Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Podcast

Our guest on the podcast is Veronica Waller of the Farmer Network, who joins us to discuss financial business support available to farms and other land-based businesses in the form of £500 vouchers to work with a consultant of their choice. We discuss recent changes to agricultural policy and subsidies and how farmers can use the vouchers to pay for consultancy to help them navigate these changes....

We're joined by Mark Bowman, CEO of careers advice and guidance organisation, Inspira, for a conversation on how the organisation supports people into the workforce and key insights on the current Cumbrian labour market in 2024. We cover... Current challenges faced by clients and what this says about the wider labour market Changing application processes Inspira's work supporting young people  Ins...

We're joined by Kate Fraser of Chamber member Hutton John Estate. The family-owned estate is home to a range of luxury holiday lets which are busy throughout the year. The topic of conversation is on the business's innovative approach to becoming more environmentally friendly. We also discuss the green business support Kate has received from the Westmorland & Furness Green Enterprise Hub. We cover...

We're joined on the Cumbria Chamber podcast this month by Mel Kinsella, Director of Chamber member Kinsella HR Solutions. Our conversation is on theme of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), delving into definitions, combatting stereotypes, creating positive work environments for all employees, and the benefits to decision making of diverse thinking. Find out more and contact Kinsella HR here:...

We talk to Chamber members Julie Doherty and Helen Vanroose-Brydon from the Plastic Bottles Company about their work advising small businesses on the packaging they need; some of the unusual requests they've had over the years; the environmental impact of plastic packaging and how the industry is working to become more sustainable.  Check out their website here: www.theplasticbottlescompany.com

Launching our Supply Chain Programme with Martyn Staveley This month we're joined by Martyn Staveley of 3 Peaks Consulting. Martyn is leading on our new Supply Chain Pilot Programme, which will offer 1-2-1 support to twelve businesses in Cumbria who are looking to enter new supply chains. In our conversation we discuss… Martyn's background working in national and international supply chains and su...

We're joined on the podcast this month by Greg Johnston, Founder and CEO of Chamber member Team Evie. Our conversation delves into Team Evie's new Peer Support Service. A newly-launched service pairing the families of sick children with Peer Supporters, trained volunteers who have also experienced time in hospital with their baby or child. Team Evie are currently looking to recruit Peer Supporters...

We're joined this month on the podcast by Steve Curl, Chair of the Strategic Oversight Board for Zero Carbon Cumbria, an initiative which brings together efforts to reduce carbon emissions across Cumbria. We discuss: What is Zero Carbon Cumbria and what are its aims? How are we going to reach net zero by 2037? What does this mean for businesses in Cumbria? How can they get involved? So why should...

In this episode of the Directors Forum podcast we're joined by Danny Sawrij, Owner of Leo Group, one of our Cumbria Chamber Patrons. We discuss Danny's career from selling chocolate bars in the playground as a boy and then leaving school at 14 to buy and sell cattle, to owning and operating one of the UK's leading specialists and animal by-products and renewable energy. We cover the twists and tur...

We talk to Judith Smale of Chamber member Cumbria CVS about the benefits of volunteering for individuals and businesses. Our talk also covers CVS's new volunteering database where individuals can register and search for opportunities ( volunteering.cumbriacvs.org.uk ); employer supported volunteering (ESV); support for businesses; and the ESV subgroup.

In the latest episode of the Cumbria Chamber podcast we discuss investment opportunities for Cumbrian businesses through Regionally , an investment service designed to connect private investors with established businesses based in the UK outside of London. In part two of the podcast we talk to Chamber members RfM Accountant s who work with Regionally to provide their service, 'the Regionally Way',...

Cumbria's Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an employer-led and locally owned initiative which aims to set out the key priorities needed to make technical education and skills provision more responsive to the changing needs of employers and the local economy. August 2023 saw the release of this year's LSIP report for Cumbria. Find out more. To discuss the findings of the report we're joined...

Cumbria's Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an employer-led and locally owned initiative which aims to set out the key priorities needed to make technical education and skills provision more responsive to the changing needs of employers and the local economy. August 2023 saw the release of this year's LSIP report for Cumbria. Find out more. To discuss the findings of the report we're joined...

