IF PROFESSIONAL firms in York are not prepared to speak the "lingo" of the city's growing high tech community, there are smart professional practices in Leeds who are.
That is the stark warning from physicist Gareth Owens, whose independent consultancy at Boroughbridge specialises in bridging the gap between science, technology and business.
He will give it at a half-day workshop at the Innovation Centre at York Science Park next Tuesday, March 25, where he will condemn the "passive and patronising attitudes" of some of the city's professionals..
He said: "To be a successful science city, York needs more than just technology companies. Growing high-tech businesses must be supported by high-quality professional services. They need specialist advice from banks, accountants, lawyers, trademark and patent agents, management consultants and commercial property agents. Because high-tech is also high-risk, some will need the services of an insolvency practitioner! There are tremendous opportunities for the city's professional services firms to develop their support for the high-tech sector.
"If they do not rise to the challenge, Leeds-based professionals surely will and York will be the loser."
When he looked for an accountant for his consultancy, he was "appalled at the passive and patronising attitudes" he encountered.
He said: "One senior partner, at a firm that shall remain nameless, insisted that he could make a major contribution by advising my wife on how to support her entrepreneur husband!
"Eventually I found a professional who knew something about the high-tech sector, treated me with respect, seemed genuinely interested in my business and was keen to use his skills and experience to help me move it forward."
His half-day workshop was designed to equip professionals with a basic understanding of the technology pillars on which the science city is being built, together with some new skills for working with technologists.
Anyone interested in the workshop can phone 01423 324684
Updated: 09:01 Tuesday, March 18, 2003
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