news 9 PSP’s sponsorship pays dividends


Sponsor of the 45th Southampton Boat Show and global logistics firm PSP is hoping to open joint venture offices in the USA and South Africa and increase its turnover by at least £1 million as a direct result of its Clipper Round the World Yacht Race sponsorship.


The Segensworth-based firm plans to achieve this growth by penetrating markets overseas, making in-roads at four of the stopovers the race makes around the globe: South Africa, Singapore, China and the USA.


Official logistics partner for the race for the third event running, PSP will fly out to the four stopovers and set up ’pop up’ offices within the race village, hoping that face-to-face meetings will help it win business over competitors.


The race takes place every two years featuring amateur sailors battling it out on the water in a series of races for 11 months. They are joined by professional skippers on the 70-foot, stripped down


racing yachts and stop at countries including Brazil, Australia, China and South Africa.


Managing director Frank Dixie said: “Our sponsorship of the PSP Southampton Boat Show helped us boost our marine division to account for 20% of our turnover. More than that, it allowed us to break into the heavily- competitive market and provide


University launches free online study programme


The University of Southampton has launched its first Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which will enable anyone to study online, without charge, wherever they are in the world.


A MOOC is a free study programme which is designed to be studied online by large numbers of participants. To take part, no previous experience is required, there is no admission interview and no need to have ever studied online or even in higher education.


Vice-chancellor professor Don Nutbeam said: “This represents an exciting opportunity for the University to be at the forefront of educational innovation in the UK and engage a wide community of learners.


“I have been deeply impressed by the enthusiasm that has been observable within the University community for MOOCs, much of it inspired by a commitment to improve access to world-class learning opportunities to millions


around the world who otherwise would have little or no access.“


The first MOOC offered by the University is in the pioneering discipline of Web Science, which will start on November 11. Web Science is a new subject area that Southampton is at the forefront of, which aims to provide a thorough understanding of the Web as a social and technical phenomenon, so very apt given the ambition of MOOCs.


The MOOCs will last between six and eight weeks, each requiring two to three hours of study per week. Participants can either choose to complete the whole programme, or elect to dip into particular topics of interest as and when time allows.


They will have recorded lectures, selected readings, planned learning activities and online formative multiple-choice tests. There will also be a discussion forum based around weekly topics that promote lively debate.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2013


a real alternative logistics partner for race teams, sailors and boat manufacturers.


“We are looking to extend that growth through our latest sponsorship of a team in the Clipper Race and I am confident that we can boost our turnover by £1m, if not £2m, as a direct result of the relationships we make in the next 11 months.“


As well as the opportunities presented at the stopovers, PSP will benefit from brand exposure across the world as its team competes, particularly in Panama, as this year, the leg from San Francisco to Panama will be called the PSP Logistics Challenge to mark the 100th anniversary of the structure. The winning team will be awarded the PSP Logistics trophy.


PSP’s sponsorship of a team and boat in the Clipper 13-14 Round the World Yacht Race follows a pledge it made at last year’s Southampton Boat Show to support the show, the marine industry and the sport of sailing.


Marine brands of all sizes unveiled new models and equipment at the Show, which is the biggest annual event on the South Coast, attracting around 120,000 visitors.


Plymouth-based Princess launched three new models – the 88MY, V48 and Princess 43, and saw sales rise 10% in the past financial year to £250m.


NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH


THE SOLENT 250 LISTING


Is your company in the new Solent 250 list of the top private businesses in the region?


Where do you feature?


Don’t miss our special report and the full listing in the November issue.


www.businessmag.co.uk


www.businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44