Business Cornwall April 22

CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION

businesscornwall.co.uk

APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 156 | £3.95

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WE MEET PHILLEIGH WAY COOKERY SCHOOL OWNER, RUPERT COOPER

VENUE GUIDE EVENTS AND CONFERENCING

EMPLOYMENT

MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL

04

04 9 772514

842001

Calling all local businesses, schools, community groups and sports clubs – will you support CAAT in 2022/23?

Cornwall Air Ambulance is called to the aid of over 1,000 critically ill and injured people every year. It costs nearly £5million per year to provide this lifesaving service and it wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of people like you.

Your organisation can make a huge difference, because every mission starts with you...

Please choose

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust as your charity partner in 2022/23

cornwallairambulancetrust.org/corporate 01637 889926 fundraising@cornwallairambulancetrust.org Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, Trevithick Downs, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4DY | Registered charity 1133295 |

@cornwallairamb

APRIL 2022

FEATURES 10 CEO INTERVIEW

INSIDE

WE MEET PHILLEIGH WAY COOKERY SCHOOL OWNER, RUPERT COOPER

17 EVENTS & CONFERENCING OUR GUIDE TO SOME OF THE BEST VENUES TO HOLD YOUR EVENT OR MEETING

22 EMPLOYMENT & HR A BUSINESS IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS WORKFORCE

32 COMPANY PROFILE TALENT TIDE – HELPING CLIENTS AND CANDIDATES FIND THEIR PERFECT MATCH

34 DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY HOW WILDANET IS HELPING BLUNTROCK BREWERY

ISSUE 156

REGULARS 4 INCOMING CAN SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT ON YOUR EMPLOYABILITY?

6 BUSINESS NEWS BEN FOGLE TO PRESENT AWARDS

8

BUSINESS CLINIC DIGITAL MARKETING TIPS

36 EDUCATION & TRAINING NEWS DAVID WALROND RECEIVES OBE

38 CREATIVE & DIGITAL START-UP VALUED AT £9M

39 FSB

40 FOOD & DRINK THE TRENCHERMAN’S AWARDS

41 CHAMBER NEWS CORNWALL CHAMBER CEO KIM CONCHIE

42 JUST A THOUGHT BULL & WOLF’S JOE TURNBULL

44 EVENTS DIARY WHAT’S ON

46 CONNECTED CORNWALL’S SPRING STORY

48 THE LAST WORD KYLE REED OF NEWQUAY ORCHARD

FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES

PHOTO: EDEN PROJECT SEE PAGE 20 FOR FULL STORY

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 1

ISSUE 156

APRIL 2022

CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION

businesscornwall.co.uk

APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 156 | £3.95

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WE MEET PHILLEIGH WAY COOKERY SCHOOL OWNER, RUPERT COOPER

VENUE GUIDE EVENTS AND CONFERENCING

EMPLOYMENT MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL

04

04 9 772514

842001

9 772514

842001

ON THE COVER

PHILLEIGH WAY COOKERY SCHOOL OWNER, RUPERT COOPER SEE PAGE 10 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Carter caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS PFA Research, Toby Weller DESIGN Ade Taylor design@businesscornwall.co.uk PRINT Printed in Cornwall by Deltor BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by:

Tonick Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road, Redruth TR15 3PL Tel: 01209 718688 SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk

WELCOME

BY EDITOR NICK EYRIEY

Recipe for success This month we meet Rupert Cooper, owner and head tutor of the Philleigh Way Cookery School on the Roseland.

I must admit, I love good food, but for whatever reason, lack of ability or desire, probably both, I have always struggled to cook it. Ready-made meals are too easy!

But before sitting down to chat with Rupert about his career, I attended one of his courses and it has certainly piqued my interest. And what I cooked actually tasted pretty good! So, who knows, maybe I’ll jack in Business Cornwall and open a restaurant. But then again…

But the short course was great fun and could be a brilliant way of bonding with your team. Talking of which, in this issue we present our venue guide to some of the best places in Cornwall to hold your business events and meetings.

Holding events can be a perfect way to engage with your customers and also your staff. Indeed, the people who work for your business are the most important ingredient to your success.

In this issue of Business Cornwall, we focus on Employment & HR with tips and advice from a number of leading local experts.

Registered under the Data Protection Act. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in an electronic retrieval system or transmitted without the written permission of the publisher. Stringent efforts have been made by Business Cornwall magazine to ensure accuracy. However, due principally to the fact that data cannot always be verified, it is possible that some errors or omissions may occur. Business Cornwall magazine can not accept responsibility for such errors or omissions. Business Cornwall magazine accepts no responsibility for comments made by interviewees that may offend.

