Business

"If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses”. There is some debate as to whether Henry Ford, to whom this line is often attributed, ever actually said this. Irrespective, it does raise some interesting questions, mainly about asking the right questions.

Any business, in establishing a client’s needs and requirements must ask the right questions. In my profession, for example, it is vital to establish need and objectives before recommending a suitable investment strategy. However, this is rarely as simple as asking a client what they want to achieve....

Meet Al and James...

They started Optix Solutions straight out of Exeter Uni, back in 1999.

Al & James have been shortlisted for Employer of the Year in the Express & Echo Business Awards. It's now down to a public vote for them to win and we need your help.

Following are the top 5 reasons why we, Team Optix, think they deserve your vote!

1. They regularly put on team building activities for us.... Like a Segway tour of Haldon Forest and the Optix Thanksgiving cook off.

2. Twice a month, they take the entire team out for lunch at tasty...

A trainee solicitor at Stephens Scown LLP has been awarded the esteemed Sir George Fowler Prize in 2012 by the Devon and Somerset Law Society at their recent AGM in Exeter.

Beth Johnson was awarded the prize after gaining the highest grade on the Legal Practice Course within Devon and Somerset. She successfully completed this course at the University of Plymouth.

Beth joined Stephens Scown as a paralegal in June 2012, and commenced as a trainee solicitor in April 2013. She is currently seated within the family law team in Exeter and will experience another two specialisms,...

Businesses will have a chance to find out more about the current planning system and its impact on energy projects at the latest Exeter Energy Exchange, which takes place on 23 May. The event is being organised by leading South West law firm Stephens Scown and renewable energy consultancy Granted Ltd, and will also look at methods of project planning. Speakers will include Chris Tofts, a specialist planning solicitor at Stephens Scown, Mike Chapman, Senior Project Manager for Renewable Energy at Granted Consultancy and Sonya Bedford, Head of Renewable Energy at Stephens Scown. Sonya said...