News and events
Brighton creates engineers of the future
13.12.2007
Not enough young people are choosing careers in engineering and the UK faces a shortage of new talent entering the industry. However from 17-19 December at the university 10 teams of sixth form students from schools all around the south-east are helping to redress that balance.
A student at the 2006 EESAround 90 students, aged 16-17, have voluntarily signed up for the Engineering Education Scheme, which is run as part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's BEST programme (Better Engineering Students Tomorrow).
These students will be spending three days attending a residential workshop at the university and will be learning practical aspects of engineering from the university's technicians and their project mentors.
For more information see the press release.
Gurkha cuisine at Feastbourne
13.09.2007
Former Gurkha in the British Army, Pemba Lama, will share his extensive knowledge of Himalayan cuisine, at a masterclass taking place at the university's culinary arts studio, in Eastbourne. The event is one of four cookery masterclasses organised by the university as part of this year's Feastbourne.
Feastbourne is a complete celebration of food and drink and the way in which it interacts with the town of Eastbourne and the surrounding Sussex area. The whole event is designed to educate, inspire and bring a sense of pride, purpose and passion in cooking.
The masterclasses will take place at the Culinary Arts Studio, University of Brighton, Service School of Management, Darley Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 7UR.
- Sun 7 October - 3pm to 5.30pm - Hot and cold desserts
- Mon 8 October - 7pm to 9pm - The art of pulled and blown sugar
- Tues 9 October - 7pm to 9pm - Masterclass – Ghurka cookery
- Wed 10 October - 7pm to 9pm - Canapés, canapés, and canapés
For bookings and enquiries please phone 01323 649127 or 07957 604386 or email g.nicol@brighton.ac.uk. Sunday 7 October class is an afternoon session. Tickets are £15 each and are valid for one masterclass.
For more information see the press release.
Broadcasting in Hastings
31.08.2007
Broadcast Media students at the university certainly made an impression on the head of BBC News, Helen Boaden, following her visit to the University Centre Hastings, when they received a personal invitation to visit the BBC Radio studios in London.
Two groups attended on two consecutive days earlier in the year to be given 'access all areas', meeting the likes of Chris Moyles and Edith Bowman. They were then given exclusive permission to witness the preparation and subsequent broadcast of the daily lunchtime news programme; Newsbeat, from inside the newsroom itself, presented by Georgina Bowman.
For more information see the press release.
Putting theory into practice
03.08.2007
Retail marketing graduate Filip Jicinsky, is swapping theory for practice having successfully fought off competition for a coveted position at the head office of Rick Stein, in Padstow, Cornwall.
Rick Stein is somewhat misleadingly labelled a 'Celebrity Chef', in fact he runs four restaurants, a delicatessen, a patisserie, a seafood cookery school and a 33 bedroom hotel.
Filip was first introduced to one of the country's top chefs through the university's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) which brings together successful partnerships between a company, university and a graduate. Filip hopes to use his knowledge of retail marketing to advise on the future strategic planning of the business.
For more information see the press release.
Celebrating creativity
19.06.2007
The University of Brighton's annual Innovation Awards, now in its thirteenth year, celebrated the best and the brightest business ideas from staff, students and alumni. This year saw a record number of entries with nearly 100 applications received - over three times as many applications as in previous years. This year also saw the introduction of a new category in social enterprise.
The winners will share a prize fund of £12,000, but perhaps of greater use, they will benefit from the experience, expertise and advice of the university's Business Services department.
"I'm looking forward to working with the winners in the future and see them take their products and services to market." said the university's Entrepreneurship Manager Clare Griffiths. "As ever the standard of entries was exceptionally high and I would like to thank all the judges as well as all those who entered the awards."
For more information see the press release.
Momma Cherri's masterclass
22.03.2007
Charita Jones, better known as Momma Cherri presented a masterclass to the university's entrepreneurship network, beepurple. She shared her story of struggle and success with over 40 business-minded students.
Charita became a celebrity figure in Brighton and Hove when her restaurant Momma Cherri's featured in an episode of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares series. Since then she has expanded her business and has written a soul food cookery book and was the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year title at last year's Sussex Business Awards.
