Team Building Company

Team Building Company Bluehat UK is a specialist Team Building and Team Training Company. On this page you'll find news about Bluehat UK and their team building events. If you'd rather see information on Bluehat UK’s team building products please go to the Team Building Events page.

If you'd like to speak to a member of the Bluehat team call 0845 207 2001.

New Teambuilding Event Coming Soon!

If you’ve ever been involved in organising an away day for numerous offices, you’ll know how difficult it can be. Getting everyone to one place can be a nightmare, and a huge expense, too - transport costs, venue costs, overnight accommodation all adds up. Plus, there’s the extra time out of the office for travelling.

But what if you didn’t need that? What if all your delegates could take part in the same event from different locations around the country, or even the world?

We’re developing technology that will allow teams to do just that. You could have 100 people in Glasgow, Birmingham and Cardiff (or London, Tokyo and New York) working together, competing against each other, and tracking each other’s progress via the internet.

Using state of the art mobile phone technology, we will pre-program challenges into each of the handsets for all of the teams. Whilst competing with other teams locally, they will also be collaborating with other teams in different cities, striving to accumulate the highest number of points by completing the most challenges.

This event promises to be highly competitive, fun and energetic, as will get the teams communicating with each other in a different way to what they've been used to. Teamwork, communication and trust will all be critical elements for success.

To find out more about how this event can work for your team, call us on 0845 207 2001.

Bluehat plan a night under the stars in London for Centrepoint

Inspired by one of our clients who recently raised thousands of pounds for the Centrepoint charity, we at Bluehat have decided to do a little fund raising for this worthwhile charity, too.

At least 75,000 young people experienced homelessness in the UK. Centrepoint works to support those young people who are on a downward spiral, to give them a chance to turn their lives around and build a more fulfilling future. Centrepoint work closely with affected young people, often over a period of 2 years, to help get them back on their feet, learn skills, gain confidence, find work and their own accommodation.

On November 12th, we'll be joining 450 other people in sleeping out at Old Spitalfields Market in London. We’re raising money so that at least 2 of our team can spend the night sleeping on a cold hard floor with only a cardboard box as a mattress.

Granted, there are a few more perks than hundreds of young people have every single night on London streets, but it will certainly be a night we won’t forget in a hurry.

We need to raise £1000 for Centrepoint in order for two of our team to take part in the Big Sleep Out event, and it would be great if you could help us get to our target.

All you have to do is donate £10 (or more if you are feeling super generous) to Centrepoint through the Bluehat UK JustGiving website www.justgiving.com/Bluehat-UK-Ltd-/. It only takes a few seconds and whilst we'll appreciate any donation you are able to make, more importantly you'll be making a real difference to a real person’s life.

And we’ll be sure to let you know how we get on, too!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

www.justgiving.com/Bluehat-UK-Ltd-/

Centrepoint Charity Challenge Update

Last Friday saw Bluehat and one of their longest standing clients Insight Research Group descend on Old Spitalfields Market for the Centrepoint Charity Challenge.

The Challenge actually started two weeks ago, when our team went to Insight’s offices to deliver the event brief. One hundred people were split into 12 strategic teams who then had to work together in the fortnight before the event day to discuss their plans and how they were going to be successful as a team. Giving the team the brief so far in advance encouraged them to work together, outside of their usual working groups, for a prolonged time frame.

The teams used the two weeks to gather items that could then be sold on their market stall, with proceeds going to Centrepoint, who help give a future to young homeless people, giving them a chance to run their lives around and build a more fulfilling future.

The teams really got into the swing of things - one team produced designer mirrors, another team produced a photo booth to take photofit images and put them on a cup ‘mug on a mug’. Bluehat had also provided artwork, jewellery and t-shirts through a number of local artists, so teams could start selling straight away.

The charity also provided a list of items that they could make use of that teams were challenged to acquire - bedding, microwaves and kitchen utensils being among the list of things that teams managed to get donated by various different outlets.

On the day of trading, the teams arrived to find their empty market stalls, provided by Old Spitalfields Market, that needed to be decorated for the day. They were all given a recap of their brief, as well as some additional challenges to complete throughout the day which included taking photos – the 24 digital cameras provided were then donated to the charity.

All 12 teams were in furious competition to be the team that raised the most money for the charity. Trading for 6 hours, starting from 10am, the teams battled it out to bring in the most money, although at the end of the event, the important element was the total sum raised, and the experiences the team had shared in raising the money.