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2 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

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95% of our sales are international.

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INCOMING

THE CONVERSATION

The big question What impact does social media have on your employability?

Jointheconversation /businesscornwall @biz_cornwall /businesscornwall/

businesscornwall.co.uk

4 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

THE CONVERSATION

HAZEL MURRAY Hazel Murray Copywriting

As much as many people think it shouldn’t, social media can have a huge impact on employability; from past posts that are considered discriminatory, to rants about your employer, it’s important to remember that you can’t hide on these platforms.

After all, it takes just one post to go viral (or reach your prospective boss’s desk) to change an opinion. However, there are pros to social, too! LinkedIn can be an amazing tool for elevating your network and reaching potential clients and employers, while Facebook is great for keeping in touch with friends and family.

The trick is to make sure you’re using social media in the right way and sharing what you’d be comfortable with the whole world knowing.

KATHERINE GEORGE Oh So Social

Social media has a huge effect on someone’s employability, in ways that you might not expect. An individual’s social media use gives us an insight into their personality and interests, which is a great indicator of how well they will fit with your existing team. Plus, for us as an agency, it will also let us see their creativity, as well as their photographic and content writing ability, which are all crucial skills for a busy social media agency.

On the flipside, having a glance at the personal accounts of potential employees can also let you know whether they would be a brand or business risk!

INCOMING

THOMAS HEWITT

CLAIRE FULTON-RAY

Whilst the more traditional methods of obtaining both clients, clients, customers and networking have a place within the property industry, social media has naturally entered this arena. Social media when used correctly provides the opportunity to create your own personal brand as well as the ability to showcase your knowledge, successes and achievements. Naturally, many employers are active on Linkedin, Facebook et cetera so it is important to ensure that when you are posting an article or responding to topics that you retain the same level of professionalism as you would whilst interacting with a client or customer.

Social media has a huge impact on future job prospects. This brave new world we are living in means that future employers can peek inside your private life before they even consider your CV credentials, and (rightly or wrongly), judge you accordingly.

Miller Commercial

RACHEL JONES FitNFun Nurseries

In our industry, having the privilege of caring and educating the youngest within our community, we must always remain professional both inside and outside of the organisation. From point of interview, we will view social media as part of our due diligence. Once employed and from induction, we explain our social media policy in detail so as to ensure our team are fully aware of what is expected of them.

Content writer & marketer

If you’re looking for work, or just as good practice for general social media management anyway, it’s important to review your privacy settings and seriously consider the content of any posts, tweets and comments before you upload to social media. This is just as important for businesses as it is for individuals.

As a writer I’m known for being rather pedantic among my friends, and I would always look at spelling and grammar on people’s social media if I were looking for someone to work for me. On the flip side, social media (when done well) can actually improve your employability. If an individual’s social presence portrays an image that matches the company’s culture and ethos, then it can help you shine brighter than competitors with a more lack-lustre social profile.

TIM SMART

Smart Commercial Property I think it will make quite an impact as time goes on. To be honest I have never checked any future employee’s posts on social media but will do in the future.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 5

CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

focus-technology.co.uk

FOGLE TO PRESENT AWARDS

Cornwall has been unsuccessful in its bid to become City of Culture 2025.

Ben Fogle has been confirmed as the guest speaker at this year’s Cornwall Business Awards.

From an original selection of 20 announced last year, Cornwall made it down to a longlist of eight regions before missing out on last month’s shortlist of four.

Fogle had originally been due to present the awards back in 2020, which had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

South Pole and crossing the deserts of the Empty Quarter in the Middle East.

Either Bradford, County Durham, Southampton or Wrexham County Borough will be named City of Culture 2025.

Since bursting onto the nation’s television screens in 2000 on the reality TV hit ‘Castaway’, Fogle has enjoyed a career that has seen him present programmes such as Countryfile, Animal Park and Crufts.

He has written nine best-selling books, is United Nations Patron of the Wilderness and the Red Cross as well as being an ambassador to WWF and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

He has kept up his adventurer spirit climbing Mount Everest, rowing across the Atlantic, racing across Antarctica to the

The Cornwall Business Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony on June 30.

CULTURE BID FAILS

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP chief executive, Glenn Caplin-Grey, said: “We’re disappointed, of course, but getting as far as we did is a huge vote of confidence in the quality and value of Cornwall’s cultural and creative sector, and the very act of bidding has allowed us to showcase some of the brilliant things that are happening in Cornwall and to plan for the future.”

KWARTENG IN CORNWALL Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng viewed some of the latest local projects during a visit to Cornwall last month.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Leading accountancy and advisory firm Bishop Fleming has appointed a new head of manufacturing to reinforce its commitment to supporting the sector.

