Penryn-based, independent family business, WC Rowe is one of the first large-scale Cornish employers to adopt the National Living Wage for its workforce.

Since November 1, all eligible staff, which included 114 part-time workers and 118 full-time colleagues, saw an increase in their hourly pay. Rowe’s made the decision to be an early-adopter of the National Living Wage as part of a wider strategy to improve the culture within its business, communications, performance, skill level and delivery in role. It was also aimed at ensuring the bakery attracts and retains the very best employees.

Kerry Lynch, CEO at Rowe’s said: “As a company we believe that it is critical to have the right people in the right role. Having the best people is fundamental to our long term success. We have embraced a cultural focus on having a team of people with improved skills, capability and development opportunity.

"We timed the adoption of living wage with the introduction of a new appraisal process across the whole business and a complete review of all job profiles, which in turn brings fairness and opportunity for every member of the Rowes' team.”

Becci Blackburn, director of resource and development, added: “We are already seeing an increase in people’s interest in the roles that we advertise because we state we are a living wage employer. It’s still early days, but the feedback from our colleagues is that they understand what we put in as an employer and the employee's return on investment is then calculated in terms of skills, performance, staff retention, general well-being and employee satisfaction."

From the April 1, the National Living Wage will be a legal requirement with a compulsory minimum wage premium of £7.20 per hour aimed at staff aged over 25.