The Elite Cambridge Business Circle NEXT MEETING

You and your colleagues are cordially invited to attend the next business breakfast networking meeting of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle, which will take place at 8am (concluding at 10am) on Wednesday 14 December in the boardroom of the Clydesdale Bank, 13-15 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1NL.


[Pictured: Elite Cambridge Business Circle executive chairman Norman Geddes and managing director Murdoch MacDonald.]

The theme is “The Prospects for Cambridge Business in 2012”.

As usual, there will be a stellar panel of platform speakers, including:

* John Bridge OBE, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce
* Andrew McGahey and Andrew Gordon, Directors, Lambert Smith Hampton
* Ken Ford, Chairman at Brainjuicer Group PLC
* Charles Nixon, Chairman and a founding director of Cambridge Marketing Colleges
* Claire Ruskin Member of PA’s Management Group at PA Consulting Group and CEO (Interim) at Cambridge Network
* Alastair Fish, Business Restructuring Manager at BDO LLP

After the main speakers, there will follow an informal discussion chaired by Jenny Chapman, Business Editor of Cambridge News.

In addition, the meeting will provide another excellent opportunity to network with other top Cambridgeshire business people.

The cost is £10 per delegate, which includes bacon rolls (or vegetarian alternative if you pre-order), tea, coffee and juice.

To book, please send your cheque payable to 1MarketPlace Ltd to:

Elite Cambridge Business Circle
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
KA7 2AY

If you wish to pay electronically online, please phone or e-mail for account details.

Murdoch MacDonald
Managing Director
The Elite Cambridge Business Circle
Telephone: 01292 281498
Mobile: 07833 667322
E-mail: murdochmacdonald@hotmail.com

Cambridge Consultants spins out Aveillant to get wind farms turning

New high-tech radar company removes key barrier to wind energy expansion

Cambridge Consultants, creator of a stable of successful high-tech start-ups, today announced the spin out of Aveillant with venture investment from DFJ Esprit and AIFCL, the wind industry fund.


[Pictured: Aveillant's founders Craig Webster, left, and Gordon Oswald.]

Aveillant’s technology will remove the concerns about aviation safety and air defence that are holding back growth in the wind energy industry. Wind turbines in motion can mimic aircraft on an air traffic controller’s radar screen. Aveillant will provide airfields with the accurate radar data needed to eliminate the potential confusion this could cause, without any resulting loss or compromise in performance. The need is urgent; currently 66% of all wind farm applications, equating to 6.5 gigawatts of electricity, are being delayed due to this problem in the UK alone. The launch of Aveillant is a crucial step towards removing a key barrier to harvesting clean energy around the world.

Aveillant’s business will be to supply equipment and services that will reconcile wind turbines with radar. As aircraft fly above wind farms, current radar systems have struggled to distinguish between the aircraft and the rotating turbine blades, potentially causing air traffic controllers to lose sight of the aircraft on primary radar display screens. This can also cause vulnerability for national air defence. Proposed solutions already available lead to undesirable compromises either in radar coverage, sensitivity or accuracy. Aveillant’s wind turbine mitigation approach has been developed in consultation with all the key stakeholders, including wind farm developers, airport operators, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The result is a single mitigation technology that promises to meet both civil and MoD requirements, and will be cost-effective even for smaller wind farms, as well as generating jobs in the green energy sector.


Aveillant will exploit a new step-change in the development of radar technology in the form of its proprietary 3D holographic radar. The Aveillant solution will be able to recognise the presence and position of even small aircraft in the vicinity of the largest wind turbines, providing a level of accuracy that will assure safe separation of aircraft and turbine in the most demanding airspace. This capability was recognised in 2009 when successful trials of a small scale system for the MoD led to sponsorship for a proposal to the DECC’s Aviation Advisory panel. Consequently, it was the leading radar in-fill solution to be selected by the UK Government’s Aviation Management Board in 2010, and received offers of financial support from the Wind Industry.

This first part of a multi-million pound investment is being funded though a consortium of Cambridge Consultants, venture capitalist DFJ Esprit, and the Wind Industry’s funding body, the Aviation Investment Fund Company Ltd (AIFCL). Founders Gordon Oswald and Craig Webster from Cambridge Consultants are both joining Aveillant.

