University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust have reached a milestone with the construction of the Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre in Colin Campbell Court. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 3 floors, is set to provide high quality diagnostic testing for patients in Plymouth and the surrounding areas.
The decision to build the Community Diagnostic Centre in the city centre supports the aim to make it easier for people to access diagnostic tests without having to travel to Derriford Hospital.
Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre will provide access to over 14 types of tests, including CT, MRI, Ultrasound and X-ray as well as ECHO, ECG, EEG and more.
Plymouth Waterfront BID - BID Manager and CEO
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Business Improvement District (BID), seeks to recruit an exceptional candidate as a BID Manager and CEO to continue delivery of its dynamic programme of place-making activities.
With clear direction and support from the Board of Directors, you’ll lead delivery of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership’s 2022-2027 BID (and seek a new 2027-32 BID term); while working in close partnership with multi-award-winning Plymouth City Council and its hugely ambitious £5.5bn investment programme.
 This Foster Care Fortnight (12 – 25 May)
We are standing with Foster for Plymouth and Plymouth Charter to support foster carers in our community. With a growing need for foster families, we believe we can make a difference by showing care and support to foster families and children. Together, we can create a positive impact in our business communities.
Be active by:
Altilium commences construction of UK’s first at-scale EV battery recycling and refining plant in Plymouth
Altilium, a UK-based clean technology company focused on supporting the transition to net zero, is excited to announce that construction has commenced on the country’s first at-scale EV battery recycling facility with integrated chemical refining capabilities, located in Plymouth, Devon.
The groundbreaking ACT 3 scale-up plant will place the UK at the forefront of sustainable battery materials production and underscores Altilium’s commitment to building a national battery recycling ecosystem, supporting industrial resilience, energy security and economic growth.
The state-of-the art facility will have capacity to recover critical battery minerals, including lithium, nickel and graphite, from 24,000 EVs per year. Using Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process, battery scrap will be recycled into Nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) and Lithium Sulphate — critical intermediate materials for domestic production of battery cathodes.
Devonport Dockyard open days return
After more than 15 years behind closed gates, HMNB Devonport the largest naval base in Western Europe, will once again welcome members of the public this July. The Royal Navy and defence contractor Babcock have confirmed that open days will take place on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 July 2025.
The first day, Thursday 24 July, will be reserved exclusively for the families of service personnel and civilian workers stationed at the base. On Friday 25 July, the wider public will finally have the opportunity to step inside this historic and strategic facility.
This marks a significant return for public naval base access, last seen at Devonport prior to the Ministry of Defence’s decision to cancel Navy Days over security concerns particularly regarding proximity to the nuclear infrastructure located at the base.
The return of open days at Devonport will be managed by PL1 Events Limited, a local Plymouth events company with strong ties to the city and its naval heritage. Ticketing arrangements are yet to be released, but further details are expected in the coming weeks.
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park shines on Countryfile with Groundbreaking Marine Conservation Efforts
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park took centre stage on BBC’s Countryfile this Easter Sunday, showcasing groundbreaking efforts to protect local marine life.
Presenters John Craven and Vick Hope explored the Wembury coastline, joining an Easter-themed egg-case hunt to identify ray, skate, and shark nurseries along the shore. Vick then ventured out to sea with a dedicated team of marine biologists and volunteers, helping them release spotted ray pups into the Plymouth Sound for the very first time as a part of the 'Litle Rays of Hope'. The rays, reared at the Marine Biological Association’s aquarium, were carefully monitored from egg to pup, offering a rare public glimpse into their lifecycle.
The programme delved into the critical role of collaboration, featuring key partners like the Marine Biological Association, Shark Trust, and Devon Wildlife Trust. These alliances enable large-scale conservation work, from habitat restoration to public education.
New Call for Creative Mentorships to Support Plymouth’s Future Cultural Leaders
Plymouth Culture is inviting applications for a new round of its Creative Mentorship programme, supporting the next generation of creative and cultural leaders in the city.
The call is open to anyone working in the city’s creative sector who would benefit from tailored mentoring to develop their leadership skills, grow their networks, and move their practice or career to the next level.
As part of the programme, successful applicants will be carefully matched with experienced mentors, drawn from a wide range of creative industries and leadership backgrounds, ensuring personalised and strategic support throughout their development journey.
The Creative Mentorship programme forms part of Plymouth Culture’s broader Creative Leadership initiative, which was established to tackle barriers to career progression and empower a more diverse and resilient leadership pipeline across the sector.
An online information event will be held on Monday, 12 May 2025, providing an opportunity to hear about the experience of previous mentees, find out more about the programme’s aims, and learn how to apply.
Congratulations to the Finalists of the Devon Chamber of Commerce Awards!
