STANDING at John o’ Groats in Scotland, beside one of Britain’s most iconic signs, I was struck by the story it tells, a story of connection, identity, and the power of place.

One arrow points south towards Land’s End in Cornwall, while at Land’s End another iconic sign points back north towards John o’ Groats. Two places at opposite ends of Britain, connected by a shared journey. Another arrow points across the Atlantic towards New York, a reminder that even the most geographically distant places can have a global story to tell.

Scotland and Cornwall share a proud Celtic heritage, shaped by the sea, creativity, resilience, and a deep connection to their communities. Both understand that identity is not simply where we come from; it is the story we share with the world.

This is why we should all be excited by the vision of GlobalCornish. Its mission is to raise the profile of Cornwall internationally and strengthen connections across the global Cornish diaspora. It is an ambition that recognises the power of heritage, community, and shared identity, and something we can all get behind.

At the heart of this ambition is a recognition that Cornwall’s story deserves to be better known around the world. A key opportunity is building stronger relationships with cities and regions across the United States, where communities, businesses, universities, and cultural organisations can discover shared interests and create new partnerships.

We live in an age where every place competes for attention, investment, visitors, and talent. Yet the strongest identities are rarely built on promotion alone. They are built on authenticity, generosity, and people who willingly become ambassadors for the places they love. Whether through business, education, tourism, culture, or simple friendship, every meaningful connection strengthens a region’s reputation. The challenge is not inventing a new identity but revealing that which already exists.

Cornwall has a remarkable story, just as Scotland does, and both remind us that we should continue to beam that pride into world. When communities confidently share their heritage, they invite others to become part of an ongoing story rather than simply observers.

This approach is not about looking beyond Cornwall’s identity, but about sharing it more widely. The same lesson applies across regions with distinctive histories and cultures. Places do not need to be the largest or most powerful to have influence. They need confidence in their story, clarity in their purpose, and connections with people who believe in what they represent.

My own family story reflects this journey. I am a Bay Area kid at heart, shaped by a Scottish and British immigrant family story. A family who crossed an ocean and built a new life while carrying a deep connection to where they came from.

The opportunity is to turn those connections into relationships that create understanding, collaboration, and shared opportunity. From John o’ Groats to Land’s End, and from Scotland and Cornwall to the world, the journey continues. The sign points in an exciting direction. All aboard!