Devon delivers technology firm expansion

Global technology firm blur Group has announced that it will be establishing its new R&D Centre in Exeter and has launched a recruitment drive for new staff to be part of its expansion.

The company provides businesses with access to the largest pool of vetted service providers worldwide to provide design, marketing, accounting, technology and legal services. It currently trades across 141 countries, allowing businesses to work with the best service providers across the globe.

The economic growth potential in Devon was highlighted to blur Group through Devon County Council’s “Devon Delivers” campaign. blur Group says it has made its commitment to the South West because the region shares more characteristics with the original Silicon Valley than other UK clusters.

Philip Letts, CEO of blur Group and one of the few UK businessmen to have been the CEO of a major tech company in the original Silicon valley, described the reasoning behind adding Exeter as its third location: “New York, London, Cambridge, Berlin: the world is always trying to find the new Valley. What the South West brings is the combination of innovation and technology excellence, the mix of universities with both academic and venture focus, and an established reputation in attracting hi-tech firms while providing great incubation and support for earlier stage business.

“We’ve received exactly the kind of support from local universities and the County Council that reinforces why the South West will assume the UK mantle. And one ingredient that everyone overlooks in finding the next Silicon Valley was pointed out to me on the first day of my tenure – and is very prevalent here – the sea.”

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “It’s an exciting prospect to have such an innovative company choosing to move to Devon as it looks to expand. This demonstrates that businesses realise the potential of Devon’s economy and what it has to offer. This is exactly the sort of company we want to see in Devon and I’m confident we’ll see others following them to be part of our future growth, particularly as the Exeter Science Park and Skypark near delivery. The fact that blur Group has been attracted here through the County Council’s Devon Delivers campaign highlights value of this work to the local economy.”

Click here for further information about blur Group.