Support the campaign to save Devonport-based assault ships

Plymouth residents and businesses are being urged to show their support for a campaign to prevent cuts to Devonport based ship and Royal Marines. (Watch the video). The cross-party campaign calls for a re-think on leaked Government proposals to decommission the amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark as part of a package of cost-cutting measures. Up to 1,000 Royal Marines are also said to be at risk. Find out more, click here

Sitel to create 300 new jobs in Plymouth 

Global outsourcing expert Sitel is set for further growth in the South West. Plymouth, UK – December 8, 2017 – With a nationwide network of contact centres, global outsourcing leader Sitel is one of the big employers in the South West.  Continuing the growth of their well-established operation in Plymouth, Sitel is set to create a further 300 jobs in January and February 2018. Find out more, click here

The Industrial Strategy sets out a long term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It sets out how we are building a Britain fit for the future – how we will help businesses create better, higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK with investment in the skills, industries and infrastructure of the future. Find out more, click here

Government to support development of next-generation nuclear technology

UK to become world-leader in developing next-generation advanced reactor programme.The government announced today significant support to help exploit the potential for the UK to become a world-leader in developing the next generation of nuclear technologies. Find out more, click here 

Nuclear South West is the nuclear cluster for the South West of England.

The South West is set to become a nuclear hub in the next two decades, with 15 projects worth £50 billion to our economy. Hinkley Point C (HPC) will be the first new nuclear power station in the UK for a generation, capable of generating 7% of the UK’s total energy requirement. Over 60% of the project’s £20billion construction value is predicted to go to UK companies. The project will create 25,000 job opportunities, 1,000 apprenticeships and will pump £100m/year in to the regional economy. Click this link to find out more about how your business can get involved.

PCH Manufacturing further expands workforce

PCH Manufacturing has added four new members of staff to the workforce as they successfully expand into external markets. Two new window fitters, a maintenance engineer and PVCu surveyor have been employed as we support industry in Plymouth following a successful year for the company. The new members of staff join on the back of six new apprentices who were added to our business recently as we support people who want to learn a trade and work in a manufacturing environment. Louise Turner, Head of PCH Manufacturing said: We’ve added ten people in different areas which has been superb for team morale. Find out more, click here

Government and life sciences sector agree transformative sector deal

Business Secretary Greg Clark and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announce a Sector Deal with the life sciences sector. A transformative Sector Deal between the UK life sciences sector and the government has been announced on Wednesday 6 December. Find out more, click here

Create your export journey

Thousands of businesses like yours have increased their sales, growth and stability by selling overseas. Explore the potential of exporting with guidance, services and support from the Department for International Trade.  Find out more, click here

Business innovations to tackle brain injury and back pain

60 projects with the potential to improve people’s lives and grow UK economy share £15 million funding. Faster treatment of brain injuries and relief for people with back problems are some of the game-changing innovations being backed in Innovate UK’s latest open funding competition. Find out more, click here

£7m factory to be built in Plymouth

Global defence spending hike is one reason manufacturer is investing and creating jobs in Plymouth. A Plymouth manufacturer is to build a £7million factory extension and create jobs. Find out more, click here

More than 1,000 jobs created in Devon, Cornwall and the South West with £8million regional funding

Ninety businesses have received up to £1million each from the South West Growth Fund. Supported by the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), the South West Growth Fund was secured by the University of Plymouth’s GAIN team, SWMAS Ltd, South West Water Business and the Western Morning News. Find out more, click here 

Multi-million pound luxury flats tower planned for Plymouth waterfront

Harbour Arch Quay block would have eight floors of apartments above a restaurant, shop or gym. The towering Harbour Arch Quay, if approved, will sit in between Pinnacle House and Salt Quay House, on Sutton Harbour’s North East Quay, and, at nine storeys, will be of similar height to both of them. Find out more, click here

Relocation support for Devon business as they expand into new premises

A family-owned commercial playground company, supplying playground equipment and safety surfacing, has relocated into larger premises after being referred to business funding opportunities by the HotSW Growth Hub.  To find out more click here

Plymouth aims to grab Government cash as city building boom continues

Major summit hears how training is vital to keep city construction splurge on track. Plymouth is hoping to tap into millions of pounds of Government funding for training construction workers as the city's building boom is predicted to continue. Find out more, click here

Alderman Tooling crowned as UK’s leading employer

One of the South West’s leading metal engineering firms is celebrating success on a national scale, having won the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards UK 2017 Employer of the Year award. Alderman Tooling, based at Newnham in Plymouth, was announced the winner at a prestigious awards ceremony in London on 14th November, hosted by the BBC’s Naga Munchetty, and featuring Sir Mo Farah as a guest speaker. Over 1,000 companies of all sizes from across the UK entered the awards, with ten companies being shortlisted in the Employer of Year category sponsored by law firm Howard Kennedy. Find out more, click here

