We Are Randox | Randox Rugby Team take to the pitch for inaugural match against Randalstown
We Are Randox | Randox Rugby Team take to the pitch for inaugural match against Randalstown
Our Randox Rugby team have been hard at work in training in advance of their first ever competitive match against Randalstown!
On Wednesday the team comprised of Cathal Kelly, Robin Walsh, Charlie Spon-Smith, David Craig, Johnny Acheson, Christopher Stevenson, Peter FitzGerald, Jack Hanna and Jason Webster, played their inaugural match against a Randalstown select team under the floodlights of Randox’s rugby pitch in Crumlin.
Heavy rain in the days leading up to game-night threatened to postpone the match but the rain held off and in mild conditions with little wind, it provided the perfect night for running rugby, and the match didn’t disappoint!
Months of hard work had prepared the young Randox team for the match against the more experienced Randalstown team. With training and exercise drills weekly, the men from Randox had been put through their paces and were ready for some competitive rugby!
Jason Webster, Randox Health Sales Manager, who plays for our Randox Rugby Team, commented;
“The Randox men more than held their own in what was an open, end-to-end game. Right up until the last minute the win could have gone to either team – it was a nail-biting match!”
The Randalstown team showed their rugby skill and rugby know-how with excellent ball retention in the first half of the rugby mach. They earned hard yards with their big forwards punching holes around the tackle area, which resulted in an early lead, but the speed and individual ability of our Randox players produced some mouth-watering tries of their own!
The final score of the match was an unbelievably close 37-39 to Randalstown.
What an incredible score for our team’s first match against a rugby club team! Our Randox rugby players gave the Randalstown boys a good run for their money, and had great fun while doing so!
Jason continued;
“The camaraderie between all the men from both Randox and Randalstown was fantastic and it was great to see such great sportsmanship from both teams. We hope to have another game against Randalstown in the coming weeks – bring your A-game Randalstown!”
Spectators at the match included Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Nuailin FitzGerald, supporting members of staff from Randox and a contingent of staff and players from Randalstown RFC.
Thank you to everyone who turned out to support our Randox Rugby team and of course to the Randalstown players for a great game!
For more information about our Randox Rugby Team contact Jason Webster via email: Jason.webster@randoxhealth.com
Make sure to follow Randox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox for more stories about the amazing team we have here!
We Are Randox | Meet our award-winning Costume Designer, Monika!
At Randox we pride ourselves on being a global company with an international team of over 1400 people from 145 different countries.
Our dedicated workforce have a range of talents and skills that they bring with them to Randox each day. But the commitment and dedication of our hard-working workforce doesn’t end when they leave the office. Randox employees have a wide range of hobbies and interesting talents and we are delighted to be able to share some of these with you through our We Are Randox series.
Recently Monika, one of our valued Manufacturing and Despatch Operatives at Randox took the time to tell us about her passion for designing and creating unique handmade costumes for Festivals found throughout Northern Ireland.
Here is Monika’s story:
“I joined Randox in Northern Ireland roughly about 5 months ago as a Manufacturing and Despatch Operative in our Mivan site based in Crumlin. I was really happy to land a job within an international organisation that employed a wide range of people from different cultures and different backgrounds.
Back in Poland, where I am originally from, I studied full time for 6 years in the OSSP Art School. For as long as I can remember I have always been interested in arts and crafts so it came naturally to me when I first started to design costumes.
I prefer to design my own original work and not copy anyone else’s designs. My favourite type of costumes to design are ancient religious characters from past centuries and eras. As there is no proof or documentation which illustrates what they ‘should’ look like, it gives me free reign to be as creative as I want to be. Nobody is able to say whether your design is right or wrong, you can only imagine what it is supposed to look like.
There are a variety of different festivals and competitions that I am able to enter including the MCM Comic Con and the Show Master competition. The first competition that I entered here in Northern Ireland was the MCM Comic Con in 2015 which takes place every year in Belfast. It takes me roughly around 100 hours to make one costume as they are all handmade so it takes a lot of time, effort and dedication. This festival attracts about 16,000 people each time so I was thrilled to win first place the first time that I entered!
The winning design I created was an old European folklore costume that the judges loved. This encouraged me to enter the summer MCM Comic competition which took place in July. I designed an Aztec God costume for this entry and ended up coming in at first place again which was a great achievement. I was presented with a trophy and money voucher when I won both of these competitions which was great.
