Leeds Innovation Centre partner Armstrong Watson can help you to ensure that your patent income in structured to benefit from the large projected savings from the Patent Box.

To find out more contact:
Steven Holmes 0808 144 5575 (r&d@armstrongwatson.co.uk)

www.armstrongwatson.co.uk

The turnaround and restructuring team has grown from strength to strength in recent years, expanding from a small team of two to an award winning team of eight. Corporate Recovery Partners, Mike Kienlen and Dave Robson are pleased with the recognition the team has received after winning Boutique Restructuring Firm of the year for three consecutive years, a feat never before achieved!

The award, from the Endless LLP St Nick Awards held in Leeds on the 12th December 2011, completes the hat trick for Armstrong Watson in this category after the team first won in 2009, going on to win again in 2010, and celebrates their position as the ‘Best specialist accountancy firm for turnaround and insolvency services’ in the Yorkshire area.

If you would like to know more about Corporate Recovery services visit www.armstrongwatson.co.uk
Armstrong Watson is a Northern based accountancy firm with the Leeds Office specialising in helping all sizes of Owner Managed Business.

As a tenant of Leeds Innovation Centre, you are eligible for a free initial consultation.
To find out more about Armstrong Watson and what they could do for you contact Steven Holmes on
0113 2211300
steven.holmes@armstrongwatson.co.uk.

David Lewis of Nochex, a long-term Tenant of the Centre said “This membership is invaluable to us.  Having met staff from the Leeds Chamber and some of the suppliers here at today’s launch event, we will most definately be taking advantage of everything the membership has to offer”.

There’s no doubting Nick Butler’s enthusiasm. The Connect Yorkshire chief executive is a bundle of energy when we meet for a chat about the tenth anniversary landmark of the organisation.  

Established in 2001 on a successful model that had been pioneered in San Diego in the United States, Connect Yorkshire has helped companies win more than £45m of investment.  

It was originally set up by Mr Butler, who had retired as a lawyer at DLA Piper, with support from a number of other professionals and  companies.  

Its first meeting was held at Salts Mill in Saltaire and involved executives from Pace as well as David Rhodes of Filtronic. 

Having made a promising start, Connect Yorkshire attracted funding from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to the tune of £300,000 a year, as well as financial support from private sector organisations from around the region.  

Mr Butler says Connect Yorkshire has exceeded Yorkshire Forwars’s targets by more than 150%, having assisted companies to win big slugs of investment.  

The organisation helps fledgling businesses with support such as compiling business plans and also has a network of private equity and venture capital investors on its books. It also has access to more than 45 private sector sponsors.  

Connect Yorkshire regularly holds events where companies looking for investment, normally between £250,000 and £3m, pitch Dragons’ Den-style to a room full of people with cash.  

Mr Butler said: “We fashioned the operation on a model in San Diego that had an excellent track record and which in turn has proved very successful here.   

“We feel more than ever companies – which may have superb ideas but can lack the necessary commercial knowledge or specialist expertise needed to grow their businesses – need help in the key areas of of commerce such as drawing up business plans, being coached for presenting to investors or legal advice.  

“These organisations are looking for investment levels that are in a difficult gap but the levels of finance needed are vital for what a growing business needs.”  

Mr Butler says that despite Connect Yorkshire’s contract with Yorkshire Forward coming to an end as the regional development agency is wound down, he is excited about the future for the organisation.  

But he is also realistic enough to admit Connect Yorkshire faces a challenging future and the organisation is moving towards a focus of gaining the support of commercial partners, details of which he says will be revealed over the next few  months.    

Mr Butler says: “We have superb working relationships and key contacts with many of the UK’s main blue chip organisations across the professional services sector; we will be looking increasingly to develop these relationships as we continue to grow and expand our services.”  

Companies that have received help include software business Liquid Accounts which won more than £1m of equity investment,  Chamelic, the University of Leeds high-tech chemicals spin-out firm which raised £1m to develop new products, and listed skincare firm Syntopix.   

“There are many promising businesses across Yorkshire – many of whom have exceptional products and services with the true potential to become market leaders – for whom we can add value and help them achieve their goals providing a bridge to venture capitalists,” says Mr Butler.  

Connect Yorkshire’s chairman Richard Doyle adds: “Our success has proved that there is a much needed role to span the private and public sector and provide high growth companies with unbiased advice and access to specialist expertise and investors.    

“The SME is the lifeblood of the economy and it is a very important role – and a privilege – to be able to help them prosper and grow.”