For more information see the press release.
Graduates scoop business award
05.02.2007
Two graduates, Nin Castle and Phoebe Emerson, who have developed Goodone Clothing, a start-up business selling ethically produced fashion, have just scooped the £15,000 Trefor Campbell Award for Enterprise. This is part of the RSA Flying Start Programme, a joint initiative by the RSA (originally the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) with the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE).
Nin and Phoebe design and produce recycled clothing by using unique combinations of handpicked recycled fabrics, and are able to mass produce one off garments. Goodone designs are sold in five stockists in London, Manchester and Brighton, as well as through their online shop at www.goodone.co.uk, which has over 70 unique items and is constantly updated. It is Nin and Phoebe's goal to build a reputable brand which is internationally recognised for the design and production of recycled clothing and to instigate a positive change within the fashion industry.
The Award which is open to RSA Flying Start graduate business start-ups from the creative industries was initiated by Dr Trefor Campbell, managing director of Moy Park Foods and an RSA Fellow. It is designed to identify and support an enterprise with outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and provide a financial boost to launch or take their business to the next level.
For more information see the press release.
Entrepreneurship network gets national attention
28.11.2006
The university's entrepreneurship network, beepurple, was highlighted in a national report out today. The Universities UK publication showcases the many ways universities are working with employers to develop business-focused degrees and to enhance graduate employability.
The report 'Higher level learning: universities and employers working together' (shown right), features case studies from 26 universities including Brighton to look at how universities are helping instil entrepreneurship.
Brighton's network, beepurple, aims to stimulate, inform and develop entrepreneurship among students, staff and alumni through monthly workshops and masterclasses. It also helps to broker work placements, organises events bringing businesses and the university together, and supports members' applications for courses, competitions and scholarships.
For more information see the press release.
University awards local enterprise
27.11.2006
For the second year running the university sponsored the University Enterprise Award at the Sussex Business Awards. The award went to Allergy Therapeutics Plc, a specialist pharmaceutical company which has the potential to transform allergy treatment.
The company aims to provide novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of allergy. It does this with a range of innovative, patent protected, high-value, allergy vaccines.
Over the past five years Allergy Therapeutics has developed a special relationship with the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. This collaboration, which has involved multiple fixed term contracts, including a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP), funded in part by the department of trade and industry, has been integral to the company's corporate mission.
For more information see the press release.
Christmas comes early for Sussex businesses
15.11.2006
Thousands of miniature Christmas trees were posted out to company bosses by the university to encourage them to join its hugely successful peer-led business support programme - ProfitNet. The programme was initially launched by the university in 2003 in Hastings by sending out money trees, but given the time of year the miniature firs seemed more appropriate!
Now the university has been awarded £2 million from the Higher Education Funding Council to take the scheme to Brighton, Crawley, Worthing and Chichester.
At ProfitNet meetings, managing directors and CEOs discuss their business problems with peers who have to come up with possible solutions. Progress reports are made at each meeting until a lasting solution is found.
For more information see the press release.
University joins Eastbourne Business Crime Group
21.09.2006
The University of Brighton has recently joined the Eastbourne Business Crime Group. A part of the group's remit is to reduce crime and disorder in the town and offer support and advice to the businesses and customers of the town.
As the new academic year begins students will be arriving at the University of Brighton campus in Eastbourne this weekend. The university has over 2,000 students in the town who contribute much to the local community and economy. However, the university also recognises that young people living away from home for the first time can get into problems and that their lifestyles do not always sit easily alongside those of other residents in the town.
By joining the Eastbourne Business Crime Group the university is working in partnership with the local authority and police to tackle these problems before they emerge or escalate.
For more information see the press release.
Local businesses reward students
04.09.2006
Local businesses came together to reward university students who have shown themselves to be truly outstanding in their chosen discipline.
More than 40 businesses took part in the ceremony ranging from digital technology to accountancy companies, all of whom donated prizes to exceptional students.
Among
those awarded was recent graduate Claire King (pictured right), who collected
a prize from Brighton based solicitors Howlett Clarke, for being the best final
year BA (Hons) Law with Accountancy student.
