Top business award win puts Exeter entrepreneurs in the spotlight

Two Exeter business owners have been named joint Local Entrepreneurs of the Year by Entrepreneurs Circle (EC), the UK’s largest private entrepreneurial community, highlighting the strength and resilience of the city’s fast‑growing business scene.

Sally Cope, founder of coaching business Koru Connections, and Larry Hamilton‑Wright, who runs the Exeter branch of property services firm Aspray, collected their awards at the latest EC Local Event, hosted by local ambassador Simon Hall.

“Sally and Larry stood out because they didn’t just attend, they applied,” Simon said. 

“Both have used EC as a place to learn, test ideas and gain confidence, then gone back into their businesses and made brave, practical decisions that delivered real results. That’s exactly what this award is about.”

For Larry, the recognition reflects growth and confidence gained through EC support. After opening a second Exeter office two years ago and outsourcing routine tasks to focus on leadership, his business matched the previous year’s turnover in just six months.

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“EC gave me a route map at a time when marketing felt confusing and fast moving,” he said. “The guidance is practical and no‑nonsense.”

Meanwhile, Sally saw her coaching business grow by 50 per cent in turnover and profit in 2025 with no additional overheads. 

Strategic roles (including national presenting and mentoring other coaches) helped boost turnover by 75 per cent while maintaining strong margins.

“I’m honoured to receive this award,” she said. “EC Local is not about collecting business cards, it’s about building trust. When you show up consistently, conversations turn into connections, and connections turn into opportunities.”

The awards come as Exeter gains wider recognition as a strong place to launch and grow a business. 

According to Utility Bidder, Exeter was ranked among the top locations in the UK for start–up survival, with more than half (51.7 per cent) of new businesses still trading after five years, the highest rate nationally. 

Exeter also ranked in the top 10 business hotspots in England for resilience and economic performance, with a solid job market and appeal to service‑sector firms. 

Locally, this entrepreneurial momentum is reflected in the number of new firms forming around the city. 

In 2024 there were more than 1,100 new business registrations in Exeter (among the highest in Devon) underscoring a vibrant small‑business ecosystem.

Entrepreneurs Circle says its monthly sessions, which cover topics from marketing and membership revenue models to collaborative “Hot Seat” problem solving, help founders tap into that growth by sharing practical skills and experience.

“Exeter has a thriving business community, but it can be easy to feel isolated when running your own company,” Simon said. 

“EC Local gives people a place to learn, share and feel supported. That’s helping local businesses survive and thrive.”

The group’s activities now go beyond traditional networking, with informal meetups, social gatherings and seasonal events planned for 2026 to deepen connections among founders.

EC members like Sally and Larry not only grow their own operations but contribute to Exeter’s wider economy by creating jobs, mentoring peers and strengthening the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation and enterprise. 

With strong employment rates and a high concentration of professional services, Exeter’s economic profile provides fertile ground for small and medium‑sized businesses that underpin the local economy. 

“Entrepreneurs Circle has become the beating heart of entrepreneurship in the UK,” said founder Nigel Botterill. 

“Local groups like Exeter show exactly why, as they bring together ambitious business owners who are willing to learn, adapt and support each other.”

“Sally and Larry’s results show what happens when that learning turns into decisive action.”

The next EC Local meeting in Exeter is scheduled for 15 January at the Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, from 5.45 pm. 

Business owners interested in attending can register to join Entrepreneurs Circle for free.