An events management and team-building firm has set up in Bermuda, and its first contract is the RC44 Bermuda Cup yacht races in March.

Pinnacle International Events, which aims to go for gold in sports event management, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Stephen and Jane Savage, who have a combined 50 years of experience in their fields.

“Team building is imperative in any organisation and it definitely increases productivity,” said Mr Savage.

While Mrs Savage said successful team building workshops involve working with clients, staff, motivational speakers and include outdoor activities.

“We’ve met with a number of local businesses, individuals and facilitators to offer a variety of options for team building activities and services,” she said.

Mrs Savage is a former Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. She has events experience and has also worked in construction. Her husband has worked in the air conditioning industry, but also has a background in team building work in the US and South Africa.

The couple decided the time was right to set sail on their own.

“We were both looking for new careers and decided to this was an opportunity to put of our previous experience to good use,” said Mrs Savage.

“With the America’s Cup coming to Bermuda, we factored that in, but it seemed there were events companies that do weddings and dinners and that sort of thing — but a void when it comes to managing sports events.”

Mr Savage said: “We have the events side of the business and a lot of sports events are coming to Bermuda, especially in the sailing fraternity.” He added that team building had become especially important as the recession and changing business environment had taken its toll on jobs on the Island.

“Morale is so low in many companies where employees are being retrenched and laid off, team building is boosting the morale of people and we’ve had a lot of inquiries.”

The couple said team building is often ignored by companies, resulting in employees often ill-informed about the skills needed for effective co-operation and management in the workforce. This can lead to ignored or suppressed conflict, which in turn hits productivity, morale and leads to higher staff turnover.

The Savages said they could tailor team building workshops to suit specific needs.

Mrs Savage said: “We have met with a number local businesses, individuals and facilitators to offer a variety of options for team building activities and services.”