20.11.07
New chair and vice chair for Cornwall Federation of Small Businesses

The Objective One Partnership Office has welcomed the news that Carol Wells has been re-elected Chair of the Cornwall Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for the second time. Richard Newman, a previous Branch Chair, was elected vice chair at the Cornwall FSB Annual General meeting which took place on Sunday (November 18th).

Ms Wells, who is also national Vice Chair of the FSB, was the first woman a couple of years ago to take up the Cornwall FSB chairmanship. She follows Barbara Ellenbroek who has stepped down to take up greater responsibilities in her local area.

Carol and Richard were founding members of Objective One Business Task Force and are key to ensuring the engagement of the private sector with the Cornwall Business Partnership in the upcoming Convergence Programmes. The Cornwall FSB is also an active member of Cornwall Business Partnership.

Carol said: “These are exciting times for Cornwall and I look forward to being part of the continued economic growth that has begun under Objective One. Working with my colleagues within the region and many outside too, the small business voice can continue to be heard loud and clear to influence in all areas that affect our businesses.”

Richard said: “The FSB Regional team see the Convergence Programme as a further opportunity to capitalise on the successful delivery of Objective One. We will be committed to ensuring that Cornish businesses contribute to the success of and maximise the facilities resulting from Convergence.”

Carleen Kelemen director of the Objective One Partnership added: “I warmly congratulate Carol and Richard on their appointments and thank Barbara and the Cornwall FSB executive for their significant contributions over the past six years. They are valued colleagues and have worked hard to ensure private sector involvement during Objective One – particularly supporting actnow, the project that led to the successful roll out and take up of high speed broadband across the region. They will add great value to the business voice at the heart of the Convergence Programmes.”

Carol Wells has been either self employed or managed small businesses for more than 20 years.  Since retraining in 1998 she has run a specialist technical IT training company. As well as being Chair for the Cornwall region of the FSB, before handing over to Mrs Ellenbroek so she could concentrate more on the national duties of the federation, she has been Mayor and parish councillor in St Columb Major. She regularly serves as a panel member for the Princes Trust and is currently Chair of the Business Task Force for Objective One.

After five years as an industrial chemist Richard Newman began his self employed career as a fish merchant in 1978. Since then he has owned and operated freehouses and restaurants in Cornwall. In the last 17 years he has represented the private sector in Cornwall through the FSB (FSB Regional Chairman 1999 – 2004) and was past Chair of the Objective One Business Task Force and the Incubation Group. With first-hand experience of incubation in North Devon he has practitioner experience of knowledge-based business start-ups.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager, the Partnership Office, on 01872 223439/07973 813647 or email cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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