Visit South Devon is to launch an exciting new initiative with its Business Services membership, which enables businesses in the area to connect and work with other Visit South Devon Business members across the tourism sector.
The Community Interest Company which promotes the South Hams, Teignbridge and East and Mid Devon area, announced its new business services membership at its recent AGM, where it also confirmed that it has joined the Devon Chamber of Commerce. The new Business Service will offer members access to a number of suppliers that specifically cater for tourism and...
The biggest barriers to South West businesses making the most of technology have been revealed.
Cost, lacking the knowledge to make the right decisions and the time to focus on improvements to existing technology are the three top barriers according to a new survey.
Exeter-based technology support and strategy firm Timewade carried out the regional survey, in partnership with Tech South West, to shed light on how firms are using technology and uncover reasons behind the region’s productivity gap.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the South West has...
If you are hoping to become more active in 2020, while enjoying some friendly competition at the same time, you can team up with work colleagues and enter a Devon wide walking challenge.
This February’s ‘Let’s Walk’ challenge will encourage employees to get out of the office and raise heart rates a little. If becoming healthier isn’t incentive enough, there are also prizes on offer for those workplaces leading the way in striding out across the county. Individuals can sign up alongside work colleagues and start ‘collecting’ steps! Those who achieve the highest average numbers will...
A Devon charity that provides critically important food and essential supplies to Exeter’s hungry has visited Stephens Scown LLP’s Exeter office, to cement a charity partnership.
Employees at Stephens Scown voted for Exeter Foodbank to become one of the firm’s chosen charities, and Mark Richardson from the charity outlined how it supports the city on his recent visit.
Mark explained: “Exeter Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust and was formed in 2008 in response to the late 2000’s financial crisis. We have the core goal of providing emergency food to users (clients) who...
Latest statistics show that more new businesses were established in Devon during 2019 than in any previous year – hitting a record high for the second year in a row.
Despite political and economic challenges, 6,196 new companies were registered in the county compared to 5,908 during 2018, representing an increase of 4.9%.
This brings the total number of registered companies in Devon to 53,264, up from 51,129 at the end of 2018 - which equates to 4.2% growth.
The statistics come from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations using data from Companies House and...
Exeter-based financial experts Old Mill have appointed Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow member of the Personal Finance Society, Neil Rushton, to the Wealth Management team.
The 39-year-old has more than 18 years’ experience in financial services having held roles across the sector. Neil joins Old Mill from independent financial planning firm Citimark, where he looked after a portfolio of high net worth clients, helping them explore aspirations and achieve financial independence.
In his new role, Neil - who specialises in retirement and estate planning - will work...
The Enterprise Centre is the “gateway building” at Devon County Council’s emerging Business Park development at Roundswell, near Barnstaple.
The centre, which will offer high quality office and collaboration space, is expected to be completed by the end of this year (2020). It will provide tailored support for entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses that have potential for high growth and innovation, and is complementary to Petroc’s new Centre for Technology & Innovation Excellence (CoTIE) and Institute of Technology.
Three qualified mental health first aiders at Pennon Water Services have picked up a top award from their parent company, Pennon Group plc.
Samantha Hamilton-Welsh, Lorna Harrington and Damon Jones devised and implemented a mental health programme for Pennon Water Services (PWS).
They formed a Mental Health First Aid team, now branded as the 'Wellbeing Campaign', which focused on rolling out initiatives to promote and support the overall wellbeing of all PWS staff.
The trio have now been presented with a Chief Executive HomeSafe award for the PWS business in...
Exeter based travel company, STC Expeditions, has announced it is conducting a 12-week trial of a four day working week, starting 6th January 2020. Founded in 2006, STC Expeditions is a specialist educational travel and school expedition company, arranging ethical and adventurous school trips to destinations across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The trial will involve all full-time employees cutting their hours by 20% whilst retaining full pay. A rota system will ensure the office remains open as usual from Monday to Friday.
STC Expeditions director, Adrian Ferraro, says:...
BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, has experienced a year of growth across its South West portfolio in 2019, having invested £165m to date to support the region’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. This includes new investments in Equilaw and Off-Piste Wines.
With Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria high on the agenda, 2019 saw Exeter-based Lightfoot, the connected car technology company, endorsed by The University of Bath for its reduction of CO2, NOx and particulate emissions by 10-20%. Described as the ‘Fitbit for cars’ and backed by...
