Dr. Peter FitzGerald honoured with Cathaoirleachās Reception in County Donegal
Dr. Peter FitzGerald honoured with Cathaoirleachās Reception in County Donegal
Our Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, was this week honoured at a special Cathaoirleach’s Reception in Dungloe, Co. Donegal.
The reception, which was held in the Dungloe Public Service Centre on Tuesday 7th June, was hosted by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, to say thank you to Dr. FitzGerald for Randox’s job creation and investment in Randox Teoranta, Randox’s Donegal site.
Dr. FitzGerald established Randox Teoranta in Dungloe in 2008, as part of Randox’s global expansion plans. The facility currently employs around 100 people, with plans to increase this to 540 by 2020. Randox Teoranta is a highly innovative life-sciences, engineering, research and development and manufacturing centre playing a key role in realising Randox’s mission of improving clinical decision making worldwide.
Cllr Brogan said it was a great privilege for him to be in a position to honour Dr. FitzGerald with a special reception.
“Dr. FitzGerald’s accomplishments are immense, his contribution to the medical diagnostics sector, his commitment to continued research and development and his business acumen are testament to the work of a remarkable individual,” he said. “We are most grateful for his commitment to Dungloe and to County Donegal and to establishing a world class facility in our county, creating professional and highly skilled jobs in what is an exciting industry.
“Credit must also go to Údarás na Gaeltachta who have been strong supporters of this enterprise since it was established in Dungloe in 2008. Their ongoing commitment has seen Randox realise their vision of a world class research and manufacturing centre in Dungloe.
“By creating highly-skilled jobs, Randox now presents great opportunities for Donegal graduates living in other parts of the county and abroad to return to work in their own county.”
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox, commented;
“I am incredibly grateful to Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, and to the team at Donegal County Council, for today’s event that recognises our commitment to County Donegal. Randox Teoranta in Dungloe is an integral part of our plans for Randox, a company committed to improving and saving lives through innovative diagnostics. Our scientists here are working on pioneering and life-saving research – world-class science that provides significant job opportunities for life scientists, engineers, software developers, and those in a range of associated manufacturing disciplines. We are excited by the potential of our Dungloe site in North West Donegal to transform the high value knowledge economy of the region.”
Also speaking at the event was Mr Seamus Neely, CEO, Donegal County Council CEO, Dr. Ciaran Richardson, Head of Randox Teoranta R&D, and Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher, Donegal County Council.
Congratulations to all WAAR 2016 participants
The Wild Atlantic Adventure Race (WAAR), sponsored by Randox Teoranta, took place on Saturday 15th May this year, in the Rosses, West Donegal.
The WAAR route took over 400 participants on a 7.5k run across road and grasslands, including a run alongside two dramatic beaches at Carrickfin and Mullaghderg. The athletes had the chance to breathe in some of the Wild Atlantic air as they finished the run and got ready to cycle.
The next stage of the race was a 42.5k cycle along the Atlantic Coastline before climbing gently into the famous Hills of Donegal outside of Dungloe, where our Randox Teoranta site is located.
Finally the participants ended the race with a 1k Kayak challenge on the well-known waters of Mullaghdearg lake before running a couple of hundred metres down the large GAA pitch to the finish line.
Ciaran Richardson, Head of R&D at Randox Teoranta in Dungloe, commented;
“We are delighted to have partnered with the WAAR event, in our ongoing work to promote positive physical and mental health in the wider Donegal community. The race was an outstanding success, and we even had our own Randox Teoranta employees taking part – Michele Green, Eoghan O’Colla, Hugh Martin, Robert Farrell, Chris McNally, who recently won 1st place in the Randox Student Placement Awards Science Category, and Noel Diver, who came a very impressive 4th overall in WAAR, out of more than 400 participants! The feedback from our Randox team was fantastic – they highlighted the tight organisation of the event, the support offered throughout the challenge, and the beautiful Donegal scenery which they were able to take in along the way. On behalf of everyone here at Randox Teoranta, I would like to say a massive congratulations to all WAAR participants – what a fantastic achievement!”
The first WAARior to cross the finish line in this year’s WAAR event, was Sean McFadden with a very impressive time of 2:17:54, quickly followed by Martin Lynch and Neil McBride.
A full list of results can be found here.
Camerata, Harmony North and Codetta prove a terrific trio at US performance
Randox accompanied a group of musicians from across Northern Ireland and Ireland to Washington DC this weekend, for a world-class musical performance.
World-renowned chamber orchestra Camerata Ireland, the Harmony North choir, a cross-community choir made up of 9 post-primary school choirs from across North Belfast and the Codetta choir from Derry / Londonderry travelled to the US to perform on Saturday 21 May. The event took place in the Eisenhower Theater in America’s National Cultural Centre, The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, Washington DC.
