News
Manchester entrepreneurs complete 100k Challenge
Over the past five days, 10 top businessmen have put their physical strength and entrepreneurial spirit to the test during an epic 100k Challenge across Europe in aid of the NSPCC Hear Our Cry appeal.
Dragging their aching limbs across the finish line in Barcelona last night, the runners were drained and exhausted but immensely proud of the achievement and of the £100,000 raised.
Mike Perls, CEO of MC2 and driving force behind the 100k Challenge, commented: “It certainly hasn’t been a stroll in the park. Ash clouds, stomach bugs and uphill runs in Holland were all unexpected obstacles for us and have made the challenge that bit harder. There were times I think we all thought we wouldn’t make it to Barcelona so I am thrilled that we all completed the last 10k and are still here to tell the tale!”
Airport closures caused by the volcanic ash cloud meant the runners’ best laid plans to fly direct to Amsterdam for the second leg of the challenge on Sunday actually resulted in a last minute dash to Dover for a ferry and a midnight run in a rather rainy Ostend.
Despite the set back of the first day, the team soon got back on track running 10k routes in major European cities such as Brussels, Geneva and Monaco before strapping up ankles, hamstrings and toes for the last leg of the challenge in Barcelona yesterday afternoon.
Perls added: “It’s been an absolutely amazing experience for all of us but we’re hugely relieved that it’s complete. Our energy reserves were virtually empty after two runs and the extra travel on the first day so, from then on, it has been a constant challenge to pick ourselves up ready for the next race.
“We have had great support throughout the challenge, in the cities we have visited as well as from family, friends and contacts at home which has really helped keep us going. People have donated generously for the Hear Our Cry appeal and I’m delighted that we have managed to raise such a substantial sum of money for the NSPCC. We’ve still got a little way to go to hit our target of £100,000 though so if you haven’t donated yet please visit www.hearourcry.co.uk.”
Hear Our Cry is a new campaign for the NSPCC in the North West and has been launched to promote awareness of the vital helpline services provided by the charity, including ChildLine, the UK’s free confidential 24-hour helpline for children, and the NSPCC Helpline for adults concerned about a child.
The aim of the campaign is to raise £2.7m by May 2011 to ensure more children and young people across the region have access to the help they need when they need it most.
Angela Capper, NSPCC development manager for the North West said: “Many thanks to Manchester’s entrepreneurs for their commitment and dedication in completing this epic 10k challenge to support the NSPCC. It is a fantastic achievement and our congratulations go to each one of them. Thanks for the businessmen’s time and fundraising efforts, the money raised will help support our vital helpline services to ensure we can answer even more cries for help from children in the UK.”
To find out more about the 100k Challenge or the Hear Our Cry appeal please go to www.hearourcry.co.uk or to donate the Just Giving page is www.justgiving.com/100kchallenge.
EU patent system stunting growth of UK’s SME technology companies
Despite the UK technology market being one of the country’s most important sectors, it has been suggested that the EU patent system is preventing SMEs from growing as quickly as their American and Asian counterparts, says patent and trade mark firm Mathys and Squire LLP.
The EU does not have a single unified patent, meaning that once a patent is granted, it must generally be validated, translated and annually renewed in all countries where a protection is needed. Consequently, it can cost much more to get protection in the EU than in America or Asia, depending on how many countries are involved.
Recent reduction of validation requirements has reduced ultimate grant costs in the EU, but conversely other recent and proposed fee increases are bringing forward costs at a bad time for technology innovators and the economy.
As well as adding to the cost of innovation among the UK’s technology companies, the system also, in effect, discourages investment into the EU. Some overseas companies are taking the view that the cost of obtaining protection in Europe for a given product is unjustified. Ultimately this could result in an overall cut back in investment in developing the product for Europe.
Ilya Kazi, partner at Mathys and Squire, commented: “Some commentators have recently suggested that instituting a single Community Patent is the solution. It is true that the lack of a unified patent system is a factor why Europe’s technology SMEs fail to grow as quickly as companies elsewhere in the world, particularly the US.”
“SMEs should not wait on the arrival of the Community patent – there are many isssues to consider, and who knows how long it will take to come to pass. Patents are potentially of huge value commercially and should be an important part of a business’ ongoing strategy. With the right advice and a little creativity, companies can obtain practical protection within the confines of the existing legal situation within an appropriate budget and in line with ongoing strategy.”
UK businesses incentivised to register trade marks
A move by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to reduce the cost of registering trade marks is good news for aspiring entrepreneurs and start up businesses that have limited funds available to invest in their IP, especially in the current difficult market.
