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The following companies and bodies have contributed to the foundation of Connect Yorkshire.
Founding sponsors are denoted by an asterisk (*).

Abchurch

Abchurch is one of the UK's leading financial, investor and corporate communications consultancies, advising more than 85 clients, over 70 of which are quoted on the London Stock Exchange.   We are recognised as a specialist in communicating the financial stories of growth companies, with particular expertise in IPOs and M&A. Abchurch has a long-established Northern Region office in Leeds, working closely alongside our City of London office.

Action COACH Leeds

Apax Partners UK Ltd*

Apax Partners is a leading private equity investment group. With over £12 billion under management or advice worldwide, Apax Partners pursues a balanced equity portfolio strategy, investing in companies from start-up to buy-out. Apax Partners has 160 investment professionals operating across Europe, Israel, the USA and Japan.

Baker Tilly

Baker Tilly is a global provider of professional services including, but by no means restricted to, audit and tax services. Our client base is made up predominantly of growing entrepreneurial businesses and this focus has made it possible for us to develop a real depth of skills and experience in our marketplace. This experience, together with the breadth of offering that comes from having 280 partners and over 2200 staff across 29 offices in the UK enables us to provide our clients with an outstanding service.

The West Yorkshire office, based over two locations in Leeds and Saltaire is a key player in the region’s marketplace and provides a full service offering to both local and national organisations.

As a growing business you may also be keen to understand the extent of our global presence. Baker Tilly International is a network of high quality, independent practices operating across 104 countries.

For more information about how we can help you please contact Shaun Mullins on 0113 285 5000 or shaun.mullins@bakertilly.co.uk.

Blacks Solicitors LLP

Blacks Solicitors LLP is a Leeds-based 13 partner law firm specialising in commercial, property and private client work.

Our main priority is giving our clients the best possible service, which is demonstrated by our exceptional client-retention rate.

In particular, we pride ourselves on:  • Providing reliable cost estimates • providing practical no-nonsense advice • returning calls promptly • keeping our clients regularly updated.

Key practice areas include:  Company & Commercial • Employment Law / Human Resources • Commercial Property • Commercial Litigation • Sports Law • Family Law • Wills and Probate • Residential Property • Personal Injury • Debt Recovery

BRANDED!

'A modern international business with robust foundations'. An IP practice specialising in trade marks, designs and copyright based in York but handling IP matters throughout the world. Our client-base is international but also serves the local needs. As European Trade Mark Attorneys we develop, select, search and police trade marks globally. We also advise businesses about IP strategy and portfolio management. We offer an initial free consultation.

BTG McInnes Corporate Finance LLP

BTG McInnes Corporate Finance is recognised as one of the largest and most experienced Corporate Finance teams in the UK, with an outstanding reputation for deal origination and execution. Our clients range from major international corporations and FTSE 100 companies to owner-managed businesses, management teams and many of the UK’s major financial institutions.  Our objective is to consistently exceed our client’s expectations by delivering creative and effective solutions on all forms of corporate transactions.
Our track record for achieving successful completions for our clients in the £1m to £100+ million mid-market is unparalleled.  We have the depth of skills and expertise to deliver proactive, honest and creative advice to our clients and ultimately to make transactions happen, irrespective of complexity.

Business Link Yorkshire

Business Link Yorkshire offers information and advice for all businesses, no matter what their size or stage of development. We are funded through Yorkshire Forward and we aim to make Yorkshire and Humber a great place to start and grow a business. We do this by providing free, impartial advice to solve problems, meet needs and create growth opportunities.
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Business Works UK Ltd

Business Works UK Ltd is a fast growing accountancy firm with its focus clearly on adding value.

We work closely with our clients, providing support whenever it is needed to ensure that they maximise profit and create the firm financial foundations on which the business can grow.

With our mix of commercial and financial accounting skills, project management and systems implementation experience, and a keen interest in tax planning, we can address all your accounting needs for now, and the future.

Castle Square Corporate Finance

Based in Sheffield, Castle Square Corporate Finance is one of the largest and most active corporate finance specialists in the North of England. Offering pro-active corporate finance advice to clients throughout the UK we have an enviable track record of successfully completing deals, including acquisitions and mergers, management buy-outs and buy-ins, finance raising and disposals.

We are committed to providing proactive advice and “hands on” support so that transactions are completed efficiently. Our service is tailored to take into account the specific circumstances of each and every transaction.