Ray Edgson, Ventures Director at Cambridge Consultants, said: “The unique radar offering is a result of our extensive work with aviation and wind energy stakeholders to create a technical solution which fully meets their requirements. At Cambridge Consultants we have a long history of spinning out successful companies, and we are confident we will see Aveillant go on to do the same.”

Alan Duncan, Managing Partner at DFJ Esprit, commented: “The demand for renewable energy is a global one, with governments around the world setting ambitious renewable energy targets. Aveillant provides us with an opportunity to invest in an industry leading 3D radar and a services business capable of unlocking the global potential of thousands of wind turbines, and the millions of units of renewable energy they will produce.”

Simon Christian, Chairman of the AIFCL, added: “The AIFCL was set up to support the development of technology which would eliminate the radar concerns, and we are pleased to be assisting in bringing this technology to fruition. Aveillant’s solution promises to do this without any loss of ability to the current systems, and we look forward to having the technology available to us.”

Cambridge Consultants has created more than 20 companies in the past 50 years. Five of them have gone on to be listed on the London Stock Exchange, and several have been sold in multi-million pound deals. The company has created over a billion pounds worth of value and more than 3,000 jobs through its spin outs, and is seen by many as a founding father of the Cambridge Phenomenon.

For further Questions and Answers on Aveillant please CLICK HERE.

Industry leaders explore road to efficient transport in new report

Workshop hosted by Cambridge Consultants offers market-driven efficiency measures to reduce transportation’s carbon footprint without costly infrastructure projects

Cambridge Consultants, a leading design and development firm, has released a report discussing the critical needs and opportunities presented by ageing and inefficient transport systems across Europe. The report, entitled “The Efficient Journey: Creating a commercial reality or just a dream?” is the culmination of a 24-hour transport workshop hosted by Cambridge Consultants that included experts from TomTom, Siemens AG, British Gas, and other industry and academic leaders in the transport and energy space.


The report examines the current situation in the transport sector and defines the “efficient journey” as the one with the smallest carbon footprint with most economic and social benefits. It also explores the many factors in business and customer transportation decisions, which go far beyond CO2 emissions, looking at how to modify behaviour and the use of market signals to achieve better outcomes. The report also includes several case studies looking at major shifts in transportation behaviour, government projects and market driven solutions, examining projects from Los Angeles to Stockholm.


The report suggests several possible solutions to decrease transport’s carbon footprint. Controlling price is a notable tool, including price increases on less efficient travel methods, and higher pricing as a load balancing tool during peak travel times. Intriguingly, mobile devices could play a significant role in allowing consumers to make better-informed decisions. Sophisticated automotive ‘Black Boxes’ could provide data to Pay-as-You Drive insurance, in-vehicle driver advice (e.g. the optimum gear for a given speed) and fuel monitoring. Social media could also play a key role, as real-time information-sharing among peers gains increasing influence over behaviour.


Four broad categories are identified by which to measure “the efficient journey”: transportation, technological, economic and experiential. These cover costs (economic, financial and social), fuel efficiency, energy storage, resource allocation and traveller experience. Once the goal of diminishing travel’s carbon footprint is established, some disagreement on how to address the goal drives competition, and competition drives innovative solutions.

“Behaviour will not change based purely on scientific arguments, particularly when it comes to travel choices. With transport accounting for 20-25 percent of world energy consumption, we must be resolute in our determination to effect significant change in infrastructure, technology and consumer decisions,” said Dr. Liz Orme, Commercial Director of Energy and Transport, Cambridge Consultants. “Surprisingly, large government funded infrastructure projects are not necessarily the solution. Our conversations suggest that governments need to set broader transportation goals and then focus on market mechanisms to drive behavioural changes and allow competition to drive innovation.”

Cambridge Consultants are innovators in the development of transport applications, specialising in intelligent transport systems that function at the interface between technology and operations. Deploying techniques such as active traffic management, transport RADAR and NMCS compatibility, Cambridge Consultants’ team of engineers and experts have enabled their clients to resolve the challenges and demands placed on today’s transport infrastructure.

To request a full copy of “The Efficient Journey” CLICK HERE

About Cambridge Consultants

Cambridge Consultants develops breakthrough products, creates and licenses intellectual property, and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. For over 50 years, the company has been helping its clients turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether they are launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies. With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications.

