Around 100 businesspeople got an insight into how Cumbrian entrepreneur Andrew Tinkler has made such a success of his career at the Carlisle Youth Zone Business Breakfast this week.
Andrew was interviewed by Tom Scaife, employment partner at Baines Wilson who sponsored the event at The Halston in Carlisle.
He gave them insights into how he had started his business career with just a £500 investment before going on to huge success with WA Developments – once dismissed as ‘a bunch of farmers from Cumbria’ – and then Stobart Group.
And he pulled no punches when he reflected on his time developing Carlisle Airport and his eventual acrimonious split with Stobart Group, telling the audience: “I don’t think the company will be lasting much longer.”
But Andrew did not rule out a revival for Carlisle Airport, speculating that if Amazon pressed ahead with its plans for using drones for deliveries they would need to use regional airports like Carlisle.
Asked about his business philosophy he said that ‘business is common sense’ and stressed the importance of having good people at every level in the business and innovating to find the best solutions.
He was instrumental in helping to set up Carlisle Youth Zone and praised its work.
He said: “The investment we made with Brian Scowcroft in the Youth Zone and the academies was to help lift Carlisle and you can see that the youth zone is transforming kids and the strategy is working. Well done to everyone involved.”
The audience also heard an update from Emma Rogerson, development co-ordinator at the Youth Zone, who said a funded initiative to offer free entry in response to the cost of living crisis had led to over 800 new members and 7,000 free hot meals being provided.
Teenagers Ro Borgia and AJ Fell – both 16 – both impressed the audience of business people when they spoke about how the youth zone had been a huge help to them in boosting their confidence and giving them opportunities to develop their passion for music.
Ro said: “The staff helped me and guided me in the right direction and I’m now studying at college and in a band. We both volunteer at the junior club and it is awesome to see the effect we can have too on helping young people.”
The business law firm Baines Wilson, which has offices in Carlisle and Lancaster, has sponsored the CYZ Business Breakfast since 2019.
