University of Wolverhampton Science Park

YOUR NEWS

Summer 2016

from University of Wolverhampton Science Park and Tenant Companies

INSIDE........

Science Park assists growth

Flatworldworks

Excellent facilities and networking opportunities

Cleangrow

Business support from BC Growth Hub University of Wolverhampton

emoji style giftware

WOW Stuff

t: 01902 824000 w: wolverhamptonsp.co.uk e:enquiries@wolverhamptonsp.co.uk

@UoWSP

Let’s grow together University of Wolverhampton Science Park is the perfect environment for knowledge and technology based businesses to grow.

Serviced office accommodation, complemented by a wide range of on-site facilities and services to a broad range of vibrant and innovative tenant companies.

Access to a wide range of on-site business support services, available to help maximise potential for growth of your business.

All buildings lend themselves to tenant collaboration, with shared workspace, social areas and landscaped grounds.

Many successful partnerships have been forged at the science park could yours be the next?

“The buzz and energy around University of Wolverhampton Science Park makes it a great place for our staff to work. The whole ambience of the Science Park enhances our professional image and enables us to concentrate on our business.”

BCRS Business Loans

Office space ranging from 21 - 432m 2

Access to University’s areas of research excellence

Superfast broadband

Regular tenant networking events

Conference and meeting facilities

Support in promoting your business

Free car parking

Black Country Growth Hub

On-site business support

Shared workspace and social spaces

OPENING SUMMER 2017 - SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND PROTOTYPING CENTRE A unique combination of laboratory, workshop, prototyping and office space for science and technology-based businesses If you would like to find out more contact Lynsey.Whitfield@wlv.ac.uk

t: 01902 824000 w: wolverhamptonsp.co.uk e: enquiries@wolverhamptonsp.co.uk 2

SUMMER 2016

Hello and welcome to this Summer newsletter

our way. We would like to squeeze in another BBQ after the Bank Holiday week, to try and stretch summer out as long as possible, but unfortunately, the long-range weather forecast, combined with room availability, is making this a ‘tall order’.

If, in the good English tradition of weather forcasting, this should change, we may be able to organise one at short notice.

I would like to introduce a new member of Science Park staff, Jaspinder Grewal. Jas has been appointed as ICT and AV Technician and his primary responsibilities will be looking after the UoWSP-Supanet and VoIP telephony Well, WOW, what a summer so far……… Woeful if an England offer, as well as supporting the audio football supporter, Outstanding British success at Wimbledon visual requirements for the meeting rooms and conferences. again and Wonderful expectations for the best ever Great Britain medal haul at the 2016 Olympics Jas’s contact details are: Tenants - Internal 824466 / or contact reception You may have noticed we have been busy too trying to grab University staff – x1664 the opportunity to carry out certain external maintenance All - mobile 07966884739 activities while the weather holds. The replacement of the Email jas@wlv.ac.uk entire Development Centre roof being one such race against time – the contractors deserving a podium finish at least Once again thank you for everyone who has contributed to for the time in which they took to replace it. Other weather this edition, the mailbox is now open for stories in the Autumn dependent works will be following so please bear with us if edition. If you have any news items you would like to share in these cause any temporary inconvenience. the Autumn edition contact Liz Taylor - e.a.taylor@wlv.ac.uk I hope everyone will be able to find the opportunity to take a short break over the summer and recharge batteries with family and / or friends, enjoying what good weather may come

Nigel Babb - Commercial Director UoWSP

A warm welcome to new tenants at UoWSP

Technology Centre

Boplan - BOPLAN® designs, develops and produces durable, highly efficient fall and impact protection. Protection for people, vehicles, buildings and infrastructures are the main priorities. Using high-quality, high-performance synthetics, which will make the properties of traditional natural resources seem like yesterday’s news.

mca -

is an energetic & independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisors. Specialising in providing business, taxation and strategic advice to entrepreneurs’ within the technology, science and specialist manufacturing sectors.

Skills Training UK - Apprenticeships provider, Skills Training UK, has opened its first Apprenticeship Academy at the University

of Wolverhampton Science Park. The academy is working with a wide number of local employers and is specifically offering training to apprentices in IT and Digital Marketing.