Deloitte*

Deloitte is the second largest Professional Services Firm in the UK. The firm operates in over 130 countries providing integrated solutions to some of the world's largest PLC's through to SME's. The Deloitte Technology Group is dedicated to providing practical solutions-driven assistance to busy entrepreneurs.

DLA Piper*

DLA Piper is one of the UK's top ten law firms with major offices in Yorkshire and throughout the UK. As a client focussed operation, our aim is to be at the heart of our clients' businesses, by understanding their individual commercial concerns. Our key priority is to add value to clients by delivering the highest quality professional advice and expertise.

Dragon IP Strategics Ltd

In addition to the basic services of obtaining, defending and challenging IP, Dragon IP Strategics provides IP strategies for businesses as an integral part of the business strategy from idea to marketplace or exit, in particular for spin-outs, start-ups & SME's. This includes understanding the client's business strategy, ensuring freedom for the route to market, strategic protection of client IP by registration and contract, providing IP budgets (by qualified accountant) and setting up and implementing necessary technology transfers and subcontracting. The last-named includes IP due diligence and drafting and settling contracts for in- and out-licensing, partnering) and subcontracting.
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Ford Campbell Freedman

Ford Campbell Freedman LLP are business advisers with a difference. A corporate finance led practice, we have built a reputation for finding imaginative solutions to the issues faced by entrepreneurs and business owners, and for consistently delivering creative and tax efficient results.

The practice is an entrepreneurial business, managed by principals with broad experience in Corporate Finance, Tax, Audit & Accountancy Services and in industry. We identify with the issues faced by our entrepreneurial clients and are committed to adding value to their businesses through our strategic planning approach.

By investing time in our relationships with clients to listen and understand their goals, we are able to work closely with them to help realise their ambitions. We understand the close link between our clients’ business and personal affairs and our approach is designed to help them achieve their objectives.

We are proud of our record of consistently delivering value to our clients.

Fripp Design and Research

Fripp Design and Research is a Product Design/Research and Business Development Consultancy. We specialise in helping individuals and companies get new products and services to market. As well as helping the private sector, we work closely with UK Universities on their research programs. Our research and design team all have higher degrees giving them the knowledge and expertise to deliver exceptional service for clients. Our expertise is in research, concept design, industrial design, rapid prototyping, rapid manufacture, business processes, strategy and new business development.
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Garbutt & Elliott

Garbutt & Elliott are one of Yorkshire's larger independent firms of chartered accountants, taxation and business advisors, with offices in Leeds and York. We believe we can offer 'big 4' expertise at local prices to the technology and knowledge based sectors, and we are fully committed to helping support this vital part of the local economy.

Harrison Goddard Foote

Harrison Goddard Foote is a dynamic young firm of Patent Agents and Trade Mark Attorneys. Founded in 1995 it has rapidly grown and now has over 80 staff based in five UK offices including offices in London and Leeds. Growth has been based on a philosophy of providing clients with a first rate professional service at a fair cost.

Haseltine Lake LLP

Haseltine Lake is one of the largest independent Intellectual Property firms in Europe with offices in Leeds, London, Bristol, Munich and a representative office in Guangzhou, China.

All of our resources and expertise are exclusively dedicated to IP protection: safeguarding the inventions, creative designs, brand identities and other innovations of our clients. We have an IP Due Diligence service which provides specialist support for corporate and investment transactions.

We are privileged to work with some of the most exciting and forward-looking businesses in the world.

Our clients are at the forefront of innovation and product development in their various spheres and range from small independent companies to large-scale international corporations. We work with many UK based start-up companies and European, US, Japanese and Chinese businesses and with a network of specialist Intellectual Property Attorneys throughout the world.

HLW commercial laywers

HLW is a fast growing and exciting commercial law firm. We specialise in providing regional businesses with partner-led expert advice on a wide range of legal matters. Offices in both Sheffield and Leeds.

JWPCreers

JWPCreers is one of the most progressive independent practices in York and North Yorkshire, working with clients across the United Kingdom. We are a modern forward thinking practice offering cutting edge, proactive services and advice to our clients.

As accountants and business advisors, JWPCreers provides expert financial guidance and proactive support. There are also very few advisers who can provide the full spectrum of corporate finance advice to middle market businesses, both public and private – JWPCreers corporate finance team can.

JWPCreers is committed to providing accounting services of the highest quality through Certified Accountants and Chartered Accountants who have considerable expertise in their specialist area and who are constantly looking to improve client care. With two offices, one in York and one in Selby, great importance is placed by JWPCreers on developing good client relationships.
 

