Devon Businesses gather in April sunshine
Businesses from across Devon soaked up expert advice at this year’s annual Growth Day for firms across the county.
More than 130 people from local companies including Babble, MuMar, Pixalytics, Space, The Greedy Fox and Whizz Kids Toys were at Rockbeare Manor for the event.
Supported by Devon County Council and a host of partners, Fast Track to Growth provides expertise to companies to help them grow.
The annual Growth Day included 1-1 sessions with advisers and a packed programme of workshops covering everything from financial strategy and social media marketing to developing a talent strategy and legal issues around brand protection and data.
“Taking a step back from the day-to-day running of a business is vital to focus on the bigger picture - working on your strategy and then getting it done,” said Dan Pritchard, managing director of Exeter-based PR and marketing firm Astley Media, which launched the programme.
“The Growth Day is an intense learning experience and a great opportunity for business leaders to gain a lot of knowledge on specific areas that directly benefit their business. We’ve already feedback from people putting into practice what they learnt on the day.”
Businesses will be selected in the coming days to gain free spaces on an intensive growth support programme running over May and June, ahead of a final pitch event which will see two companies win £10,000 each in on-going business support.
Lewis Banfield, of Fast Track to Growth Partner PKF Francis Clark, said: “The team from PKF Francis Clark really enjoyed the day, particularly meeting the wide range of enthusiastic business owners engaged in the programme. The quality of attendees really stood out and shows the region continues to be a bedrock of innovative and dynamic growing businesses.”
Alison Lambert, of Fast Track to Growth partner Commissioning HR, said: “The atmosphere throughout the whole day was vibrant and the diverse range of Devon businesses involved really showcases the region as providing great opportunities for growth and employment. We’re now looking forward to the next stage, supporting the selected businesses with intensive HR expertise and helping them gain clarity on their workforce plans.”
Kate Doodson, of partner Cosmic, said: “There was a real buzz, a genuine sense of collaboration and desire to share experiences and provide mutual business support. We discussed the future of digital in business and provided advice on Cloud technologies and provided dozens of 1-to-1 sessions with some very exciting businesses.”
Business experts from Fast Track to Growth partners Astley Media, Aptus, Barclays, BBX, Cosmic, Commissioning HR, Devon County Council, Logo Creative Partners, PKF Francis Clark, Sampson Hall, SETsquared, Stephens Scown, Trading Standards, Travel Devon and Warwick Event Services were all in attendance to offer guidance and advice to ambitious Devon businesses.
Devon County Council Trading Standards, Economy Team, Buy with Confidence scheme and Travel Devon were on hand at the event to highlight opportunities for businesses, including potential funding and other support available.
Started in 2015, the Growth programme now boasts over 210 members in every sector from technology to tourism.
Elaine de Trafford, of partner Barclays, added: “It was a truly motivational day where the enthusiasm and passion of the businesses was inspiring and great to see. It was a great opportunity to meet and support so many local businesses.”
www.ft2g.co.uk for more information and, for Devon-based businesses, to join for free.
