Business Action | Spring 2022

usiness

ACTION

north enterprise

devon

growth

innovation

news & views

business-action.co.uk | Spring 2022 | @businessactionm

CONTENTS WELCOME HEADER

business

ACTION

WINNING AGAINST ALL ODDS

Continuous challenge

Justasweemergefromthe

pandemicwithasighofrelief

andwelcomeareturnto

normality,awarbreaksout

creatingsignificantturbulence

intheworldeconomy.

Whilethe20thcentury

luxuriatedintheRoaring

Twenties,weweatherthe

TurbulentTwenties.

Ifwethoughtlifewould

becomemorepredictableafter

thepandemic,wewerewrong.

Continuous achievement

Withthisinmind,ourBusiness

ActionAwardsdemonstrate

howsomeNorthDevon

businessescontinuetowin

againstallodds.Recordentry

numbers–10%abovelastyear

–andimpressivequalityarean

inspirationtousall.

Impressed by entrants

Weannouncethefinalistsin

our12awardscategorieson

pages12to21.Thecompetition

wasextremelytoughandwe

thankallentrantsforentering.

Congratulationstoallfinalists!

Awards event

Thewinnerswillbeannounced

attheNorthDevonBusiness

Awards2022eventatthe

LandmarkTheatre,Ilfracombe

ontheeveningofThursday

19May2022.

Ticketsfortheawardsevent

willgoonsaleshortlyat

business-action.co.uk/awards

Cover story

Wespottedthisissue’scover

photoonamarketingleafletin

ashop.Neverunderestimate

thepowerofprint!

ReadthestoryofEasy

DiversanditsLundyDiveTrips

onpage4.

Support this magazine

Likeallbusinesses,ourcosts

areincreasing.Ifyouappreciate

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YOUR EDITOR

Robert Zarywacz

Editor & Publisher

t: 07971 176044

e: robertz@business-action.co.uk

@robertz

businesslistingonlineandin

print–orselectingan

advertisingpackageat

business-action.co.uk/advertise

Web site | business-action.co.uk

Online version | business-action.uk

Vol 4 Issue 1 – Spring 2022 – distribution 2,000

Welcome.................................................................................................................

News: Providing the dream property selling experience.................. 1

News: Canine portraits capture dogs in the dog house.................... 1

News: Financial planner’s 25 years’ service.......................................... 2

Business directory: Find products and services................................. 3

Tourism: Encountering wildlife underwater .......................................... 4

Environment: Largest green economy award for Biosphere ........ 5

Environment: Nature tourism collaboration........................................... 5

Tourism: New festival promotes responsible tourism....................... 6

Business support: Big Benefits for Small Businesses..................... 7

Work hubs: Work hub provides space for businesses...................... 8

Networking: Building a cohesive Devon business community

throughout the county...................................................................................... 9

Networking: Meet the chamber at Petroc................................................. 9

Engineering: Firm provides uplifting service during lockdowns.. 10

News: Art business to open second gallery........................................... 11

Awards: Let’s celebrate................................................................................... 11

Awards: Record number of awards entries............................................ 12

Awards: Lead sponsor message................................................................. 13

Awards: Who are the finalists?..................................................................... 14

Awards: Awards judges assess high quality entries.......................... 21

Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it.

Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional

before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine and to check full

terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements.

business action | Spring 2022 | business-action.co.uk

HEADER NEWS

“Moving houseisoneofthe

mostchallengingexperiences

inyourlife,”saysAmanda

Woodham.Toimprovethis

experience,Amandahas

launchedOpenHouseEstate

AgentsinNorthDevon.

Amandahasalwaysbeen

passionateaboutmakinga

differenceandduringher23

yearswithanationalbank

alwaysensuredshelookedafter

herteamassheknewthat,asa

result,theywouldlookafter

theircustomers.

Amandahasalsoalways

lovedpropertyandmoved

housealot,butshefeltthatthe

experiencewasoftennotas

goodasitshouldhavebeen:“I

didn’thavea‘wow’experience.

Iwantedsomeonethatnotonly

soldthehouse,butdidallthe

relentlessfollow-up.Thatwas

myfrustration.”

ThisiswhatAmandanow

offersthroughOpenHouse

Amanda Woodham of Open House Estate Agents

Providing the dream property

selling experience

Canine portraits capture dogs in the Dog House

The Lyn Valley Dog Housein

LyntoncelebratedValentines

weekendwithaseriesofevents

basedaroundthethemeof

‘Loveyourdog,lovealldogs,

andlovewhereyoulive’.

Toadvertisethis,theinhousecanineteamorganised

telegramspostedontelegraph

polesandlamppostsaround

theareasoalltheirfriends

couldseewhatwasplanned.

Therewasacompetitionfor

ownerstopostphotosoftheir

dogsreadingthetelegrams,

whichwaswonbyKasey.

Forthefirstevent,local

artistJosephWitchalltookup

residencyintheshop,where

hedrewcartoonsandportraits

oflocaldogs.Thetake-upfor

thiswassosuccessfulthatnot

notonlydidalargenumberof

localdogscomeinfora

EstateAgents.Anational

networkofestateagentswith

alltheback-upsellersand

buyerswouldexpect,Amanda

providesalocal,personal

servicetomanageallaspectsof

Artist Joseph Witchall with one of his 52 canine models

propertysalesthroughout

NorthDevon.

Amanda’saimistoremove

thestressofmovinghouseby

deliveringtheexperienceshe

herselfsought.Herfocusis

verymuchonqualityrather

thanquantityofsales,enabling

eachclienttomovehome

withoutunnecessaryworries.

Withextensiveexperienceof

workingwithmortgage

advisersandsolicitorsduring

herbankingcareer,Amanda

nowworkswithchosenlocal

providers,who,togetherwith

OpenHouseEstateAgents’

back-upsupport,enable

Amandatoprovideclientswith

acomprehensiveservice.

Withaloveofproperty,

Amandalookstohandlethe

saleofthefullrangeofhomes,

givingherundividedattention

ineverycase.

■ Details07894030837or

onlineestateagents.org.uk

sitting,butalsoloyalfollowers

fromaroundthecountrysent

inphotographsoftheirdogs,

askingtotakepart.Inall,

therewere52requestsfor

portraits,withthefurthest

beingsenttoGuernsey.

Thiswasoneofthemost

successfuleventsfortheLyn

ValleyDogHouseanditraised

asignificantsumfortheDogs

Trust.Aswellasconvincing

Josephthatanewcareerin

pet-relatedartwasworth

considering,itcreatedthe

opportunitytomeetmore

localdogsandforownersto

meeteachother.

WhileaSundaybeachclean

waspostponedduetobad

weather,theLynValleyDog

Houseisplanningmoreevents

forthefuture.

