EXETERWORKS All the movers and shakers in the local business world

EXETERWORKS It’s the city’s business

Lucy Clayton at last year’s TEDxExeter

Open invitation

The ninth annualTEDxExeter conference takes place on 17 April at Northcott Theatre and festival organisers have revealed some of the speakers who are set to entertain, educate and inspire audiences at this year’s event. ClaireKennedy, director and curator of TEDxExeter, says, “We’re bringing together leading thinkers and doers from a variety of fields to explore how we can create a brighter future. We hope to encourage people to step back from today’s fast-paced life and think about the impact of the decisions we make on generations to come.

“Many regular attendees tell us TEDxExeter is a highlight of their year, but we’re always keen to welcome new members to our tribe, both by joining us in person or being part of our growing livestream community. People who can’t be with us on the day will be watching our talks live online at venues across Devon and beyond, including a cinema in India.” For more: TEDxExeter.com

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS FOR TEDxEXETER 2020 INCLUDE: • Rais Bhuiyan, survivor of a brutal post9/11 hate crime and founder of World Without Hate • Hannah Critchlow, an internationallyacclaimed Cambridge University neuroscientist and author • Journalist Matthew d’Ancona, from pioneering slow news advocates Tortoise Media • Fionn Ferreira, inventor and grand prize winner of the 2019 Google Science Fair • Tim Gordon, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter • Roman Krznaric, a public philosopher who writes about the power of ideas to change society • Sabrina Luisi, of education charity The Brilliant Club • Nic Marks, CEO and founder of Friday, which measures and improves employee happiness to help businesses build a positive work culture • Carmel McConnell, author, campaigner on child poverty, education and wellbeing

Anthony Peake

A new data sciences company in Exeter Science Park has been singled out by London Mayor Sadiq Khan by being named a UK finalist in the Mayor of London’s flagship technology innovation programme.

Agile Datum specialises in developing advanced artificial intelligence, data analytics and intelligent chatbots for public and private sector organisations. The Mayor’s programme is an opportunity for start-ups to work together with leading corporates and public organisations to tackle some of today’s most pressing problems from congestion to countering violent extremism online.

“We’re building a brilliant team here in the south west and have already partnered with experts at the University of Exeter through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership as part of the national work we are doing with Innovate UK,” says tech entrepreneur, CEO and founder Anthony Peake. For more: www.agiledatum.com MOVING ON UP

Exeter Community Centre Trust and residents and groups in St David’s Exeter have raised an impressive £1 million to celebrate the heritage of Exeter Community Centre and to enable more community groups to meet there. ‘This is the culmination of two years of hard planning and fundraising work in St David’s – a massive volunteer effort,” says Hannah Reynolds, Chair of Exeter Community Centre Trust.

“The Centre has been bursting at the seams with the amount of community activity taking place here. Now we can open up the top floor of the building and enable more meetings and projects to take place. We have called it Our Big Project and it is a real labour of love to provide more opportunities for local people to be involved in our community.” For more: www.eccentre.org RAISE ME UP

The centre will have more room to welcome the community

Kerry is the new marketing manager at The Family Law Company. Here she chats (previous) awful jobs, her love of abseiling and the importance of toast at work Kerry England HOW I GOT HERE

What were you like as a child? Probably quite annoying! My twin brothers were born on my eighth birthday so I took on the role of bossy big sister. I was always into drama and loved dressing up; I was once a dwarf in Snow White. I also loved taking part in carnivals, we used to make a carnival float using my dad’s pick-up truck. Any awful jobs along the way? Quite a few… I worked as a waitress at Wimpy Burgers for £1.90 an hour. I had to dress up as Mr Wimpy for kids’ parties which was truly awful – I soon learnt it was better to be the party host. I also worked for Social Services, filing information about dead people. Very dull.

What subjects did you like and hate at school? My favourite subject was English, particularly literature – I always loved books. I also enjoyed studying childcare (I’m a qualified nanny). I disliked the ‘regimented’ subjects like maths and science.

What did you want to be when you were a child/teenager? Three things! Firstly, a builder – my dad was a builder and I was a bit of a tomboy wanting to follow in his footsteps. Then an author, which is still on the cards one day, perhaps. In keeping with my theatrical tendencies, I also wanted to be a theatre set designer.

What led you to working in marketing within the legal sector? I was a legal secretary initially. I found the whole area of digital really interesting; the ability to measure success, the creative aspects and the chance for interacting socially online with people I hadn’t met in person.

For anyone not in the know, what does a marketing manager for a legal company actually do? I’m putting together a strategy to help take the company into the next stage of its development. I manage the digital presence, including social media and website, and organise events – we have some great ones coming up this year. I also provide support to the team with training in writing and presenting skills. Ultimately, the role is about helping to attract new business for the company.

