Advisory Board

Synonymous with Cornwall tourism, there isn’t a lot that Malcolm doesn’t know about the industry. Having overseen the transformation of Visit Cornwall into a Community Interest Company, he is now at the helm of Visit Cornwall’s future as a private enterprise and is responsible for overseeing the vision, strategy and delivery of the company.

Katharine helps businesses with high growth potential in Devon & Cornwall connect with the best business coaches through GrowthAccelerator to ensure the businesses achieve their potential.

Nick has significant experience in strategic planning, governance, review processes and quality, gathered from a range of private sector executive and non-executive directorships.

Having previously spent 20 years at the Bank of England where his roles included head of audit and regional agent for the South West, the latter involving reporting to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee on economic and business trends in the region.

Kim jointly founded Brass Tacks Publishing in 1986. Brass Tacks became one of the top customer publishing and website agencies in UK before Kim sold to Chime Communications PLC in 2000.

Steve acts as Sectretary and Treasurer of PMG, who’s members collectively have a turnover of circa £1.6bn pa; add over £0.5bn GVA to the local economy and employ between 12k and 13k employees. PMG was formed over thirty years ago.

Lord Teverson is a Liberal Democrat Life peer sitting in the House of Lords since 01 June 2006. Currently sitting on the European Union Committee (since May 2016), Finance Bill Sub-Committee (since December 2015), Lord Teverson chairs the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee (May 2016).

Chris is involved in economic development as chairman for Heart of the South West Business Forum.

Phil is a long-standing Chamber Executive member, having previously held the post of President in 2002/3 & 2010/1. He was also Chairman of North Devon Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2003 – 2007.

Steven joined the gas industry in 1992 as a Finance Graduate and now has 23 years’ experience in the sector. Steven has been closely involved in the Ofgem review of the RPI-X, resulting in the “RIIO” form of regulation.

James has been with HSBC since 1999 and today is responsible for leading a team who work with a diverse range of businesses cross the South West.

Sharron took on the role as Managing Director of the Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network in June, 2016.

A pioneer in the Telecommunications sector, with over fifty years of experience; having been part of the start-up team at Vodafone and holder of senior management, engineering and training roles in companies including Cable and Wireless, Marconi, Nortel, Ericsson, Orange, T-Mobile and BT.

Paul is a West Country man, married with two grown-up sons, now living back in his home town of Sidmouth in East Devon. During his forty years as a civil engineer, he has worked on various construction projects for contractors in the UK and the Middle East.

As Director of Pennon Water Services (PWS), Richard has overall responsibility for the non-household business and the establishment of PWS which is now successfully competing in the new market – retaining and acquiring customers.

Conservationist focussing on the creation on sustainable conservation projects around the world and the promotion of highly ethical products.

Edward is an ordinary guy, well as ordinary as a recovering accountant can be, but has achieved extraordinary things through running.

Matt is Managing Director of Exeter Airport. A Chartered Accountant, Matt progressed through several roles at Exeter Airport before becoming Managing Director in 2011.  Matt sits on the Boards of Exeter College and Exeter Chamber of Commerce as well as being a member of the ICAEW South West Strategy Board.

Organisation: Exeter Airport

Dr Emily Beaumont is an academic and business owner, born and bred in Plymouth, Devon, UK.  As an academic, Emily has studied at a number of Higher Education Institutions, including the University of Exeter and Loughborough University.

Stuart Elford is the Chief Executive of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. He is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI) with extensive experience of leadership roles in the public, private and third sectors.

Tony has worked in divisions of transnational blue chip companies such as GKN, Burmah Castrol, ICI, Henkel AG & Co KgaA of Düsseldorf, in manufacturing operations in the speciality chemicals field for over forty years at Board level in Mexico, UK, Europe, Japan and Korea, where he started the UK’s first manufacturing JV. He has also worked in Venezuela, India, Russia, Turkey, Central America/Caribbean, Western Europe, and South Africa.