Alongside the items on sale, the teams were all selling raffle tickets for some great prizes - including annual membership to www.clubgt.co.uk - the UK’s leading super car club, a fine dining experience for 2 at the top of the Gherkin provided by Searcys and dinner, bed and breakfast at a De Vere Venue.

At 4pm, when trading ended, the monies were added up, and the winning team announced. The teams from Insight Research Group managed to raise in excess of £4,000 in sales on the day, as well as £2,500 in procured items from the charity’s wish list. And the fund raising continues, too! Teams that had items left over have a further week to sell as much as they can for as much profit as possible on Ebay.

If you’d like to make a donation to Centrepoint, or find out more about your own Charity Challenge event, please call us on 0845 207 2001.

Centrepoint and Bluehat UK Charity Event Offers Amazing Prizes

If you can pop into Old Spitalfields Market next Friday – October 9th – anytime between 10am – 4pm then you could win yourself a prize like a drive in a Lamborghini, or lunch at The Gherkin, or a night at a Luxury Hotel.

London’s Centrepoint Charity are giving you the opportunity to take part in their charity challenge event organised by Bluehat UK. Here’s how it works:

There will be 12 market stalls set up in Old Spitalfields Market, near Liverpool Street Station These market stalls will be selling off high quality items donated by local companies, arts and fashion items by local artists and many amazing experiences and gifts. All proceeds will go to the charity.

There will also be a raffle to take part in so if you want to drive a Lamborghini for the weekend, take your mate to lunch at the top of the Gherkin, take your partner to a luxury hotel for just £1 a ticket then be sure to drop in and join in the raffle.

It’s a one day only event. If you’re in the area pop in and spend a bit of money to support Centrepoint – you may get more than you bargained for.

Bluehat UK Offer Free Teambuilding Activities

Bluehat UK are offering teams of up to 10 people the opportunity to attend one of their free teambuilding days.

The days will start with an ice breaker, and you will then experience two of Bluehat UK's award winning team building activities, where you and your colleagues will be competing against other companies to see who will be triumphant. We'll also provide lunch and refreshments, and you'll have a show round of the venue and all it's facilities.

The events are the perfect way to develop your personal and team skills and understand the unique way in which Bluehat's events inspire and motivate teams performance and productivity. The days have been a great success in the past, with attendees saying that it helped them to gain ideas on how to keep colleagues engaged and motivated.

If you want to find out more about Bluehat's free team building days contact us on 0845 207 2001 and we'll be happy to talk you through the day.

Bluehat UK announced as preferred team building supplier to BT

Bluehat UK are the only team building and experiential learning company to be named on BT's events preferred supplier roster. The 6 month evaluation process saw a pitch list of 130 event companies taken down to 12 event suppliers. The written information and presentations were with key BT stakeholders. This enabled Bluehat UK to display and explain the main difference between Bluehat and other team building organisations.

One of the key factors as to why Bluehat UK were chosen over so many other pitching companies, is the ability for Bluehat to work closely with the differing departments and understand the business, culture and environment of BT and applying their specific mission, vision and values into fun, engaging, team learning and development experiences and activities of such a large organisation.

The key stakeholders were impressed by the way we approach our events. Bluehat approach an event in a slightly different way to traditional event management companies, because we place the experience of participants as Priority No 1. Many event management companies prioritise instead the logistics of an event: the travel, accommodation, production etc.

Bluehat’s priority is to achieve the most appropriate impact that your events have on your participants. Bluehat believe that this happens most successfully when people are involved in taking actions. These actions are co-ordinated through activities designed by Bluehat, to reward specific behaviours that you’re looking for in your people. Behaviours like; effective communication and sharing information, openness and honesty, behaviours that demonstrate mutual respect.

Bluehat UK are the market leaders in designing unique experiences for clients and are paving the way for organisations to benefit from experiential communication of their brand, culture and identity – their vision and values.

Proof of this is not only through being awarded the BT contract, but over the last seven years since it's formation, Bluehat UK has been awarded Gold or Silver every year for the Team Building Firm of the Year, awarded by the events industries governing bodies CEA, now Eventia. The award is measured on quality of services, delivery, originality and high standards, as well as how the organisation has grown and developed.

Bluehat UK are also in discussions with other industry leading companies, to develop working relationships further and complete the procedure to become preferred suppliers.

Bluehat UK supports BI Worldwide with Guinness World Record

Each year, in July, the leading communication and motivation company BI undertakes a major teambuilding event to celebrate the financial year end and set objectives for the coming year. Bluehat UK have worked in previous years with BI to facilitate teambuilding with a particular focus on communication, performance and motivation.

On July 11th, BI attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the largest game of Chinese Whispers at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in North London. This exciting event involving 1,330 children aged 7-11, and was aiming to raise in excess of £100,000 for TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education, and Save the Children.

Bluehat was proud to be able to help BI co-ordinate this event by providing expert facilitation on the day and advice and support in the build up to the event itself.

Bluehat facilitator, Sean Clarke, worked closely with project managers at BI Worldwide to enable the World Record attempt to fulfil the strict Guinness World Record criteria. Here’s how it worked:

Children were positioned in the lower East Stand of Emirates Stadium. The first child was given a piece of paper with a seven-word sentence. This child then whispered to another on the right., and so it went on. The process weaved from row to row until the last child whispered it to the final person who announced it on the microphone.

There was only one chance to hear the message, and then to pass it on. The rules stated that it must be whispered in a circle, and here's the kicker – everyone had to be very, very quiet! That’s where Bluehat came in; with games and entertainment to pass the time. The only actions that took place were smiles and gestures, but NO TALKING WAS ALLOWED!

A certified adjudicator from Guinness World Records was on hand to verify the success...... A new World record was managed by the children who stayed quiet for two hours and four minutes during the whisper. This also demonstrated what can be achieved by working together. The Chinese Whisper was "Together we can make a world of difference".

The money raised will be divided equally between TreeHouse and Save The Children.

Bluehat UK are proud to support BT in the Microsoft UK Challenge 2008

The Microsoft UK Challenge in aid of the NSPCC is the ultimate team building event for businesses across the UK. Four days and nights of adrenaline filled action see teams kayaking, mountain biking, navigating by torchlight and running, but also using their brains to crack codes and complete complex tasks. With details confirmed only hours before each stage, teams compete against the clock and against each other, while the organisers constantly push them to their limits.

Bluehat UK are proud to support BT in the Microsoft UK Challenge 2008

Set in the heart of Scotland where the lowlands meet the highlands Stirling is the setting for the Microsoft UK Challenge 2008. Competitors will experience some of the UKs most exhilarating landscapes, racing up ancient mountain passes and across legend filled lochs. However completing the course is just part of the challenge.

BT Public Sector Scotland has entered a team in the 2008 Microsoft UK Challenge taking place in June at Stirling. The event is primarily to raise money for NSPCC and Children 1st and BT Team 99 have pledged to raise over £10,000. The organisers expect this year’s Challenge to raise over £600,000.

“We would like to thank Bluehat UK for supporting our efforts to raise funds for the NSPCC and Children 1st by helping to develop us as a team, in order to put on the best possible performance in the Microsoft Challenge 2008.”

Bluehat wish the BT Public Sector Scotland Team 99 the very best in their challenge and are delighted to have been able to support such a good cause by providing training and team development exercises.

To support BT Team 99 raising as much money as possible please visit the sponsorship page to find out more about how to sponsor Team 99.

www.nspcc.org.uk/challenger/sponform.asp

Open Workshops Schedule for Autumn 2008

Workshops cost £295 + VAT per person or £395 + VAT per person for workshops with Sally Gunnell. All workshop prices include training materials, interactive exercises, refreshments and lunch.

Places are limited to 12 participants to ensure most effective learning.

September 2008:

Tuesday 9th September:
Barnett Hill - Guildford - Train the Trainer.
Please email for more information.
Not available.

Wednesday 10th September:
Barnett Hill - Guildford - Leading & Managing your Team
Please email for more information.
Not available.

Tuesday 23rd September:
Charlton Court - Brighton - Personal Development with Sally Gunnell
Please email for more information.
Not available.

October 2008:

Thursday 9th October:
Barnett Hill - Guildford - 3Ps® Accreditation Seminar
Please email for more information.
Not available.

Tuesday 21st October:
Highgate - Northampton - Principles of Teamwork
Please email for more information.
Not available.

Monday 27th October:
Woodside - Kenilworth - Train the Trainer
Please email for more information.