The next competition that I hope to enter is the 2017 MCM Comic Con competition which is set to take place in March. For the March competition I am designing a Witch Doctor outfit and I am intrigued to see what way the final design will turn out.
I’m a fully qualified artist and every costume I design I can sell on under my brand name – Eliot Von Valentino – but they are all quite expensive.
Everything I create is handmade using materials such as leather which is extremely costly. I had to skin my leather sofa once to get the amount of leather that I needed to create my design!
I also use natural gem stones which are all individually sewed on. I take a lot of pride in my designs and I finance them all myself which is sometimes difficult as the materials needed to complete my designs are so expensive and hard to come by.
In the future I have high aspirations to enter the bigger competitions that take place in London. They draw in crowds of 120,000 so it would be a good opportunity to showcase my work to such a large scale audience.”
We look forward to seeing Monika’s latest design this coming March for her next competition. Good Luck Monika!
If you are interested in joining the multi-talented and passionate team we have here at Randox please visit our careers page for current vacancies.
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
We Are Randox | Life in Austin, Texas with Andrew Dunlop
As a global diagnostic company with employees situated in 145 different countries across the globe, working with Randox offers amazing opportunities for international travel, and even for relocating half way across the world!
Our aim is to revolutionise healthcare through innovative diagnostics and save lives, and we can’t achieve this aim without the support of each and every one of our employees who are situated throughout the world.
Recently we took the time to catch up with Andrew Dunlop, who relocated from our Headquarters in Crumlin to Austin, Texas, USA.
Hi Andrew, what’s your current job title at Randox?
Currently my job title is National Sales Manager for the RX Sales department at Randox. I have been working for Randox for over four years now and I am really enjoying my role. My main job responsibilities include selling RX instrumentation to clinical labs, research sites and education facilities while also managing staff who do the same.
Was relocating something that you imagined doing when you first started your career with Randox?
Relocating was always something that I thought may have been an option but wasn’t sure how realistic it would be. I was always encouraged to pursue international travel and I loved the idea of seeing how business was done in other parts of the world. Having previously lived in the USA for two years through an internship with another company before I started working for Randox, I loved the idea of returning someday but didn’t know if it would be possible. I didn’t know anyone who already lived in Texas but because I had travelled to Austin on so many occasions for business I knew it was a great city. As I was travelling quite frequently to the USA I brought up the possibility of relocating there which was fully supported by the company.
What happened in the first few weeks of your relocation? Did you face any challenges?
The first few weeks were fairly hectic: I had to source getting a new car, a driver’s licence and finding an apartment and furniture. Randox helped me settle in by putting me up in a hotel initially and they also bring me home at least once per year which is something that I always look forward to.
How are you finding living in a new culture?
I love the culture in the USA and I have got used to pronouncing words a certain way so people can understand me such as two, eight, hour and even Andrew. The American’s use different terms such as Cell Phone, trunk, Gas etc too. The weather is also great, blue skies and sun is the norm for me now. I am able to live an outdoor lifestyle in my spare time, go hiking, mountain biking, BBQs etc, the list could go on and on!
How are you coping living so far from home?
I miss family and friends a lot, but as time passes it becomes normal. But the company does fly me home once per year which is something I always look forward to. I will have been home three times in 2016, but I wasn’t home at all in 2015.
Are you doing the same job in your new role?
My job role didn’t change significantly, I do a very similar job that I did before when I was located in Ardmore. Previously I managed staff who sold RX equipment in Brazil, Spain, UK and USA but now I purely focus on the US market. Plus being in the market has allowed me to understand it so much more and sales have really grown as a result which is a big plus!
What’s been the highlight of your move so far?
The highlight for me is being in a city that I truly love.
If you are interested in joining an international company that can offer you the chance to relocate to some of the biggest cities in the world, make sure that you check out our website for any current opportunities. We also offer a student placement program and graduate development program to help students and recent grads build the necessary experience needed to work within a global company.
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
We Are Randox | Behind the scenes of Randox Engineering with Maryrose McLoone
Randox is an international company renowned for our innovative medical diagnostics but did you know we also have a dedicated engineering team with over 30 years’ experience in the design, prototyping, testing and manufacturing of diagnostic analysers?
Maryrose McLoone, from our Randox Teoranta site, gave us an insight into her role as a mechanical design engineer and told us what she enjoys the most about engineering.
