Torbay Business Forum

The Torbay Business Forum comprises a wide membership including representatives of local business bodies such as the Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Business, representatives of business sectors in Torbay including solicitors, accountants and surveyors, individual members whose business makes a significant contribution to the economy of Torbay. These representatives are joined by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, senior Council officers, senior officers from the Torbay Development Agency and other business support organisations including Business Link and Jobcentre Plus.

The chair of the Torbay Business Forum is Michael Atkinson (ex Peplows), Michael is supported by an executive board which meet to determine the Forum's agenda and forward plan.

The aims of the forum are:

To provide a platform to bring together the economic drivers of the area.
To endeavour to influence economic decision making, whenever deemed appropriate.
To provide networking opportunities, e-mail from members to give quick responses to economic/business questions posed by the TDA or Torbay council and providing the opportunity for major economic influencers to consider each other’s viewpoints.
To provide support wherever required to attract inward investment.
To maintain the position of the Forum as a non political business means of receiving and giving information.

The Forum meets bi monthly to discuss specific issues affecting the local economy, the discussions help inform the activities of public sector organisations and helps to give local business a voice with local and regional organisations who have an impact on business in Torbay.

Members Contact Details

Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson Contact Details: maatkinson@michaelandmaggie.plus.com

Alan Archer

Alan Archer has been Managing Director of The Select Group of Companies Ltd for the past 22 years, prior to this Alan lived and worked for 10 years in the USA, Japan and Hawaii.

Alan has just completed a 4 year term as Governor at South Devon College during which the college moved from Torquay to Paignton and undertook another higher education building expansion.

Alan's experience encompasses Business Planning and Management, Marketing and e-commerce.

Contact: Alan@selectselect.net

Websites: http://www.selectselect.net , http://www.TradeCounterDirect.com

Rob Newman

Rob Newman is solicitor and partner in South Devon law firm Kitson Hutchings, based in their Torquay office. His main professional interests are litigation (civil and criminal), leisure and licensing, and fisheries law. Assistant Deputy Coroner. French and German speaker.

Contact: Rob.Newman@khlaw.co.uk

Website: http://www.khlaw.co.uk

Graham Brooks

Simon Wilson Graham has 15 years experience in Banking with HSBC, and has worked as a Commercial Manager based in Torquay for the last 5 years.

Keith Richardson

Contact: ekr@btinternet.com

Barry Cole

Barry Cole started his career in hotels and attended Hotel School in Lausanne and then worked for a number of years in France, and Austria as well as Switzerland. His hotel experience encompassed Claridges, The Savoy and then, before acquiring his own business in Wales, he worked as Regional Operations Manager for Grand Metropolitan Hotels.

In 1996 he joined the Board of the Riviera International Conference Centre at which time the business was under contract management.

Barry has sat on a number of local and national committees and most recently was a Board member of Torbay Development Agency. He works closely with South Devon College and sits on the steering group of the new English Riviera Tourism Strategy.

Contact: bcole@ricc.co.uk

Website: http://www.rivieracentre.co.uk

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