Perfect Pitch

Isle of Wight Radio are looking for a new island business or a new concept for an established island business in order to help them to launch and expand across the Island.

To get yourself into the running, complete the form below and send up to a 4-minute video to support your application. Five companies will be selected to appear before our panel of prestige judges and present their ideas. The judges will then select an overall winner who will receive a marketing and business support package worth in excess of £15,000.

WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?

A great and innovative product or service for the island.

A concept where the judges can see the potential from the initial launch to continued growth and/or expansion of the business.

YOUR 4-MINUTE VIDEO

• Be yourself, be honest, transparent, show your passion and commitment.
• Let us know why your business idea should be chosen

Our Judges

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Charlie Panayi 

Charlie Panayi is an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur and recognised property investment expert. He bought his first property at the age 18 and become a self-made millionaire by 25.  He has achieved status as regional director of European property for API global and head of international property investment for deVere the world’s largest independent financial consultancy. 

His continued success is reflected in building four high-value property portfolios and his standing at the forefront of ‘the property investment industry’ as Managing Director of multi award-winning Red Squirrel Property Shop.

Charlie enjoys sharing his personal experiences and insights on success with audiences at conferences, business events in addition to teams within a business. Inspiring everyone to be more and do more. Helping them to understand the opportunities that exist when you bring focus to achieve what is important to you in business and life.

John Irvine - CEO WightFibre

John Irvine joined WightFibre as CEO in 2012. WightFibre was a turnaround under John’s leadership. WighFibre will this year complete its’ £110M full-fibre rollout to over 70,000 premises on the Isle of Wight.

John worked 8 years at IBM, 10 years at BT and in the leadership teams of a number of small start ups and large corporates including Inclarity, Level3, Verizon and Truphone.

John has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Ulster and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, North Carolina.

John also served 28 years in the Army Reserve retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008 and is an accomplished skydiver. He enjoys rugby supporting Ireland, Ulster and Saracen’s in that order.

Jonathan Thorton - CEO PC Consultants

Jonathan Thornton is Tech Company CEO, Entrepreneur and President of the Isle of Wight Chamber.

An Islander from birth, Jonathan brings a wealth of local business experience having progressed from the shop floor to CEO of a successful, multi million pound IT support company PC Consultants. 

Currently undertaking an intensive program of training on the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program alongside multiple high growth businesses - as an Isle of Wight Radio judge Jonathan is hoping to help those at the very outset of their business growth journey.

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Rachael Randall - Founder & CEO HTP Apprenticeship College

Rachael is Principal and CEO of HTP Apprenticeship College Ltd, which she established in the year 2000. Prior to that she was involved in government-funded training, working for New Deal and a national apprenticeship provider.

​Her roots are firmly based in the world of hospitality, tourism, and farming. She grew up on the Isle of Wight, has brought up two children and is married to Malcolm. She also owns Albert Cottage Hotel in East Cowes on the island. She is a board member of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and is the lead for 'employment and skills', chairing the Skills Advisory Panel. Rachael also sits on the board of Visit Isle of Wight

Guest Judge - Dame Dianne Thompson

Dame Dianne Thompson spent over 42 years in full-time executive life, holding marketing and general management roles in a variety of businesses, including ICI Paints, Sandvik, Signet and Woolworths.

From 2000 to 2014, she was CEO of Camelot Group plc, the operator of the UK National Lottery. During that time, she was a trustee of a number of charities.

She was awarded her Damehood in 2015 ‘for services to the National Lottery and charities’. Today, she is Non-Executive Chairman of Sanderson Design Group Ltd and a non-executive Director of Next plc and Pagefield Communications.

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To enter please submit the below form and send your video via We Transfer clearly labeling your name and the name of your business. Submission deadline 10th December 2023.

https://wetransfer.com/ to claire.john@totalsensemedia.co.uk

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T&C's

New Business - 18 months or less

New concept - a new idea or product that needs expansion

All businesses must be based on the Isle of Wight

Prize includes - £15,000 worth of Marketing support from Isle of WIght Radio

Isle of Wight Radio's usual competition terms and conditions apply