Hi Maryrose, tell me a little about your position and what you do on a day-to-day basis?
I work as a Mechanical Design Engineer in Randox Teoranta where my main role is to aid in the design and development of clinical chemistry analysers. My day-to-day work can vary depending on what stage of a project we’re on. At the minute I’m working on developing concepts for our new project. This involves working with other members of the Engineering team to come up with ideas and designs and develop them into working prototypes. Engineers have many roles including creating designs using 3D modelling software, carrying out testing and analysis, as well as verifying and validating our designs. We work with Manufacturing and also with Quality Assurance to ensure we meet all of the relevant standards which are applicable for the Medical Device Industry.
Are there any challenges in your job? If so, how do you handle them?
When working in R&D, the main challenges we face are in ensuring we develop analysers of the highest quality, which will perform accurate diagnoses, and also are competitive in their market. It is always important that we consider the end user of our devices as the patient is of the upmost importance. Quality is an integral part in all stages of the project from the early design stages right through to product release. We must ensure that we will continually deliver quality in every aspect of our work. This is achieved by conducting thorough testing on all of our designs as well as remaining up-to-date with all of the latest technologies which are available to us.
What is your proudest accomplishment at the job?
As a team, we recently completed the design and development of a semi-automated clinical chemistry analyser, the RX misano, which has been released to market. This is a big accomplishment for our team as it is the result of our combined hard work and efforts. This was the first engineering project to be completed solely in Randox Teoranta, which is why it is such a big achievement for us.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, there is a wide variety in the work that I do. Every day is different and each brings its own challenges. I particularly enjoy working with medical devices as I find that is a very rewarding job. Randox analysers are used worldwide to conduct a wide variety diagnostic tests. By working in the development of clinical chemistry analysers I am part of a team which create devices that improve the healthcare of patients all over the world.
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, I also have the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of Engineers including Mechanical, Electrical, and Embedded Systems Engineers, as well as Software Developers. We also work closely with Manufacturing and Quality Assurance which has allowed me to gain an insight into various aspects of design and development which I would not have previously experienced.
What advice would you give someone who is seeking the same line of work?
Design Engineering involves creating innovative solutions and improving on current designs; therefore problem solving is a key skill in this line of work. The design and development stages involve a lot of creativity, whereas the testing stages of a project require meticulous attention to detail. As an Engineer you work autonomously as well as part of a team. You also work alongside Engineers of different disciplines and other departments within the plant. The design and development of a product can be a lengthy and sometimes challenging process but it is also very rewarding when you see a project through to completion.
If you are interested in joining our Engineering team make sure that you check our our careers website for all our current opportunities.
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
The RX misano is currently unavailable to purchase in Germany
We Are Randox | De Bordeaux à Belfast…Anthony Borsato passe 15 semaines en Irlande du Nord!
We Are Randox | De Bordeaux à Belfast…Anthony Borsato passe 15 semaines en Irlande du Nord!
As a global diagnostics company, with distributions and offices in 145 countries across the globe, Randox has plenty to offer students who are interested in understanding how an international organisation operates. Whether you are a placement student or a graduate you will be sure to gain great experiences, make new lifelong friends and broaden your employability skill set for the future.
Anthony Borsato, a French placement student currently working in the Finance Department here at Randox, told us about his experience living and working in Northern Ireland. Following his 15 week placement, today is Anthony’s last day and we are interested to hear what he has learnt from his time spent in our global organisation.
“I arrived in Crumlin at the end of July having travelled over from Bordeaux which is in southwestern France. I am studying continuous improvement engineering at Cesi School of Engineering, and as part of the apprenticeship programme I have to undertake a 15 week placement in an English country to help not only improve my English but to gain an international experience working abroad.”
After hearing good reviews from a previous placement student Anthony decided to come to Randox
“Last year another placement student who was on the same course as me came here. So I thought it would be a good idea to meet up with her to hear how she got on, find out what she did during her placement and hear more about Northern Ireland. She was extremely positive about Randox and really recommended coming over. I was reassured when she explained how much consideration Randox put into placements for international students – my mentor would speak French and be able to help with any issue to do with my placement. She also said that the people I’d be working with were very friendly and helpful. Knowing this made me feel much more comfortable about the move and I could see why she had been able to enjoy her time with the company. All in all, the feedback she gave me was really encouraging so that’s what enticed me to come.”
Anthony went on to discuss what his placement involved and how he enjoys having a varied range of tasks to complete each day.
