Francis Clark Financial Planning (FCFP) have recently arranged events in Truro and Exeter where Justin Urquhart Stewart, co-founder of Seven Investment Management (7IM), gave an insightful, witty and demystifying view of the investment market and the global economy.
Complete with signature red braces, he highlighted that there was growth in the UK economy but the government needed to address issues of longer term investment in infrastructure such as HS2 and fibre optic coverage of superfast broadband for the whole country. He mentioned that there has only been one runway built in...
RECORD numbers of businesses have joined the Plymouth Science Park over the past three months.
Since June, 15 new businesses have relocated to the 25 acre site near Derriford Hospital which specialises in supporting businesses in the areas of science, technology, marine and digital.
The park is a world-class office, research and laboratory environment that provides the space, flexibility and support for businesses to accelerate their growth and success.
Its community of 80 businesses employing upwards of 800 people, combines to create one of the South West’s most...
Ever been led by a Mushroom (everyone’s in the dark), a Seagull (swoops in, squawks & dumps), or a Kipper (two-faced and gutless)? You certainly know the leadership style you don’t want to emulate.
In reading this article you’re in the elite minority, you consciously think what leadership style you’d like to be known for.
“You’ve got to be hungry – for ideas, to make things happen and to see your vision made into reality.”
Dame Anita Roddick. Human Rights Activist Founder of The Body Shop
New research by global workplace provider Regus has revealed that a fifth of businesses in Exeter are planning to hire more returning mothers than they did a year ago. These latest findings are based on a survey of local business owners and senior managers.
Returning mothers play an important role in the overall economy by contributing to boosting GDP through increased female participation in the labour force.
But the contrasting demands of motherhood and work are one of the main reasons women don’t return to work. To combat this phenomenon, respondents emphasised the...
Leading property consultancy JLL has appointed Nicola Cochrane as an associate director in its hotels and hospitality group, based in the Exeter office.
Nicola will be looking to grow the regional advisory/valuation business working alongside and supporting the existing successful agency business team which includes John Kinsey, Mike Easton, Adelle Moore, Lynne Biswell and David Slee, who works within project and development services, specialising in the leisure sector.
The collective team now represents the largest single, specialist hospitality team in the south-west of...
One of the first hire-as-you-ride e-bike services in the country
Exeter-based Co-cars, the fastest growing hire-by-the-hour car club in the South West, today announced that in 2016 it will extend and enhance its offering in Exeter and the Exe Estuary area with ‘Co-bikes’.
Through this innovative scheme, members will be able to hire ultra-cool, battery-assisted e-Bikes by the hour, from dedicated hubs at/in Exeter St. Davids railway station, central Exeter, the University of Exeter, Science Park, Devon County Hall, Digby & Sowton and the Dawlish Warren tourism...
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) has formally welcomed its two newly appointed non-executive directors at its Board meeting on Wednesday 16 September: Martha Wilkinson and Martin Brown.
The two new members were recruited as part of a HotSW wide advertisement asking for a strong entrepreneurial background, with the skills to help take forward the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan.
The calibre of the responses was high, and the chosen candidates match the ideal aims of the recruitment criteria, with a breadth of experience, including business...
With 2015 proving to be another successful year for British SMEs, Jackie Jenks, senior manager, enterprise mentoring at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, gives her views on how small businesses in Exeter can get the most out of enterprise mentoring.
This follows the successful Meet a Mentor event held in Exeter Castle aimed at helping local SMEs earlier this month.
Expert guidance and mentoring is crucial to the ongoing success and growth of SMEs. We know that start-ups have a one in four better chance of surviving and thriving over three years if they have a mentor. Studies...
Research by BSI (British Standards Institution) has revealed that almost half of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) don’t feel that their business is operating efficiently.
The survey which targeted 250 SMEs throughout the UK with between 1-250 employees, also highlighted that the highest number of businesses that showed concern about operating efficiently were based in East Anglia, Scotland and Yorkshire and the Humber. Around 60% of businesses in these regions highlighted this as a challenge for their company.
Furthermore, a quarter of respondents also claimed that there...
Local businesswoman, Ellen Jenkins has launched her new venture, MarketingPA, a support service for start ups and business owners who need a helping hand.
MarketingPA is a team of marketing administrators overseen by Ellen, an experienced Marketing Director who has worked with both large corporations and small businesses. The concept is to offer business owners, start ups or established marketing departments assistance when the workload just gets too much for them to handle.
Says Ellen: "Like a PA, we are there to be on hand as and when the client wants us. Often they...
