Watson Homes signs up as headline sponsor of Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2024

Bolton Council has selected Watson Homes as primary sponsor for the upcoming Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2024. Watson Homes is involved in various developments in Bolton, including construction of 417 homes and a 120-bed hotel at Church Wharf. As headline sponsor, they'll support an event considered among the best of its kind in Europe, which drew over 500,000 attendees last year and was awarded the "Most Loved Live Event" at the 2023 I Love Manchester awards. Taking place from August 23rd to August 26th, this year's event features celebrity chef James Martin and will host regional chefs from the North West for free cooking demonstrations, together with special events like the Faulty Towers Dining Experience and the Sheer Luck Holmes murder mystery, alongside stalls, bars, live music and free activities provided by Bolton Library and Museum and The Octagon.

London International Shipping Week (LISW25) welcomes influx of silver sponsors

London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25),which is set for 15th to 19th September next year, has seen significant early support with a notable influx of silver sponsors in the first quarter of the year. This event stands as a major platform and 'must-attend' event, showcasing London and the UK's maritime industry to a global audience. Among the new sponsors are prominent legal firms Quadrant Chambers and Twenty Essex, alongside the leading ship management firm Columbia Shipmanagement Group and digital transformation experts Veson Nautical. LISW25 will host over 350 industry-specific events and functions, designed to foster networking and engagement opportunities for international shipping industry leaders. The week is an initiative of Shipping Innovation, a collaboration between Elaborate Communications and Petrospot.

April 1st, 2024

The Balmoral Show welcomes a long list of new sponsors for 2024 event

The Balmoral Show, in partnership with Ulster Bank, will return to the Eikon Exhibition Centre showgrounds from Wednesday, 15th May to Saturday, 18th May, 2024. Synonymous with the show for many years, G Force Amusements will sponsor a popular Main Arena attraction at this year's event. Specialising in fairground rides, inflatables and the unforgettable panoramic wheel, this Belfast-based company will sponsor the daily Bolddog FMX Display Team. Also joining the 2024 show's list of sponsors are McVeigh Contracts. Based in the heart of Belfast, McVeigh Contracts are experts in all aspects of traffic management and will be sponsoring the car parking passes used by livestock and trade exhibitors. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Eco Egg Shell, Karlswood, Pure Jumps Ltd and Solarfix NI have also been confirmed as new sponsors for the 2024 Balmoral Show.

March 22nd, 2024

Deezer takes category sponsorship role at the 2024 Music Week Awards

Deezer, an independent music experience platform, is set to sponsor the International Marketing Team Of The Year category at the upcoming 2024 Music Week Awards. Scheduled for May 2nd at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, this event marks the return of the International Marketing Team Of The category, which was introduced in 2023. Deezer is recognised for offering a comprehensive music catalogue, including high-quality, lossless HiFi audio and unique features, serving over 180 countries. Since its inception in 2007 in Paris, Deezer has grown to employ over 600 people across France, Germany, the UK, Brazil and the US. Music Week, celebrating over 50 years, continues to be a pivotal trade media brand for the UK music industry.

Power NI extends sponsorship of Best Sustainability Initiative category at The Grocer Marketing Awards

Power NI is continuing its sponsorship of the Best Sustainability Initiative category at The Grocer Marketing Awards, highlighting its commitment to promoting sustainability within the grocery sector of Northern Ireland. A subsidiary of Energia Group and the leading electricity supplier in Northern Ireland, Power NI has a long history of over 90 years in supporting homes, farms, businesses and communities. With a customer service team that has gained recognition for its excellence across Antrim, Belfast and Omagh, Power NI serves over 35,000 commercial premises throughout the region. The Best Sustainability Initiative category is designed to acknowledge businesses that are integrating sustainable practices, focusing on reducing their carbon footprint, and actively working towards environmental conservation. One of the primary methods businesses are adopting to achieve these goals is by investing in and transitioning to more efficient technological solutions, underlining the sector's move towards greater sustainability.

