Staff at Bath-based EIP were recently celebrating after receiving a Queen's Award - the UK's highest accolade for business success.
EIP, a firm of Intellectual property attorneys and solicitors, won the award for International Trade in recognition of having increased its overseas sales by 136% over the last three years. Attention has been given to winning business both in the USA and Japan, which together now account for 81% of overseas sales.
EIP has seven staff, including patent attorneys and support staff, based at offices in Circus Mews in Bath. The firm opened its Bath office in 2007 and has increased its presence in the city steadily, winning local clients including the University of Bath.
Commenting on the award, partner Jerome Spaargaren said: "The Queen's Awards represent outstanding achievement by UK companies, and everyone at EIP is delighted and proud to receive the award for International Trade. EIP began as a single practitioner firm in 2000, so to receive this award in only our thirteenth year is a real achievement for such a young company.
"Since EIP opened its office in Circus Mews six years ago, the firm has evolved considerably in terms of the services it provides, and the breadth of technology areas it covers. EIP will continue to expand, and we expect to move into larger premises in the city to accommodate further planned recruitment in 2013."
The Queen's Awards are made annually by HM The Queen, and are only given for the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category. Approximately 150 Queen's Awards have been announced this year for outstanding business achievements in International Trade, Innovation, and Sustainable Development.
Low Carbon South West member, Esoterix, were recently praised by Shell Springboard judges for their application of technology to encourage commuters to ditch their cars in favour of a low carbon alternative.
Esoterix made the competition final for its commuting service, buxi, which uses technology to offer passengers journeys of taxi-like convenience at the cost of a bus journey, or less.
In its annual, nationwide competition, Shell Springboard searches for the nation's best carbon saving innovations. Esoterix was one of eight companies that showcased their ideas at the regional finals in Oxford on 23rd April.
"We're delighted to have been chosen from 120 applicants as a Shell Springboard finalist," says marketing director Liz Davidson. "That they recognise and endorse the potential of our idea reinforces our conviction that buxi can make a difference to carbon emissions."
"But buxi is about more than carbon, it is about people. Our aim is to provide a travel-to-work service that is so good, it gives two-car families the option to sell the second car and use that money for something else."
Roger Welch, chair of judges of the Shell Springboard final, singled out Esoterix for their innovative use of technology to prise commuters out of their cars. Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent Secretary to DECC, also made a keynote address at the award ceremony.
Bristol Green Doors are happy to announce the dates for this year's event as 28/29 September 2013. They are looking for householders (homeowners, tenants and landlords) who have or are in the process of retrofitting their homes to make them more energy smart.
The previous events have been great successes with over 5000 visits across more than 80 homes, with visitors benefiting from knowledge and understanding of measures they could implement as well as service providers being able to showcase their products and services in homes they have worked on to help inspire others to make their homes a more comfortable, affordable and low-carbon place to live.
If you are interested in being involved this year or have any clients that you think might be please visit their website www.bristolgreendoors.org/events/september-2013 to find out more about the event, view the criteria for being involved and apply on-line to take part by 24 May 2013.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how to get involved as a service provider then do please get in touch with Katharine Wall (
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), this year's Event Manager.
The new University Technical College (UTC), which is being created in Bristol to nurture local talent in the fields of technology and engineering, has announced the appointment of Alan Bailey as Chair of its Business Forum.
Alan Bailey, joint founder of Brunel Industries, which specialises in the commercialisation of energy efficient and low carbon technologies, and Chairman of Low Carbon South West, one of the UK's largest trade bodies representing environmental technology and service providers, will be responsible for facilitating and driving engagement between the Bristol Technical & Engineering (BTE) Academy UTC and the regional and national business community.
Alan said: "The West of England is a major hub for innovation in the technology sector. The BTE Academy will help deliver the next generation of engineers and technology specialists, reinforce Bristol's position as a centre of excellence for these talents, and provide a significant boost to the local economy. "In addition, as someone who is actively and heavily involved in the fast growing clean technology sector I am delighted to be involved as this will support our industry."
"I am looking forward to utilising my connections for the mutual benefit of the UTC and the business community it will serve, thereby ensuring a stream of skilled workers and outlets for their talents, and making our UTC one of the best in the country".
Lynn Merilion, Chair of the UTC, added: "It's great to have Alan on board. He is a significant figurehead in the region for the environmental technology and services sector, which will be a key beneficiary of the UTC in the future."
The BTE Academy, to be opened in September 2013, is being developed in partnership with employers Rolls Royce, Airbus and GKN Aerospace, as well as the University of the West of England and the City of Bristol College. For more information, please visit: www.bteacademy.co.uk
We were delighted to welcome Cleo Newcombe-Jones, Planning Policy & Environment specialist from Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) to the April instalment of our regularLow Carbon Business Breakfasts. Cleo introduced B&NES planning department's brand new low carbon building guidance; the Sustainable Construction and Retrofitting Supplementary Planning Document.
This document was produced as sustainability becomes an ever-more crucial element of any building design, and the council departments have experienced a growing number of enquiries regarding green building and retrofit. The document will be a welcome addition to the green building landscape, as the City of Bath and surrounding areas face the challenge of a move to a low carbon society whilst a large proportion of the buildings are listed or of heritage or historical significance.
The document, which was the product of two years' work and input from over a dozen local businesses and organisations including the Bath Preservation Trust,Centre for Sustainable Energy and English Heritagehas been very well received and will be an essential point of reference for industry professionals and members of the public alike, both in B&NES and further afield.
The easy-to -read and cheerfully illustrated report introduces 24 green retrofit options from solar panels to green roofs, rating them on an environmental and cost effectiveness basis, clearly stating whether the work requires planning permission or is notifiable to building control.
Unlike other reports that have been published in the past, the scope of this document goes beyond heritage buildings and studies five typical house styles that can be found in the locality, from a 17th century detached cottage and a Georgian townhouse through to a modern post-1985 new-build.
This event was part of the Bath Green Homes programme and also highlighted the success of the recent Green Living Fair which in its first year provided an exhibition space for over 40 local businesses, organisations and community groups.
The full version of the B&NES Sustainable Construction and Retrofitting Supplementary Planning Document can be downloaded at www.bathnes.co.uk/greenbuild
Upcoming event:
We look forward to continuing our discussion on low carbon buildings at our next LCBB on May 21st 2013. We are lucky to have Prof Pete Walker of University of Bath and Tim Mander of Integral Engineering Design who will be talking about their seven year joint research project into in the development of prefabricated straw bale construction, focussing on two local projects: BaleHaus at the University of Bath and the Nucleus Building at Hayesfield School. Please click here for more information and to book online.