“I like being challenged and learning new things on a daily basis. My responsibilities include updating the software with any new records and checking financial records and any recent transactions.”
Anthony’s team leader quickly identified his ability to develop strong customer relations and his bi-lingual talent was particularly useful with customers who speak French.
“As a global business there are many customers who speak languages other than English so being able to converse in another language is a real advantage in every department here. I was able to work on a number of occasions with our French customers and help to resolve any issues they had. When I go back to France I will have to conduct a presentation on what I did during my placement with Randox so I will have a lot to talk about.”
Anthony continued to tell us what he’s done during his free time and what he will miss the most when he returns home.
“I live in Belfast with six other people, my roommates are from Spain, Poland and even India so I have made some good friends from different nationalities. There is a good atmosphere here and there is a lot to do. I enjoy seeing the sights and experiencing all that the Belfast nightlife has to offer. I brought my own car over when I travelled across France from Bordeaux to Cherbourg. From Cherbourg I got the ferry which docked in Rosslare and I travelled up from there. It was an 18 hour journey but it was worth it as I wanted to be able to travel around Northern Ireland and see as much as I could. At first it was a little tricky getting used to driving on the other side of the road but now I’m used to it. When I go back home I will have to remember to drive on the right hand side again.”
“I live near Queen’s University which is a beautiful historical building that is a must see -especially at night. I also experienced my first traditional Irish fry which was very tasty. During my holidays in August I took a trip to the North Coast and the Giant’s Causeway which was great. I have also explored Derry, Sligo and Donegal, visited friends in Omagh and Enniskillen and took a day trip to discover the Mourne Mountains. I even spent a weekend in Dublin so I have managed to squeeze in a good bit of sightseeing since being here.”
“I have made some good lifelong friends during my time at Randox. So I think that is what I will miss the most when I leave along with the great work atmosphere. Randox is a fast paced environment and you are able to meet a range of people, not just those who work in the same department as you. I learnt a lot from my co-workers who were very welcoming from the moment I started. They taught me the phrase “on it like a car bonnet” which I will be introducing my family to when I return to France! In the future I hope to be able to come back and visit the friends I’ve made here and discover more of Northern Ireland.”
We’ve thoroughly enjoyed having Anthony as part of our team during 2016 and wish him the best for the future.
Au Revoir Anthony.
A la prochaine!
If you are interested in working with a global company and completing your placement with Randox make sure that you check out our careers website for all our current opportunities.
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
We Are Randox | Charlie Graham tells us about her time spent volunteering in Ethiopia
Here at Randox we are celebrating our creative and talented work force whose fresh perspectives and world experience help Randox operate on such a global scale.
Recently, Charlie Graham, a member of the Randox Food Diagnostics Marketing team told us about her time spent in Ethiopia, volunteering with Volunteer Service overseas (VSO) as part of the International Citizenship Service (ICS) Programme.
Charlie sat down with us to tell us her story.
“I first heard about the ICS program when I was studying at Glasgow Caledonian University. My friend who was also studying Business Management with Marketing alongside me, had pre-warned me about the intense application process, and although it seemed quite daunting at the time, I have always been interested in volunteer work and international travel so I felt up for the challenge.
To be considered for a place on the program I had to firstly complete an online application. Then if you passed this initial stage you were invited to attend a group interview that took place in London. Here I undertook both group and individual assessments throughout the day that tested my knowledge of international development, conflict resolution and team work skills. Surprisingly, I found the interview process extremely rewarding as there was a strong focus on personal development and feedback. It was also interesting to learn about the possible charities that we could be placed with based on our skill sets.
I was excited when I finally received the news eight weeks later that I been matched with VSO and would be placed in a livelihoods development programme in Addis Ababa. To finalise my place I had to raise £800 that would go towards the work that I would be doing when I arrived in Ethiopia. I decided to host a bake sale in the foyer of Caledonian University and also compete a 5KM run to help raise the money.
As a group, we underwent pre-departure training before our flight from London. Once I landed there was a week of in-country training where I met up with the Ethiopian volunteers that I would be working alongside for the next three months. We also met our new families that we would be staying with throughout the duration of the program.
