Art Project Aims to Raise Profile of Local Artists and Funds for Charity

Front Row : Jeremy Jackson

Art, charity and travel have been combined in a unique collaborative project launched by Woodbury-based Jeremy Jackson with an illustrious career as an artist, writer and honorary pastor and former public relations executive spanning 30 years. Despite retiring six years ago, flamboyant Jeremy is far from taking it easy and his latest new venture combines two of his greatest passions – paintings and people.  As well as supporting a charity that helps orphaned and abandoned children in Tanzania, philanthropic Jeremy has now launched a new commercial business that will help raise funds for people with ear disease and deafness in Nepal.  The new venture, AventArt, will see Jeremy partner with gifted British artists across the UK to not only raise their profile but also much-needed money for the needy.  The first 7 artists signed-up are all based in Devon & Cornwall.

Jeremy says: “I want to showcase the high-quality work of living artists; whether amateurs who wish to move into a professional status or more established artists seeking wider notability.  AventArt is set to create a real buzz in the world of fine arts that will benefit many. It will inspire and delight – we are in the business of celebrating beauty – beauty of the human spirit and of the world around us.”

Jeremy’s latest project was, in part, inspired by local anaesthetist Charlie Collins who is raising money to pay for a hospital for the EarAid charity in Nepal. Jeremy, whose fundraising ventures have included a walk from Exeter to Land’s End and, is a great believer in business giving back to the community.  He says: “I felt I couldn't ask for any more sponsorship, so really another walk was out of the question.  So I decided instead to start a business which will be a commercial enterprise, with a percentage of the revenue going to charity.”

In a further development of the AventArt brand, two of the artists to join the project, Devon-based Peter Goodhall and Rebecca de Mendonça, are hosting a series of painting breaks in Italy during June and July this year.  Rebecca, from Exeter, and Sidmouth-based Peter are both experienced tutors who will be helping their students to brush up on a range of techniques, whatever their ability.  Each tutor will provide four hours of structured tutorial sessions each day in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Ferrara.  Students will paint al fresco in the cool of the delightful hotel courtyard as well as having the opportunity of exploring the city, taking sketch books and boards to draw and paint new and exciting locations as the fancy takes them.

Rebecca has worked with some highly creative people, on some fascinating projects. These include sculpting the famous ceiling in Harrods food hall and producing work for Warwick Castle museum and Madame Tussaud's.

Peter works from his studio located on a Devon cliff-top; an idyllic and inspirational setting for his specialist art. His oil paintings of nudes in water concentrate on the sensual forms and patterns trying to capture the shimmering movements before they disappear.

To find out more about the artists go to www.aventart.com.  For full information about painting breaks visit: www.aventholidays.com or email Liz at: enquiries@aventholidays.com

Exam success for Brewin Dolphin Plymouth

The Plymouth office of Brewin Dolphin, one of the UK’s largest independently-owned private client wealth managers, has expanded significantly in the last 18 months bringing in three new trainee investment managers; Rory Kilbride, James Holt and Thomas Pearson. All three are looking to develop their careers in Plymouth and are keen to enhance the development of the Plymouth office. 

Recently Rory Kilbride passed his second of three Masters in Wealth Management papers while James Holt and Thomas Pearson passed the Private Client Advice paper to move onto the second paper. The masters in Wealth Management qualification is the top qualification offered by the CISI and will lead all three to becoming Chartered Wealth Managers in time. 

Brian James, Head of the Plymouth office, was delighted with the results adding “it is important for the future development of this office that we have young, well qualified staff, I am delighted with their successes. At Brewin Dolphin we have a comprehensive training programme and support all of our staff to attain their full industry qualifications.  We are always looking for talented individuals with the highest academic qualifications to join us.”

The Group provides a complete investment management and financial planning service for private investors, charities and pension funds. Stocktrade is the Group's Execution-Only telephone and on-line dealing division.

www.brewin.co.uk/

Investment Management Company is First to Host Corporate Event at New Plymouth Restaurant

L – R: The Lord Mayor Michael Wright 

Brian James, Head of Office Brewin Dolphin Plymouth

Councillor Mrs Mary Aspinal

William Wills

Local wealth management company, Brewin Dolphin Plymouth based in Langage Business Park, was the first in the City to host a corporate client event at the newly opened Rhodes @ The Dome Restaurant on the Hoe.  The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Michael Wright joined 200 guests to celebrate the company’s 250th anniversary.  

Clients, dignitaries and associates were welcomed with wine and canapés prepared by celebrity chef and restaurateur Gary Rhodes and his dedicated team of professionals.  Brian James Head of Office Brewin Dolphin Plymouth gave a welcome address looking back at Brewin Dolphin’s long history as one of the founding firms of The London Stock Exchange and their original links to an old Devonian company, Westlake & Co. which was established 150 years’ ago in George Street Chambers by Francis Hole Westlake.

Brian James Divisional Director – Brewin Dolphin Plymouth says: “To be in business for 250 years is a feat that very few firms accomplish.  Our success is built on time-honoured values – relationships built on trust and confidence, bespoke service and the desire to accommodate each client’s priorities and aspirations.  Staying true to these traditions gives us a strong platform for continued growth.  As a result we wanted to celebrate this extraordinary milestone at a special venue and we were delighted when Rhodes @ The Dome were able to accommodate us.  The food was delicious and Gary Rhodes and his team were both professional and friendly.  The feedback from our guests on the new restaurant was extremely positive and very complimentary.”

Captain Charles Howeson RNR, Chairman of the Plymouth Area Business Council (PABC) spoke on behalf of the whole business community and private sector stressing the historic significance of the occasion and the values and local roots represented by Brewin Dolphin as a major stakeholder in the City of Plymouth.

He commented that "Brewin Dolphin represent all that's best in a huge financial concern that has kept closely aligned to the service values associated with its founding fathers and local roots, namely a very personal specialist service to its customers combining great care and attention in all that they do around the complex world of the provision of financial services advice."  He continued by saying that: "The whole Plymouth Business Community were proud and grateful to have Brewin Dolphin still here with offices in the City, 250 years after being founded, and 150 years after its Westlake offices were first opened".  He concluded by saying that "This represented a symbolic and historic record for which Plymouth is undoubtedly deeply honoured.”

www.brewin.co.uk/plymouth 

Healthcare Interior Design Company Organises a Nationwide Charity Fundraiser

Access 21 Care Interiors offering interior design exclusively for the care sector and specialists in dementia design created a fundraising activity involving their suppliers across England to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society.

The Surbiton-based business works with clients across the UK designing across a full range of care schemes including general/extra care, nursing, learning disabilities, supported living, palliative and dementia.  The company is well known for its style of creating a ‘home from home’ atmosphere, ensuring optimum comfort and safety for residents, whilst avoiding an institutional look and feel by offering a relaxing and stimulating environment.  

Eda Brooks, Projects Director of Access 21 came up with the innovative idea of inviting their suppliers to join in a fundraising activity with a difference.  She donated £10 in cash to each of the company’s 10 main contacts, inviting them to use the funds to create an innovative and fun way of raising further funds for this worthy cause.  The fundraising campaign which took place at business premises across the country raised over £500 in total for the Alzheimer's Society.  As an added incentive Access 21 also offered a prize of £25 worth of M&S vouchers to the most creative money spinner.  The overall winner was Mark Dean and the team at Taplow-based furniture and office supplies company, Jolly Office Limited.  Mark got his customers in a spin by setting up a roulette wheel at their Head Office in  Taplow and inviting visitors to donate a £1 a go for the chance to win £20 in cash if their selected number came up. 

Eda Brooks Projects Director, Access 21 Care Interiors says: “We believe that it is important for businesses to give back to the community and this was a great way of involving our national contacts.  In view of the fact that we are designers working exclusively for the healthcare sector with specialist knowledge in dementia, the Alzheimer's Society was a natural choice.  The idea was well received with our suppliers and created a great team spirit.  The charity was very grateful not only for the much needed funds but also that this helped to raise their profile nationwide.” 

Anita Avery, Community Fundraiser, Alzheimer’s Society, South East Office says: “We are very grateful to Access 21 Care Interiors for not only raising over £500 but helping to raise awareness about dementia.  Currently 1 in 3 people over 65 years of age will develop dementia.  The support services that we are able to offer people with dementia and their loved ones in our local communities, relies heavily on fundraising events such as this.   We would like to thank Access 21, their suppliers and clients for enabling us to continue providing that support.”

www.a21interiors.co.uk

‘A Day in the Life’ - Jim Howard - Plymouth Chamber of Commerce - Chamber Link...

HIGH-FLYER JIM DRIVES BUSINESS FORWARD... With a busy schedule running two companies in the South West, and a proud owner of a Sportsman aircraft located at Exeter International Airport and a 1969 E-Type Jaguar Series 2 Coupe, Jim flies around the region quickly and in style...