You’ve just joined The Family Law Company. What attracted you to the role and company? Family life is very important to me and I was looking for a law firm with the same ethos; there’s a real emphasis on health and wellbeing at the heart of the business. The Family Law Company has a really good reputation, and they’re specialists in their area of law, which gives me a real focus to work with. Are there any cool perks to the job or quirky facts about the company? Bread is available to make toast in case you’ve been busy with clients and need a mid-morning snack. It’s a really happy environment to work in, lots of random acts of kindness, and thank you cards when you’ve done a good job. The mentoring scheme is a really great idea as is a perk offering free access to healthcare. Perhaps most importantly in this country, I love my branded brolly!

What’s the corporate law scene like in Exeter? It’s very active; we have a great mix of niche lawyers and those working internationally. There are also a number of the highest ranking solicitors in the country working here. It makes for a vibrant community.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do your job? Look for marketing assistant roles, or apprenticeships (these are a great way in – I’ve brought several apprentices through). You can’t beat getting hands-on experience, getting paid while you learn. Be confident to look for the right workplace for you; don’t be scared to try different firms – be brave!

Kerry England now and then

What do you love about your job? Don’t tell them but I like working with lawyers, they’re so passionate about what they do. I really enjoy the creative aspects, coming up with ideas and approaches that really work. I love being able to measure results and know that I’m helping the business to succeed by positively impacting the bottom line.

What are the challenges? Often family law requires marketing a ‘distress purchase’ like divorce; it’s something that people don’t really want to think about or talk about. So, the real challenge is to find ways to market these tough, emotional issues without sounding crass or patronising.

Outside of work, what makes you tick? I’m pretty outdoorsy and love a challenge – I’ve abseiled down Canonteign Falls dressed as a chicken (back to that dressing up again!) and taken part in a tandem skydive. I’m thinking about signing up for the Three Peaks Challenge. I also volunteer for Exeter SANDS, stillbirth and neonatal death charity. And I’m a mum of two so that keeps me busy, always!

Favourite places to eat, shop, drink in Exeter? On the Waterfront at Exeter Quay for a massive pizza – I love the Quay. I’m a high street shopper so it’s Princesshay for me. For drinks, I like Friday Fizz with friends at Hotel du Vin.

Tell us something about you that most people don’t know is a bit surprising. I was once attacked by a squirrel. I was picking my children up from nursery and a squirrel ran towards me, chased by two cats. I was the only thing between it and the tree so it went for me! I had squirrel claw marks on my face for days after.

Kerry is Marketing Manager, The Family Law Company, Oriel House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter; www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

Meet the creative agency

Digital, branding and marketing solutions from the local experts

DAVID CLARKE D2 CREATIVE 01392 877116; www.d2creative.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agencies? Our difference is our commitment to thoroughly understand our clients’ businesses, so we can advise on the most appropriate design and marketing approach for them. Our team of senior digital and brand creatives use this in-depth knowledge to craft highly powerful digital, branding and marketing solutions. Which clients are you working with at the moment? We are very fortunate to work with many clients across a number of sectors including manufacturing, leisure and tourism, food and beverage, retail, property, construction and education. We are currently working with Blue Cedar Homes to market a number of developments for the over 55s across the South West. We have also just completed an e-commerce website for Ceramicx, an industry leading ceramic heating manufacturer in the Irish Republic. How has your industry changed over the years? Since we started D2 Creative in 2004 we have seen a steady increase in the amount of digital work we undertake. We have also seen a greater requirement from clients asking us to deliver more specialist digital services including app development and bespoke back offi ce integrations. What drew you to agency work? I got into agency work because I enjoy the variety of work that one gets in a creative agency. Each client has unique creative and marketing challenges which makes for a very exciting and rewarding working environment.

RONNIE HALDEN HEAD OF CREATIVE MARKETING, BIGWAVE 01392 492380; www.bigwavemedia.co.uk

David Clarke

What sets you apart from other agencies? Our internal resources (we employ 46 staff across 3 offi ces) are all encompassing, Marketing Strategists, Creative Designers, Web Developers, Digital Strategists, Content Copy Writers, Videography/Photography and our in-house PR/Event Company gkpr headed up by Glen King. Which clients are you working with at the moment? We recently completed a re-brand of the overarching trust for Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo which is now collectively called Wild Planet Trust. Bigwave is rebranding the individual Zoo logos’, designing and building new websites, whilst supporting ongoing SEO and PPC campaigns. Why did you get into agency work? I was born and brought up in London and my cousin who worked for a television station got me a job at Ogilvy & Mather working on the launch of Bernard Mathews Turkeys at Easter campaign – I’ve never looked back! Why should a business utilise your services? We are a Creative Business Growth Agency that uses all our skillsets and talents of the team to ensure we make a major contribution to the success of our clients’ business. What is the oddest thing you have done in your role? Whilst fi lming a PG Tips commercial one of the chimps, dressed as a sailor, made a dash for it and I gave chase! What does your industry mean to you? It’s a great industry full of very talented and interesting folk – I really advocate trading ideas and sharing best practice with my peer group and together we are dynamic.

