Horse-racing’s most successful jockey AP McCoy joins Grand National sponsor Randox Health
Horse-racing’s most successful jockey AP McCoy joins Grand National sponsor Randox Health
In time for the return of the highly anticipated jump season, Randox Health, the new sponsor of the Grand National has unveiled the 20-time Champion Jump Jockey Sir Anthony McCoy as its brand ambassador. It signals a new era of sponsorship for the racing industry and is an active move to promote a healthier and more positive lifestyle for jockeys and fans alike.
Randox is a world leader in the promotion of effective preventive care and long-term wellbeing. The global diagnostics company, the new sponsor of the Randox Health Grand National and the Official Healthcare Partner of The Jockey Club, is opening healthcare clinics across the UK, Ireland, US and Middle East which will revolutionise healthcare through the use of its patented biochip array technology.
Using a comprehensive range of blood tests and biochip arrays, Randox enables early and accurate diagnosis of a wide range of clinical conditions and can carry out risk assessments on longer term threats including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Sir Anthony McCoy commented;
“My days of competitive horse racing might be behind me, but I’ve no intention of slowing down. I always try and enjoy life to the full, and staying healthy is key to that. You’re happiest when you’re healthy, and that’s why I’m delighted to be an ambassador for Randox Health. They’re leading the field in preventive healthcare and can give you an entire breakdown on not only how healthy you are now, but also on future risks and how best to maintain your health.”
Randox founder Dr Peter FitzGerald welcomed the announcement;
“AP McCoy didn’t leave any aspect of his racing career to guesswork and he is making sure the next stage of his life is no different. He is recognised around the world as an incredible sportsman who pushed his body to its limits during his career. I am delighted now that he is working with Randox Health to ensure not only that he stays healthy, but that his fans do too. Our goal is to transform global healthcare – it’s not enough to achieve long life on its own, we must strive for long health too. Given the choice, few people will leave that to chance. By joining forces with the world’s most popular jockey and the world’s most popular horse-race, we believe we can share that message and improve people’s health across the world.”
One of the central pillars of the partnership between AP McCoy and Dr FitzGerald is a shared love of horses. Randox has worked for over 20 years with the equine industry in delivering products to ensure the health and well-being of endurance racehorses. The complete equine health programme includes tests that minimise the risk of injury to horses by measuring the impact of training. Randox has worked with the Irish Equine Centre and 15-times National Hunt Champion, Martin Pipe.
Randox Health Clinics are currently located in London and Belfast, with ambitious plans to roll out a number of new centres across the UK and internationally including in LA and Dubai. Using the latest blood science technology, Randox’s scientists analyse over 350 different indicators of your body’s wellbeing across a range of different areas including cancer surveillance, fertility, heart, nutritional, digestive and diabetes health. Not only do you find out how healthy you are now, but you are also empowered with the knowledge of how you can stay healthy for years to come.
For more information contact the Randox PR team on 028 9445 1016 or email nicola.mchugh@randox.com or amy.mcilwaine@randox.com.
We Are Randox | Introducing our Randox Health Grand National Graphic Designer, Anne Smith
As a global company with over 1400 employees of 44 different nationalities, we know that the key to success is having a diverse and multi-talented team.
We’re passionate about celebrating the talent and creativity of our Randox employees who make Randox as great as it is today, and who each have their own unique and interesting story to tell.
This week, we had a quick Q&A session with our Lead Graphic Designer, Anne Smith, to hear about her role in Team Randox and what makes her job so exciting.
Spoiler Alert: She’s designed the logo for the world’s greatest race…
Anne, tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be Lead Graphic Designer at Randox.
I studied Art for GCSE and A-Level before choosing to study Graphic Design and Illustration at Ulster University’s Belfast Campus. My course was really interesting and it allowed me to get to grips with using digital design software, including the key Adobe software packages; Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I particularly enjoyed studying the more niche design areas of Typography and Illustration, and learning these new skills instilled in me the ambition to work in a fast-paced, international company with a wide range of different design projects on offer. I wanted to not only utilise my current design skills, but also have the opportunity to learn new ones. So that’s what motivated me to apply for a job at Randox when I graduated!