■ thelynvalleydoghouse.com

@businessactionm | Spring 2022 | business action 1

NEWS

Financial planner’s 25 years’ service

Although selling wiveswas

notinthejobdescription,

becomingafinancialplanner

wasScottPickard’sdreamfrom

anearlyage.

Heisstilllivingthatdream

ashecelebratesaquarterofa

centurywithawell-known

NorthDevonfirm.

Scotthasclockedupan

impressive25yearsofservice

withPhilipJMilton&

CompanyPlcandtothisday

stillenjoyssharingthe

aspirationsandgoalsofhis

clientsandgivingguidanceon

howtoachievethem.

Hejoinedthecompanyin

1996andsettledinwell,but

thereweresomeamusing

hiccoughsalongtheway,

includingadraftreportwhich

mentionedthataclienthad

soldhiswife.

Scottsaid:“Whenchecking

oneofmyearlierpiecesof

work,IrecallImadeanerror

referringtoaclientwhosaidhe

hadrecentlysoldhiswife’scar.

“Iactuallyreferencedinmy

draftreporttheclienthaving

soldhiswife–Philipnotedin

redalongsideoutofcuriosity

thatImaywishtoaskhow

manycamelshereceivedforher.

“Ididn’tgetthehump,butit

25 years’ service presentation: (from left) Scott Pickard with Philip Milton

showstheattentiontoaccuracy

anddetailwehavealwaysdone

ourbesttoachieve!”

Nowaged48,hestarted

workforPJM&Coasanewly

qualifiedadviserandwas

appointedadirectorjustone

yearlater.

Sincethen,hehasgained

manyadditionalqualifications

andbyage37achievedthe

prestigiouscharteredfinancial

plannerqualification,

consideredamongthehighest

intheindustry.

BornandbredinNorth

Devon,ScottwenttoPark

CommunitySchoolandthen

ontostudyatNorthDevon

College(nowPetroc).

Fromayoungagehehadan

interestinbecomingafinancial

planner–oftencalleda

financialadviser.

Initially,hegotajobwithan

insurancecompany,inthedays

whenthatmeantknockingon

doorsonceamonthtocollect

paymentsanddiscusspolicies

withclients.

However,nospousesever

changedhandsandScott

continuestoenjoyaclose

relationshipwithclients.

Headded:“Peopleseemto

feelateasetalkingtomeand

sharealotofverypersonal

informationanditisvery

humblingwhenyouropinions

andrecommendationsbecome

sovalued–youcometoknow

theiraspirationsandgoalsand

it’saprivilegetheyareprepared

toletyouintothat.

“It’sthatrecognitionofyour

valueandcontributionand

encouragementtobecomethe

bestyoucanbewhichyoucan

getinasmallerlocalbusiness

thatyouwouldn’tgetinalarger

nationalgroup.”

PJM&CoPlcmanaging

directorPhilipMiltonpraised

Scott’scontributiontothe

businessandsaidhewasavery

trustworthypairofhands.

Hesaid:“Scotthasanatural

rapportwithhisclientsand

theyknowtheycanentrust

theirfinancialorinvestment

needstohim.

“Itseemsthatveryfew

peoplethesedaysstaywiththe

samefirmforsuchalongperiod

oftimeandthatkindofloyalty

andtalentisveryhardtofind.”

Inrecognitionofhislong

service,PhilippresentedScott

with‘ALarchwoodGarden’,an

oilpaintingbywell-known

Englishlandscapepainterand

bookillustratorErnestWilliam

Haslehust,sourcedfromElford

GalleryinChagford.

■ Details01271344300or

miltonpj.net

2 business action | Spring 2022 | business-action.co.uk

sponsored by

The winner of each award category proceeds to

judging for the North Devon Business of the Year 2022

Headline sponsor: (from left) Philip Milton with Chancellor of the Exchequer

Rishi Sunak on a recent visit to Ilfracombe

thatspiritanditisonlyrightwe

recognisetheremarkable

businesseswehave.

Adversityandchangebreeds

strengthbutwecan’talwaysdo

italone.Beingsuccessfulin

businessmeanspaying

attentiontoallthedetailsand

notsimplyhavingagood

productordazzlingUSP.

Thatsuccessoftenmeansa

co-operativeandsuccessful

independentfinancialadviser

providingtaxandinvestment

guidanceandaseverweare

alwaysdelightedtohelpinthat

regard.Toomanybusinesses

failbecausetheirowners

strugglewithacertainaspect

suchasfinance,whilefocusing

alltheirtimeoncreativeor

productionprocesses.

Thatisalosstoeveryone

andalsounnecessary,sincewe

can’tallbegoodateverything

andneedtotakeadvantageof

theexcellentservicesallaround

us,whateveritisweneed.

Iwisheveryonethebestof

luckatthisyear’sNorthDevon

BusinessesAwards!

PhilipMilton

■ Details01271344300or

miltonpj.net

@businessactionm | Spring 2022 | business action 13

MOO FREE CHOCOLATES

MooFreeisafamily-owned

andrunbusinessmaking

award-winning‘freefrom’and

veganchocolateinHolsworthy.

Asanemployer,MooFree

focusesonequalityand

diversity,especiallysupportfor

thosewithautism.In2022,it

hireditsfirstapprentice

engineer,whoisautistic,aswell

astwoautisticemployees

throughtheKickstartScheme,

whowillbecomefull-time.

Now20%ofits60-strong

workforceareautistic.

■ moofreechocolates.com

SAFE WORKING LIFTS

SafeWorkingLiftsofferslift

maintenance,repairs,

refurbishmentsand24/7lift

coveracrosstheSouthWest

andSouthWales.AfamilyrunbusinessinBarnstaple,it

employs16people,offering

employmentopportunitiesin

NorthDevon.Itbelievesin

highqualityopportunitiesfor

school/collegeleaversand

offersapprenticeshiproles

acrossallaspectsofbusiness.

■ swlifts.co.uk

2022 HEADER AWARDS

Best Employer finalists

sponsored by

TheBeReadyEmployerHubisabusinesssupportservicefor

Devon-basedemployers.Weprovidedisabilityawareness

training,adviceandguidance–includinghowtoaccessgrants

andgainawards–toenableemployersrecruit,retainand

supporttalentedemployeeswithdisabilities.

Ourmainserviceison-lineoron-sitedisabilityawareness

training–freeofchargeaswearefundedbyDevonCounty

Council.Foremployers,wehaveaDisabilityandEmployment

coursewhichcoverstheEqualityAct(whatReasonable

Adjustmentsare),howtoapplyforAccesstoWorkgrants(worth

upto£62,000peryear),inclusiveRecruitmentandJobCarving,

raisingyourbusinessprofilewiththeDisabilityConfidentaward,

plusanoptionalsessiononLanguageandCommunicationfor

improvingcustomerservice.Thiscourseisallthemorerelevant

asemployershavemorestaffdecidingtodeclaretheirdisabilities

orhealthconditionsastheyneedsupportpost-Covid.