SPARK Business Incubation Centre

PaperJam Entertainment - an independent Video Game Design & Publishing House.

Zeckro Web Solutions - services include Web Design, Development, SEO, Mobile Apps, Social Media training and management.

Somaco - specialise in cloud based ecommerce, providing a fully functioning ecommerce service.

Midlands Business Partnership - a consultancy with a mission to stimulate the local economy by encouraging businesses to develop and grow, and to create jobs for the region.

Congratulations to growing tenants at UoWSP

Technology Centre FlatWorldWorks - started as a business 5 years ago on the concept that the world was getting flatter and have steadily grown to a multinational company with turnover rising by more than ten-fold - read more about FlatWorldWorks on page 5.

Wolverhampton CCG - part of clinically-led statutory NHS bodies, responsible for the planning and commissioning of health care services for their local area.

Simpro - specialise in the planning, funding, construction and operation of a network of composting facilities around the UK. Watstech Limited - provides a scientific testing and consultancy service to the water & wastewater industry.

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Transform the way your business operates “Access areas of expertise” article by Nigel Babb

UoWSP Commercial Director

Choosing to base your business at University of Wolverhampton Science Park, opens up a wealth of opportunities for collaboration with like-minded people, whether this is with fellow businesses on the Science Park, research and business development teams at the University of Wolverhampton or by taking advantage of the comprehensive range of support services available on site.

Based in the Development Centre are the Business Solutions Centre and Black Country Growth Hub. The Business Solutions Centre provides an award-winning, single point of contact to develop innovative business solutions.The Black Country Growth Hub, helps businesses to benefit from a wealth of business support, advice and funding opportunities.

We actively encourage The Development Centre our tenant companies to engage with each another and take advantage of the support services available; regular tenant networking events are hosted throughout the year, attended by representatives from business support services, who are on hand to discuss how they could help support your business, there are also various business events and seminars covering a plethora of business advice - you can read more about the support and services from the Black Country Growth Hub on page 8.

With strong links to the University of Wolverhampton tenants and businesses in the region can benefit from the skills of the academic and technical staff at the University who Research work has beeb recognition as are enthusiastic internationally excellent and world leading to engage, in partnership, with local and regional businesses, they have many years’ experience in a wide range of research and analytical techniques; their work has been recognised by the Research Excellence Framework as internationally excellent and world-leading in many areas.

The University of Wolverhampton has an excellent, award-winning, track record in the delivery of Knowledge Transfer initiatives and a strong commitment to improving the economic prosperity of

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the region. 2015 marked the opening of the University's new multi-million pound Rosalind Franklin Science Centre, providing a state-of-the-art environment for laboratory sciences. This includes extensive facilities for molecular biology, cancer and toxicology research, microbiology and fermentation technology, analytical studies and chemistry, pharmaceutical science including drug delivery research, experimental pharmacology and metabolic and immunological research.

Complementing this, a new £10.1 million Science, Technology and Prototyping centre is under construction on site, which will provide a unique combination of high quality office space, laboratory and workshop areas to support science and technology based businesses in the Black Country; a combination of facilities that currently doesn’t exist in the region. This new building will offer unrivalled, specialist space to scientific-based businesses wanting to develop and enhance their research and development. The design of the building will offer laboratories of varying size and will include facilities that can be hired flexibly to provide short and long-term solutions to science based businesses.

An early aerial shot of the construction site showing the area of land the new centre will occupy, with increased parking capacity The centre will form a new frontage to the existing science park and the three floor development will offer 4,000 square metres of space and feature high quality offices, laboratories and workshops, as well as a café and space for parking - the facility will be open by summer 2017.

If you would like to discuss any of the opportunities for collaboration between your business and the University of Wolverhampton and for further information about the science and engineering facilities, contact The Business Solutions Centre (01902) 321272 Email: info@businesssolutionscentres.co.uk

Featured tenant

FlatWorldWorks started as a business 5 years ago on the concept that the world was getting flatter.

Not only were our competitors becoming global but we believed that we can also compete with the world.

We have steadily grown to a multi national company with turnover rising

HOT TOPICS 

Research studio opened March 2016

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Research persona participants available from April 2016

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Training ISO 27001 (information security) began May 2016

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Partnership relations— Kennedy Scott, DWP, HMRC, 3AAA, Smyth's, Rackspace, NHS, DFS

Our new research studio opened in 2016 consisting of:

during this time by more than ten fold.

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Remote Access

The number of staff members has

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50” Plasma Screens

quadrupled in the last year with a mix of

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Digital AV Recording

permanent and associate resources.

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Live Streaming

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Two way communication

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Conference facilities for remote dialling

The University of Wolverhampton Science Park has aided our growth by being flexible and providing larger premises on the park as we have expanded.

We cater for the growing digital market delivering various services such as: 

Recruiting Digital specialists

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User research studio / lab

We are always looking for User Researchers.

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Training / upskill for digital specialists

If you are interested please contact us on:

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Digital security testing

01902 824259

We work closely with our recruitment partners to help place professional candidates into government based digital roles.

We are continuing to increase the capacity of contractors we are currently placing into these roles as part of our ongoing expansion.

To speak to us call: 01902 824215 Email: SMO-Recruitment@flatworldworks.com

@FlatWorldWorks

www.flatworlddigital.com

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Tenant News

Access to excellent facilities and networking - helping to get products into space!

CleanGrow specialises in the design and manufacture of solid state ion selective electrodes, and associated electronics and software.

We developed the world’s first multi-ion analytical device capable of measuring up to 6 ions simultaneously in water based samples such as river and lake water for environmental analysis, soil and fertiliser ionic content sampling for agriculture and horticulture, ionic content of water in desalination plants and many more applications.Our device works in conjunction with our iOS and Android app via smart phones or tablets, for extremely easy and convenient field and laboratory based sampling.

We are currently also preparing a system for measuring the nutrient uptake of plants for a gravity based experimental device on the international space station as part of an EU funded H2020 grant collaborating with scientists across the EU.

“Working in the University of Wolverhampton Science park has given us as a small company, a lot more gravitas as we work with top international universities and research scientists. It has given us access to excellent facilities and networking with the many other companies based on site.”

Roy O’Mahony - Cleangrow

If you would like to find out more, contact roy@cleangrow.com Gadget Show Live 2016 - The British inventors’ project is an opportunity for any inventor to get nationwide notice for their latest invention. The project has been running since 2014 and has seen amazing entrants, with many going on to have great success. The third place winner was Cleangrow, a portable laboratory that can be taken anywhere to analyse soil. The probe that comes in the kit can measure the concentrations of different ions found in the soil samples, enabling soil type and quality to be measured easily without having to wait for samples to return from large industrial laboratories.

Wallace were approached by entrepreneur Nic Breese and Phil Wood, a former director of Severn Trent Utility Services, who saw potential in unblocking a problem with waste water.

Swindell & Pearson proud to be helping small businesses Based in the Technology Centre, patent and trade mark attorney firm, Swindell and Pearson have helped a company to see its way clear through to success, after seven years and £1.4m developing a way to measure waste water and so save industry massive costs.

Dynamic Flow Technologies Limited was established in 2009 when Managing Director Martin Croft and Technical Director Duncan

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After seven years of hard work the company devised a solution thanks to £1.4m provided by shareholders, Government grants – including money from the European Union – and two industry partners, Elster, who manufacture meters and are now part of Honeywell, and Wessex Water.

The meter aims to tackle the problem of bills arriving from water companies that cover both the supply of clean water and the treatment of used water. For many companies the cost charged for treatment does not reflect the volume of waste water.

Swindell & Pearson first lodged a patent application in 2010. Patents were granted in the UK in 2014 and the USA this year. A European patent is pending. “Eventually, we would like to see it as a global standard product,” said Martin.

“We are delighted with Swindell & Pearson's achievements and the fact that they have been sympathetic to our needs as a small business,” Martin added.

