Preston Motorsports Ltd Case Study
With the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Mr Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd, recently announced a partnership that will see Japanese racing team Super Aguri compete in the FIA Formula E Championship in a contract signed in November 2013.
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UKTI provides assistance to new Japanese Formula E team
Fast facts Company: Preston Motorsport Ltd Industry: Automotive Target Market: Japan UKTI Services: Gateway to Global Growth www.prestonracing.com
With the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Mr Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd, recently announced a partnership that will see Japanese racing team Super Aguri compete in the FIA Formula E Championship in a contract signed in November 2013. The Oxford-based firm utilised UKTI’s Gateway to Global Growth programme; a service which provides experienced exporters with tailored strategic support. With financial support from UKTI, Mr Preston was able to travel to Japan to finalise the deal between the Super Aguri Formula E Team and series promoters Formula E Holdings Ltd. Mr Preston will join as Super Aguri’s Team Principal for the world’s first allelectric racing championship which is sanctioned by the FIA and begins in September 2014.
With 20 years of experience in the automotive and Formula 1 industry, Mr Preston set up Preston Motorsports (alias Preston Racing) shortly after leaving his role as Head of Vehicle Technology Laboratories at McLaren in 2004. The firm was established to provide strategic, operational and technical consulting services to companies in the motorsports industry. Preston Motorsports first worked with Super Aguri in 2005 where Mr Preston helped form their F1 team, competing in the World Championship from 2006 to 2008. Their new partnership will see the Formula E outfit compete against nine other teams in the FIA Formula E Championship which takes place on 10 tracks across the globe. New Ventures Mr Preston said: “The FIA Formula E Championship is the
start of a great change, bringing something new and exciting to the motorsport industry. Our team will continue our innovative experimenting at a rapid speed and with the assistance of UKTI, we are positive about our future plans.” It was during the development of Mr Preston’s work with the Super Aguri F1 team in 2005 that he first worked with UKTI. Today, Mr Preston is now applying the services and programmes available to the firm’s new ventures. Mr Preston stated: “In trying to get the Formula 1 team off the ground, UKTI were helpful in obtaining the right contacts overseas as well as developing ideas. I’ve found UKTI to be a fantastic network for starting companies, giving them the needed reach to potential markets around the world.
“ UKTI were helpful in obtaining the right contacts overseas as well as developing ideas. I've found UKTI to be a fantastic network for starting companies. "
Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd and Team Principal of Super Aguri Formula E team
Helping you to do business abroad Doing business in another country can be a challenge, so it’s good to know that UK Trade & Investment is there to help you succeed. Through a range of unique services, including participation at selected trade fairs, overseas missions and providing bespoke market intelligence, UK Trade & Investment can help you crack foreign markets and quickly get to grips with regulations and business practices overseas. Through our Passport to Export programme we offer new and inexperienced exporters: • Free capability assessments • Support in visiting potential markets • Mentoring from a local export professional • Free action plans • Customised and subsidised training • Ongoing support once you’re up and running UKTI was delighted to support Preston Motorsport Ltd in its business overseas. To find an adviser in your chosen market and begin your own success story now, scan this code with your smartphone, visit www.ukti.gov.uk, or call +44(0)20 7215 5000 UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their highquality investment to the UK’s dynamic economy. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
“In trying to get the Formula 1 team off the ground, UKTI were helpful in obtaining the right contacts overseas as well as developing ideas. I’ve found UKTI to be a fantastic network for starting companies, giving them the needed reach to potential markets around the world. “In particular, my International Trade Adviser (ITA), David Taylor, has been extremely helpful. David has ensured I am best utilising the services UKTI have to offer me, as well as proposing ideas to help expand my company in international markets. The opportunities and potential in exporting is vast, and I do not believe I could have done it without my ITA’s advice.” Grow Global Mr Preston is hopeful that, with the support of UKTI, he will be able to source potential Japanese investors and companies to invest and support the Formula E team. With these market partnerships, Preston Motorsports will be able to further establish itself as a key contributor in the growing electric motorsports industry. “I’m hopeful that in continuing my work with UKTI, I will be able to further develop my business overseas and gain momentum within the industry while exploring opportunities in new overseas markets. Japan is our primary concern at the moment, with plans to further broaden our reach within this market. However, in addition to this, we are currently in liaison with contacts in Brazil as well as exploring the possibility of potential sponsorship in Italy.”
The export advantage International trade has always played an important role in the UK economy; today it accounts for a third of the nation’s GDP. For individual UK businesses, especially in times of economic uncertainty, exporting can make the difference between profit and loss. Exporting can be challenging, but the benefits are far greater than the challenges. Exporting means that the commercial lifespan of products and services improves, as well as the returns on R&D investments. Trading overseas also means that revenues and profits are more reliable and resistant to inevitable economic changes. Research carried out by UKTI shows that: • 70 per cent of companies found that overseas business led to fresh ideas and innovation, upgrading their products and service • 85 per cent of UKTI clients said exporting led to a level of growth not otherwise possible • 87 per cent reported that exporting significantly improved their profile and credibility • 73 per cent of companies said that exporting had increased the commercial lifespan of products or services • 37 per cent of small exporters already do business in at least one high-growth market For more information, please go to www.ukti.gov.uk/export
“ The opportunities and potential in exporting is vast, and I do not believe I could have done it without my ITA's advice. "
Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd and Team Principal of Super Aguri Formula E team
t
Fast facts Company: Preston Motorsport Ltd Industry: Automotive Target Market: Japan UKTI Services: Gateway to Global Growth www.prestonracing.com
With the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Mr Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd, recently announced a partnership that will see Japanese racing team Super Aguri compete in the FIA Formula E Championship in a contract signed in November 2013. The Oxford-based firm utilised UKTI’s Gateway to Global Growth programme; a service which provides experienced exporters with tailored strategic support. With financial support from UKTI, Mr Preston was able to travel to Japan to finalise the deal between the Super Aguri Formula E Team and series promoters Formula E Holdings Ltd. Mr Preston will join as Super Aguri’s Team Principal for the world’s first allelectric racing championship which is sanctioned by the FIA and begins in September 2014.