Forsmallerbusinessesandstart-ups,wealsoprovidea

workshoponhowtobeasaccessibleaspossibleon-line.Keyto

thisworkshopisunderstandinghowmakingyourdigital‘shop

window’moreaccessiblefordisabledusersensuresyourproducts

andservicesaremoreeasilyaccessibletoeveryone!

WearedelightedtotosponsorBusinessAction’sBest

Employerawardaswewanttocelebratethelocalbusinessesthat

reallymakeadifferencetotheirstaffandcustomers.

■ Visitreadydevon.org.ukoremailbeready@devon.gov.uk

SEETEC

Seetecisanemployee-owned

businesshelpingmarginalised

peopleinDevontomove

towardsandintowork.

Itprovidesemployment,

skillsandtraining,andawide

rangeofemployment,health

andwellbeingopportunitiesfor

peoplefromallbackgrounds.

ItcoversNorthDevonfrom

officesinBarnstaple,Bideford

andTiverton,throughhomebasedstaffandatitsPluss

EnterprisefactoryinBarnstaple.

■ seetecpluss.co.uk

TURNSTYLE DESIGNS

TurnstyleDesignsisalongestablishedmanufacturerof

luxuryhardwareforhigh-end

residential,commercialand

yachtprojects.

Itemploys44peoplewitha

Barnstaplefactoryandoffice,

andLondonandUSshowrooms.

Itsmanylongstanding

employeesdemonstrateits

supportiveworking

environment,including

attractivesalariesandbenefits

torewardemployeeswell.

■ turnstyledesigns.com

14 business action | Spring 2022 | business-action.co.uk

2022 HEADER AWARDS

THE CLOVELLY SOAP CO

TheClovellySoapCompany

wasestablishedin2011and

openeditsoriginalshopin

2014,movingtoitscurrent

shopin2015.

Itisbasedinaunique

touristvillageatthetopofthe

famousClovellyCobblesand

alsooperatesanonlinestore

andaclick-and-collectservice.

Theshopnotonlyprovides

anamazingimmersiveand

aromaticshoppingexperience

forvisitorsfromalloverthe

worldwithallbudgets,butalso

supportsthelocalcommunity

andlocalcharitiesbyproviding

jobsandregulardonations

frompurchases.

■ theclovellysoapcompany.co.uk

Best Retailer finalists

COUNTRY COTTAGE BAKERY

CountryCottageBakerywas

establishedin1990andnow

runstwostoresinBideford

andoneinWestwardHo!

Customersdependedonthe

bakerythroughoutlockdowns

andmanyreliedonitsdelivery

service.Itcreatedaunique

rangeofbakeryboxeswhich

includebest-sellingproducts.

Witharangeof200+

products,staffcanprovideupto-dateinformationon

allergens.Thebakeryalso

operatesanin-housesystemto

passoncustomers’feedbackto

theproductionteam.

■ countrycottagebakery.co.uk

HAPPY WHOLEFOODS

HappyWholefoodsin

IlfracombeHighStreetserves

anall-yearcustomerbaseof

Ilfracombeandnearby

residentsaswellasvisitors.

Agesrangefrom0to90s.

Itstocksanextensiverange

ofethicallyandsympathetically

sourcedwholefoods,dried

fruit,pulses,grains,cereals,

flour,pasta,organicandnonorganic,veganandvegetarian

ingredients.Itcatersforarange

ofdietaryrequirements

includingglutenfree,sugar

free,dairyfreeandGMOfree.

■ Instagram&Facebook:

@happywholefoods

THE ILAB

TheilabopenedinBarnstaple

HighStreetin2011when

iPhoneswerehittingthe

mainstreamandiPadshadjust

beenlaunched.Almost11

yearson,theilabhas

establisheditselfasthego-to

placeinNorthDevonforall

smartphoneandtabletsales

andrepairs.

Theilab’sclose-knitteam

compriseseightstaff

members,acoupleofwhom

havebeentherefromthevery

beginning.Theteam’spassion

anddedicationtothebusiness

isalargepartofthereason

whyitstilltradessuccessfully

onthehighstreettoday.

■ theilab.co.uk

FITZGERALD HR

FitzgeraldHRisafull-service

HRconsultancyhelpingclients

torecruit,developandretain

greatpeople.ItsdedicatedHR

consultantsandspecialists

offerarangeofskillsand

experiencetosupportclients.

Specialismsinclude:

resourcingandtalent

planning;learningand

development;organisation

development;people

management;payandbenefits;

employeerelations;business

change;andoccupational

healthandsafety.

Theseenablethebusinessto

offerHRsolutionsacrossthe

entireemployeelifecycle.

■ fitzgeraldhr.co.uk

Business-to-Business

Achievement finalists

SMART MANUFACTURING

SmartManufacturingwas

foundedin1986andnow

operatesa1,600+squaremetre

factoryinBidefordequipped

withthelatesttechnology.Its

dedicatedworkforceisboth

experiencedandcapable.

Thefactoryhasrecently

beenextendedtoaddafurther

800squaremetrededicated

‘clean’assemblyareawhichwill

increaseproductivityand

enhanceproductionquality.

Itsphilosophyistoexceed

clients’expectations.

■ smart-manufacturing.co.uk

SOUTHWEST FABRICATIONS

SouthWestFabricationsisan

expandingthirdgeneration

familybusinesswith50+years’

experienceinmetalworkand

fabrication.Itprovidesexpert

precisionengineeringservices

acrossUKandEuropean

industrial,commercialand

retailsectors.It’saone-stop

shopforallmetalworkneeds,

withateamofaccomplished,

dedicatedandtalentedinhouseengineerstoseeprojects

throughfrominceptionto

fabricationtoassembly.

■ southwestfabrications.com

TIME & TIDE PA

TimeandTideBusiness

Solutionsprovidesvirtual

assistancetootherbusinesses

andcharities,helpingthemto

developcampaigns,overall

strategies,socialmedia,and

customermanagementsystems.

It’slikehavinganofficeangel!

Thebusinesswasfounded

byLornaEvanstomanage

adminandback-office

operations,freeingupbusiness

ownerstospendmoreoftheir

valuabletimeonlookingafter

theircustomers.

Servicesincludevirtual

assistant,businessmentoring

andcoaching,andonline

businessmanagement.

■ timeandtidepa.co.uk

BRADDICKS & SHERBORNE

BraddicksandSherborneare

independentfuneraldirectors

basedinIlfracombe.The

BraddicksandSherborne

familieshavemorethan100

yearsofexperience,withLee

Sherbornestartingthefamily

businessinfuneralsaged14.

