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Initiatives led by a prominent businessman to support Ukraine

Rinat Akhmetov has taken legal action to seek compensation from Russia for all losses incurred, particularly the destruction of key infrastructure facilities such as Azovstal Steel Plant, Ilich Iron and Steel Works, Avdiivka Coke Plant, Luhanska Thermal Power Plant, etc. Amidst the conflict, businessman Rinat Akhmetov faced significant losses compared to other major figures in the business world. Further details are available here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/08/ukraine-oligarchs-power-war/ . Akhmetov emphasises that the funds compensated by Russia will be directed...

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David Banks

David Banks

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South West communities receive funding boost to improve mobile connectivity

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 10/17/2023 - 4:47pm

The Connecting Devon & Somerset Mobile Boost scheme has secured over £430,000 from the Heart of the South West LEP, to provide vital mobile connectivity to rural communities.

The Mobile Boost scheme ran from February 2021 to March 2023, and funded over 1,700 installations across the region, helping small businesses and homeworkers with poor indoor mobile coverage.

Data from Ofcom states that 23,000 premises across the Devon and Somerset area are 4G ‘not-spots’, meaning they lack adequate coverage.

Following the success of the project, and continued interest from...

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Exeter marketing firm takes gold for campaign tackling harassment against women

Authored by Program
Posted: Mon, 10/16/2023 - 11:27pm

Bystander Intervention Campaign wins at South West CIPR Awards

A campaign to help tackle harassment against women and girls in Exeter has won a major award.

Exeter-based marketing agency Program saw off competition from around the country at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards for their Bystander Intervention campaign for the Safer Exeter Partnership .

The campaign, run in partnership with the Safer Exeter Partnership, encouraged safe and skillful intervention in harassment situations. It included eye-catching ads across Exeter, along...

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Plymouth Science Park secures £500k for state-of-the-art DREAM project

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 10/03/2023 - 11:24am
Cutting-edge additive manufacturing facility ba South West LEP

Plymouth Science Park has been awarded £507,000 for a new digital engineering test facility, to complement their Advanced Digital Manufacturing Innovation Centre . The funding has been allocated by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) , from the £8m Digital Investment Programme.

The DREAM (Digital Reverse Engineering And Metallurgy) project will offer businesses a digital engineering test facility for reverse engineering, design, manufacturing and validation of additive manufactured prototypes...

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Former global CFO and CTO joins Foot Anstey LLP as Non-Executive Director

A versatile executive with global leadership experience at a Magic Circle legal giant and Big Four accounting firm is to join one of the UK’s fastest growing law firms as Non-Executive Director.

Foot Anstey LLP has appointed Jason Haines to support on the firm's next strategic period and ambitious growth goals from October 2023.

Jason has recently retired after a 16-year tenure at Allen & Overy where he demonstrated his strong leadership skills as Finance and Operations Director for the international law firm. He oversaw a comprehensive range of IT and business services...

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Peer network launched to support South West business community

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 09/26/2023 - 12:15pm

The Heart of the South West LEP has launched a Peer Network programme, giving SMEs the opportunity to learn from successful businesses, to help to boost productivity and resilience.

The Peer Networks will be led by an experienced facilitator, with each network consisting of a minimum of 11 owners or managers from the SME business community across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay. Participants will receive 18 hours of action learning through their network, with additional 1:1 support to receive tailored support.

The programme aims to improve the resilience of SMEs, their...

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New Funding and Finance Resource for every Business in Devon and Somerset

Authored by Program
Posted: Wed, 09/20/2023 - 4:06pm

Businesses in Devon and Somerset are set to receive improved access to funding opportunities, guidance, best practice and finance support thanks to a new project launched by the Heart of the South West LEP.

Access to Finance SW is a free community platform for growing businesses in the Heart of the South West region.

From regular business meetups to ‘ask the expert’ sessions, any business can join for free, connect with and learn from other businesses and access a range of funding and finance expertise covering equity, non-dilutive funding, loans and debt, along with...

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Success for Great South West geothermal and solar but UK offshore wind farms miss out

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 09/12/2023 - 2:48pm

UK Clean Energy Powerhouse Great South West receives geothermal & solar boost as Cornwall geothermal projects secure first ever UK Contracts for Difference from Government; APPG Celtic Sea to meet this week to discuss offshore progress

Geothermal projects in Cornwall have secured contracts awarded by the Government to provide clean energy for the next 15 years, as part of a 320 MW clean energy boost for the Great South West.

Three geothermal energy projects have secured Government support at its renewable energy auction. The Manhay, Penhallow and United Down projects...

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Exeter IT company celebrates new chapter as Jordan Westcott steps up as Managing Director

Authored by Program
Posted: Wed, 09/06/2023 - 4:39pm

Timewade , a leading technology partner for SMEs in the South West, is excited to announce a significant milestone in its leadership team.

Jordan Westcott, who joined the company over a decade ago, is set to take the helm as the new Managing Director in September 2023. He will succeed Julian Wills, who will transition to the role of CEO.

Jordan joined the company in 2008 at the age of 16 from St Lukes School, Exeter, as an Apprentice Engineer, a role which ignited his passion for technology and client service. Over the years, he has gained invaluable experience across...

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South West marketing agency seeing significant growth with key new client wins

Authored by Program
Posted: Mon, 08/07/2023 - 11:21pm

Positive impact marketing agency welcomes five new clients following recent growth

Exeter and Bristol-based marketing agency Program is celebrating recent growth, welcoming five new clients in recent weeks; IT support provider Acronyms; software development company CoreBlue; Plymouth social enterprise Engaged Communities; multinational hospitality company Accor; and innovative pipeline monitoring company Klarian.

Program is a creative positive impact marketing agency, working with tech, education and infrastructure sectors, including business organisations and government...

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Acronyms announces £1million investment, as part of Cornwall expansion plans

Authored by Program
Posted: Sun, 07/30/2023 - 6:09am

Acronyms Ltd , a leading technology company specialising in managed IT services, has today announced its expansion into Cornwall and the successful acquisition of Tanist, a Cornwall-based IT solutions provider.

The takeover, which was officially completed on Saturday July 1, 2023, demonstrates a significant investment in the region of over £1million, over a period of three years, with the IT company pledging to support the local economy in Cornwall by creating jobs and driving growth from the newly acquired premises in Bodmin.

Founded in 2003, Acronyms has been a trusted...

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