Business

Two young executives from Exeter firm Thomas Westcott Accountants, have qualified as a chartered certified accountants. Philip Cooke, 23 and Laura Kitchin, 22, who have both been with the firm since they were teenagers, have completed their studies and are now Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) accredited.

Philip, who works in the Exeter office, has been working with Thomas Westcott since he was 18-years-old and said he was delighted to have completed his studies. He said he enjoys he enjoys his role with the firm; meeting new clients and working around...

Zoe Elder has been awarded a diploma for the first stage of her Design and Digital Print apprenticeship.

19-year-old Zoe, who has worked for Exeter-based design and print company Peninsular OneSource for 18 months, enrolled on the apprenticeship scheme run by the Alliance Sector Skills Council in Association with Plymouth College Art. As part of the overall course she attends the college on a monthly day release basis. Ronnie Halden, Marketing & Creative Director at Peninsular commented: "Zoe has come on in leaps and bounds over the past 18 months and is now starting to...

Rob Varley, the Met Office's director of operations and services, has been named Public/Third Sector Director of the Year for his work at the Met Office.

The awards were held in London and recognise leaders from a broad range of businesses which play a vital role in stimulating the economy.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Varley said: "I am delighted to have been selected, from a very strong field, as the winner of this year's award. It is yet another example of external recognition of our commitment to consistent, reliable, high quality delivery and excellent customer...

The Government has announced their intention to postpone the next business rates revaluation by two years to 1 April 2017. The reason given is to provide stability and avoid unexpected hikes in business rates bills. There has been no prior indication or consultation of this announcement.

Despite the Government's stated aim, businesses should be extremely concerned at this decision as the implications are far wider than has been announced.

Since 1990 revaluations have taken place every five years to redistribute the business rates burden in line with changes in property...