TheIlfracombebranch

openedin2015andemploys

twofull-timestaff:funeral

directorAndyPunchardand

BrieStellintheoffice.The

familiescaredforcomefromas

farafieldasLyntonand

Fremington.

Sinceopening,thebusiness

hascaredfor260+local

familiesintheirtimeofneed.

■ braddicksandsherborne.co.uk

Consumer Service

Excellence finalists

THE HAIR LOUNGE

VictoriaKiffopenedTheHair

Loungein2014andisproud

thatherlatemotherwasable

towitnessthis.

Asabusinesswomanand

stylist,Victoriahasgrown

fromstrengthtostrength.

Withlittlesupportforher

education,shepushedherself

tolearnandbethebeststylist

shecan,oftentravellingto

Londonfortrainingcourses.

Victoria’struelovelieswith

curlsandsheisnowNorth

Devon’sonlycurlspecialist.

■ hairloungebarnstaple.co.uk

NAKED DOG NUTRITION

NakedDogNutritionCentreis

adedicatedveterinarynutrition

centreprovidingrawdogfood

andtreats,professional

nutritionconsultations,holistic

vetappointmentsinpersonand

online,andfunseminars.It

providesfullsupportin

improvingdogs’wellbeingvia

dietandnaturaltherapies.

Thebusinessisproudtobe

thefirstdedicatedveterinary

nutritioncentrebasedinthe

SouthWestandoneofveryfew

intheUK.

■ nakeddog.co.uk/

ROOTNOTES

BeckiDriscollstarted

RootNotestofocusonworking

locallytoherBidefordhome

andtoofferqualitymusic

workshopstopeopleofallages

andabilitiesinthearea.

Duringthepandemic,she

setupanonlinefolkensemble

onZoomwhichwasvery

successfulandattracted

peoplefromacrosstheSouth

West.Thisnowrunsasa

hybridgroupwithalternate

onlineandin-personsessions.

Shehasalsosetupregular

musicworkshopsforchildren,

familiesandyoungpeople,

providingweeklyservicesfor

some65adultsand30children.

■ rootnotes.org.uk

@businessactionm | Spring 2022 | business action 15

2022 AWARDS

BREW HOUSE COFFEE CO

TheBrewHouseCoffeeCois

anindependentcoffeeshopin

Barnstapleservinglocally

producedfoodanddrink,some

85%ofwhichisfromsmall

Devonsuppliers.Itopenedits

doorsinFebruary2021.

Withseatingforupto60to

accommodategroups,itrunsas

sustainablyasitcanandis

aimingfor100%inthefuture.

Itservesmanyregularlocal

customersaswellasvisitors,

manyofwhomreturnduring

theirstayinNorthDevon.

■ FB:@thebrewhousebarnstaple

COASTAL CABINS

CoastalCabinsoffersluxury

glampingaccommodationin

Hartlandforthosewantingto

enjoythecountrysideinstyle.

Duringlockdown,it

convertedmoreofcabinsinto

familycabinswithadditional

bunkbedsforchildren.This,

togetherwithtargeting

marketing,enableditto

achieve85%directbookings

withconsistentlyhighfive-star

Googlereviewsfromguests.

■ coastal-cabins.com

INTEGY

IntegydeliversITconsultancy

andsupportacrosstheSouth

West.Itsnamecombines

‘integration’and‘strategy’,

whichdefineitsactivities.

Integydeliversmodernend

usercomputingandcloud

solutions,helpingbusinesses

migratefromoldITtonewer,

cost-effectivealternatives.It

providesimpartial,friendly

advicetodeliverthesolution

thatisrightforeachclient.Its

ethosisaboutcollaborative

delivery,providingzerothreat

toincumbentITteams.

Ithastwodirectors,four

permanentstaff,sixcontractors

andisnowrecruiting.Basedat

theNODEinBarnstaple,ithas

alreadyoutgrowntwooffices.

■ integy.co.uk

➤ BakedWellatHome

➤ TheBrewHouseCoffeeCo

➤ ByJacquelineJ

➤ ByronWoolacombeHolidays

➤ CountryWays

➤ dcAlloys

➤ EmmaWrightCoaching

➤ ExmoorFlowers

➤ GrazeMeUp

Excellence in Hospitality &

Tourism finalists

sponsored by

MarsdensDevonCottagesisanindependentfamilybusiness

whichstartedin1973.We’vegrownalotsincetheearlydays,but

ourpromisetoprovidetheverybestservice–aswellasa

fantasticrangeofgreatplacestostay–hasn’tchangedonebit.As

everyyeargoesby,ourexperiencecontinuestogrow.

OurofficeisinBrauntonandmostofourstafflivelocallyand

manyofthemhavebeenwithusforanumberofyears.They

knowtheareawell,havevisitedmanyofthepropertiesthemselves

andcanofferwell-informedrecommendations.Justask!

Allourpropertiesarevisitedandinspectedbyourstaff

regularlysowecanusuallyansweranyquestionsyoumayhave

aboutaparticularproperty.Ifwedon’tknowtheanswerourselves

thenit’sneveraproblemtogetintouchwiththeproperty

owners.Weenjoygoodrelationshipswithallourowners.

Weareproudofourportfolioofover350properties.However,

thatmeansnothingwithoutyourapproval.Toensureourholiday

accommodationmeets–andexceeds–yourhighexpectations,

ourin-houseassessorsworktostrictcriteriatoensureafairand

accuratestargradingthroughoutourportfolio.Allourproperties

meetourstringentMinimumEntryRequirements(MER).

■ marsdens.co.uk

Outstanding New Business

finalists

NORTH DEVON MARINE

NorthDevonMarinewas

establishedtobuildagreater

understandingbetween

technologicaladvancesin

marinepowerandpropulsion

technology,andtoincrease

oceanliteracytoprojectthe

benefitofcarbonzero

technology,inspiringpositive

transformativechangeacross

themaritimesector.

Theprojectstartedoutby

rejectingdieselinitsprototype

sailingvesseltoproveitcould

runwithoutdieselback-up

andtoexploretheissuesthe

marineworldfaces.

■ northdevonmarine.com

SNOW LIMITS CONSULTING

SnowLimitsConsultingwas

startedbyClaireSnowand

focusesontwomainareas:

business-to-business,whereit

helpscustomersthatare

growingsuccessfullymanage

change,andworkingdirectly

withindividualstocreateaCV

thathelpsthemlandtheir

dreamjobandcareercoaching

iftheyaren’tsurewhatthat

dreamjobisorhowtogetit.

AlthoughClairehad

dreamedofrunningherown

business,sheattendedalife

coachingcoursein2018that

ledhertoputthisintoaction.

■ linkedin.com/in/claire-snow/

Thank you to 29 new business entrants

Withsomanyentrantsinthiscategory,thecompetitionwas

overwhelmingandwebelieveallentrantsdeserverecognitionfor

startinganewbusiness,soheretheyare...

