When The Natural Fibre Company moved to Cornwall under new management in 1995 we had a hard-working mum with a mission, a recalcitrant husband and a teenage son who thought wool was for wallies.

Things are now very different. Hard-working mum Sue Blacker is managing director, husband Douglas Bence is on the board and the son has even been known to wear our products. But most important to the company today are our small team of dedicated staff who are all committed to the future success of the business.

Those that finish the goods, in alphabetical order, are Kellie, Rachel and Susan. Paul is mill manager, but he also looks after worsted spinning and works closely on scouring, blending and carding with James, the carding engineer and his trainee, David, who keep the machines working and handle production up to the finishing stage.

All the commission-spinning customers know Sonja who, as well as being office manager, is responsible for goods in and out and keeps everything running smoothly. The customers are also getting to know her new assistant, Anne.

We also have a board of directors which comprises, in addition to Sue Blacker and Douglas Bence mentioned above, former fund manager Sharon Pipe and financier Tony Everett who represents Finance Cornwall and the small shareholders.