Ally Allington, partner at the firm’s Truro Office, will head up the firm’s specialist manufacturing group.

With over two decades of experience in the sector, Allington and her team work with over 325 clients in the sector – from entrepreneurial inventors to publiclyfunded projects, and manufacturers with international interests and multi-national distribution centres.

She said: “I have been passionate about the sector for a very long time; being a trusted advisor to our clients and now leading the firm’s strategy in the manufacturing sector is a very welcome opportunity.”

6 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

During his stop, he attended the turf cutting ceremony of the new £5.6 million Spaceport Cornwall Centre for Space Technologies at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

The centre is set to play a central role in the development of Cornwall’s space sector, with a first horizontal satellite launch set to take place this summer.

Kwarteng said: “The Centre for Space Technologies, backed by Government funding, will be a hugely exciting asset to both Cornwall, and to the UK’s space sector as a whole. The facility will contribute to vital research and development in the field, bringing together industry and academia to exploit space to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.”

The minister also visited British Lithium’s pilot plant near Roche.

He met key members of the British Lithium team, toured the plant and saw some of the lithium carbonate that has been produced from the mica in locally extracted Cornish granite – a world first.

British Lithium received £3 million in funding from Innovate UK to build the pilot plant after four years of intensive research and development. The plant became operational at the beginning of this year and includes ground-breaking technology that is currently being patented.

“It was a pleasure to show the Secretary of State what we have been doing and to discuss our future plans,” said British Lithium CEO Andrew Smith. “Government support is critical in helping us achieve our targets and it was important to meet him in person and let him see the plant working.”

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY sapc.co.uk

CORNWALL

NEWS IN BRIEF Folk2Folk, the Launcestonheadquartered lender for UK regional SMEs, is on track to achieve a profit of around £2 million for its 2021 financial year, effectively doubling the profit of the previous year.

PLAIN SAILING

Subject to audit, a 2021 pre-tax profit of £1.98 million will be Folk2Folk’s largest annual profit to date and marks three consecutive years of profit for the company. ______________________________________

Support from Marine-i is helping Falmouthbased business, Openarc Marine, develop a completely new approach to on-board generators for use when cruising under sail.

This hydroelectric technology would have worldwide applications and help to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation at sea.

Openarc Marine director, Jim Shields, explained: “Our innovative new system can generate electricity at very low speeds, when other generators cannot. Because the amount of drag can be controlled, the user can choose to sacrifice speed to generate more electricity if they wish. This degree of control makes our product unique in the

RECORD NUMBER OF STARTUPS Latest figures show that more new businesses were established in Cornwall during 2021 than in any previous year – despite the continuing economic challenges resulting from the pandemic.

While 2,145 businesses were dissolved in Cornwall last year, the 2,993 new companies that were registered in the county brings the total number of registered companies in Cornwall to 24,752.

The statistics come from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations using data from Companies House and the

marketplace, creating a significant step forward for our industry.”

Fellow director, Mark Basham, added: “Support from Marine-i has given us the opportunity to bring this new technology to market at a much faster rate than would otherwise be possible. We will be carrying out sea trials off Falmouth in Spring 2022 and the product is expected to be launched in 2023.

“From our base in Falmouth, Cornwall, we expect to create new jobs and growth in the local economy, and additional business for the local supply chain. From here, we can take our new technology to a worldwide audience.”

Office for National Statistics.

However, Cornwall does languish behind the national average. According to the stats, at the end of 2021, there were 46.2 companies in Cornwall per 1,000 people, which compares to a national average of 79.1. And there were 5.6 new incorporations in Cornwall per 1,000 people compared with 12.2 per 1,000 nationally.

The UK saw 771,617 new businesses formed, compared to 780,760 in 2020.

The overall number of UK companies totalled 5,005,147, a 3.5% increase on the total of 4,837,426 at the end of 2020.

This continues a ten-year trend which shows the number of businesses in the UK doubling in that period.

Whilst company formations grew, the number of dissolutions across the UK – 606,912 during 2021 – also hit a record high.

