In Conversation With... from the Devon Chamber of Commerce. Supported by Westcotts. - podcast cover

In Conversation With... from the Devon Chamber of Commerce. Supported by Westcotts.

In Conversation With... from the Devon Chamber of Commerce. Supported by Westcotts.devonchamber.co.uk
Inspiring interviews and discussion with business leaders and owners from across the South West. Welcome to In Conversation With, presented by Stuart Elford from The Devon Chamber of Commerce (https://devonchamber.co.uk) : Incorporating the Exeter Chamber and Plymouth Chamber. Supported by Westcotts (https://westcotts.uk) . Visit the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce at: https://www.devonchamber.co.uk Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Event Podcast Production (https://www.freshairstudios.co.uk/event-podcasts) and Podcast Studios (https://www.freshairstudios.co.uk/audio-podcasts) in Devon. Featuring a large in-vision video studio (https://www.freshairstudios.co.uk/video-studio) and many more!

Episodes

S2 Ep16: Countdown to the Devon Business Show - With Shona Godefroy from 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. Westcotts Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers are the podcast partner for these preview episodes as well as our 'Live at the Show' podcasts. Managing Partner at Westcotts, Shona Godefroy, has been talking to Stuart for this special edition of 'In Conversation With' about the challenges of their recent rebrand and what help and advice they have for ...

Sep 23, 202214 minSeason 2Ep. 16

S2 Ep15: Countdown to the Devon Business Show - With Tanya Head and Emma Lindsay from City College Plymouth

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 & ESOL, joined Stuart for this special edition of 'In Conversation With' to discuss how the college is ...

Sep 22, 202219 minSeason 2Ep. 15

S2 Ep14: Countdown to the Devon Business Show - With Steve Warren-Brown of YGS Landscapes

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 and what the theme of Planet means to Steve, his business and his customers.

Sep 08, 202235 minSeason 2Ep. 14

S2 Ep13: With Ben Mee of Dartmoor Zoo and Dr Jasmine Kelland from University of Plymouth

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 - Organisational Responses and the Fatherhood Forfeit, challenges the stereotypes and attitudes around the role...

Aug 24, 20221 hr 12 minSeason 2Ep. 13

S2 Ep12: With Toby Gorniak MBE of Street Factory and Kathryn Askew Smith from City Fibre

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 also has a valuable insight on how to make the perfect curry!

Aug 10, 202238 minSeason 2Ep. 12

S2 Ep11: Pride Special, with Dr Alan Butler of Pride in Plymouth

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.

Jul 27, 202238 minSeason 2Ep. 11

S2 Ep10: SailGP Special, with Nick Hutton of SailGP

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 long sailing voyage!

Jul 13, 202223 minSeason 2Ep. 10

S2 Ep9: With James Mackenzie-Blackman, CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth and Dave Meadows from Pushed...

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's worked with along the way, from James Martin to Gus Honeybun.

Jun 29, 202249 minSeason 2Ep. 9

S2 Ep8: With William Telford, Business Editor for Plymouth Live and Mark Trewin, Chief Transformation Officer at City College Plymouth with Jamie Fernell-Smith, Executive Chair of C-Learning and Director of Delling Cloud.

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 C-Learning and Director of Delling Cloud. Mark and Jamie talk about City College Plymouth becoming ...

Jun 15, 20221 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 8

S2 Ep7: With Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and Rich Adams, University of Plymouth's Business Engagement Manager.

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 what his role entails and how SME's can get involved with the University in ways that benefit the s...

Jun 01, 202256 minSeason 2Ep. 7

S2 Ep6: With Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce and inventor and author, Rob Holmes.

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's amazing journey began with a remarkable chance meeting and a bizarre coincidence, which has led to...

May 18, 202259 minSeason 2Ep. 6

S2 Ep5: With Simon Jupp MP and Stella Smith of Pirkx

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, 202248 minSeason 2Ep. 5

S2 Ep4: With former BBC Spotlight Presenter, Justin Leigh and Steve Ricketts of Sherford

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, 202257 minSeason 2Ep. 4

S2 Ep3: With former CEO Theatre Royal Plymouth, Adrian Vinken and Jeremy Hayward of Lloyds Bank

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, 202258 minSeason 2Ep. 3

S2 Ep2: With local NFU Director, Melanie Squires and Jabo Butera of Diversity Business Incubator.

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, 202252 minSeason 2Ep. 2

S2 Ep1: With Plymouth City Council Leader, Nick Kelly and Steve Warren-Brown of YGS Landscapes

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, 202255 minSeason 2Ep. 1

S1 Ep14: With Alison Edgar MBE, business mentor, writer and entrepreneur... and Shannon Oxenham, Matron and Director of Nuffield Hospital Plymouth.

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, 202146 minSeason 1Ep. 14

S1 Ep13: With Lindsey Hall, CEO of Real Ideas and Suzanne Sparrow of the Suzanne Sparrow Language School.

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, 202154 minSeason 1Ep. 13

S1 Ep12: With Richard Stevens, MD of Plymouth Citybus and Chair of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce (and more!), and Alexis Bowater, Broadcaster, Journalist and Campaigner.

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, 202156 minSeason 1Ep. 12