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Creating a landsCape for business
TDA would like to congratulate all winners in this year’s South Devon Business Excellence Awards 2015. Put yourself in the running next year by taking advantage of our range of business support.
One of the key aims of the TDA, as Torbay’s economic development company, is supporting local businesses at every stage in their development.
Starting a business
Future Workshops
For those looking to start a business there is a wide range of support available including help with writing a business plan, accessing finance and finding business premises.
Making a start with social media in business 21st April at Brixham Sea Works
New Enterprise Allowance offers free business sign up support to anyone receiving benefits. Access to business start-ups loans up to the value of £7,500. South West Business Centres provide workspace for new businesses to start up, develop and grow in addition to managed workshubs.
Ready to export workshop 12th May at The Harbour Works, Torquay Finance for non-financial managers and owners 22nd May at The Harbour Works, Torquay Creating a marketing message that generates new business 29th June at The Harbour Works, Torquay
Workhubs
Growing a business For growing businesses there are regular workshops on a range of topics such as finance, skills, recruitment and export. Access to Finance offers help for businesses in sourcing and applying for finance.
The Harbour Works in Torquay and the Sea Works in Brixham offer desk space in a creative environment, free from distractions. With private meeting rooms, high speed WiFi and printing facilities. Visit www.theworkstorbay.com to find out more.
South Devon Export Network provides advice and collaboration opportunities with companies experienced in export. One-to-one business advice is available with an experienced business advisor.
Contact 01803 207948 Email enquiries@tedcltd.co.uk Visit www.torbaydevelopmentagency.co.uk Twitter @TorbayTDA
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HERALD EXPRESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
Business of the Year Sponsored by Torbay Development Agency and Torbay Council
SCARLETT ENTERTAINMENT
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Alan Denby, director of Economic Strategy for the Lisa Stroud of South Devon Jim Parker, editor of the TDA PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY PYRAMID TORBAY Herald Express PYRAMID TORBAY College TQPT20150327A-006_C.JPG
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HE biggest and best Herald Express South Devon Business Excellence Awards have crowned the best businesses of the year. More than 280 guests attended the sparkling gala dinner at the Riviera International Conference Centre for what has become one of the local business highlights of the year. Guest speaker was Sir Richard Ibbotson, chairman of the South Devon Healthcare Trust. Herald Express editor Jim Parker paid tribute to the headline partner Torbay Development Ag ency and Torbay Council and also the category sponsors. They were ER Training Academy, First Great Western, Genting Casino, Kit-
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sons Solicitors, Outset , Pavey Group, South Devon College and South Devon Export Network. Also in association with Blue Cross. Mr Parker said: “There is a buzz about South Devon at the moment, an air of confidence, a sense of hope, a time for opportunity. “Times are still challenging and we are not all yet ready to retire. But the future looks a lot more rosy.”
Exporter of the Year
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SCARLETT ENTERTAINMENT: Business of the Year winner PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY TQPT20150327A-046_C.JPG events this year. This has been our best year to date.” The award was sponsored
by Torbay Development A g e n cy a n d To r b ay Council.
He added: “The awards are about the business fraternity’s contribution to a new future, how you have managed to turn challenge into success, recognising and saluting that passion, desire Sir Richard Ibbotson PYRAMID TORBAY and determination to suc- PHOTOGRAPHY TQPT20150327A-010_C.JPG ceed.”
