Business Fest SW and G12

by G12 Marketing

November 3, 2025

It was fantastic to see so many of you at the recent G12 Networking event in Newton Abbot.

Jamie and I really enjoyed meeting passionate, like-minded business owners who care deeply about what they do. The conversations were inspiring and the energy in the room was excellent.

A big thank you to Alistair Gleave and the Lavender House team. The breakfast was superb and your organisation made the event run so smoothly.

We’re excited to announce our new partnership with G12 Networking. As part of this collaboration, we’re offering a special “Partner Rate” for any businesses that book via the official G12 Networking link.

Click for Partner Rate

Business Fest South West is happening on Wednesday 1st April 2026 and we’re excited to see so many local businesses coming together for this event.

We’d love to stay connected beyond these events so please feel free to connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on our social media channels to keep up to date with our latest updates and how we’re supporting the local business community.

Here’s to continued collaboration and growth through the G12 community!

News

Bringing Fairytales to the Garden: Meet Martin Killick of Bespoke Garden Play

by G12 Marketing

October 29, 2025

In a world increasingly dominated by mass-produced plastic, there’s a refreshing magic to the work being done in the heart of East Devon. This is the home of Bespoke Garden Play, where founder and managing director Martin Killick and his dedicated team hand-craft some of the most spectacular, imaginative play structures imaginable.

Based in the charming village of Upottery, Martin has turned a passion for quality craftsmanship into a nationwide and even European enterprise.

Martin designed and built a bespoke play center to make the best use of space in our garden. He was extremely helpful and knowledgable whilst we were designing it and adapted designs based on my children’s interests. The installation was painless and my children love it. We are very happy with play center and hope it will have many years of use.

From Devon Workshop to European Gardens
While Martin and his team proudly live and work in the beautiful West Country, their stunning play centres are installed in gardens all over the UK. The demand for their high-quality, custom-made creations has even taken them across borders, proving that truly exceptional work transcends geography. Their impressive installation map includes far-flung locations like Berlin and even the sunny island of Majorca.

This far-reaching success is a testament to the quality and imagination poured into every piece they build.

Visit the Bespoke Garden Playhouse here: https://www.bespokegardenplay.co.uk/

The Bespoke Difference: Hand-Made for a Lifetime of Play
What makes a Bespoke Garden Play centre so special? It all comes down to the word “bespoke.” Unlike off-the-shelf options, every project is hand-made by Martin and his team in their East Devon workshop. This means complete control over design, materials, and safety, resulting in a piece that is both robust and beautiful.

The range is extensive, catering to every garden size and child’s dream:

Small Play Cottages: Perfect, standalone structures for budding imaginations.
Large Playhouse Climbing Frames: Combining the fun of a secret hideaway with active challenge.
Multi-Platform Playcentres: These are the showstoppers, incorporating incredible features such as castles, towers, bridges, slides, and numerous activities.

Once complete, the structure is carefully transported and installed on-site in the customer’s garden. Projects often take several days to construct and perfect, a clear indication of the commitment to detail.

Favourite Moments and Famous Clients
Martin’s reputation for quality has naturally attracted a clientele looking for the very best for their children. Over the years, a number of celebrities, including well-known golfers, footballers, and TV stars, have commissioned his services to bring unique play structures to life.

Yet, for Martin, the greatest reward isn’t the prestige of the client, but the pure joy of the end result. He notes that seeing the children for the very first time on a structure he and his team have created is always a “very satisfying and thrilling moment.” That immediate, unadulterated excitement is the ultimate measure of success for Bespoke Garden Play.

Ultimately, Martin Killick and Bespoke Garden Play are not just building wooden structures; they are building childhood memories and transforming ordinary gardens into extraordinary worlds of adventure, one stunning, hand-made castle at a time

G12 Selekt Teign Group Business Networking

by Alistair Gleave

September 4, 2025

Join us on Wednesday 3rd December from 9.30 am at Cafe ODE on Ness Drive in Shaldon for our December G12 Selekt Business Networking Referral event.

G12 Business Networking in Devon aims to be the best business network you can attend, it doesn’t matter if you’re a startup, sole trader, entrepreneur, or a member of a larger team, you’ll love the relaxed, informal environment.

We’ve expanded this successful format to now offer a Selekt Business Referral group as well as our usual last Wednesday of the month business networking event.

For this G12 Selekt meeting, you’re invited to join other business professionals in our community, who contribute to the mutual success of all members.

The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to:

Expand Your Network: Connect with a diverse group of professionals, potential clients, and collaborators from various industries.
Generate Qualified Referrals: Access to a pool of referrals that can lead to new business opportunities and partnerships.
Build Trust and Credibility: Establish yourself as a trusted resource within the community by consistently providing and receiving valuable referrals.
Enhance Visibility: Increase your business’s visibility and brand awareness among a targeted audience of decision-makers and influencers.
Learn and Grow: Gain insights from industry experts and peers that can help you refine your networking skills and business strategies.
Accelerate Business Growth: Leverage the power of referrals to accelerate your business growth and achieve your professional goals.
Supportive Community: Join a supportive community of like-minded professionals who are invested in each other’s success and willing to collaborate.

