economy

Foresight announces £50 million first close of a new fund dedicated to growing companies across the South West

Authored by Jack Digsby
Posted: Thu, 11/21/2024 - 5:16pm

Foresight Group (“Foresight”), a leading FTSE 250 listed private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has announced the launch of an evergreen fund dedicated to investing into growing companies, across all sectors and transaction types, throughout South West England (“the Fund”).

Cornerstoned by Devon Pension Fund, the Fund will target smaller equity investments in established, promising companies with growth potential across the South West of England, including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

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Expanding company thanks Devon for its backing "from day one"

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 11/15/2023 - 8:30pm

An innovative Devon company is set to expand and create new jobs in the county after receiving significant commercial investment to scale-up its pioneering EV battery recycling technology.

Altilium has begun work on a new state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical lab at its EV Battery Recycling Technology Centre in Tavistock, as well as a 10,000 square-foot pilot facility in Plymouth, following the multi-million pound investment from SQM Lithium Ventures, the corporate venture arm of the lithium business of SQM, one of the world’s leading producers of lithium. The expansion comes just...

Exeter leads the way as UK set to exit recession in mid-2023

Large infrastructure investment and a focus on carbon reduction boosting Devon’s capital city

Large infrastructure investment and a focus on carbon reduction will contribute towards Exeter having the fastest economic growth at the point when the UK emerges from recession, says a new study by law firm Irwin Mitchell.

The Irwin Mitchell City Tracker has been produced by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and examines 50 locations across the UK, forecasting future growth in terms of GVA* and employment.

The report, which estimates that the UK entered into...

South West Business Council pledges support to region’s Net Zero goals by hosting energy leaders conference in Devon

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 12/13/2022 - 9:11am

The South West Business Council (SWBC) will be bringing together world-class decarbonisation experts and industry leaders from the energy sector for a key conference in Devon.

The event, which addresses the energy transition and climate change mitigation, is part of the council’s pledge to support Great South West’s plans for the South West to become the first Net Zero region in England.

‘Energy Transition: The Challenges and Opportunities’ is at Sandy Park in Exeter on Friday January 27 2023. It will focus on the region’s roadmap to Net Zero and provide expert insight...

Economic report reveals £140m investment in Devon by Amazon

Authored by Zoe Kerr
Posted: Wed, 11/09/2022 - 9:32am

Amazon has launched its latest analysis of the company’s regional investment across the UK. The 2022 Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub shows that the company has invested more than £140 million in Devon since 2010.

The Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub provides regional data on jobs created by Amazon locally, the number of regional independent small businesses supported by the company, the level of economic activity driven by Amazon’s investments and the export sales recorded last year by small businesses in Devon selling on Amazon.

If you click on the South West section of this...

Free support for South West businesses to boost resilience

Authored by Program
Posted: Thu, 09/29/2022 - 7:41pm

As the cost of living crisis continues to impact the prices of energy, fuel and commodities, local businesses across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay are being urged to make the most of available support to boost their resilience.

The Heart of the South West Growth Hub offers free, impartial, expert business advice, and has a range of programmes and grants available to help support businesses with growth, resilience, trade, marketing, recruitment, and more.

Businesses are being encouraged to get in touch with the Growth Hub team, who offer signposting services and can...

Report predicts ‘economic shock’ for South West rural economy

Authored by Program
Posted: Sat, 05/14/2022 - 9:07am

New research published today identifies £883 million is predicted to be lost from the rural economy up to 2027 across Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Farmers and other land managers are coming to terms with the move away from Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support, but the transition is proving difficult, and the replacement Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) has had an uncertain start in the region.

The report , undertaken by the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire with support from the...

Local Skills Report sets priorities for the South West

Authored by Program
Posted: Wed, 03/23/2022 - 10:00am

The Heart of the South West Skills Launchpad , part of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP), has launched a Local Skills Report, which sets out priorities for the region for 2022 to 2024.

The report recognises that the area's economy is shaped and led by the skills of its residents and businesses, but that the level of those holding a higher-level qualification or working in a professional occupation within the Heart of South West remains below the national average.

Since 2019, the Heart of the South West Skills Advisory Panel (SAP) has...

East Devon economy bouncing back fuelled by green growth

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 01/13/2022 - 5:30pm

More widely known for its Jurassic coast and rolling hills, East Devon is showing strong signs of a green economic recovery in response to Covid-19.

The pandemic has brought acknowledgement of the link between health and outside spaces. This recognition and a need to transition to net zero carbon means businesses see wellbeing and the environment as priorities.

East Devon District Council has seized this challenge and is looking towards a clean and green future. The Council is driving clean growth to reduce carbon emissions and providing greener, healthier, more vibrant...

Report highlights positive signs of recovery

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 08/06/2021 - 12:35am

A new report from Devon County Council has highlighted that while the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been more widespread across Devon than previous recessions, there are positive signs of recovery.

Devon’s economy shrunk by almost 10% last year - in line with the UK average, but future recovery is expected to be a “mixed picture” in the county.

The economic update has tracked the rapidly changing situation through the use of Government statistics, commissioned studies and forecasts, and information gathered directly from the business community....

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