One of the first projects that I worked on was with the Women’s Income Generating Activity Groups. This Government funded program provided both training and guidance for local women who had received a small loan which enabled them to start up their own business ideas. One memory that has stuck with me from working with this group was the power of knowledge. Almaz, the project leader, highlighted that for many of the women learning how to read and being able to sign their own names was truly empowering and allowed them to become financially independent for the first time in their lives. This really brought home to me how valuable the work of ISC is, and how much I as a volunteer was able to impact the lives of these women by teaching them this simple act.
I also organised community action days during my time in Ethiopia. I visited a rehabilitation centre called Mecadonia that housed 170 people aged between 10 – 94 who are bed ridden or elderly. As this centre runs solely on donations we provided meals and clothing for all the residents. I even got a local newspaper to come and write about the centre to help raise awareness and potentially generate new sponsorship for the future.
One of the residents of Mecadonia was called Addis, he was 26 and was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. He had been suffering from kidney problems for five years and his family could only afford to treat him with traditional remedies – nothing had worked. As his health deteriorated he was unable to live with his family as he needed to attend the hospital for weekly dialysis. The evening that I met him, he was trying to fundraise 1 million birr which is the equivalent of £25,000 to secure a kidney transplant. His story really opened my eyes and put into perspective how blessed we are in the UK to have the NHS. After meeting Addis I felt very fortunate for the health of my family and myself.
During the time I spent in Addis Ababa one of the other projects I worked on was capacity building for a charity called Redeem the Generation which focused on the potential of young people and women. I worked on developing and improving their facilities to ensure they were providing a good service for the local community. One of my biggest achievements during the project was organising ICT training programme for women which was attended by 15 women and several community elders.
The three months I spent in Addis Ababa were truly unforgettable: I learnt a new language, experienced a new culture and made life-long friends. What’s more I got the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Since my trip I have become a real advocate for international development and female entrepreneurship. My experience has not only helped cement the importance of being a team player but also developed my leadership skills – which has really helped me here at Randox.”
We hope Charlie’s story has inspired you to grab new international opportunities that will help improve the wellbeing of others. Randox is committed to revolutionising healthcare through its diverse and multi-talented team.
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
We Are Randox | Susan Kinkead speaks about her 31 years working at Randox
Key to Randox’s ongoing success is having a loyal and dedicated team.
Last week Environmental Manager and Land Steward, Susan Kinkead, retired from Randox after committing 31 years to Randox’s vision of revolutionising healthcare.
Susan was a dedicated member of the Randox team and will be sadly missed, so we sat down with her to hear a little bit about her time working here at Randox and what memories she will be taking home with her.
Hi Susan, when did you start your career with Randox?
I started working at Randox in 1985 when it was still situated on the Randox Road. I had just moved home from South Africa and my father had seen in the local paper that Randox were recruiting. The next day my husband rang up and spoke with Peter who told him to send me up the next day for an interview. So the next day I went down to meet Peter and he told me I could start in the morning.
Where did you work when you first started?
When I first started I did a bit of everything. My first job was centrifuging fetal calf serum believe it or not, but there weren’t very many of us at this point. I distinctively remember Mrs FitzGerald coming out to us with wheaten bread and cheese and chatting to all the workers. After a while we moved everything up in horseboxes to headquarters here in Ardmore. This is when I moved to Quantity Control and after a while I changed positions to Packaging and Dispense Manager. In between this I left for a few years, but I came back, worked in the Training Department and then into Quality Assurance. Peter moved me onto Environmental Manager and a few years later I was given the role of Land Steward.
What is your best memory from working at Randox?
My best memories is when I got the opportunity to travel with the company. Peter and I got to go to Karachi Lahore in Pakistan back when I was Packaging and Dispense Manager. If you are prepared to work and put the hard graft in then you will get fantastic opportunities. I got to develop systems and was given free rein to do what I thought was best. You don’t get those sort of opportunities these days in many companies.
What will you miss the most after you leave Randox?
I will miss the people that I worked with. I believe that if you have a good team behind you then anything is possible. It’s a lot of hard work but you don’t get things done unless you have a good team behind you. I always felt a sense of worth working here at Randox and I got to accomplish a lot of things so I think I will miss that feeling.
What plans do you have for your retirement?
I hope to spend time on my garden and my house I am also looking forward to taking time out to set up my beehives, making honey and maybe putting my feet up!
We wish Susan all the best for the future and a very happy and relaxing retirement!
For more information please contact Aisling in our PR team via email: aisling.clarke@randox.com
Make sure to follow Randox Careers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the hashtag #WeAreRandox
Pictured presenting Susan with a token of our thanks for all her hard work at Randox during her 31 years with us, is David Martin, Manufacturing Manager.