Claire who plans to start her Legal Practice course in September, said: "It's fantastic to have your achievements recognised with such a practical prize, and it really set a goal for me to work towards throughout the course."
Her prize was presented by Dawn Miles from Howlett Clarke solicitors, who have presented this award for the past sixth years.
Dawn said: "The firm was really pleased to take part in the ceremony. I think that it's important for local business to give something back to students who have put such an enormous amount of hard work into their fields of study. We particularly congratulate Claire King who was presented with our prize for her tremendous effort in being the best third year student. We wish her all the best in her chosen career."
Courses on demand
07.08.2006
What do automotive air conditioning and environmental auditing have in common? These are new courses requested by local businesses and designed and delivered by the university's new Collaborative Training Centre (CTC).
The CTC was set up earlier this year and will provide a suite of short courses which meet the needs of industry regionally. A portfolio of short courses will be available covering a range of subjects including automotive engineering, digital media, sustainable energy, pharmaceutical technology and business systems.
Typically courses last for one week and delegates can collect credits to contribute towards an MSc. Over the next five years the CTC expects to run about 50 courses with 100 delegates attending each year.
Dr Mark Jones, Head of the CTC said: "The beauty of these courses is that they have been requested by local business, so there is a real industry need to provide the training. The courses are also flexible to fit in with people's work and delegates can also gain academic credit."
For more information see the CTC website.
Flying start for entrepreneurs
20.07.2006
A student from the University of Brighton has been selected by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) from hundreds of applicants to participate in an intensive, three day residential programme to develop his business idea and get on the road to entrepreneurial success.
Following a nationwide hunt by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship to find the country's most promising entrepreneurial talent, Shawn de Freitas will join 60 students and recent graduates chosen to present their ideas at the prestigious event, taking place in Reading from 24 - 26 July.
Shawn is a postgraduate student at university and is in the process of setting up an interactive social networking community which will work across the internet, TV and mobile phones, and encourage participants to engage with it to a greater degree than conventional online dating services.
For more information see the press release.
BISME 2006 conference
04.07.2006
Come on our two day conference to find out about our collaborative partnerships and how they benefit industries, including our highly successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Find out more about knowledge transfer, improving your customer service, strategic marketing and other topics of direct interest to your company.
The BISME 2006 conference is on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 September at the Chichester Park Hotel in Chichester, West Sussex. Book by Friday 21 July for a reduced rate.
Conference will include keynote speakers, topical workshops and university/company partnership live case studies and is the ideal networking opportunity.
Innovation awarded at university
11.05.2006
Portrait photography is set to be revolutionised by the winner of this year's University of Brighton Student Innovation Award which took place on 11 May and was judged by a team of city entrepreneurs. The new technique - MirrorMe, developed by Editorial Photography graduate Nienke Van Wijk, captures expression in a way that has never been seen before, bringing out the true identity of the subject.
"This is a fresh alternative to posed picture library images that the current market need", said Elizabeth Spencer-Phillips. Fellow judges advised that Nienke gets to market as quickly as possible and enthused that the potential for a franchise is huge!
The simplicity of the product and the enormity of the market impressed Anthony Bullock when awarding the student Entrepreneurial Award to Christopher Sears, Design and Technology student. The novel golf practice tool enables golfers to improve their technique. "The golf market is huge and world-wide - this product could be a money-spinner," said Marc Koska. "It has strong commercial potential and that winning combination of low costs and high sales," added Andy Heath.
As summer approaches stuffy offices become a real issue. Winners of the staff Entrepreneurship Awards, Dr. Mike McEvoy and Dr. Ryan Southall both from the School of Architecture and Design have solved the problem with an innovative type of background ventilation which brings a breath of fresh air to homes and offices! "Air conditioning hasn't changed in years, so it's fantastic to see this innovation moving ahead of the market," said Elizabeth Spencer-Phillips.