Sponsored by South Devon Export Network
SCARLETT ENTERTAINMENT
CARLETT ENT ERTA I NM EN T was named Exporter of the Year for the second year running. Rebecca Marks said: “It’s great to have won. Retaining the award is quite important. We are expanding a lot overseas at the moment so it is great to be recognised. “The award is something we are very proud of. She added: “We are opening offices in Singapore and Las Vegas and over 70 per cent of our business is international.” Scarlett Entertainment is one of the only destination entertainment specialists in the world. It provides entertainment locally for a range of events and around the w o rl d f r o m p r o d u c t launches and corporate events to exclusive weddings and luxury private parties. It was started by Rebecca Marks and her brother Ben and is now
HE top award of the evening – Business of the Year – went to d e s t i n a t i o n entertainment specialists Scarlett Entertainment of Newton Abbot. Rebecca Marks said: “We are really delighted to have won this award – it is a real surprise.” A number of the team attended the event and Rebecca added: “All the team have contributed to our success and they have helped to win the award. “We have lots of different nationalities – Spanish, Italian, German – and we are all here together. We are an inter national company so is important to have multi-lingual speakers.” “The support has been great, and we are really pleased to win this. We have doubled our staff numbers, turnover and
Sell Global – Think Local
The Award Winning Proud sponsors of The South Devon Export Network Wednesday 27th May 2015 5.30pm – 8.00pm 5J Torre Abbey, Torquay, TQ2 5JE
Discover the opportunities for UK Business in 21st Century China SCARLETT ENTERTAINMENT: From the left, Ben Marks, Rebecca Marks, Shala Neal and Giovanni Piras PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
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involved with around 1,500 events each year in more than 50 locations around the world from Dubai and Brunei to Beirut and Greece. A relatively new business, it has already amassed an impressive list of high profile clients and brands that staff have worked with including F1, Alist celebrities, Middle Eastern and Asian Royalty, Hollywood Films and International Film Premieres. The company has one of the
largest act rosters of any UK entertainment agency, representing more than 6,000 acts around the world. It also offers work placements to students from around the world and has had the privilege to work with people from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Russia. It now has ongoing links with the Training Partnership in Torbay and the Totnes European School. The award was sponsored by South Devon Export Network.
Stephen Phillips, CEO of the China Britain Business Council will look at the international and domestic aspects of change in China and the implications for UK business: • Bilateral trade and investment today • Drivers of opportunity • Regional cities • New frontiers • How China Britain Business Council can help www.torbaydevelopmentagency.co.uk/sden follow us on Twitter @TorbayTDA
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Night to remember
In association with
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HERALD EXPRESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
In association with
Best New Business Award Most Innovative Company Award
Sponsored by Outset
FLOSSY AND JIM
Sponsored by Pavey Group
VIRTUAL JET CENTRE
V
I RT UA L Je t Centre scooped the Most Innovative Company
Award. Captain Andy Wilkins said: “I am shocked. We are only 12 months old, although we are very innovative. It is just amazing.” He said the award was very much a team effort. “The team have put their hearts and souls into it. We are working on lots of innovative products at the moment, so this is really going to encourage the whole team.” He added: “We are developing a new corporate management exercise based around aviation training which is going to be very innovative. We are going to launch that in June of this year.” “I am so, so grateful, to
VIRTUAL JET CENTRE: Nick Sanders, left, and Captain Andy Wilkins TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY TQPT20150327A-017_ C.JPG
everyone who has organised this.” The Virtual Jet Centre is home of the only public flight simulator in the South West. Alongside fun gift experiences, pro-
fessional pilot training and fear of flying courses, it also offers corporate and team building events. The award was s p o n s o r e d by P ave y Group.
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APPY to win the Best New Business Award was Lynette Jordan of the illustration and design company Flossy and Jim. She said: “I am just very, very, happy, and very proud to have won. It gives us lots of hope for the future. “I am also very shocked and surprised to have won. Our mission statement is to make the world a happier place, and tonight this makes us very happy.” Flossy and Jim has grown from a few small commissions to a contract in America for a series of children’s books and cartoons. A single mum, Lynette, started the business after graduating from Plymouth University with a BA (Hons) in Illustration. She said“I feel my business is unique and making people happy. I think I have proved to a lot of single parents that you can live the life you want, you are in control of your own path and you can spread happiness on to others. “I am inspired by the colourful seaside harbour, in which I live. My aim is to
FLOSSY AND JIM : From the left, James Dare, Lynette Jordan and Liz Edwards from category sponsor Outset PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
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make the world a happier and sunnier place with my illustration and designs. Flossy and Jim is on a mission to make the world a brighter, lighter and more amusing place to be – not just
for children but for adults too!” Lynette has also launched her own range of merchandise. The award was sponsored by Outset.