How did you originally find out about roles in Graphic Design at Randox?
I found out about opportunities in Graphic Design at Randox through the Job Centre NI. Randox has always been a name that people in Northern Ireland know as a key business and employer, but I never really thought about there being Graphic Design jobs in a diagnostics company! I suppose most people think of Graphic Design jobs being in Design or Marketing Agencies, but it’s important to know that many major companies have their own in-house Design Teams. Randox is one such company and has provided me with an incredibly dynamic, exciting job because there’s always something new going on here.
What are the different Graphic Design roles across the company?
We currently have a team of seven Graphic Designers here at Randox and we work across a range of our product divisions. We each have a dedicated product group which we look after – so that could be Randox Quality Control, Randox Biosciences, Randox Health, Corporate Events, or anything in between. As the company grows and the demand for more design material increases, we will want to expand the Graphic Design Team even further.
What does being a designer at Randox involve on a daily basis?
Graphic Design is so varied – one minute I could be designing brochures for a new Randox product, and the next presenting a storyboard concept to our Marketing Managers for a new corporate video. Within each product group we work on producing promotional material such as brochures, pop-up stands, social media graphics, and newsletters. I also look after corporate design such as employee business cards and recruitment adverts.
What has been your proudest achievement while working with Randox?
That would definitely have to be when my design for the Randox Health Grand National logo was officially finalised and released to the public! A lot of hard work and creativity went in to designing the new logo for the world’s greatest race and I’m proud to say that it’s my design.
How did the opportunity come about to design the Randox Health Grand National logo?
We’re very proud of the fact that at Randox we have such fantastic talent in our Marketing teams, and as such we like to keep all elements of our Marketing in-house. When Randox Health and our partners at The Jockey Club decided to create a new logo to accompany the new sponsorship, our Graphic Design Team were given the opportunity to come up with our ideas for the new logo. The final decision was then a two-step process – we presented our logo ideas to our Randox Marketing Managers, and The Jockey Club Team, and we also let all Randox employees vote for their favourite logo. I was delighted when my design was chosen!
What’s the creative process involved in coming up with a new design?
Every piece of design is different but in this instance there were a lot of key messages we wanted to get across with the Randox Health Grand National logo. When we’re asked to produce a new design we’re usually given a brief with the key messages, and in this case it was the speed, agility and excitement of horse racing. So I went away and came up with a few different concepts that I felt portrayed this speed and excitement, and after much consideration chose my final design!
What does it feel like knowing your design will be seen by 600,000,000 people across the world during the Randox Health Grand National?
Really exciting! Our team went to the Grand National 2016 in April, and the site is incredible. The racecourse and the surrounding site is so expansive, and to think that my logo will be displayed across it, and therefore seen by the world, is just amazing.
Between now and April when the Randox Health Grand National takes place, what artwork will you be creating?
There’s a lot of branding that needs to be done – for the racecourse, the Aintree site, the Liverpool area, and additionally lots of adverts, editorials and online branding such as for our website and social media. We won’t be short of work to do!
Do you have any advice for people considering a job in Graphic Design?
There are many challenges that come with working in Graphic Design. Quite often the creation of a new design can be a lengthy process, as you will have to make several changes and amendments to a design before a final concept is chosen. However, it is important to appreciate the huge amount of thought and consideration put in to each and every element of a new design, and to know that all the hard work will be worth it in the end! There is no prouder feeling than seeing your hard work going to print. I never thought that I would be the Designer for the Official Randox Health Grand National logo, but here I am, and I couldn’t be prouder.
If you have any questions for Anne about what it’s like working in the Randox Graphic Design Team, you can contact her via email: anne.smith2@randox.com or for current vacancies, click here .
