DR JOHN Bessant, Professor of Innovation at Exeter University Business School, was headline speaker at the Garden Party for Growth organised by Wellington Business Association and hosted at Tone Dale House by the Big House Co.

Backed up by Kath Roberts, a former international headhunter turned life-coach, and Patrick McCaig, managing director of Otter Brewery, the panel informed and entertained a packed seminar of about 70 WBA members and guests.

Each speaker had a very different take on how to stimulate and manage growth in a business – although only Patrick had donned an otter costume and run across a Premiership rugby pitch in pursuit of more beer sales.

Neil Murphy, outgoing chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, wrapped up the event with a brief outline of the enormous opportunities – and some of the difficulties – for local businesses in the Hinckley Point power station project.