UNISON South West is building the fight against the threat of regional pay in the NHS, which they claim will have a detrimental effect on the rights of health workers in regional parts of the UK. They have scheduled 18 events across the region this month, including four this week in Barnstaple, Plymouth and two in Exeter outside meetings of the North Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and the Devon Partnership NHS Trust, to try to lobby members of the Pay Consortium Boards, which have banded together in a bid to make “radical” changes to staff pay, terms and conditions outside of the national...
Exeter Racecourse is looking forward to welcoming West Country Olympians, Paralympians and Games Makers who will be at its first meeting of the new season on Thursday 11 October - the specially titled South West Athletes Celebration Day. Attending will be three-day eventing legend Mary King who represented her country for the sixth consecutive time at London 2012. With her horse Imperial Cavalier she helped Team GB secure team Silver. King said: “It’s a great honour to have a race named after me and it’s definitely a first. The racecourse is such an iconic part of the Devonshire...
South West businesses are failing to take crucial steps to boost their productivity, according to a new report from Lloyds Banking Group and the Manufacturing Technologies Association. The report, Understanding the Puzzle, canvasses the views of more than 1,500 businesses across the UK, highlighting a widespread concern about productivity levels in the UK economy and echoing worries that have been raised by Government and industry bodies. It raises an urgent need for investment in order to prevent UK productivity levels falling far behind other countries. The report found 62 per cent of...
For businesses in the South West that trade with the EU, the EU data protection legislation changes coming into effect in May 2018 are still likely to apply despite Brexit. That’s following the UK Information Commissioner’s view that regardless of Britain’s approach to Brexit, the new European legislation (the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR) will apply to UK businesses. EY is already seeing increased interest from clients as they look at their current approach to data protection and privacy and determine what they need to do at a minimum to comply with the deadline of March...
Westley Consulting are delighted to announce that Mike Armstrong has joined them this month as Senior Associate Consultant to be their lead in finance and provide wider business consultancy.
Mike has a wealth of experience at senior level in financial management in abattoirs and processing plants, is qualified in accountancy and also holds an MBA. He was treasurer of AIMS for a long period and financial controller of a leading meat sector business and is therefore a very valuable and flexible source of advice and support for existing and new Westley clients.
A quarter of (25%) cancer patients struggle to manage the emotional impact of the disease with many facing sleep problems, nightmares, fear and anxiety as a result of diagnosis, according to new analysis by Macmillan Cancer Support.
The analysis, just launched at the Cancer Outcomes Conference in Belfast last week, takes data from almost 4,000 care plans based on Electronic Holistic Needs Assessments (eHNA). For the first time, it has revealed the top ten concerns of people with cancer after diagnosis. They are:
1. Worry, fear or anxiety 2. Tiredness / exhaustion or fatigue...
The South West has a thriving construction industry with the region predicted to exceed the projected average UK growth rate for 2015 to 2019. The regional estimated average output over this period is 3.6%, considerably higher than the UK predicted rate of 2.9%.
It is this prosperous growth and promising future that has prompted the first South West Construction Summit. The Summit aims to bring together key contributors of the regional construction industry and its supply chain to support and underpin the progress already being made. The event will explore opportunities, major...
Countrywide plc, the UK’s largest integrated property services group including the largest lettings agency, has capitalised on the growth of the UK rental market and significantly increased its regional footprint in the South West by investing £12.6 million in acquiring 26 lettings businesses in five years.
These acquisitions are part of Countrywide plc’s strategic growth plan with the aim to stand as the largest and effective player within the residential lettings industry. Countrywide’s acquisitions located in Devon and Cornwall include Jayne & Moss a well established...
Time is ticking for South West social ventures to apply to a £600,000 investment and support programme which has been launched by Dartington Trust, Plymouth University and South West Investment Group.
Just days remain for social entrepreneurs to get on to the cutting edge Seedbed programme, which will provide the expertise and finance to help social ventures grow, create sustainable jobs and contribute to the local economy and community.
Last month dozens of potential applicants attended a series of taster events held across the region, where they got to meet the team and...
Family Sunday Brunch-Bread Baking Workshops - part of an action packed week of cookery workshops for all age groups, cooking abilities and interests run by Devon’s Fun Kitchen cooking school. The 'Great Summer Cookery Workshops' range from Kids Fun Kitchen to specialist master classes including macaroons and chocolate! The huge, bunting decorated marquee will be set up in the grounds of Powderham Castle, just outside Exeter. Organisers are expecting a huge demand for such a unique cookery experience. To register for a place please visit www.funkitchen.co.uk
