Board Insights

  • Apprenticeships – What Next? – by Tim Jones

    A critical element of the national education programme, is ensuring that all of our valued workers have suitable skills to match the requirements of businesses and fulfil a meaningful career. Without this, many of the successful businesses across Northern Devon would…

  • Agriculture – a new dawn emerging? – by Tim Jones

    The agricultural industry is one of the most important sectors of the Northern Devon economy. Whilst it is not the biggest generator of economic activity, it is a fact that a successful farming industry is critical to almost every aspect of…

  • Economic green shoots or are the statistics wrong? – by Tim Jones

    It is difficult to draw any other conclusion than that the general state of the nation’s economy is at best subdued and possibly hovering on the brink of a recession.  The barrage of generally bad news seems never ending.  The Bank…

  • Northern Devon – a glimpse of the future – by Tim Jones

    We are all aware of the rapid advances in technology, including the spectacular speed in progressing artificial intelligence. Some scientists are predicting that it will be less than 5 years before we take it for granted that a significant amount of…

  • Housing Recovery – some reasons for optimism in 2024 – by Tim Jones

    The housing market is critical for us all. Whether you are a buyer or seller. Whether you are an employer needing accommodation for a key worker. Whether you need affordable accommodation or are a first time buyer, these transactions are a…

  • The State of our High Streets – by Tim Jones

    The latest figures nationally and regionally paint a bleak picture of what is happening in our High Streets. Many within the industry say that High Streets are becoming deserts. There are multiple reasons for this. It is important to remember that…

  • A Bright Marine Future for Northern Devon – by Tim jones

    For many years our coast has proved to be a social and economic barrier to growth. We have been passive observers of the marine vessels passing along the Bristol Channel visiting the port of Bristol. We have been aware of, but…

  • Going Beyond Brunel: Transforming South West infrastructure for a sustainable future – by Tim Jones

    From the majestic Royal Albert Bridge across the Tamar, linking Devon and Cornwall to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s remarkable civil engineering legacy is woven into the fabric of the South West. His famous engineering designs…

  • Our water bills are about to go up but that will mean investment – by Tim Jones

    One of the region’s biggest companies is South West Water – obviously well known to us all. Their responsibilities are far more than just providing quality drink water in our taps. They cover a vast range of water and waste management…