The Codetta and Harmony North Choirs, and the Camerata Ireland orchestra, supported by global sponsor Randox, included in their performance a specially commissioned piece of music called ‘Dusty Bluebells’ – written by the poet Michael Longley, and Camerata founder and director Barry Douglas – on Saturday evening as part of the Centre’s International Festival, focusing on Irish arts and culture. The event also marked the world premiere of Olagon, a piece of music written by Belfast composter Neil Martin, and played by Dublin piper Mark Redmond, on the uilleann pipes.
Speaking ahead of the event, Barry Douglas, Founder and Artistic Director of Camerata Ireland, whose joint patrons are Her Majesty The Queen and the President of Ireland, said
“It is a real honour for Camerata Ireland to be asked to take part in this Festival with musical talent from both North and South. And I am doubly thrilled that we were able to accommodate my suggestion of being joined by the young people of the Harmony North choir.
Performances like this are only possible with the generous support of private sponsors, particularly our global sponsor Randox, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with them. I also have to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Bureau and Tourism Ireland for their generous financial assistance and help enabling us to attend this event.”
Barry and Eimear McGeown, a flautist from Craigavon, also performed at events in the Boston Public Library and the American Irish Historical Society in New York, attended by Randox guests on this recent trip to the US.
Randox Managing Director Dr. Peter FitzGerald, commented:
“We are very pleased to have been able to accompany Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland at events in Washington, New York and Boston this week. To see our young musicians, including the young members of the exceptionally gifted Harmony North choir, showcase our musical heritage and talent to American audiences, makes us extremely proud. Our partnership with Camerata allows Randox the opportunity to promote client relationships and exports to the USA whilst simultaneously supporting the very best of our young musicians in their careers.”
Harmony North has been supported in their first year by the Integrated Education fund, Mr Tony Carson, the Belfast Trust for Integrated Education and the support of the schools, staff and parents of all the participating schools.
Grand National Sponsor Randox goes back to its roots with Point-to-Point Racing Event
Global healthcare company Randox, recently unveiled as the main sponsor for the Grand National under the banner of Randox Health, is committed to supporting local grass roots horse racing, as this weekend it hosts the Point-to-Point Steeplechases at Crumlin, County Antrim, in association with the Killultagh, Old Rock and Chichester Hunt.
Point-to-Points are now firmly established in national hunt racing, with several champion horses starting their careers on the Irish Point-to-Point circuit.
Following the Randox Point-to-Point 2014, Classic Place was sold to Gigginstown House Stud, owned by Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, who we all know to be the owner of The Crabbie’s Grand National 2016 winner, Rule The World.
Last year multiple All Ireland Champion Derek O’Connor registered a double, partnering Ballycross to victory for Templepatrick trainer Colin McKeever and leading local owner Wilson Dennison, followed by Chosen Dream at the fifth. O’Connor also recorded a brace of winners having scored with Sister Saragh at the first and Frost at the fifth.
But don’t worry if you’re not a racing enthusiast – the Randox Point-to-Point is the perfect day out for all the family. The increasingly popular event will host a unique Artisan village, showcasing a variety of food, drink and crafts stalls including, homemade jams, chutneys and sauces, ceramics, handmade chocolate and jewellery, woollen knits, handmade tea towels and tote bags, cakes, photography and much more!
Randox Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald, highlighted the company’s equestrian heritage and is looking forward to both this year’s Point-to-Point, and next year’s Grand National:
“We are pleased to host the Point-to-Point with the Killultagh, Old Rock and Chichester Hunt, where champions are made. As a global company with firm links to our local heritage, we are proud to be involved with grass roots equestrian sports, which are part of the local community and sports scene. This history of being involved in equestrian events has naturally progressed to our sponsorship of the Grand National, and is fitting with our ambition. We look forward to this year’s two day Point-to-Point – where we might spot a future Randox Health Grand National winner!”
The Randox Point-to-Point will take place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd of April, at Largy Road in Crumlin. The first race on Friday 22nd of April will start at 4pm; on Saturday 23rd of April, the first race takes place at 2pm.
General admission is £5 per person, with free entry for children under the age of 16.
Admission via the Laurelbank, Largy Road Crumlin, BT29 4RN.
Craft stalls are provided by North Down Crafts Collective and The Prince’s Trust charity.
For more information on the Randox Point-to-Point, email events@randox.com
BBC Newsline investigates legal highs with Randox Testing Services
This week, Randox Testing Services opened the doors of its laboratory to BBC Newsline, and Donna Traynor, to offer an expert opinion on legal highs. Legal highs are mood-altering or stimulant substances whose sale is not banned by current legislation. They are made up of various chemical ingredients and replicate a similar user experience of illegal drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine. They are extremely addictive and can have fatal side effects.
April 2016 marks the anniversary of one such case. The tragic passing of Adam Owens, a 17 year old boy who died after taking a legal high known as Sky brought this issue to the spotlight, and now one year on, the BBC want to know what is being done to tackle this issue.
The most difficult issue to combat with legal highs is that their chemical make-up is constantly being altered in order to get around legislation. As they keep changing it is difficult to create tests for these substances as they constantly evolve. Addressing this issue, Dr Mark Piper, Head of Toxicology at Randox Testing Services explained what is currently being done to try and counter this problem:
“We counter it here at Randox by continually developing new tests. In the past 12 months, Randox has developed over 115 new tests for new types of psychoactive substances.
