Business Noodles

Working with small-scale family farms to develop a route to market for food produced in harmony with nature has been Pipers Farm’s mission for 35 years. Abby Allen, farms director and co-author of the Sustainable Meat Cookbook, shares her passion for food and farming as she discusses the value of local supply chains and collaboration between rural businesses. 

Her story sheds light on challenges for family businesses, including succession planning and working with external investors, as well as how consumer habits have changed since the pandemic.

Robin Hutson OBE worked at some of the world’s best hotels before launching the successful Hotel du Vin and The Pig hotel groups. Telling the story of his career in hospitality, from starting out as a waiter to pioneering the boutique hotel movement, Robin offers insights on starting, growing and selling businesses. 

He also shares his views on working with investors, changing trends in hospitality and why culture is key to success.

The next series of Business Noodles is starting on 4 September so we wanted to let you in on a number of the guests that we will be talking to! Listen to this quick trailer to find out more.

In this new series, we will be covering topics such as working with investors, managing succession in a family business, purpose and mission, selling your company and how they have all successfully grown their businesses.

More and more businesses are becoming B Corp certified, with over 7,000 across 160 industries in 90 countries now part of this global movement. 

In the UK, there are now over 1,500 B Corps, employing more than 85,000 people. All have been recognised for prioritising people and planet in the way they approach making a profit. 

We have talked to a number of guests about B Corp – explaining what it is, the process of becoming certified and what their businesses have learned. Now we’ve collected some of these insights in one special episode. 

Wildlife conservationist Matt Walpole discusses the challenge of balancing conservation, economic development and rural livelihoods.

Matt chats about his varied career and why he returned to the South West to join Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which works to conserve and restore nature and wildlife on land and at sea. He also explores how we can all make a difference.

His career highlights include leading a UN programme focusing on biodiversity and the value of the ecosystem being at the heart of decision making. 

Recruitment and executive search specialist Anna Jay shares insights on how employers can attract the right candidates in the post-pandemic jobs market. 

Drawing on her 20 years’ experience, she explores the role of technology and artificial intelligence in the recruitment process and how the Covid pandemic has changed employees’ priorities. She also discusses the growing focus on purpose and ethical leadership.

Anna is founder and managing director of Public Leaders Appointments, a boutique executive search firm specialising in the public and third sectors, and a founding board member of Cornwall Women’s Fund, which aims to support women and girls in Cornwall.

An icon of the swinging ‘60s, the lava lamp continues to win fans around the world. Cressida Granger shares the highs and lows of her business journey as owner of Mathmos, the original lava lamp manufacturer, as well as revealing the key to export success for this enduringly popular British product.

With health services under growing pressure as more people live with multiple conditions, is technology the answer?

Richard Wyatt-Haines has been pushing boundaries and finding innovative solutions throughout his career. In his current role as founder and chairman of Health and Care Innovations (HCI), he reveals how digital information and apps are reducing costs, increasing capacity and improving patients’ quality of life. 

Drawing on his varied experience in banking, consulting, insurance and now digital health, Richard also shares insights on leadership, the challenges facing the NHS and his advice for anyone thinking about doing an MBA.

Helen Moss, senior vice president of international distribution at Paramount Pictures, sheds light on the mechanics of the movie business, from projects getting the green light to deciding how, when and where to release a big-budget film.

Helen also reflects on how her career path has taken her from Cornwall to Los Angeles. As one of the most influential women in global cinema distribution, she is ideally placed to discuss the impact of the Covid pandemic and the AI revolution on the film industry – and how, despite predictions to the contrary, cinema is thriving in the age of streaming.

Jaye Cowle takes us inside the world of performance marketing, including how artificial intelligence and hybrid working are changing the way marketers work. 

Discussing the importance of purpose in business, Jaye explains why happiness is the goal of Launch, the B Corp certified agency she founded. 

She also shares insights on the growth mindset that can help founders take their business to the next level.