➤ HappyWholefoods

➤ Heart,Smoke&Soal

➤ KatherineJanePPA

➤ LittleCityNorthDevon

➤ LittledartFulfilment

➤ TheLynValleyDogHouse

➤ Minigolf2U

➤ NextStepsTutors

THE GROVE INN

TheGroveInnisan

independentvillagepubatthe

heartofthecommunityof

KingsNymptonproviding

locallysourcedfoodanddrink

tobothlocalsandtourists.

Afamilybusiness,withboth

sonsbornsincetheybought

thepubin2003andnow

workingthere,thepubemploys

ateamofthreeandwas

recentlynamed‘SmallBusiness

ApprenticeEmployerofthe

Year2021’byPetroc.

■ thegroveinn.co.uk

LEE HOUSE

AttheheartofLynton,Lee

Houseoffersguestscomfort

andrelaxationinahomefrom-home19thcentury

house.Theatmosphereis

relaxedandpeaceful.

Thefamilybusinessprides

itselfontheserviceitoffersto

guestsandalwaysprovidesa

warmwelcomeandensures

guestsareawareoflocal

activities.Theirgardenhas

wonthreegoldawardsinthe

LyninBloomcompetition.

■ leehouse-lynton.co.uk

WAYMAKERS

WayMakersisacommunity

interestcompanyproviding

supportforneurodiversity,

accessibilityandinclusionfor

autisticpeopleage14+.

Itprovidesspecialist

person-centred,strengthsbasedstrategycoachingto

supportindividualstomanage

challengesandtransitionsin

life;organisationaltrainingin

autismforemployers,HR

professionals,healthandcare

providers,andartsand

community-based

organisations;jobcoachingfor

thosefacingchallengesat

work;andpeersupportgroups

forautisticpeople.

Ithasonepaidemployeeand

threenon-executivedirectors.

■ waymakers.co.uk

➤ NorthDevonTravelClinic

➤ Northleigh

➤ RootNotes

➤ SaltandPepper

➤ SilkCrystalStudio

➤ ThreadLOXX

➤ TiaLeePermanentMakeup

➤ Wilson’sPoultry

16 business action | Spring 2022 | business-action.co.uk

2022 AWARDS

Excellence in Construction

finalists

sponsored by

Weareoneoftheleadingindependentbuildersmerchantsinthe

SouthWestoperatingoutof22locationsacrossDevon,Cornwall

andSomerset.Atourbranchesyou’llfindawiderangeofhigh

qualityproductsinstock,includinglandscaping,plumbingand

heating,decorating,andgeneralbuildingmaterials,aswellas

dedicatedkitchenandbathroomshowrooms.

Ourbranchteamsarehighlyknowledgeableandonhandto

offeranytechnicalassistance,recommendproductsfromour

extensivestock,andassistwithanyprojectsyou’reundertaking.

Whetherit’sourknowledgeableandreliablestaff,orourgreat

rangeofproducts,weaimtogothatextramileforyou;whether

you’rebuilding,maintaining,renovatingorrepairing.

We’redelightedtobeinvolvedinrecognisingalocalheroin

theconstructionindustry,asectorveryrelevanttoourbusiness!

■Visitrgbltd.co.uk

ADVANCED SCAFFOLDING

AdvancedScaffolding(SW)Ltd

providesscaffoldingforall

kindsofworks,predominately

construction,buildingnew

houses/structures,re-roofing,

decorating,generalproperty

maintenance,emergency

scaffoldingduetostorm

damage,fire,flood,etc.

Itistheforemostscaffolding

companyinDevon,withits

maindepotinBarnstapleanda

seconddepotinExeter.It

coversthewholeofDevonand

Cornwall,andhascontracts

takingitallovertheSouthof

EnglandandWales.

■ advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk

TAYLOR MADE ELECTRICAL

TaylorMadeElectricalin

BarnstapleisrunbyRob

Weatherley,whohas25years’

experienceasanelectrician

and17years’experience

runninghisownfamily

business–HBWeatherley&

Sons.Highlyprofessional,Rob

focusesoncustomerservice.

TaylorMadeisaTrustMark

registeredcontractoranda

NAPITregisteredelectrician.

Projectsrangefrom

agriculturalworkshopsto

listedchurches,milking

parlours,fullassessmentand

wiringoflightindustrialunits

aswellasdomesticrewiring.

■ taylormadeelectrical.co.uk

SWC BUILDERS

SWCBuildersspecialisesinall

aspectsofconstructionand

offersauniquepackageto

design,manageandbuild

almostanythingin-house.

Ithasacloseteamofsix

guyswhoworkfull-timeand

alsocallsuponmanyother

tradestohelpofferacomplete

andcomprehensiveservice.

Ithassupportedanumber

ofstafftobecomeskilled

generalbuildersandtheyare

encouragedtoconstantlylearn

fromthemoreexperienced

builders.Thequalityof its

workreflectsthisapproach.

■ swcbuilders.co.uk

ZW ROOFING

ZWRoofingcoversallaspects

ofroofing,specialisingin

heritageandspecialistleadwork.

Ithasfourfull-timestaffand

pridesitselfonperfection.

Thebusinessisuniquewith

regardstoleadworkwithinand

beyondNorthDevon.Ithas

investedmuchtimeintheskills

andexperiencetooffera

servicenotwidelyavailable,

includingLevel3NVQheritage

inmetalroofing.Itcarriesout

workonbehalfofbuildersand

otherroofingcompaniesand

completesalotofworkon

prestigebuildingsinand

aroundNorthDevon.

■ zwroofing.co.uk

@businessactionm | Spring 2022 | business action 17

2022 HEADER AWARDS

DIAMEDICA

Diamedicadesignsand

manufacturesanaestheticand

respiratoryproductsforlow

resourcesettings.Itsproducts

arerobust,easytooperateand

simpletoservice,soare

appropriateforhealthcare

providersworkingindifficult

environments,whereaccessto

medicaloxygenand/or

electricityislimited.This

enablesthedeliveryofsafe

surgicalcareusingappropriate

technology,in-countrycustomer

serviceandproducttraining.

Diamedicacurrently

providessafeanaesthesiato

someofthepoorestandmost

isolatedpeopleintheworld.

■ diamedica.co.uk

JACKSON & YOUNG

JacksonandYoungconsistsof

threeparts:aworkingartists

studio,anartgalleryandafine

artprintroom,whichis

offeredasaservicetoother

artists.Duringthepandemic,

thispartofthebusiness

flourishedandthewebsite

reallyblossomedwiththe

additionofthefacilityfor

artiststouploadtheirown

artworkonline,24hoursaday.

ArtistsfromallovertheUK

nowuseittoorderprints.

