Business nous wins Londoner a Cornish farm holiday

Razor-sharp business acumen has won a London recruitment consultant an idyllic holiday on a Cornish farm.

Clapham resident Annabelle Moggridge correctly predicted the three top-placed contestants in BBC show The Apprentice - eight weeks before Sir Alan Sugar (now Lord Sugar) made his final decision - to win the competition run by Cornish Farm Holidays and recruitment website 1Job.co.uk.

And last week, Annabelle enjoyed her free five-day break at Degembris Farmhouse near Newquay with boyfriend Nick Causer.

“It’s been my first time staying on a farm and it’s such a contrast to London life - it’s been exactly what we needed to get away from it all,” said Annabelle, who works for London firm Modis International.

“You can go out and explore everything Cornwall has to offer, but when you come back there’s just complete quiet, it’s gorgeous. It’s a beautiful place, really picturesque, and definitely better than staying in a hotel because there’s so much character. It’s like a hidden gem, tucked away down all these little lanes - I don’t want to go back home.”

Annabelle’s work as a Recruitment Management Consultant has clearly given her a keen eye for strong job candidates, helping her correctly identify Yasmina Siadatan as the eventual winner of The Apprentice.

Annabelle beat hundreds of entries from candidates and recruiters all over the UK to win the holiday, citing Yasmina’s drive, ability and raw instinct for business as the reasons for picking her as the TV show’s eventual winner.

She was also delighted with her choice of accommodation in Cornwall, selecting Degembris Farmhouse from Cornish Farm Holidays’ portfolio of over 80 farms offering quality self-catering and B&B accommodation.

Using the farmhouse as a base, the couple made the most of exploring the county’s landmarks and attractions, taking in the Eden Project and St Ives, as well as Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and a tour of Camel Valley Vineyard.

Beaches were also on the agenda, with Annabelle and Nick visiting Porthcurno and a particular favourite: Holywell Bay.

Said Annabelle: “I didn’t realise how gorgeous it was going to be, all the beaches are amazing. Cornwall’s got loads to offer people, and there are loads of gorgeous little restaurants. And I would definitely consider coming to a farm again, it was so peaceful here.”