Business Daily

A new chapter for Exeter based Sparx Learning: Chair Simon Lebus CBE steps down as Sir Charlie Mayfield appointed

Sparx Learning , the Exeter-based education technology company, has announced that Sir Charlie Mayfield will become Chair in October 2025. He will succeed Simon Lebus CBE who is stepping down after six years of transformative leadership.

Since becoming Chair in 2019, Simon Lebus has overseen a period of remarkable growth and strategic progress at Sparx. At the start of his tenure, the company served just 14 schools in Devon. Today, Sparx’s platforms support over 2.4 million students in 2,600 schools, including almost 50 in Devon, across mathematics, literacy and science.

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Rebecca's One Direction

Technology apprentice Rebecca Lane (above) has her sights firmly set on a career in IT - and turned her back very firmly on university. The 17-year-old is still studying A level IT at Okehampton College but fits her studies in at home, around her full time job as the first ever appointed female apprentice at Bluegrass Computer Services. based at Pynes Hil in Exeter. ‘Basically I’m getting the same amount of education, but I’m being paid for it,’ said Rebecca. ‘I’m getting great practical training here which I hope will take me into a good full time job when I finish my apprenticeship. Plus...

Met Office wins project of the year at national awards

The building complex that houses part of the Met Office’s new supercomputer at Exeter Science Park was declared one of the best projects in the UK at the construction industry’s annual ‘Oscars’.

Willmott Dixon’s work to build the facility that houses the new supercomputer was declared Project of the Year in the £20m-£50m value category at the Construction News awards, with judges hailing this ‘unique’ building. Judges also commended on the ‘outstanding’ results on a ‘hugely technically challenging project, being a 60 degree-leaning cantilevered structure’.

Construction News...

PKF Francis Clark welcomes new timetable for making tax digital

The Government’s newly-announced timetable for the radical Making Tax Digital (MTD) changes has been welcomed by a financial expert.

Concerns about the pace and scale of change contained in the proposals have led to an HMRC rethink to ensure businesses have plenty of time to adapt. This follows months of uncertainty as to whether the initial plans and timetable for MTD, as announced in the Spring Budget, would be implemented. Julian Smith, Tax Partner at leading accountancy firm PKF Francis Clark, said: “Thankfully, the Government has listened to the many representations from...

Devon-based QualitySolicitors Dunn & Baker proud to be involved with award-winning charity campaign

An innovative scheme jointly run by the UK’s leading network of legal firms QualitySolicitors and children’s charity Barnardo’s has been recognised with a National Fundraising Award. QS Dunn & Baker, which has offices in Exeter, Cullompton and Newton Abbot, was one of the many QualitySolicitors firms that took part and supported last year.

The Barnardo’s Will Scheme won the Best Legacy or In-Memoriam Campaign at the Institute of Fundraising’s (IoF) National Fundraising Awards. Now in its 27th year, the IoF recognises the companies, individuals, campaigns and schemes that have...

Children warned of building site dangers this summer

AS the school summer holidays approach one Exeter housebuilder is warning youngsters across the city to stay away from its building sites.

New home developments under construction may look like fun and exciting places to play, but Barratt Homes is warning children they also pose serious dangers.

“Building sites are full of potential dangers and, as the school summer holidays are almost here, it is important to remind children and their parents of the need to stay away from them,” said construction director Tim Davies.

“Youngsters are often on the lookout for...

Citizens Advice Exeter urges people to act on scams

Leading local advice charity, Citizens Advice Exeter, is spreading the word about scams to help stop more people across Exeter from being conned online.

The charity is taking part in Scams Awareness Month, a campaign taking place throughout July encouraging people to report and talk about scams.

The drive to get more people reporting scams comes as nationally Citizens Advice has revealed a 17% increase in people being scammed after purchasing ‘phantom goods’.

The scam works by conning shoppers into buying high value items online, which turn out not to exist. The...

Police appeal after power tools stolen from Woodbury home

Police in Exmouth are seeking information after a number of high value power tools were taken from a Woodbury home.

The offender/s got inside the building on Sanctuary Lane sometime between 8pm on Tuesday 18 July and 8am on Wednesday 19 July.

They made off with several items, similar to those pictured. Items taken were a Dewalt concrete breaker, a Huskavana chainsaw, a Makita drill, a Makira chop saw and assorted drill and blade parts.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious at the time in the area of Sanctuary Lane in Woodbury...

New Chair for RICS Matrics in Devon & Cornwall

Emily Hayden, Senior Project Manager and Building Surveyor at Ward Williams Associates (WWA) has been announced as the new Chair of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Matrics Devon and Cornwall Branch.

Emily who is based in the WWA Plymouth and Truro offices has progressed rapidly since she joined the business two years ago. She has developed her skills across the disciplines and sectors, gaining her Chartership in 2016. More recently she has been working with blue-chip retail clients and on high-profile projects across the UK.

RICS Matrics was set up for...

Property consultants go back to school

Property design and management consultants, NPS South West, based in Exeter, went ‘back to school; when they revisited their £1.4m classroom extension project at Highweek Primary & Nursery School in Newton Abbot, 12 months on.

The project constructed by Interserve, was completed in summer 2016, with Hamson Barron Smith (HBS), part of the NPS Group, as design and management consultants, providing building surveying; structures and civils, and building services design.

The dedicated construction team returned to site, and met with teaching staff and pupils, to check the...

Seaton Wetlands, Manor Gardens and Connaught Gardens celebrate Green Flag awards

The stunning Seaton Wetlands nature reserve, which is owned and managed by East Devon District Council, has won a prestigious Green Flag Award, one of three sites in the district to receive the accolade.

Manor Gardens in Exmouth and Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth, both also owned and managed by the district council, have also been awarded Green Flags. The International accreditation recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces.

It’s the first time that the wider Seaton Wetlands site, which is managed by the council’s countryside team and its volunteers, has...

Business Daily

A new chapter for Exeter based Sparx Learning: Chair Simon Lebus CBE steps down as Sir Charlie Mayfield appointed

Rebecca's One Direction

Met Office wins project of the year at national awards

PKF Francis Clark welcomes new timetable for making tax digital

Devon-based QualitySolicitors Dunn & Baker proud to be involved with award-winning charity campaign

Children warned of building site dangers this summer

Citizens Advice Exeter urges people to act on scams

Police appeal after power tools stolen from Woodbury home

New Chair for RICS Matrics in Devon & Cornwall

Property consultants go back to school

Seaton Wetlands, Manor Gardens and Connaught Gardens celebrate Green Flag awards

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