Somerset’s top businesses show support for inward investment

March 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Around 40 business people attended the event, including Liberal Democrat MP for Wells, Tessa Munt. Into Somerset presented an update on inward investment progress so far, which has created around 900 new jobs since 2008, with over 40 companies relocating to Somerset during that time.

Rupert Cox, CEO of Into Somerset, introduced the new Into Somerset marketing campaign, So Well Connected. He explained the thinking behind the new campaign and outlined key activities and timings, including the launch of the outdoor poster campaign, which will be unveiled at Gordano Services on 21st March before being rolled out to other key service stations and at selected railways stations.

The event also offered an ideal opportunity to introduce new and potential investors to the Somerset business community, with a handful of guests coming from outside the county. Potential investor Mike Evans, Business Development QA Manager for Industrial Automation & Control Ltd, commented, “Since my first meeting with Rupert Cox and Chris Langdon in early 2011, I have been impressed by the commitment of all of the Into Somerset team, and the Ambassadors Dinner reconfirmed the enthusiasm and ongoing success of this programme. Although we are not a Somerset based company, we have been promoting the region for the last twelve months with local businesses who specialise in electrical engineering, complimentary to our own, so as to form collaborations and investment in local people, a core belief our company. I have no doubt this year we will see this happen, and it could only have happened with the help of the Into Somerset team.”

Angela Yeoman took the opportunity to inform Into Somerset’s guests about Somerset’s participation in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, where the county has a chartered vessel called The Avontuur to celebrate all that is great about Somerset. The Avontuur will be one of around 1,000 vessels taking part in this national celebration to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Companies were invited to get involved and encouraged to visit the website, www.somersetjubileeboat.org.uk, to find out more.

The importance of business events such as this was stressed by Into Somerset Ambassador Michael Dunn, BT Regional Manager for the South West. “It is incredibly important that these sort of meetings take place on a regular basis, bringing together many  of the county’s leading businesses so they can be actively involved in promoting the benefits of the area, nurturing the talent the county has and using it to attract inward investors. Superfast broadband is being rolled out rapidly as we speak and so the group is very important for us in terms of being able to keep people informed. The major investment now taking place in Somerset’s broadband communications is helping the county become even more attractive. It’s really positive and is a great credit to Rupert and the rest of the Into Somerset team to be able to bring together such genuinely busy people who display such natural enthusiasm for the county.“  

Fellow Ambassador Peter Larcombe, Area Commercial Director for HSBC Bank, added, "I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, which was a great opportunity to interact with senior business leaders and share our thoughts and ideas on the best ways to help businesses grow within Somerset. It was really great to hear the positive impact that Into Somerset has had, and is continuing to have, by helping businesses relocate into Somerset. This is clearly undertaken on a very bespoke and individual basis.”

Into Somerset offers a tailored business relocation service, giving advice and information to facilitate the process. To find out more about the many varied opportunities that Somerset can offer, or for advice and guidance on setting up a business in Somerset call on 0845 1222 066 or visit www.intosomerset.co.uk.