EXETER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS GET INTO THE ‘SPIRIT’ OF ART

Ben de Cruz, Haines Watts/ Kelly Johnson Exeter Phoenix / Rachel Billen Browne Jacobson LLP / Frances Matteson Exeter Phoenix/ Lisa Crockford Haines Watts & Matt Burrows Exeter Phoenix

A new cocktail was created on behalf of Southernhay based Chartered Accountants, Haines Watts at an exclusive awards ceremony and exhibition opening at Exeter Phoenix.  Main sponsors of the main £1000 award for the National Open Contemporary Art Award at Exeter Phoenix for the 7^th consecutive year, the innovative accountants wanted to put a new twist on this year’s pre-view event by running a competition to name the new cocktail inspired by the artwork on display.

Over 200 artists and local business leaders attended the launch party and awards announcement of the Exeter Contemporary Open, Devon's only international open contemporary art exhibition.  Guests were invited to enter the Haines Watts competition to name the new cocktail created specifically for the exhibition by local Mixologist, David Williams of The Bikeshed Theatre.  The cocktail was made-up of two main components of gin and elderflower complemented by fresh lemon and non-alcoholic ‘Mocktails’ without the spirit were also available on the evening. 

Local solicitor, Rachel Billen from Browne Jacobson LLP which recently acquired the Employment and Insurance Practices of Veitch Penny, Exeter came up with the winning name of ‘Cecilled in Gin’ which was inspired by the photograph 'Cecil' by Siobhan raw, exhibited in Exeter Contemporary Open 2012. 

Ben de Cruz Managing Partner of Haines Watts Exeter says: “Having sponsored this event for a number of years, we wanted to add a new element and dimension for 2012.  The cocktail was delicious and proved very popular, and was a great way to welcome guests to the exhibition. The competition angle also encouraged our guests to look at the artwork in a new light.”

The exciting new cocktail will be available to purchase at the Exeter Phoenix Café/Bar throughout the exhibition which runs from 13 September – 1 November 2012.

DEVON INDEPENDENT OFFICE STUDIO COMPANY COMES OF AGE WITH BRAND NEW LOOK



Established in 1991 and boasting one of the most comprehensive ranges of bespoke sectional buildings in the South West, independent Devon company John Shields Woodwork based near Okehampton, celebrates its 21st anniversary with a new corporate brand.  Working in the community, domestic and commercial markets; blue-chip clients include The National Trust and RNLI. The new company brand was created to reflect the three main areas of the business; ‘Shields Buildings’, ‘Shields Studios’ and ‘Shields Commercial’.

 

John Shields, Shields Building says: “We have developed a loyal following over the last couple of decades with a proven track record for manufacturing high-quality bespoke buildings in both contemporary and traditional styles. Whether you enjoy arts and crafts, hobbies; work from home or just need extra storage space, then a bespoke garden studio/office is just the ticket to turn a house into your perfect home.  This is a very exciting time for the business and celebrating this special anniversary seemed the right time to create a new company name and brand to more accurately reflect the services we offer to very different clients.”

John Shields of Shields Buildings



There are further milestone celebrations as the innovative and expanding company responds to customer demand by launching its first architecturally-designed garden office studio.  The stylish new contemporary studio incorporates highly efficient year-round insulation and the latest advances in building technology with extensive glazing and energy saving materials. 

John Shields, Shields Buildings says: “We are moving into a new era and the market is constantly changing with more and more business owners and professionals choosing to work from home rather than face the daily commute.  Using the garden is a great way to expand your living space − I am very excited about our newly developed range of contemporary studios designed by architects, incorporating eco-friendly green products which not only look stunning but are fully-functional all year-round.”



John Shields celebrates launch of new architecturally-designed office studio



www.shieldsstudios.co.uk

www.shieldsbuildings.co.uk



Exeter Business EXPO gets off to a flying start!

The inaugural Business Expo ‘Business Gives Back’ held at Exeter Racecourse in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) during ‘National Air Ambulance Week’ is confirmed as a resounding success by organisers, thebestofexeter.

Glen King, Glen King PR / Michelle Downey, Head of thebestof / Derek Philips, Vice-Chairman Exeter Chamber of Commerce / Hélena Holt, CEO DAAT / Tim Jones FRICS, Chairman - Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership/ Linda Bennett, Managing Director thebestofexeter / Dave Barr, Business Gives Back Expo / Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director DAAT

More than 400 delegates had the opportunity to visit local business exhibition stands and seminars presented by key-note speakers chaired by Derek Philips plus 1:1 business clinics in ‘The Business Advice Centre’.

