Businesses urged to innovate and profit by design

Cheshire East Council’s arms-length Skills and Growth Company are hosting a free innovation breakfast event for businesses at Alderley Park Conference Centre from 8am-10:30am.

The event, on Thursday, 19 October, will look at how innovation helps businesses to evolve and grow. Innovation experts will offer help and guidance on:

• accessing the right skills and partnerships;
• benefiting from tax relief on research and development costs;
• how to export to new markets and the best ways to safeguard ideas; and
• intellectual property

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for the Skills and Growth Company, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for businesses from small and medium sized enterprises through to larger corporates to engage with experts who are forging innovative partnerships all the time.

“The speakers have a wide range of expertise and we are pleased to be able to host this event and encourage further innovation in Cheshire East.”

Councillor George Hayes, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company said: “This event offers expert advice and highlights the support available to businesses looking to grow.

“Often businesses have new product ideas but are not sure how to exploit them. We hope this event can help them to take their ideas to the next stage and maximise their return on investment.

A business expert from Lancaster University will be discussing skills and innovation partnerships, which can offer access to world-leading research, as well as providing experts and resources to work exclusively to help innovate and gain a competitive advantage.

The Department for International Trade will present their targeting research and development for export programme which offers intensive support to businesses looking to increase their growth potential through export sales and grants to support.

The Innovation Group at Grant Thornton will focus on how businesses can access approved government tax incentives for research and development. These tax incentives include: allowances and tax relief for research and development and reduced tax rate on profits from patents.

Patent attorney Marks and Clerk, will highlight the commercial aspects of intellectual property, including how to protect innovative ideas and how to commercially exploit innovations – providing insight and practical tips to help businesses avoid common pitfalls.

To book a place at the breakfast event please visit:

www.skillsandgrowth.co.uk/events or alternatively call 0300 123 5001.