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 welcomes record number of people to its student placement and graduate programme
71 people including scientists, engineers and IT specialists, from across the UK and Europe are taking the first steps in their Randox careers this week, as the company celebrates a record intake to its student placements and graduate programmes.
Now in its 26th year of providing student placements and 6th year for graduate programmes, Randox is recognised internationally for providing world-class opportunities for students and graduates – one of the core reasons that the global diagnostics company was established in 1982. Thirty years on, its founder Dr Peter FitzGerald remains as committed as ever to championing new talent and driving innovation.
Nadine McKerrow, who graduated this summer with a 2.1 in Biomedical Science from Ulster University, said,
“It’s always been my ambition to work for Randox because of the value it puts into R&D which is my speciality. Not only does it invest 16% of turnover into it – which is something very few companies do, but it’s also building the Randox Science Park which will house pioneering R&D labs. The research we do is going to make an incredible difference to saving lives and improving health, and I’m very proud to be part of the team.”
One of a number of people who have moved to Northern Ireland to take up a placement post is Ross Moir, a Chemistry student from the University of Edinburgh. He said,
“When I go into the lab, I am working beside people who came up with the test that detects Alzheimer’s – it’s incredibly inspirational. I’m not standing on the side-lines either – I’m getting right into the nitty-gritty of the work here. On-the-job experience with a company that is right now developing more new tests than any other diagnostics company in the world is an amazing opportunity.”
Randox founder Dr Peter FitzGerald said,
“I am pleased to welcome these ambitious and bright young people from across the UK and Europe to join the Randox team; they are key to continuing our success. It is no exaggeration to say that during the course of their careers many of them, through their innovative work in diagnostics within the labs at Randox, will save lives. The importance of supporting STEM students has never been so important, a fact recognised by business and political leaders across the world, and here at Randox we are delighted to be playing a significant part in that.”
University students across a range of disciplines take part in a 50-week placement with Randox. They gain invaluable experience in fields ranging from Business and Marketing to Biological and Life Sciences, Graphic Design to Mathematics and Physics, and Engineering to Computer Technology. At the end of their placements, subject to attaining a 2.1 degree or above, students are offered a full-time position in their chosen field.
Graduates enter a two-year programme, which is divided into a series of six-month placements, designed to provide a valuable insight into a variety of roles and departments. Many of the successful graduates who join Randox in full-time positions after this have progressed to attain senior positions within the Company.
We Are Randox | Randox Rugby Team Promote Healthy Work-Life Balance at Randox
As a global healthcare diagnostics company, we know a thing or two about health. And we know that taking time out from our busy lives to relax and unwind is important to stay healthy. Whether that’s taking your dog for a walk, meeting up with friends, getting lost in a good book, or playing your favourite sport.
Playing a competitive sport brings a wealth of benefits – it’s the perfect way to socialise and look after your health at the same time! Not only is it good for your physical health, but can go a long way in maintaining your mental wellbeing too.
There is great value in exercise and fresh air. However, it’s an unfortunate fact of life that most 9-5ers just don’t have the opportunity to indulge in this pleasure very often.
Randox, being a company serious about health and wellbeing, like to know we’re giving our employees the best opportunities to be as healthy as they can, and live their lives as fulfilled as possible.
Amongst many sports in which Randox encourages employees to take part, we encourage our employees to regularly take the time to engage in some friendly competition of 5-a-side rugby against each other. The County Antrim countryside, in which our Randox headquarters are located, is the perfect setting for an informal game of rugby – our rugby players can let off some steam and take in the scenery at the same time!
The team was banded together by Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, who occasionally joins in on the games himself! Dr. FitzGerald is a strong advocate of teamwork and camaraderie in the workplace.
Jonathan Acheson, Randox Health Sales Executive, who plays for our Randox Rugby Team, commented;
“At Randox we work hard but we play hard too! Our work can often be very fast-paced and Randox is expanding phenomenally – for example we’re all working towards our 5 year sponsorship of the Randox Health Grand National, beginning in 2017, which is keeping us all very busy. So it’s important that we take time to unwind and recharge our batteries. We’re lucky that we’re able to take advantage of being in such a lovely area of Northern Ireland – right beside Lough Neagh – and so we can get outside after work and have a good run-about!”
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