G12 Selekt Meeting Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Member Introductions and Business Pitches
Referral Exchange and Networking
Discussion on Group Goals and Future Meetings
Q&A and Closing Remarks
We are committed to creating a dynamic and supportive environment where each member can thrive. Your participation would be a valuable addition to our group, and we are excited to see the synergies that can be created through our collective efforts.

The meeting fee includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that.

Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

G12 Selekt Teign Group Business Networking July

by Alistair Gleave

May 14, 2025

Join us on Wednesday 2nd July from 9.30 am at Cafe ODE on Ness Drive in Shaldon for our G12 Selekt Business Networking Referral event.

We’ve expanded this successful format to now offer a Selekt Business Referral group as well as our usual last Wednesday of the month business networking event.

For this G12 Selekt meeting, you’re invited to join other business professionals in our community, who contribute to the mutual success of all members.

The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to:

G12 Selekt Meeting Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
Member Introductions and Business Pitches
Referral Exchange and Networking
Discussion on Group Goals and Future Meetings
Q&A and Closing Remarks

We are committed to creating a dynamic and supportive environment where each member can thrive. Your participation would be a valuable addition to our group, and we are excited to see the synergies that can be created through our collective efforts.

The meeting fee includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that.

Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

June Big Breakfast Business Networking

by Alistair Gleave

May 12, 2025

Join us on Wednesday 25th June from 9.30 am at Harcombe House in Chudleigh for our June Big Breakfast Business Networking meeting.

G12 Business Networking in Devon is aiming to be the best business network you can attend, it doesn’t matter if you’re a startup, sole trader, entrepreneur or a member of a larger team, you’ll love the relaxed, informal environment.

This will be the first time at Harcombe House and we are in our dedicated area room away from the venues’ paying guests. So for this event, we’ll have privacy and the same superb standard of service with a fabulous breakfast and bottomless tea and coffees.

As always we will be working to our meeting format that includes three guaranteed 10 min 1-2-1 conversations with people you choose – this unlocks so many great opportunities!

G12 has no membership fees and no compulsory attendance or forced referrals its just great networking and an opportunity to meet lots of other local business people. So why not come along and join this vibrant group, we’d love to meet you…

Agenda for our June G12 Business Networking Meeting

Arrive at 9.30am

9.30 – 9.55 Open Networking & 60 seconds

9.55 – 10.10 Breakfast is served

10.10 – 10.20 completion of the 60 second round

10.30 – Our Speaker is Jim Taylor from Cobalt – BT know that traditional phone lines are approaching the end of their useful life and have made a commitment to withdraw all of their copper products from the market by the end of January 2027. Many of us have had our landline phone number for years and really don’t want to lose it but at the same time, we want the faster internet speeds that Full Fibre Broadband can deliver. Fret not, Jim has the answer!

10.30 – 11.20 am our networking 1-2-1 opportunity

11.30 am – we close the meeting

This includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that!

We’d love to meet you at the next Glorious 12th+ meeting, we always try to keep the costs to a minimum so all members get maximum value hence why there may be a pay online price and pay on the door price which could be different. Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

News

G12 Business Networking Christmas Lunch – A Festive Success

by Alistair Gleave

December 19, 2024

What a wonderful time we had at the G12 Business Networking Christmas Lunch! 🎅✨ A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the festive spirit.

We’re delighted to share that the raffle was a tremendous success, raising an incredible £620 for The Devon Clinic. Your generosity will go a long way in supporting the vital work they do for our community.

A special shoutout to all the businesses and members who donated prizes for the raffle—it wouldn’t have been possible without your support!

Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and looking forward to seeing you in the New Year for more networking and community-building!

G12 Selekt Business Referral November

by Alistair Gleave

September 2, 2024

Join us on Wednesday 6th November from 9.30 am at the Dolphin Hotel in Bovey Tracey for our November G12 Selekt Business Networking Referral event.

We’ve expanded this successful format to now offer a Selekt Business Referral group as well as our usual last Wednesday of the month business networking event – October event is here.

For this second G12 Selekt meeting, you’re invited to join other business professionals in our community, who contribute to the mutual success of all members.

The meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to:

Expand Your Network: Connect with a diverse group of professionals, potential clients, and collaborators from various industries.
Generate Qualified Referrals: Access to a pool of referrals that can lead to new business opportunities and partnerships.
Build Trust and Credibility: Establish yourself as a trusted resource within the community by consistently providing and receiving valuable referrals.
Enhance Visibility: Increase your business’s visibility and brand awareness among a targeted audience of decision-makers and influencers.
Learn and Grow: Gain insights from industry experts and peers that can help you refine your networking skills and business strategies.
Accelerate Business Growth: Leverage the power of referrals to accelerate your business growth and achieve your professional goals.
Supportive Community: Join a supportive community of like-minded professionals who are invested in each other’s success and willing to collaborate.