Thebusinessinvestedinits

printingandscanning

equipmenttoremedythelack

ofaservicetoproducehigh

qualityartprintslocally.

■ jacksonandyoung.co.uk

VICTORIA KIFF

Victoriabeganherhairdressing

careerin2009asanapprentice

inasmallsalon.Withminimal

support,shecompletedthe

programmeandprogressedto

herLevel3qualification,

workingintwomoresalonsas

aself-employedstylist.In2013,

Victoriawasofferedaspacein

alocalstoreandopenedThe

HairLoungesaloninMay2014.

Victoria’slatemotherwas

abletowitnessthelaunchof

thebusiness.Sincethen,

Victoriahascontinuedher

learningandtrainingandhas

bloomedasabusinesswoman

andastylist.

■ hairloungebarnstaple.co.uk

International Trade & Exports

finalists

EXTREME CASES

ExtremeCasesdesigns,

manufacturesandsupplies

robustruggedcases,

containersandbackpacksfor

toughenvironmentstoprotect

sensitiveequipmentinthe

field,duringtransitandin

operationformilitaryand

commercialapplications.

Theseareusedworldwide

byUKMoD,theBundeswehr

(GermanArmy),NATOand

EuropeanSpecialForces.Also

frontlineserviceslikeRNLI,

MetPoliceandBorderControl.

■ extreme-cases.com

STANNP

Stannpwasestablishedwiththe

purposeofofferingaselfserviceSaaSsolutionfor

printingandposting,offering

companiesafullydigital,

integratedsolutionfortheir

postalneeds.

Stannpemploys42peoplein

theUKinBarnstapleandthree

peopleintheUSAinDenver.

TheStannp.complatformisa

UKwebsitewithUSand

Canadianversions.Stannp

continuestoexpandandis

recruitingintheUKandUSA.

■ stannp.com

Made in North Devon finalists

MOO FREE CHOCOLATES

MooFreeisafamily-owned

andrunbusinessmaking

award-winningfreefromand

veganchocolateinitsfactoryin

Holsworthy.Itsproductsare

dairyfree,soyafree,glutenfree

anditonlyusesorganicor

RainforestAllianceCocoainits

chocolate.Itdevelopsand

producesitsuniquerecipesfor

theMooFreebrand,whichis

stockedinmostmajor

supermarkets,itsownonline

storeandexportedoverseas.

Italsodevelopsandproduces

chocolateforselectsupermarket

own-brandproducts.

■ moofreechocolates.com

ND PRECISION PRODUCTS

NDPrecisionProductsisa

thrivingthirdgeneration

family-runtoolmakingand

precisionengineering

companybasedinBarnstaple.

TheNDstandsforNorth

Devon,wherethecompanyis

extremelygladtobebased.

NDPP’srangeofservices

includeplasticinjection

mouldmaking,wireerosion,

EDMdrilling,presstool

manufacture,laserwelding,

injectionmoulding,gauge

making,precisionmachining,

high-speedmillingandjigs

andfixturemanufacturing.

■ ndprecisionproducts.co.uk

Young Achiever finalists

TIA LEE

TiajoinedaToni&Guyhair

salonatjust16yearsoldand

wentontotrainasanail

technicianandmake-upartist

togivepeoplethetreatments

theywantedtofeelbeautiful.

Duringashortbreakto

haveherdaughter,Tia

researchedtrainingtodevelop

hercareerfurther.Shealso

movedfromKenttoDevon

and,afterinvestingheavilyin

training,hasrebuilther

clientelebasetoestablisha

thrivingbeautyandmake-up

businessattheageof20.

■ tialeepermanentmakeup.co.uk

WILL & OLI MARTIN

AfterattendingWestBuckland

School,Oliworkedinlogistics

andWilltooklawatuniversity

beforebothreturnedtothe

familye-commercebusiness.

Oliidentifiedanumberof

inefficienciesintheecommerce

worldandstartedidentifying

softwareandimprovingthe

storage,pickandpack

operation(fulfilment).

Wonderingiftheycould

offerthistootherbusinesses,

thebrotherslaunchedLittledart

Fulfilmentandnowhave14

clientsandtwowarehouses.

■ littledartfulfilment.co.uk

THREADLOXX

ThreadLOXXisasmall

businesswithaglobal

presence,manufacturing

solelyfromitsworkshopin

Barnstaple.Thebusinesswas

bornoutoflockdownsandis

nowconsideredabigpartof

thedreadlockcommunity

worldwide,havingsold

thousandsofproductsinthe

pasttwoyears.Italsooffersa

rangeofdreadlockaccessories

madefromvariousmaterials.

ThreadLOXXhasnow

establishedanetworkof

stockistsincludingsixinthe

USAandinAustralia,

NetherlandsandFinland.

■ threadloxx.com

TURNSTYLE DESIGNS

TurnstyleDesignsmanufactures

luxuryhardwareforhigh-end

residential,commercialand

yachtprojects.Itisnowoneof

thebiggestluxuryhardware

manufacturersandhasbuilta

globalreputation.

Itproducesabroadpalette

ofproducts,usingawidechoice

ofmaterialsincludinghandstitchedleather,machinedand

hammeredbrassware,aswellas

itsowncompositecalled

Amalfine TM .Italsousesarange

ofcustommaterialsincluding

glass,shellandtimber.

Theteamtakespridein

producingsomeoftheworld’s

finestdoorandcabinethardware.

■ turnstyledesigns.com

GEORGE ROBINSON

George’ssecondseason

workingforaskicompanyin

theItalianAlpswascutshort

bythepandemicwhenhe

returnedhomeandstarted

workinginthefamily

business,SoSweet,whichhas

sixsweetstoresinDevon.

Withtheshopsimpactedby

lockdown,Georgelearntweb

sitedesignanddevelopmentto

buildtheSoSweetwebsite.

SinceApril2020,thesitehas

generated£3millionoforders

andthebusinesshasattracted

700,000followersonTikTok.

Attheageof21,George

nowemployssevenstaffto

supporthim.

■ sosweetshop.co.uk

18 business action | Spring 2022 | business-action.co.uk

COASTAL CABINS

CoastalCabinsoffersluxury

glampingaccommodationin

Hartland.Inresponsetothe

challengesofthepandemic,it

developeditsuseofsocial

media,especiallyInstagram

whereitattractssome20,000

followers,alongsideworking

withinfluentialbloggers.

Itattracts85%ofbookings

directthroughitswebsiteand

isworkingtodevelopitsonline

presencefurtherwithmore

tailoredcontentforitsguests

andvisitorstoNorthDevon.

■ coastal-cabins.com

THE HAIR LOUNGE

Duringlockdowns,Victoria

Kiffcreatedtutorialsonhow

clientscouldmanagetheir

hairwhiletheywereunableto

visitTheHairLounge.