Knowles Warwick Chartered Accountants

We pride ourselves on our core values: building strong, open relationships with our clients so that we can help them build for the future. We have a wealth of skill and expertise - corporate finance, accountancy practice, international and IT expertise. Your business is more important to you than just facts and figures.  We understand that; and this understanding is at the heart of every service we provide. Every client has a named contact who will take the time to get to know them and their business. That way, we know we can offer you the advice and support you need, when you need it. Knowles Warwick - helping you secure your dreams and ambitions.

KPMG*

KPMG is the global advisory firm whose aim is to turn knowledge into value for the benefit of its clients, its people and its communities. KPMG responds to clients' complex business challenges with seamless service across industry sectors and national boundaries.

Lee & Priestley LLP

Lee & Priestley is a well-established medium sized law firm based in Leeds. With an excellent reputation for providing a full corporate and commercial service to its clients, Lee & Priestley is also ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers. With a strong Yorkshire focus, we act for several of the region’s Universities, their spin off technology companies and many other knowledge based companies. Lee & Priestley is unique in being able to offer its clients the same quality and breadth of experience as the larger law firms, whilst maintaining a more competitive pricing structure.

MFL Science & Technology Insurance Brokers Limited

MFL Science & Technology provides a wide range of bespoke insurance solutions for the financial exposures and potential legal liabilities in the science and technology sector. Our services are designed to accommodate new start ups and established businesses alike, including those involved in IT, biotechnology, research and clinical trials.

PKF (UK) LLP

PKF (UK) LLP is a leading firm of accountants and business advisers with more than 1,500 partners and staff providing services to our clients through 23 UK offices. We specialise in advising growing and owner-managed businesses, AIM and official list companies and also have extensive experience in the public and not-for-profit sectors. We pride ourselves on offering regional knowledge combined with the resources and expertise of a national firm. Our aim is to work closely with our clients to understand their goals and so help to achieve them.
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PricewaterhouseCoopers*

PricewaterhouseCoopers www.pwc.com is the world's largest professional services organisation. Drawing on the knowledge and skills of more than 124,000 people in 142 countries, we build relationships by providing services based on quality and integrity.

RM Corporate Solutions Ltd

RM Corporate is the corporate finance arm of chartered accountants, Robertshaw & Myers. RM Corporate's aim is to deliver a range of high quality, added value, corporate finance, strategic planning and other business advisory services to the owner-managed business community. We will ensure that our clients' objectives are fully understood and achieved through the employment of our skills as professional advisers and business people. We will be part of our clients' team, commercial and supportive, but also objective and challenging.
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Rothschild*

Rothschild, the privately owned investment bank, has the largest and most successful advisory operation outside London with established offices in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. It is the principal provider of corporate financial, banking and treasury services to ambitious public and private companies based in the North of England.

The Asian Business Network

Set up in 1997, ABDN set out to support Asian and Ethnic Minority business to grow and survive. 12 Years on, it has over 1000 members and key partners on board to support new and emerging businesses.

We offer tailored workshops and networking opportunities on various business themes throughout the year. ABDN has a close liaison with PWC , UKTI, Yorkshire Forward, Leeds Chambers and Connect Yorkshire ensuring we are able to keep our members updated in the ever changing business world.

With a diverse range of members covering, retail, logistics catering, construction, media, legal, education and training we come together once a year at our annual dinner and business awards to celebrate the achievements of Asian & Ethnic owned businesses.

ABDN provides a gateway to a thriving and entrepreneurial business community, opening up opportunities for both the private and public sector to engage with a hitherto untapped sector.

The Conference Coach

Often the success or failure of great ideas and great business propositions can hinge on the standard of the presentation and the skills of the presenter.Jon is one of the UK’s most experienced communication/presentation consultants, with a who’s who of business leaders amongst his worldwide client list. For the important pitch, the conference platform or the television or radio appearance, he and his team:

• Work with you to help focus your key messages and plan the overall structure of the presentation.
• Will suggest a range of creative and effective ways to get your messages across, to persuade and influence your audience.
• Coach your presentation team to make them comfortable and confident presenters, to put across clear understandable messages in an interesting and entertaining wayand make the opportunity as enjoyable as possible for the audience… and the presenter!

When making the right impact is important, there’s only one call to make.

