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With 2026 now well and truly underway, we thought it was about time to share a bit of a reflection on 2025 as we are all adapting to new ways of working this year:
We are deeply grateful for the diverse clients we’ve had the privilege to work with recently. Our ongoing role with the SETsquared commercialisation team, delivering the full suite of ICURe programmes, has introduced us to remarkable individuals with innovative ideas. Our responsibility is to guide these innovators as they navigate commercial conversations, ensuring they protect their intellectual property while understanding market needs and the potential positive impact of their work beyond academia. Our commercial relationships, with partners and collaborators, has proved to be a vital component as we share an unrivalled connectivity which ensures we can help our clients reach whoever they need to reach!
We have facilitated several team-based days, empowering managers and leaders to step confidently into the roles their organisations require, to create a re-set and clarity of actions going forward. These sessions have focused on making good decisions, working well together and handling conflict as well as building strength in communications, knowing when and how to say “no”, and the creative opportunities presented by choosing “yes, and” in preference to “no… but”.
Our commitment to providing executive coaching to individuals and companies, to managers, senior leadership teams, founders and directors, continues, both in-person and online. These sessions help people align their instincts with the demands of their roles, feel supported as they implement necessary changes, and offer a safe space to unpack and reassemble challenges into manageable actions.
On a personal level, Kath wants to recognise the support of Chris and Phil, as well as our many understanding clients who have shown compassion when she has been affected emotionally by the loss of her Mum in February 2025. Though most never met her, Kath's Mum has been a presence in much of the last few years of her working life, as she sought to balance work commitments with supporting her Mum during her later years.
As 2025 drew to a close, she gained an even deeper appreciation for the challenges others face when grieving a loved one and feeling overwhelmed by personal commitments whilst keeping plates spinning at work. We hope that anyone in our network who needs support knows they can always reach out to any of us for a listening ear and emotional support.
With 2026 already underway, we are hopeful that we can continue to work together to make good things happen. This starts with our first in-person event of 2026 which will look at “the Journey to Net Zero” being held at Dartington Hall on Tuesday 3rd February. An event which wouldn’t be happening without the support of Triodos Bank, and specifically John Sharpe who we have collaborated successfully with many times in the last few years. It is these kinds of relationships which we hope we can deepen and develop in the years ahead.
Our message to all readers of this news piece is that we are here for you.
To schedule a call with any one of us, please email info@southwestgrowthservice.co.uk and we will be delighted to book you in.
Speaker and panel line up:
How a forward-thinking accounting practice supports clients in their sustainability journeys—and how Portt & Co themselves chose to monitor and measure their actions.
A candid look at her mission to transform commercial laundry services through sustainability, the trade-offs required, and the lessons learned along the way.
Real examples of how ethical finance is empowering organisations across the South West to reduce carbon footprints, transition to clean energy, and deliver green products and services.
Innovator behind the world’s first electric off-highway vehicle, sharing his insight into the challenges and opportunities in sustainable transport.
A food and drink entrepreneur whose interest in sustainability began when customers asked if his locally produced goods were air-freighted—sparking a journey into responsible supply chains.
Join us at Dartington Hall on Tuesday 3rd February from 09.15am - midday to learn from practical, real-world sustainability journeys:
Book in here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-journey-to-net-zero
Most exits fail because the business isn’t ready.
On 27 November, we’re unpacking the real drivers of exit success, and it’s not just EBITDA.
Whether you're 6 months or 6 years from exit, this session will sharpen your strategy and unlock hidden value, for current and future success.
This workshop is for founders, operators, and investors who want to:
Led by strategic business architect and SWGS associate, Paul Dalton, this session blends practical frameworks with real-world insight.
Only a few seats available.
Secure your seat now:
https://events.humanitix.com/be-exit-ready-every-day-systems-process-and-people
Care leaders, innovators and changemakers from across the South West met at Dartington Hall last week to discuss and learn from inspiring speakers and share in a group discussion regarding the future of health and social care in the region and how we can shape it together today.
The event sponsored by Triodos Bank and hosted by South West Growth Service (SWGS) discussed the changing and future health and care landscape, the resourcing, funding and leadership aspects to navigate the path ahead.
The restructuring of the NHS and commissioning in England post pandemic has added additional uncertainty and reluctance from clinical leaders and organisations to commit to change, yet the event reaffirmed the passion for clearer long-term strategies to effect meaningful progress nationally.
Cathryn Edwards offered a compelling overview of the healthcare landscape with key messages to support change
Rowcroft Hospice was singled out as one innovative example of how future focussed health care which integrates frailty, dementia, and palliative /end of life care, in the context of a sustainable community setting could be achieved.