A wonderful example of science with genuine application won the staff Innovation Award according to judge Anthony Bullock. The award went to Dianne Dyball, Dr. Kenneth Ip and Professor Andrew Miller all from the School of the Environment for an original ceiling system concept that provides cooling comfort in retrofit office applications. "This entry covered all three of the winning criteria - social, educational and commercial," said Ray Richards. "It's impressively topical and futuristic and has great, great potential," added Marc Koska.
For more information see the press release.
beepurple helps students leave university with more than a degree
13.04.2006
beepurple is on its way to Eastbourne and it's bringing with it Gilly Smith, successful entrepreneur and author of the 'Juicy Guides' and 'Nigella Lawson: The Unauthorised Biography'. Gilly will be attending the first of the entrepreneurial-based workshops in Eastbourne and hopes to teach students, staff and alumni, entrepreneurial skills that cannot be learnt on any university course.
The opening workshop, which will be held on 3 May at Hillbrow in room 129, will run from 11am-2pm. It will include a master class, a question and answer session, as well as talks about intellectual property and the Eastbourne Enterprise Hub. The programme will also offer would-be entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain key business skills and develop entrepreneurial attitudes. The main benefit for everyone attending is to learn directly from those who have turned innovative ideas into successful businesses.
For more information see the press release.
Innovation Awards launched
27.02.2006
Programmes
like Dragon's Den and The Apprentice have made entrepreneurship sexy. However,
the University of Brighton was there first with its Innovation Awards. This
year there is £8,000 to be won, £2,000 for the winning student
(including graduates) and £2,000 for the winning staff member, in each
of the two award categories (event now closed).
So if you want to be the next James Dyson all you need is an innovative idea with potential or an existing idea, concept or application which presents new possibilities.
The awards are judged by a prestigious panel made up of university staff and local business leaders.
The closing date is 7 April 2006 and entry forms are available throughout the university and from Business Services business.services@brighton.ac.uk or call 01273 643222. Contact us for advice on your application, and help open up this opportunity to everyone.
Sussex hoteliers get down to business with the university
21.02.2006
Eighty-five owners of small and medium sized hotels and guest houses in Sussex will be getting entrepreneurial and business training from a consortium of training providers led by Tourism South East and including the university's School of Service Management.
The Welcome Sussex Project was awarded £170,000 by the Sussex Learning and Skills Council to deliver the training which will include business planning, marketing, customer service, e-commerce, IT and management skills amongst others.
For more information see the press release.
International entrepreneur shares his expertise
13.01.2006
Internationally renowned professor of entrepreneurship, Professor Allan Gibb
(pictured right), will share his wealth of expertise with students at an event
called 'What it’s really like to be an entrepreneur' which takes place
at the University of Brighton on 17 January.
Professor Gibb, a well-known speaker and author, is currently a professor at the University of Durham and will talk about what it's like to live the life of an entrepreneur and coming up with the winning idea.
For more information see the press release.
Hastings businesses celebrate through ProfitNet
11.11.2005
The University of Brighton congratulates all the ProfitNet Member companies on successfully completing a year long programme. Members of ProfitNet, the peer support programme for businesses operating in the Hastings and Bexhill area, will be toasting the first successful year of ProfitNet at a celebration on Wednesday 23 November at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings, hosted by the University of Brighton.
Over 70 businesses will be celebrating on the night because through the free programme (developed by the university) businesses have enjoyed many benefits including new business, developing new processes, sharing common tools and exploiting joint venture opportunities.
The programme uses the Learning Networks model, developed and delivered by CENTRIM (Centre for Research in Innovation Management), to get businesses in the same sector (some of them initially competitors), to work together to find solutions to common business problems. On average this technique leads to a 31% increase in turnover.
For more information see the press release.
Tales of extraordinary enterprise
07.11.2005
Five outstanding Sussex entrepreneurs will reveal the secrets of their success to University of Brighton students who aspire to put their innovative ideas into practise at an event called 'Tales of Extraordinary Enterprise' which takes place on 16 November.
Taking an imaginative approach to sharing business expertise, the event will feature four 'master classes' delivered at the same time, to members of beepurple, the university's entrepreneurship network, and observed by a hundred members of the local business community.
beepurple - the secret's in the vision. From left to right: beepurple members Vahakn Matossian, Ski & Snowboarding Club, Nicholas Kagia, the Kenya Society, and Jane L. North, Entrepreneurship Manager.