Porthcurno has been awarded Plastic Free Communities status by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), in recognition of the work it has done to start reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment. PK Porthcurno, Museum of Global Communications, started the campaign in early 2021 to tackle an increasing wave of beach litter and marine plastics. ______________________________________ Coodes Solicitors family lawyer Shelley Workman has been awarded the Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation, a recognised quality standard for family law practitioners. ______________________________________ Joe Nicholls has relocated from Bristol to joins Stephens Scown’s employment team in Truro as a parter. Nicholls has practised exclusively in employment law for more than a decade and brings with him a successful track record representing businesses and individuals in all types of employment tribunal litigation. ______________________________________ Miller Commercial has been named among the most active agencies in the south west, by The CoStar Group. The Truro-based chartered surveyor was ranked first in the Industrial Award – Most Active Single Branch Agency Acquisitions & Disposals (Number) category, just ahead of another Cornish consultancy Smart Commercial Property. ______________________________________ Duchy Defibrillators has installed its 200th monitored public access defibrillator, in the heart of Truro city centre, located on the front of Vanilla bar and nightclub. Its monitored cabinets allow for real time data on the cabinet and defibrillator status to be accessed via an online system.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 7

BUSINESS

CLINIC

Marwick Marketing director, Christian Thomson, has some marketing advice to help keep SMEs healthy in the months ahead.

DIGITAL MARKETING Even after ten years of leading the team at Marwick Marketing, I’m still amazed at how quickly digital marketing changes. Our team of 22 digital marketers spend 25% of their time on courses, training and staying up to date on the latest digital marketing channels to help our clients be at the cutting edge of digital marketing.

I’m thankful to Business Cornwall magazine for being able to share my personal top four opportunities for business owners and marketing professionals to adopt in the coming months.

TikTok Videos 10 minutes

Be at the cutting edge of digital marketing

With over a billion users, TikTok is going head-tohead with YouTube with longer-form content. It recently announced account owners can now upload videos that last ten minutes. The hope is it will unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators around the world. This is great news for savvy businesses that already use TikTok as a content marketing platform. The largest demographic group on TikTok are females aged 16 - 24 years old - making it an ideal platform to advertise to this specific demographic.

Most companies in Cornwall understand the importance of having a complete and up to date Google My Business listing - however only a small percentage are utlising a new feature called ‘Google My Business Messaging’.

This free instant messaging service allows customers to contact you directly from your listing. A recent study shows that 67% of people would rather message a business than call a business by phone. So turning on and using Google My Business Messaging is a smart move.

Google Ads Experiments

Google My Business Messaging’

This is one of the most underutilised digital marketing areas I’ve seen in Cornwall based businesses. As business owners we all understand how powerful Google Ads can be - and not just search ads but display ads, remarketing ads, YouTube ads and Google shopping ads, which all fall under the term Google Ads. A/B testing is super important to lower your costper-click, increase conversions and lower your cost-per-conversion. However you don’t want to be testing new targeting, new bids, new ads and new keywords in your live account as it will cost you.

My second tip for digital marketing in 2022 is turning on Google My Business Messaging’.

Instead you can use Google Ad Experiments.

You can create a custom experiment from

8 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

your original campaign and compare how your experiment performs against your original campaign over time. The experiment shares your original campaign’s traffic (and budget) and lets you test changes to your campaign so that you can make more informed decisions on which tactics give you a better return on investment.

Google Ads Image Extensions This is one of my favorite new features in digital marketing over the last 12 months. If you use Google Ads in the search format you will be familiar with extensions to your adverts.

For example phone number extensions, call out extensions, rating extensions and additional webpage links. Google Ad extensions increase your digital real estate at the top of Google. The new image extensions will help make your ads more visually appealing, which will encourage visitors to click on them.

By adding an image to your Google search ads you’re able to showcase your company’s product, brand, team or simply your company logo.

Expect an increase in your CTR (click-thoughrate) if you implement this new feature.

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RUPERT

COOPER

Rupert

Cooper

10 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

RUPERT

COOPER

From cookery courses to pop up dining and feast experiences, Philleigh Way Cookery School owner and head tutor – Rupert Cooper – is driven by all things foodie, but his background is far from typical.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 11

RUPERT

COOPER

Let’s start by talking about your journey to get where you are today. So you started life as a professional rugby player?

I’m originally from Cambridge but went to South Africa for a couple of years.

Warwickshire, Worcester, played rugby for Stourbridge and then signed for Nottingham, where I spent the majority of my career.

And then when we were expecting our first child, we looked at the options of coming to Cornwall, as my wife is originally from here and her family are here. So, I approached the Cornish Pirates, I had played against them a number of times, and a struck a deal and joined in 2017, but ultimately only stayed one season. So, I was at a kind of crossroads. Do we up sticks and move for another year or two of rugby, or do we try and build a life in Cornwall?