John Bryant of Wellspring Consultancy provided insights on the leadership traits required across healthcare (the 6 Cs) and also emphasised the way forward was for:
SWGS will progress and convene further action to define and understand:
SWGS plans to host a follow-on meeting in Spring /Summer 2026 to update on the regional progress of the above initiative. Please keep in touch with us and let us know if you’d like to be in the room next time.
Never before, in the field of human healthcare, has so much been expected of our leaders.
As a leader in this evolving landscape, the question is no longer just how to deliver care—but how to guide teams, organisations, and systems through unprecedented change while keeping patients and communities at the heart of every decision.
One of the most immediate challenges leaders will face is navigating the integration of advanced technologies into everyday care. Remote monitoring, AI-driven diagnostics, and predictive analytics offer incredible potential to improve outcomes and efficiency, but implementing them requires careful planning, robust governance, and workforce engagement. Leaders must balance the promise of innovation with the realities of staff training, resource allocation, and patient trust, ensuring that technology complements rather than replaces the human touch.
Personalised care is another frontier that demands new leadership approaches. Tailoring treatments to individual genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors will transform care pathways, but it also introduces complexity in decision-making, ethical oversight, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Leaders will need to foster a culture that encourages innovation while maintaining safety, transparency, and accountability.
Equally pressing are the challenges of redesigning care delivery models. Community-based hubs, integrated health and social care teams, and preventative-focused services require leaders to break down silos, manage change across multiple stakeholders, and inspire a shared vision. Building trust, developing new skills, and sustaining morale during these transformations will be critical to success.
Finally, leaders must grapple with the human side of transformation: ensuring equitable access, addressing workforce burnout, and maintaining a patient-centered ethos amidst rapid change. Our event will explore these leadership challenges in depth, offering insight into how visionary leaders can guide their organisations through a future that is smarter, more connected, and deeply responsive to the needs of the people they serve.
To explore these challenges and how you might address them why not come along to The Future of Health and Social Care at Dartington Hall on Tuesday October 14th. Book here or contact us for more details.
The first in a series of webinars looking at building your organisation for future resilience will be held online on Thursday October 9th with the support of one of our Associates, Paul Dalton.
In today’s rapidly changing environment, business owners face unprecedented challenges, from market volatility and shifting customer demands to the disruptive potential of AI. Planning for the future has never been more important. The most resilient, valuable businesses are those built with the end in mind. Companies that can thrive independently of their founders, adapt to new opportunities, and be ready for succession, sale, or scaling at the right time.
One of the tools he uses is the Exit Readiness Diagnostic which is available on this page.
Try it and book your time with him direct or find out more and book your seat for his webinar here: https://events.humanitix.com/exit-ready-every-day
SWGS is delighted to be working in partnership with the ethical funder, Triodos Bank, running two more events at Dartington Hall. The first will look at health and social care, and in February 2026, our focus will turn to the Journey to Net Zero. Both events will be a great opportunity to develop your networks and hear from top experts in their respective sectors.
The Future of Health and Social Care is being held on Tuesday October 14th from 9.15 until 12.15. This session will enable delegates to be involved in a broad discussion about the challenges and opportunities created by our aging population, technological developments and the need for the ongoing development of collaborative networks.
We are delighted to be joined by a great panel of speakers:
Cathryn Edwards OBE, Physician and Honorary Professor of Healthcare Lincoln University & Rowcroft Hospice Trustee;
John Bryant, Principal consultant and founder, Wellspring Development Consultancy;
Kat Hall, Director, Bay Care Group and Board of Directors, National Care Association; and
John Sharpe, Senior Relationship Manager, Triodos Bank UK
Why attend?
To find out more and book your ticket: The Future of Health and Social Care
For any of our clients who are considering exiting their business, we often ask them to think about the legacy they are hoping to leave. For some owners they are happy to move out of the business without a backwards glance but for others it is essential that they know that the business they created continues to prosper for the benefit of clients and employees. For the latter, exploring employee ownership is a great possibility to explore as it enables owners to pass on their business in a tax efficient way but also ensures that the staff have a tangible stake in the future running of the business.
To assess whether employee ownership might be the right option for you South West Growth Service will be hosting a workshop, sponsored by Triodos Bank UK, which will be considering the following key questions:
This event will be on Thursday 12th October between 0830 and 1130 at Devon Business & Education Centre. For tickets, click here
Family Compass is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation that offers therapies and support services to young people and families. The support they offer is typically aimed at improving wellbeing and helping young people to overcome anxiety and other barriers to education and inclusion. The team also provides dedicated post-adoption support.
Having received funding from the Enterprise Development Programme, Operations Director Lucy Capron and Development Director Keda Johnstone decided to engage the South West Growth Service to run a strategy planning event.