This year, the competition was fierce, with over 250 nominations across 12 categories. The judging panel had the challenging task of selecting the top three finalists in each category.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Crowne Plaza Plymouth on Friday, 16 May 2025. It promises to be a glittering night of celebration, with a red carpet entrance, a three-course meal, entertainment, and official photography and videography.
We extend our congratulations to all the finalists. Your dedication, innovation, and hard work have truly set you apart.
Start Up Loan Funding for Event Styling Franchise
A Plymouth businesswoman has taken her first steps towards making happy couples’ dreams come true with the help of a £20,000 cash injection from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.
With the help of SWIG Finance, Mihaela Cociuba has used the funding to invest in the South Devon franchise of Ambience Venue Styling UK, which has more than 40 franchisees across Great Britain, all working towards creating elegant and stress-free nuptials at local venues.
Start Up Loans is part of the British Business Bank and offers personal loans of up to £25,000 and free mentoring to help anyone start or grow a new or early-stage business.
SWIG Finance is the Bank’s Business Support Partner for the government-backed programme in the South West, and last year alone delivered £7 million in Start Up Loan funding to over 400 new and early-stage businesses.
 Business Spotlight: Ventro Group
Based in Plymouth, Ventro Group is a leader in fire safety, known for their comprehensive fire protection solutions. Ventro ensures critical systems are maintained to the highest standards, with major projects like Derriford Hospital and Beckley Point showcasing their expertise as a trusted partner in various sectors.
Green Business Certification for small businesses
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword - it’s becoming a business necessity. Consumers are actively choosing to support companies that prioritise the environment, and investors are increasingly factoring in sustainability when making decisions. For small businesses, gaining a green business certification is a way to demonstrate commitment to sustainability, stand out in a competitive market, and even improve operational efficiency.
But with several certifications available, it can be difficult to know where to start. The Federation for Small Business guide breaks down the most relevant green business certifications for UK small businesses, their benefits, and how to get certified in a way that makes sense for your company.
Inspiring women in Devon and Cornwall to explore entrepreneurship
Funded by NatWest, Her Vision, Her Venture is designed to inspire and support women to use their skills, talents, and resilience to become their own boss.
For many women, the drive for independence, flexibility, and a better work/life balance is what sparks the journey into entrepreneurship. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business but don’t know where to begin, start here to turn your idea into reality!
The programme offers remote, one-to-one support from an experienced business mentor, guiding you through every step of your startup journey.
Your dedicated, local advisor will:
- Help you explore how your skills and experience can be transformed into a business.
- Keep you motivated and confident throughout the process.
- Guide you from an idea to a viable business, avoiding common pitfalls.
- Provide ongoing mentorship to address challenges and refine your business plan.
Take the first step toward your dream business today!
Calling All Devon-Based Businesses!
Screen Devon is building a local supplier database for film & TV productions shooting in the county! Whether you run a hotel, catering service, transport business, carpentry workshop, or any other relevant service, this is your chance to get involved. Why Register?
- Connect with high-profile productions
- Boost you business visibility
- Support Devon’s thriving creative sector
Sign up today & be part of the action!
Improve your team’s Project Management capabilities with newly funded Skills Bootcamps this summer.
BIT Training is excited to announce additional funding, offering 40 seats for their popular Project Management Skills Bootcamp in Devon! The live instructor-led online programme kicks off on 12th May 2025.
This intensive fully funded (or partially funded depending on circumstances) 10-week Skills Bootcamp equips individuals in Devon seeking to advance their project management careers.
Whether employed, self-employed, or looking for a new job, this programme will give trainees the skills and knowledge to enhance their prospects. Trainees will master the fundamentals, gain practical experience through real-world scenarios, learn from industry guest speakers, and earn industry-recognised certification in Prince2® Foundation while developing valuable commercial service management skills.
Bot Up Your Business
Small Business Britain, supported by BT Group, is excited to present ‘Bot Up Your Business’, the AI for Marketing programme, created to help small business owners explore how AI can make everyday marketing easier and more effective.
This free, four-week online course is packed with practical tools and easy-to-follow strategies to help you save time, stay creative, and get more from your marketing, no tech skills required!
The Programme is delivered entirely online, allowing access from anywhere in the UK with flexible learning enabling opportunities for all.
Course dates:
- Module 1: 6th May - 10am
- Module 2: 13th May - 10am
- Module 3: 20th May - 10am
Master Your Time and Technology as a Small Business Consultant
Are you a coach, consultant, or freelancer looking to streamline your workflow and grow your business?
Join Enterprise Nation’s next FREE Adviser Community event, designed specifically to help independent professionals like you master time management and make the most of digital tools.