Victoriausesarangeof

digitaltools,includingTimely

forappointmentmanagement,

Zettleforpayments,Xerofor

accountingandSmartMixby

PrecisionColourtominimise

wastedcolourchemicalsand

recordclients’colourrecords.

■ hairloungebarnstaple.co.uk

2022 HEADER AWARDS

Digital & Online Achievement

finalists

sponsored by

Your local web design and digital marketing company

PeakOnlineprovidessuperbwebdesigntosuitallbudgets,from

ourmostsimpletemplatedwebsitestocustomisedWordPress

designs–whateveryourbusinessneeds,wecanhelpyoufinda

solution.WearetheleadersofwebdesigninNorthDevonand

supportclientsinawiderangeofindustrieswithvaryingneeds.

BasedinBidefordandservingbusinessesfromIlfracombeto

SouthMolton,ClovellytoCrediton,weofferwebdesignandan

assortmentofdigitalmarketingservices–SEO,SocialMedia,Pay

PerClick(PPC),andemailmarketing.

Customerserviceisalwaystopofouragendaandwestriveto

makeyourexperienceofwebdesignanddigitalmarketingas

straightforwardandasfluidaspossible.

Discounted services for charities

Didyouknowthatifyouarearegisteredcharity,PeakOnlinecan

offeryoua20%discountonallourservices?

Wealreadyprovideservicestothreelocal‘Mind’sinSouth

Walesandlookforwardtoextendingoursupporttocharitiesin

NorthDevon.Welovetoprovidesupporttothosetohelpothers

inourlocalcommunities!

■ peak-online.uk

LITTLEDART FULFILMENT

LittledartinWitheridge

providesbespokeecommerce

fulfilment,whichincludes

supplyingthewarehouse,

pickingteamandshipping

contactstomakesureordersgo

outaswellasatop-of-the-line

systembackedbyseriously

clevertechnologytomakesure

theorderscomein.

Spunofffromthefamily

business,itisrunbybrothers

OliandWillMartin,bothin

their20s.

■ littledartfulfilment.co.uk

STANNP

Stannpwasincorporatedin

June2014withthepurposeof

offeringaSaaSsolutionfor

directmail,providingafully

digital,integratedsolutionfor

clients’directmailneeds.

Stannphasdisruptedthe

directmailindustryby

developingitsownsoftware

enablingcustomerstodesign

postcards,lettersandgreeting

cardswithpowerfulmail

mergetoolsandbuilt-in

tracking.

■ stannp.com

@businessactionm | Spring 2022 | business action 19

EARTH FRIENDLY FOODWARE

EarthFriendlyFoodware

suppliescompostable‘foodand

drinktogo’packagingand‘hot’

composterstoUKandEuropean

businesses,schoolsandcharities.

Anunderpinningbusiness

valueistheenvironment.The

businessaimistointroduce

alternativestooil-basedplastic

insingle-usehospitalitysettings.

Itsuppliesonlycompostable

packagingproductsmadefrom

plants,accreditedundera

Britishstandardandcarrying

theOKCompostkitemark.

■ earthfriendlyfoodware.co.uk

PURA VIDA STORES

PuraVidaStoresprovidean

eco-friendlyshopping

alternative.Itopeneditsecofriendlyandplastic-freeshop

inGammonWalk,Barnstaple

inDecember2020toprovidea

widerangeofproductsto

meethomelivingneeds.

Itaimstobeaswastefree

andethicalaspossible,

sourcingproductslocallyand

ensuringproductssourced

furtherafieldarefairtrade

andethicallyproduced.Itis

2022 AWARDS

Sustainable Business finalists

sponsored by

TheNorthDevonUNESCOBiospherewasthefirstofsevensuch

designatedareasintheUKwiththepurposeofsecuringabetter

futurebylinkingpeopleandnature.Asmanybusinessesdepend

onandbenefitfromthebiosphere’sspecialqualities,businesses

havearesponsibilitytohelppreserveandregeneratethe

landscapeandenvironment.

ReachingtotheheightsofDartmoorandExmoorandviathe

seatoLundy,NorthDevon’sBiosphereReserveisoneof621

Reservesin117countriesdesignated.

Developingpartnershipsandmanagingprojectsfora

sustainablefutureinNorthDevon,TheNorthDevonBiosphere

teamworktomaintainourworldclassenvironmentandthehigh

qualityoflifewegetfromit.Weareheretohelpandadviseand

facilitatepartnershipsandprojects.

■ northdevonbiosphere.org.uk

committedtosourcingcruelty

andchemical-freebeautyand

cleaningproducts.

■ puravidastores.co.uk

ST MICHAEL’S NURSERY

StMichael’sNurserywelcomes

childrenagedthreemonthsto

fouryears.Itscaring,

experiencedanddedicated

teamof28includesrolesfrom

nurserynursetoapprentice,

sendco,mathschampion,eco

teamrepresentativeand

outdoorlearning.Ithasan

educationalprogrammeforits

childrentolearnandwonder

abouttheenvironmentandhas

achievedSurfersAgainstSewage

‘Plastic-FreeNursery’status.

■ stmichaels-nursery.org

YAFFLE & BOSK

Yaffle&Boskproduces

beautifulmade-to-order

diningtablesusingUK-grown

hardwoodsfromDevon-based

sawmills.Sometablesmay

travelfewerthan50miles

fromtreetofinishedproduct.

OwnerandcarpenterRob

Williamsuseslocalsuppliers

andindependentswhereverhe

canandisestablishingthis

newbrand.Hisaimistomake

andsellhigh-quality,lowvolumefurniturethatwilllast

manylifetimesandpromote

theuseofthefantastic

resourceswehaveavailableon

outdoorstepinNorthDevon.

■ yaffleandbosk.com

Holiday getaways from the

South West’s leading self-catering lettings agency

MarsdensDevonCottagesis

anindependentfamily

businesswhichstartedin

1973.We’vegrownalotsince

theearlydaysoflettingour

firstself-cateringholiday

cottages,butourpromiseto

providetheverybestservice–

aswellasafantasticrangeof

greatplacestostay–hasn’t

changedonebit.Aseveryyear

goesby,ourexperience

continuestogrow.

Local knowledge to help you

choose the perfect holiday let

Ourofficeisinthepretty

NorthDevonvillageof

Braunton,whichisclosetothe

beachesatSaunton,Croyde

andWoolacombe.Mostofour

stafflivelocallyandmanyof

themhavebeenwithusfora

numberofyears.Thismeans

theyknowtheareawell,have

visitedmanyoftheproperties

themselvesandcanofferwell

informedrecommendations.

