The Island Sailing Club is inviting tenders for title sponsorship of the Round the Island Race from 2017 onwards, as J.P. Morgan Asset Management announces the conclusion of its 12 year sponsorship of the Race in 2016.

In the last 12 years of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s sponsorship of the race, the event has seen:

• Charitable fundraising amounting to over £500,000
• Entries reaching a record of 1,908 in 2011
• Annual entries over 1,500 yachts and 12,000 competitors
• Support for new technology initiatives such as Race Tracking and Live TV
• Celebration of the 80th anniversary of the event
• Documentaries on RTI on BBC Countryfile and Channel 4

Mark Wynter, Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, that organises the annual 50 mile race around the Isle of Wight, said:

‘It’s always sad to end a dynamic and long-standing relationship but, equally, as we all know, all good things come to an end. However, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and its team will leave behind a superb legacy for us to nurture, including some terrific friendships and working relationships that will survive on and off the water and a solid and positive platform for the Race Management and Marketing teams to take forward into a new era.’

Charity fundraising plays a large part in the Round the Island Race. Dame Ellen MacArthur received a cheque from ISC Commodore Mark Wynter for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust for over £189,000 raised through its partnership with the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race  in December 2014. This figure has since risen by almost £43,000 during 2015 bringing the total to £226,364.25.

Jasper Berens, Head of UK Funds at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said:

‘After 12 fantastic years, 2016 will see the conclusion of our long-standing title sponsorship as the baton gets passed onto the next title sponsor. I’ve had the privilege of attending the race right from the outset of our sponsorship, so it’s amazing to think how far the race has evolved and moved from strength to strength over that time and how widely regarded it has become.

‘The message of thanks stretches far and wide, with so many individuals involved in helping to shape the race as we know it today. We’d also like to thank everyone that has participated in the race over the years too. It was a major collaborative effort and we wish the Island Sailing Club every success for the future.’

The 85th edition of the Race is being held on 2 July 2016, which will be J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s final outing as Title Sponsor.

The Island Sailing Club invites those interested in the title sponsorship of the Round the Island Race from 2017 onwards to contact the Sponsorship Manager Dave Atkinson at dvatkin@gmail.com or call +44 (0)7889 790698.