I’ve got no particular ties to anywhere in the country, because my brother and sister live in different parts and my parents now live in France. Ironically, I had always said I would never live in Cornwall because there was nothing to do! But I’m not young anymore, don’t go out drinking every weekend, and have a young family. And I’ve found it’s a wonderful county.

to her in her giving me the impetus and also for being positive, saying go for it. From about the age of 12, 13, I vividly remember paying an active interest in food and how she was doing it. Jamie Oliver came on TV at the same time and it all became a catalyst. I remember Rick Stein’s French Odyssey programme from about 20 years ago and that just captivated me because I had such a good relationship with France.

So the opportunity to buy Philleigh Way Cookery School came at a good time?

It was very well timed, because I had finished playing rugby in May and I was looking for a job. I was at a bit of a dead end. I worked at my friend’s restaurant in Plymouth as head chef for a few months and then Philleigh came up and I took the business over in December 2018.

I think one of my biggest assets is that I like to talk to people

Were you always going to work in the food industry? Where has that passion come from?

Not necessarily, but since the age of 15/16, I’d always worked in cafés and restaurants, that sort of thing. And I’ve always enjoyed hospitality. And I like food. My love of food is born from holidays to France and their culture and the way they behave with food and what it means to them.

And also my mum. I owe a lot

12 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

What would you be doing if it hadn’t?

I really don’t know to be honest. Probably something in food, but I don’t have any formal training so I don’t think my CV would have got me a job as head chef, while ironically now, it probably would.

When I stopped playing rugby, I sat down and I started mapping out what I could potentially do. I was running a private catering company alongside rugby at Nottingham as well doing pop up nights and private dining, so I was already moving in that direction although I had no idea what avenue it would take.

The Cookery School has many strands to it, pop ups, events, weddings, courses etc. Obviously you’re in the food business, but are you providing education? Entertainment? What is it?

When people learn, they’ve got to enjoy what

they’re doing, they’ve got to be passionate about it. And that means you retain the skill and knowledge. So, for the cookery school, it’s got to be enjoyable. We’ve always made sure that the days are enjoyable, and hopefully people will learn from it. But then again, some people don’t want to go on a cookery course.

So, we offer a huge range of things other than just courses, as long as food and drink are at the centre of that conversation.

Has the Philleigh Way business changed much since you bought it, or are you fulfilling what it was already doing?

A bit of both, I’d say. They were already doing weddings and some feast nights in the summer, and some private dinners, as well. All those strands were operating, I’ve just probably just pushed in on to the next level. I’ve chased it more and I’ve looked to do more work. Purely because I’m a hugely competitive person and I want to put myself out there. I’ve always been competitive and I like winning!

What kind of impact did the pandemic and lockdown have?

Massive. After a year of graft to get myself where I was, and then to basically have the rug pulled from underneath my feet. And it was the successive lockdowns which was the hardest thing, we were just getting back up, and then having to close down again. It takes a huge amount of energy. The third lockdown was the hardest because I was exhausted in a mental capacity. But also, the administrative side of things was really difficult because there were people canceling and re-booking courses etc.

With weddings and food festivals, I assume summer is your busiest time?

This is a year-round business but we have peaks and troughs that allow us to improve, develop and maintain the business. January,

RUPERT obviously everyone cools down, February things start to pick up, half term, then Easter then into summer you have a big volume of people. September, October, I’ve noticed that a lot of locals, people from the county will come and do courses, because it’s kind of their time to get out. And then it hits into November and you start to do Christmas and gift vouchers and Christmas presents, which is a big part of the business. So just from that, you’ve got a really steady stream of income.

And I guess during lockdown when you had to close, was that a time to work on the business. What sort of changes were you able to put in?

You name it, we probably tried it, especially in the first lockdown. I was doing HelloFresh style boxes, food delivery, takeaway nights, street food, online courses. I tried to do as many things as possible. Then we’d see what ones were not cost effective, what ones were just not worth the pain and we would refine that offering. I mean, streetfood, we still do that every now and again and I like doing that.

But online courses, I think people have done with that. It may come back into fashion, but I’ve found that people want to get out there.

Because there are so many different parts to the business from cookery school to pop-ups and weddings, what’s it like juggling so many plates so to speak?

For me, personally, I think that’s why it’s good to be my own boss, because I do get – not bored of things – but I can get saturated with doing certain things. So, if I had to do courses day in day out, I would get a bit kind of tired of it. It’s the same thing where I wouldn’t want to be a full-on wedding caterer because I’d get tired of doing that after three or four months. So, the fact that I can pick and choose and every day is different, is wicked. And that’s why I love making the decisions as a business owner.

COOPER

How often are you in the cookery school?

It just depends. For instance, this week I was in Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Tuesday I was with Boutique Retreats doing some stuff, and then I go to France on Sunday to do some work. So, my weeks can be vastly different.

Have you always been blessed with a business acumen?

