Basingstoke based RFI has announced record quarterly sales of its OmniPass products. Even before the end of the current quarter, it is clear that sales will be significantly ahead of the previous record and the current level of enquiries indicates that this growth should continue into 2008.

RFI’s Technology Development Manager, Stuart Thomas, commented:

We have been using OmniPass technology within the RFI group for some time and it has transformed the way we manage and perform the testing of cellular mobiles. For example we can now manage testing remotely and debug products from anywhere in the world; this is particularly useful in a 24 x 7 environment.

During 2007, we have seen a significant rise in interest from companies outside the RFI group who want to use OmniPass technology. As well as applications in conformance testing, we are also seeing increasing interest in the use of OmniPass for regression testing and other applications earlier in the design process.

A further letting of prime office space has been announced in the Renaissance development on Basing View, Basingstoke.

The Emerald Group have signed for the 2nd floor of 7,700 sq ft (715 sq m) in Building 2200, taking a new 10 year lease with a 5 year break option, at a commencing rent of £17.50 per sq ft.

Richard Thomas of agents Baker Davidson Thomas, who along with Strutt & Parker advised the landlord, ING Real Estate Investment Management, in the transaction, confirmed that this was the second letting in the building in 5 months, “bucking the trend to some extent”. PRN Services were reported as having leased space on the first floor in the same building in August 2007.

The Emerald Group is a leading Executive Search Firm specialising in the Financial Services Market. Their niche sectors include Actuarial, Investment Banking, Asset Management, Hedge Funds, Life & Pensions and FX. As a result of their relocation from Worthy House in Winchester Road they will double in size.

In a separate transaction, their freehold interest in this property has been sold by Baker Davidson Thomas to Scottish & Southern Energy plc. The building was sold within 2 months of coming to the market.

Shire yesterday announced boardroom changes as Dr. James H. Cavanaugh will step down as the pharmaceutical company’s chairman in June 2008 with CEO Matthew Emmens will succeed him at the Basingstoke based international pharmaceutical company.
Angus Russell will take over as CEO and David Kappler will be appointed deputy chairman while continuing his existing role as senior independent director.

James Cavanaugh has been Chairman of Shire since 1999 and, on retiring, will have been a member of the Board for 11 years.Matthew Emmens has 34 years of industry experience and since joining Shire in 2003, has successfully led the Company through a period of significant strategic development.

This has created a leading global specialty biopharmaceutical company with a well developed and diversified product portfolio, an excellent management team and a strong corporate culture

Matthew Emmens’ successor, as Chief Executive, will be Angus Russell, who has been Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 1999 and who has also been instrumental in Shire’s development in recent years. Angus Russell is well qualified for his new position with eight years experience at Shire as CFO and Executive Board Director and 27 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry including working for ICI, Zeneca and AstraZeneca in finance, strategy and marketing

Commenting James Cavanaugh said:

It is an appropriate time to retire as I will have served some 11 years on Shire’s Board, eight as chairman, at our next Annual General Meeting. Matt has been an exceptional Chief Executive throughout the five years he has spent in the role. Over that time he has served both Shire and its shareholders outstandingly well, leading the company through a period of significant strategic and financial progress and providing strong returns for shareholders, with the company’s market capitalisation rising from £1.7 billion in March 2003 to its current £6.6 billion. Matt will make an excellent non-executive Chairman and we are delighted that he will continue to play an important part in Shire’s continued success.

Angus will make a strong Chief Executive and has both considerable experience of Shire and the pharmaceutical industry in general. He, with Matt, has been instrumental in guiding Shire’s successful development and creating such good returns for shareholders. Maintaining continuity for a successful specialty biopharmaceutical company in a dynamic industry will we believe protect and develop the Company and future returns to shareholders.

Matthew Emmens commented:

I would like to thank Dr Cavanaugh for his guidance over many years at Shire. During the time we have worked together, Shire has made great progress. I am delighted at the prospect of becoming non-executive Chairman of the Group and supporting Angus in his new role, for which he is very well qualified. The support of David Kappler will also prove invaluable. Shire has a clear strategy, a differentiated pharmaceutical business model and is well positioned to take advantage of the many opportunities in its markets. To date, the success of this strategy is demonstrated by a strong performance, reflected in our recently announced upgraded guidance for revenue growth for 2007.

Scott Wilson Group plc, (”Scott Wilson” or “the Group”), the international consultancy based in Basingstoke offering integrated professional services in the transportation, property, environmental and natural resources sectors, today reports its interim results for the 26 week period ended 28 October 2007.

