Exeter is Devon's county city, with a population of around 129,000 and a job market that leans heavily on the NHS, the University of Exeter, and a cluster of science, insurance and environmental-data employers rather than heavy industry. Live vacancies tend towards healthcare, higher education, professional services and the warehousing and retail jobs on the trading estates ringing the city.
The single biggest employer is the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which employs around 16,000 staff across Devon and is the largest employer in the county. Its main Exeter site is the Wonford hospital (the former Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, EX2), a constant source of clinical, nursing and support vacancies. The University of Exeter is the other anchor, with roughly 9,000 academic, technical and professional-services staff spread across the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, plus term-time work for students. At Exeter Business Park near Junction 29 of the M5 sits the Met Office headquarters, alongside the neighbouring Exeter Science Park, which hosts life-sciences, environmental-tech and digital firms. Insurance is a long-standing local sector, with The Exeter (formerly Exeter Friendly Society) among the established names. The Sowton and Marsh Barton trading estates (EX2) carry most of the distribution, motor-trade and trades work, and recruitment agencies in the city centre handle much of the temporary care, logistics and admin hiring.
Transport: Exeter St Davids is on the Great Western main line, with direct trains to London Paddington in about two hours on the fastest services, Bristol Temple Meads in around an hour, and frequent connections to Plymouth. The M5 ends at Exeter, with Junctions 29 and 30 feeding Sowton and the A30/A38. Exeter Airport, about four miles east near Sowton, adds ground-handling and aviation jobs. Postcodes: EX1 and EX4 cover the centre and north, EX2 the southern estates and the hospital.</blurb> </invoke>
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Frequently asked questions
Who are the biggest employers in Exeter?
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, based mainly at the Wonford hospital site in EX2, employs around 16,000 staff across Devon and is the largest employer in the county. The University of Exeter is next, with roughly 9,000 staff across its Streatham and St Lukes campuses. The Met Office headquarters at Exeter Business Park is another major employer, sitting alongside the firms on the adjacent Exeter Science Park.
Where are the main industrial and business estates in Exeter?
Sowton Industrial Estate sits between Junctions 29 and 30 of the M5 in EX2 and holds most of the city distribution, warehousing and motor-trade work. Marsh Barton, also in EX2 to the south of the centre, is the largest trading estate in Exeter and is heavy on the motor trade and trades suppliers. Exeter Business Park and Exeter Science Park, both near Junction 29, are where the office, data and science-led employers are concentrated.
How well connected is Exeter for commuting?
Exeter St Davids is the main station, with direct Great Western trains reaching London Paddington in around two hours on the fastest services and Bristol Temple Meads in about an hour. The M5 terminates at the city, so Junctions 29 and 30 give quick access to the trading estates, the A30 and the A38 towards Plymouth. Exeter Airport lies about four miles east near Sowton for flight, ground-handling and related aviation roles.