Expat entrepreneur launches Ovenu Newton Abbot

A globetrotting entrepreneur who established successful businesses in two different hemispheres is putting down roots in his native South Devon with the launch of oven cleaning service Ovenu Newton Abbot.

Simon Whalley grew up in Torquay before leaving for Australia in the early 1990s, where he ran his own grocery and delicatessen in Melbourne, and then six years ago, he relocated to Spain, setting up an upholstery and carpet cleaning firm.

However, after spending more than 30 years overseas, he decided in 2022 it was time to head home to the English Riviera.

Now, having recently got married and settling in Newton Abbot, Simon invested in an Ovenu franchise, bringing the trusted brand back to the area. The business covers the TQ12 and TQ13 postcodes, including Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Chagford, Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, Moretonhampstead, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Dawlish, Teignmouth.

Simon, 57, said: "I'd known of Ovenu for several years because the brand also operates in Australia, and shortly before selling my home in Melbourne, I had the local franchisee clean my oven and was extremely impressed with the results.

"Having built businesses from the ground up before, I understand the rewards and the challenges. What appealed about Ovenu was the opportunity to run my own business while benefiting from the strength and support of an established brand – which allows me to focus on building relationships with clients and delivering a first-class service.

"I've loved the experience of living in different parts of the world, but I consider South Devon home and still have strong family links to Torquay and Newton Abbot.

"More recently, I've been driving HGVs delivering building supplies across the area but felt the time was right to become my own boss again. Getting married has only strengthened my desire to put down roots and build something for the future."

Simon is keen to build on the strong reputation established by his predecessor and reconnect with former customers, while introducing the service to new clients.

"Simon brings with him a tremendous amount of business experience, together with the people skills and a strong work ethic that are essential to creating a thriving business.” 
Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of Ovenu

The Ovenu process involves dismantling key oven components, including doors, panels, fans and shelves, before cleaning them in specialist, design-registered tank equipment using safe, non-caustic and biodegradable products. The service restores ovens to near showroom condition and also covers hobs, extractor hoods, microwaves and range cookers.