The waste water meter providing significant savings on waste water The waste water meter also has other applications such as measuring surface water drainage, leakage and even blockages whilst there is significant potential for future developments, Swindell & Pearson IP Director, Scott Harrison who helped Dynamic Flowtech obtain the patent said: “Dynamic Flow Technologies is a superb example of a small British hi-tech business that has developed an innovative product to serve a genuine need. We’re proud to be helping them to push their business forwards.”

If you have questions relating to this article or to find out how Swindell & Pearson can help you protect your inventions then please get in touch with Martin Terry by email at: martin.terry@patents.co.uk

Tenant News They strive to look at any design problem and propose innovation and sustainable solutions which are of the present and maximise the potential of the site and location, advising clients throughout the process.

Thorne Architecture - 12th anniversary at UoWSP Recently celebrating their 12th Anniversary at the Science Park, Thorne Architecture Limited are a RIBA chartered practice offering full architectural services.

Benefiting from over 50 years of experience, the principles of the practice have built a reputation for a reliable, friendly and prompt professional service from project inception to completion on site.

Over the last 12 years Thorne Architecture have enjoyed reciprocal working relationships with other businesses at the Science Park.

Collaboration is ongoing with ESP Limited in the exchange of design, drafting services and landscape design. A strong working relationship has also been developed with ASC Limited, a firm of Chartered Structural Engineers and currently we are assisting Liquid Management Solutions in the setting up of a turnkey design and installation service which can be offered to their clients.

Thorne Architecture Limited are conversant with planning legislation in a wide range of settings including the particular challenges in conservation areas and development in the green belt and open countryside.

T: F: E: W:

Founded in 2004, the practice has built up a considerable track record in all project types and sizes, including residential design, education, healthcare buildings, offices, public, commercial and leisure buildings.

looking forward creating a range of fun and innovative giftware for emoji ® Wow! Stuff, the leading innovative licensed gifts manufacturer and distributor has announced the signing of the official emoji® brand with Global Merchandising Services.

01902 717782 01902 717783 ar@thornearchitecture.co.uk www.thornearchitecture.co.uk

"There’s a great fit between our two companies and the extensive art, trademark and style guide that come with emoji® and the protection of it in these categories ensures retailers and their consumers are getting great original product. This is going to be a phenomenal brand and a very broad range which resonates with anyone who is mobile device aware - which of course is probably 99% of the population!"

Wow! Stuff’s creativity and innovation in this sector with the extensive artwork available to the official emoji ® licensees, we can create an exciting gift range which will appeal to consumers and retailers alike."

Wow! Stuff (Wow) is a Virgin Fast Track 100 multi-award winning and brandleading gift design and development company. Wow creates unique on brand gift products for a select range of evergreen, premier licensed brands and distributes around the world.

Licenses include; The Science Museum, Danger Mouse, emoji® official brand, Great British Bake Off, Mensa (leading puzzle range), BBC Doctor Who, Natural History Museum, QI, Men are from Mars novelty gifts, LLO design led gifts and Mr Men & Little Miss. Wow has won numerous Brand Licensing Awards including “Gift of the Year”, “The Innovation Award” for The Science Museum, “Best Licensed Gift Range” for Top Gear and many others including Britain’s “National Business Award for Innovation”, presented by the Prime Minister David Cameron.

Gabbi Langdorf, Senior Licensing Manager of Global Merchandising Services added “We Wow! Stuff’s CEO Richard North said, “I think are delighted to be partnering with Wow! many gift and toy companies have been Stuff and are looking forward to working looking to create 'Emoji style' products over with them to create a range of fun and Contact: Ella at ella.wood@wowstuff.com the last 12 months. We are very pleased to innovative giftware for emoji ®. By combining have signed the official emoji® brand.

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facilities spotlight - BLACK COUNTRY GROWTH HUB In this and future editions, we would like to highlight how we can help in supporting your business ventures by turning the spotlight on the vast resources and facilities here on-site.

We recognise the importance of partnerships and working collaboratively with others.

In this edition we highlight the support and services provided by BLACK COUNTRY GROWTH HUB

Black Country businesses, from start-ups to SMEs, can access a range of support and expertise through the Black Country Growth Hub, which is located within Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre.