The Growth Support Programme is an EU funded support package for ERDF Eligible businesses based in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. The programme offers an initial 3 hour diagnostic to businesses wishing to grow or expand.
Find out more, click here

The One Stop Ideas Shop provides practical a forum for individuals to talk through their inventions/business ideas in a confidential setting, receive face to face expert guidance to enable to them to understand how to protect them and explore any potential for business opportunity.
Find out more, click here

Help to grow your business through collaboration and innovation. KTP is the programme that supports innovation and promotes business growth, (part funded by Innovate UK) provides resources and expertise to thriving organisations who wish to innovate, expand or improve their competitiveness and productivity. Find out more, click here

Plymotion is working with companies to promote sustainable travel and encourage staff to be more active on their journey to work.

Plymotion at Your Workplace is a free programme which helps encourage sustainable travel for the daily commute . There is a range of initiatives on offer including  free adult cycle training, bike maintenance, walk leader training  and travel plan management tools.  Why not have a look at our web pages and our latest newsletter which you can find here

Looking to overseas markets to grow your business is a big decision for any size business. To support you in your growth plans Devon Chamber offers International Trade advice and support, via our International Trade team and our involvement in Devon International Trade Forum. Find out more, click here

Transform Foundation aims to encourage investment in digital technologies, skills and marketing in the charity sector. Offering grants to charities (with annual revenue between £350,000 and £30million) to develop websites and advertise through Facebook. Find out more, click here  

DEADLINE: On going

EU funding for large-scale, international collaborative research projects. New work programme for 2018-2020: UK businesses, universities, public bodies, charities and healthcare providers can still participate. Find out more, click here.

DEADLINE: On going

BEIS funding supports, through capital grants, the development and demonstration of innovative technologies, processes and business models that can be widely deployed to improve the thermal efficiency of existing UK buildings. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 2 January 2017

Loans are being provided to UK SME businesses to commercialise innovative technologies in infrastructure systems projects. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 10 January 2017

The winners will be those who demonstrate their ideas are novel, achievable and support business growth. The money will allow food producers to invest in a range of innovative projects, such as reducing the use of water in growing vegetables, and creating new business opportunities. To find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 12 January 2018

The competition is looking for proposals to improve the ability of preventing explosives, hidden within electrical items in passenger baggage, from being taken on board an aircraft. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 17 January 2018

Funded projects will target opportunities that offer significant changes in productivity and cutting-edge innovations. The competition has two strands: a manufacturing and materials strand, and an infrastructure systems strand. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 31 January 2018

Projects should offer smart grid, storage and generation capabilities, to overcome the current limitations imposed by EV charging infrastructure. The solution should incorporate renewable on-site generation, battery storage, bi-directional smart meters and an innovative software system.  To find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 7 February 2018

International partnerships to make innovative marine technologies market and investor ready or tackle marine litter. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 8 February 2018

PENTA is a EUREKA Cluster supporting innovation in micro- and nanoelectronics enabled systems and applications along the entire electronics value chain as described by the new ECS Strategic Research Agenda. The focus of Call 3 will be Transport & Smart Mobility, Health & Well-Being and Digital Industry, although projects in other areas will also be considered. To find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 13 February 2018

WADA issues a call for proposals for its 2018 Social Science Research Grant Program. For the 2018 Program, in addition to the topics below, WADA’s Education Committee is making an open call for proposals. For more info click here

DEADLINE: 15 February 2018

People or institutions from Europe can apply with innovative procedures, products, concepts and new findings with a strong focus on practical use and application within water management. Application-ready solutions to meet future challenges in water systems and water analysis will also be accepted. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 27 February 2018

A Joint Technology Initiative (JTI), a public-private partnership that brings together companies, universities, public laboratories, innovative SMEs and the European Commission to develop and demonstrate breakthrough technologies for the civil aircraft market and to cut aircraft emissions and noise. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 27 February 2018

Innovate UK launch £19M funding competition to support small and medium-sized firms to develop innovative ideas.