Justask!

sponsor of the

Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism

Award 2002

Ofcourseourknowledge

extendsfarbeyondBraunton

andthebeachesofNorth

Devon.Allourpropertiesare

visitedandinspectedbyour

staffregularlysowecan

usuallyansweranyquestions

youmayhaveabouta

particularproperty.Ifwedon’t

knowtheanswerourselves

thenit’sneveraproblemtoget

intouchwiththeproperty

owners.Weenjoygood

relationshipswithallour

owners.

Our assurance that your

holiday cottage will be all you

hoped for

Weareproudofourportfolio

ofover350properties.

However,thatmeansnothing

withoutyourapproval.To

makesuretheholiday

accommodationweprovide

meets–andexceeds–your

highexpectations,ourinhouseassessorsworktostrict

criteriatoensureafairand

accuratestargrading

throughoutourwhole

portfolio.Whetheraproperty

issmallorsimple,largeor

luxuriousorahomefrom

home,allourpropertiesmeet

ourstringentMinimumEntry

Requirements(MER).

Whenyoustaywithuswe’ll

askyoutofillinashort

questionnaireafteryourstay

toprovideuswithyour

feedbackonwhatyoulikedor

dislikedaboutaproperty.Soif

there’ssomethingyouthinkwe

candotoimprove,letusknow.

Itwillhelptomakeusbetter.

Gotanyquestions?Getin

touchwiththeteamon01271

813777oremailusat

devon@marsdens.co.uk

20 business action | Spring 2022 | business-action.co.uk

2022 AWARDS

Our North Devon Business Awards 2022 judges: (from left) Rod Martin, Rachael Taylor, Mike Matthews, Frank Stone, Susie Kevern and Vic Mahajan

Awards judges assess high quality entries

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS

Susie Kevern

Pound Lane

Financial Management

SusieKevernisachartered

managementaccountantwith

20years’experienceworkingin

businesseslargeandsmall.

Overthepast10yearsshehas

builtanindependent

consultancyadvisinggrowing

businessesonmanagingtheir

financestosecurehealthy

profitsandstablecashflow.

Currently,herclients

includenationallyrecognised

brandsaswellaslocal

businesses,insectorsranging

fromprofessionalservices

firmstomanufacturingand

retailbusinesses.

■ Details07801199671or

poundlane.co.uk

MANUFACTURING

Vikas Mahajan

Aramis Rugby

VikasMahajanfounded

AramisRugby(Europe)in

2000andofficiallytookonthe

roleofleadingAramisRugby

Ltd(worldwide)inAugust2013.

BorninIndia,Vikasisthe

thirdgenerationinafamily

businessestablishedsince

1927.Hegraduatedfrom

universitywithadegreein

Economics,Businessand

Accountancy.Inthemidnineties,heattainedaMaster’s

degreeinInternational

Businesswithspecialisationin

tradewiththeEuropean

Union.Hethentrainedwith

LufthansaAirlinesatits

CustomerLoyaltyprogramme

divisioninNewDelhi.Inthe

late1990s,heattainedhis

secondMaster’sdegreein

BusinessAdministration

(MBA)fromBremen

University,Germanywitha

specialisationinGlobal

Managementand

Linda Middleton-Jones

Entrepreneurship.Today,allof

AramisRugbyscrum

machinessoldworldwideare

manufacturedatitsfactoryin

SouthMolton,Devonand

thenexportedworldwide.

■ Details01769550284or

aramisrugby.co.uk

PERSONAL FINANCE

Rod Martin

Together Financial Solutions

RodMartinbeganhiscareerin

financeover25yearsagoand

workedformanyyearsinthe

propertyinvestmentindustry

inLondon.Hethenmovedin

tothebankingsector,spending

severalyearsworkingwithin

themortgagesandwealth

managementsectorsduring

whichtimehealsoranhisown

businessesbothintheUKand

overseaspropertymarkets.

Rodisnowhappilysettled

backinDevonwhereheworks

withTogetherFinancialin

Barnstaplelookingafterclients’

pensionsandinvestmentsasa

financialplanningadviser.

■ Details01271346123or

togetherfinancialsolutions.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY

Mike Matthews

Lineal Software Solutions

MikeMatthewsismanaging

directorofBarnstaple-based

LinealSoftwareSolutions,

whichbeganinthe1980sasa

businessapplicationsoftware

provider(accounts,stock,

MRP),andhasgrownto

becomeacomprehensive,

multidisciplinaryITcompany

withateamof25+employees.

Mikeisformerchairmanof

theNorthDevonFederationof

SmallBusinesses(FSB)and

takesakeeninterestin

supportingNorthDevon’slocal

businessesandeconomy.Heis

afrequentspeakeratbusiness

eventsacrosstheregion.

■ Details01271375999or

lineal.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Linda Middleton-Jones

International Trade Matters

LindaMiddleton-Jonesisthe

founderandmanagingdirector

ofInternationalTradeMatters.

SheiswellknowninNorth

Devonforherworkwiththe

NorthDevonManufacturing

AssociationandSWMAS.

Hercompanyadviseson

internationalstrategicgrowth

planstoaccessnewmarkets,

compliancechecks,auditsand

authorisations.Lindaisalso

chairmanoftheAcademic

BoardoftheInstituteofExport

andadirectoratDevonand

PlymouthChamberof

Commerce.

■ Details01398332881or

internationaltradematters.com

DESIGN

Helen Pedlar

Frank Stone

Kameleon

FrankStoneisacreative

thinkerwhostartedoutonthe

designtrailin1994,launching

hisfirstbusiness20yearsago,

andcurrentlydirectorof

KameleoninBarnstaple.

Withnoformaltrainingor

qualifications,Frankhas

establishedabusinessbuilton

strongreputation,long-term

workingrelationshipsand

excellentcustomerservice,

resultinginamixofclients

largeandsmall,local,national

andinternational,someof

whomhavebeenwithhim

since1999!

■ Details01271634417or

kameleondigital.uk

RETAIL

Helen Pedlar

Pedlars of Ilfracombe

HelenPedlarispartofa150-

year-oldIlfracombefamily

business,nowinitssixth

generation.Helen’s

involvementwiththestore

startedatanearlyagebefore

shetookabreaktostudy

Textilesatuniversity.Todaythe

businessischaracterisedbyits

friendlyandhelpfulstaffwho

arehappytobeofassistance

andalwayspreparedtogothat

extramiletoensurecustomer

satisfaction.

■ DetailsatFacebook

@pedlarsofilfracombe

BUSINESS FINANCE

Rachael Taylor

SWIG Finance

RachaelTaylorhasbeenin

financeforthepast22years,

movingtoNorthDevonin

2007whereshewasalocal

commercialmanagerfor

LloydsBank.

In2019shestartedwith

SWIGFinanceasbusiness

managercoveringDevon

whereshecontinuesto

supportSMEswiththeir

businesses.

■ Details01872223883or

swigfinance.co.uk

@businessactionm | Spring 2022 | business action 21

Business Action | Spring 2022

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