March 12th, 2024

Hankook signs as official partner for three major UK trucking shows

Hankook, a leading tyre manufacturer, has announced its appointment as the official partner for three major UK trucking events during the summer: the 'Best of the Best' Truck Show at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on September 14th and 15th, the Devon Truck Show at Smeathorpe Stadium in Honiton on May 18th and 19th and the Truck Show Cornwall at Stithians Showground in Truro from July 26th to 28th. These events are dedicated to showcasing top commercial transport solutions and the finest commercial vehicles from across the UK and Europe. Hankook will display its truck tyre range, which incorporates advanced 3D technologies designed to enhance wet grip and traction under all weather conditions for the lifespan of the tyre tread. In addition to being the main event sponsor, Hankook will also sponsor two categories: 'Best in Show Truck' and 'Best in Show Light Commercial'.

March 5th, 2024

Leeds Manufacturing Festival announces key 2024 sponsors

This year's Leeds Manufacturing Festival has announced the headline organisations backing its 2024 programme. Leeds City College, engineering and manufacturing recruiter E3 Recruitment and Next Gen Makers, which runs a benchmarking and accreditation scheme for manufacturing and engineering apprenticeships, have all returned to sponsor the festival, which now hosts numerous big-name manufacturers and is in its seventh year. It aims to address the skills and recruitment crisis facing manufacturing and engineering employers by showcasing to school and college students the wide range of well-paid career opportunities on offer in the industry. The festival is also sponsored by Leeds City Council and manufacturing employers MPM, Leeds Welding Company, Greyhound Box and Sound Leisure, Kirkstall Precision Engineering, Saftronics and Bensons Panels, which are members of the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance. For the second year, Leeds Manufacturing Festival is supporting the work of the Howarth Foundation.

Utilita Energy secures NEC Group arena naming rights deal until 2030

Utilita Energy has extended its partnership with NEC Group, securing the naming rights for Utilita Arena Birmingham until 2030 as part of a substantial deal. This agreement not only reaffirms Utilita's role as a leading Pay As You Go Energy supplier in the UK but also emphasises its dedication to Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Through this collaboration, both parties aim to enhance the visibility of Utilita's High5 energy efficiency campaign and focus on charitable activities and sustainability efforts. A unique aspect of this partnership includes renaming the arena's VIP lounge to "Utilita Giving" in support of the charity aiding those struggling with food and fuel poverty. Moreover, Utilita is committed to achieving net zero status by 2030 and will collaborate with the venue to achieve its sustainability objectives, underscoring a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.

February 22nd, 2024

Pride of Tameside Business Awards inks impressive early sponsorship deals

The Pride of Tameside Business Awards are returning this coming May, with an impressive list of sponsors already lined up, say the organisers, Tameside Council. Tameside Council's Economy, Employment and Skills team aims to showcase "the amazing people and businesses helping to drive the local economy and support the community". This year, Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub and local creative business, Visual Architects, have already signed on the dotted line to support the annual event. Local businesses will be able to nominate themselves under a range of categories, including Large Business (51+ Employees), Entrepreneur of the Year, Creative Business, Manufacturing/Engineering, Construction/Property, Childcare/Social Care, Tech/Digital Business, Social Enterprise/CIC/Charity and Green Impact Business.

February 19th, 2024

GoCardless renews sponsorship of the annual JustGiving Awards

GoCardless, the bank payment company, has renewed its commitment to be the official headline sponsorship for the annual JustGiving Awards this September. This follows a similar partnership for the 2023 GoCardless JustGiving Awards which brought in nearly 20,000 votes for twelve finalists. The sponsorship builds on a two-year relationship which started when JustGiving selected GoCardless to collect recurring donations via Direct Debit. Earlier this year, GoCardless was also named the open banking payments provider for the fundraising platform, enabling the public to make instant, one-off donations through its Instant Bank Pay feature. This year's GoCardless JustGiving Awards ceremony will take place at London's iconic Roundhouse on Wednesday 18th September, 2024, bringing together some of the biggest fundraisers and celebrities in the country under one roof.

Hansgrohe becomes latest corporate sponsor of BiKBBI

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has announced Hansgrohe as the latest brand to become a corporate sponsor of the institute, with the global premium bathroom and kitchen company pledging its support to the government-sanctioned organisation and its work in building a sustainable workforce and improving education, standards and compliance in the KBB installation sector. With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, founded in 1901 in the Black Forest, Germany, is an internationally recognised company in the bathroom and kitchen industry, known for innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen mixer tap and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower. In 1990 the Hansgrohe Group founded its UK subsidiary which currently employs around 90 staff, and recently invested more than £5m into its UK business.