You’ve got to be on the ball all the time

I did business studies at GCSE and A level and I did pretty well in that, but it’s something I’ve always been interested in. I just like business, and I’ve watched Dragons’ Den for as long as I can remember! So that kind of language terminology, I’ve always been exposing myself to. Neither my mum or dad were self-employed, but I’ve always liked making the decisions.

Since you’ve started up a business, you’ve put yourself about the business community and engaged with organisations like the Chamber of Commerce. Has that been important?

Yes, massively. I think just building relationships is important, because people buy from people.

And I think one of my biggest assets is that I like to talk to people, I’m very personable.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 13

RUPERT

COOPER

And as I said, I’m not necessarily qualified in anything, but what I can do is show you and talk to you about what I believe in, and what I do.

What’s your vision for the business over the next two or three years?

I’m trying to push into doing more corporate stuff. We set ourselves a target of doing at least another 10%, 20% of corporate things this year.

You often hear stories of there being a lack of chefs in Cornwall. Why do you think that is?

That’s not just Cornwall, but across the whole country. Everyone’s struggling because it is such an anti-social environment. People don’t need that stress in their lives! And it’s up to the industry to change, and unfortunately, the customers have got to change their expectations as well. You can’t have a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. There has to be a compromise and the customer is also going to pay more. If they want to pay McDonald’s prices, don’t expect gastropub food, you get what you pay for.

Because not only is the cost of goods going up, but the cost of labor is going up. And who has to swallow that? But pubs and restaurants put the prices up a pound and people throw their toys! But having said, if the pubs and restaurants are going to increase prices or demand a premium price, you must deliver the goods.

When people learn, they’ve got to enjoy what they’re doing

And I’d like to acquire another business, maybe a café or restaurant. It’s about having a four or five pronged attack of business and revenue. And it would just be adding to that, really. We’re also trying to reduce that radius of events in Cornwall now, particularly with weddings, just to keep it a bit more local, because of the logistics and the time it takes.

But I’m doing a course with Mullion Cove Hotel in April for example, so yes, I do like to get around the county.

And Cornwall is a good part of the country to have a business like this. Its food and drink reputation has been rising massively in recent years.

Cornwall is obviously a tourist destination. Can prices sometimes be a bit high because of that, to the detriment of locals?

Absolutely. We are certainly riding the wave of the Cornwall brand. There is a lot of respect and value in the brand. We have such good ingredients and resources available to us. There’s a demand from visitors to the county and for people in the county for good food and drink. And it’s also highly competitive. That’s something I noticed straight off the bat when I came down from Nottingham was how competitive the environment is. So, it drags you up. You’ve got to be on the ball all the time.

Potentially. It’s a tough one, because you go up to Devon and past Exeter, average wages will probably be slightly higher. So Cornish locals can sometimes be penalised because of that, because the wages are not as high here.

It really is a tough one. Because it can be a very seasonal business, with those four months in the summer when they’ve got massive numbers of people here and are trying to make some money. I don’t know, maybe more businesses need to apply some

14 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

sort of locals pass, show your driving license to get 10% or 15% off just to encourage that trade. But as a business, you can’t just rely on four months.

What do you like to do when you’re not cooking?

I don’t have time to do anything else! But I’m trying to be better. I’m getting hounded by all my friends and family, I need to do less work. But I enjoy what I do, I genuinely do, so it’s not like work. I find I’m constantly under pressure to perform and I like that side of it.

But I have help. Debbie, who helps me out on the courses has been a God send and has been with me from the start. And I’ve just taken on a PA, who does two to three days a week for me, who again has been a revelation, because up until then I was doing it all myself. I think anyone who’s running a business, if you want to improve and grow, you have to relinquish some of that workload.

You’ve only got 24 hours a day and having a young family, time is precious. And even now, I still work every hour possible given to me. But admin is one side of the business I’ve taken a big step back from and ironically, we’re now doing more business because of it.

My love of food is born from holidays to France

Do you miss rugby at all?

I miss the camaraderie and just having that easy life! You can get swept away with the insular life you have as a rugby player, that’s your network, that’s your world, because you go from one game to the next. But when you get out into the real world, there’s lots more variable factors. It can be quite a stark contrast.

So yes, I do miss the physical side of it and feeling terrible on a Sunday!

Apprentices At Azets, people are at the core of what we do.

If you are an ambitious individual, our school and college leaver programme could be for you.

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Saturday, April 23, kick-off: 2.30

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Cornish Pirates v Doncaster Knights

malcolm.peters@azets.co.uk Matt Webb Director Truro

Get the full match day experience with our amazing match day hospitality package.

matt.webb@azets.co.uk

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azets.co.uk/careers

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BUSINESS CORNWALL | 15

Pool Innovation Centre - supporting early-stage innovative businesses and helping companies to grow.

