Released On 13th Nov 2017

President’s Heartbeat - w/c 13^th November 2017

Friday 10^th November was a day of contrast.  In the morning I attended the HOTSW LEP Conference in Taunton.  The challenge, should the LEP rise to it, is that our region is peppered with SMEs (85% of which employ less than 50 people).  These businesses, across a wide spectrum of sectors, are difficult to link together in a logistical cohesive manner, which is a factor in the lion’s share of central government funding for infrastructure projects going to industrial centres in the North and the Midlands.  The strength of South Somerset is its diversity and rural countryside; the ‘green & pleasant England’ which tourists go out of their way to seek out.  Yeovil must fight its own corner; develop its own proposition.  We are banging our drum; word is getting around, the people and the investment are beginning to arrive.  All we have to do is more of the same, and Yeovil will take its place as a regional, destination hub on a par with towns like Exeter and Taunton. …Leaving the LEP conference early, I attended the opening of a Chamber member’s new premises.  One of the reasons I love my role with Chamber is I get to be involved with success stories, and assist in the development of local businesses.  I am so glad I made time to share the celebrations of a new chapter at the new premises of Rebecca Bevins HR.  The eponymous Becky is a locally-grown success story and future success is sure to follow.  Every one of the several members of Becky’s team I listened to, spoke highly and positively of the work environment and of Becky; one even commented: “It’s a very good reason to get out of bed in the morning.”  I have been sharply reminded in one day to always be mindful of the big picture opportunities; to look outward, but not with envious eyes.  Tell everyone you can about what we have right here in Yeovil, to know what you seek, and to grasp the opportunities.