The Needle Partnership LLP

The Needle Partnership LLP is an award winning, dynamic law firm which is primarily focussed on meeting the needs of businesses based throughout the UK and overseas. Recognised by the Legal 500 as one of the leading firms in the region for Corporate work and awarded new law firm of the year 2009 by Acquisition Finance Magazine, we offer a range of general commercial and corporate law services, including a number of specialisms not ordinarily found in a firm of our size; these include Corporate Finance, Islamic (Shari’ah) Finance, Franchising, Intellectual Property and Sports Law.

A young, growing organisation ourselves, we have an intimate understanding of the issues faced by investors and entrepreneurs with regard to start up and fledgling businesses. We are well placed to assist them to protect and commercially exploit their business ideas and to guide and support organisations as they mature and develop.

We are also committed to an involvement in our local community including sponsoring and funding school based, organised football training for children living in deprived areas of Leeds.

Turn Key Ltd

Turn Key is a full service marketing agency based in Leeds City Centre. A diverse agency, Turn Key specialises in seven core services; Advertising, Branding, Digital Design, Event Management, Image Retouching, Photography and PR. A small entrepreneurial start up in 2000, Turn Key now prides itself as a unique, passionate and committed agency, dedicated to supporting clients from numerous different industries, exceeding expectations through delivering material of extremely high standards. Building a strong reputation amongst clients, Turn Key is growing rapidly as a company and is a key player in the Marketing Agency field.

UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in an increasingly global economy. Its range of expert services is tailored to the needs of individual businesses to maximise their international success. We provide companies with knowledge, advice and practical support.  UK Trade & Investment is an international organisation which employs around 2,300 staff, in UK embassies, consulates and trade offices, and in the nine English regions. Further information on UK Trade & Investment is available on www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk. Information on UKTI's Yorkshire Team can be found on www.tradeyorkshire.com

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is acclaimed world-wide for the quality of its teaching and research. One of the largest universities in the UK, Leeds is also the most popular among students applying for undergraduate courses. An emphasis on innovative research and investment in high-quality facilities and first-rate infrastructure means that no fewer than 35 departments are rated internationally or nationally 'excellent'.

Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP

Want to grow a valuable and successful company? That is what UDL does through the identification, generation and management of Intellectual Property Rights. UDL are the only Yorkshire based, national firm of patent and trade mark attorneys that have consistently been ranked in the first tier by Legal 500. Contact Richard Gover now at our Leeds office to arrange your free initial consultation.
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Walker Morris*

Walker Morris is one of the leading independent law firms in the country and has an extensive and impressive client list operating in all sectors. The firm's lawyers are well known in the market for their commercial acumen, their broad experience and their technical expertise. Speed, commerciality, value and approachability have been cited by clients as major attributes of the firm. Its work includes the full range of corporate, commercial property and commercial dispute resolution matters.

Ward Hadaway

A new firm to Yorkshire, with a young dynamic office open since 2008. We are well aware first-hand of the challenges in creating a new business. We love helping like-minded entrepreneurs and can assist on fundraising, intellectual property, share options, employment and tax, all areas we find fast growing companies especially need. We can also advise on the full range of business law issues. We have advised many high growth and technology companies from their inception through to successful realisation.
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Winburn Glass Norfolk

WGN assist in the development of small business start-up situations and more established companies, using a 'hands on' approach. This often involves fund raising through debt and equity. We can work on a contingency basis, 'rolling up' all or part of our fees to be paid in the future when funding has been raised. In return we look to be granted a small 'sweat equity' shareholding to act as an incentive to add value to the business. Apart from the above approach, we still provide the full range of audit, accounting and taxation services on a time-cost basis.

Withers & Rogers LLP

Withers & Rogers is one of the UK's leading firms of patent and trade mark attorneys, specialising in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for inventions, trade marks, designs and artistic works.

We have dedicated teams for all major technologies and industry sectors and work closely with our clients to provide commercially astute advice. Our offices are in London, Sheffield, Bristol and Leamington Spa.

YFM Group

The YFM Group provides risk capital and consultancy services to emerging hi-tech businesses. Given that its investment arms, YFM Venture Finance and YFM Private Equity, have had direct experience of the effectiveness of the Connect model elsewhere in the UK, the Group is an enthusiastic supporter of the Connect Yorkshire initiative.

Yorkshire Forward

Yorkshire Forward is the driving force behind the economic regeneration of the region, delivering a programme of change that will make a positive difference to our people, our business and our environment. We need to grow the region's existing businesses and double the rate of new business start-ups. Connect will help achieve these targets.