The University of Exeter Business School’s MBA community is set to continue its successful speaker series after announcing its exciting autumn line up. The Leading Edge speaker series sees world-renowned leaders and entrepreneurs come together with students, faculty and alumni, chief executives and senior leaders to discuss the most pressing global challenges facing business, and through their ideas they challenge us to reflect upon how business can shape a better and more sustainable world. This autumn’s series features influential business people, leading arts figures, authors and journalists, each displaying a unique and provocative approach to leadership within their particular field. They include high profile businesswoman Mary Portas, writer and broadcaster Mary-Ann Sieghart and Dr Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England. John Amaechi OBE returns to Leading Edge for this second series, following a sold-out session in 2020. Each speaker has recently written books on significant topics of interest to the Business School’s MBA community: the role of kindness in society and business; the importance of creativity and innovation; the continuing challenges of gender inequalities and developing leadership potential wherever it exists. Based within the Exeter Centre for Leadership at the University of Exeter Business School, The Exeter MBA has been recognised as one of the leading MBA programmes in the world. The programme seeks to prepare managers from around the world for the responsibility of leadership and provides the space and opportunity to engage with the cutting edge research that informs decisions, which bring social and environmental progress. Jackie Bagnall, Director of the Exeter MBA, said: “As an MBA focused on sustainability, innovation and responsible leadership we are committed to hosting events that bring high quality speakers with a fresh perspective to the most pressing challenges facing business. “The Leading Edge programme has been designed to spark debate, fuel the imagination and generate conversations among a vibrant leadership learning community. “An MBA provides leaders with the opportunity to hear directly from a range of voices on issues that are pivotal in leading responsible business. We encourage anyone who has an interest in big ideas and new perspectives to join us for the series. You can ask questions of our speakers and join us afterwards for optional lively breakout sessions, where you can discuss and debate the issues raised by the speakers.” In the first event in the new series on 27 September,…

THE summer of fevered transfer activity in the English soccer Premier League has seen several ‘new’ faces emerge in the betting for top goalscorer in season 2021/22. Those players include some very familiar with the English top flight, with legend of the game Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United seeing him installed as third favorite to claim a second Premier League golden boot – he last took the prize in 2008! He may be 36, which in soccer terms is virtually a retiree, but the gambling firms have the Portugal international as short as 9/2 (450) to come out on top of the goalscoring charts, despite many believing he won’t be playing every game for Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side. His reputation, however, for being in the right place at the right time, have seen him installed ahead of England’s top striker, Harry Kane, reports theexeterdaily.co.uk. The news that Ronaldo has usurped Kane, the current holder of the top scorer prize, is seen by many as more an indication of Tottenham Hotspur not spending big in the summer, and the fact that Kane seemed certain to leave the London club where he has spent all of his career. The three-time golden boot winner was believed to be heading to Manchester City in a $175million transfer, but the move never came off and Kane remains at Spurs. But Kane just loves scoring goals and he is still only 28, and at a price of 7/1 (700) he offers good value to retain the trophy. But the favorite to win a first golden boot is Romelu Lukaku, seen as the final piece in the Chelsea jigsaw that will see them challenging again for the Premier League title they last won in 2017. The Belgium international didn’t come cheap – the Blues spending $135million on a player they sold for $38million seven years ago – but the sportsbooks are convinced he’ll be a goal machine back at Stamford Bridge, installing him as short as 11/4 (275) to finish top of the scoring charts. Lukaku has always scored in English football with a return of 114 goals in 254 Premier League games for West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Manchester United, with his best return the 25 Premier League goals he registered in season 2016/17 for Everton. He’s clearly expected to improve on those figures with the quality of creative…