The network is designed to support businesses in innovation, business improvement techniques and technology adoption and will provide Black Country manufacturers with direct access to products and services to ensure our region remains in pole position when it comes to world class manufacturing in the UK. Located within the Development Centre at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park, the Growth Hub team are here to support you to drive your business forward and are committed to finding the right growth options for you. This includes supporting your innovation ideas, business start-up support and access to funding.

The Growth Hub’s base in the Development Centre

Offering a single point of contact for businesses looking to access a wide portfolio of innovative business solutions, the Black Country Growth Hub offers a range of events, workshops and seminars aimed at providing tailored business advice and support to a diverse range of businesses to organisations of all sizes.

Specialist support is also available for manufacturers in the Black Country with the launch of an industrial network known as the Manufacturing Club.

The Growth Hub’s space for workshops and seminars

For companies wanting the wow factor, the Visualisation Centre, also located within the Development Centre, is available to hire and provides businesses with access to some of the latest cutting–edge facilities, such as interactive white boards, 3D Printers and Drone Technology, with technicians available to offer tours and provide hands-on demonstrations of the technology available.

To find out more about the Black Country Growth Hub and the schedule of events visit: www.bcgrowthhub.com

Tailored business advice and support

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Science Park Community News - Tenants' Get-Together Downtime is a rare occurence in the workplace these days, but studies show that it's beneficial to take a break from the office to reboot your cognitive energy and boost productivity. What better then, than to take the opportunity to mingle, catch up with friends and meet new people at the Science Park at one of our tenants' networking meetings and socialise with like minded people over a bite to eat?

These informal events usually take place, on a bi-monthly basis throughout the year and pick up on a topical theme.

A festive gathering The Christmas 2015 get-together was well attended by over 200 tenants, who joined in the festive spirit, helped along by the mulled wine which was served on arrival, followed by a festive buffet lunch provided by University of Wolverhampton catering services.

At the Christmas 2014 event the "Real FX Racing" proved a popular attraction and the creators - WOW Stuff, Creative Industries Tenants, kindly provided this again. Tenants enjoyed participating; testing their skills over the thrills and spills course to get to the top of the leaderboard and claim the prize.

Prizes were also up for grabs for the winners of the Christmas inspired quiz.

And the winners were: RAFFLE RESULTS: 1st prize – Luxury Christmas hamper went to Ella from WoW Stuff 2nd prize – House of Fraser Voucher won by Stuart from Plum Ideas 3rd prize – UoWSP breakfast vouchers – Jo Terry - Careers REAL FX RACING RESULTS: Scott from Tec20 was the winner, with the fastest lap time of 3.2 seconds and wins vouchers for drinks from the UoWSP Café 1st prize on the raffle CHRISTMAS QUIZ: Joint winners for the Christmas Quiz – Paul Coxhead from PLANit Global and Lindsay Slater from Black Country Chamber, they also win vouchers for drinks from the UoWSP café.

"A big thank you to all the tenants who supported the Christmas raffle, with additional donations from UoWSP Management and staff, the sum of £400.00 was raised and all proceeds sent to the UoWSP nominated charity - Compton Hospice" Compton Hospice has also sent a thank you to all who donated "Thank you for being part of the services we offer at the present time and through your generosity, helping us to plan for our future."

'two heads are better than one' Combining resources in terms of talent, experience and finances can result in more effective problem solving. Sharing those resources offers the chance to 'tap into' new markets and strengthen the connection you have with current customers - as the centuries old adage states, "two heads are better than one".

Feedback from recent meetings has been encouraging and appears to justify this saying, with a number of tenants commenting on how they enjoy the break from the office and the opportunity to mingle, catch up with friends and meet new people at the Science Park. Both the February gathering, Chinese New Year celebrations inspired by the Chinese New Year - Year of the Monkey and the Spring meeting held in April were each attended by over 70 tenants from all buildings across the Science Park; areas of business support from University of Wolverhampton also participated.