Proud sponsor of the ‘Best New Business’ award
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To arrange a review of your insurance call us on
01392 880 000
To sign up for support, call 0800 032 2905 or to find out more, visit www.outsettorbay.co.uk
Sponsored by Herald Express
Best in Customer Service Award Sponsored by Genting Casino
PAIGNTON ZOO
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HE recipient of the Best Green Business Award was Paignton Zoo. Simon Tonge, executive director, said: “We are very happy to have won. We have worked so hard to make ourselves a green business to kind of put our money where our mouth is and it is nice to have that acknowledged. “We do it not only because it is the right thing to be green but because it makes economic sense to do so. To us it is everything. We are a conservation and education charity so this is at the very heart of what we do.” He added: “It has been a massive team effort. Lots of people have done the hard work, and it is hard work. There are lots of tedious and routine stuff that needs to have been done, and we have done it.” Paignton Zoo was the third zoo worldwide to be ISO14001 accredited and has a full Environmental Management System in place. It also employs an environmental officer whose key role is to set, monitor and review internal targets to
In association with
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Best Green Business Award
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HERALD EXPRESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
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PAIGNTON ZOO: From the left, Helen Lawrence, Mike Laukkanen of category sponsor the Herald Express, Pippa Craddock and Simon Tonge PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY TQPT20150327A-023_C.JPG
ensure that they are being achieved.
people a respect for animals, plants and the environment.
As well as being a leading visitor attraction, the zoo is an education, scientific and conservation charity dedicated to protecting global wildlife heritage and inspiring in
Its gift shop offers a wide selection of fair trade and ethical products.
ECEIVING the Best in Customer Service Aw a r d w a s South Devon College. Jessica Tucker said: “We are delighted that the efforts of the team to make sure that our students are given every opportunity to achieve and work in the ideal careers for them has been recognised. “Customer service is very important to us and we can help shape the students’ futures by giving them the best possible experience Laurence Frewin added: “Customer service is about making sure the students get the warmest welcome, the best advice, and feel comfor table when they enter the college. It is our number one priority. “Students are at the
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE: Laurence Frewin, left, and Jessica Tucker PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY TQPT20150327A-025_C.JPG heart of everything that we do and we just need to make sure that they feel that way as well. We are very proud to have been recognised for this at the awards.” The college’s award-winning Helpzone service of fers free, impar tial
advice and guidance to students and members of the public on careers, education and training. Specialist help with CV writing or UCAS applications for universities is also available. The award was sponsored by Genting Casino.
The award was sponsored by the Herald Express.
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HERALD EXPRESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
Best Social Enterprise/ Community Impact Award
sponsored by ER Training Academy
In association with Blue Cross
DARTINGTON HALL
ROC
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D
DARTINGTON HALL: From the left, Daniel Johnston, Karen Williams and Andrew Foote TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
PYRAMID
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“We are very, very grateful for the award.” Dartington Hall has evolved from being one of the county’s best kept secrets to one of Devon’s largest venues. It offers facilities for corporate
events, weddings, leisure breaks and dining at the award-winning White Hart bar and restaurant. The award was sponsored by The ER Training Academy.
