1. 78 OCTOBER
“We met when we were both working in the
superyacht industry,” Jolyon Ferrier and
Tom Pugh-Jones explain, talking about their
new business, ProgresSWest, which helps
individuals and businesses relocate to the
South West. Tom was land-based, working
with superyacht captains and industry
businesses in London and worldwide. Jolyon,
after working in the city in property sales and
investments, went on to join the superyacht
circuit as a yachtmaster, splitting his time
between Europe and the Caribbean, working
on a number of the world’s most high-profile
sailing yachts.
“We met through a mutual friend who was
also working as a captain in the superyacht
industry,” says Tom. “I had recently moved
back to Cornwall from London, and Jolyon
had just relocated to the area and we were
both looking for the next career move. After
deciding to work together, we recognised the
gap in the market for a lifestyle recruitment
and relocation service and we founded
ProgresSWest.
“Having both relocated to Cornwall
ourselves independently, we were aware that
there must be others who would want to do
the same. We have both experienced city life
and soon realised that it is not for everyone,
which then opens up the scope to give others
the opportunity to change their lifestyle for
the better. With such a growing local economy
in the South West, we have taken it upon
ourselves to inform and educate individuals
on what is on offer and how their work-life
balance can be improved dramatically.
“Our primary business is recruitment. We
work with forward-thinking and dynamic
companies in the region that often hold a
similar ethos as our own. Essentially, we
aim to ‘elevate enterprise and lifestyle in
the South West’. We work with individuals
looking to make changes in their career paths
and personal lives, often by migrating out
of busy city hubs. We then actively seek job
opportunities that suit the client and candidate.
By doing this, we are bringing fresh new talent
to the area, allowing for increased efficiencies
in the local area and a favourable local
multiplier effect.
“We also offer a full business and personal
relocation service. As fledgling and developing
BUSINESS TIME TO REFLECT
“Having both relocated to Cornwall ourselves independently, we were aware that there must be others who
would want to do the same. We have both experienced city life and realised that it is not for everyone…”
MEET THE
ENTREPRENEURS
JOLYON FERRIER AND
TOM PUGH-JONES
Co-founders, ProgresSWest
“It’s the work-life balance that is so
achievable in this part of the world. It
is not a chore to go to work, and you
enter the office feeling alive, because
you might have been for a coastal walk,
had a morning surf or enjoyed a great
breakfast at one of the local foodie
establishments before coming in. This
is also achievable in lunch breaks and
your evenings. You don’t waste your
time commuting on the Tube, and get
to live your life in a healthy, active and
fun way. There really is no other place
in the UK like it – and people say ‘hi’ to
you on the street!”
www.progresswest.co.uk
@progresswestuk
Jolyon Ferrier and Tom Pugh-Jones were inspired by their
love of the South West to set up lifestyle recruitment and
relocation company, ProgresSWest
Go South West businesses often find that rates and costs
in city hubs are hindering their net profit
margins, we are able to offer an alternative
by way of moving the company to the local
area. With such fantastic infrastructure on
the doorstep, such as Newquay airport and
super-fast broadband, London is never really
that far away anyway. As there is such a
thriving business network in Cornwall, with
a vast network of creative, digital and tech-
based companies in the surrounding area, no
relocating business will ever feel out of place.
“Our personal relocation service allows
anyone making the transition to feel
comfortable and safe in the knowledge that
everything is taken care of, with a fully-joined-
up and integrated solution to their needs, from
property-finding to school checks, removals
and recommendations.
“We have had great support from the local
business network so far, including a start-up
boot camp run by Cornwall’s ‘Unlocking
Potential’, which we couldn’t recommend
highly enough. Since launching, we have been
developing business and building our candidate
pool in order to facilitate the vacancies that
have arisen.
“We want to work with as many companies
and individuals as possible, whilst achieving
year-on-year growth, enjoying it and keeping
the work-life balance that we promote.”