Business School students visit award-winning, independent organisations

Final year business students recently visited two Cornish companies to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of running a successful and thriving business. 

Prepped with questions and excited about the opportunity to hear professional insights, the students started their day by paying a visit to the Certified B Corporation, St Eval, an eco-friendly candle business that has won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development. While there, the students embarked on a tour where they learnt more about the factory facilities and discovered the different processes that happen within production. The executive team then hosted an engaging Q&A, where students asked their burning questions on subjects covering automation, research, development, and job descriptions. 

St Eval’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Greaves, then kindly arranged for a session to be held by their Head of Technology to discuss Microsoft Power BI (a business analytics service). The session explored the practical use of the tool to encourage students to acquire further employability skills.  

The students then continued their trip by visiting The Bearded Brewery, a local cider brewery and bar. With branches based in St Mawgan, Mawgan Porth, Newquay, St Agnes, and Tavistock, it is a thriving Cornish brewery. The students were given a tour where business co-founders, Rob and Mark, shared their insight into the branding and marketing of a business. They discussed the key elements of building a successful brand, stressing that the best way to make a business successful is to have an excellent product, and the passion and tenacity to make it work.