Devon Delivers ambassadors celebrate anniversary
The first anniversary of the Devon Delivers Ambassadors’ programme has been celebrated by Devon’s business community.
A special event was held at Exeter Cathedral to mark a successful first year for the programme, which is part of Devon County Council’s inward investment campaign, while also celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Over 30 local businesses have signed up as Ambassadors in the programme’s first year, including Axminster Tools, Aero Stanrew, blur Group, Cosmic, Eagle One, Exeter Airport, Exeter Cathedral, Met Office, Simpleware, and the University of Exeter.
More than 70 representatives gathered on the night, with ambassadors joined by guests from other leading businesses and organisations in the region, including River Cottage, Flybe, Ashfords, RAMM and Foot Anstey.
Ambassadors champion Devon as a location that delivers for business and they play a role in encouraging companies to consider relocating to the county.
The celebratory event provided an opportunity for local businesses to network and for ambassadors to encourage others to back the programme. Devon County Council Leader John Hart, Economy and Growth Cabinet member Councillor Andrew Leadbetter and leading officers from the County Council were on hand to engage with the business community and discuss key developments in the county. There was also a rare opportunity to experience a tour of the Cathedral in the company of the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr Jonathan Draper.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for Economy and Growth, said: “The Ambassadors’ programme is an exciting initiative to promote Devon as an excellent place to live and work, and it really is building momentum. This initiative is helping to foster a closer relationship with some of the most important stakeholders in the county and it’s a great example of how local authorities and business can work together. We want to encourage more people to establish businesses in Devon to make Devon grow and help our county become a key part of UK Plc. The County Council is keen to create the climate to promote growth in Devon’s economy and the Ambassadors are testament that Devon is a great place to do business.”
The Devon Delivers Ambassadors’ programme is the only ambassadors’ scheme of its kind and scale in the UK, where the business community of mostly locally-established companies and organisations come together to promote the region and encourage economic growth. Uniquely, it also showcases Devon’s cultural and lifestyle offer by having organisations like Exeter Cathedral, Dartmoor National Park and Devon Wildlife Trust on board, too.
Sandra Chavasse, Head of Outbound Enterprise Marketing at blur Group, said: “Since relocating to Devon we’ve seen our business flourish and we’re keen for others to discover what makes our South West county such a great place to do business. The economy is growing here and schemes like the Devon Delivers Ambassadors help attract more business to the area. The event at Exeter Cathedral was the perfect way to celebrate what has been achieved so far and to promote the scheme to other businesses in the region.”
Alan Styles, Sales Director of Axminster Tools & Machinery, said: “We were founded in Axminster over 40 years ago and we're proud that our headquarters remains here. We are huge advocates for bringing companies to Devon, which is why we signed up to the Devon Delivers Ambassadors’ scheme. It brings a variety of Devon's leading businesses together to network, providing us with an opportunity to meet other companies that we might not normally talk to - allowing us to share ideas and solutions. The strength of the network was clear for all to see at the anniversary event, and it creates a great sense of community and support.”
Local businesses that would like to get involved in supporting the programme can find more information at www.investdevon.co.uk/ambassadors or contact geri.panteva@devon.gov.uk.
