Below you can view two case studies documenting how businesses and their owners have successfully relocated to North Devon.
Sector: ICT Media
Overview:
Sam Heaton had spent eight years working in London as a sales director for PLC companies. During that time he managed to buy a property in Instow that he retreated to for breaks away from the big city. His passion for sailing and a balanced lifestyle made Sam think of businesses ideas that he could fulfil from his North Devon base.
eCards.co.uk was set up in 2005 in a barn in Instow. Sam was convinced there was a creative community in North Devon to help him develop his online advertising business idea but had not yet tapped into it. Then he found the Incubation North Devon (iND) project that was able to offer him the office space, access to networks and support to fully develop his business.
In the first trading year turnover was £78k and the business was in profit. The company has grown from strength to strength with turnover jumping to £320k in its second year and £850k the following year. Projections for 2009 show that the company is on line to exceed £1.3m. eCards is now the 14th largest greeting card site on the internet and with the development of a new product "Face it" the company is expected to improve its world ranking position.
Sam's company has taken full advantage of the other businesses located at Incubation North Devon. Sam says "There is an energy and pool of expertise here amongst the creative and digital companies that has proved invaluable. Who needs Regus when you've got iND?"
Clients:
eCards provides direct advertising solutions for multi-nationals, top high street names and blue chip companies. Their current client list includes: Next, Gillette, Citroen, Toyota, Pizza Hut, Interflora, Mazda, Optical Express, Peugeot and MBNA.
Workforce:
eCards currently employs 6 full time staff and has contracts with 3 designers and a coder. The company provides high rewards and attractive packages for its successful staff with earnings in excess of £42k per annum being achieved. Sam provides his staff with training opportunities as well as away days where everyone can let their hair down and enjoy team building activities.
Sector: Digital Media
Overview:
Dave Keightley had spent eighteen years working in London as an advertising Art Director working on accounts such as Ford, Marks and Spencers and VW. As the Creative Director for the Ford Dealers account he found himself on Putsborough beach near Woolacombe shooting the commercial for the Ford Escort. He was so taken with the location he brought his family back the same year for a holiday where he met someone from Bray Leino and found himself working there just a few months later. After 5 years of creating national TV campaigns for clients such as Wrigley's and Dermal Phamaceuticals, Dave helped evolve and then ran an inhouse editing suite.
howaboutdave.com is Dave's new business operating form the Incubation North Devon office Complex at Caddsdown. The benefit that clients receive is that Dave is an Art Director and the photographer so they get two for the price of one plus Dave's vast and invaluable experience of top level creativity.
Q: Was Putsborough, Woolacombe the first time you had visited North Devon ?
DK: No my first visit to North Devon was to launch of the new Presto store in Bideford. In those days I did a lot of retail advertising with clients such as Tesco and Curry's. I also worked on an advertising campaign involving the Tarka line. The campaign was called " Scenic Routes" and I found the natural beauty of the area breathtaking. I then moved on to Automotive accounts on campaigns for Honda and Volkswagen.
Q: What exactly did running the edit suite entail?
My team produced corporate videos, video presentations and mood films for research groups and new business pitches. I was involved in the whole process, from initial concepts through planning and directing shoots to final editing.
Q: What are the advantages of working in North Devon?
The area provides a fantastic source of great locations for shoots and I am inspired every day. The weather and seasons provide an ever changing canvas, all you have to do is get out there and watch nature do her thing and capture the moment. There is already a strong creative network to link into and it is growing rapidly, coupled with low overheads means we can supply a first class all inclusive service at very attractive rates. From leaving my office I can be surfing in 30 minutes... what more could you want ?