It's good to hear comments such as: “Working in the University of Wolverhampton Science park has given us as a small company, a lot more gravitas as we work with top international universities and research scientists. It has given us access to excellent facilities and networking with the many other companies based on site.” and “the buzz and energy around University of Wolverhampton Science Park makes it a great place for our staff to work. The whole ambience of the Science Park enhances our professional image and enables us to concentrate on our business.”

A football themed BBQ was held on 16th June to coincide with the Euro's 2016, in particular the England v Wales football match, tenants were invited to watch the match, which was broadcast on the screen in the Visualisation Centre, after the BBQ. On the day, the weather forced a revised plan to be put in place, resulting in the event being held mainly indoors, improvisation, in the form of gazebos and benches, allowed us to take advantage of the occasional, brief break in rain; despite the rain clouds, over 140 tenants made time to join us.

Substitute games came into play and the winners were: Football Target Shot – Lauren Birch from ForwardFor Golf Hole in One – Louise Palmer and Tom Carroll from Skills Training and Craig, Ross and Sam from ForwardFor Euro Football Quiz – Simon Bromley from Tang Solutions and Satnam Thandi from Thandi-Nicholls with 100% score Thanks to the tenants that took time from their busy schedules to join us.

These events are very informal and all tenants are encouraged to simply book a ticket through Eventbrite, turn up, grab a drink and a bite to eat and meet fellow tenants, its a great opportunity to bring some of your own publicity materials along to share with fellow tenants and maybe discover options of working together, to date several tenant companies have received referrals and taken advantage of the collaboration with fellow tenant.

Keep a look out for the dates to be announced for forthcoming networking events via the e-newsletter and flyers in your post boxes.

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Science Park Community News - Tenant to tenants offers Fire and Health & Safety Services to all Tenants

Discounted courses available

As a tenant, you are responsible for health and safety in your rented space. The ex-Fire Officers of STK, based in the Technology Centre, have been responsible for managing safety in the most challenging environments and write the documentation to support this.

Currently, STK have a special offer of a variety of Fire and Health & Safety Services to all tenants in the Science Park, in the form of Fire Risk Assessments, Training and Health & Safety Services, by carrying out Audits, Risk Assessments and putting H&S Systems in place.

Find out how you can ensure that your business is safe and compliant visit:

Enable Technology based in the Creative Industries Centre, supports local organisations seeking high quality bespoke training and solutions. UoWSP tenants can take advantage of a 30% discounted rate on a wide variety of courses, which includes training materials, lunch and refreshments. Find out more: www.enableit.co.uk

stkmanagingsafety@stkms.co.uk

Get fit in your lunchbreak BCRS, welcome fellow tenants to join them on their weekly ½ hour lunchtime run/jog along the local canal towpath.

Beginners welcome. Every Monday and Thursday for a prompt 1.00pm start from the Technology Centre Foyer.

Tenant offer from Codsall Photographic Codsall Photographic, Creative Industries Centre tenants, are offering all UoWSP tenants 20% off their already competitive studio rates.

Their studio on the ground floor of the Creative Industries Centre is fully equipped for corporate portraits and product photography.

So if you need to update your website or catalogues - or are just looking for some updated personnel photos, give Chris a call on 01902 844883 for a no obligation quote.

Please call for custom pricing.

Thank you from Eighty3Creative Whether they have created your website, designed your corporate brochure or maybe re-branded your organisation, Eighty3Creative would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you for all of the work tenants have given them over the past few years.

Their services include: •Leaflets & brochures •Business stationery •Websites •Logos •Google remarketing banner design •Search Engine Optimisation •Complete branding of your business •Vehicle & exhibition graphics Find out more at www.eighty3creative.co.uk/

Do you have a service or event you would like to convey to fellow UoWSP tenants?

If so, send your information to Liz Taylor e.a.taylor@wlv.ac.uk for inclusion in the next edition of Your News

University of Wolverhampton Catering Services With the warmer weather on the way, enjoy a lunch from the salad bar in Go Café, in Technology Centre, new items have been added to the range - why not make up a salad of your choice?