These drugs are continually being developed and evolving into new types of substances which have previously fallen outside of the legislation, so it is a challenge for the likes of ourselves as drug testing laboratories to continually develop new tests to detect these substances.”
The prevalence of legal high use makes this an issue that cannot be avoided. Randox Testing Services are dedicated in their commitment to continually develop new tests in the fight against legal highs.
For more information on our services related to legal highs click here or contact testingservices@randox.com
Randox named in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 League Table
This week saw the publication of The Sunday Times Profit Track 100, and we are delighted to announce that Randox has been named at number 65 in the league table which ranks the 100 private UK companies with the fastest-growing profits over a three-year period.
Stuart Lisle, of BDO Accountants, featured Randox in his piece; ‘Innovation and trade make a good formula for expansion’, noting impressive findings that:
- Randox supplies 10% of the world’s cholesterol tests
- Our diagnostic products are used in 145 countries across the globe
Stuart Lisle commented;
“After outperforming most of our peers, Britain is entering a period of economic uncertainty: stock markets are volatile, growth in China is slowing, Europe’s recovery has stalled and, as the Bank of England governor Mark Carney noted in March, the possibility of Brexit is not helping. Our polling shows that 70% of mid-market companies think leaving the EU would make running their businesses harder but there are strong arguments on both sides of the debate.
Thankfully, while our politicians talk in Westminster, our mid-market companies are getting on with business, driving growth by innovating at home and trading overseas.
This year’s Profit Track 100 contains numerous examples. Just look at what Peter FitzGerald, founder of Randox Laboratories is achieving. From humble beginnings in his parents’ garden shed in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, he has developed the firm into one the supplies 10% of the world’s cholesterol tests as well as a range of other diagnostic instruments used in 145 countries…and it is one of 55 companies in this year’s Profit Track 100 that are growing by selling internationally.”
We would like to thank Stuart for recognising our success and innovation. We are extremely proud of how far the company has come – from humble beginnings over 34 years ago, to a company with more than 1400 employees of 44 nationalities, including 300 research scientists and engineers.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox said:
“The growth that we have witnessed over the last 3 years principally enables us to further strengthen our infrastructure and increase the world leading research and development we are conducting – to achieve the earliest possible diagnosis of a very wide range of clinical conditions. We remain dedicated to saving lives and improving health worldwide, and reinvesting our profits helps ensure that we will realise our vision.”
The Profit Track 100 league table is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm.
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
Local Crumlin community enjoy annual Farmers’ Breakfast at Randox
This weekend marked one of the highlights of the Randox Events Calendar – the annual Farmer’s Breakfast, which took place on Saturday 20th February.
Local farmers, friends and neighbours arrived to share a delicious breakfast together in the Randox headquarters in Crumlin.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, commented;
“Our Farmers’ Breakfast is enjoyed every year by members of the local farming community, and this year was no exception. Old friendships were rekindled, and new ones made, as we all enjoyed a hearty breakfast from our headquarters in the beautiful Crumlin countryside. I would like to thank everyone who attended on Saturday, and hope that you enjoyed the morning as much as we did. Same time, same place next year!”
Randox Teoranta sponsors the Wild Atlantic Adventure Race 2016
Randox are proud to announce that Randox Teoranta have once again agreed to be the major sponsor for WAAR 2016, which was launched, on Saturday 20th February.
The Wild Atlantic Adventure Race is a 7.5K Run, 42.5K Cycle, 2K Hike & 1K Kayak which starts and finishes in The Banks, Mullaghdearg, Donegal,Ireland on the 14th of May – as a fundraiser for the Naomh Muire GAA club.
Details of the 2016 Wild Atlantic Adventure Race were revealed in the new Health and Wellbeing room at the CLG Naomh Muire GAA Club, in Mullaghdearg, County Donegal, and the event was launched by Nikki Bradley, a public speaker who draws on her life experience to help people untap their potential.
Nikki was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at sixteen and the receiver of a second hip replacement at the age of twenty six, she has been on a truly unique journey. So unique in fact, her consultant once told her that she is currently one of less than ten people worldwide to have lived through what she has.
Not only did Nikki come and launch the event but she will compete in the Hike part of WAAR with a team. Nikki’s most recent challenge was to climb Errigal on crutches and she has featured on UTV, TV3, and IrelandAM, and also in national newspapers.
Ciaran Richardson, Head of R&D at Randox Teoranta in Dungloe, commented;
“We are delighted to partner with WAAR in our ongoing work to promote positive physical and mental health in the great Donegal community. The launch for the race was a great success, and we all particularly enjoyed hearing from Nikki on the day – sharing her story of courage, hope and strength in the face of fear. We are all eagerly looking forward to the race in May and encourage you all to get involved. If Nikki can do it, so can we!”
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!”