Fri, 2 Jul 2010
Fellowship award to develop AHP commercial enterprise which helps business organisations performance.
A physiotherapy lecturer in the School of Allied Health Professions, has been awarded a Fellowship to develop the marketing of ‘Invigorate’, a University of East Anglia commercial enterprise which helps business organisations improve performance by addressing lifestyle and routines in the work place.
Jo Geere (pictured), who with colleagues in the Faculty of Health and Research Enterprise and Engagement (REE) launched ‘Invigorate’ in 2009, has been awarded the £10,000 Fellowship by REE. The funding will enable Jo Geere the opportunity to learn more about marketing and business disciplines so that the team can capitalise on Invigorate’s early success. The team has already won contracts with Adnams Brewery – with whom they piloted their scheme, and Worksafe U.K. 'Invigorate' will also provide regional master classes for up to sixty business organisations on work health issues in partnership with Business in the Community, a charitable organisation which works with businesses to build a sustainable future and to promote responsible business practices.
‘Invigorate’ uses the expertise of the Faculty of Health healthcare professionals to work with businesses to identify and resolve issues around lifestyle and work/life balance, musculoskeletal health (such as neck strain or back pain) and poor communication, all of which could lead to lost working days and poor performance. It is estimated that around 175 million working days are lost to ill health in the UK annually, costing the economy around £13bn.
Speaking on behalf of the ‘Invigorate’ team, Jo Geere said, “I’m delighted that we have been awarded this funding. ‘Invigorate’ has been very successful to date and developing my skills in leadership, project management, marketing and budgeting will mean that we have the opportunity to sell our product even more widely.”
Professor John Saxton, Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement in the Faculty of Health, said, ”This is great news for the ‘Invigorate’ project. The Faculty has a wealth of skills and experience of high value to employers; so it’s really important that we have the business skills to take our expertise and products to market and demonstrate our impact in the community.”
The majority of the training will be delivered by the UEA’s Research Enterprise and Engagement team and through ongoing support from the Faculty of Health Business Development Manager, Geoff Carruth who has been working on the development of Invigorate with Jo for some time.
Jo Geere (pictured), who with colleagues in the Faculty of Health and Research Enterprise and Engagement (REE) launched ‘Invigorate’ in 2009, has been awarded the £10,000 Fellowship by REE. The funding will enable Jo Geere the opportunity to learn more about marketing and business disciplines so that the team can capitalise on Invigorate’s early success. The team has already won contracts with Adnams Brewery – with whom they piloted their scheme, and Worksafe U.K. 'Invigorate' will also provide regional master classes for up to sixty business organisations on work health issues in partnership with Business in the Community, a charitable organisation which works with businesses to build a sustainable future and to promote responsible business practices.
‘Invigorate’ uses the expertise of the Faculty of Health healthcare professionals to work with businesses to identify and resolve issues around lifestyle and work/life balance, musculoskeletal health (such as neck strain or back pain) and poor communication, all of which could lead to lost working days and poor performance. It is estimated that around 175 million working days are lost to ill health in the UK annually, costing the economy around £13bn.
Speaking on behalf of the ‘Invigorate’ team, Jo Geere said, “I’m delighted that we have been awarded this funding. ‘Invigorate’ has been very successful to date and developing my skills in leadership, project management, marketing and budgeting will mean that we have the opportunity to sell our product even more widely.”
Professor John Saxton, Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement in the Faculty of Health, said, ”This is great news for the ‘Invigorate’ project. The Faculty has a wealth of skills and experience of high value to employers; so it’s really important that we have the business skills to take our expertise and products to market and demonstrate our impact in the community.”
The majority of the training will be delivered by the UEA’s Research Enterprise and Engagement team and through ongoing support from the Faculty of Health Business Development Manager, Geoff Carruth who has been working on the development of Invigorate with Jo for some time.