Tuesday 28th October:
Woodside - Kenilworth - Leading & Managing your Team
Please email for more information.

November 2008:

Tuesday 18th November:
Charlton Court – Brighton - Personal Development with Sally Gunnell
Please email for more information.

December 2008:

Wednesday 3rd December:
Woodside - Kenilworth - Principles of Teamwork
Please email for more information.

Tuesday 16th December:
Charlton Court - Brighton - Work/Life Balance with Sally Gunnell
Please email for more information.

Please call 0845 207 2001 for more information and to book your place.

Bluehat UK Nominated for Team Building Awards 2007

Bluehat UK have been nominated as finalists in 4 team building categories at the Eventia UK Awards 2007 and the results were announced on 23rd November 2007:

Silver for Team Building Firm of the Year 2007
Silver for Best New Event – The Bushcraft Challenge
Finalists for Best Event Demonstrating CSR – Eden CSR Teambuilding Event
Finalists for Most Effective Delivery of Return on Investment – Eden and 3Ps®

Bluehat UK Nominated for Learning Award

Bluehat UK have been nominated as finalist in the category for Generic Solution of the Year at the World of Learning Awards 2007 for:

3Ps® - Personal Performance Plan

Sally Gunnell and Bluehat UK join forces

Bluehat UK is pleased to announce that Sally Gunnell joined forces at the National Team Building Show with Bluehat's Director of Learning, Christophe Orgueil on Monday 19th November 2007 at Barnett Hill near Guildford. The day was a huge success and another date will be organised for Bluehat clients in 2008.

The aim was to show how Bluehat's innovative 3Ps® personal performance tool can help individuals achieve outstanding performance and demonstrate the core principles of the tool using Sally Gunnell's experience. Sally is the only woman to have held 4 gold medals (World, Olympic, Commonwealth and European) for the 400m hurdles and she has managed to combine her successful career with the challenges of work life balance. Sally says: 'Developing yourself is finding out your weaknesses and strengths and putting the work in to achieve the best you can.'

Christophe Orgueil has developed the 3Ps® tool over many years of experience in learning and development and will be talking about how the tool has been designed with 3 main objectives:- 1. Simple to use, 2. Self interpretation and 3. Focused development and actions.

The 3Ps® looks at immediate and realistic improvements applicable in a working environment where time pressures and large workloads are a daily concern.

For more information or to book your free place please register your interest on the National Team Building Show page or contact Bluehat on 0845 207 2001.

Team Building Company Awards

Bluehat UK has been recognised by the Events Industry Association (Eventia) as the market leader in team building events by nominating Bluehat Team Building Firm of the Year 2006 at the Corporate Event Awards in November 2006.

This is the latest in a number of awards given to Bluehat UK by the association – formerly known as the Corporate Event Association. Entries for the awards give details of the way a company delivers the most successful results for its clients. The accolade of Team Building Company of the Year is decided by a panel of judges who assess the following criteria: consistency, customer service, budgetary and planning discipline, training initiatives, innovative marketing and sales techniques, creativity, logistical skills, interpretive skills and factors that made a real difference.

For more information or ideas for your team building event please click on one of the events below or speak to the Bluehat team on 0845 207 2001.

Team Building Firm of the Year 2006

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as winners of Team Building Firm of the Year 2006 based on the following selection of team building events which took place between 1st August 2005 and 31st July 2006. Please click on an event for more information.

Da Vinci Code Team Building Activity
Hells Bells Team Building Activity
Mexican Railway Conference Energiser
Chequered Flag Team Building Activity
Italian Job Team Building Event
Team Work of Art Team Building Game

Team Building Company of the Year 2005

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as winners of Team Building Company of the Year 2005 based on the following selection of team building events which took place between 1st August 2004 and 31st July 2005. Please click on an event for more information.

Da Vinci Code Team Building Activity
Storming the Ramparts Team Building Activity
Different Class Team Building Activity
What Not to Wear Team Building Activity
Garden Challenge Team Building Activity
Thyme Management Team Building Activity
What Not to Wear Team Building Activity
Bespoke Botanical Team Building Experience at Kew Gardens
(please ask for details)

Team Building Company of the Year 2004

The judges highly commended Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Team Building Company of the Year 2004 based on the following selection of team building events which took place between 1st August 2003 and 31st July 2004. Please click on an event for more information.

