Capita Symonds at BSEC 2010 - Post 1

A brisk start to BSEC at its new home for 2010 at ExCel.

Putting aside the usual delegate complaints about travel problems getting to the Docklands venue, the first few hours have been well attended and emphasised BSEC's place as the conference/exhibition for school design, as it has been for the last few years.

Has the event lost anything in its move from Manchester Central (its 'bulging-at-the-seams' home in previous years)? The jury's still out on that one - its certainly larger but maybe that's not everything.

Highlights today include Capita Symonds' Richard Woods speaking at a live online debate today 2.30pm - Join the debate

We've put some photos on Flickr - have a look!

More photos and commentary to come over the two days.

Jonathan Goring Cycles to Cannes

Dear All

I am taking part in the Cycle to Cannes charity challenge which is an annual 6-day 1500km cycling endurance event. It is probably the closest an amateur cyclist will get to feeling like a "pro" having full support, rolling road closures and covering up to 300km a day….

My chosen charity is Over the Wall, a small but incredibly deep reaching charity which provides respite care for sick kids and their families. OTW allows sick kids or their brothers and sisters to take a well earned break from the routine of hospitals and home visits which often rules their lives; it provides a wild time for kids to be kids in one of OTW's summer camps. Last year 600 kids and families benefited and OTW's plan is to increase this year on year and make a lasting impact on the lives of the 17,000 children with serious illness in the UK.

Find out more about Over the Wall on their website

Visit my charity web page to make a donation

Find out more about Cycle2Cannes

My aim is to raise at least £3,000 so your support would be greatly appreciated.

With best wishes.

Jonathan
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We'll hopefully be keeping you up to date with Jonathan's progress via our blog. Watch this space.

Wear Red for RedR

The Cwmbran office raised £185 at this year’s Wear Red for RedR Day.

The original concept of RedR was to create a register of carefully selected and trained engineers who could be called on at short notice to work with front-line relief agencies, either on secondment from their regular employer or as a full time aid relief worker.

The charity, which started in the UK, has evolved into an international federation of RedRs that provide a host of specialist training and recruitment services for all the major aid agencies.

For further information about Capita Symonds' involvement with RedR contact David Price

Sponsored walk for Haiti

Carwyn Davies from our Glamorgan office recently took park in a sponsored walk to raise money for Haiti.

Carwyn was part of a group of intrepid walkers who climbed Penyfan, Cribyn, Corn De and Fan y Big in the Brecon Beacons.

The climb, which took four gruelling hours in extremely foggy and cold conditions, raised over £1000 (including a £300 contribution from Capita Symonds).

Capita Symonds' Blackburn office sponsor Accrington Stanley Centre of Excellence

The next generation of Accrington Stanley football players have secured a new strip thanks to our Blackburn office. We are the first major sponsor of Accrington Stanley Centre of Excellence and are committed to supporting its Under 16’s team.


The Centre, which is currently in its third season, has already produced ten players who have graduated to the apprentice professional ranks. 


Martin King, Director at Capita Symonds said “We are keen to support the communities in which we work and were particularly excited about supporting the Centre of Excellence. The team train at Accrington Academy which is a project we are heavily involved in and it is a pleasure to know that we will also be providing training facilities which will continue to develop the team.”


Phil Hackney, Director of Youth at Accrington Stanley said “Capita is the first major sponsor of an ASFC Centre of Excellence team and this tremendous gesture will not only enable young players to receive first class coaching but also hopefully provide the ‘conveyor belt’ of players to make the professional ranks.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the sponsorship deal and look forwards to working together in the future”

Picture shows: From back left: Ian Darlington, Philip Schofield, Duncan Clement and Martin King (all Capita Symonds); Jack Sargent (Centre of Excellence Player); and Phil Backhouse (Centre of Excellence Manager).

Front: Kian Richardson (8) Accrington Stanley Football Club supporter