RobEd A new business support programme is offering a range of business support services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Devon and Somerset. The programme aims to support some 4,000 businesses with a three-hour business diagnostic check through the Heart of the South West Growth Support Programme. The three-year scheme provides free access to one-to-one … Read more
Manufacturing is an important part of the North Devon economy and local businesses are struggling to recruit candidates for roles requiring higher level technical skills. National shortages in technical skills compound this problem for businesses in North Devon and Torridge, who see young talent leaving the region for Higher Education elsewhere, and not returning after … Read more
Barnstaple-based British silver jewellery design company Kit Heath Ltd. has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Professional Jeweller 2017 awards for Fashion Jewellery Brand of The Year. Voted for by industry peers as a trusted and aspirational brand, Kit Heath joins the shortlist alongside international giants Pandora, Swarovski and Thomas Sabo. Brother and sister … Read more
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards has merged with the Torbay service to form Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service. This single Trading Standards Service aims “to ensure that the objectives of all three authorities are met, but will facilitate a uniform way of operating. The new Joint Service will be sustainable, flexible and resilient, … Read more
Two new solicitors have joined Taylors Solicitors, which has offices in Braunton and Ilfracombe, North Devon. Laura Mather is an experienced commercial and residential property solicitor specialising in all aspects of commercial and residential conveyancing, landlord and tenant matters, portfolio management and insolvency-related property transactions and security reviews. Laura read Law and Criminology at Cardiff … Read more
The North Devon Sinfonia Orchestra, winner of BBC Television’s The Great Orchestra Challenge, has had its hopes of performing in the World Orchestra Festival in South Korea this September dealt a blow as its application for a grant from The Arts Council has been turned down. The orchestra is now asking businesses and the public … Read more
Accountants Haines Watts South West, which operates two offices in North Devon and one in Cornwall, has made new appointments to its expanding team. Amy Houlford is now manager covering the Bideford head office and Barnstaple, while Fiona Davey and Mel Stone have been promoted to senior managers at the Launceston office which was acquired … Read more
A North Devon young enterprise team supported by TDK Corporation has won Best Company Presentation award at the South West Enterprise final. TDK Corporation is supporting Ilfracombe Academy’s Young Enterprise team and, after attending two trade fairs in Exeter, the Academy’s ‘Wood on Waves’ team presented its ‘better our beaches’ vintage body boards at the regional Young … Read more
Turquoise Thinking, a full service market research agency based in Barnstaple, has teamed up with business growth specialists South West Growth Service to offer a suite of products designed to help small businesses grow. Over the past 30 years, Turquoise Thinking has provided market research services to a extensive range of internationally recognised brands, and … Read more
Bideford-based MJM Sports has partnered with Kappa Sportswear to sponsor the Yorkshire Junior & Youth League to support teams with zero discipline and all Cup Final Winners in a three-year deal with the option to increase it to a five-year deal. The signing of the contract took part at Shaw Cross Sharks. Yorkshire Junior & Youth League Management are … Read more
Business Action is pleased to be working in association with Need it Find it, a new enterprise launched to offer multi-channel promotion to businesses in North Devon. Need it Find it has published its first printed advertising leaflet, offering affordable adverts to businesses and this is being distributed around the Bideford area now. It has … Read more
Stuart Brocklehurst, chief executive of Barnstaple-based Applegate, is one of eight new non-executive directors appointed to the board of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. Stuart will join Karl Tucker (Yeo Valley Farms (Production) Ltd); Richard Stevens (Plymouth Citybus Ltd); Fiona McMillan (EDF Energy New Build Gen Co Ltd); Helen Lacey (Red Berry Recruitment); Mel … Read more
Many visitors, and even residents, think that North Devon is simply a beautiful place to visit and relax in, unaware of the extent of industry here. Business Action is keen to highlight what businesses, especially manufacturers, are achieving, particularly in terms of exports. Diamedica not only manufactures and exports from North Devon to 70 countries … Read more
The 2017 Pinnacle Award, organised by The Exmoor Society, is now open to young people aged between 18 and 27 years who live, work or study in the Greater Exmoor area. It offers up to £3,000 to an individual or group who have an idea for a business venture in relation to agriculture, forestry, conservation, … Read more
A large, fully accessible barn conversion offering holiday accommodation for disabled and non-disabled visitors in North Devon is hosting two open days for businesses and potential guests to view its facilities from 2pm to 5pm on Monday 1st May (Bank Holiday) and Tuesday 2nd May. Otter Pool Barn is a sympathetic conversion of a large threshing barn, … Read more