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
Randox Health to sponsor the two feature contests at The Showcase
Randox is pleased to announce that Randox Health will sponsor two £50,000 handicap chases at The Showcase on Saturday, October 22 – the Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase (3.30pm) over two miles and the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase (1.50pm) over three miles and a furlong.
Earlier this year, Randox Health signed a five-year agreement to become title sponsors of the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree from 2017 and was also unveiled as the official healthcare partner of The Jockey Club, joining an esteemed and growing list of Group Partners. By embarking on this Group-wide partnership the Jockey Club is striving to raise Randox Health’s message of preventive health and wellbeing amongst its members, and to the wider racing audience of all Jockey Club Racecourses.
The Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase and the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase are the richest races over the two days of The Showcase, which gets Cheltenham’s new season underway on Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22.
Popular chaser Balthazar King captured the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase three years on the bounce (2011, 2012, 2013) and was runner-up to Pineau De Re in the 2014 Grand National.
The Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase, run at two and a half miles up to and including 2014, has provided some valuable pointers to the BetVictor Gold Cup at The Open in November. Johns Spirit captured both races in 2013, as did Shooting Light (2001) and The Outback Way (1999).
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, is looking forward to The Showcase which marks the beginning of the roll out of Randox Health branding across Jockey Club courses;
“We are thrilled to be able to bring the name of Randox Health to the participants and viewers of the Randox Handicap Steeple Chase and the Randox Health Handicap Steeple Chase. The races mark the beginning of our partnership with the Jockey Club, whose courses are the perfect platform to highlight the benefits of our Randox Health Preventive Health Programmes to the public, and also to bring the other diagnostic capabilities of our healthcare company, including Equine Health and Food Testing, amongst others, to the attention of equestrian enthusiasts. Our health is our most valuable commodity and so we want to keep the horse racing fraternity healthy so they are able to enjoy such fantastic events as The Showcase.”
Carey Buckler, Regional Head of Partnerships, South West Region, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “I am delighted that Randox Health are to sponsor at Cheltenham during The Showcase.
“Their involvement with The Jockey Club is really exciting and it is great that we are able to work with them across the group ahead of next year’s Randox Health Grand National.”
For further information please contact our Randox Comms Team on 028 9445 1016 or email amy.mcilwaine@randox.com
Careers Tips | Don’t Get Stressed… Deskercise!
Ever wonder how motivated and successful people stay so calm at work? Here at Randox, we know that even the most enjoyable careers can get stressful, even for the most motivated employees!
According to a CIPD Absence Management Survey the number one cause for long term sickness is stress. When the paperwork begins to pile up and to-do lists become longer it can be difficult not to let the mounting pressure get to you. But, there’s good news! Exercise is not only for the body, but the mind too. Exercise at work can improve our mental wellbeing improving our ability to deal with the pressure/stress in our working lives. So, if you want to keep your cool like John from H.R., here’s some tips on how you can make some changes today towards improving your mood (even on Mondays!)
1. Get up a go. We all realise how important exercise is but making the time for it in our busy lives can be difficult. Why not make simple changes increasing the amount of physical activity you can squeeze into your day. Take the stairs whenever you can. Perhaps even park your car in a space further away meaning more time to stretch your legs.
2. Stretch at your desk. Research by the NHS says Adults in the UK are sitting for 7 hours a day! Find yourself staring at your computer screen all day? Alternate your tasks at works. Why not even try the CIPD suggested “chairobics”…stretches you can do without even leaving your chair such as rotating your shoulders. Chairobics is so widely praised there’s even sit-down aerobics classes based on teaching people how to get moving at their desk!
3. Clear your head. Don’t be afraid to take a screen-break every now and again. I know it can seem like you’re wasting your precious work time, but clearing your head of the stresses you accumulate at work will give you a clearer perspective on things ensuring you remain motivated and more productive. There is a long history of research into breaks and the correct amount of time for a computer-break. Employers first began offering the break because of its effects of revival on work quality. Not only does it revive your work, however, it revives you! Physical activity goes a long way contributing to improving your own mental well being. Any activity that makes you feel good does well. Feeling good boosts your productivity in work and as the saying goes “Nothing will work unless you do”.