ROUD to receive the Best Social Enter prise/Community Impact Award was ROC. David Wilson said: “This does feel fantastic. It is actually very important that there is a community impact award and I really do want to thank the Herald Express that this category exists, because it doesn’t seem to in so many other business areas. “The other part really is that we want to celebrate our 25th anniversary by being a beacon of excellence for supporting people with learning disabilities, and to be recognised for it. To have this award is that recognition and we are absolutely delighted.” ROC (originally known as Robert Owen Foundation) is a registered charity which supports people (aged 18+ or who are in transition) with learning disabilities and similar needs, and their circles of support. Over the past 25 years the re gistered charity has helped improve the lives of
ROC: Therese Timberlake, left, and David Wilson PHOTOGRAPHY
PYRAMID TORBAY
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and aspirations of people with learning disabilities are met and that people with learning disabilities have a voice. This award was in association with Blue Cross.
more than 400 people through community based educational programmes, team sports, courses and perfor ming arts. ROC’s guiding principles include ensuring the needs
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Best Sales & Marketing
C A L C AT S
There are lots of homeless cats at your local Blue Cross rehoming centre in desperate need of a happy home! Whether you’re a single person or a family, if you could give a cat in need a home we’d love to hear from you! Visit us online or at our centre for for more information about rehoming and the pets in our care.
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ARTINGTON Hall received the award for Best Sales & Marketing. Andrew Foote said: “It is just an amazing feeling. So many people work so hard to actually promote Dartington. We are all so proud to work for them and this is the culmination of lots and lots of hard work. It is an amazing night for us. “I think the focus on the international market in promoting the south west to the world makes a big difference to us in sharing the ethos of Dartington, which is very, very important. Somewhere like china which has so many sustainability problems, we are showing them how to cope with that and improve their environment through our work.
In association with
Torbay rehoming centre Ashley Priors Lane, Watcombe, Torquay, Devon TQ1 4SE Tel 0300 777 1550 www.bluecross.org.uk/torbay Sick, injured and homeless pets have relied on us since 1897 Registered charity no: 224392 (England and Wales), SC040154 (Scotland)
©LW
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HERALD EXPRESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
Best Leisure/Tourism Award
Sponsored by Local World
Sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors
ELIMINATE RISK
SPLASHDOWN WATERPARK@QUAYWEST
E
LIMINATE Risk won the award for Best Business Growth. The security company has grown from a small supplier of door and event staff to a company that has a near £2million turnover employing eight managers and 60 members of staff. Ian Stone said: “It is overwhelming to have won the award. We didn’t expect this. “We have worked very hard over the last couple of years to get where we are now. However, we are only as good as the guys on the ground. Without them, we wouldn’t have a business. “We will hopefully continue to grow and have massive growth. We hope to be international in five years’ time.” The security company strives towards the pursuit of excellence offering services such as stewarding, door staff, event security, static guarding and a K9 dog unit. One of its most high profile jobs was the security contract for the emergency works at Dawlish when the
T
HEBest Leisu r e / To u r i s m Award was coll e c t e d by Splashdown Waterpark@ Quaywest. Jon Lees said: “We are really proud to have won. This is really big for us. “ We e m p l o y s o m ewhere in the region of 150 staff and for us, this award is for the staff as much as for us. “We are proud. We are a seasonal attraction and it is hard to compete with places that are open all year round. “ We a r e o p e n s i x months and spend the other six months getting it as best as it can be. “We want to thank everyone who has made this possible. The staff, the customers, and we hope for a good summer.” S p l a s h d ow n Wat e rpark@Quaywest is the UK’s largest outdoor wa-
ELIMINATE RISK: From the left, Howard Rose, Ian Stone, WO2 SQMS Adam Smith, James Robinson and Rob Osborne PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
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railway line went into the sea. Ian added: “What we recognised off the back of Dawlish is that we invested in people and bring over some of the guys in some of the sectors that they are in is massive and investing in people is going to push us up to another level.” Locally the company has
worked at Occombe beer and cider festivals, Dawlish Air Show, Dartmouth Regatta and Paignton Children’s Week. This year the company is supplying security teams to a number of festivals including Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival.
SPLASHDOWN WATERPARK@QUAYWEST: Daniel Ling, left, and Jon Lees PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
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terpark and last year saw a programme of major improvements. There is something for everyone to enjoy at the waterpark from big kids to little ones, with exciting flume rides and some of the English Riviera’s
most spectacular views, right next to Goodrington Beach. It also contributes to the local economy by running events and activities. It has six catering outlets. The category was sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors.
