Jessica Kirby, head of B2B at Cirkle: “Living on the Devon-Cornwall border while working for London agency Cirkle gives me a slightly different view of the industry. The South West, and Cornwall in particular, has a really creative energy right now, with entrepreneurs, makers and independent brands popping up all the time. It’s inspiring and refreshing to see people building things because they genuinely care, not just because it’s trendy. That kind of energy naturally feeds into the work we do, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives that are sometimes harder to spot from a city office.

“Being based here while staying connected to London — with Exeter to Paddington in around two hours — feels like the best of both worlds. The train journey has become a valuable part of a working day: time to reflect, think deeply, and connect the dots between human behaviour, culture and campaign ideas. That headspace helps me approach briefs more holistically and understand how people live and think in different parts of the country.

“Living in the South West, surrounded by creativity and with space to step back from the city pace, definitely helps me bring a broader perspective to campaigns, which is really useful when reaching audiences across the UK.”

Ellie Glason, owner at Ellie Glason PR: “I moved to Cornwall from London 15 years ago, slightly terrified I was stepping off the professional map. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Yes, you’re technically only Cornish if your grandmother was born here, and possibly her grandmother too. But, once you’ve proved you’re sticking around, people are warm, open and incredibly supportive.

“What strikes me most is the creativity and resilience that runs through the county. Cornish businesses tend to be fiercely ambitious and lowkey rebellious — there’s a real determination to build brilliant things from the edge of the country and make them matter nationally and globally. I’ve been lucky enough to work with institutions like the Eden Project and Falmouth University, and with founder-led brands who absolutely refuse to think small.

“There’s a genuine buzz here at the moment. Aerospace and space tech are growing fast, the predicted Cornish lithium boom is sparking optimism, and hubs like the Innovation Nursery are creating proper cross-sector energy. Add in events like Goodfest, Anthropy and a surprisingly healthy number of informal PR meet-ups, and you realise you’re not working in isolation at all.

“I’m a solo consultant, and this year I’ve seen things pick up significantly — not just for me, but for freelance and agency colleagues too. Cornwall might be geographically peripheral, but creatively and commercially, it doesn’t feel that way at all.”

Kim Visser, founder of With Flair Communications: “It may be quicker to fly to New York than it is to drive to Cornwall from London, but this part of the UK is boasting so much opportunity and feels as vibrant as London when it comes to creativity.

“I’m a communications freelancer based in Falmouth, Cornwall, having moved from London in 2022 after more than 15 years working both in-house and agency-side at Brands2Life, Nelson Bostock and Hawthorn Advisors. The move has been a hugely positive one for me. Falmouth is a genuine hub of creative and communications talent and it didn’t take long to feel part of the scene.

“I work out of local cafés whenever I can and often find myself chatting to other freelancers across design, marketing and comms. There’s a strong sense of openness and collaboration here — people are quick to share ideas, make introductions and offer fresh perspectives. Being able to step away from the screen for a coastal path walk also makes a real difference, helping you think more clearly and creatively.

“I also co-run Braedown, a strategic communications consultancy rooted in the Highlands and focused on renewables and green technology. With Cornwall’s growing strength in clean tech, it’s very complementary to our offering and we’re having exciting conversations in both ends of the UK.”

Rachel O’Connor, founder of Force4Good Consultancy: “I moved to Newquay, Cornwall nearly two years ago, after a long comms career in London agencies. I now operate as a true micro business; just me.

“Cornwall is a creative hotspot and boasts an energetic, sophisticated comms and PR community working to shape narratives for local, national and global industries. This is no sleepy backwater.

“I’ve been wowed by the generosity of people I’ve met, who are ready to share, listen, and signpost events, training, work and other relevant contacts. So many have been open to walk and talk; usually with a dog in tow, or some even grab a dip or surf before a business session. After London this is very special and unique. There are so many opportunities for networking, and I joined the board of GoodFest which is a community of creatives, business leaders, advisors, coaches and people committed to the triple bottom line as a way forward for business.”