South West accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards was thrilled to collect the People First Award at the Devon Business Awards 2026, run by Devon Chamber.
Sponsored by Great Devon LSIP, this category recognises businesses investing in employee wellbeing, development and workplace culture.
The judges said: “The winning entry stood our because it was clear that people are at the very heart of the organisation. The panel were impressed by the strength of their development pathways, the visibility of leadership support, and the tangible evidence of high engagement and retention. A...
South West legal firm Amicus Law has appointed James Armstrong as its third equity partner, marking a strategic step to strengthen the firm’s commercial offering.
With immediate effect, James, who is the Head of the Commercial Property team, takes an equity stake in the business, becoming the youngest equity partner in the firm’s 20-year history. Qualifying in 2016, James joined Amicus Law in 2020 and is based at the firm’s Southernhay West office in Exeter, where he leads a team of commercial property specialists across the South West.
St Bridget Nurseries on Sidmouth Road has been acquired by British Garden Centres, which is owned and run by the Stubbs family. The site will be renamed Exeter Garden Centre.
British Garden Centres is the UK's largest family-owned garden centre group, with 80 sites across the country. The aquatics offering will remain, run by Maidenhead Aquatics, opening in July. The plant centre will continue as a core part of the business, with plans to expand the product range, including the addition of furniture. The restaurant will also stay and is expected to grow over time. British Garden...
Like any other sector, technology is also shaping primary school education. It helps children with easy learning, a joyful environment, develop digital skills, and makes primary education more accessible. Now, children from any part of the world can learn from global teachers while sitting at home.
Yes, more screentime is not good for a child, but a limited screen time that is valued and productive for a kid is of no harm. In today’s era, we can’t ignore the importance of online classes and learning to make our child future-ready.
Experts from the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Exeter have been awarded £125,000 to lead national research into robotic hernia surgery.
The ROAR study (Robotic versus Open Abdominal Hernia Repair) is comparing two surgical approaches to find out which provides the greatest benefit for patients. It will also build crucial evidence to help shape future NHS care, guiding the adoption of innovative treatments and new technology.
Study Lead and Associate Director of Research and Development at Royal Devon, Professor John Findlay...
Devon’s trades sector continues to shift as customers expect faster communication, energy-efficient solutions and reliable service from local firms they trust. Rising material costs and changing regulations also put pressure on small businesses to adapt without losing the personal approach that sets them apart. If you run a trade business in Devon, you already understand the value of practical thinking and steady relationships. Futureproofing your company does not mean changing everything overnight. Instead, it involves making smart adjustments that help you stay competitive, protect your...
Seven colleagues from The Exeter’s Distribution team will be cycling 340 miles in June, having raised over £23,000 for the fight against cancer.
18 May 2026 - UK health and life insurer The Exeter has announced that seven of their colleagues are preparing to cycle 340 miles from London to Paris in June 2026, as part of a major fundraising effort for the company’s corporate charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support.
The team has already raised more than £23,000, with fundraising continuing ahead of the challenge. The ride reflects The Exeter’s ongoing commitment to...
Construction work is in progress on the outskirts of Exeter as Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) secures 37 new homes in Bloor Homes’ second phase of Seabrook Orchards in Topsham to provide affordable housing for local people in housing need.
The new homes in Topsham are in a sought-after location just a short drive from Exeter city centre with a number of great transport links on offer, including a bus stop on the doorstep, both Topsham and Newcourt train stations in close proximity, and Exeter Airport nearby.
Of the 37 homes, 28 will be offered for social rent and 9 homes...
One of Devon’s leading social historians is giving a special lecture this month on what the county was like a century ago.
Dr Julia Neville, an honorary research fellow at Exeter University, led a major five year research project to discover how people lived in our county 100 years ago.
This was a collaboration between the Devon History Society, Devon Family History Society, the South West Heritage Trust and The Box in Plymouth.
With the help of groups across the county the project looked at many different aspects of life - education, farming, housing, and in...
Residents of EX1–EX11 are invited to enjoy a free day out at National Trust A la Ronde on Thursday 28 May , with a special Locals Go Free Day designed to welcome the community to this unique 16‑sided house and its beautiful grounds.
From 10.30am to 5pm (last entry to the house at 4pm), visitors living in postcode areas EX1–EX11 can explore A la Ronde free of charge. Each adult will simply need to show proof of address on arrival.
Perfect for families and first‑time visitors, the day will include family trails and hands‑on activities around the grounds, offering plenty to...
