aql strikes five-year sponsorship deal with Lendy Cowes Week

aql at Cowes Week © Cowes Week Ltd

aql at Cowes Week © Cowes Week Ltd

Cowes Week Ltd, organiser of the world's best-known sailing regatta - a highlight of the British sporting summer - is delighted to announce a five-year sponsorship deal with telecoms operator aql.

aql dipped its toe in the water last year as the Official Communications Sponsor of Lendy Cowes Week and will remain in this capacity for a further five years.

Founded by sailor and conservationist Prof. Adam Beaumont, aql provides fibre connectivity, secure datacentre services and highly-secure mobile connectivity services for the growing demands of the internet of things (IoT) marketplace.

The company serves the accelerated digital needs of global businesses, helping them keep pace with the latest technological changes by leveraging the power of high bandwidth, secure storage, mobile connectivity and innovation. A recent acquisition includes a secure maritime mobile operator. They are the communications operator behind some of the largest global technology scale-ups.

aql will work with CWL to identify mutually beneficial solutions to enhance the technology that sits behind delivery of the regatta, including text messaging and support for drone coverage of the racing.

This year, aql is also generously providing free race-quality branded spinnakers for all Squibs racing at Lendy Cowes Week in the 50th Anniversary Squib National Championship. Up to 100 boats are expected to race in this class.

Kate Johnson, CWL's Commercial and Marketing Director, said: "We're delighted that aql have decided to extend their relationship with Lendy Cowes Week. The 2017 regatta provided a great platform for the brand in terms of exposure and networking opportunities, and the provision of cutting-edge communications to support the event is hugely appreciated by CWL. The longer length of this new relationship will allow us to really embed aql into the regatta, enabling us to continue innovating our technology and further improving the experience for our competitors and visitors."

Prof. Adam Beaumont, founder and CEO of aql, added, "I've been coming to Cowes Week since 1990. It's an event which is in my blood. We also have some very accomplished sailors within our team. I'm passionate about our impact on the planet and I'm very excited that our values are converging with the racing community - we all want to have an exciting event but to minimise our footprint. We'll also be bringing some global thought-leaders to Cowes, who we'll be hosting for a series of thought-provoking talks.

"Cowes is all about community and relationships. I'm a strong believer in supporting grassroots society - whether that be in startup investments, supporting innovators, or, for example, this year in Cowes, sponsoring the Squibs. If you're making your first foray into racing, the squibs are an exciting entry point. There's a huge amount of talent in small boats this year."

Lendy Cowes Week 2018 runs from 4-11 August.