According to leading patent and trade mark attorney practice, Mathys and Squire LLP, many businesses are put off registering their IP due to the initial application costs. Currently a £200 fee is required before the company can even find out whether the application satisfies the criteria for registration.
However, from October the ‘Right Start’ service for trade marks will enable businesses to defer payment of half the application fee until after the IPO has assessed whether it is acceptable for registration.
Robert Hawley, partner at the Manchester office of Mathys and Squire LLP commented: “The proposals are good news for start up companies that may have previously been wary of registering trade marks due to the initial costs involved. The new service will allow businesses to assess the credibility of the trade mark before paying the full initial application fee, removing the worry of needlessly parting with crucial funds.
“A registered trade mark is an extremely important and valuable commercial asset that businesses should not be ignore. Hopefully the introduction of this new measure will provide brand owners with the necessary encouragement to actively protect their trade mark rights.”
ANS Group sponsors Children's Hospital final fundraising event
Radio One DJ and TV presenter Sara Cox has been lined up to host Notte Bella: Il Finito - The New Children's Hospital Appeal final fundraising dinner in October.
Sara Cox, who recently visited the new hospital and met some of its young patients, has offered to compere the fundraising event on 22 October 2009 at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel which will be attended by a whole host of celebrities and key North West business contacts.
The glittering event, sponsored by ANS Group, will celebrate the charity's efforts to reach its £20m fundraising target. When it was established in 2006, the Appeal aimed to raise £20million to support projects within the new hospital, which opened on 11th June 2009 and which is the largest children's hospital in the country. Now approaching the end of a three year campaign, the Appeal has £1.8 million of its target left to achieve.
Radio One DJ, Sara Cox, commented:
"I am really looking forward to hosting Notte Bella: Il Finito in October. It will be a fabulous event and fingers crossed that the Appeal will have raised the final £1.8 million needed to hit their £20 million target to really make it a night to remember."
Maurice Watkins, Appeal Chairman added:
"We are absolutely delighted that Sara Cox has kindly agreed to host our event, Sara will add much sparkle to this fabulous evening and it is always nice to see people from the region and businesses such as our sponsors ANS Group supporting local charities."
Scott Fletcher, Chairman and founder of sponsors ANS Group, added:
"The new children's hospital is such a significant project for the North West and, as a Manchester company, we are really enjoying being involved with the Appeal and in making this final event a success. It was great to see Sara's support for the cause and the smiles she brought to a lot of children's faces during her visit."
The new hospital, located on Oxford Road in central Manchester will provide specialist services to some of the regions' poorliest children. Specialist services include the Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, burns unit, cancer unit, renal services including transplantation, critical care, bone marrow transplantation and spine surgery.
The New Children's Hospital Appeal has been focusing on raising money to provide additional and up-to date equipment for diagnosis and treatment as well as a place for parents to stay on or close to their child's ward during treatment.
For further information on The New Children's Hospital Appeal or to book tickets for Notte Bella: Il Finito please contact 0161 276 4522.
ANS Group experiences ‘exceptional’ growth
ANS Group plc (ANS) has announced ‘exceptional’ growth for 2008/09, reporting improved financial results for the eighth consecutive year.
ANS Group saw over a £2 million increase in turnover to £12.3 million and a 13 per cent improvement in operating profit performance to £1.2 million, despite pricing pressures and the challenges of the recession.
The strength of these figures comes as a result of a strategic focus on unified communications and collaboration solutions with Cisco and Microsoft and storage and virtualisation solutions with VMWare and NetApps, in addition to continued investment in its core networking and security business. ANS Group’s managed services division also experienced healthy growth, and has now been developed into a 24/7 offering to drive the business forward in 2009/10.
Scott Fletcher, chairman and founder of ANS Group, said: “This has been an exceptional year of growth, and we have been rewarded for a focussed strategy and a company-wide determination to build our business. Against the backdrop of a recession, the results are even more impressive, and the achievements of the whole team have been truly outstanding. We are actively looking to grow our sales and technical teams this year to complement the exceptional staff we already have. ANS is a great opportunity for the right candidates.
“Our performance and the substantial cash reserves we have built will put us in a very strong position for the year to come, and we hope to use our success as a springboard for even more growth.”
ANS Group recently implemented an encryption system for the South West Strategic Authority which will be in operation across the country in six NHSTrusts, while in June the company was appointed by the Guinness Partnership to provide consultancy and technical expertise to assist with the IT systems in a merger of five housing associations.
To view the full Chairman’s report please visit the ANS Group website.