CAMERON HODDER DIRTY MARTINI 01392 911056; www.dirty-martini.com

What sets you apart from other agencies? Easy… the team. I’ve hired clever and brilliant people who are experts in their own right. They’re our biggest asset and I invest in them as much as possible. If you nurture, develop, recognise and reward your team, they’ll be happy. Happy experts deliver extraordinary results, which drives our clients’ business success, which in turn drives ours. It’s a testament to our culture that every member of the team has been here since day one. We have zero staff turnover. As Steve Jobs once said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” Which clients are you working with at the moment? We’re so excited for 2020 as we’ve just won the contract for Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink. As we’re all foodies and after years of working with hospitality hotspots, it’s a natural fi t! Long standing clients Exeter Advanced Dentistry, foodie legends Harry’s Restaurant, combined with The University of Exeter Students’ Guild guarantee this year will be epic. What is the most challenging brief you have faced? Deliveroo. It was fantastic. They were Wired Magazine’s startup of the week, launching in a new city each week and taking the UK by storm. Exeter was one of the fi rst cities outside of London to launch. The concept was new, the company was new, as was the team and the tech. We were all green and in unchartered territory, but it was great fun and we delivered a launch campaign that set them up.

SARAH JEPSON ATTENTION MEDIA 01392 459409; www.attention-media.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agencies? Being a full-service marketing and PR agency means that when we work with companies, they are instantly accessing a wealth of skills across many marketing disciplines and as this is all under one roof, clients gain from joined-up, holistic marketing and PR. Why should a business utilise your services? If a business is serious about growth or staying on top of their game, then making sure its marketing and communications are on point will be an essential part of their strategy. Although we work extremely closely with in-house teams, being external to the company means we are able to have a different perspective as we are looking outward and not being consumed by day-to-day systems and processes meaning creative and strategic thinking can thrive. What do you fi nd most rewarding about your role? There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a client’s face light-up when you share with them your vision for their brand or website. Equally as feel-good is when we are managing their social media or digital strategy and we can see the results it is achieving for them. I would say the main driver for us as an agency is getting results, we get a real buzz from that. Cameron Hodder

Sarah Jepson

Sharon Goble

SHARON GOBLE IF… MEDIA 01392 661062 / 07831 695913 www.if-media.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agencies? Firstly, I don’t describe myself as an agency! With a background in journalism and broadcasting, I offer a very personal service, working from my home offi ce. When you call If… Media you will get me. This allows me to develop strong working relationships with a select number of clients, currently mostly charities and businesses within the South West in the fi elds of hospitality, sustainability and the law. I work with associates on a freelance basis if a project requires additional capacity or skills such as photography or graphic design. What bespoke services do you offer clients? The core services I offer are PR, copywriting, media training and video. Each of these complementary services incorporates a range of activities. PR, for example, encompasses writing press releases, blogs, features and award nominations, and developing positive relationships with media contacts and infl uencers. In short, exploring the best ways to help clients tell their story to their desired audience – that may be through broadcast interviews, short fi lms, podcasts or written articles. Occasionally clients come to me for a one-off project, but most work with me on an ongoing basis to provide a regular drip-drip of engaging and newsworthy content.

MARCUS BENNETT AB THE CREATIVE AGENCY 01392 211765; www.ab-uk.com

What sets you apart from other agencies? We are proud to be a full-service creative agency. This means that we offer a wider range of services than many other agencies. From exciting digital marketing campaigns and brand new websites to award-winning fi lm and brand strategy development, we have the expertise in-house to meet any creative challenge. What clients are you working with at the moment? We partner with a diversity of clients across a range of industries. These include global businesses such as Caterpillar, house-hold favourites like Tesco and Flybe, as well as local businesses and organisations including Devon County Council, Tozers and The Maynard School. Why should a business utilise your services? We foster partnerships with our clients, working together to achieve and exceed their goals. Based in the heart of Exeter, we have a broad range of skills in-house. This makes life easier for businesses, providing all the creative expertise they need from one agency. What is the oddest thing you have done in your role? A client called ‘Elves Behaving Badly’ required some saucy ideas for their edgy Christmas campaign. One of our ideas included a fi lm script that would use a husky, sultry voiceover. During the presentation, to communicate the idea to full effect, I read the script aloud in my best husky, sultry voice, much to the amusement of my fellow presenter and the client.