I hope you all had a lovely Easter break – hopefully all the relaxation of Christmas without the mess, social engagements, and family descending?

We’re exceptionally busy at the Chamber, so it was a very welcome break for us all.

We went into the Easter break on a high as our 30 under 30 shortlisted candidates were announced.

Our 30 under 30 awards are one of the year's highlights for me. They celebrate Cornwall’s brightest young business talent and we have met some incredible individuals over the eight years we’ve been running them.

I’ve included a list of the shortlisted young professionals – maybe you’ll spot a name you know!

The winning 30 will be announced at an awards ceremony on 24th May at The Atlantic Hotel, Newquay. I’ll update you when we know who they are!

So, on to more serious things and my priority for the second half of the year: connectivity.

As you will well know if you travel to London frequently by train or plane, you’re very lucky if you get there on time, with no interruptions.

I need to get to the bottom of why this is – what’s causing all the problems.

One businessperson told me last week that whilst waiting for a plane to London (subsequently cancelled), they overheard Canadian business people saying, “I was told not to do business in Cornwall because it’s so difficult to get to and from, and after this experience, I certainly won’t be.”

With all the incredible progress we are making in business here - leading renewable energy capability and cutting-edge green technologies set to lead the UK’s path to Net Zero, we simply cannot afford for any company to be thinking this.

I will be liaising with the British Chambers of Commerce to try and find out A) the route of the problem, and B) what we can do about it.

Over the years, we have fought so hard to get reliable flights from Newquay to Stansted and now to Gatwick. Connectivity is crucial to Cornwall’s economic growth, and we need Eastern Airways and GWR to better consider the long-term impact of cancellations.

I don’t doubt there are often difficult weather conditions and technical faults to contend with, but what I don’t want is Cornwall to be considered a leisure destination where it doesn’t matter if people are three hours late for their holiday. These flights – and GWR’s Paddington connection, are well-used by businesspeople who, more often than not, are heading to a meeting that could make or break a new business contract.

The 30 under 30: Alice Nightingale, Amelia Letitia Nelson, Amy Fairman, Ben Jenkins, Ben Perkins, Beth Wilshaw, Bethany Thomas, Bradley Kaine, Britany Murray, Caitlin Cude, Charlotte Rick, Charlotte Winterbourne, Chris Smith, Connor Donnithone, Danny Tomkinson, Dylan Caban, Ella Croft, Ellie Tswei, Eloise Irivne, Emily Davidson, Emily Brown, Emily Wheeler, Ewan McKinstry, Faye Hookins, George Calvert, Grace Alexander, Grace Howard, Harry Button, Henry Cornish, James Dowrick, James Martin-Bidwell, Jaye Kennett, Jenna Emily Smith, Jessica Lily-Chance, Jessica Rowley, Jodie Smith, Joe Clarke, Kate Passmore, Katie Rammage, Kellan Clarke, Kelly Williams, Kelsey Anne Henderson, Kensa Jewell, Libby Gibbons, Logan Ford, Madeline Trestrail, Matthew Broad, Matthew Irvine, Megan Price, Megan Searle-Thomas, Michael Mawby, Naomi Johns-Dyer, Nicki Thomas, Olin Quigley, Oliver Elwell-Deighton, Rebecca Jarvis, Robert Melvin, Romy Johnson, Ross Barkway, Ruby Banks, Sam Greening, Sam Oatey, Sam Orchard, Sammy Brisdon, Sarah Carbis, Saul Hope, Silvie Ruscombe-King, Sophie Gratton, Tabitha Lawyer, Tamsin Best, Terri Cottrell, Tom Harvey-James, Thomas Pennick, Tom Wadsworth, Tony Harrison-Evans, Tyler Jack-Cross, Tyler Richards, Victoria Wesson, Yasin Ahmed and Zoe Richardson.