-
South African businessman relocates signage firm to Exeter
In an entrepreneurial bid to grow his business, South African businessman Richard Veal relocated his wife, three children and his business to Exeter in search of success and a better quality of life. Richard’s business, BarkerMad, specialises in the production of signage, promotional and barcode holders and shelf edge label holders for retail outlets. Having spent nine years heading up a similar business in South Africa, dealing with international retailers such as Walmart and SPAR, Richard is now hoping that relocating his business and family to Europe will help him expand the business overseas.
After meeting a representative from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) who put him in touch with advisors in the UK, Richard was given a grant by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to investigate the south west to make sure it was the right place for his business. Richard said: "Exeter really is a wonderful place to be. It’s a place that is proud of its culture and celebrates heritage, but it is also a place that isn’t afraid to move with the times. When I first came to Exeter I was just struck by the wonderful architecture – the relationship between old and new is beautiful. "In South Africa we have listed monuments that are just 100 years old, but here in Exeter we have the wonderful Cathedral and the Roman Wall that is complemented by the new buildings such as Princesshay. There is a really impressive balance of conservation and construction."
He added: "In addition to that, we have a city that is moving forward, a thriving and powerful economy full of ambitious business people and a Council that wants to help and support people, businesses and the local community. That was something that stood out to me from day one and made our choice an easy one. "Everyone at Exeter City Council has bent over backwards to support me and my family; from finding the right business location to answering questions about schooling for my kids and even helping me to sort out what insurances were necessary. Every step has been made as easy as possible and I had my business operating from our Exeter office within just 6 months of the move."
Following the successful move in February 2015, Richards’s continued plans for growth are ambitious but achievable. His office at Exeter Business Centre on Exeter’s Marsh Barton is already open and his next step is to open a manufacturing facility so that all of his products can be made here in the UK. Maureen Gori-de-Murden, senior economy and tourism officer at Exeter City Council, said: "Richard is one of our true success stories here in Exeter. He is a successful businessman and entrepreneur who recognised that Exeter was the right place to continue the growth of his business, all the way from South Africa.
"Relocating a business is hard enough but Richard felt so strongly that Exeter was the right place to be that he moved his wife and three children here too so they can all make the most of what this city has to offer. We are delighted to have him and BarkerMad here and will support his growth and expansion plans as much as we can." Richard added: "Exeter is absolutely gold. We have already made extensive progress as a business and have been fully supported by the local business community. It’s an exciting time to be part of this city, with the arrival of the Exeter Science Park and the Met Office supercomputer in addition to many other developments – there is a real buzz about the city. Our kids have settled into life here well and are all excelling at School. And let’s not forget Exeter’s rugby."
For further information:
Unit 1 Exeter Business Centre
39 Marsh
Green Road West
Exeter
Devon
EX2 8 PN
01392 273 639
sales@barkermad.co.uk
08432 653 778
07583 144 241
http://www.barkermad.co.uk/.
-
0 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.
Log in to reply.