4. Sit up straight. Good posture at your desk will improve your breathing making you feel calmer and therefore less like likely to get stressed no matter what work related task is thrown your way. Bad posture, on the other hand can cause many problems such as pains, and headaches. Try this. Roll your shoulders back and straighten your spine. Lift you chin up. How much better do you feel? More motivated and ready to take on the world of work? Don’t question the power of good posture on your mood!
In conclusion, we quote Ziggy Marley; “Doing something that is productive is a great way to alleviate emotional stress. Get your mind doing something that is productive.” We all want to be as cool as a cucumber in stressful situations at work so the next time you’re feeling under pressure try some of these tips and smile! It’s Friday, afterall!
For more tips, follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Take a look at our website to discover the endless job opportunities open to you!
Randox Health sponsors Royal Ulster Yacht Club – 150 years of sailing excellence
World leader in preventive healthcare, Randox Health, is announced as the title sponsor of the 150th Anniversary celebrations for Royal Ulster Yacht Club at Bangor on Belfast Lough.
The fortnight of celebrations began on Friday 17th June with The Sigma 33 UK & Irish National Championships which attracted twenty boats from throughout the UK and Ireland. The 150th Keelboat event begins on Saturday 25th June until Sunday 26th June. This event has attracted not only local modern yachts but also some of the classics of the sport. The 150th Anniversary celebrations will conclude on Friday 1st July with a Gala Dinner.
Stuart Penrose, Global Marketing Manager of Randox Health is eagerly anticipating the 150th Keelboat event this weekend, and commented;
“We are proud to sponsor the Royal Ulster Yacht Club in its 150th year. As an innovative healthcare company committed to improving people’s health and wellbeing, we value the opportunity for people to get involved in competitive sport, that the RUYC offers. Sailing simultaneously brings benefits to your physical health, but getting out on the sea and taking in fresh air can contribute to your wellbeing too.”
The Randox Health team will also be in attendance at the event, where you can find information on the latest technology to better understand your current and future health.
Randox Health is committed to changing the landscape of preventative health care through a steadfast commitment to developing the most comprehensive and personalised health checks possible.
To find out more, contact the Randox Health team today:
0800 2545 130
Global healthcare provider Randox Health to become Official Partner of the Grand National Festival
Global innovative healthcare company, Randox Health, will become the new Official Partner of the world’s greatest race, the Grand National, and the three-day Grand National Festival staged at Aintree Racecourse.
Randox Health is a world leader in healthcare diagnostics; today more than 5% of the world’s population – in excess of 370 million people across 145 countries – receives medical diagnosis using Randox products each year.
Offering the world’s most advanced preventive health screening in their clinics, currently in London and Belfast, Randox Health plans to roll out clinics nationally and internationally over the next 12 months, including in Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin. The Randox Health checks aim to prevent illness and enhance wellbeing by running hundreds of tests from one simple patient sample. These unique tests give an extraordinary insight into every aspect of a person’s health.
Founded in 1982 in County Antrim by leading medical scientist and keen horseman, Dr. Peter FitzGerald CBE, Randox Health is dedicated to improving health and enhancing lives, worldwide. To achieve their goals the company is committed to an extensive research programme, investing more than £220m since 1992. The company currently employs more than 1,400 people of 44 different nationalities.
This research has also led to the establishment of a number of successful subsidiary companies supporting forensic toxicology, food safety and veterinary care, as well as leading developments within the pharmaceutical industry.
With around 9 million people tuning in each year in the UK, the £1 million Grand National currently attracts one of the largest live TV audiences in sport and Channel 4’s largest audience of the year. From 2017, the first year with new partner Randox Health, the race will be broadcast on ITV. Worldwide the event attracts an estimated television audience of around 600 million, with more than 150,000 people enjoying the action live from Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside over the course of the three-day racing festival.