For more information see the press release.
Alteon flying high with University of Brighton
05.10.2005
Alteon Training UK Ltd. in Manor Royal, Crawley at the heart of the Gatwick Diamond, trains the future pilots, engineers and cabin crews, and hosted the University of Brighton's third 'Engineer your business' event in West Sussex. Engineering and manufacturing businesses met with the university's engineers to hear how the university works with business. Captain Graham Peck, Alteon's Director of Flight Training then invited everyone to a tour of their facilities and after a ride in a flight simulator he said: "We all had a very enjoyable day and we're pleased to support engineering in Crawley".
Head of the School of Engineering, Dr Mark Jones said: "Collaborating with the university and exchanging knowledge and experience leads to real benefits at relatively low cost and risk to business. The message that we give to companies such as Alteon, is that they can collaborate with the university at all levels, ranging from student placements and projects to full research programmes and companies can often benefit from government incentives."
Mark Bullen, Managing Director of Geoff Bullen Electronics, which is based in West Sussex, teamed up with the University of Brighton to successfully bid for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) grant from the DTI. The grant allows the company to employ a top class graduate to develop new products and services, along with free specialist consultancy and use of resources from the University of Brighton for the next two years.
Mark said: "Working with the university helped fill a skills gap critical for a new product launch and we have already reaped the benefits of increased customer support and positive effects on cash flow."
Dr Jones said: "The 'Engineer your business' event, gives us the opportunity to talk in depth to business managers, and lay the foundations of solid relationships with businesses in the Gatwick Diamond, and we're looking forward to developing these over the coming months. Working with businesses keeps us directly involved in the commercial world and offers the School's staff and students challenging problems and issues to resolve."
For more information on how the University of Brighton works with business, please contact Linda Boize on 07958 515487 or l.m.boize@brighton.ac.uk.
Alchemists search for golden nuggets at the university
27.09.2005
This Thursday (29 September) the University of Brighton will play host to the Alchemists, an early stage investor network, as they search for fast growth companies of the future. Organised by Finance South East (FSE), the event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs and start up companies to showcase their ideas and obtain business funding. Keynote speaker for the evening is media entrepreneur, Richard Daws, co-founder of Victoria Real and the award-winning Brighton comedy venue, Komedia.
The Alchemists is an exclusive investment network managed by FSE which helps to provide businesses with access to early stage funding and high quality mentoring. It comprises a community of business mentors, investors and industry representatives who offer resources, including knowledge, people and finance. The network supports the development of technology and knowledge-based businesses emerging from eight partner universities and the SEEDA Enterprise Hubs.
Commenting, John Brigden of Finance South East, said: "The University of Brighton has developed an excellent reputation for innovation and enterprise. This event will showcase a number of young enterprises that require funding, knowledge and expertise of the Alchemist members. These innovative, high-growth ventures have been selected from the wide network of Alchemist partners."
Richard Daws picked up an Emmy Award for Outstanding Editing in 1998 and the Vision Vote Award (Who Owns the Future of TV?) at the Edinburgh Television Festival. He pioneered the UK's first MSc in Digital TV, with the University of Brighton and is founder of the award-winning Victoria Real operation in Australia.
Attendance to the Alchemists is by invitation only, however new members are welcome. If you are interested in participating in the network please contact John Brigden on 07979 751 831or email john.brigden@financesoutheast.com.
Innovation for small and medium businesses at BISME 2005
16.08.2005
Local companies have the chance to find out how to improve their businesses through innovative new ideas, at the 2005 Business Innovation for Small-Medium Sized Enterprises (BISME) one day conference to be held at the University of Brighton, Westlain House, Falmer, on Friday 2 September.
The conference, organised by the university's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Centre, is centred on the business benefits to be gained through innovation, for example, in improved supply chain management, sustainable development, and business agility. The conference will describe opportunities for strategic commercial projects which can attract substantial government funding, and ways to benefit through working with the university. Structured into keynote sessions, presentations and practical workshops, BISME 2005 will provide opportunities for discussion, debate and networking.
