Technology Firm Connects with Beacon Network
A Yeovil-based firm that puts information at politicians' fingertips and helps bring live football to our homes is celebrating the news that it is joining an elite group of South West businesses with Beacon status.
Information and Visual Communications (IVC) specialises in the design, project management and installation of unified data, video and voice technologies and employs thirty staff at its base in Lufton Trading Estate. With more than 30 years' experience in the sector, its clients include the new Wembley Stadium where it worked on connecting the cameras on the field to studios in the stands, the BBC, the Palace of Westminster and the Welsh Assembly.
Sue Baker, Director of Beacon SW, with Ray Harding, MD of IVC (centre) with other team members
At the start of the year, IVC completed a £2.7m project equipping Welsh National Assembly's debating chamber with discreet computers with silent keyboards, optical mice, touch screens and audio conferencing. Believed to be the first of its kind in the world, it was recognised internationally when it was given an InAVation award for the 'most InAVative large Commercial Project', beating companies from across Europe, Middle East and Africa. In the Autumn, IVC is taking several Beacon companies to the Welsh National Assembly to show its work in action.
Beacon South West, a key business initiative of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) which aims to bring together the region's cutting-edge and high-growth companies, identified IVC as an ideal candidate for Beacon status due to its track record in innovation and design and expertise in working on high-profile projects.
Sue Baker, director of Beacon South West, comments: "Beacon South West brings together companies from a diverse range of industries to share ideas and accelerate the spread of good business and management practice. We are delighted to welcome IVC to the growing Beacon network as we believe it has much expertise and wisdom to share with other companies in the region having operated in its field for many decades."
Ray Harding, managing director of IVC, explains why he wanted the company to qualify for Beacon status: "I attended the Beacon South West annual conference last November and I was really impressed by the calibre of people gathered and the stimulating presentations. I have been to conferences all over the world and this was, by far, one of the most memorable. As a result, I felt that Beacon was the sort of network I wanted to be a part of.
"Beacon is an integral part of all that going on in South West business community; I believe it acts as a think tank for the region and is an excellent way of connecting with key people who are spearheading the South West's economy."
He adds: "We are always looking to do something extraordinary and to keep ahead of the game and we hope that by being a part of Beacon we will be 'kept on our toes' and continue to think more clearly and aim higher."
IVC becomes the 192nd Beacon company in the South West and it joins companies such as Cotleigh Brewery, Mulberry, Bristol International Airport, Triodos Bank and Burts Potato Chips.