You will explore practical strategies to boost your productivity, engage your audience more effectively, and ultimately increase your revenue in a competitive freelance market.
Date: 13 May (Online)
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
The Crown Estate Marine Supply Chain Accelerator
A £50million fund to help catalyse UK supply chain capacity and capability for offshore wind.
Businesses can apply for up to £1.5 million per eligible project, with The Crown Estate providing 50% match funding for early-stage development expenditure.
The Crown Estate are hosting an Information webinar on 15 May from 10am – 11am to outline the funding and commitment agreements and to answer questions about the application process.
Deadline for applications is 27 June 2025
Creative Enterprise Business Builder Fund
This grant initiative is designed to support businesses in film, television, games, animation, and immersive storytelling. With grants of up to £2,500, companies can collaborate with expert consultants to build connections and drive business growth.
The funding can be used to subsidise expert support for business planning, strategy, and specialist advice in areas such as marketing, IP monetisation, and international expansion. This is a fantastic opportunity to access tailored guidance and unlock new opportunities.
Small Business, Big Giveaway
If you’re a small business owner or self-employed in the UK, the Federation for Small Businesses want to hear from you! They are giving away £10,000 to one lucky winner so they can grow their business.
All you have to do to be in with a chance is fill out your details. It’s that easy!
Got a pitch so good it deserves its own mic drop?
Join PitchUp, hosted online by Tech South West, as they bring together Angel investors and VCs with ambitious tech startup founders bursting out of the South West innovation ecosystem.
Sessions take place online throughout 2025:
- Weds 11 June 10-11
- Weds 9 July 10-11
- Tues 9 Sept 10-11
- Weds 12 Nov 10-1
Complete the registration form to express an interest in getting under the spotlight and showcasing your tech at PitchUp! Live.
DCMS Create Growth Programme Competition 4: small projects
UK registered micro, small and medium enterprises in the creative sector can apply for a share of up to £8 million for innovation projects to grow their business. This funding is from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
-
Competition opens: Monday 31 March 2025
-
Competition closes: Thursday 29 May 2025 11:00am
Find a grant
Find a grant is a service that allows you to search government grants.
You can use this service to:
- access government grant funding
- search and filter to find a grant that matches your needs
- find out if you are eligible to apply for a grant
- find out how to apply for a grant
AI South West Live! Episode 1
Join Episode 1 of AI South West Live to explore real-world use cases and shape the future of the series. AI South West is back.
Episode 1 goes live on:
Wednesday 7 May
9.30–10.30
Bringing together the region’s AI community for practical insight, discussion and collaboration. Hosted by Dan Pritchard (Tech South West) and Isobel Shaw (Program), the session will feature AI Ambassadors:
- Andy Doyle (Zero Fluff)
- Jake Shaw (Obsolete)
- Liam McGee (Kaiasm)
Whether you're just getting started or deep in the world of AI, this session is open to all. Bring your ideas, challenges and suggestions for future episodes.
MUKSW Offshore Wind drop in Session
The Offshore Wind drop in session offers a quarterly coffee morning type drop in session. This is aimed at businesses, research and government operating in offshore wind to come together, raise a hand and discuss a topic of their choice.
Chairs Kevin Forshaw, Director of Marine Business Development at University of Plymouth and MUKSW Vice Chair Matt Hodson, Chief Operations Officer at Celtic Sea Power will kick off the session with short presentations and then it is over to the audience to raise a hand and get involved.
Date: 13 May 2025 (Online)
Time: 13:00
Innovate South West - Sustainability Event
In a fast-changing landscape, organisations of all sizes must continually innovate to sustain business growth and reach the next level.
The Innovate South West events from NCC and Plymouth Science Park will arm SME organisations across the region with the knowledge and strategies to harness new opportunities.
Why attend?
- Get a high-level introduction to sustainability protocols, terms and regulations
- Learn what technical, financial and informative support your business can benefit from
- Hear real-world examples of sustainability transformation
Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 10:00
Location: National Marine Aquarium
Biochar: Reigniting the Past for a Sustainable Future
Curious about the latest breakthroughs in biochar? Join this FREE, 2-hour hybrid event delving into cutting-edge research, real-world applications, and emerging market trends for biochar in Devon and Cornwall.
This event is open to all—whether you're a business professional, researcher, student, or simply passionate about innovative biochar solutions—register now and don't miss out!
Date: 21 May 2025 (Online)
Time: 16:00 – 18:00
Book your stand for the Devon Business Show 2025
The county’s biggest Business Show returns to Plymouth Life Centre on Wednesday 15 October, promoting inclusivity and featuring exciting, innovative and interactive displays – plus some exciting new touches for 2025!
|