Keynote speeches will be delivered by Mark Bullen, Partner at Geoff Bullen Electronics and Justin Hudd, Managing Director of e-DBA Ltd. There will also be speakers from the University of Brighton, and the Universities of Paisley and the West of England. Poster presentations will highlight the achievements of Knowledge Transfer Partnership projects between the university and local companies.
Dr Bob Howlett, KTP Centre Director said: "The Business Innovation for SMEs conference will provide an excellent opportunity for companies, particularly small companies, to find out how they can benefit from innovation and strategic improvements to their businesses through working in partnership with the University of Brighton."
BISME 2005 is expected to attract a wide spectrum of SMEs to hear how KTP can fund improvements in their business by accessing the wealth of specialist knowledge and expertise available at the university. They can also meet stakeholders in the knowledge transfer process and participate in workshops offering practical advice on moving their businesses forward.
For more information see the KTP website.
Engineer your business with the University of Brighton
28.06.2005
At the forthcoming 'Engineer your Business' event, over forty local companies will come together to learn how they can work with the University of Brighton to gain competitive advantage.
The event, which takes place at the university's Chelsea School in Eastbourne on 5 July, will be opened by Stephen Goss-Turner, President of the Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce and Deputy Head of the university's School of Service Management. Local business leaders will hear from Dr Mark Jones, Head of the School of Engineering, about the many opportunities that exist for businesses to collaborate with the university. He and his team will discuss in particular how the Proof of Concept Fund and Department of Trade and Industry's Knowledge Transfer Partnership can provide real benefits, backed up by a real case study from a local engineering firm.
Delegates will visit the university's Welkin Laboratory, and see first hand the thermal and altitude stress chamber, which can be used to test products at extreme temperatures. Sports technologists will demonstrate a range of measurement systems used within the lab, including the Vicon multi-camera motion capture system. This state of the art equipment is helping sportsmen/women to improve their performance, and finds industrial application in ergonomic design, for example in the automotive sector.
Researchers from the School of Engineering will be on hand to demonstrate some of the creative and innovative designs developed within the university, and experts will be available to discuss rapid prototyping and other advanced manufacturing technologies. The event is jointly organised by the university's Business Services Team, dedicated to business outreach, and the Eastbourne Enterprise Hub with support from Eastbourne Borough Council and SEEDA.
Business Development Manager, Anjuu Trevedi said: "The University of Brighton is a valuable resource for businesses large and small, whether they are based locally, in the wider south-east region, elsewhere in the UK or overseas. The university has not only an immense capability but also a solid track record of service to businesses and events like this help to show local business the range of expertise available."
Ray Wynne, Director of the Eastbourne Enterprise Hub, added: "This is an exciting opportunity for businesses in and around Eastbourne to hear about the benefits of working with both the University of Brighton and the Enterprise Hub, and at the same time to find out more about the support available to nurture innovation locally."
If you would like more information about what is on offer from the University of Brighton or you would like to attend the event please contact Anjuu on 07958515491 or email a.trevedi@brighton.ac.uk.
Students gain five thousand pounds worth of business training
14.06.2005
University of Brighton students have secured over five thousand pounds worth of free business training from world-renowned university business centres.
Rebecca Robertson and Hill Choi Lee, both studying for a Communications and Media Studies degree have been selected for the SEEDA Enterprisers Programme. Jack Forester has been selected for the Flying Start Programme which will be held at the University of Cambridge.
The courses are for students who want to make a difference with their ideas, start up businesses, or learn new skills in running enterprising projects. The three students have all attended the University of Brighton's intensive programme of master classes in entrepreneurship run by Business Development Manager Jane L. North, which helped them beat off stiff competition to secure a place on these courses.
Jane said: "These courses provide students with a fantastic opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial potential." Jane has also developed the Beepurple network to support and encourage entrepreneurship through a business start up forum, business talks - by successful city entrepreneurs, expert 1-2-1 advice to explore innovative or entrepreneurial ideas and Innovation Awards that publicly recognise and reward innovation.
Could your business be the best in Sussex?