Projects must demonstrate significant innovation that will lead to new products, processes or services in any sector. Projects must last from six months to three years and have total eligible costs of between £25,000 and £1 million

DEADLINE: 28 February 2018

Entries need to focus on social participation and quality of life, with the aim to enhance the networks and social experiences of older adults in the real world through innovative digital technologies. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 30 March 2018

The aim is to foster the development of safe, quiet, ultra-compact, near-VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) personal flying devices that are capable of flying twenty miles while carrying a single person. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 4 April 2018

The 2018-2020 Industrial Leadership Information and Communication Technologies (LEIT) Work Programme covers ICT technology in a comprehensive way, covering technologies for Digitising European Industry, HPC, Big Data and Cloud, 5G and Next Generation Internet. Find out more, click here

The UK’s world-leading tech sector will go from strength-to-strength after plans unveiled today set out a £21 million investment to create a new national network of regional tech hubs in areas across the country, including Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Birmingham.  Find out more, click here

The Global HR excellence award is scheduled on 15 February 2017 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. The aim of the Awards is to recognize the Best of Best, organized for a professional cause. The objective at core is benchmarking talent & HR practices. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 31 December 2017

John Brabourne Awards Accepting Applications from Up-and-Coming Film and TV Talent

£15,000 awards available to successful applicants to benefit from professional support and talent development from The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF). The CTBF Grants cover production and development finance, post production and festival distribution, living and travel expenses, childcare, tuition fees, short training programmes and secondments. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 31 January 2018

The event will take place in Plymouth, the centre of the region, in May 2018. Plymouth is the perfect location for the awards, acting as a middle ground between the bustling cities of Bristol & Exeter, the coastal towns of Bournemouth & Poole and the country’s farthest hubs of Truro & Redruth. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 31 January 2017

This fine art competition represents an opportunity for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work and gain recognition for their talents on a global level. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 20 June 2018 

Plymouth University – One Stop Ideas Shop

Tuesday 9 January 2018 | 8am to 12noon | Plymouth University

Got an idea? Want to know how to turn it into a business? The One Stop Ideas Shop provides a forum for individuals to talk through their inventions/business ideas in a confidential setting, receive face to face expert guidance to enable to them to understand how to protect them and explore any potential for business opportunity.

Find out more, click here

South West Skills Conference 2018: Growing Industry Productivity through Skills

Friday 19 January 2018 | 9am to 3.30pm | Bridgwater

2018 South West Skills Conference which will be held on Friday 19th January at the McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater, Somerset.

Delegates will have the opportunity to influence the key activities to take forward across the South West in relation to employment and skills.  Delegates will also be invited to pledge their support in taking learning from the day back to their business. To register, click here

Tuesday 23 January 2018 | 9am to 12.30pm | Plymouth

Join us at this inspiring event and benefit from a morning filled with thought-provoking ideas, digital trends and useful tips and tools!

To register, click here

Thursday 25 January 2018 | 9.30am to 3pm | Sandy Park, Exeter

Staying ahead of the competition, you need to innovate - but knowing how to break the mould can be hard.

Register now for your chance to network and engage with senior executives from the Innovate UK family, who will demonstrate the importance of innovation, show you how to innovate and match you to the range of funding & collaborative opportunities that are right for you and your innovation.

Find out more, click here

The Industrial Strategy – making it work for you!

Friday 26 January 2018 |  10am to 4pm | Plymouth

AM: Collaboration and Funding Opportunities for Researchers and Businesses  

PM: Marine and Maritime Opportunities

To register, click here

TEDxPlymouthUniversity - The Spirit of Discovery

Thursday 1 February 2018 | 6.30 to 10pm | Plymouth

TEDxPlymouthUniversity will showcase new, exciting and inspirational ideas that can be found right here in Plymouth.

27-28 February 2018 | London

The UK’s Department for International Trade presents the Civil Nuclear Showcase 2018.

To register, click here

Department for International Trade

This is the central hub for business and networking opportunities. Search for future events and missions; register online and network with fellow delegates.

Find out more, click here                     

ICO: Preparing for the GDPR - 12 steps to take now

Access the ICO's 12 step plan to ensure your business is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which, despite Brexit, is here to stay.

Find out more, click here                                                            

Startup skills made simple

Join other entrepreneurs gaining the skills to start, grow or join a digital business

Find out more, click here

Made Smarter Review

The Business Centre: Office 15

• Rent: £279.74 pcm
• Furnished: £308.62 pcm
• Deposit: £659.47
• Size: 173.30 sq. ft.
• Broadband: £40 pcm, Telephone: £10 pcm (plus actual usage)
• Address: The Business Centre, 2 Cattedown Road, Plymouth PL4 0EG

For more details, click here

Cobourg House - 2nd floor suites

• Size: From 342 sq ft (32 sq m) to 850 sq ft (79 sq m)
• Rent: From £3,500 a year excluding business rates and service charge
• Status: Available to rent

For more details, click here