A BUSINESS that started in Mid Devon eight years ago has been named as one of the best social enterprises in southern England.

GRIN SW LLP was formed in Tiverton in 2012 by husband and wife team Paul Tucker and Dominie Dunbrook.

The business advises not-for-profit organisations across the UK and internationally on funding and resource opportunities.

In August this year, GRIN was named as a Southern Enterprise Award Winner by SME News, with its work supporting other agencies during COVID-19 strongly commended.

“It’s great to receive this award”, commented company director, Paul Tucker. “We worked hard to establish the business while we were working for other organisations and it’s fantastic to see all the positive feedback we receive recognised in this way.”

Paul, who was Mid Devon District Council’s Grants Officer for almost 20 years before leaving to focus full-time on GRIN earlier this year, added: “We’ve been particularly busy during the coronavirus pandemic, advising not-for-profits facing financial crisis, often working on a pro-bono basis.

"In the last week we’ve been advising agencies in Cape Town, South Africa, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal, as well as responding to requests across the United Kingdom, often securing vital funding for them.”

Although GRIN’s business model is such that the company can work from any location, Dominie added: “All we need is a good internet connection.

The business moved to North Devon in 2018.

She added: “We thought it would be a better environment for growing the business, and since moving here the company has gone from strength-to-strength. The Southern Enterprise Award is just the icing on the cake!”