20.05.2005
The University of Brighton is searching for the most successful collaboration between a business and a university or higher educational establishment in Sussex.
The successful business will win the University Enterprise Award, which is part of the prestigious Sussex Business Awards 2005/06, launched yesterday (18 May). This year's awards promises new opportunities for the brightest and the best in Sussex business.
The judges are searching for an organisation that can demonstrate successful relationships with a university or higher education establishment in Sussex and who can show how the relationship has changed them. Principal judge Andrew Toal, Head of Business Services for the University of Brighton, will be looking for companies with a unique set of attributes that show evidence of their success.
Sponsors of the awards, including Colin Monk (fourth from right), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business and Marketing) University of Brighton
Winners will benefit from greater recognition around the county, invaluable publicity, an engraved silver trophy and use of the exclusive award-winners logo. Closing date for all entries is July 9 2005. Winners will be announced at the glamorous Gala Dinner on December 1 2005.
For full details of the awards, register online at www.sbawards.org.uk.
University awards innovation
13.05.2005
Leading local business people were highly impressed by the standard of entries to the University of Brighton’s Innovation Awards 2005.
Judge Anthony Bullock of Antwords, and the co-founder of the highly successful marketing firm Designate, commented on Highly Commended entry 'Sugar Spoon' - "I have been thinking about this entry all week. I couldn’t get it out of my head!"
One hundred and fifteen imaginative entries were received for best innovative idea or business proposal - a record number and a reflection of the growing entrepreneurial spirit at the university.
Tension
at the awards, held on Wednesday 11 May, was palpable when the highly covetable
Innovation award for students was received by Malcolm Jordan (pictured right),
a 3D Design student, who received a cheque for £2,000.
Malcolm Jordan’s innovation 'Curvy Composites’, using a process that transforms flexible plywood and mimics traditional solid carved wood, was intriguing on paper but when his product was seen by the judges the effect was immediate. Anthony Bullock commented: "Once you see and feel this creation – you’ll want it. It’s truly innovative with big potential."
The Entrepreneurship award for students was presented to John Turner, for 'T-Bone' - a novel method for controlling road alignment during construction, which saves time and money. John’s outstanding entrepreneurship was in recognising the opportunities presented by a historical concept for 21st century application.
Steve Stark, founder of Totallyradio said: "This is a simple solution to an industry wide problem. It ticks all the boxes in terms of bringing a new idea to market, and has been well researched. This deserves to be a great success."
Professors Andrew Lloyd and Sergey Mikhalovsky, and Doctors Gary Phillips, Graham Davies, Carol Howell and Susi Sandeman won the Innovation award for staff, for a novel device for the treatment of sepsis, the major cause of mortality in Intensive Care Units. Steve Stark said: "This is a clearly articulated idea, with strong medical benefits. It’s simple but with wonderful potential benefits."
The Entrepreneurship award for staff went to Professor Sosabowski and Mrs. Pari Razavi and Mrs. Seija Maata and for their entry, 'The Ministry of Chemistry' – a business concept based on the new media distribution of educational material. Anthony Bullock said: "This has huge possibilities for live performance and media channels, with a laudable aim of reviving interest in chemistry."
The Innovation Awards are organised by the University of Brighton’s Business Services team as part of a continued programme to promote entrepreneurship across the university. The awards align with the beepurple entrepreneurship network, GRIST loans scheme and regional Enterprise Hubs.
Entrepreneurship Manager Jane L. North said: "Not only was £8,000 in prizes given out, but each winner has the opportunity to work with Business Services to develop their ideas, and with every single short-listed entrant eligible for intellectual property advice from a legal specialist the phones have been busier than ever."
Dr
Andrew Toal, Head of Business Services commented "We are encouraged
by the massive range of ideas – with proposals crossing creative
industries and scientific endeavour. We look forward to supporting
the next stage of development of so many exciting projects."
Runners up
The following entrys were Highly Commended by the panel of judges:
Innovation
award for students: Sugar Spoon by Tom Lorton
Entrepreneurship award for students: Edible Burger Box by Adam Fairweather
Innovation
awards for staff: Wing Mirror by Stefano Santilli
Entrepreneurship award for staff: Ferric Iron Remediation System (FIRS) by Drs
Laurence Hopkinson and Dr.Andy Cundy from Sussex University.