February 17th, 2024

Microsoft announced as first sponsor of the 2024 Digital Revolution Awards

The Digital Revolution Awards has announced Microsoft as the first of its sponsors for its 2024 edition. Now into its fourth year, the event spotlights brilliance in the cloud technology community, celebrating individuals and organisations that are helping lift up the industry. This time, Microsoft will be supporting the Outstanding Contribution to the Microsoft Community category, which recognises individuals who've gone above and beyond to inspire and empower users and businesses of all kinds to accomplish more by using Microsoft Cloud products. Winners of last year's Outstanding Contribution to the Microsoft Community awards included Gregor Suttie (UK and Global). From hosting podcasts or tutorial videos and writing courses, to speaking at or arranging events that help benefit others, the category offers the opportunity to celebrate the unsung heroes who make the cloud a better place to live and work through their passion and advocacy.

February 4th, 2024

Sandvik Coromant renews sponsorship of E&D Zone at MACH 2024

The Education and Development (E&D) Zone at MACH 2024 is again being sponsored by global metalcutting specialist, Sandvik Coromant, which has sponsored the Zone since its introduction at MACH 2012, inspiring the next generation of engineers to join the manufacturing technologies sector. The E&D Zone is the educational hub at MACH 2024, designed for students keen to explore what engineering-based manufacturing can offer them as a future career. Via guided tours of the exhibition students learn more about the latest manufacturing technologies being developed and deployed in UK industry and about potential career paths and opportunities - with guidance on the manufacturing and engineering companies that are recruiting UK apprentices. Over 3,000 students aged 11-18 are expected to attend this year, with interactive activities organised by contributors including F1 in Schools, University of Wolverhampton Racing, Vex Robotics and the National Physical Laboratory.

Brighton's Beryl BTN Bikes scheme in one year sponsorship deal with Vita Coco water

Brighton & Hove's Beryl BTN Bikes, a city cycle hire scheme, has finalised a one-year sponsorship agreement with Vita Coco, a leading coconut water company. The partnership will result in Vita Coco's branding being prominently displayed on the rear wheels of both Beryl BTN bikes and e-bikes. Additionally, the collaboration includes a series of events and giveaways planned throughout the city. The sponsor's presence will extend to the organisation's website, app and social media channels. The council plans to reinvest 100% of its sponsorship earnings back into the bike scheme. Vita Coco, established in the UK since 2010, is renowned for its coconut water products, popular among health-conscious consumers, wellness experts, athletes and celebrities. The brand's range has expanded to include various coconut waters and coconut oils.

December 19th, 2023

British Museum's £50m deal with BP sparks fury from campaigners

BP's £50m sponsorship of the British Museum was announced as a significant contribution to the institution's "masterplan", which will include a new Energy Centre, funded by the government and the redevelopment of around a third of its galleries. The new deal, to cover a ten-year period, sparked outrage from environmental campaigners such as Greenpeace, Culture Unstained and BP or Not BP?, with accusations of "greenwashing" and questions around the compatibility of the institution's phasing out of the use of fossil fuels via its new energy centre with its acceptance of such a large sponsorship deal with a giant energy and oil company. In its masterplan document the Museum insisted, "The BM is committed to pursuing every reasonable means to ensure its financial robustness".

December 4th, 2023

Gulf x Williams Racing crowned winners of inaugural Brand Partnership of the Year Award

At the 36th Autosport Awards in London, Gulf x Williams Racing received the inaugural Brand Partnership of the Year Award. This award was in recognition of their fan-voted livery competition, allowing supporters worldwide to choose their preferred livery design for Williams Racing's FW45 cars, driven by Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant. The competition, which started in May, involved 180,000 votes over three rounds, with the 'Bolder than Bold' design eventually winning. The criteria for the award focused on creativity, effective brand message communication, and value addition to the motorsport team or series. This partnership was celebrated at the Singapore, Japan and Qatar Grands Prix, highlighting the collaboration between Gulf and Williams Racing.

Contact

Please send press releases to Richard Fox at rf@uksponsorship.com