Find a Business Expert is proud to announce the launch of our newest FaBE office, serving the vibrant and diverse business community across Devon. We're assembling a dedicated team of highly qualified professionals from throughout the county, each bringing deep local knowledge and industry-specific expertise. Through our user-friendly platform, individuals and businesses can easily find and book appointments with vetted experts covering a wide range of specialties. This exciting new chapter includes professionals in marketing, accounting, leadership, and business consulting - ensuring that clients in Devon have access to top-tier support across every essential business discipline.
Devon, situated in the picturesque South West of England, offers a distinctive business environment that marries the charm of tradition with the momentum of innovation. Its economy is impressively diverse, encompassing long-established sectors such as agriculture and tourism alongside an expanding presence in manufacturing, creative industries, and technology. Urban centres like Exeter and Plymouth serve as key economic engines, with Exeter in particular emerging as a hub for innovation thanks to significant investment and development.
The tourism and hospitality industry remains a cornerstone of the local economy, bolstered by Devon’s breathtaking coastline, national parks, and countryside, which attract millions of visitors annually. This thriving tourism scene supports a wide range of businesses in hospitality, retail, and leisure, with coastal towns like Torquay and Ilfracombe working to expand their appeal beyond the traditional holiday season.
Agriculture continues to be a major contributor to the economy, with the region well known for its high-quality dairy products, organic farming, and growing reputation for artisanal and sustainable food production. These agricultural strengths have dovetailed with rising interest in food tourism and local provenance, giving rise to new business models such as farm-to-table enterprises and craft food ventures.
Meanwhile, Devon is steadily becoming a hub for innovation, particularly in sectors like environmental science, renewable energy, and digital technologies. Exeter Science Park and the University of Exeter play central roles in fostering research and entrepreneurship, helping to cultivate a growing community of tech startups and knowledge-based enterprises that are drawn to the region for its balance of professional opportunity and quality of life.
A strong educational ecosystem underpins the business environment, with institutions like the University of Plymouth and several further education colleges producing a skilled and adaptable workforce. These educational bodies often collaborate with businesses through research initiatives and skills development programs, further enhancing the region’s capacity for growth.
However, Devon is not without its challenges. Transport and digital connectivity, especially in rural areas, can still pose hurdles for businesses, though infrastructure projects are gradually improving these conditions. Seasonality presents another obstacle, particularly for businesses heavily reliant on tourism, as demand tends to fluctuate dramatically outside the peak travel months. In addition, rising property prices—driven in part by increased demand from remote workers and those seeking a lifestyle change—have contributed to a growing affordability gap for local workers and young professionals.
Despite these challenges, Devon benefits from a supportive business ecosystem backed by local authorities and enterprise partnerships. Organizations like the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership offer funding, mentoring, and strategic support aimed at encouraging economic development and innovation. With its mix of natural assets, community-driven entrepreneurship, and a steadily modernizing infrastructure, Devon is well-positioned to thrive in the evolving economic landscape. For business owners, investors, and innovators looking for a region with both character and potential, Devon offers a compelling and increasingly dynamic environment in which to grow and succeed.
At Find a Business Expert, we’re committed to supporting the success of local businesses by providing easy, no-cost access to fully vetted experts in Devon - all available to connect with through our website. We believe that small businesses are the backbone of economic growth and community vitality. They generate employment, spark innovation, and enrich our towns and cities with personalised, human-centred services. More than that, small businesses serve as incubators for entrepreneurial spirit, empowering individuals to turn their ideas into reality while driving long-term prosperity for the wider economy.