G12 Selekt Meeting Agenda

Welcome and Introduction
Member Introductions and Business Pitches
Referral Exchange and Networking
Discussion on Group Goals and Future Meetings
Q&A and Closing Remarks

The meeting fee includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that.

Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

News

Exciting News for all Renewing and New Members

by G12 Marketing

August 16, 2024

We’re thrilled to announce that our networking group is now offering an incredible new benefit to all members upon joining or renewing their membership: 2 Free Wills provided by Chris Isaac of Secure Inheritance 📝✨

That’s right—along with all the other fantastic membership offers, you can now secure peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones with professionally prepared wills, absolutely free. It’s just one more way we’re adding value to your membership!

But that’s not all! 🌳 For every new or renewed membership, we also plant a tree—contributing to a greener future for all. 🌍💚

Join or renew today to take advantage of this amazing offer and continue to enjoy the benefits of being part of our vibrant networking community.

Let’s grow together—personally, professionally, and sustainably! 🌱

#Networking #MembershipBenefits #FreeWills #Sustainability #Community #GrowTogether

Small print:

The current price of a standard will is £139 per person inc VAT, The offer is valid for 3 months from the date of joining or renewal, Members may gift the free wills to family or friends with the same 3 months validity.

The nature of the service is that Chris will visit the member or their recipient at their homes to guide them through the process and take their instructions. He would revisit a few weeks later to supervise the signing and witnessing of the completed documents. Some exceptions may have to be made if the recipient of their free wills is in a remote location. In that case he would offer a Zoom or Telephone consultation.

News

Congratulations to Our Tree-Planting Certificate Recipients!

by Alistair Gleave

July 20, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that four of our G12 Business Networking Club members have been honored with certificates for their contribution to tree planting! This recognition comes as a result of either joining our network or renewing their membership. 🎉

A special thank you to Zoe Partridge from Moor Trees for presenting these certificates and highlighting the positive environmental impact our members are making. 🌿

Our Honored Members:

Tim Burling from Two Moors Finance
Gerry Bolt from G3 Promotions
Pete Egglestone from fit20
Duncan Salisbury-Jones from Navigation Financial Planning

Each of these members has shown a commitment not only to their business growth but also to sustainability and giving back to the environment. By planting trees, they are helping to create a greener future for all of us. 🌍

At G12 Business Networking Club, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting both local businesses and the environment. We are proud to partner with Moor Trees to make a tangible difference.

Join us in congratulating these outstanding members for their dedication and positive impact! Let’s continue to grow our network and our plant a forest together.

News

Life is a Journey, sitting in comfort should be your priority

by G12 Marketing

July 15, 2024

I suspect anyone who makes a living selling higher quality products understands the challenge of making people understand why they should spend more money on their product, than on a similar looking product elsewhere.

Henry Ford once said that ‘If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.’

We’ve all seen and been in enough cars to understand that Mercedes Benz build a better car than Fiat. It’ll last longer, go further on a litre of fuel and offer a more pleasant visceral experience. It will of course cost more to purchase, so the customer has to decide if they’re going to spend enough time in their car to justify the initial outlay. And in general we’ll find that a professional who needs a car for work and maybe does over 30k miles a year appreciate the benefits the Mercedes brings to their work and life, and will be more tempted to invest in the better product. And if they keep the Mercedes for long enough, at the end of its life it will likely not have cost any more than the Fiat per mile, as well as being a better tool to work and live with.

But car manufacturers know they can’t sell enough cars with a message that one has a better mpg than the other, it’s just not tempting enough, so they create adverts that make you believe your life will look and be better if you make that investment. It won’t of course, but you will have a more comfortable journey, be less likely to break down, use less fuel and all of that does help with productivity. But it’s a boring story. This gets to the heart of my problem. With the greatest of respect, few people have any idea what a chair can do and how good it can be. So we check it has the features we know about, select the colour, filter by price, and Bezos is your uncle, a new chair rolls off the back of a van 24 hours later. And after 6 years selling chairs, I’ve not yet seen an advert for one that makes a compelling reason for you to buy a better one.

So here’s what I’m doing about it.

I will bring the world’s best office chair (there are of course varying opinions on this, but this is my offer so I’m not interested in those for now) to your office, at home or at work.

Then 48 hours later, I’ll come and collect it again.
All you have to do is use it and not spill coffee on it.
Anyone, within 20 miles of Exeter.

Contact me direct: Paul Skinner

Phone: 01392 202012

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.backworld.co.uk/

Offer expires 31st Dec 2024

Business Fest SW and G12

Bringing Fairytales to the Garden: Meet Martin Killick of Bespoke Garden Play

G12 Selekt Teign Group Business Networking

G12 Selekt Teign Group Business Networking July

June Big Breakfast Business Networking

G12 Business Networking Christmas Lunch – A Festive Success

G12 Selekt Business Referral November

Exciting News for all Renewing and New Members

Congratulations to Our Tree-Planting Certificate Recipients!

Our Honored Members:

Life is a Journey, sitting in comfort should be your priority

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