In Conversation With... from Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Supported by Westcotts.

As we count down to the Devon Business Show at Plymouth Pavilions on Wednesday 28th September, Stuart Elford is talking to the main sponsors. The show's themes are People, Planet and Purpose. City College Plymouth is sponsoring the People element, so Tanya Head, Director of Adult Skills & Business Growth, and Emma Lindsay, Curriculum Lead & Development Officer for Business, English & E...

Ahead of the Devon Business Show at Plymouth Pavilions on Wednesday 28th September, Stuart Elford is talking to the main sponsors. The show's themes are People, Planet and Purpose. YGS Landscapes is sponsoring the Planet element, so Steve Warren-Brown from YGS is on this special edition of In Conversation With... to discusses his story, his business, why they're sponsoring the Devon Business Show...

Stuart chats with Ben Mee of Dartmoor Zoo. Ben's remarkable story saw him go from personal tragedy to buying Dartmoor Zoo, face financial struggle, write the book, We Bought a Zoo and then saw his story end up on the big screen, where he was played by Matt Damon. Stuart is then joined by Dr Jasmine Kelland from University of Plymouth. Jasmine's book: Caregiving Fathers in the Workplace - Organisat...

Stuart chats with Toby Gorniak MBE of Street Factory. Toby takes us through his incredible story, from fleeing racism in Poland to settling in Plymouth; and getting an MBE for the work he's done to help so many people in the city. Stuart is then joined by Kathryn Askew Smith from City Fibre. Kathryn reveals how City Fibre is helping to keep businesses connected throughout Devon and beyond. She als...

Stuart chats with Dr Alan Butler of Pride in Plymouth. Alan discusses Plymouth's Pride Event weekend which takes place at Plymouth Albion's rugby ground on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August. He also talks through his own experience of coming out, his work as with the Box and why Pride events all over the world are still important and still relevant for so many people and their communities.

Stuart chats with Nick Hutton of SailGP. Nick discusses the significance of the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix coming to Plymouth on 30th and 31st July 2022; and what it means for Britain's Ocean City. He also talks through his childhood in Devon, the early days of sailing and his greatest achievements. The interview also touches on what items of clothing it's best not to forget, when undertaking a...

Stuart chats with James Mackenzie-Blackman, CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth. James talks about his extensive experience in travel, theatre and the arts - a journey that led him back to his hometown of Plymouth and to his dream job. Stuart is then joined by Dave Meadows from Pushed. Dave discusses his time at ITV, how he ended up setting up his own business and the fascinating clients and projects he...

Stuart chats with William Telford, Business Editor for Plymouth Live. William outlines his career in journalism, the fascinating characters he's met, what types of businesses have caught his journalistic eye over the years and reveals his street-dancing alter ego. Stuart is then joined by Mark Trewin, Chief Transformation Officer at City College Plymouth and Jamie Fernell-Smith, Executive Chair of...

Stuart Elford chats with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez. Alison outlines the importance of her role for the region, the important issues she's committed to tackling locally and discusses her journey from growing up in Devon to where she is now. Stuart is then joined by Rich Adams, the University of Plymouth's Business Engagement Manager. Rich talks about...

Stuart Elford chats with the British Chambers of Commerce's Director General, Shevaun Haviland. Shevaun shares her fascinating personal history with Stuart, from working in the Disney organisation to working at the heart of the UK Government. She also shares her inspirations and her ideas on the future of business in the UK. Stuart is then joined by inventor and children's author, Rob Holmes. Rob'...

Stuart Elford chats with Simon Jupp MP about his journey to becoming an MP - including his extensive career as a radio presenter. Simon then outlines his work as an MP and how sometimes negative national headlines can have an impact on positive work being carried out at local levels. Stuart is then joined by Stella Smith of Pirkx. Pirkx is a national employee benefit package. Stella explains how i...

Stuart chats with former BBC Spotlight presenter, Justin Leigh about his extensive broadcasting career with the BBC - his early days getting into journalism, his most interesting encounters and his fascinating new role, training the next generation of journalists. Stuart is then joined by Steve Ricketts of Sherford to discuss skills and training at Sherford, the pressures, challenges and sheer joy...

