Exeter based entrepreneur supports South African business relocations and expansion in UK
An Exeter-based entrepreneur has launched a new business, supporting South African companies to relocate or expand their business in the UK.
Richard Veal relocated his successful signage business, BarkerMad, from Johannesburg to Exeter in early 2015 and has now pledged support to other business people who would like to travel the path he has taken.
Having decided that Exeter was the destination of choice for his move, Richard relocated both his business and his family but was unaware of all the challenges that would face him.
He said: “Upon reaching Exeter, I was suddenly faced with the fact that I was a completely unknown entity and now had to build myself and my business identity from scratch. It was like being 18 again. I needed a Registered address for my business but I couldn’t get a lease without a credit history. To start building a credit history, I needed a bank account but I needed an address to get a bank account. I was just going around in circles. Without a credit rating it’s almost impossible to secure any financing. You can’t even get a contract for a mobile phone. It dawned on me that I knew nothing of how the UK works and I had a lot more hoops to jump through. It was a really stressful time anyway, having moved my family over from South Africa, but I still had a long way to go before we could settle and make Exeter our home.
He continued: “UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Exeter City Council helped as much as they could, but there is only so far that they can go. It was only after I had settled here that I realised I could help other people through that process and make it easier for them.
Having experienced the move first hand, I really felt that I would be able to help those who have been in a similar situation to me.”
Once Richard established a base for his business and settled his family, he decided to look into the possibility of setting up a relocation support company. It was only whilst chatting to his Dad, who still lives in South Africa, that his outlandish idea became a reality and Veal Global was born.
Richard said: “I was talking to my Dad about the process and what we had to go through to get here, and he mentioned that he knew several people in South Africa who were interested in doing what I had done. Suddenly I knew that my idea would work and most importantly, it would help people integrate their business into the UK economy.”
He continued: “My father and I set up the business together, and he has become the South African representative, working with companies in Johannesburg and elsewhere to see if their business would suit the UK economy. Once we have established their viability, we can offer a whole range of services, from shared office space, an answering service to company signage and storage.”
Veal Global are already supporting several companies, including a sports drink company, a luxury travel luggage manufacturer, a storage tank manufacturer and a financial services tech company to name a few. Richard and his father, Peter Veal, support the companies through every step, from assessing whether or not their product would fit within the UK economy, providing a phone answering service and virtual or satellite office to arranging meetings with suitable business or government contacts.
Richard says: “The support and success I have already achieved in Exeter has been quite overwhelming, so I wanted to make sure that other people have the opportunity to do the same. South Africa is so different to the UK, there are many perks to being based in Exeter that I want others to experience. I love it here, we have a lovely home, great quality of life and my kids get a fantastic education. South Africa is a beautiful place, but Exeter has something quite special about it, offering a real balance in terms of work and personal life.
He continued: “It’s fantastic to be working with my Dad, who is originally from the UK. He is really keen to help people in the way that I am and as an experienced businessman, he has the right knowledge and contacts. We’re also getting to know a lot more about a variety of businesses and start-ups, which is really exciting. Our future is bright.”
Richard’s company, BarkerMad, is growing steadily as he builds relationships with key retailers in the UK, and Veal Global is also set to start working with UK businesses who want to expand into the South African market. Richard said: “We’re mainly focussing on bringing people to the UK at the moment, but we have the skills and expertise to help companies looking to expand overseas, so we are hoping to get that service up and running over the next few months.”
Victoria Hatfield, Economy and Tourism Manager, Exeter City Council said: “Veal Global is set to make a vital contribution to the Exeter economy by supporting business relocations from South Africa. We do all that we can to help businesses that want to move here, but with limited resources, a company such as Veal Global will set us apart from other cities and ensure we can encourage businesses to make the jump by making their experience smooth and efficient. We are really pleased that Richard has not only moved his business here, but settled in and become a member of our business community and a representative of our city.”
For more information about Veal Global, visit www.vealglobal.com or follow @vealglobal. For more information about relocating a business to Exeter, visit www.investinexeter.co.uk or follow @investinExeter