Highlights

• Another period of significant growth with performance continuing to exceed the five-year strategic plan
• Record order book of £280m, providing good visibility through the second half of the year and beyond
• Two acquisitions completed during the period further improve the Group’s diversity and balance; integration of 2006 acquisitions on track and continuing to deliver significant operating synergies
• Medium term growth targets upgraded: operating margin of at least 10 per cent by 2013; EPS growth of 15 per cent per annum
• Sean Cummins appointed as Group Finance Director on 1 October 2007

The Directors believe that the presentation of adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted profit before tax and adjusted earnings per share assists with the understanding of the performance of the Group.

• Adjusted operating profit is operating profit adjusted for the impact of amortisation of business combination intangibles, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments and the Group’s share of taxation in relation to joint ventures.
• Adjusted operating margin is adjusted operating profit expressed as a percentage of revenue including share of joint ventures.
• Adjusted profit before taxation is profit before taxation adjusted for the impact of amortisation of business combination intangibles, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments and the Group’s share of taxation in relation to joint ventures.
• Adjusted earnings per share is earnings per share adjusted for the impact amortisation of business combination intangibles and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments.

Reconciliations of these measures to operating profit, operating margin, profit before tax and earnings per share are set out in notes 6 and 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial summary

Geoff French, Chairman of Scott Wilson commented:

This has been another period of significant growth for Scott Wilson, during which we have continued to take full advantage of strong market conditions and reap the rewards of the strategic acquisitions we have made. The important project wins, in both our domestic and international business, during the first half of the year demonstrate the increasing diversity of the Group, both in terms of geography and market sectors. The combination of our broader service offering with a record order book and continuing high demand means that we are confident we will deliver results in line with full year expectations

Plans to keep Basingstoke buoyant have been given a big boost with the announcement of £5 million in government funding to help solve the borough’s infrastructure issues and support major projects to improve the town centre and its commercial heart.

This week the Government has announced £1,726,709 in New Growth Point funding for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in 2008/2009 and indicated that this would be followed by an addition £3,170,188 in the following two years.

The funding is part of £732 million announced for New Growth Points nationally. Basingstoke was named as one of 29 New Growth Points across the country in October last year, recognising that it needed financial support for growth as it is one of the key drivers in the south east’s economy.

The money will help to support the council’s proposals for the future of the borough, which include:

• The regeneration of one of Basingstoke’s key commercial areas, Basing View, as a 21st Century economic hub
• The creation of an integrated transport network
• Working with key national economic and educational bodies, including the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and universities, to develop a ‘learning campus’. This would bring together further ‘vocational’ style training with higher education degrees and state of the art research.
• Providing a wide range of housing that meets the needs of all the community through the on-going development of large housing sites and brownfield regeneration
• Continuing to develop shopping, leisure and cultural facilities making Basingstoke a great place to live, work and visit
• Maintaining and enhancing the built and natural environment and urban public spaces

It will also help fund work being carried out by the borough council, with key partners, to develop solutions to water quality issues, especially the treatment of waste water, and manage the pressures on the strategic road network, as well as better understanding the long-term economic opportunities for the town.

Cabinet Member for Economic and Educational Development Cllr Andrew Finney said:

This is government backing for our ambition to maximise the potential of Basingstoke and Deane, through planned growth. This funding will help us achieve our vision of a prosperous borough where business can flourish and where people can live in decent homes in well-planned developments.

The annual Christmas party for the children is being held this Saturday from 11am to 2pm at Winterthur Way, Basingstoke.

The children will be entertained by children’s entertainer Squirty Wirty who is a member of The Magic Circle and The Punch and Judy Fellowship. There will be face paint artists, a disco and party food.

Father Christmas will make a special visit for 3 to 5 year olds at 12.30pm and 6 to 9 year olds at 1.15pm.

Jacqui Self, Head of HR Business Partnering, Winterthur, and event organiser said,

This is one of my favourite Winterthur traditions. The children love it and all the parents appear to do so too. This year there will be the largest influx of three year olds we have ever had and I believe their excitement will be felt across Basingstoke.

Via The Basingstoke Gazette (Monday 3rd December) the winners from last weeks Inspire 07 Business Awards are:

• Business of the year - Daisy’s Dairy
• E-Business of The Year - What’s On 4 Little Ones
• Young Entrepreneur of the year - Peter Sherwood and Steve Malone of Infosec Technologies
• Exporter of The Year - Vectair
• Rural Business of the year - Hampshire Cheeses
• Sustainable Business of the year - Greenhouse Graphics

You can see a video about the event on the Gazette website.