One of the most active community organisations in the west country has made a splash by securing its 100th business supporter – a new watersports company. Shaka Watersports has signed up to Love Topsham, the high profile community interest company that acts as a cheerleader for the East Devon estuary town. Love Topsham already has scores of independent local firms as business supporters, ranging from food shops and fitness professionals to artisan craftspeople and even estate agents and holiday let owners, all based in and operating from Topsham. Recruiting Shaka to the fold took the numbers of local businesses over the 100 mark. “Topsham is small but packed with entrepreneurs, start ups, shops and creatives that have mostly thrived despite the pandemic – indeed, they’ve helped the local economy  emerge healthier and more lively than before” explains Paul Berman, a director of non-profit Love Topsham, which promotes the town as a destination. Shaka Watersports, based in the town since its creation last year, runs paddle board hire, guided tours, lessons and windsurfing tuition. “If you don’t know the tides in Topsham, it can be a bit daunting taking your board out. That’s where we come in. We want to help people be confident and safe exploring the estuary” explains James Muggridge, who runs the firm with his partner Emma Forrester. They’re both in their 20s and already live in Topsham. They selected the town as a business base too because it’s got such an active community, because the estuary is well managed and not overused making it a perfect location especially for beginners to paddle boarding, and because the town is more accessible than traditional water sport destinations on the south Devon coast. “The estuary and canal pair up to make the perfect loop for a paddle board adventure. We time our sessions with the tide, so you can ride the estuary out to Turf and then hop back on the canal for a glassy paddle to Topsham” James continues. Love Topsham is building on its strong business support by running a networking event for local companies and staff in late September, and a Local Business Fair on October 3 in the town’s Matthew’s Hall, where over 20 producers, artisans and retailers will be on display. Business supporters donate to help fund a string of events and activities putting the…

People from Devon can get on their bike and raise vital funds for Diabetes UK this autumn by taking part in a cycling challenge. The UK Wide Cycle Ride runs throughout September and is a perfect opportunity to take your fitness up a gear while raising money for diabetes research along the way. Challengers can pick from one of four virtual distances, ranging from 150 miles for beginners through to 950 miles for more experienced cyclists, and they have the entire month to clock up the mileage. The aim is to challenge yourself – at your own pace – and pedal towards a stronger, healthier you. Phaedra Perry, Regional Head Diabetes UK South West said: “Cycling is a fantastic way to help you get fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge. Autumn is on the way and, with the slightly cooler weather arriving soon, this challenge comes at the perfect time for anyone looking to saddle up and give it a try. “Demand for our services has reached unprecedented levels across the past 18 months or so and we need your support to be able to continue fighting for people living with the condition. So please sign up and get pedalling – your support can change lives.” You can cycle the miles however you wish over the 30 days of September, by embracing the outdoors, staying home and using an exercise bike or a mix of the two. There are four ‘coast to coast’ distances to choose from:  Route 1: 150 miles, the equivalent of Seascale to Whitby Route 2: 220 miles, Margate to Weston-Super-Mare Route 3: 500 miles, Scottish North Coast route Route 4: 950 miles, Land’s End to John O’Groats
Those taking part will get their own fundraising profile page and can join a Facebook group where event ambassadors and challengers discuss their progress and share tips. There are fundraising incentives, with anyone raising £50 or more receiving a medal. Diabetes UK-branded cycling caps and jerseys will go to anyone raising £150 and £300 respectively. There are an estimated 4.9 million people living in the UK with diabetes − a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed carefully, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight…

The Muddy Dog Challenge is back in Exeter for more mud, sweat and cheers helping to raise money for the dogs and cats at Battersea.  Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge is one of the UK’s biggest obstacle courses you can take part in with your dog. The aim of the challenge is simply to have fun while raising money for Battersea. Participants can enter solo, in a team with the kids, with or without a dog, and there is a distance of 2.5km or 5km to choose from. All registered participants will receive a Muddy Dog Challenge t-shirt and dog bandana to take part in, and a medal and rosette for crossing the finish line. Event details: The Muddy Dog Challenge Exeter Date: Saturday 30 October 2021 Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm Location: Escot House, Devon, EX11 1LU Cost: £35 – £55 Jasmine Monk, Senior Challenge Events Officer at Battersea, commented: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to one of Battersea’s biggest fundraising events. Last year was tough for everyone, but we’re so happy and grateful to see that so many supporters have stuck with us. “All the money raised goes back into the care of the dogs and cats in the UK and beyond. There are limited places left, so please do register if you’re interested in taking part. We can’t wait to see everyone tackle our obstacle course again!” Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge is proudly supported by Seresto Flea and Tick Control collar. Registration for places close on Sunday 10 October. If taking part isn’t your thing, Battersea is always looking for volunteers for the event, for more details and how to register for the Muddy Dog Challenge, visit https://muddydog.battersea.org.uk/   The Exeter Daily …