Nadia Macer-Wright, founder of independent, B Corp-certified luxury holiday home specialist Cornish Gems, has been named a finalist in the Green Business of the Year category at the 2026 West Country Women Awards.
Established in 2022, the awards celebrate the achievements of women across the South West, recognising leadership, entrepreneurship and contributions to the region’s economy and communities. The Green Business of the Year category honours women leading businesses that put sustainability at the heart of their operations, demonstrating that commercial success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Nadia said: “Cornwall is not just where we do business; it’s our home too. Protecting what makes it so special has always been incredibly important to me. Tourism is vital to the county’s economy, and we have a responsibility to ensure it benefits the people who live and work here.
“Being named a finalist is recognition of our team’s hard work, and I’m very grateful for their commitment. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and want us to keep raising the standard for responsible tourism in Cornwall, through the homes we offer, the businesses we support and the choices we make.”
Founded in 2007, Cornish Gems offers a handpicked collection of self-catering holiday homes across Cornwall, from countryside boltholes for two to coastal and riverside properties accommodating up to 20 guests. Through local partners, it also offers curated experiences and concierge-style services, including private dining and wellbeing treatments, alongside venue hire for weddings, celebrations and corporate retreats.
Cornish Gems achieved B Corp certification in January 2024, recognising its social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Its environmental initiatives include an Eco-Conscious collection of holiday homes with features designed to reduce energy use and waste and support biodiversity.
The company also champions Cornish suppliers and has raised nearly £27,000 for local charities since 2017, including its current charity partner, the Thousand Year Trust, which works to restore Cornwall’s temperate rainforests.
An accredited Living Wage employer, Cornish Gems supported the campaign that helped Cornwall achieve Living Wage Place status in 2025. It is also a founding member of the Cornwall Self-Catering Collective, supporting local communities and the long-term wellbeing of Cornwall’s visitor economy.
This approach to responsible tourism earned national recognition at Country & Town House’s 2026 Future Icons Awards, where Cornish Gems won the Responsible Travel Experience – within the UK category.
Nadia’s place among the three Green Business of the Year finalists was announced at Powderham Castle, Devon, on 21 October. Winners will be revealed at the West Country Women Awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth, on Friday 27 November.
For more information about Cornish Gems, please visit www.cornishgems.com.
