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EXETERWORKS Business movers and shakers
It’s the city’s business
EXETERWORKS
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Exeter Science Park is set to get a lot bigger
Joining forces
Two of Exeter’s most prolific Exeter team that will support recovery and drive organisations, Exeter Science growth,” says Dr Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Park Limited and the Science Park. University of Exeter, have “It will ensure that Exeter Science Park Centre joined forces to create a focal tenants will continue to benefit freely from point for science, technology, SETsquared, Exeter’s world-leading business engineering, maths and incubation services.” medical (STEMM) innovation at Exeter Science Park; a move that is hoped to boost growth and What will this mean for Exeter? employment opportunities in the local area. The partnership is also set to reopen the way
The partnership will see business activity being for joint initiatives to secure new resources transferred from the Innovation Centre to Exeter for businesses in the area, initiatives such as Science Park and £2.25m funding being released the new University Enterprise Zone and the to support the provision of innovation services by Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab. SETsquared Exeter over the next 18 years. “Our goal is to secure and create high-value
“This landmark agreement brings a new focus jobs, enhance productivity and boost economic to the existing collaboration between Exeter growth in the South West and this agreement Science Park and the University’s SETsquared gives us the opportunity to do that, as well as reinforcing Exeter Science Park’s position as the hub for STEMM-based business expansion in our region,” adds Dr Basker. How much growth? There are currently around 500 people employed by the tenant businesses at Exeter Science Park and projections forecast a seven-fold growth over the next 15 years, taking employee numbers to 3,500 by 2035, with new buildings and membership packages being developed.
“This kind of collaboration between start-ups and universities is going to be essential for our region’s post-Covid recovery, helping businesses innovate and grow,” says Professor Lisa Roberts vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Exeter. For more: www.exetersciencepark.co.uk
Presenting all of Exeter’s finest
Human rights barrister Dexter Dias QC at TEDxExeter
IN IT TO WIN IT
The Exeter Living Awards are back following the innovative success of this year’s virtual celebrations, with the organisers planning a highly-memorable, unmissable event for 2021 after the recent times following the pandemic.
Last time round saw the biggest and best Exeter Living Awards yet: quality nominations, diverse set of finalists, excited sponsors and many magic moments. Plus a sold-out attendance of over 450 with plenty on the waiting list.
Sponsorships are now available for the new Awards season. In 2020, the Awards were trending on Twitter in the UK once again, such was the massive interest in congratulating the winners.
The Exeter Living Awards will be held on 25 March at the Great Hall, with the all-important nominations opening this November.
“We were thrilled that so many businesses enjoyed the Awards last time round with so much positivity and support from the full array of Exeter’s organisations,” says MediaClash event organiser Claudia Butler.
“We understand that 2020 has been tricky for many but there’s been plenty of good done throughout the city and we can’t wait to come together and celebrate all your kindness, collaboration and business achievements next March!”
Information for businesses on How to Win an Exeter Living Award will be available via the website. “We’re keen for all companies to put the best possible case forward for an Exeter Living Award. Our comprehensive online top-tips will guide businesses through what the Judges are looking for and explaining how the Awards work,” Claudia adds.
For sponsorship enquiries, please contact Paula Miller paula.miller@mediaclashco.uk For more: www.mediaclash.co.uk
© SIMON TUTTY PHOTOGRAPHY
BRIGHT IDEAS
During the Coronavirus pandemic, TEDxExeter has been running a series of monthly online events where groups watch a talk together and then break into smaller groups for lively ‘Conversations that matter’ discussions about important challenges facing us all.
The ninth TEDxExeter Ideas Festival was scheduled to take place in April 2020 but was postponed. Keen to provide for its growing community, curator and licensee, Claire Kennedy and the TEDxExeter team organised the online conversations with speakers and ‘TED Circles’; to help people stay connected.
“We have had as many as 500 people together online at any one time and it’s been a fantastic way of sharing powerful ideas and keeping the community connected while we are unable to meet in person,” says Claire.
In June, after the horrific death of George Floyd and the global Black Lives Matter protests, over 450 people joined human rights lawyer Dexter Dias QC and Claire Kennedy, for a conversation about race and the struggle for racial justice in the UK. In July, Dexter returned for another online discussion with Marcia Rigg, whose brother Sean was killed in police custody 12 years ago and who has been fighting racial injustice ever since.
On 13 October, TEDxExeter will be hosting the online launch of TED Countdown – a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. Countdown’s goal is to build a better future by cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, in the race to a zero-carbon world.
TEDxExeter online events are open to everyone. For more: www.TEDxExeter.com
Barry Creels from Axminster Carpets is supporting locals
Local charity WESC are onboard the new campaign
BE A CHAMP
Support Local is the latest campaign from Exeter Chamber, celebrating businesses and organisations which are doing their bit to support the local economy by choosing local suppliers, providing jobs and serving the community. So far, more than 30 local companies have shown their support for the community, name-checking more than 90 local suppliers between them.
“Greater Exeter is a fantastic place to do business; during the last diffi cult months we have been blown away by the sense of community and collaboration between businesses in the city and its surrounds,” says Julie Hawker, Chamber board director and joint chief executive of digital specialists Cosmic.
