?

Hello all, hoping you can help...

I have a range of data with names in column A and dates across row 1. Within cells B2:R4 I then enter text 'U', 'P' or 'S', with some cells also left blank.

I need a formula (COUNTIF, SUMPRODUCT perhaps??) to count the number of groups/batches that occur for each name in consecutive cells, but only count the columns on and after the date entered (in the example, only after 5th Jan).

I have a separate formula to count the individual occurrences of each letter after the date entered, but need to now calculate the occurrence of groups/batches of the letters.

The batch/cluster table on example shows the expected results.

Can anybody help? Many thanks!

Batch count.png