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Pig farmer at the helm
A Cornish farmer, who breeds pigs near Wadebridge and Liskeard, is preparing to preside over his first Annual General Meeting as the new Chairman of South West-based insurer Cornish Mutual.
Last April, Gerald Blewett became only the eighth Chairman in the last half-century at the 105-year-old company - one of the oldest insurers of its kind in the UK - where he has been a Member since leaving school at 16.
Next Thursday's meeting marks the end of a busy first year in office, in which Gerald combined his new role as the voice of thousands of Cornish Mutual Members throughout the region with looking after 700 sows at partnership farms in East Taphouse and the Allen Valley.
More than 21,500 invitation packs have already been delivered to homeowners, businesspeople and farmers in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset with Cornish Mutual insurance policies, encouraging them to attend the meeting and have their say in the running of their company.
Gerald explains: "As a Mutual organisation, we don't have shareholders. The company exists purely to serve its Members and it's great to see as many as possible getting involved.
"My first year as Chairman has been interesting and challenging, and I have enjoyed it immensely. It's my job to keep us 100% focused on looking after our Members, as we have been for over a century, and continue to develop the company from this excellent, solid base. It is a real responsibility, and quite a learning curve."
Gerald succeeded Paul Tamblyn of Torpoint, who served on Cornish Mutual's board for some 29 years, including a decade as Chairman, before his retirement last April.
Cornish Mutual provides insurance exclusively for people and businesses in the South West. Its Annual General Meeting starts at 2.30pm on Thursday 27 March, at the Thurlestone Hotel, near Kingsbridge, South Devon.
11:51am Monday 24th March 2008
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