OXFORD: Patent partners Adrian Hayes and Hsu Min Chung and chartered patent attorney Dr Stephen Blance have relocated to the Oxford office of patent firm Boult Wade Tennant. And the company's trade mark partner, Emma Pitcher, has taken over advice on trade mark and domain name matters. They are closely involved with patent protection, management and enforcement for clients ranging from dyeing to petrochemicals.

OXFORD: Euan Rollo has been appointed as a sales negotiator in the residential developments team of property agents Knight Frank. Based at the Worcester Street office, his primary role will be to drive sales and meet targets and profit expectations of the agency's growing number of developer clients. He said: "I will be taking a hands-on approach to working with an extensive development portfolio which ranges from local-based developers to some of the biggest names in house building, including KingsOak and Berkeley Homes."

LITTLE BALDON: Staff at marketing firm JJ's public relations department are celebrating after winning four stars in the UK Property Awards, in the Best UK PR Company category.

In the last year, JJ's PR department has seen its client list grow rapidly with the latest addition being Sharedspaces.co.uk, the UK;s co-buyer network. JJ's objective was to use PR to launch this new company and has gained major exposure across a range of media.

Karen Cooper, head of the JJ PR department, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this award and to have had such a great year with so many exciting projects and new clients to work with."

WANTAGE: Industrial design consultantcy Crucible has won the bronze award in the Analytical Instrument Industrial Design category of the International Business Outlook (IBO) Industrial Design Awards. The winning design was a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer produced for Oxford Instruments, based at Tubney Woods, near Abingdon. Managing director Mike Ayre said: "Oxford Instruments has been a valued client for the past ten years, so to have a design recognised on an international level is a fantastic achievement."

OXFORD: Tony Thompson has been appointed as a consultant with accountancy firm HW. Mr Thompson, 51, has spent the last 15 years with Natwest Independent Financial Services, providing both personal and business financial planning advice to companies of all sizes, including Brittany Ferries and Interoute Transport. He said: "The opportunity to work with the partners to provide an all round service to clients, particularly in such a forward thinking organisation, was too good to miss." The firm has also appointed David Archer as new regional director for its financial services division in the South.

OXFORD: Government chief scientific officer Sir David King has urged young scientists to address world problems such as climate change, tsunamis and other climatic catastrophes, African poverty and pandemics.

Sir David spoke to a full house at Science Oxford, headquarters of The Oxford Trust, where he cited examples of how science and technology have shaped government policy at home and abroad. He pointed out that the Golden Triangle' of high-tech industry (Oxford, Cambridge and London), was roughly the same size as the Silicon Valley in the USA, and had more new technology companies.

BICESTER: High-tech engineering firm Hardide has been granted the US patent for a new tungsten carbide adhesive and protective coating for industrial diamond crystals used in drilling and saw tools in global oil, gas, mining and construction. The development, which strengthens the diamonds and makes them last longer, opens up a global multi-million dollar market for the firm. Jim Murray-Smith, chief executive, said: "This notable development is a result of our research and development strategy to ensure we remain at the forefront of the next generation of ultra-high performance coatings."

OXFORD: Liz Rand, of accountants and business advisers, James Cowper has qualified as a chartered tax adviser. Ms Rand joined the firm five years ago and went on to complete her professional accountancy qualifications. She then decided to specialise in tax and has now completed her exams with the Chartered Institute of Taxation. She has moved to James Cowper's business tax team and will be working closely with partners Sharon Bedford and Chris Lee.

MILTON PARK: David Brister has been appointed chief business officer and a member of the executive committee of biotech firm Evotec. In the newly-created role, Mr Brister, 44, will co-ordinate the business development activities of both Evotec's pharmaceuticals and services divisions. He will focus on negotiations of partnerships and licensing agreements, as well as on the implementation of Evotec's merger and acquisitions strategy. Mr Brister was previously involved with developing venture capital businesses at 3i and MVM. He said: "I am looking forward to working with the team to enhance Evotec's delivery of pharmaceutical innovation to its partners and customers.

OXFORD: Estate agents' firm Kemp and Kemp Residential has appointed Harriet Gascoigne Pees to head the firm's Oxford practice. Ms Gascoigne Pees was born into estate agency and is continuing in the family tradition by being the third generation in the business. Gavin West of Kemp and Kemp Residential said: "Harriet has hit the ground running and her detailed knowledge of the city makes her a valuable addition to the practice."

ABINGDON: Barry Price has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of Abingdon biotech firm Vastox. He replaces Professor Stephen Davies, who will assume a non-executive director position. Dr Price will also take the role of chairman of the Vastox nominations committee. Professor Davies is stepping down to focus on his new role as Waynflete Professor and chairman of chemistry at Oxford University. Dr Price, 63, has a wealth of industry and board-level expertise and brings 39 years' of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. He said: "I have been impressed with the company's evolution, the calibre of its managers and, as a chemist, I can clearly see the potential of Vastox's approach." The firm has also appointed Dr Colin Wall as non-executive director. Dr Wall will replace John Montgomery who co-founded the firm with Professor Davies in 2003.

BANBURY: Colin Turner has been appointed as an agricultural manager for NatWest in Oxfordshire. Mr Turner will be a familiar face to the local agricultural community, as he has 28 years' banking experience, with many in agriculture. He said: "It's great to have the opportunity to combine my experience in that area with my banking background to support Oxfordshire's agricultural community."

CUMNOR HILL: David Mott, co-founder and investment director of venture capital firm Oxford Capital Partners, has been named Young Personality of the Year at the Investor Allstars Awards. The award recognises those aged under 35 who have made a significant impact on the early stage investment market. In the last two years, Mr Mott has increased his investment team to eight, been involved in 12 investments, seven as lead investor, overseen three Alternative Investment Market listings and helped several portfolio companies to expand internationally.

WANTAGE and COWLEY: Two Oxfordshire firms are in the top 30 of the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100. Wantage based ByBox is 12th in this year's listing, which ranks Britain's fastest-growing private tech companies. During 2002-2004, ByBox, an overnight parts distribution company, saw sales grow from £1.9m £12.9m. This year's turnover is predicted to be £21m. Chief executive Stuart Miller said: "It is a major achievement and further reinforces our position in the distribution marketplace." Meanwhile, Oxford healthcare information technology company CSW was ranked at 30. Based at Oxford Business Park, Cowley, its turnover grew from £1.6m in 2002/03 to £6.1m in 2004/05. Annual turnover has now hit £8m. Managing director John Chelsom said: "The key to continued success is to sustain this growth over a number of years."