With 20 years of experience in the automotive and Formula 1 industry, Mr Preston set up Preston Motorsports (alias Preston Racing) shortly after leaving his role as Head of Vehicle Technology Laboratories at McLaren in 2004. The firm was established to provide strategic, operational and technical consulting services to companies in the motorsports industry. Preston Motorsports first worked with Super Aguri in 2005 where Mr Preston helped form their F1 team, competing in the World Championship from 2006 to 2008. Their new partnership will see the Formula E outfit compete against nine other teams in the FIA Formula E Championship which takes place on 10 tracks across the globe. New Ventures Mr Preston said: “The FIA Formula E Championship is the
start of a great change, bringing something new and exciting to the motorsport industry. Our team will continue our innovative experimenting at a rapid speed and with the assistance of UKTI, we are positive about our future plans.” It was during the development of Mr Preston’s work with the Super Aguri F1 team in 2005 that he first worked with UKTI. Today, Mr Preston is now applying the services and programmes available to the firm’s new ventures. Mr Preston stated: “In trying to get the Formula 1 team off the ground, UKTI were helpful in obtaining the right contacts overseas as well as developing ideas. I’ve found UKTI to be a fantastic network for starting companies, giving them the needed reach to potential markets around the world.
“ UKTI were helpful in obtaining the right contacts overseas as well as developing ideas. I've found UKTI to be a fantastic network for starting companies. "
Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd and Team Principal of Super Aguri Formula E team
Helping you to do business abroad Doing business in another country can be a challenge, so it’s good to know that UK Trade & Investment is there to help you succeed. Through a range of unique services, including participation at selected trade fairs, overseas missions and providing bespoke market intelligence, UK Trade & Investment can help you crack foreign markets and quickly get to grips with regulations and business practices overseas. Through our Passport to Export programme we offer new and inexperienced exporters: • Free capability assessments • Support in visiting potential markets • Mentoring from a local export professional • Free action plans • Customised and subsidised training • Ongoing support once you’re up and running UKTI was delighted to support Preston Motorsport Ltd in its business overseas. To find an adviser in your chosen market and begin your own success story now, scan this code with your smartphone, visit www.ukti.gov.uk, or call +44(0)20 7215 5000 UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their highquality investment to the UK’s dynamic economy. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
“In trying to get the Formula 1 team off the ground, UKTI were helpful in obtaining the right contacts overseas as well as developing ideas. I’ve found UKTI to be a fantastic network for starting companies, giving them the needed reach to potential markets around the world. “In particular, my International Trade Adviser (ITA), David Taylor, has been extremely helpful. David has ensured I am best utilising the services UKTI have to offer me, as well as proposing ideas to help expand my company in international markets. The opportunities and potential in exporting is vast, and I do not believe I could have done it without my ITA’s advice.” Grow Global Mr Preston is hopeful that, with the support of UKTI, he will be able to source potential Japanese investors and companies to invest and support the Formula E team. With these market partnerships, Preston Motorsports will be able to further establish itself as a key contributor in the growing electric motorsports industry. “I’m hopeful that in continuing my work with UKTI, I will be able to further develop my business overseas and gain momentum within the industry while exploring opportunities in new overseas markets. Japan is our primary concern at the moment, with plans to further broaden our reach within this market. However, in addition to this, we are currently in liaison with contacts in Brazil as well as exploring the possibility of potential sponsorship in Italy.”
The export advantage International trade has always played an important role in the UK economy; today it accounts for a third of the nation’s GDP. For individual UK businesses, especially in times of economic uncertainty, exporting can make the difference between profit and loss. Exporting can be challenging, but the benefits are far greater than the challenges. Exporting means that the commercial lifespan of products and services improves, as well as the returns on R&D investments. Trading overseas also means that revenues and profits are more reliable and resistant to inevitable economic changes. Research carried out by UKTI shows that: • 70 per cent of companies found that overseas business led to fresh ideas and innovation, upgrading their products and service • 85 per cent of UKTI clients said exporting led to a level of growth not otherwise possible • 87 per cent reported that exporting significantly improved their profile and credibility • 73 per cent of companies said that exporting had increased the commercial lifespan of products or services • 37 per cent of small exporters already do business in at least one high-growth market For more information, please go to www.ukti.gov.uk/export
“ The opportunities and potential in exporting is vast, and I do not believe I could have done it without my ITA's advice. "
Mark Preston, Founder of Preston Motorsports Ltd and Team Principal of Super Aguri Formula E team
t
