The Exeter Chamber of Commerce’s April Networking lunch held on 17 April was a sell-out success. The theme of this lunch - ‘Exeter - the South West’s most sustainable city’ - brought together a huge variety of over 110 businesses.
The event included a panel consisting of John Rigby (Chairman of the Low Carbon Task Force), Adam Fox-Edwards (MD of the illustrious Arundell Arms and winner of the 2012 DEBI sustainable business award), Ewan McClymont, Director of Corporate Development for Bishop Fleming) and Keith Budden (Strategic Partnership Manager of E.On, a key supporter of the...
Devon Waste Management, the county’s leading independent waste management business, has secured a £5.5million finance package from the Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking team in Plymouth to support its continued expansion.
Steve Hadley who was previously Commercial Director, has also taken over ownership and management of the business from Collin Hickling, who has left to pursue other interests. Steve will continue to be supported at board level by Devon Waste Management’s Chairman, Allan Vodden, and Non-Executive Director, Stuart Crebo.
Businesses will have a chance to find out more about the current planning system and its impact on energy projects at the latest Exeter Energy Exchange, which takes place on 23 May. The event is being organised by leading South West law firm Stephens Scown and renewable energy consultancy Granted Ltd, and will also look at methods of project planning. Speakers will include Chris Tofts, a specialist planning solicitor at Stephens Scown, Mike Chapman, Senior Project Manager for Renewable Energy at Granted Consultancy and Sonya Bedford, Head of Renewable Energy at Stephens Scown. Sonya said...
Richard Palmer, Managing Director of business training enterprise Estadia is calling on Exeter businesses to maximise the opportunities delivered by the new national focus on the city.
Mr Palmer stated: “The news that IKEA is opening in Exeter is yet another indication of the growing status of the city as a viable location for business that will no doubt act as a further draw for other potential investors. Exeter has had an incredible year of prestigious national awards as well as celebrating the launch of retail giant John Lewis. But existing businesses must focus on preparation...
Have you heard the story of the colossal customer-service bungle over the “bedbug letter”? A guest in a hotel finds himself attacked by bedbugs during his stay. He writes an angry letter to the president of the hotel company. Within days, the president sends the guest a heartfelt apology, which reads, in part: “I can assure you that such an event has never occurred before in our hotel. I promise you it will never happen again.” Sounds good, except for one small detail: Included with the apology is the guest’s original letter. Scrawled across the top is the message: “Send this idiot the...
After giving birth to her third child in 2012, Devon mum Katie Skilton soon realised that she didn’t want to pay childcare costs and return to her Sales and Marketing Manager job. Instead she decided to follow her 12-year passion for all things vintage and shabby chic instead.
Katie Skilton Design is primarily a papercraft-focused service, educating others on the wonderful and inspiring on-trend craft industry. Katie is currently working with national publications and is also a regular on the Ideal World shopping channel demonstrating the latest product releases.
Exeter Chamber of Commerce joined forces with ESSENCE, Business in the Community and Business 4 Exeter Communities Group last week to deliver an afternoon of networking, presentations and workshops for business and social enterprise leaders.
This event was well attended by a range of guests and members of the Chamber, local businesses and social enterprises. After facilitated networking over lunch, delegates attended two workshops of their choice, covering topics such as tackling finance, local economy, social media, marketing and branding and business planning.
What’s not to love about a cheerful fellow who arrives with chocolate heralding the arrival of spring after a long cold winter? Whether or not you celebrate Easter, there is some fundamental wisdom that everyone can learn from the Easter Bunny.
Much like the leadership lessons from Santa Claus that I wrote about a few years ago, these iconic characters espouse many of the values and virtues so many of us share. And although they are associated with religious holidays, their messages cross multiple faiths.
A friend sent a list of lessons we might take away from the floppy-...
Leading Exeter new and used car dealership, Vospers, has added to its award-winning online presence with the launch of a blog. The blog will feature advice guides, reviews and interviews with famous names in motoring.
The company secured an interview with stunt driver, Terry Grant, holder of 19 world record driving stunts to date, to launch the site. The initiative is part of Vospers’ ongoing dedication to ensuring that the customer experience is as outstanding online as it is in their showroom.
Managing Director Nick Vosper explains; “Vospers recognises that the customer...
The computer age has created a generation of employees who lack the most basic communication skills, according to an expert in the field.
The increasing practise of sending emails to colleagues in the same room is an example of how people are shying away from speaking to one another. This barrier to speaking confidently is likely to hold back employees and put a lid on success when it comes to face-to-face meetings and presentations at management level, having a knock-on effect for the entire business.
“I’ve heard from recruitment agencies that because prospective employees...
