A start-up business has quickly developed a global reputation for delivering high-quality, bespoke project and event management services from a North Powys farmhouse base.
Recognising the successful growth of her company, Camlin Events in Llangadfan, near Welshpool, Elinor Camlin received the Start-up Business Award, sponsored by EvaBuild, at the Powys Business Awards 2025.
Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, the awards showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises within Powys.
“It’s such an honour and privilege to win this award,” said Elinor. “When I saw the shortlist, it seemed a very big challenge and it shows the variety and diversity of businesses here in Powys.
“In the world that we live in now, everything is possible because people are used to remote working following the pandemic.”
In her 18 months, Elinor has delivered projects across the UK, France, Sweden, India, China and the US, with new territories including Canada, Singapore and Thailand set to be added in the next year.
The company is enjoying its busiest ever month with a Nuclear Weapons Safety Summit in New York, an AI Safety Conference for the UK Government in London and an Animal Welfare Summit in New Delhi.
Projects have ranged from two diplomatic dialogues on the development of safe-by-design AI between China and the West and major philanthropic summits raising millions of dollars for critical cause areas in the Nordics and North America, to a public biosecurity forum in Paris and a conference featuring the UN Under Secretary General and three Nobel Laureates.
Elinor, who has four employees, recorded a turnover of £270,000 – almost treble her business plan target – in the first year and is aiming to hit £750,000 in 2027. The company has already secured almost £400,000 of business for the next year.
The business has grown entirely through referrals and repeat work from non-profit making businesses, academia and public interest organisations.
“Having learned my craft around the world, I decided to return home to Powys to build something meaningful and now run a global consultancy serving clients across three continents,” said Elinor, who launched her business last year with £5,000 savings.
“Technology provides us with a huge opportunity, enabling us to build a business in Powys that competes on a world stage.
“I saw a recurring problem: non-profit companies, research institutes and public sector organisations needed to convene stakeholders around some of the world’s most complex issues, but there wasn’t enough expert capacity to help them do it well. I knew I could fill that gap.”
Future plans include fully onboarding her two new directors to allow Elinor to focus on business development and strategic growth and establishing more partnerships with academic institutions, international governments and policy think tanks.
“What began as a way for me to earn a living doing work I cared about has become a trusted partner to some of the world’s most thoughtful and impactful organisations,” added Elinor “We treat every project like it could change the world because often, it does!
“I’m excited to keep growing Camlin Events as a proud Powys business, one that champions local roots, embraces global ambition and shows the next generation that they don’t have to leave home to build something world-class.”
The award judges said: “We were impressed by Camlin Events’ potential for growth, its ability to reach international audiences and Elinor’s dedication to building a thriving, innovative business here in Powys.”
