Community.

A key strategic value of the business is that we contribute positively to the social, educational, and economic wellbeing of our community, and are a good neighbour and community member – locally, regionally and nationally.

Founder and Director Neil Douglas is a board member for the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Viper are a representative of the business community as part of a steering group looking at the redevelopment of a major part of Portishead.

Two of the Company’s Directors are currently active on a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and ‘Be the Business’ initiative ‘Business Advisory Board’ which provides board level guidance to selected local SMEs.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we purchased and distributed PPE to local NHS, care homes and councils to support the efforts of key workers.

Charity.

We are active in the community and provide funding to a local charity every year. Currently, having made a financial contribution, we are now supporting ‘Turn The Tide Portishead’ with staff participating in ‘litter picking’ in Portishead. ‘Turn the Tide’ are focussed on reducing the amount of litter reaching surrounding coastlines.

Turn The Tide Press Release

Education.

Education is at the heart of Viper’s core values, and as a result we have supported many local schools, colleges and universities through work experience, internships, mentoring and sponsorships.

We have sponsored the Young Enterprise charitable scheme annually for the past four years, we have also provided a business mentor and business judges. In 2018 and 2019 we financially sponsored and provided trainers and facilities for a local initiative called ‘Coding Bug’, which provides an introduction of software coding to school children (8 to 12 years age range).

Structured work experience is given to at least two school students each year and one or two internships are available for second/third year undergraduates during summer holidays. We also support, financially and through career mentoring, a local school student via the Arkwright Foundation initiative and sponsor a university undergraduate via the UK Electronic Skills Foundation Initiative.

A select number of students studying STEM subjects at local schools are invited into the offices to see new technology and/or hear from engineers about choices and training needs for a career in engineering. Our staff members also provide inspirational talks at local schools about the importance of STEM, along with providing support for career days and interview practice sessions for students.

In 2021 we welcomed Viper’s first engineering apprentices, in partnership with Weston College. The students will be able to gain invaluable skills and industry knowledge to shape their professional development.​​​​​​​