Business Noodles

In this episode of Business Noodles, we sit down with Nick Buckland, a serial chair and non-executive director with a diverse career spanning both the private and public sectors. Nick shares his journey from starting as a computer scientist to holding positions on ten different boards. He discusses the evolution of his portfolio career, the impact of technology on business and the significant chan...

A fascinating journey from journalism to leading a family-run innovative print company in Cornwall - Zoe Jones, managing director at KCS Print and Root Sustainable Labels joins us in this podcast episode. She talks about the unique challenges and opportunities in the print industry, her unexpected transition into the business and the inspiring story of her mother who founded the company in the lat...

Using AI to detect and prevent digital fraud is the latest business for our guest Oliver Crofton, a serial technology entrepreneur known for his ventures in cybersecurity and safeguarding businesses. Oliver shares his journey for founding multiple successful businesses, often seeing the potential before it becomes mainstream (cybersecurity is just one example). He also discusses the challenges and...

In this latest episode of Business Noodles, we chat to Guy Tullberg, the managing director of Tracklements, an award-winning manufacturer of artisan condiments. Guy shares the fascinating story of how the business began with his father's discovery of a 17th-century recipe for whole grain mustard. He explains how the company has grown from a small family business to a renowned brand known for...

Welcome to our special episode of Business Noodles, focusing on corporate finance.  We revisit a number of our previous episodes, pulling together the advice provided by our guests on topics ranging from early and late stage fundraising, using equity, through to buying and selling businesses.  Guests featured include: Myles Hopper from Mindful Chef, Robin Hutson from the Pig Group and Hotel du Vin...

After serving as an infantry reservist in Afghanistan, Andrew Pooley managed and grew businesses in the patient transport sector, culminating in a sale to a private equity-backed buyer following a successful turnaround. Now, as CEO and founder of Torbridge Capital, he invests in healthcare and learning and development businesses.  In this episode, Andrew shares his career story and reveals how he...

Coffee entrepreneur Will Little shares insights on building a challenger consumer brand, dealing with supermarkets and working with family members.  He discusses his experiences running two businesses: flavoured instant coffee specialist Little’s Coffee Company – founded by his parents 35 years ago – and speciality coffee roasters Roastworks. So why not grab your favourite brew and listen to his e...

High-profile chef and entrepreneur Michael Caines shares his career story, from the origins of his passion for food to his numerous business ventures. His journey from talented but wayward college student to acclaimed TV chef sheds light on the ingredients needed for success in the hospitality industry.  Having worked with Raymond Blanc and the Williams Formula One team among others, Michael is no...

Working with small-scale family farms to develop a route to market for food produced in harmony with nature has been Pipers Farm’s mission for 35 years. Abby Allen, farms director and co-author of the Sustainable Meat Cookbook, shares her passion for food and farming as she discusses the value of local supply chains and collaboration between rural businesses.  Her story sheds light on challenges f...

Robin Hutson OBE worked at some of the world’s best hotels before launching the successful Hotel du Vin and The Pig hotel groups. Telling the story of his career in hospitality, from starting out as a waiter to pioneering the boutique hotel movement, Robin offers insights on starting, growing and selling businesses.  He also shares his views on working with investors, changing trends in hospitalit...

The next series of Business Noodles is starting on 4 September so we wanted to let you in on a number of the guests that we will be talking to! Listen to this quick trailer to find out more. In this new series, we will be covering topics such as working with investors, managing succession in a family business, purpose and mission, selling your company and how they have all successfully grown their...

More and more businesses are becoming B Corp certified, with over 7,000 across 160 industries in 90 countries now part of this global movement.  In the UK, there are now over 1,500 B Corps, employing more than 85,000 people. All have been recognised for prioritising people and planet in the way they approach making a profit.  We have talked to a number of guests about B Corp – explaining what it i...