Team Building like you have never seen before!
The Virtual Jet Centre is proud to be able offer companies an amazing chance to experience the thrill of fying a Boeing Jet airliner. This is a unique way of entertaining potential clients, rewarding your staff for their hard work, as well as offering team building and motivational experiences. Our experienced pilots have over 100,000 fying hours and can provide a unique and enjoyable experience day that you will not fnd anywhere else! We offer full or half-day experiences, limited to a maximum of 12 people to allow all participants to experience the full thrill of fying a 70-tonne Jet! • Test your knowledge and skills in fying and landing an aircraft. • Test your ability to become a member of the cabin crew. • Bring out the best in your team, with our unique human factors • training, used in the airline industry. The full day includes a buffet lunch, and the half day includes our normal complimentary refreshments plus a selection of locally baked pastries.
To get your team fying high call: 01626 852 119
Virtual Jet Centre, Units 1 & 2, Xpressway Business Park, Chudleigh, Newton Abbott, Devon, TQ13 0FJ Email: admin@virtualjetcentre.co.uk www.virtualjetcentre.co.uk
Virtual Jet Centre is supported by the Rural Development Programme for England, for which Defra is the Managing Authority, part fnanced by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Developments: Europe investing in rural areas. ©LW
www.kitsons-solicitors.co.uk
01803 202020
advice@kitsons-solicitors.co.uk
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Best Business Growth
In association with
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HERALD EXPRESS BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
Best Apprentice Employer
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by South Devon College
Sponsored by FIrst Great Western
SOUTH WEST WATER
MEL CHALK
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HE Young Entre preneur of the Year was named as Mel Chalk of Portobello Salon Ltd. Mel said: “I am really pleased to have won this award. I wasn’t expecting it. I just really want to inspire young people in Torquay to start their own business. I feel that Torquay is going up, so catch the wave while it’s breaking!” She added: “I think you are never too young to start your own business, so don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do it.” Mel is a director at the boutique style hair salon in Torquay town which is open seven days a week. All stylists at the salon are trained to NVQ Level 3 and apprentices receive
MEL CHALK: Young Entrepreneur of the Year TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
PYRAMID
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training in-salon and through South Devon College. Since starting three years ago, it’s been recog-
In association with
nised as a 5 Star Salon by The Good Salon Guide. This award was sponsored by First Great Wester n.
AMED as the Best Apprenticeship Employer was South West
Water. Nigel Fenn said: “It is really pleasing to have won and I think it is a great endorsement of a really strong programme we have. It is really good recognition for the hard work and achievement of the 64 apprentices and the huge impact they have made in our company.” He added: “Apprentices are very important as we have an ageing workforce and we really need to bring in some new and young fresh blood to replace some of our really long serving and ageing employees.” In 2010 the company identified that almost half of its o p e r a t i o n a l wo rk f o r c e would retire over the next 10 years and it needed this to be addressed. It now has a 25-year business plan with a target of a year-on-year increase in the number of apprentices employed. It has also recruited its first female operational apprentices. Apprenticeships feature as a key ele-
SOUTH WEST WATER: Fiona Parsons, left, and Nigel Fenn PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
PYRAMID TORBAY PHOTOGRAPHY
ment in its People Strategy. The company has also focused on promoting diversity and has recruited its first female operational apprentices. It now has six female
apprentices in science, technolog y, engineering and maths (STEM) roles. This award was sponsored by South Devon College.
St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Business Advantage
South Devon College
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
Houses of Parliament, London
The Shard, London
CONGRATULATIONS
to all winners at the South Devon Business Excellence Awards! The Brisons, Cornwall
BE A GREAT WESTERNER. First Great Western is proud to sponsor the Herald Express Business Awards. Discover over 270 destinations this spring at firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Check out our website for new courses coming soon and for information about all our business services.
Business Advantage, South Devon College, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ.
01803 540600 business@southdevon.ac.uk www.southdevon.ac.uk/welcome-to-business
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