CIOS Good Business Pathfinder
Why do we need Good Businesses in our economy?
Working Together for Good Growth
Cornwall’s economy is changing. We face both opportunities and challenges — and we’re stronger when we tackle them together.
Cornwall’s Good Growth Plan sets out our vision for Cornwall: growth that creates good jobs, opens up new opportunities, and helps fight climate change instead of adding to it.
The Good Business Pathfinder brings Cornish businesses together to find practical solutions to the big issues ahead. These include an ageing population, a smaller workforce, new national policies, and the growing risks of climate change and the ecological emergency.
Creating a Resilient Workforce
You may already be finding it hard to recruit staff. Without action, this will only get tougher.
Cornwall has an older population than the UK average. The working-age population will peak in 2025, then start to shrink. Long-term sickness is also pushing more people out of the workforce.
The Good Business Pathfinder helps you grow your workforce by encouraging inclusive hiring and supporting people to stay in or return to work.
There’s a strong link between work and health. When more people can work, your business, and the wider economy, benefits.
Even small changes, like offering flexible hours or retraining staff at risk of being replaced by new tech, can make a big difference.
Stronger, Greener Business Together
You might be worried about the cost of adapting to climate change and nature recovery, moving towards a green economy. It’s a big challenge, but you don’t have to face it alone.
The Good Business Pathfinder helps you share ideas and learn from others. That includes when to install EV charge points, how to plan for solar panels or heat pumps, or how to switch to a circular business model.
By sharing experiences, you can cut costs and make the transition less confusing.
Working together also helps you manage the risks of extreme weather and reduce carbon emissions. Small steps now will lead to a stronger, greener future for your business—and for Cornwall.
Helping You Navigate Change
It’s a tough time to run a business. Energy costs are high, and recent rises in National Insurance and the minimum wage add pressure. More changes are coming. The Employment Rights Bill and the Immigration White Paper will bring new rules you’ll need to follow.
These changes will benefit your employees, giving them more rights and more money in their pockets. But they also mean extra costs for you.
The Good Business Pathfinder helps you face these changes with support from across Cornwall. By pooling resources from different organisations, we can offer you tailored advice and practical tools.
Together, we’ll help you adapt and stay strong.