Boost in Somerset inward investment enquiries leads to new jobs (From Jobs SW)

Boost in Somerset inward investment enquiries leads to new jobs

8:30am Monday 1st February 2010

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A Somerset inward investment company has employed two new staff following a surge in enquiries.

Into Somerset has welcomed businessman and business advisor Gerard Tucker as their new investment manager and will be responsible for handling inquiries from businesses wishing to relocate to Somerset.

Their second appointment is marketer and administrator Kim McDonald, who has become Into Somerset’s new ambassador programme co-ordinator. She will work with the county’s private sector to help promote Somerset as a business destination.

Gerard has been seconded for 15 months on a part-time basis from his South Somerset District Council economic development team leader and Yeovil Innovation Centre manager roles.

Gerard said: “My aim and ambition is to promote the benefits of doing business in Somerset and provide practical assistance to anyone wishing to relocate here and grow their business.”

Gerard founded and ran a successful international beef semen business in Somerset until it was decimated following the BSE crisis and was later forced to close. He went on to become an agricultural development officer and then a community development officer in Langport.

Kim, from Hertfordshire, spent 13 years in promotion in the educational publishing industry and then became a public relations officer for a further education college.

After moving to Somerset in 2007, Kim joined regeneration organisation Yeovil Vision as personal assistant to projects director Alan Brown. Kim has also changed jobs following reorganisation.

In addition to her work for Into Somerset, she will be providing PR support for Somerset Chamber of Commerce, which operates from the same building at Blackbrook Business Park, Taunton.

Kim values her new role because of its community involvement.

She said: “I have always tried to work for companies with social merit.

“I want to help Into Somerset ambassadors promote Somerset’s business culture and encourage inward investment, as well as raising the profile of their businesses and celebrating their success.”

Into Somerset – www.intosomerset.co.uk - is funded by the local authorities. Its Business Ambassadors help raise awareness of the county’s business benefits and attend regular Into Somerset briefings.

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