Our Success - A Bit of History

We were set up in 2005 as a private sector partnership to apply private sector common sense to delivering public sector funding schemes. We were the most successful programme in the South West in attracting Rural Renaissance funding amounting to over £7m, and then delivering it effectively to projects that were valued at over £25m for the county.

The following results show some of the ways in which the money we invested was used:

• To create over 300 jobs
• To help over 500 people to find work
• To provide advice, assistance and support to over 2,500 businesses
• To provide free or subsidised training to over 4,000 people
• To ensure that over 300 people gained qualifications
• To build and refurbish community facilities in over 25 rural communities improving essential local services

Our Success - Current Activity

We are a not for profit, private sector company focusing on economic, social and environmental regeneration. We do not receive any public sector funding.

We are currently delivering £3.6m of funding on behalf of two of the Local Action Groups for Devon; Greater Dartmoor LEAF and South Devon Coastal LAG. These are two of the most successful groups in the South West of England.

Drawing on our accumulated knowledge and expertise, we have expanded our range of services to include a full range of commercial offerings, based on what we are good at, that help businesses and communities to develop.  This means we are not dependent on public funding and are able to offer independent and impartial support to our clients.

For example, we have produced the most comprehensive survey of businesses in Devon, covering over 6,000 businesses over a 5 year period.  This survey has been used to assess business need and to inform interventions that have made a huge difference within the county, and the survey results have helped to attract further funding in excess of £10 million.

Click here to view the results of the most recent Devon Renaissance Business Survey.

We have also expanded our remit to cover the whole region and are now actively involved in projects across the South West.  

Click here for details of the expert services that we offer.

We have retained our partnership approach, and are led by the private sector, with some of the top business leaders on our Board of Directors, and representation from Business Link, local authorities and the community and voluntary sector.