Business

Exeter accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards has announced the retirement of one of its longest serving partners, Cliff Nightingale.

With an accountancy career spanning over 41 years, Cliff joined Simpkins Edwards in 1996 as a result of a merger with his previous firm, Honey Perriam. He has been Senior Partner at Simpkins Edwards since 2002, working as head of the firm’s Corporate Services Group with a wide range of corporate clients, particularly owner managed businesses.

Cliff’s retirement was marked with a party for staff and clients at the firm’s central Exeter office on...

An Exeter car retailer is celebrating the news that two of its employees have secured first place in a coveted national competition.

Geoff Govier, 30, emerged victorious in the Parts Manager category while Adrian Christie, 40, was named Best Service Manager at SEAT's recent Top Service People final, after they excelled in a customer satisfaction incentive. Both work at SMC Exeter SEAT on Hennock Road North, and now progress to the international stage of the competition next month.

Their success was marked at a recent showpiece gala evening hosted by musician and TV...

Exeter law firm Crosse + Crosse Solicitors has promoted three key staff members within its family and property departments.

In the Family department, Simon Musannif has been promoted as its newest Partner. As a member of the Law Society's Children Panel since 1997 and a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children, Simon joined the firm in 2011 acting for children and their guardians in care proceedings, adoptions and placement orders. His promotion recognises his achievements, hard work and commitment within the firm.

In the Property department, Peter Gaywood, a...

New figures reveal there were 7,830 Apprenticeship starts in Devon during the academic year 2011/12 – representing growth of 13.5 per cent from the previous year. Indeed, Devon registered the highest number of Apprenticeship starts in the South West region, with starts in the county accounting for 14 per cent of the 55,950 total.

There is a similar positive picture across the country, with Apprenticeship starts in England for 2011/12 topping the half million mark. This is an overall increase of 13.9 per cent on the preceding year.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “...