Torbay Business Forum's year in review

2024 – Wow! What a Year in the life of the Torbay Business Forum.

Torbay Business Forum brings businesses together to network, learn about key issues and hear from our annual programme of inspirational speakers. It never ceases to amaze me how many hidden gems we keep finding within the Torbay business community enabling us to showcase these on our TBF stage.

Building a successful community relies heavily on communication and where better to channel that than at the Forum, a place for discussion facilitated by the TBF. As we bring businesses together, our key focus is on topics relating to Business, Infrastructure and Skills. The TBF also recognises the importance of Community to our local economy, as we highlight local people and organisations working hard for the benefit of Torbay residents.

January

The ‘Torbay Story’ was our featured topic, and I was joined by Jim Parker, in his capacity as Chair of the Torbay Place Leadership Board, to talk about progress and the substantial investments coming into Torbay.

February

Took us to the Horizons Restaurant at South Devon College for our annual Apprentice Takeover to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2024.

It was great to sit back and handover proceedings to our newest Apprentice, Ben Pountney, who introduced our audience to Torbay’s next generation of local employees. Ben, as Head of Business Solutions & Apprenticeships at South Devon College, hosted and the event was planned and run by the Apprenticeship Team to showcase our Star Apprentices with some great case studies. 

March

Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, was our regular guest. With Easter fast approaching, Carolyn’s talk covered the ‘Hot Topics’ facing Torbay as a destination as our Tourism and Hospitality businesses were bracing themselves for the 2024 season. With so many exciting events planned for the year, Carolyn brought to life just how important the Visitor Economy is to Torbay.

April

Having looked at the Visitors Economy and the changing face of Tourism in March, we decamped and set our stall out at the new Mercure Hotel, Paignton, from where General Manager, Jason Parry, was able to showcase the brand-new Ibis Styles next door. Our breakfast guests enjoyed the fine hospitality of the Mercure followed up with a tour of the new Ibis Styles. A fresh way of welcoming and hosting people in Torbay.

May

Running a coastal community is an innately tough gig and we were very pleased to invite Anne Marie Bond, CEO Torbay Council, to address a 100 strong gathering. Anne Marie, supported by Alan Denby, gave us an invaluable insight into the work of the council and the challenges in hand. From Social Care to Economic Development and the basics of running a Unitary Local Authority, we heard how Torbay has really raised its game. Rebecca Thompson, Children’s Services, talked about the benefits of Corporate Parenting which struck a real chord with our TBF crew.

June

We had a bonus Double Bill in June as the TBF Business Breakfast went back out ‘on the road’ and took to the big stage at the newly refurbished ATG Princess Theatre, Torquay. The Theatre itself became a major topic of the day, having just completed a major refit of the auditorium.  and our guest speaker, Helen Warren, CEO Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, was given the treat of addressing our TBF audience from the very stage that has carried a myriad of Theatre Stars over the years. Helen highlighted the work of TCCT as it cares for almost 80% (over 1,700 acres) of Torbay’s green spaces. The presentation took us from the stage at the Princess Theatre, to Occombe Farm, to Berry Head and all the footpaths in between, we were all filled with a real sense of pride in our surroundings.

July

We all know and love Torbay as a historic tourist destination, but that’s not all. Torbay has a longstanding, deep rooted history in the Technology Sector. Oliver Heaviside, discoverer of the electromagnetic field around the Earth (ionosphere), that enables our mobile communications to work, lived in Palace Avenue Paignton over 100 years ago. Today, that heritage link with telecommunication technology lives on through the great work of the constituent businesses that make up our Hi-Tech Cluster.

Our speaker, Dr Philip Mitchell, Bay Photonics, gave us an overview of the work being done within the Hi-Tech Cluster SW representing Torbay’s businesses in the booming micro-electronics and photonics sectors.

The Community Slot was taken up by Michelle Brown co-founder of Wetwheels Torbay. This is the first Wetwheels Foundation boat in Devon and is based in MDL Torquay. Wetwheels provide a fully accessible boat designed to enable every disabled person the chance to experience the excitement of powerboating. 

August

Paul Hawthorne, Chair of Trustees, Paignton Picture House, regaled us of the story behind the restoration of the old cinema, a Grade II listed building in the heart of Paignton. World renowned author Agatha Christie regularly watched films from her favourite seat on the magnificent balcony. The restoration is a major project for Torbay and if you are interested, we recommend getting in touch with Paul and the Team, they will be glad of your support.

Community Slots were filled by Matt Newberry, promoting the Agatha Christie Festival and John Tomkins updated us on the English Riviera Film Festival.

September

There were two key themes for September, Chris Smith came to talk to us about Torbay Pride and Lisa Tuck, Torbay Council, supported by Adam Billings, told us about the new Torbay Residents’ Loyalty Card Scheme, ‘MyBay’.

October

Lucy Lewis, Project Lead for Build Torbay presented on the Torbay Council funded construction initiative that focuses on supporting Torbay’s construction businesses to inspire future workforces and build and upskill their existing workforces. Torbay has many exciting new development projects in the pipeline and Build Torbay’s aim is to help provide the resources needed to carry out the work.

TOPS Musical Productions took over our Community Slot as they launched their next production of ‘Elf the Musical’ being held at the Princess Theatre in November! Great to have a song at breakfast!

Riviera Connect returned to the RIC, Torquay, in October as The Forum combined forces with the ERBID Co. to produce the combined EXPO for Business, Tourism and Hospitality. 

The EXPO started with an amazing breakfast talk from former lawyer turned Business and Leadership Coach, Jess Wiggins on how to ‘Make an Impact’. The rest of the day was fantastic with a great atmosphere provided by the many stands, visitors and guests. To round the event off we had our Key Note Speaker, Brendon Prince, from the Water Safety Charity, ‘Above Water’ talking about his round Britain SUP tour and the opportunities that he wants to host in Torbay.  

November

Time for another Road Trip, as we took up residence at the Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton. Kindly hosted by Jackie Kelly and the Team.

Our topic turned to manufacturing within Torbay and this brought Mark Andrews, Director Torbay Pharmaceuticals to the fore. Mark explained how a small NHS department had become a national and international supplier, employing over 250 colleagues based at its site in Paignton. The company has been operating in Torbay for over 50 years and has become a real local force with a global reach.

December

To close a busy year, it was time to get back to the Forum in the RIC, don our Christmas Jumpers and get into the festive spirit.

Alison Upton, the ‘Rowcroft Elf’ filled our Community Slot on behalf of Rowcroft Hospice and announced their new “Sponsor a Nurse” campaign.

Our Guest Speaker was Ann Senior, Homestay Co-ordinator, EF Torquay. EF has been attracting international language students to Torbay since 1968. This year it brought in 1,800 students and employed 130 staff across the summer.

So that was 2024! Yet another very busy year and one that marks my 6th year as Chair. My thanks go out to my fellow volunteers on the Exec Committee of the TBF, with very special thanks to Angela George, Vice Chair and IMS Marketing, for managing all our communications, web-site and e-shots – we could not do this without you.

Thank you to all our sterling supporters, our loyal sponsors and followers from across the Torbay Business Community. Business is always better when we work together.

Everyone is welcome to join us, we are always looking for new ideas and topics for our speaker and community slots. If you want to get involved and find out what we have planned for 2025, take a trip to our website www.torbaybusinessforum.com and register to receive our newsletter and book in for our events.

Happy Christmas to you all and have a Happy and prosperous New Year – see you in 2025!