22 roundtable: technology in the thames valley ... continued from previous page
Sykes pointed out that with markets emerging elsewhere in the world, the powerbase and spending authority has shifted. EMEA budgets in Thames Valley offices were now coming under greater central control from US head offices. “Now, 70% of our work comes through corporate HQs in the US. Funding in the region is now in an odd situation.”
Devall re-iterated that businesses need innovation and London accelerators had been funded relatively cheaply. “The reason they exist is because if one of their ideas
comes to fruition then those investing have made a fortune.”
Sykes suggested corporate CSR budgets might be better allocated to investments in the community such as start-up hubs rather than sponsorships of roundabouts.
Clarke summed up: “While ConnectTVT has made some headway in supporting the start-up community, there is a need to think through how we create a collaborative environment for the region's new technology businesses and innovators. The Thames Valley has a strong tech record and has a lot to offer start-ups in terms of resources. We just need to make it easier for them to connect to them.”
The Roundtable concluded that while technology was still the key business sector in helping to define the Thames Valley, debating the region’s future as a tech centre was a worthwhile exercise. There was no room for complacency.
David Murray
Overall, the feeling was upbeat. Many tech companies were thriving in the region, and the Thames Valley still had a huge amount to offer – both to incumbent IT businesses and to newcomers.
Joe Solari SPONSORS
New legal sponsor joins Southern Tech 100 team
One of the world’s leading intellectual property specialists, Marks & Clerk LLP, has joined the line-up of sponsors for the Southern Tech 100, 2015
The firm, which has an office in Oxford, advises clients globally on all aspects of IP. Work covers trademarks, patents, litigation, domain names, designs, copyright and due diligence.
The Southern Tech 100 lists the top 100 private IT and telecoms companies in the region, which together employ nearly 18,000 people and generate £5.8 billion in sales.
Marks & Clerk joins global bank Barclays and recruitment specialists GCS in supporting The Business Magazine’s annual listing of the top-100 private, independent technology companies in an area stretching from Banbury to the Isle of Wight.
At the top of the list once again this year was £1b turnover IT product supplier Westcoast. Fast risers included Softcat, Enrichment Technology and Pulsant.
www.businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – NOVEMBER 2014
Announcing its support of the Southern Tech 100 campaign, Marks & Clerk said: “We are really looking forward to coming on board as sponsors of the Southern Tech 100, as it gives us another opportunity to engage with technology companies across the Thames Valley and Solent regions.
“As patent and trademark attorneys, we work closely with start-ups through to major corporations to help them protect
SPONSORS 2015
and commercialise their intellectual property assets, like inventions and brands, in domestic and international markets.“
Marks & Clerk has 10 partners at its offices at Oxford Science Park. The firm also has offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, as well as in France, China, Singapore, Australia, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and Canada.
The renowned Chambers legal directory says Marks & Clerk is “noted for its international capability and efficiency of operation“. The firm enjoyed “an impressive standing in terms of size and coverage“.
Details:
www.marks-clerk.com
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 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60