22 business focus
Plans for Reading’s new innovation hub
GROW@Green Park started life as a pop-up innovation hub in September with the aim of providing a three-month programme of support, as well as a space to collaborate, for those developing innovation in the region
During this time the hub has gained the support of the local tech community and put the spotlight on some of the new technology ideas, thinking and businesses coming out of the region, from open data services to new ways to manage healthcare.
In November, the hub launched Thames Valley Tech Week, bringing together a series of events around new ideas in tech, problem solving and innovation. These events included local students and experienced mentors working together to apply ‘design thinking’ to Reading’s transport challenges and industry discussions focused on the opportunities and challenges brought about by the Internet of Things. Pitch nights put some of the region’s new talent in
front of technologists from some of the world’s leading technology companies. Skills nights promoted the resources and expertise that technology businesses can draw upon in the region from the fields of sales and marketing, engineering and business development.
The success of those first months have now paved the way for a more permanent fixture in the Thames Valley’s tech scene. Thanks to the support of Oxford Properties and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, GROW@Green Park has been granted a two-year tenancy, extending to 2016, which allows the hub to continue to bring more resources, events and collaboration opportunities to our local tech start-ups, entrepreneurs
and innovators, and the people who support their success.
Run by ConnectTVT, the hub welcomes anyone with an interest in innovation and is keen to help more start-ups and entrepreneurs as they develop their ideas, offering co-working space and an exciting calendar of tech focused events. The hub is also available for meetings and as a venue for local events.
Following the success of Thames Valley Tech Week, ConnectTVT is currently planning a Spring event around digital disruption (watch this space for more details). There are also plans to develop lab space at the hub, which will connect the technology hobbyist with the commercial world, as well as an app lab and digital skills workshops that will offer cost- effective resources for businesses looking to broaden their digital footprint.
Rowan Dartington: How we do it?
Welcome to the final article in the series of three about Rowan Dartington. So far we have covered who we are and what we do; this instalment will explain how we do it, writes John Scurlock-Davies
There is a lot of competition, so how do we deliver award-winning returns? There can be an unfair image depicted of a stockbroker: tie askew, feet on desk, throwing darts at the latest edition of the Financial Times to select the next “investment” on behalf of his hapless clients. We do not do this. Instead we combine exhaustive research to form part of our investment process, which is then implemented through market- leading software with oversight from highly-qualified investment professionals.
Research starts with an in-house analyst delving into the balance sheet of a company prior to meeting the management, attending results presentations and perhaps even arranging site visits. This can provide insight into the company, its management,
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operations and outlook before a single share is purchased. Once a company has been researched in detail and found favour it can be added to the Rowan Dartington “core list” of actively researched shares rated 'hold', 'buy' or 'conviction buy'.
Rowan Dartington’s proprietary bespoke software, the Portfolio Management System, can then be used to identify clients for whom the purchase of such a share is appropriate given their investment objective (ie capital growth, income or a balance between the two) and risk appetite, before a qualified investment manager identifies the most apposite time to execute the purchase. Doing so can be preceded by the sale of another security which is less favourably viewed than the subsequent purchase.
This whole process is shaped by a combination of Rowan Dartington’s investment committee and asset allocation committee. The former provides 'bottom-up' guidance at a security level while the latter gives 'top-down' direction at an asset-allocation level and the team was recently enhanced by the hiring of John Betteridge, who had previously been with Prudential and while there, was responsible for the management of around £150 billion of assets.
All of this may seem rather academic and perhaps aloof, and overlooks one of the most important aspects of wealth management; knowing and understanding the client, their requirements and expectations, and building a working relationship that persists for many years. This approach, combined with our ability to understand and manage our clients’ requirements and expectations, gives our proposition a very promising future.
If you would like to discuss how Rowan Dartington can help achieve your investment goals contact John Scurlock-Davies, Reading branch manager, to arrange an appointment.
Details: John Scurlock-Davies 0118-4020929
Louize Clarke
If you would like further information about the hub and ConnectTVT initiatives visit www.
connecttvt.co.uk or simply pop in and see the team at the hub, which is open Monday– Friday (with a late night opening until 9pm on Wednesdays) or contact Louize Clarke on the number below.
Details: Louize Clarke
louize@connecttvt.co.uk 07854-189407
www.connecttvt.co.uk
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – FEBRUARY 2015
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