The day kicked-off with an early morning ‘Big Breakfast’ chaired by Nick Agg-Manning and Exeter Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking lunch for members and non-members who pre-booked. Each of the 100 exhibitors generously donated £17,000 worth of business prizes in line with the “Business Gives Back” ethos for the charity prize draw in aid of DAAT. A total of £612 including a donation from thebestofexeter was raised for this worthy local cause during ‘National Air Ambulance Week.’

Tim Jones FRICS, Chairman - Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership gave the opening address and was joined by Michelle Downey Head of thebestof, Linda Bennett Managing Director of thebestofexeter and Caroline Creer Fundraising Director DAAT

Michelle Downey Head of thebestof says: ”Giving something back to the businesses of Exeter has been wholeheartedly achieved at the inaugural thebestofexeter Business Expo supporting a very worthy local cause. In my role as Head of thebestof I attend business events across the UK, yet the enthusiasm, passion and camaraderie I found at the Exeter Business Expo was amazing.  The help and support offered to each other by local businesses is incredible and there is a real sense of pride for independents in Exeter and Devon as a whole.  This was the launch of Business Gives Back Expo for thebestofexeter and it promises to get bigger and better.  When speaking to exhibitors throughout the course of the day, many are already keen to book for next year.”

Business Gives Back EXPO organised by thebestof Exeter, sponsored by Exeter Racecourse & Peninsular OneSource, with support from Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Business Network SW, Basepoint Business Centres and 4Networking. 

Each year it costs around £4.5m to keep the Devon Air Ambulance service airborne with every penny coming from donations and fundraising by the community and businesses. National Air Ambulance Week is 24th – 30th September which has an emphasis on raising awareness of the services in addition to raising funds.  

Triple Exam Success for Local Chartered Accountants

It’s a triple celebration for three team members of Exeter based chartered accountants; Haines Watts who have each passed their professional exams.  

Andy Chant (32) has completed his final exams enabling him to become a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT).  Emma Banfield (22) joined the firm in October 2010 and is looking forward to developing her career with Haines Watts after passing the first two Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) exams.  Finally, Ryan Lewis (24) who has been with the local office for four years has recently completed the professional stage of his ACA qualification,  bringing him a step closer to gaining his Chartered Accountancy qualification. 

Ben de Cruz, Senior Partner Haines Watts Exeter says: “We believe it is fundamental to invest in our staff training and we are very proud of the hard work they have put in to achieve such great results.  By having an experienced and qualified  team and being able to offer a range of services means we can ensure our clients are receiving the best service.”  

www.hwca.com/accountants-exeter

City Centre Manager ‘Slashes’ Ribbon to Officially Open New Café

City Centre Manager John Harvey officially opens an exciting new Moroccan-style café based at Evolution, a spiritualist centre and shop.  The unconventional ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by John using a traditional Viking sword and Buddhist prayer flags and proprietor Dudley Hambleton dressed as ‘Merlin’. 

The new ‘Crystal Café’ which opened for business on 7^th July, seats up to 45 customers in the intimate dining room and outside private courtyard.  Exeter-man Luc Francis, an experienced chef has created a bespoke menu where customers can choose from a selection of high-quality organic, vegetarian and vegan fare to make their own perfect repast. All produce is sourced locally, freshly prepared daily on site and served on historically accurate crockery from the 16^th/17^th Century accompanied by bronze cutlery. 

Based in Fore Street, Evolution has had only one change of ownership over the last 20 years before being acquired by local businessman Dudley Hambleton in November 2011. Switching from ‘corporate to crystals’, former co-director of Concorde Copiers, Dudley purchased the business in November last year and has invested substantial funds in refurbishment, updating and extending the number of services and products on offer. This includes selling ethnic clothing, fair-trade African jewellery and a comprehensive range of exciting ‘wizardry and magical’ books for both children and adults.  Since taking ownership, Dudley has also introduced a diverse range of workshops and therapies by a full qualified team of counsellors and therapists hosted in numerous therapy and seminar rooms located in the three storey building.

Dudley Hambleton Proprietor Evolution says: “In my previous role I was co-director and founder member of Concorde Copiers which we built up into a very successful business with branches across the South West. At that time I was very much deep-rooted in the commercial world, however, one day out of the blue I had an amazing and unexpected first-hand spiritualist experience which changed my life.  As a result I know my calling is in the spiritual world and find myself much more fulfilled and at peace. It is my desire to make Evolution ‘The Spiritual Centre of the South West’ with  something for everyone including different and interesting sessions held in the evenings including astrology, crystal therapy, mediation and a drum circle.”  

John Harvey City Centre Manager says: “It’s an absolute pleasure to reopen Evolution, one of the many fabulous independent businesses in Fore Street. The eclectic and exciting mix of retailers in Fore Street is strengthened by the presence of Evolution and I wish the team the best of luck in growing their business over the coming months and years. The team at Evolution are great and their future is a bright one.”

Photography by Mark Campbell, On The Mark Photography - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk