Finding your North Star

Hosted by hgkc

Business Management News

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Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

hgkc in conversation with prominent business people about their experiences and challenges of strategy, innovation, leadership, employee engagement, and building a thriving business - even during difficult times.

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58 recent

September 30, 2026Episode 1435 min

Martin Thatcher - Making long-term decisions for this generation and the next generation, and to keep the country thriving

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce , hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have built businesses and their careers in the county. In this episode, Sarah Chilcott speaks to Martin Thatcher, the 4th generation cider maker at Thatchers . Martin talks about his pride in his family business, which started when his great-grandfather moved to Myrtle Farm in 1904. He talks about how the business evolved from being a shop where people could taste before they bought their cider to the innovative business it is today, influenced heavily by long term planning for the 5th and even 6th generations of cider makers ahead. He also recognises that there must be a balance between the sophisticated automated production of the business, and the importance of retaining the craftmanship and the heritage – all the things they have learnt over the last 122 years. His genuine love for the land, for Somerset, and of course for cider, shines through. If you would like to find out more about Thatchers Cider, you can do that here . If you would like more information about how hgkc help clients prepare for their exit, pivot to a new market, grow through innovation, or develop their leadership teams, please contact us here .

August 28, 2026Episode 1330 min

Neil Douglas - Innovation and exit, lessons from a Somerset-based international engineering business

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce , hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have built businesses and their careers in the county. In this episode, Sarah Chilcott speaks to Neil Douglas, Co-Founder and now Non-Executive Director at Viper Innovations in Portishead, North Somerset. Viper Innovations is a global engineering business, which delivers intelligent electrical integrity solutions that help organisations optimise performance and prevent failures in land, sea and sub-sea assets. Headquartered in the UK, it also has offices in the US and employs 90 specialists worldwide. Neil talks about how connections with several of the local educational establishments have helped to drive innovation in the business, alongside the importance of understanding their customer’s challenges and a gated process to manage cash risk in a bootstrapped business. He also explores the step-by-step exit by him and his co-founder from the business, and why preparation was key to the success of their relatively less well-known VIMBO (Vendor-Initiated Management Buy-Out). If you would like to find out more about Viper Innovations, you can do that here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients prepare for their exit, pivot to a new market, grow through innovation, or develop their leadership teams, please contact us here .

August 2, 2026Episode 1229 min

Carol Paris: Roots to Regeneration – making the case for livestock farming (it’s not the cow, it’s the how!)

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce , hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Carol Paris, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Bath and West of England Society. Moving to Somerset for work, Carol fell in love with the county and now won’t be moved! She loves the Mendips – her go to place for walking and riding - and Topsham is one of her favourite places. Established in 1777, the Royal Bath and West Society is the oldest agricultural charity in the country but is as relevant today as it was when Edmund Rack moved here from Norfolk and was horrified by the living standards of the local population. Today, the Society is working with Sustainable Food Somerset and advising and signposting farmers on agritech, sustainable and regenerative farming. She is passionate about skills development. Especially close to her heart is generating real excitement about the potential for a career in agriculture – it’s not just sitting on a tractor! The ‘Field to Food’ day the society put on earlier this year attracted 1600 key-stage 1 and 2 students and was so popular they will soon be running another, closely followed by a careers day. If you would like to find out more about the Royal Bath and West of England Society , please visit their website. Or if you are an employer or a young person curious about your future, why not go to the Careers Fair on the 18th November? If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .

July 6, 2026Episode 1127 min

Jamie Cox: Growing ambition – inspiring opportunities to lift the tide and raise all boats

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Jamie Cox, Tasmanian born cricketer who captained Somerset County Cricket Club in the early 2000s, then returned after the pandemic to become Chief Executive Officer. Jamie’s passion for cricket comes through loud and clear, but so does his deep connection with his adopted county. He has visionary plans for the development of the club – on and off the field – setting out an ambitious plan for the development of the County Ground in Taunton as a venue offering more than cricket, whilst still firmly anchored in what he describes as ‘the main thing’ – cricket. He is proud that many of Somerset’s players – men and women – are local and wants to tap into the stories that can be told about their successes as a way of inspiring and lifting the mood of the people who live and work in the county. If you would like to find out more about what Somerset Cricket Club offers – as a sporting venue as well as conferences and concerts – visit www.somersetcountycc.co.uk , or get down to the County Ground to watch a game. Or you can contact Jamie here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .

May 29, 2026Episode 1030 min

Jade Farthing: Resilience – a fourth-generation family business to be really proud of

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Jade Farthing, Managing Director of family-owned Haskins Furniture , based in Shepton Mallet. Taking over her family’s business after the pandemic, Jade is aware that her role is as much about shaping the future for the next generations of her family as it is about preserving the legacy, even though the heritage plays a massive part and there is such a wonderful story to tell. Recent winners of the Somerset Business Award for Growth and Resilience is recognition of how Haskins has not just survived by thrived under her stewardship. Not that the elders in her family don’t still have a role to play. Nan, who is 90, supplies Jade with coffee when she needs to ‘chew her ear off’! Like many high street businesses, Haskins faces lots of challenges, not least the rapidly rising costs of raw materials, energy and people. But Jade and her team don’t just accept those challenges - they are always looking for ways around them to avoid having to pass costs on to their customers. If you would like find out more about Haskins Furniture, why not visit their store on the high street in Shepton ; or you can reach Jade here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .

May 1, 2026Episode 940 min

Sakina Buoy: Perseverance – growing a wonderful business in the Somerset countryside

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce , hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Sakina Buoy, Founder and Chairman of The Somerset Toiletry Company . Returning from Canada in her ‘20s, Sakina joined a toiletry company called Applewoods, where she met her future husband. In 1999, they founded The Somerset Toiletry Company, which began life in buildings behind a pig farm in Clutton. Their small family business soon began to grow, but rather than move into the city, Sakina was intent on staying in Clutton, waiting 12 years for the right commercial premises to become available so that she could make sure all her team were able to stay working with her. On their 25th anniversary, they celebrated with 25 ‘acts of kindness’, a marathon series of events and charitable projects that raised their reputation locally. Hers is an inspirational story of perseverance, of growth, of genuine love for the Somerset countryside, and pride in the products her business designs, manufactures and sells all over the world. Despite the regulatory, transport and housing challenges, Sakina would not want to be anywhere else. If you would like find out more about The Somerset Toiletry Company, why not visit their shop or their café – it’s here, on the main street through Clutton ; or you can reach Sakina here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .

March 31, 2026Episode 822 min

Becky Flower: A students perspective – preparing young people to be curious about life and work

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Becky Flower. Born and raised in Somerset, Becky went to London to study sociology and social policy but came back after graduating to train in social work. She did some placements and eventually ended up doing some cover teaching at Richard Huish College. This experience led her to decide to go into teaching, and she has now risen to be Vice Principal. She is rightly delighted that Richard Huish is currently considered the highest performing college in the Southwest in terms of student progress. She is a strong believer in creating an inclusive and safe environment for the students to be who they want to be, to respect that other people have different opinions, to have a really open mind, to have faith in the skills that they have learned and to understand that they are transferable. She also advises students to recognise that even in your dream job there may be bits that are boring, but you just have to get on with it! If you would like find out more about Richard Huish College, or find out more from Becky about how they develop young people to be curious, to turn up, to work hard and to be kind, you can contact her here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .

March 1, 2026Episode 726 min

Jonathan Lawson - Leading innovation in the brewing and hospitality industry

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce , hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have built businesses and their careers in the county. In this episode, Sarah Chilcott speaks to Jonathan Lawson, who took over as CEO of Butcombe Group in 2019. Butcombe Group includes Butcombe Pubs and Inns based in North Somerset and the Channel Islands’ Liberation Brewing Co. It employs over 1900 people and has 120 pubs across the south of England, with its growth outpacing its competitors in a challenging market. Jonathan talks about Butcombe’s roots and evolution to where it is today. He also covers their approach to growth and innovation in their product range and pubs, the importance of bringing a new generation into their business, and why their sustainable approach makes sense for the business’ commercials, not just the environment. If you would like to find out more about Butcombe Pubs and Inns, you can do that here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients prepare for their exit, pivot to a new market, grow through innovation, or develop their leadership teams, please contact us here .

February 2, 2026Episode 640 min

Karl Tucker: The willingness and desire to make the Great South West a great place to locate, live, work, and operate from

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Karl Tucker. Karl joined Yeo Valley in 1996 as they were expanding and developing the organic and quirky brand that we see today, rising to become their Chair in 2021. In 2017 he joined the Heart of the South LEP, becoming their Chair in 2019, and then went on to become chair of the Great South West in 2023, one of the few public private partnerships in the UK, along with the Midland Engine and the Northern Powerhouse, receiving funding from the Government. He talks about his utopia - to see all 4000 jobs at Agratas filled by young people coming out of college now and doing apprenticeships. He is acutely aware of the challenges facing Somerset and the rest of the Great South West – to persuade inward investors that the education and skills sector will produce the workforce needed, and that workforce has the infrastructure – housing, transport, broadband – to live. He is not afraid to say that he thinks we underestimate the scale of the problem, but he also says that the willingness and desire to make it better for investors is there, and if we can get this right, there is nowhere better in the country to locate and live and work and operate from. If you would like find out more about the Great South West, visit their website here , or you can contact Karl here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .

January 5, 2026Episode 532 min

Mark Bolton: It’s not hard, it’s just hard work – creating opportunities for young people to realise great careers

In this podcast season, curated in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce , hgkc are exploring Somerset with prominent business leaders who have made their lives and their careers in the county. In this episode, Peter Quintana speaks to Mark Bolton. Born in the North-East, Mark started out as a freelance graphic designer supplementing his income with part-time lecturing. He must have good at it, because soon he was lecturing full-time, then moving into management. A serendipitous meeting with the then Dean of Yeovil College (Mark couldn’t have put a pin in the map to locate Yeovil at the time!), brought him to the college as Director of Employer Engagement, and then in 2019 he became CEO and Principal of the college himself. His tenure has seen the college double the size of the student population and increase the proportion of students who live outside Yeovil to almost 50%. Add to that over 400 apprenticeships in engineering, of which 150 are at the higher level, a close relationship with all the major employers in the area, particularly Leonardo, and his claim to be creating opportunities for young people to realise great career opportunities has considerable credibility. As he says, when you can access the level of support that Yeovil and the other colleges offer, have leading edge engineering companies on your doorstep, and enjoy all the benefits that come from living in Somerset, why would anybody want to be anywhere else? If you would like find out more about how Yeovil College work with the community of businesses in South Somerset, North and West Dorset, or find out more from Mark about the opportunities Yeovil College could help you realise, you can contact him here . If you would like more information about hgkc help clients navigate their business towards their goals, please contact us here .