What does your company do?
We provide Business Consultancy to the Hospitality and Retail Industries as well as HR and training services.
What do people think that your company does?
That’s the thing. Despite giving advice to other people on marketing and advertising, we don’t seem to have followed our own advice and a lot of people don’t know what we do!
What’s your day-to-day job?
It depends on the day. One day I could be completing a Level 3 Diploma with a Supervisor in a restaurant, the next day I could be meeting a developer to discuss the possibility of a new restaurant. Each day is different and that’s why I love it. Everyone else thinks I just go round talking to people and eating nice food. (Which is also true).
What was your very first job?
My first job was paperboy for the late great Councillor Garth Netherton. I was 14 and it taught me getting up at 6am, 7 days a week. Something I have done for the rest of my life regardless of work.
Can you remember what was in your very first pay packet?
As a paperboy it was £4.20 per week. When I left school my first pay packet was £51, which I thought was phenomenal.
What advice would you now give to your 16-year-old self?
I wouldn’t say a thing. I believe all the mistakes I’ve made have made me what I am today. But I have told all my kids to go to College, then go travelling, then go to University, because I did none of them.
How long have your been in your current job and what was your previous role?
For 5 years, previously I was a Development Tutor for Cornwall Council.
What does your company most pride itself for? And how does it deliver?
Our no nonsense approach. The world is full of consultancy companies that use management speak. It’s all blue-sky thinking, critical paths and mind-mapping high-powered flipchart meetings. We use plain English and get results
What improvements is your company currently making?
Our website has been seriously neglected and needs attention to bring it up to date and make it modern, relevant and interesting.
What recent successes have you, or the business, had that gives you reasons to feel proud?
We were heavily involved in Sams in the City in Truro from day one. That proved to be a huge success and employs 20+ local people. I’m very proud of that but I’m even more excited about Sams at the Bay, at Carlyon Bay, which is the project we are currently working on.
What top three qualities do you look for in the people you employ, or work with? Honesty, enthusiasm, initiative.
Is your business currently recruiting?
All of the above!
What’s your journey to work?
I’m very lucky. The furthest I travel at the moment is Plymouth. Sometime I work at Polkerris a whole 1 ½ miles from home!
What would be your dream way of commuting?
By speedboat, which looks like becoming reality, when going from Sams on the Beach to Sams at the Bay!!
How do you like to unwind and relax after a busy week in the job?
I love a pint, or a gin and tonic, in the summer sitting outside at Polkerris or Charlestown while the kids jump off the harbour. My idea of heaven.
What’s your best quality?
What’s your worst?
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Trevor Brooking, West Ham legend. Or Foghorn Leghorn.
If you could change one thing about your work environment, what would it be?
I would move my office from Par to Carlyon Bay permanently because the views are immense.
In your mind, is St Austell a great, good, or not such a good place to do business?
St Austell is a fantastic place to do business and is full of like-minded people who are equally as enthusiastic. Sadly it’s suffered from a few repressive minds that have held back the town continuously throughout my lifetime. The huge task for our generation is to persuade the investors, retailers and developers that St Austell welcomes them and wants to grow to serve its large population. Then we can have a town to be proud of and one worthy of the largest single population of people in Cornwall.
