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Rick Stein and Russell Watson among the celebrities appearing at East Devon festivals

South West residents get ready for a spectacular trio of festivals

As the busy school holiday season winds down, East Devon is gearing up to offer visitors and locals alike an indulgent escape with a trio of exceptional festivals this September.

The Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, Taste East Devon Festival, and Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival are organised, and supported, by a diverse range of dedicated local partners and sponsors, whose collaboration has been essential in bringing these events to life.

Festival goers can look forward to a feast...

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Great South West unveils world-class investment opportunities

Authored by Program
Posted: Thu, 05/23/2024 - 8:54am

Region launches flagship Investment Brochure at UKREiiF, showcasing nine nationally strategic, globally significant projects

The Great South West Partnership has launched its new Investment Brochure at UKREiiF, the UK's largest investment and development convention with over 10,000 delegates attending. The brochure was unveiled at a special lunch reception hosted by Karl Tucker, Great South West Chair, at the Great South West Pavilion, and attended by senior business figures, government officials and national and international investors.

The 'Great South West: Investment...

South West’s strategic investment opportunities to be showcased at leading national event

Authored by Program
Posted: Thu, 05/09/2024 - 2:06pm

The Great South West , the Pan-Regional Partnership representing Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, will be leading a delegation of senior business and political leaders to make the case for the region at The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). UKREiiF is the largest investment and development event in the UK, set to take place between 21-23 May 2024 in Leeds.

An exciting programme of events, panel sessions and meetings at the Great South West Pavilion will provide insights into the region’s critical role in delivering the UK’s...

Positive impact marketing agency becomes Certified B Corporation

Authored by Program
Posted: Wed, 05/01/2024 - 10:09am

Program has announced its certification as a B Corporation (B Corp), joining a growing movement of over 2,000 UK companies that are reinventing business for the benefit of all people and our shared planet.

An award-winning brand and marketing agency based in Bristol and Exeter, Program works with positive impact organisations and innovators intent on doing good in the world.

Caroline Orr, Marketing Director at Program, said: “I”m so proud of the team for this achievement. It is testament to the way that Program does business, the clients we work with and how much we care...

Devon business leaders stepping up to make the case for investment into the South West and have their say on region’s future

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 04/30/2024 - 8:34am

Business event on 12 June will focus on getting Westminster working for the South West, in the first of four Regional Roadshows.

The Great South West Pan-Regional Partnership is launching a series of Regional Roadshows, to give local business leaders the opportunity to advance their interests on the national stage.

The first event in the series, in collaboration with the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, will take place at the Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton, on 12 June.

The Regional Roadshows will bring together senior business leaders, investors, and local...

Initiatives led by a prominent businessman to support Ukraine

Authored by David Banks
Posted: Sat, 04/13/2024 - 8:54am

Rinat Akhmetov has taken legal action to seek compensation from Russia for all losses incurred, particularly the destruction of key infrastructure facilities such as Azovstal Steel Plant, Ilich Iron and Steel Works, Avdiivka Coke Plant, Luhanska Thermal Power Plant, etc. Amidst the conflict, businessman Rinat Akhmetov faced significant losses compared to other major figures in the business world. Further details are available here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/08/ukraine-oligarchs-power-war/ . Akhmetov emphasises that the funds compensated by Russia will be directed...

Major employer announcement key opportunity for South West

Authored by Program
Posted: Wed, 03/06/2024 - 7:11pm

The announcement of a major new employer locating to the Gravity smart campus in Somerset has been heralded as a key opportunity for the region.

Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business, has been confirmed as the operator of the UK’s new battery gigafactory on the Gravity campus close to junction 23 of the M5 near Bridgwater in Somerset.

It represents a £4 billion investment in Somerset, which will directly create 4,000 new jobs and thousands more in the wider supply chain.

By the 2030’s, it is anticipated that it will be contributing almost half of the UK’s...

Innovative AI-enabled engineering lab boosts regional business development

Authored by Program
Posted: Tue, 02/13/2024 - 6:57am

The Heart of the South West LEP has announced £118,000 funding for the Centre for Future Clean Mobility, to develop a new AI engineering lab.

The ACE-Lab (AI-enabled Co-design in Engineering Laboratory), is managed by the University of Exeter’s Centre for Future Clean Mobility at Exeter Science Park. The innovative project will offer a unique blend of human-AI interaction for designing novel products, systems, and services.

ACE-Lab will actively engage in collaborations with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region, establishing strong industry connections....

Shadow Minister for AI and Intellectual Property to deliver keynote talk at South West AI conference

Authored by Program
Posted: Mon, 02/12/2024 - 1:41pm

The South West Business Council (SWBC) has announced that the Shadow Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intellectual Property, Matt Rodda, will deliver the keynote address at their conference: ‘Harnessing the Power of AI: Meeting the Challenges’ on 16th February 2024 at the Great Hall, University of Exeter.

The event, co-sponsored by tech giants Microsoft, specialist law firm Michelmores, and leading AI company Hertzian, will be held in response to the Chancellor’s Autumn statement released in November 2023. The statement outlined the significant opportunities for...

Three key roles open within the Great South West Executive team

Authored by Program
Posted: Mon, 01/29/2024 - 2:32pm

Positions include two Deputy Directors to support with business insights, investment and growth

The Great South West Partnership is looking for two new Deputy Directors to join the Executive team, and an Executive Support Officer to support the Director.

The Great South West is the powerhouse brand for Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. The Partnership is dedicated to driving investment and spotlighting the region’s world-class industries, businesses, and workforce.

The Deputy Director for Business Insights will shape a dynamic programme of...

Beyond the Beaches: Citizenship Opportunities in Caribbean Isles

Authored by Liv Butler
Posted: Mon, 01/22/2024 - 10:36pm

Learn about Caribbean citizenship opportunities and explore investment programs, unique policies, and a richer lifestyle.

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