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Three people stood outside a Porter Dodson office

Exeter-based law firm achieves record breaking results

Porter Dodson, the South West-based UK Top 200 law firm, has announced a record-breaking year of growth and achievement, increasing revenue to £20.2m, while retaining the highly prestigious Gold Investors In People accreditation for the third successive time.

Across its Exeter, Sherborne, Poundbury, Bridport, Wellington, Taunton, and Yeovil offices, the firm has seen year-on-year growth of 15.5%, leading to a 25.4% leap in net profit.

These impressive results round off a year in which the firm has achieved significant headcount increases, made possible in part by the...

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South West sees surge in high growth firms

The South West has seen some of the biggest increases in the number of high growth firms in the whole of the UK since the recession, new research shows. Analysis by the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), the UK’s leading independent institute for research into small and medium size businesses, shows that the number of ‘high-growth firms’ (HGFs) across the UK has risen to 11,855 – the largest number since the dotcom boom of the early 2000s. According to the OECD’s definition, a HGF is a firm that has at least 10 employees and records an annual average growth of 20% in employment over three...

SW pioneers as Independent Opticians set up local forum

The Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (AIO) held the first of a series of local meetings for Independent optical professionals in Bath.

Both members and non-members of AIO gathered together at Restaurant Martini to establish a local forum for Independent practitioners to discuss the issues that are foremost in their minds. The group found that there was strong agreement about a number of key issues and general support for the soon to be launched Independents Code of Conduct (the IC).

In particular, the Group expressed dismay that use of the...

Carrots for winners at Exeter Racecourse

The Devon National Handicap Chase will take centre stage on Haldon Hill on Friday, February 26 and Exeter Racecourse is rewarding each horse that runs with a net of carrots and a box of polos.

The race is Devon’s very own Grand National and draws entries from many seasoned horses who may not be top class, but who have built up their own legion of fans during the years they have been racing.

“It’s a race I really love with well known horses often in the line up,” explained General Manager Daniel Thompson. “It’s always very competitive, and you can sometimes get an outsider...

Former Devon estate agent pleads guilty to fraud

Russell Baker, 57, of Ilsington, near Newton Abbot, today pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court to nine offences of fraud in relation to his former estate agency business, in a case investigated by the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.

Investigators found that Baker had bought a well-known Estate Agents business called Ashby’s.

A significant part of his business was the letting out of properties on behalf of landlords, and the investigation originally related to tenants deposits, and whether they had been paid into a government approved scheme.

However a...

Funding boost for Devon services

More than £8 million extra will be spent on services in Devon next year.

County councillors have won an extra £8.4 million in rural support and other grants from Local Government Secretary Greg Clarke.

It made Devon County Council the fourth highest beneficiary in the country after robust lobbying from council leader John Hart and the county’s MPs.

At the authority’s annual budget meeting it was confirmed how the extra money will be allocated.

An extra £5 million will go into strengthening resilience in social care for elderly and vulnerable people as Devon’...

Exeter golfer donates kidney to best friend

Golf member, Rob Simpson has been awarded ‘Club Person of the Year’ at Exeter Golf and Country Club for donating his kidney to fellow member and best friend, Martin.

Rob and Martin have been best friends for fifteen years, having worked together as paramedics for the past twenty-five years. Since April 2015, the men have shared more than their lengthy friendship, when Rob successfully donated his kidney to Martin.

Martin’s health began to deteriorate after being diagnosed with a congenital kidney defect many years ago. Having been friends for so long, Rob was always aware...

150 jobs up for grabs at Devon's Crealy

Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park has announced its annual seasonal open days to find 150 new team members for their busy summer period, and beyond.

The family-run business is inviting local people to join them at two special open days to be held at the Park near Exeter and an earlier launch in Princesshay.

The recruitment days will be packed full of information about the roles available as well as a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to be part of the Crealy team.

Craig Clews, Assistant General Manager at Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park said: “It’s a...

Apple iPhone 1970 trick warning!!!

Online trolls are tricking people into completely breaking their iPhones.

Numerous tricks are circulating online that encourage people to switch their phone back to 1 January, 1970, and then restart it. But doing so confuses the phone and forces it to break, and it is only possible to bring it back by going to an Apple Store.

On its website, Apple says: "Manually changing the date to May 1970 or earlier can prevent your iOS device from turning on after a restart.

"An upcoming software update will prevent this issue from affecting iOS devices. If you have this issue...

Extra horsepower for Mary King

Mitsubishi Brand Ambassador and Olympic equestrian Mary King MBE will have plenty of horsepower at her disposal when she lends her support to the 25th Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May.

The four-times British Champion, who won the premier three-day event in 1992 and 2000, has just taken delivery of her latest Mitsubishi – a powerful, long-wheelbase Shogun.

Mary collected the formidable four-wheel-drive model from Livery Dole Mitsubishi in Trusham Road, Marsh Barton, and will use the Shogun to travel all around the country to attend events.

It is...

Nags Head Bridge to close for safety works

The Nags Head Bridge near Cullompton will be closed from 7-18 March for essential safety works.

‘Road restraint’ improvement works will be carried out on the B3181 bridge and follows concerns that some drivers have not been negotiating the bend on the east side of the bridge safely.

The work will include removing damaged timber fencing and installing ‘trief’ kerbs in front of an existing retaining wall. This will minimise the risk of vehicles leaving the carriageway.

Single white lines on both sides of the highway will be added, and existing warning signs will be...

Business Daily

Exeter-based law firm achieves record breaking results

South West sees surge in high growth firms

SW pioneers as Independent Opticians set up local forum

Carrots for winners at Exeter Racecourse

Former Devon estate agent pleads guilty to fraud

Funding boost for Devon services

Exeter golfer donates kidney to best friend

150 jobs up for grabs at Devon's Crealy

Apple iPhone 1970 trick warning!!!

Extra horsepower for Mary King

Nags Head Bridge to close for safety works

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