Business forum at Northshore Yachts
13.05.2005
Northshore Yachts of Itchenor, near Chichester, was the prestigious host of the university’s second ‘Engineer your Business’ forum in April 2005, organised by Linda Boize, Business Development Manager for West Sussex together with the School of Engineering.
In partnership with Chichester District Council’s Economic Development Team, 20 senior managers from engineering and manufacturing businesses in the Chichester area were invited to meet the university’s engineers and to hear about how the university works with business.
Convened in Northshore’s brand new factory, with their high-quality yachts in the background, John Hiltunen, Sales Director, started the Forum with an introduction to Northshore’s business and boats, setting the scene for the tour of their workshops and yachts later in the day. John then handed over to the university’s engineers. The Head of the School of Engineering, Mark Jones, and the School’s Graeme Awcock and Tim Katz talked about their experiences and explained how the university works with businesses. Drew Hoggatt, MD of Paxton Access Ltd in Brighton, followed this with a review of his company’s relationship with the School which has developed over about seven years. This has included student placements, KTP programmes, and employment of graduates. The relationship continues to thrive with frequent and mutually beneficial contact. Andrew Lloyd, Dean of Faculty then rounded off the university’s presentations with examples of other successful working partnerships and how to get started with the university.
Reflecting on this over lunch, Mark Jones said 'This event, where we have the opportunity to talk in depth to business managers, gives us an excellent opportunity to lay the foundations of solid understandings and relationships with businesses, and we’re looking forward to developing these over the coming months. We welcome these contacts. They keep us directly involved in the commercial world and offer the School’s staff and students challenging problems and issues to resolve. ”
Beepurple off to a roaring start
05.04.2005
The beepurple entrepreneurship network got off to a roaring start with two very successful business start-up workshops held at Grand Parade and Eastbourne.
Jane North, business development manager for entrepreneurship, who is
delivering a series of four workshops, said: "Over a hundred staff and
students attended the intensive two-hour sessions which identified
attributes and skills for entrepreneurship, and introduced key topics
such as market research. The workshops have proved highly popular and
are regularly over-subscribed.
"beepurple's reputation is growing, both within and outside the
university. We have had to turn away non-university entrepreneurs from
the beepurple course which is exclusively for the university community.
There is growing attendance by alumni and one of Brighton's largest
employers has expressed an interest in the course. "
Beepurple presents multimillionaire Brighton graduate Martin Webb
05.04.2005
Wednesday 13th April 2005
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Room 228, Mithras House, Lewes Road.
Multimillionaire University of Brighton Business Studies graduate Martin Webb is April’s beepurple entrepreneurship speaker. Martin Webb created a multimillion pound business in Brighton. Open to all University of Brighton students, post grads and staff entrance is free.
The Bright Ideas programme, managed by the University of Brighton’s Entrepreneurship Manager, Jane L. North, supports innovative and entrepreneurial students, staff and alumni, through beepurple services and stand alone projects.
Press profile: Mr. Webb, 39, a University of Brighton business graduate, set
up the successful C-Side chain of pubs with his business partner Simon Kirby
in the 1990s before selling out for £17 million. He also has a
chain of pubs in London. Mr. Webb established the first charity pub in the
UK, plans to open another in Hove, and at least three others in and around
the city. Although the Robin Hood is run on a commercial basis, all profits
go to charity, and it is registered as such so little tax is paid apart from
VAT. The pub has so far raised £6,000. Cheques for £1,000 have
been handed to Brunswick Older People’s Project, Off The Fence Charity,
the Leo House Hospice Project, Brighton Body Positive, Fun and Action for Children
and the Brighton Women’s Refuge Project. Mr. Webb says “We plan
to make donations to charity every six weeks. We cover the running costs of
the pub and then distribute the profits. I am glad the idea has caught on.
It is good to be giving something back to my home city, which has been good
to me in the past”.
Argus – December 2004.