Created by three Cambridge graduates in 1960, the company has grown into a leading technology business, renowned worldwide for its ability to solve technical problems and provide innovative, practical solutions to commercial issues. In 2009, the company was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. For more information visit: www.CambridgeConsultants.com

Cambridge Consultants is part of Altran, the European leader in innovation and high technology consulting. The Group’s 17,500 consultants, operating worldwide, cover the entire range of engineering specialities, including electronics, information technology, quality and organisation. Altran offers its clients ongoing support throughout the innovation cycle, from technology watch, applied basic research and management consulting to industrial systems engineering and information systems. The Group provides services to most industries, including the automotive, aeronautics, space, life sciences and telecommunications sectors. Founded in 1982, Altran operates in 20 priority countries. In 2010, it generated a turnover of €1,430 million. For more information visit: www.altran.com

East of England business investment intentions strong despite economic uncertainty

Businesses in the East of England continue to feel affected by economic uncertainty and market volatility but are more confident about their own prospects than that of the wider economy over the next twelve months.

According to new research by Clydesdale Bank, over half (59%) of the businesses questioned in the region expect to increase turnover in the year ahead, despite just over a quarter (28%) being confident the economy will return to healthy growth.


[Pictured: Martin Guildford, Managing Partner of Clydesdale Bank’s Cambridge Financial Solutions Centre.]

Despite concerns about the economy, 39% are planning to invest at least five per cent of turnover back into their business in the next 12 months with the leading investment priorities being new staff (39%), training (30%), new equipment (29%), and developing new products and services (25%).

The most pressing concerns for businesses in the East of England are fluctuating fuel prices and rising corporation tax, with just over a quarter (26%) and more than a fifth (22%) citing these issues as the key factors in their businesses’ future growth respectively.

Martin Guildford, Managing Partner of Clydesdale Bank’s Cambridge Financial Solutions Centre, said: “Businesses in this region are clearly more confident about their own prospects and in control of their own destiny, than they are for the wider economy, despite the impact of rising fuel and materials prices.

“Our research highlighted what businesses in the East feel will help them and the economy, with increased consumer spending and confidence (22%) and low interest rates (20%) coming out as the key drivers to economic growth. It is inevitable that there will continue to be bumps in the road to economic recovery, but UK businesses should continue to focus on their own strengths.”

Across the industries, IT and telecoms businesses appear to be the most confident with more than half (51%) expecting increased turnover of at least five per cent in the next 12 months. Healthcare and education businesses are the least confident with only 32% and 23% respectively expecting similar growth.

This is mirrored in their investment intentions, with 59% of IT and telecoms businesses planning to invest at least five per cent of their turnover back into the business compared to only 27% of education-focused businesses.

Martin continued: “Clydesdale Bank is working with companies across the region, which have the confidence to invest so they can target new markets, launch new products or take on more staff.

“Our commitment to supporting trading businesses is stronger than ever and we continue to attract growing numbers of owner-managed small and medium sized businesses plus mid-corporates. Good businesses with strong management and robust business plans will generally find support. This is evidenced by the fact that we recently met our promise, three months ahead of schedule, to deliver our two-year pledge to advance £10 billion of new lending to business and personal customers."

This further support for small businesses builds on Clydesdale Bank’s Investing for Growth support package which it introduced last spring and offers both new and existing business customers a dedicated planning service and a more flexible approach to lending. Loan repayment holidays, interest-only repayments and extended loan and credit facilities are just some of the flexible support options available under the Investing for Growth initiative which also includes a dedicated financial planning service.

* The research was carried out between June 13, 2011 and June 27, 2011. Sample: 1,321 UK Adults working in companies with a turnover of at least £1 million.

Clydesdale Bank

Clydesdale Bank is part of the National Australia Bank Group. Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and, as one of Scotland’s largest banks, has a proud history of innovation and support for Scottish industry and communities as well as a significant presence in London and the South of England. With its sister bank, Yorkshire Bank, Clydesdale has 339 retail branches across Scotland, the North of England and the Midlands, and 73 Financial Solutions Centres throughout the UK, which offer customers a highly integrated business and private banking service.

Financial Solutions Centres

Financial Solutions Centres (FSC) focus on the communities in which they operate. Each of the UK-wide network of 73 FSCs offers a tailored range of business and private banking services under one roof. A team of specialist partners provide customers with end-to-end solutions for all of their banking needs. Each customer benefits from the in-depth expertise of a dedicated relationship partner who takes the time to get to know them and their business and is able to make fast, local decisions. In addition to banking services, the FSCs also operate as a hub for local business, with a range of networking opportunities and meeting facilities available as a benefit of membership.

Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre in Cambridge is a Founder Member of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle.

Founded in 2009, we celebrate and report the wealth and rich diversity of business and entrepreneurial excellence that abounds here in Cambridgeshire.


Frazer Coogans Commercial Solicitors senior partner Norman Geddes (above left) is executive chairman of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle, and managing director is public relations consultancy Fame Publicity Services proprietor Murdoch MacDonald (above right).

www.CambridgeshireBusinessNews.com

BDO reports business sentiment bleak across the board

UK’s manufacturing malaise wrecks recovery

Business confidence declined across the board this month as the already bleak outlook for UK companies worsened, according to the latest Business Trends report by accountants and business advisors BDO LLP. UK businesses now expect to see little economic growth over the next six months.

As last month’s Business Trends report predicted, growth has been profoundly hampered by ongoing fragility in the manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing output index – a measure of orders on hand and a good guide to manufacturing growth one quarter ahead – has fallen to 93.9, below the 95 level which indicates contraction of the industry, and the lowest since October 2009 when the economy was tentatively emerging from recession. The manufacturing optimism index – which reflects how businesspeople expect trade to develop over the next six months - has now stayed below the 95 level for two months, suggesting that manufacturing will remain mired in recessionary conditions past the turn of the year.

However, one bright spot for manufacturing employers is that wages continue to remain firmly under control, with year-on-year pay growth between March and May 2011 at 1.0%, compared with 2.1% across all sectors.

The services sector, while not declining like the manufacturing sector, has been hovering around 95 for both optimism (95.5) and output (95.3) for over a year. This points to zero growth in the sector for the rest of 2011.


Peter Hemington, Partner, BDO LLP (pictured above) commented: “As our data has suggested for some time, the UK’s economic recovery continues to falter. The rapid decline of the manufacturing sector, championed as the key to a rebalancing of the UK economy, is alarming. And the services sector is showing little sign of picking up the slack.”

The economy’s problems are compounded by inflation; this month the BDO inflation index reached a 35-month high. Moreover, these inflationary pressures show little sign of decreasing, as double-digit price increases for electricity and gas, due to take effect in September, are likely to aggravate the situation.

Peter Hemington continued: “The Government faced some very difficult choices when it came to office and its decision to give public borrowing first priority may well have preserved the UK from getting embroiled in its very own sovereign debt crisis. Unfortunately, a key side effect of this policy was that business confidence plummeted last year and has remained low ever since. Manufacturing was one of the few bright spots, but this is now in a contractionary phase.

“One can’t pretend that it’s easy to see what the government should do next, but we should not forget that continued low growth is as substantial a medium term threat to the UK’s credit worthiness as continued high borrowing is in the short term. The need to tackle inefficiency and overspending in the public sector remains clear. In addition, we believe that a greater focus on supply side measures to improve UK competitiveness is vital. This would include simplifying and making the tax system more attractive, continued reform of labour market regulation and looking hard at ways to improve the quality of the UK’s infrastructure.

“And in the past, we have been keen to see that QE remains on the MPC’s agenda – we see no reason to change this view.”

To view a copy of the report, click here: Business Trends Report August 2011

LINKS:

BDO

BBC Interview with Peter Hemington

Elite Cambridge Business Circle NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle will be at 8am - 10am on Thursday 15 September in the boardroom of the Clydesdale Bank, 13-15 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1NL.


[Pictured: Elite Cambridge Business Circle executive chairman Norman Geddes and managing director Murdoch MacDonald.]

As well as providing another excellent opportunity to network with other top Cambridgeshire business people, the meeting will also feature expert presentations on the present state and future prospects of the commercial property market,and the local, UK and world economies, cloud computing, and whether a a business plan is really necessary.

The meeting will be chaired by Jenny Chapman, Business Editor of Cambridge News.

The cost is £10 per delegate, which includes bacon rolls or vegetarian alternative, tea, coffee and juice.

To book, please send your cheque payable to 1MarketPlace Ltd to:

Elite Cambridge Business Circle
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
KA7 2AY

Murdoch MacDonald
Managing Director
The Elite Cambridge Business Circle
Telephone: 01292 281498
Mobile: 07833 667322