7.45am: I drive to Exeter branch to sit down with the Contract Hire team for our regular review meeting.   Today we’re discussing the results of a survey we have carried out on vehicle fleets operated by local SME’s. It’s no surprise to discover many business owners still base their vehicle buying decisions purely on the cost of purchase which is usually a false economy as they need to look at the whole picture. This includes the value of the vehicle on disposal; fuel economy; maintenance costs; emissions levels; road-tax costs and even the tax and national insurance liabilities for both employer and employees. As a locally based and independent contract hire business we have the ability to give both existing and prospective customers totally unbiased advice in selecting the best and most cost effective solution in their choice of cars and vans.

11.30am: I arrive at the new Europcar premises in Millbay, officially opened last summer by the Mayor and conveniently situated close to the city centre and ferry terminal for the monthly managers’ meeting. Simon the Branch Manager gives James Eland my daily rental Operations Director and me feedback on how the new site is operating. He confirms the larger and more secure premises have increased the number of customers by 25%. Eric and Sean from Exeter and Taunton then join us - the individual Manager’s input is invaluable, particularly where an initiative can be adopted at each branch.  Europcar is focusing on improving the quality of customer service delivery at branches across the UK. It’s reassuring to know that our branches are consistently achieving a very high level of positive customer feedback.

1.00pm: A working lunch preparing for my next meeting.

2pm: A 1:1 meeting with Sarah O’Leary, the Waterfront Manager for the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership BID. This is a five-year, £6.2m investment proposal designed to give local businesses control of their trading environment, increase profitability and raise the profile of the area nationwide as a UK destination to help increase number of visitors and per capita spend. I invited Sarah in to learn more about the BID as I am keen to be part of these exciting plans; however our office is 200 yards outside the designated geographic boundary! Although very disappointed it proved to be a mutually beneficial discussion and I am happy to help and act as an Ambassador for this worthy cause. If successful, I believe it would have a positive impact on the local economy and business community.

3.15pm: I catch up on e-mails and telephone calls. I also prepare for a regular marketing meeting with Glen King our PR consultant which takes place in the morning.

5.00pm: I head back to Exeter and the David Lloyd Centre for a tennis lesson and work-out.

Jim Howard operates the SW Peninsula Europcar franchise and Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing Limited an independent company specialising in long term vehicle contracts which complements daily rentals.

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www.vehiclesave.co.uk

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Photos courtesy of Mark Campbell - www.onthemarkphotography.co.uk

PR company unveils new brand to local business community

High profile Exeter based PR company Glen King PR/Marketing established in 2005 unveiled its new re-brand and website to 90 local business people at the Business Network (SW) lunch held at Lord Haldon. The new brand created by Architects Design Group who have recently set up an Exeter base, has a fresh and contemporary feel in keeping with the professional image of the company.

Founder Director Glen King with nearly 20 years’ experience in the sector and a former media spokesperson for Camelot the operators of The National Lottery, specialises in the construction industry. In addition Glen looks after a large and diverse portfolio of clients predominantly small and medium enterprises in Devon & Somerset and across the South West as a whole. Current retainer clients include Haines Watts Chartered Accountants; Devon in Sight; Vehicle Save Contract Hire & Leasing; Queenstreet Carpets & Furnishings and R G Spiller Building Contractors.

Glen King Director of Glen King PR says “The new re-brand came about as I have been in business for over 6 years and felt it was the right time to get a completely new look and feel to my logo and website. I chose ADG Architects as they are a client of mine who have an excellent reputation and I am always impressed with their work ethics and creativity. Chris Band from the Graphic Design team quickly understood my brief and I am delighted with the results. It was also a great opportunity to launch the unveiling in front of valued clients, business contacts and associates at the Business Network (SW) lunch headed up by Sean Humby.”

The many and varied services provided by the company include press releases; editorial; networking; client facing marketing and event management. The most recent event organised by the company was for independent hearing specialist Broom Reid Harris held at the Rougemont Hotel on 17th October to celebrate their 170th anniversary which included celebrity guest Bill Pertwee MBE of Dad’s Army fame.

Curtis Alcock, Broom Reid & Harris says “It has been a joy working with Glen and without her boundless energy and attention to detail the event wouldn’t have been half the occasion it was. It was highly successful and exceeded all my expectations with innovative ideas and creative format. Glen gained a full PR mix including live links to Exeter FM and high profile coverage on ITV Westcountry Tonight during prime time news.”

Glen says “I have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing some iconic celebrities including Darren Baker the Royal Artist; Bill Pertwee, Alvin Stardust and Dave Hill of Slade. I thrive on variety and really enjoy everything I do in representing and promoting a wide range of clients and sectors from Wine Bars to Rock Stars!”