Handcrafted beverages from the Starbucks TM range and a choice of delicious food from the breakfast menu - a great way to start your day.

Both of the cafe outlets at UoWSP serve a range of hot and cold food daily, with a choice of breakfasts served until 11:30.

There’s soup and a roll on the menu for lunch, as well as sandwiches and snacks and a different hot dish is available each lunchtime, including a vegetarian option - take a look at the menu board for the dish of the day being served in your cafe.

There are a variety of new beverages on offer through the recently installed coffee machine in the Science Park Technology Centre?

Pick up a loyalty card and once complete redeem to receive your FREE hot drink.

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Are you planning a meeting or seminar? Why not add some refreshments to your event? From Fairtrade tea and coffee, a working lunch, fork buffet to a 3-course seated meal, our catering department can deliver to your meeting room, your office or provide an assisted service in the dining area.

Tenants at UoWSP have a choice of four buffet menus, which vary in price and selections - take a look at the hospitality menu from our catering services, which can be found by visiting the link below: www.wolverhamptonsp.co.uk/additional-services/catering/ If you’re looking for something special to serve at your event, contact Catering Manager, Pam, at P.Fletcher.wlv.ac.uk, Pam will be happy to provide you with the perfect menu.

CAFE OPENING HOURS: Technology Centre: Monday to Thursday 08:30 -15:30, Friday 08:30 - 15:00 Creative Industries Centre (New trial opening times until 23rd December) Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 15:00, Friday 08:30 - 14:30

University News Universities in the driving seat for enterprising Midlands Engine growth Six Midlands’ universities have joined forces to drive productivity and economic growth through skills, innovation and enterprise.

Birmingham City University, Coventry University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Derby, University of Lincoln and the University of Wolverhampton have collectively launched Midlands Enterprise Universities – a partnership which combines their research, expertise and facilities in order to further increase growth and prosperity across the region.

The new partnership will provide the Midlands Engine with a powerful resource with which it can meet its ambitious objectives focusing on higher level skills gaps, talent pipeline needs and innovation requirements. Work will also concentrate on further developing the employability and entrepreneurship of students.

Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy ViceChancellor at the University of

Wolverhampton, said: “We’re delighted to be working with partner universities across the Midlands to support and stimulate innovation across the wider region. “Our collective aim is to contribute to Midlands Engine productivity. Our combined collaboration with business and our extended international reach coupled with our renowned presence in our respective local communities perfectly positions us to drive forward the skills agenda and stimulate enterprise.”

Could your invention transform lives?

Midlands Enterprise Universities will focus on boosting the Health, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Transport Technologies, Creative Digital and Design and Agrifood and Drink industries – all priorities within the Midlands Engine region. Support will concentrate on:

Inventors across the West Midlands are being urged to sign up for the Beacon Visionary+ Challenge which has a prize fund worth £20,000.

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Improving skills through apprenticeships and work based learning alongside existing degree programmes.

Providing a talent pipeline through work experience packages tailored to employer and student needs Delivering programmes of collaborative research and innovation support to address the development of new products, processes and services Providing commercial services support to address skills development needs and to tackle organisation issues.

Contact: www.wmcu.ac.uk

The area’s leading sight loss charity, Beacon Centre, has joined forces with the University of Wolverhampton’s Caparo Innovation Centre to run a pioneering competition to improve the lives of those living with sight loss and or other sensory loss.

It aims to find innovative products or services; from gadgets that may make everyday tasks a little easier to a ground breaking invention which would transform someone’s life.

The winner will receive a £20,000 prize, comprising a combination of cash investment and in-kind support from the state of the art innovation centre.

The aim is to help bring the winning product or service to the open market faster and more effectively.

If you’re interested in applying, more information can be found at the Visionary+ Challenge website www. visionarychallenge.co.uk. The competition will be open for submission of entries from the beginning of September 2016.

For further information please contact Helen Brown, Communications Development Manager on 01902 886785 or via email hbrown@beaconvision.org

Virtual race car experience gets engineering students on track The University of Wolverhampton has fast tracked learning for existing and potential students by creating a virtual race track experience - engineering a winning formula through new technology.

The University is giving people the chance to experience life in the fast lane in its first 360-degree video.

Viewers will get a bird’s eye view of what it feels like to be sitting alongside a racing driver in the cockpit of the University’s Formula 3 car as it speeds around Donington Park.

Professional Motorsport Engineer, Matt Fenton, and Professional Driver and Team Mentor, Shane Kelly.

Engineering students in the University of Wolverhampton Race Team (UWR) are taking part in the F3 Cup Championship and the team, now dominating the grid, look set to be strong contenders for the race title.

As the only University racing against 17 other teams in this season’s MSV F3 Cup, the Race Team is competing in all rounds across the season at world famous tracks including Spa Francorchamps, Brands Hatch, the home of the British Grand Prix and Silverstone.

Engineering students are taught how to run a car professionally to the standard of a Formula 1 team under the help and guidance of

Watch the Incredible Donington Park Formula 3 360° Experience on YouTube SUMMER 2016

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University News

University of Wolverhampton - just the job for graduates Students at the University of Wolverhampton are among the most employable in the UK after a new report revealed more than ever are going into jobs or further study.

The Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey is a national annual survey of everyone who has recently graduated from university or HE college.

Each year universities, on behalf of the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), contact graduates six months after they have completed their studies to find out their employment status.

GRADUATE CASE STUDY Olga Katsi from Thessaloniki in Greece completed an MSc in Environmental Technology and is now an Assistant Process Technologist at WatStech Ltd. - a waste treatment company based at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.

She said: “My course contained modules which enhanced my knowledge on the waste and water industry. Also, it provided me with up to date information for the environmental laws active in the UK and my tutors supported me conducting research and gaining confidence presenting data collected as well as conducting experiments in the lab with no supervision needed.

“I totally enjoyed being a student at the University of Wolverhampton. I have gained positive experiences all the year of the masters. The University has services that ensure the students will have good time while studying there, such as gym, restaurant and cafeteria. It also provided me support with the counselling team when I needed, especially after the second semester, when I was under stress and faced difficulties on focusing. The team was very polite and helped me greatly. I would highly recommend it to other students that want further knowledge on their sectors.”

Graduates outperforming the UK average Overall, 96 per cent of students who graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2015 were in work or further study after they had left - outperforming the UK average for all universities and a record high for the University.

Wolverhampton students are also supporting the regional economy with 80 per cent working in the West Midlands after graduation.

The majority of our students also go into graduate level jobs with 66 per cent being employed in professional or managerial roles.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Oakes, said: “Once again University of Wolverhampton students have shown that they have the knowledge, skills and qualities that employers are looking for.

We have had high employability rates for the last few years so to improve them further is an outstanding achievement by both our staff and students, resulting in the University having one of the highest overall employability rates in the country”.

Kally Kaur, Managing Director of WatStech Ltd. commented A new member of staff for “The whole process of UoWSP tenant Watstech recruiting a graduate from the University of Wolverhampton went smoothly. The University of Wolverhampton Careers, Enterprise and The Workplace Team ensured that a vetting process was completed and candidates with suitable qualifications were provided. All interviews were arranged by the University and for a small company like WatStech, the support provided is invaluable! WatStech has always used The University of Wolverhampton for our recruitment as we are a Wolverhampton-based small business and want to support the local economy, where we can.”

Would you like to find out more about recruiting a graduate? t: 01902 321688 e: theworkplace@wlv.ac.uk w: wlv.ac.uk/theworkplace

ON-SITE FACILITIES INCLUDE...........

• 200 seat auditorium • Conference & meeting rooms

• Business support via Black Country Growth Hub

• Free car parking • 24 hour security

• Superfast Broadband

• Restaurant coffee lounge

• Access to University

• VoIP telephony

• Spark Business Incubation Centre

• Professional photo studio

• Visualisation Centre

of Wolverhampton research base and expertise

Do you have a success story to tell? If you would like to feature in the next UoWSP Newsletter or for more information on these articles contact Liz Taylor e.a.taylor@wlv.ac.uk 12

SUMMER 2016