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 it all got started and why. She also discusses the important work she does for charities, including t...
May 05, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 of creating a new town, as well as the opportunities it brings to individuals and communities throu...
Apr 20, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 England. Jeremy discusses how the Bank is assisting businesses in the region during these busy times, as w...
Apr 06, 2022•58 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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, levelling-up, his work with Diversity Business Incubator and the reason why a huge part of his life is ...
Mar 23, 2022•52 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 alternative career as a children's author.
Mar 04, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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.
Aug 01, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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 starting her own business and her spell as Chair of the Chamber.
Jul 19, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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 about her experience of being stalked, and about her various campaigning activities around equality. ...
Jul 04, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 through being a 'market disruptor'.
Jun 21, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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 regional creative scene and how businesses should support each other, and name drops a few studio r...
Jun 07, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 from the travel industry to Brain Tumour Research; including encounters with supermodels, MPs and how ...
May 24, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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 Plymouth. Straight out of university (almost 10 years ago) and into the world of app development and tech...
May 10, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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.
Apr 26, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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.
Apr 12, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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.
Mar 29, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Tudor Evans talks about his Welsh roots, his rebel university days, why he got into local politics and the day he became an OBE. Vince Brooks tells us about Engage Workplace and their passion for creating a better workplace environment.
Mar 15, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Paul Winterton, Managing Director of Langage Farm, gives a highly personal interview about his career, family and aspirations. Our Chamber Made guest is entrepreneur Kate Dowsett from Peace and Coffee (and more), who talks about the move from battleships to coffee beans.
Mar 01, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3
A hilarious and enlightening conversation with David 'Fitz' FitzGerald about his career so far in broadcasting, his varied achievements as a writer and his love of birds and Devon. In Chamber Made, Stuart talks to Claire Oatway about her experience of entrepreneurship, leadership and a surprising Olympic sporting past.
Feb 15, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to episode 1! Stuart Elford talks to Johnny Mercer MP, in a very open interview, about the highs and lows of being an MP, his opinions on politics and politicians, and 'that' shower scene. Our first Chamber Made guest is Howard Davies from Salcombe Distilling, home of Salcombe Gin.
Feb 01, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1
