SOME of the finest business brains in Bristol have been challenged to show off their investment skills – and help a good cause in the process.

The Sue Ryder Big Wigs Challenge was launched at the Bristol Hotel, with the gauntlet being thrown down to 18 teams representing different companies from across the city.

Each team was given a £50 note, and over the next four months will battle it out to see which group can make the money grow the most.

The Bristol Hotel sponsored the launch, and will host the awards ceremony in February, when the winning team will be crowned South West Entrepreneur of the Year.

Sue Ryder fundraiser Samantha Boardman said she was overwhelmed by the number of teams who had come forward to accept the charity challenge.

She said: "I am so excited about the next four months and what each team will achieve with the help of their business mentors.

"We cannot thank the Bristol Hotel enough for their generosity and support."

The launch was hosted by Ruth Moody and Ken Hames from Farscape, a learning and development company based in Bristol.

After an inspiring presentation from Ken, the teams were then introduced to their business mentors, who are provided by Farscape.

Successful business leaders will be giving their free time to support the teams throughout the competition.

The evening ended with each team being presented with a crisp £50 note, signalling the start of the challenge. The 18 companies taking part in the Sue Ryder Big Wigs Challenge are: Airbus (two teams), Gala Casino, Gala bingo (Weston-super-Mare), Juice recruitment, Timpson, The Body Shop Cribbs Causeway, The Colston Yard, The Albion, Office Response, Phones4u, Wards (two teams), Ashfords solicitors, Proven Communications, ISYS, University of Plymouth graduates led by Robbie McGregor (son of Office Response director Iain McGregor) and The Big Chill bar.