“We thought it would be a good opportunity to evaluate where we were, and where we should focus our energy for the future,”explained Lucy.
“Chris Lorimer initially engaged the whole team in the process to get a really good understanding of how we work. This helped to make the subsequent strategy day really productive,” said Lucy.
The strategic review examined the overall offer and how traded services were priced. The first step was to clarify how Family Compass makes money, before looking at how to achieve greater financial sustainability and how to fund growth.
“The big advantage of working with SWGS is that they bring a wealth of business experience and also empathise with the aims and ethos of charitable organisations like ours,” added Keda. “Having got to grips with our aims, ambitions and sources of income, Chris was able to offer straightforward, considered and welcome advice about how we should move forward.”
Lucy and Keda realised that traded services and, in particular the KiT Boxes of wellbeing activities that are sold through the website were critical.
“We understand where we’re going and that marketing and commercial activities need much more of our attention. We hadn’t appreciated the full significance of the KiT Boxes in terms of providing an income stream and helping to enhance our profile and reputation. We now have a clear plan including looking for larger premises to expand our offer.
Without the impartial and objective view that Chris brought to our strategic planning I don’t think we’d have such a clear sense of direction or confidence about what we’re doing.“
In the face of increasing demand for their services, founder & CEO Lyn Brown needed advice on a host of business expansion issues. A LinkedIn contact suggested contacting Chris Lorimer and South West Growth Service.
As Lyn puts it: “I felt it would be helpful to have a few sessions to help with IR35 legislation, employing staff, sustainability and premises, but actually the process delivered much more”
So how did SWGS assist?
“Talking to somebody with experience of the business growth process helps to speed up much of the decision-making involved in scaling up a small start-up business. It also helps you steer around some of the unforeseen issues and pitfalls,” said Chris Lorimer commenting on his work with Inspire South West.
This sums up Lyn’s experience: “One of the most valuable aspects of working with SWGS was having a knowledgeable and confidential sounding board. It was incredibly helpful being able to talk candidly about all aspects of business alongside the concerns around employment costs and needing to secure different contracts.”
Understanding a range of strategy and business planning tools and how to apply them effectively to individual circumstances is another strength of SWGS. “The Orbit Visioning tool – helped me see where we needed to go much more clearly,” said Lyn.
Following the project, Inspire South West has a much clearer vision and a solid understanding of how to approach multiple business growth issues.
The organisation took the decision to expand into East Devon. “If we hadn’t worked with SWGS the decision to expand into other areas would have taken much longer. By working with Chris we had the confidence to know that we’re going forward on a firm footing.”
Cornwall Heritage Trust (CHT) is a registered charity whose mission is to preserve and promote the unique heritage of the Duchy. It owns and operates multiple historical sites and manages several attractions on behalf of English Heritage.
As with many other charitable organisations, the Covid-19 pandemic caused the trust to re-evaluate their operating and financial models. For CHT it highlighted how they were over-reliant on external and volatile investment income and the need for a viable plan to secure long-term sustainability.
During the pandemic-induced period of uncertainty the makeup of the board of trustees changed significantly. These factors prompted CHT to ask South West Growth Service (SWGS) to conduct a root and branch review of the Trust’s business plans and priorities.
“We were delighted to assist”, said Chris Lorimer of SWGS, “we care deeply about South West heritage and CHT’s role is critical to protect and celebrate Cornish prehistory and history.”
SWGS identified the key themes CHT needed to address by using a wide range of evaluation approaches which Chris outlined:
“Desktop research, peer comparisons, site visits, in depth interviews with Trustees, staff and stakeholders all help to create an informed picture for detailed business planning.”
Armed with a well-researched understanding of CHT’s opportunities and constraints, SWGS held engagement workshops with trustees and staff to help shape conclusions.
“We were particularly interested in understanding the development opportunities around brand and identity, the CHT membership offering, volunteering activities and partnerships,” commented Lorimer.
SWGS presented clear recommendations to CHT that were fully endorsed by the trustees. These included proposed changes to governance arrangements, new staff roles and a clear route to achieving financial sustainability.
“We‘re now in a much better place with a clear map for how to move the trust forward. Andrew and Chris quickly gained the confidence of the staff and trustees and created an environment where we could explore ideas and challenge our assumptions and each other.
Engaging with an outside organisation with such a wealth of experience and credibility got us to a situation where we’re clear about what we need to do to achieve our goals and deliver our mission. And, just as important, what we need to stop doing . We’ll be hitting our 40th anniversary with a much more resilient organisation and a clearer sense of purpose.”
Cathy Woolcock, CEO
