Ben Fogle (no he's not one of the team!); Joseph Valensizi; Peter Hutchinson; Philip Griffiths; Sam Marnham

About Us

Corporate Responsibility

A Brief History of The Sail Lofts

Philip Griffiths - Managing Director

Originally from Devon, Philip’s career spans over 27 years as a senior multi-site manager in the hospitality sector. Based in London, and more recently the Midlands, he operated and developed pubs, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, cafe bars and concept developments from Scotland to the South Coast. With extensive retail experience in very different trading environments, Philip came back to the West Country in 2008 to develop and launch The Sail Lofts. He believes in delivering consistently high guest services, with attention to detail and added value key to success, and aims to ensure The Sail Lofts is firmly established as the very best all-year-round, self-catering complex in Cornwall.

As a keen golfer, dog walker and somewhat of a ‘gastronome’ (he likes eating out as part of his research!!) Philip’s knowledge of red wine and restaurants could soon contribute to The Sail Lofts official guide to Cornwall’s best ‘secret’ restaurants.

Sam Marnham - Operations Manager

With a First Class Honours in Business and Economics from the University of Manchester, Sam decided to start his career in Cornwall. During his first year he advised a number of small businesses, before joining The Sail Lofts in December 2009 as part of the Unlocking Cornish Potential graduate scheme. The combination of putting his expertise to help a dynamic new business, the surf of Porthmeor Beach, and stunning scenery of West Cornwall, wasn’t too hard a decision when he was offered the opportunity to join The Sail Lofts team.

Since then he has overseen the launch of the new website, developed the Sail Lofts social media networks and, based in the Courtyard office, is ready to help with any requests guest might have. As a water sports fanatic, he’s usually in the sea before most of us have realised it’s another day, so if the early morning surf’s good on Porthmeor, he’ll be out there somewhere…
 

Peter Hutchinson - PR Manager

Peter spent many years working for various arts organisations, and in marketing and PR. He has produced concerts and events in a number of London venues including The Wembley Arena, The Hammersmith Apollo and The Royal Albert Hall. He was Head of Special Projects at The Shaftesbury Society running a team of over 5,000 volunteers and representing the Society at national and European conferences. For ten years he was Artistic Director of the Creative School in London, and regularly directs for Riding Lights Theatre Company.

Some years ago he moved with his children to St Ives, and since then has produced a series of chat shows for Sky and worked for Tate St Ives developing stronger links with the local community. He is also a trustee of The St Ives Trust through which he has established relationships with key people within the business community, local council and press.

At the Sail Lofts he focuses his time between enhancing customer service and regional and national PR. Living in St Ives, he probably knows most places around town, and can be relied upon for ‘where’s best, where’s that, and what do we do now?’
 

Shelley Worth - Sail Lofts Ocean Spa Manager

Shelley has been practicing beauty and holistic therapy for over eight years. She trained at Cornwall College and soon became Senior Therapist at the awarding winning Budock Vean and Polurrian hotels, both in West Cornwall. With further qualifications in Reflexology, Reiki, Deep Tissue Massage and Hydrotherm Essentials, she has also worked with Spieza Organics, Elemis, Jessica, Thalgo and Dermalogica.

In 2010 she became Spa Manager at The Sail Lofts Ocean Spa in St Ives, leading the team of therapists and specialising in Deep Tissue and Thermal Basalt massage and Reflexology. She is a firm believer in combining good health and wellbeing, and sees the Spa’s on-going collaboration with Spiezia Organics key to that philosophy. She loves cycling, running and swimming, and spends time walking the ‘wonderful Cornish coast’, although any kind of ‘pampering’ is always top of her list of treats.

Dave Goldsworthy - Handyman, caretaker, builder...

A Cornishman through and through Dave grew up in Camborne and spent much of his working life fixing and repairing cars. A change of heart led him to pack it in and venture off on his own, repairing and building – well anything!

He has been with The Sail Lofts since the start, a true asset, especially on changeover days. He undertook the refurbishment of the fabulous Sail Lofts Cottage, has repaired countless televisions, dishwashers, showers, toilets and everything else that could possibly go wrong whilst keeping the courtyard garden and exterior in shape.

Pasties are essential to Dave’s Friday routine; add a biscuit or two and a cup of tea and you have one very happy Cornishman!

Joseph Valenzisi - Interior Designer

Joseph Valenzisi was ‘made in Australia’ and ‘migrated’ to England in 1997. He studied interior design at the London KLC School of Design and since then has worked on high-end residential developments in the UK. He is a keen photographer and spends many a weekend taking pictures in and around Cornwall. He has a passion for regularly up-dating the Sail Lofts and Ocean Spa interiors, keeping them in line with current design trends; just don’t send him off on his own with the company credit card!