Christmas came early for a Horsham based company this week. It was a great honour to be present when Doyle& Tratt received a Queens Award for Innovation from HRH Duke of Kent at their Faygate Headquarters. It’s the second time they have received the prestigious award and the company are typical of a number in Horsham who, often just below the radar screen, are doing great things. They trade as “Varilight” and are a classic “small” company growth story. It occurred to the founders – Tony and Carole Doyle that while their grandparents had been able to “turn down the gas”, dimming electric lights in the early 1970’s was just impossible. From that simple idea came the first “dimmer switch” and “Varilight” has continued to innovate. From the first basic dimmer switch in 1972 they have learned to apply the same technology to LED and now, forty years later, to remote control “scene setting”. It’s a great story for the company – but also for the UK as they export globally.
More jobs in Horsham that focus on high quality innovative products is what we all want to see. Earlier this week I met with Ron Crank, Chief Executive of the Coast to Capital local enterprise partnership. Based in Horsham, the “LEP” are the body who work with the local councils in partnership with businesses small and large, schools and many other stakeholders in our area to improve economic growth across Sussex and Surrey.
Coast to Capital administer £238m worth of Government capital growth funding. Their main aims are to identify growth locations, and support aspiring and successful businesses. There are many great reasons to start a business in the Horsham area – and last year there were no fewer than 1,200 such start-ups. Not every business is destined for success but there will be, I am certain, some new “Varilights” bringing in new ideas, exports and jobs. The challenge for Horsham is to help ensure these businesses have access to the local skills and infrastructure that keeps them wedded to the area as they, we all hope, flourish.