Cornwall Gateway

Co-Founder / MD / Project Manager 

Louise is a passionate foodie and social entrepreneur with deep Cornish heritage dating back to the 1500s. The daughter of a butcher and granddaughter of a dairy farmer, she has a strong lineage in Cornish food and drink. A qualified teacher with a degree in Culinary Arts and Rural Business Management, Louise has over 20 years of experience in food-related learning and business development.

She has led initiatives such as the Experts Grow Project, the Rick Stein Apprenticeship Programme, and the Warrens Bakery NVQ Project. Louise has supported around 500 NVQs and Apprenticeships in food, drink and hospitality and has helped hundreds of local businesses over the years. She has served as L&D Manager at Fifteen Cornwall, Regional Trainer for Domino's Pizza and Training Manager for Mitie Group Plc for Hotel Services at RCHT.

Louise has also worked for both of Cornwall's major colleges and a number of local training providers, furthering her impact on local education and business development in the region.

Co-Founder / Project Visionary 

Phil Ugalde, founder of Proper Cornish, grew the company from making 100 pasties a day to 55,000, earning numerous awards and establishing a state-of-the-art bakery. He co-owns Furniss Biscuits, turning it into a thriving business after rescuing it from administration. Over the years, Phil has supported numerous local food, drink and hospitality businesses, significantly accelerating their growth. He championed an Agrifood and Drink Centre for Cornwall, a project approved but subsequently dropped due to COVID-19. Phil retired in 2022 after over 33 years, leaving a legacy of dedication to the Cornish food industry.

Director of Economic Strategy

Stephen was born and raised in west Cornwall and has been fortunate in having a career dedicated to the promotion and economic development of the region. He has over 30 years experience working in and with major and community economic development projects, strategic planning and the community and voluntary sector. This has included project management delivering rural infrastructure, case making & advocacy and funding. 

Stephen is passionate about Cornish business succeeding and supporting growth and inclusion in the rural economy. He is married to Ann and they have one grown up son and three times as many dogs!

Director of Operations & Administration 

Emma has enjoyed a diverse career in the retail sector before transitioning to entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry. She has held various roles, including HR Business Partner, General Manager for a department store on Oxford Street, Group Director at the Oxford Retail Summer School, and project management and area manager positions at CRUK, PDSA, and Selfridges.

For the past decade, Emma has successfully owned, operated, and sold her own business. Passionate about helping others, she launched her Business Coaching venture, Growth Coach, three years ago to support business owners through the challenges of ownership.

Emma also co-manages a Holiday Lettings Business, Tawnamoor, with her husband. Located on the edge of Cardinham Woods, their business offers cottage rentals and event hosting. She is dedicated to supporting quality food and drink suppliers and believes in the importance of bolstering the Cornish Food and Drink Industry.

Non-Executive Director

George has dedicated 15 years to the dairy industry at Trewithen Dairy, helping it grow from a local supplier to a national provider of high-quality dairy products. He holds an economics degree from Reading University and has experience in various roles at Trewithen, contributing to its expansion and operational success.

Growing up on a farm, George developed a deep appreciation for food production and technology. His engineering knowledge and understanding of supermarket standards have been crucial in scaling the business. Passionate about natural food and Cornwall, he enjoys seeing Trewithen products in local favorites like the Wateringhole and Trelissick.

As a NED for Cornwall Gateway George looks forward to supporting local businesses and fostering their growth.

Non-Executive Director

Des‘ career in the food and drink industry began with a role in Quality Control at a brewery, igniting a lifelong passion for the sector. As the Managing Director of Furniss Biscuits, Des oversees operations at Cornwall’s oldest biscuit manufacturer, known for its iconic Cornish Fairings and other beloved treats.

Des is inspired by the resilience and adaptability of Cornish businesses, which he finds particularly rewarding. His extensive expertise spans Strategy, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Procurement, gained from leading both small and large companies. Des's experience with start-ups and scaling businesses adds a strategic and innovative edge to his leadership at Furniss Biscuits, where he continues to drive growth and innovation.

Non-Executive Director

John is the CEO of Taste of the West, the UK's largest independent regional food group. Raised on a farm in East Devon, John has extensive experience in farming and the environmental sector​. As CEO, he leads strategy and industry support programmes, passionately promoting Cornish food and drink through initiatives like the Taste of the West shop on Ocado. Under his leadership, Taste of the West supports nearly 1,100 members, boosting the regional economy and sustainability​. John's work focuses on food security and reducing food miles, championing local food sources and enhancing the profile of the South West's food and drink industry​.