Offering flexible, managed and modern workspace combined with access to business support and academic research.

• 3 levels of association • Affiliate membership • Formation Zone – Collaborative co-working space • Private office space • On-site meeting and events facilities • Café on-site for individual and events catering • Free on-site parking • Access to business support and academic research • Flexible contract terms • Friendly, welcoming team to support all of your business needs • Fantastic easily accessible location • Free networking opportunities

For more information: enquiries@cornwallinnovation.co.uk www.cornwallinnovation.co.uk 08000 129 500

VENUE

GUIDE

Face to face

is back!

With the last of the Covid restrictions having been removed, the events and networking scene is starting to shift up a gear.

Cornwall’s Business Challenge event www.viaferratacornwall.co.uk/business-challenge-event/

9th September 2022

While Zoom and Teams swiftly became a new normal, the appetite is very much for getting back to face-to-face meetings and networking, and over the following five pages we present seven of the best venues for you to consider when holding your next business event.

Holding an event is an excellent way to increase the hype around your organisation. Hosting events promotes your name and helps people connect with your brand.

There are a number of reasons a business should consider holding an event, be it for a large gathering of customers and perspective customers, or for a smaller team-building affair. Holding an event can: • Act as a thank you for your customers or your team • Improve relationships with customers and customer retention • Help you stay ahead of the competition • Improve your industry reputation and present you as a thought leader and expert in your field • Educate your team and/or customer about your latest products/ services • Strengthen team togetherness. Team building events can be a great way to remedy any lack of team cohesion.

Near Falmouth • TEAM building • brand promotion

• networking • Fun for all

• Lunch included • CSR

All profits support BF Adventure’s charity work with Cornwall’s disadvantaged young people.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 17

VENUE

GUIDE

ST AUSTELL

CONFERENCE CENTRE INSPIRING SPACES TO MEET, CONNECT AND PRESENT

The team at St Austell Conference Centre is delighted to welcome a stream of delegates back through its doors following a challenging couple of years for the events industry.

Kelly Tait, St Austell Conference Centre manager, says: “It’s brilliant to welcome so many of our customers back. It’s really exciting to hear the buzz of enthusiastic delegates enjoying the opportunity to meet face to face with old colleagues, network with new people and build working relationships in person.”

board meetings or company interviews, St Austell Conference Centre can cater for your every need.

The natural light and picture windows bring the outside into every room with jawdropping vistas. Your guests can take a moment to recharge with their refreshments by stepping out on to the wrap-around balconies to take in the spectacular coastal views.

Attention to detail and genuine hospitality are at the heart of everything we do

Over the last nine years, St Austell Conference Centre has established itself as the ‘go to’ venue in Cornwall for business events.

Nestled at the top of St Austell Printing Company and at the heart of St Austell Business Park, the purpose built, sustainable modern facilities give the venue a unique, professional and inspiring quality.

With six perfectly appointed conference suites to choose from, the venue offers flexibility to suit a wide range of events.

So, whether you are looking to host a networking conference, a company presentation, team building away days,

The small team are highly experienced and possess a passion to deliver a warm and faultless service to every guest.

From the initial booking enquiry through to the day of your event, your dedicated event co-ordinator will oversee all the finer details to ensure that your event runs smoothly from start to finish.

“We know how important your event is to you and we want you to enjoy your event and feel confident about hosting your event with us. We take pride in each event and so we take care of the little details to ensure that the event organisers are relaxed and able to focus on the bigger picture.”

St Austell Conference Centre’s quality catering team provide the essential ingredient for successful lunch

breaks, where networking, idea sharing and engaging conversations take place over the delicious buffet.

“Our new catering team are super talented,” says Kelly. “They’re really passionate about providing the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and turning them in to exciting, tasty buffets – something to excite and give you a lift during your busy working lunch breaks!”

Not only will you and your delegates be looked after on the day, but the team also care about the environment, with recycling and sustainability at the core of everything they do. Every element of St Austell Business Park embraces the highest level of environmental sustainability, including indoor and outdoor design using sustainable materials, grass top roofs, natural ventilation, renewable energy regeneration and rainwater harvesting.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE • Number of delegates: 100 • Number of event Suites: 6 • Spacious and light flooded suites • Exceptional views and wraparound balconies • Free parking • Friendly, dedicated events team • Delicious, locally sourced, homemade catering – excellent vegan options

For more information, to check room availability or to arrange a tour please contact the dedicated Conference Team on 01726 624200 Email: info@staustellbusinesspark.co.uk www.staustellconferencecentre.co.uk

18 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

• AV Support • Superfast wifi • View 360 tour on our website

VENUE

GUIDE

NEWQUAY ORCHARD Just a short walk from the beach lies Newquay Orchard, a seven-acre urban greenspace built by the community, for the community. Since 2015 the Orchard has flourished into a centre for arts, culture and connection with sustainability at its core.

