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OLIVIA FRENCH WARD WILLIAMS ASSOCIATES Returning to Cornwall after spending two years working in the Middle East, Olivia French has been forging a successful career with Truro-based construction consultancy WWA. She has worked on many high-profile projects including several major housing development schemes. In addition to her role as a project manager, and with a keen interest in reducing the impact of the built environment, Olivia has become WWA’s leading BREEAM Assessor. She also works closely with local schools and colleges as a construction ambassador encouraging younger people into the industry.
WILL EYRES MILLENNIUM MECHANICS Will Eyres is another fine example of turning adversity into opportunity. The garage mechanic was in the middle of a level 3 apprenticeship when the pandemic hit, ultimately losing his job. But rather than moping around, he decided to set up his own mobile mechanics business working out of the back of a van. Building a reliable reputation, he soon won a contract
with a local car sales business on a selfemployed basis. He has now moved into a unit near Truro where he can work on vehicles in the dry, while still continuing the mobile part of the business.
AMY SHAKESPEARE CORNWALL MUSEUMS PARTNERSHIP Amy Shakespeare has dedicated her career to supporting and increasing access to Cornwall’s heritage, first working at the National Trust managing iconic sites such as Botallack and Cape Cornwall. After just eight months at CMP, she was seconded to project manage the 2019 Cornwall Heritage Awards. She then secured the role of wAVE Community Project Manager – managing an £800k investment in immersive technology in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. She also set up the ‘You Better Werk’ YouTube channel, to amplify the ambition of women, trans women, and non-binary people.
JAMES LAWRENCE ENGLISH SPIRIT
JAMES LAWRENCE ENGLISH SPIRIT
James Lawrence started at English Spirit expecting to manage the new distillery and visitors centre in a customer focused role. However, he has since managed every aspect of the build, from gaining planning permission to overcoming the trials and tribulations that Covid-19 brought. He also developed the business’ digital presence, worked tirelessly to build relationships with suppliers within the south west, as well as recruiting a team of staff, to bring English Spirit to the next level.
62 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
BETHANY HARRINGTON TRULY CORNISH CUPCAKES
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BETHANY HARRINGTON TRULY CORNISH CUPCAKES 28-year old Bethany Harrington set up Truly Cornish four years ago, selling her cupcakes and baked creations initially as a pop-up venture from a gazebo on Porthleven Harbour Head. She did this alongside two jobs, but when the pandemic struck she lost both jobs overnight. Showing true entrepreneurial spirit, rather than get downhearted, Bethany saw it as an opportunity to realise her dream. She developed her business plan and seized a rare opportunity to take on a shop lease in Porthleven, expanding her kitchen, and launching as a proper bakery and café.
KAY BREWER PORT & STARBOARD Kay Brewer is certainly one to watch in the hospitality sector. After starting her career as an apprentice for Rick Stein, by the age of 19 she was running kitchen shifts at Stein’s restaurant in Winchester. Then in 2017, she spotted the Port & Starboard fish & chip shop in St Columb was up for sale and with the help of her family, bought it a year later and has been running it ever since, employing 14 full and part time staff. This year she introduced a vegetarian menu and is now also providing beef burgers from beef raised on the family farm. “From field to fork is our motto,” she says.