Stuart Elford chats with former CEO Theatre Royal Plymouth, Adrian Vinken about his fascinating time running one of the UK's leading theatres - the initial challenges during his early days, the triumphant productions and the fascinating characters he's met along the way. Stuart is then joined by Jeremy Hayward of Lloyds Bank. Jeremy is Lloyds Banking Group's Ambassador for the South West of Englan...

Stuart Elford chats with local NFU Director, Melanie Squires about the challenges facing our region's farmers, why she would recommend farming as a career, modern farming technology and how farmers and local businesses can support each other. Stuart is then joined by Jabo Butera for the Chamber Made section. Jabo shares his personal story about his family's experiences with genocide in Rwanda, lev...

Chief Executive Stuart Elford chats with Plymouth City Council Leader, Nick Kelly about his thoughts on Plymouth's potential, successes and future. Stuart is then joined by Steve Warren-Brown - Steve's deeply personal story involves the unique history of his family's business and the reasons why he publicly highlights issues with men's mental health issues. On a lighter note, he discusses his alte...

Alison Edgar is a well-known, constantly upbeat, writer, business mentor and entrepreneur. But what makes her tick? How did she get to where she is today, and what have been the highs and lows of her career? Stuart also talks to Shannon Oxenham about the return of the Matron in healthcare, the role the private health sector played during the pandemic and her own career path and inspirations.

In this episode, Stuart chats with Lindsey Hall, CEO of Real Ideas about her early years, her time at university and the Real Ideas vision for investment in Plymouth. Stuart is then joined by Suzanne Sparrow for the 'Chamber Made' section. Suzanne has run her language school in Plymouth since the 1970s. She discusses her childhood in Plymouth's Blitz, how her bank manager tried to stop her from st...

Richard Stevens talks about his love of all things transport and business - what it's like to steer Plymouth CityBus through a pandemic, his impressive list of board positions, the importance of good relationships, his longest ever bus journey and about being Deputy Lieutenant. Alexis Bowater is well-known for her work on regional television, but her career didn't start with TV. She talks openly a...

Hannah talks about being the CEO for Plymouth Culture: the driving force behind cultural strategy and engagement in the City of Plymouth, what it's like being a young CEO, the challenges and shares some personal experiences. Sue Packer is COO of building supplies brand CMO Stores: She talks about her career path, the importance and benefits of having a diverse team, and how CMO Stores has grown th...

Jackie Grubb shares her passion for helping young people succeed through successful learning, the future of education, what it's like to be a CEO and the work pressures that go with such a position and her love of yoga boarding! Paul Philpott talks about how Fresh Air Studios got established, the trials of running a media business from Plymouth when clients are far and wide, talks openly about the...

Pete fills us in on his life as a sailor, adventurer and his heroic exploits in the Vendee Globe. He also talks about various projects he's been involved in, including visiting the North Pole, historical projects such as 'Spirit of Mystery' and spending a month on the Greenland ice cap. Melanie Tiley is the Community Development Manager for Brain Tumour Research. Melanie takes us on her journey fr...

David gives us the low down on what a Local Expertise Partnership is and how it works to support the region. He also talks about his career path and provides some inspiration for those who might want to venture into project planning for regional government: reflecting on his work with the likes of Docklands Light Railway and HS2. Gavin Jones is MD of Elixel, a dynamic digital agency based in Plymo...

Bill Martin reflects on how the publishing industry has dramatically changed over recent years, the hot topic of 'click bait' and shares some amusing tales from his early years in newspapers, including his most favourite headline. Mark White talks about the ever-evolving world of healthcare and how the private sector has an important role to play in the wider healthcare picture for all.

Stuart Elford talks to Luke Pollard MP about his early years in media, his political campaigns and his love of art and the Devon coast. Also, Paul Burton of PB media tells Stuart about leaving a career in newspapers to set up his own business, plus his love of life in Devon.

Ann talks openly about the difficulties being faced by the NHS, working as a Chief Executive in such a challenging environment and shares exciting news about the future of hospital provision for Devon and Cornwall. Trevor shares his passion for all things legal, customer service, the digital future of law and his amusing meets with the likes of Sir Richard Branson and Sir Clive Woodward.