Randox Health also becomes the Official Healthcare Partner of The Jockey Club. Founded in 1750 and today British Racing’s largest commercial group, The Jockey Club runs many of the sport’s most iconic assets which as well as the Grand National Festival include the Cheltenham Festival, The Investec Derby Festival and The National Stud, with all profits going back into the sport thanks to being a company incorporated by Royal Charter.
Crabbie’s, Title Partner for the 2016 Grand National Festival being held 7th to 9th April and the previous two runnings, will retain its association with the Jump Racing spectacular, moving from 2017 to become sponsors of the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle on the Friday’s Ladies Day.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald CBE, Founder and Managing Director of Randox, said:
“The Randox Health team is extremely pleased to partner the world’s greatest race. The Grand National offers us a major public platform to raise awareness of preventative healthcare and to encourage people to take control of their health and wellbeing. We see this partnership as a natural fit, as both organisations invest heavily in the future and we aim to use our partnership to promote a positive lifestyle and to bring enjoyment to millions of people. We care about people’s health and this is the people’s race.
“Crabbie’s sponsorship of the Grand National will be a hard act to follow, but we look forward to rising to the challenge and sharing our vision for Randox Health further once the 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National has drawn to a close and our rights for the world’s greatest race come into effect.”
John Baker, North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, who runs Aintree, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Randox Health as our new partner from after the 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National Festival. This is an incredibly exciting time to join forces with Randox because they are highly ambitious as a company and share our aspiration to promote the Grand National to the maximum number of people in the years ahead.
“We are already working closely with Randox Health and are excited both about their plans for the future and how they see the role of our partnership within that. Their vision, people and operation are very impressive, they love their racing and I am confident they will prove fantastic partners for our crown jewel.
“I should also like to thank Crabbie’s brand owner, Halewood International, and in particular Judy Halewood and Peter Eaton, for their very generous and beneficial support of the Crabbie’s Grand National these past three years. I am very pleased they will remain involved and associated with Aintree through sponsorship of the high value Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle and of course before that the important 169th running of the world’s greatest steeplechase in April under their banner.”
For more information contact Randox PR on 028 9445 1016 or email nicola.mchugh@randox.com, or amy.mcilwaine@randox.com
For further information on Randox Health, please visit www.randoxhealth.com
Celebrating a new era of healthcare at The Randox Health Healthcare Awards
The hard work and expertise of Northern Ireland’s leading Healthcare professionals was formally acknowledged at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel on the evening of Thursday 4th February, where the glamorous black tie Randox Health Healthcare Awards took place.
Following on from the huge success of the inaugural Healthcare Awards last year, the event returned to the atmospheric hotel, for another evening of celebration and entertainment.
With a high calibre of Northern Ireland’s top businesses and organisations, including Ulster University, The South Eastern Trust, The Belfast Trust, Lloyds Pharmacy, Healthcare Ireland, Boots, Hutchinson Care Homes, Vision Express, and Danske Bank, turning out in their finest to enjoy a drinks reception and dinner, the evening saw those within the industry rewarded for their skills in the wider healthcare sector.
Categories announced and presented by the BBC’s Noel Thompson over the course of the evening included: Optometry Practice of the Year, Dental Practice of the Year, Pharmacist of the Year, The Innovation Award, Training in Healthcare Award, Clinical Excellence Award, Care Home of the Year, Community Nurse of the Year and GP Practice of the Year.
Popular comedian Josh Daniels performed on the evening after a fast-paced Live Charity Auction managed by City Auction Group. All proceeds from the event were donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Katie Coyle, Manager of Randox Health who sponsored the event, said: “We are proud to be sponsoring The Healthcare Awards, and to therefore be able to simultaneously recognise the hard work of healthcare professionals across Northern Ireland, and raise funds for the very worthy cause of Marie Curie Cancer Care. At Randox Health we believe our personalised health check is at the forefront of a new era of healthcare, and we subsequently recognise this dedication and commitment to improving healthcare in our peers who attended last night’s event. Congratulations to everyone who won an award – we are delighted that we were able to share in your success. ”
The awards ceremony paid tribute to healthcare professionals, in both the private sector and across the NHS, who showcase excellence in day-to-day patient care, patient service, innovation, surgery facilities and after-care, and who strive towards improving the quality of healthcare and the health of the region.