Chequered Flag Team Building Activity
Quest for Kudos Team Building Activity
city-shakers-treasure-hunt.html
1000 Hrs of kindness Community Team Building
(please ask for details)

Team Building Company of the Year 2003

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as winners of Team Building Company of the Year 2003 based on the following selection of team building events which took place between 1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003. Please click on an event for more information.

Garden Challenge Team Building Activity
Thyme Management Team Building Activity
I’m a Director get me outta here... (please ask for details)
The Mole Team Building Activity

Team Building Company of the Year 2002

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as winners of Team Building Company of the Year 2002 based on the following selection of team building events which took place between 1st August 2001 and 31st July 2002. Please click on an event for more information.

Quest for Kudos Team Building Activity
The Mole Team Building Activity
Independent Productions Team Building Activity

Team Building Event Awards

Bluehat UK has also been recognised by the Event Industry Association in specific event categories. These entries are judged on: evidence that the brief and objectives are clearly understood, defined reasons for the choice of event to meet objectives, evidence that a different approach was used or that an old idea was refreshed and made relevant to today's participants, clear explanation of methods used, including communication of event, feedback systems, new technology to aid efficiency, evaluation techniques and the results.

Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2006

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2006 based on a selection of Hells Bells Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2005 and 31st July 2006.

Best New Event 2006

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best New Event 2006 based on the Puppet Productions Team Building Event (please ask for details) which took place between 1st August 2005 and 31st July 2006.

Best Team Building Event 2005

The judges highly commended Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best Team Building Event 2005 based on a selection of Da Vinci Code Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2004 and 31st July 2005.

Best New Event 2005

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best New Event 2005 based on a selection of Da Vinci Code Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2004 and 31st July 2005.

Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2003

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as winners in the award for Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2003 based on a selection of Thyme Management Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003.

The judges highly commended Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2003 based on a selection of Garden Challenge Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003.

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2003 based on a selection of I’m a Director get me outta here… Team Building Events (please ask for details) which took place between 1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003.

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best Incentive / Motivation Event 2003 based on a selection of The Mole Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003.

Best New Event 2003

The judges highly commended Bluehat UK as finalists in the award for Best New Event 2003 based on the Thyme Management Team Building Events which took place between 1st August 2002 and 31st July 2003.

Best New Company 2002

The judges nominated Bluehat UK as winners in the award for Best New Company 2002 based on the following selection of team building events which took place between 1st August 2001 and 31st July 2002. Please click on an event for more information.

Quest for Kudos Team Building Activity
The Mole Team Building Activity
Independent Productions Team Building Activity

Team Building News - Recent Press Releases

Press Release November 2005 - Top Team Building Companies Merge

Two leading specialists in the team building market, Bluehat UK Ltd and Gamesman Productions, are joining forces. Both companies are award winners in their own right - Bluehat UK were nominated by the Corporate Event Association as Team Building Company of the Year 2002 and again in 2003 and were then highly commended in 2004; Gamesman Productions were finalists in the Comet Business Awards 2004 for Creative Innovation.

Neil Harvey, Gamesman founder and proprietor, designed and created Hells Bells which has grown to be the market’s leading indoor team building activity. He says: "Joining my team up with Bluehat will allow us to concentrate on design which is what we’re best at while the Bluehat team will continue to deliver the best service to all of our clients. It also gives us more time to design bespoke business games for clients – like the new Circulation Wars trading game that we developed for Fun Events in October."

Bluehat Managing Director Tim Shepley says: "We’ve worked very closely this year to develop the Da Vinci Code Team Building Event with Neil and his team at Gamesman. It’s been clear for a while that Gamesman are the best design and build experts in the country – particularly for new team building games and activities. Our clients will benefit hugely from the increased investment in developing new ideas for teambuilding events."

The strength of the union is already evident because Bluehat UK have been voted finalist in the CEA Awards 2005 for Team Building Company of the Year and The Da Vinci Code Event has been voted finalist in the Best New Event and Best Incentive/Motivation/Team Building Event categories. Announcements of the winners are to be made on Thursday 24th November 2005.

The merger will make a significant difference to organisers who are looking for a team building event, because now there is another viable choice: to create a bespoke event from scratch is now a real option. It will be affordable, timely and effective.

If you'd like to speak with one of the team at Bluehat please call on 0845 207 2001.