Wildlife conservationist Matt Walpole discusses the challenge of balancing conservation, economic development and rural livelihoods. Matt chats about his varied career and why he returned to the South West to join Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which works to conserve and restore nature and wildlife on land and at sea. He also explores how we can all make a difference. His career highlights include lead...

Recruitment and executive search specialist Anna Jay shares insights on how employers can attract the right candidates in the post-pandemic jobs market.  Drawing on her 20 years’ experience, she explores the role of technology and artificial intelligence in the recruitment process and how the Covid pandemic has changed employees’ priorities. She also discusses the growing focus on purpose and ethi...

An icon of the swinging ‘60s, the lava lamp continues to win fans around the world. Cressida Granger shares the highs and lows of her business journey as owner of Mathmos, the original lava lamp manufacturer, as well as revealing the key to export success for this enduringly popular British product.

With health services under growing pressure as more people live with multiple conditions, is technology the answer? Richard Wyatt-Haines has been pushing boundaries and finding innovative solutions throughout his career. In his current role as founder and chairman of Health and Care Innovations (HCI), he reveals how digital information and apps are reducing costs, increasing capacity and improving...

Helen Moss, senior vice president of international distribution at Paramount Pictures, sheds light on the mechanics of the movie business, from projects getting the green light to deciding how, when and where to release a big-budget film. Helen also reflects on how her career path has taken her from Cornwall to Los Angeles. As one of the most influential women in global cinema distribution, she is...

Jaye Cowle takes us inside the world of performance marketing, including how artificial intelligence and hybrid working are changing the way marketers work.  Discussing the importance of purpose in business, Jaye explains why happiness is the goal of Launch, the B Corp certified agency she founded.  She also shares insights on the growth mindset that can help founders take their business to the ne...

Series 4 is fast approaching and we can't wait to share it with you! With guests that include global giant Paramount Studios, Launch Online, HCI Digital and Cornwall Wildlife Trust, we talk about key themes including AI, happiness, the importance of innovation, workplace culture as well as the topic of the moment - purpose.  The new series will be launching soon so make sure you're follo...

Tight profit margins, producing food at scale and caring for the environment – fifth-generation Cornish farmer David Simmons discusses the challenges of farming today. His family business supplies UK supermarkets with 70 million cauliflowers, broccoli and cabbages a year, so there’s a good chance you’ve eaten their produce. While telling the story of how Riviera Produce has expanded beyond recogni...

Fifth-generation lawyer Will Michelmore spent most of his career as a partner at South West law firm Michelmores. Since 1996, he has chaired the board of St Austell Brewery, one of the UK’s leading independent brewers and pub companies. Both businesses were founded by his ancestors, and in 2014 Will co-founded alternative lender Bricks Finance. In this episode, Will reflects on the highs and lows...

Joanna Allen shares insights on the value of diverse leadership, B Corp and why purpose is integral to business, as we explore the evolution of Graze into the UK's leading healthy snacking brand. Launched in 2008 as a subscription-only service, Graze is now a thriving retail and direct to consumer business. We delve into the keys to Graze's success and what’s changed since it was acquire...

Business Noodles and Doodles is returning for series 3 - starting on 8 November, we have a number of brilliant guests joining us for the upcoming series. Listen to this short trailer where Mark gives us a bit more information on the first episode of series 3! 

What does Richard Branson, Andy Serkis and Pamela Anderson all have in common? It’s our latest podcast guest Chris Ormrod from Cakesmiths who joins us for a chat.  Having worked at big brands such as Virgin, Mars and Haagan Dazs, Chris Ormrod now describes himself as a property developer for businesses. Using private equity, he finds businesses in need of a renewed purpose and spends time getting...

With a key focus on engaging the local community with the performing arts, James Mackenzie-Blackman from Theatre Royal Plymouth explains the importance of creativity to the wider world in this new podcast episode.  James explains his role as CEO and executive producer at Theatre Royal Plymouth, how they support the community  and James also explains how they produce stage sets for productions arou...