The Nurse of the Year Award, recognising the hard work of nurses across Northern Ireland who provide an invaluable 24 hours a day service to patients, was won by Michelle Doggett, acknowledging her high standard of patient care and management to her patients.
Donna Hosking, Event Organiser of The Healthcare Awards, was extremely pleased with how the evening went and emphasised that the competition for each category was fierce: “We are thrilled to have teamed up with Randox Health for this year’s awards to recognise and reward best practice in the healthcare sector, within medicine, pharmacy, nursing, community care, dentistry and research. The awards are now in their second year and have attracted a wide range of applicants from healthcare practices, businesses and consultancies from across Northern Ireland – all of whom are extremely successful healthcare professionals, worthy of winning an award for their hard work and dedication to improving health in Northern Ireland. On behalf of everyone who was involved in The Randox Health Healthcare Awards I would like to congratulate all of our award winners, and thank all of our attendees for supporting the event. To all of our awards applicants I would like to say thank you for your hard work in your respective fields, and I hope you enjoyed the evening!”
Diagnostics leader delivers new fertility service for UK
- UK-based diagnostics firm supporting call for responsible use of antibiotics in conjunction with European and International Antibiotics Awareness initiatives
- New molecular diagnostic multiplex assays hold the key to first-time, accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases
- Assays have the power to diagnose primary, secondary and asymptomatic co-infections to inform appropriate antibiotic prescribing
UK-based diagnostics company, Randox Laboratories, is supporting the call for patients and prescribers to ‘resist and desist’ antibiotic use in the fight against antimicrobial resistance this European Antibiotics Awareness Day. Coinciding with international awareness weeks in Australia, Canada and the USA, the concerted efforts of health authorities around the world to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance is testimony to the global reach of the issue.
Now declared a ‘major threat’ by the World Health Organisation, Randox has been working at the forefront of this global challenge to deliver effective diagnostic solutions to arm against this growing problem. Developed over two decades of research and an investment of £200m, Randox’s innovative Biochip Array Technology (BAT) is the latest weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, with the ability to simultaneously detect multiple pathogens in a single test for rapid and accurate diagnosis.
Randox’s range of molecular assays within infectious disease enable the detection of primary, secondary and asymptomatic co-infections for a more comprehensive understanding of the drivers of infection in individual patients. The Randox STI Multiplex Array simultaneously detects up to 10 pathogens from a single patient sample, whilst the Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array rapidly screens for 22 bacterial and viral upper and lower respiratory tract infections, with same day result reporting, for rapid diagnosis.
As Randox Managing Director Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE FREng explains, screening for all potential pathogens in infectious disease is vital in ensuring accurate diagnoses can be made; “Even after a confirmed diagnosis, many patients who haven’t been tested for a wider range of pathogens may harbour co-infections, impeding the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment and prolonging exposure to infection.
“Through a more comprehensive screening strategy at initial presentation, a complete patient profile can be obtained which will give clinicians greater understanding of the working of the disease and allow them to diagnose and prescribe correctly, ruling in or out the need for antibiotics, and helping to control their appropriate use.”
Antibiotic resistance has largely been fuelled by patient and prescriber overreliance on using antibiotics to treat disease. Once considered to be ‘magic bullets’ for curing infections, antibiotics are now firing blanks as they become ineffective against many common and treatable infectious diseases, such as the sexually transmitted infection, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and respiratory tract infections such as staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pneumoniae, which have been shown to be acquiring increasing levels of resistance to antibiotic treatment.
“First-time, accurate diagnosis of infection through molecular testing is key to treating infections correctly. The availability of these assays provides a powerful weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and we would encourage health providers around the world to utilise this technology to help curb the spread of the problem.”
For more information visit Randox: www.randox.com.