Local companies who’ve joined the campaign include local charity WESC Foundation (The Specialist Centre for Visual Impairment) who’ve employed 250 people from Exeter and the surrounding area. Those staff help support children and young adults with visual impairment and complex needs from all over the UK, including many from our local area.
ONE FOR THE DIARY! Following in the footsteps of the Friday Lockdown Show, Exeter Chamber has launched a new web programme called Refocus. The new format will focus on giving local business leaders the information they need to make important decisions in this critical time period.
The speakers will be a mix of regional leaders, experts in their fi elds and those with good news stories to share. The next shows will take place on 15 October and 12 November. For more: www.exeterchamber.co.uk
FOOTBALL NEWS Bringing you the latest from Exeter City FC
Chris Bentley is raring to go
Exeter City Football Club’s commercial team has made a top new signing with Chris Bentley, formerly of Exeter Chiefs, joining the football club as a consultant.
“I’m both excited and enthused about the prospect of getting into the mix with City,” says Chris.
“I’ve always been a fan of the rich heritage of the club and am raring to help increase revenues as we look to expand our commercial offering.
“During the tumultuous time that we’re all facing, my aim is to spread the word about the great work the club does, not just on the pitch but in the community and with its successful academy. If I can introduce some new faces and help previous supporters rediscover the club, along with the sterling work it does for the greater Exeter region, then I’ll be off to a good start.”
Evertonian Chris actually began his sporting career as a goalkeeper but moved to the oval ball, playing professionally around the world throughout a 13-year playing career. After seven seasons playing for the Chiefs, he retired to join their corporate team and was a key player off the field through a period of exponential growth.
“We are very excited to get Bentos on board and are looking forward to him adding his experience and distinctive style to the commercial team,” says Mark Jenkins, head of commercial.
“We see his joining as a real coup and we’re very eager to see what he can achieve.”
For more www.exetercityfc.co.uk
Emma Paull is one of the newbies at the Old Mill
MOVERS, SHAKERS ETC
DOUBLE WIN Flying the flag for the region are two specialist solicitors from Devon who have been shortlisted in the national Family Law Awards.
Director and co-founder of The Family Law Company Jane Chanot is a finalist in the International Family Lawyer category, whilst Grace Bradley is on the shortlist for Associate Solicitor of the Year.
Both solicitors work at the grittier end of family law, dealing with complex, often harrowing cases that require commitment, tenacity, and unsociable hours.
The awards ceremony will take place virtually, on 25 November. For more: www.familylawawards.com
BIGGER AND BETTER Exeter financial firm Old Mill have welcomed 17 new starters as the business continues to expand.
The company has recruited into all levels of the business, including school leavers, graduates, and more experienced positions.
“For a business of our size to bring in 17 new staff at any one time is a fantastic growth story, but to be able to do so in the current climate is even more exciting and we are delighted to be in a position to give them the opportunity to either start or further develop their careers with us,” says Ian Carlson, managing director at Old Mill. www.om.uk
GO WEST White Wall Yellow Door, an initiative which provides museums, galleries and theatres with resources for families, is delighted to announce its plans to launch in Exeter.
The company, whose clients include Trinity Buoy Wharf, the Petrie Museum of Egyptology and the Freud Museum, has been established in London for four years but has now set its sights on expanding in the South West.
Based in Exeter, communications and marketing professional Lucy Sainsbury will be heading up operations in the area.
“The South West is full of fascinating and beautifully curated museums, galleries and cultural establishments and I am really excited to be joining the team and launching the initiative in the South West,” says Lucy.
“We feel that there is great potential to form partnerships in this region to help widen participation and increase family benefit.” For more: www.whitewallyellowdoor.com
EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2020
Dedication, hard graft, and a rocking team saw The OddFellows scoop best bar at the Awards. Co-founder Faye Williams casts her mind back to the big night…
How did it feel to win an Exeter Living award? It was great for The Oddfellows to have the recognition for our hard work and dedication to local producers. Nearly 15 years in the city now!
How did you celebrate? We went ‘out out’.
Where do you keep your award? It’s behind the bar in The Oddfellows, proudly on display.
Why do you think The Oddfellows won? We outshone the competition. Our dedication to local quality products hopefully and the skill of our wonderful team.
BAR WINNER
What do you think sets you apart from other bars in Exeter? We have a great reputation in the city and having been here for 15 years; we have seen many places come and go. I’d like to think it is our ethical approach to business: free range, sustainable, slow reared, local, seasonal, all made from scratch. We do it the right way with the best stuff.
Have you had to change your business model because of Covid? If so, how? We have, but we actually love our new way of rubbing along. We now offer, on Friday and Saturday nights, our six-course Supper Club for £35 per head accompanied by a delicious cocktail, aperitif menu, Luciano wines, and local beers, cider etc. We have been fully booked most of the time. We are also open on Sundays for our epic Sunday roast.
What advice would you give someone looking to open a bar/restaurant in Exeter? Choose your concept and stick to it, consider your location very carefully and make sure you have back-up funds!
What do you love most about Exeter? It’s a small city, it’s clean, very green and you’re very close to the countryside and sea. Good schools, good rail links and, even with Covid and other financial downturns, Exeter seems to carry on growing and developing and pushing forwards. An economic bubble of sorts.
What plans do you have for The Oddfellows? Getting through this pandemic!
For more: www.theoddfellowsbar.co.uk
The happy winners
