The husband-and-wife team rewriting the business rulebook

An Exeter couple have been honoured with a national award for their work helping local entrepreneurs grow and thrive.

Simon and Linda Hall, the husband-and-wife team behind Simon Hall Will Writing Services, have been named Local Ambassadors of the Year by Entrepreneurs Circle (EC), a national business organisation that supports small business owners across the UK.

The pair were recognised during a gathering of more than 80 EC Ambassadors at the group’s new national headquarters, where they were praised for leading high-energy business events that bring together the city’s most ambitious entrepreneurs.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Simon and Linda,” said Nigel Botterill, Founder & CEO of Entrepreneurs Circle.

“They’ve created exactly what I envisaged when we first set out to run these Local Events — vibrant, action-focused, supportive environments where real business growth happens. They’ve made it real. I’m genuinely inspired by them, as are our other Local Ambassadors across the UK.”

Simon and Linda lead the EC Local Events in Exeter, which take place monthly and typically attract around 30 business owners. They do this role on a voluntary basis, simply to give back and help others succeed — creating an alternative to traditional networking breakfasts or sales pitches, and focusing instead on implementation, insight and peer support.

Feedback from local EC members described the events as “fun, inspiring, vibrant” with “implementable content” and “dynamic energy.” One attendee called them “a highlight of the business month” and “the first thing in the calendar.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award — but the real reward is seeing the Exeter business community come together, support each other, and take real action month after month. That’s what drives us,” said Simon Hall.

“It’s a privilege to help create a space where entrepreneurs feel encouraged, energised and never alone in their journey,” added Linda Hall.

“We’ve seen so many members grow in confidence and results — and watch this space folks, we’re just getting started.”

EC recently renamed these gatherings from “Local Meetings” to “Local Events” to reflect their energy and ambition — something the Halls were already embodying on the ground.

What makes EC Local Events different?
The group says its events are designed to break the mould. There are:

• No 6am starts

• No awkward ice breakers

• No pitch-fests

• No dodgy breakfasts

• No deathly dull presentations

Instead, attendees are offered real-world insight, peer support, and practical strategies to implement straight away.

“Entrepreneurs benefit from the kind of shared accountability and community support that so many solo founders and small business owners crave,” a spokesperson said.

The next EC Local Event in Exeter takes place on Thursday 17 July at 5.45pm, with new guests welcome. For more information, visit the Entrepreneurs Circle website.