location, relocation, expansion, portal

Brightwell Communications

With 20 years’ experience in media, journalism and editing under her belt, Emma Grindley decided to start her own business, offering a multi-functional professional public relations, journalism and copywriting service. She joined the Outset Torbay programme in late 2010, which helped her get the business off the ground.

“I came across Outset Torbay at a local jobs fair soon after the networking group and I was keen to get any help I could to get my business off the ground. I had already secured my first client but knew I was making many mistakes! After a very positive chat with the Outset advisor I felt really encouraged to take the next step

After every session I felt positive, encouraged and reinvigorated. The sessions were the energy boost I needed and kept me going which is really important if your business involves working alone for long periods. The one-to-one sessions with my advisor, Julie, have really helped put everything into perspective and explain what I need to know about running my own business, in a way that makes sense.
I found the workshops inspiring, not just because of the course leaders who are very encouraging and helpful, but also by meeting others like-minded people. Although at different stages of their business, the other entrepreneurs on the programme were full of ideas and suggestions. I found the course particularly useful in helping me understand about finance and the more practical aspects of running my own business.”

Upon completion of the Outset programme, Ellen’s business, Brightwell Communications, has flourished. She added, “I have ongoing work developing a local newspaper which is getting great feedback and have also secured PR contracts for local charitable organisations. I’m now able to focus on developing new opportunities using my expertise including specialist digital copywriting to dramatically improve the performance of business websites.

I’m learning an enormous amount every day, but the great thing is I can talk to the advisors on a one-to-one basis whenever I need that bit of extra support. The regular networking sessions are great too, for making new contacts and because I work mainly from home, I get a chance to meet people face to face!”

Outset Torbay is an initiative funded by the ERDF Competitiveness and Employment programme, South West Regional Development Agency and Torbay Development Agency.

Riviera Landscapes

Outset Torbay has helped Mike Stapleton set up his business in the port town of Brixham, after 27 years’ experience in construction and landscaping left him frustrated with its unpredictability, and craving more job security.

“When I discovered Outset Torbay, I knew it would be better to work with people who could help me, rather than trying to do it alone. I attended the Outset workshops with a view to opening a shop, but soon realised that with my outgoing personality and passion for being creative, it was probably not the best business idea for me!”

Outset Torbay’s local advisors worked with Mike in group workshops as well as on a one-to-one basis. They explored his skills, experience, and passions, and it soon became apparent that his ambition lay in landscaping and garden design.

“I already had many years’ experience in landscaping during my construction career and had really enjoyed all aspects of garden design and build– I have even won a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) medal! I felt quite relieved when I realised I was not cut out to sit in a shop all day, but could use my creativity and experience to do something I’m really passionate about.”

Since finishing the Outset Torbay workshops, Mike has launched his business: ‘Riviera Landscapes’. Mike explained, “We offer a full range of garden construction services including garden walls, block paving, driveways, patios, fencing, pergolas, rockeries, paths, ponds, gates, decking, and lawns to transform outside spaces into unique water gardens, urban retreats, and stunning contemporary hideaways.

The advisors at Outset Torbay have really motivated and supported me in the whole process of starting and running my own business. The programme has been inspiring in a very friendly and informal way, which has really helped me to realise my strengths and take the leap towards working for myself.

I’m now looking forward to building Riviera Landscapes into an established and reputable business. We are one of just a few garden design and build companies with an RHS medal in the Torbay area. It’s my vision to be in a position to employ local skilled staff so that we can take on larger projects, while still remaining a community-focused company. Our mission is to be big enough to cope, small enough to care.”

Spirent Communications plc – Paignton , Torbay

About Spirent Communications plc

Based in Sunnyvale, California, Spirent Communications plc. (LSE: SPT) is a world-leader in test & measurement, with solutions used by over 1,700 customers across 30 countries, including some of the biggest equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprise and governments in the world.

Spirent Communications Positioning Division - Paignton , Torbay

Spirent’s Positioning Division, headquartered in Paignton, is the leading provider of GNSS (Global Satellite Navigation Systems) – a position it has held for 20 years. The Positioning Division covers all corporate functions including research and development, marketing, manufacturing, HR and finance.

The business handles multimillion contracts, with current clients including the European Space Agency, NASA, Qinetiq, Lockheed Martin, Garmin, and Sony.

Spirent Paignton – Industry Accolades

The Division is world renowned, and has many achievements to date:

• Winning the Queen’s Award for Excellence: International Trade in 2004.
• Becoming the reference supplier of simulators to the European Space Agency-funded Galileo programme in 2006.
• Wining two major contracts to supply simulators to the US GPS Modernised User Equipment (MUE) programme in 2007.
• Achieving Investor In People (IIP) status in 2007 for regognition in its commitment to the well-being and development of its employees.
• Being accredited to ISO9001: 2008, ISO14001, and ISO18001.
• Being an Approved Economic Operator.

The Spirent Paignton Team

The Division currently employs 70 people in Paignton, of whom 1/3 are engineers (software, hardware, firmware and system) holding bachelor of science degrees, with some qualified to MSc and PhD level. The majority of the sales and marketing teams also hold Bachelor of Science degrees, and two also have MBAs.

The Division’s finance team is also responsibile for Spirent’s European sales organisation.
The business has benefited from very low levels of voluntary staff turnover, helping it to create a highly valuable, skilled team, integral to the long-term success of a company.

“Spirent is a Torbay success story. The business has worked hard to achieve and maintain the international recognition it has today. We will continue to invest in our workforce here to further develop the excellent skills-base we have today.”
Martin Foulger Divisional Managing Director

Oclaro Technology – Paignton, Torbay

About Oclaro

Headquartered in San Jose, California, Oclaro is a leading provider of innovative optical and laser components and solutions for a variety of markets such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, and medical and scientific applications.

The acquired the Newport Spectra Physics high-power laser diodes business in 2009, and is currently one of the world’s biggest suppliers of laser diodes and VCSEL lasers.

Oclaro - Paignton , Torbay

Oclaro Paignton is the company’s main R&D centre for transmission business division. Paignton is the centre of excellence for 10G and 40G InP based tunable components and transponders, 980nm pumps and EDFA gain blocks.

The Oclaro Paignton Team

Oclaro employs approximately 115 people in Paignton, of which 65 are professional engineers with skills in optics, electronics, mechanical design, R.F. design, software, electrical design, quality engineering, reliability, firmware development, and test engineering. An additional 50 people are employed in corporate support services, including product line management, planning, business management, supply chain, supplier development, order management, finance, and IS.

The majority are qualified to degree level, and 20% have higher degrees. Oclaro can draw from the graduate talent pool from the South West’s universities; the Universities of Exeter, Bath, Bristol and Plymouth are all within 30–80 minutes’ drive. Like other Torbay companies, staff stability at Oclaro in Paignton is high, with the average length of service around 17 years.

“The local area is attractive to families and graduates with many leisure options available like sailing, walking and surfing. The local schools in Torbay are seen as a real positive by staff. Once established most staff have stayed, hence our average of 17 years service.” Roger Baker Vice President Integration Oclaro Technology