Welcome back for season 2 of the Directors Forum Podcast, we've had a break, a little bit of a brand refresh but we're back.  In this episode Eve talks to Barrie Roberts of Ennerdale Brewery about beer, socialising, the passion that keeps driving him and how he did it all because 'he only wanted a pint' If you do want to look at any of the beers we talk about they can be found here: https://www.en...

We're joined by DC Jon Hill of Cumbria Police's Cyber and Digital Crime Unit to discuss recent updates in cybercrime which businesses need to be on the lookout for. Our conversation also covers the range of current free resources available for businesses to protect against cybercrime. Useful links discussed in the episode can be found below: Police Cyber Alarm: https://www.cyberalarm.police.uk/ No...

On this episode of the Cumbria Chamber podcast we discuss personal brand with CEO and founder of Chamber member Natterjack Marketing, Lindsay Gray. Our conversion covers: The importance of personal brand How to create your own personal brand How Lindsday's own personal brand has helped shape her career LinkedIn and the personal brand pros

Disability Connect's mission is: "to enable organisations to harness and maximise the powerful use of disability awareness to create and sustain an inclusive and supportive working environment." They do this by pairing business leaders with talented disabled mentors, as well as offering diversity mentoring training and speaking events.  In our talk with Steven Jones we cover: Steven's background a...

With this Saturday 22nd April being Earth Day, we invited member Eco Group onto the podcast to discuss their work on LOOP technology, which decarbonises methane-rich gas into hydrogen and graphene on site. The technology is soon to be deployed by Eco for the first time in UK. Find out more here.

Join Eve Halliday, Head of Commercial and Business Growth at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as she speaks to Business owners, leaders and characters of Cumbria and beyond. In this Episode Eve speaks to Caroline Langham, owner at Cote How Lake District Weddings -   https://www.cotehow.co.uk/ . 'Following the path of knowledge'  'takes us through Caroline's career and how she ended up in Cumbria hostin...

In this episode of the Cumbria Chamber podcast, Joe is joined by Caroline Adams from Cumbria Community Foundation and Spencer Hannah director and co-founder of Herdy . The conversation centres on the many ways that local businesses can donate through Cumbria Community Foundation and how Herdy does this as a fund holder, supporting rural communities and upland fell farmers through the herdy fund. 

Join Eve Halliday, Head of Commercial and Business Growth at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as she speaks to Business owners, leaders and characters of Cumbria and beyond. In this Episode Eve speaks to James Stephens, Managing Director of English Lakes Ice cream  lakesicecream.com/. 'Do a little bit of everything' follows James' life from ice cream wholesale, through rebranding and the importance of...

Joe interviews Head of Business Engagement & Professional Studies at Kendal College, Sinéad Kay, about apprenticeships. Their conversation covers: The definition of an apprenticeship How apprenticeships are funded The benefits of employing apprentices Top tips for businesses looking to employ apprentices  The growing role of apprenticeships in the UK and the future of education and training Find o...

Join Eve Halliday, Head of Commercial and Business Growth at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as she speaks to Business owners, leaders and characters of Cumbria and beyond. In this Episode Eve speaks to Johanne Miller, Managing Director of Twoey Toys. 'Hands on Learning' follows Johannes life from cooking Sunday dinner for 60 people to how she treats her staff like family and the importance of getting...

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Fraser is the Commanding Officer of the 4 th Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, in the British Army. In our talk we cover: Ed's career so far; the Army Reserve; employing army reservists; and the professional and personal development opportunities offered by reserve service.  Ed's social media accounts: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ed_Fraser LinkedIn: https://ww...

Join Eve Halliday, Head of Commercial and Business Growth at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as she speaks to Business owners, leaders and characters of Cumbria and beyond. In this Episode Eve speaks to Denise Gosney, owner and founder of Razzamataz theatre schools. 'All for the love of cheese' follows Denise's story from shy schoolgirl to franchise owner and all of the adventures along the way.