COME AND EXPLORE! • Kowel Gwenen Co-workspace • Teaching classrooms and kitchen • Community meeting rooms • Cornish stone performance terraces • Traditional Plen An Gwari

The presence of unique • Traditional Orchard Cornish stone performance • Public outdoor breakout terraces and gallery space, space amongst the means Newquay Orchard wildflowers is fast becoming a creative hub for Cornwall. In 2022 the community of staff and volunteers will be celebrating the arts through exhibitions, theatre, masterclasses, talks, feasts, markets, fairs and more.

Canteen at the Orchard is on hand to feed visitors with their good people, good food ethos. Using produce from the Newquay Orchard Market Garden Community Supported Agriculture Scheme, visitors can taste vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers grown just over the hedge. It’s field to fork in just 100 meters.

The Kowel Gwenen co-workspace is brimming with creatives and collaboration. Every member shares our goal of betterment of people and planet and the building that houses these professionals is playing a key role in the sustainable development of Newquay’s future – environmentally and economically.

FIBREHUB &

THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SPACE FibreHub is a new workspace for the tech, software and digital sectors. Located just off the A30 between Camborne and Pool, FibreHub offers businesses, freelancers and consultants access to flexible workspaces, rapid internet connectivity, and a collaborative community.

FACILITIES INCLUDE • Private meeting rooms • Breakout spaces • 100 seat auditorium • Flexible working spaces • A networking hub • 1gbps fibre connection • Wireless screen sharing • Laser projectors

• Plug and play lecterns with Within FibreHub is the HDMI ERDF funded Digital Transformation Space run • Ceiling integrated voice

by Unlocking Potential; a enhancement speakers place where collaboration, • Free parking networking and peer-to• EV charging peer learning happens • One-site catering and for businesses of all takeaway shapes, sizes and sectors.

Businesses can attend events, access workspaces, cutting edge digital technology, projection facilities and superfast connectivity.

Fully equipped meeting rooms, event spaces and an auditorium are available to book by the day or half day. With catering options available from the onsite café, Nimbus.

To book your next event at the FibreHub or for a tour of the space, contact: Email info@newquayorchard.co.uk if you are interested in becoming a

dtspace@fibrepark.com

member of the co-workspace or looking to use one of our community spaces.

FibreHub, Trevenson Road, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3RD (SATNAV TR14 0EQ

01637 877182 | www.newquayorchard.co.uk

www.digital-cornwall.co.uk and www.fibrehub.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 19

VENUE

GUIDE

THE EDEN PROJECT THE HANGAR

CO-WORKING SPACE AT NEWQUAY AEROHUB

COFFEE WORK EAT MEET Blending café culture from No.1 Cubs Coffee, award-winning interior design and airy workspaces, desks and meeting rooms, The Hangar is Watergate Bay Hotel’s new coworking space –10 minutes from Watergate Bay and just off the A30 at Newquay Aerohub.

Do you need to get your head down for a day or two, host a video conference, or book the boardroom, while making the most of the coast in between? The Hangar is all about ease – with plenty of free parking, electric vehicle charging, showers and a large pantry, next door to a vibrant café you’d expect to find in the centre of town.

The Hangar coworking space can host remote workers, freelancers and start-ups – with coffee baristas serving up mood-boosting brews, homemade cakes, pastries and sourdough toasties.

Looking for a venue to ignite your delegates, look no further than the Eden Project. Eden is an educational charity and social enterprise, offering a truly unique backdrop for your event. Whether you are looking for a venue to hire for a meeting, an awards ceremony, Christmas party or conference, our dedicated team can assist.

Our main function room, The Gallery, has a breathtaking view of our world-famous biomes and is the perfect, inspirational venue for your conference, function, dinner or party. A range of delegate packages are available but we are passionate about creating bespoke solutions to meet your needs and desires. Why not incorporate a team building element with our on-site Zip wire? Or be inspired by one of our expert speakers.

FACILITIES INCLUDE • A truly unique and breathtaking setting • Suitable for a wide range of events, with a dedicated events team • Eco-friendly options, from low-waste decorations to locally-sourced food and drink • 20 – 1000 Delegates • Multiple event spaces and breakout areas • Ample Free parking • Wifi • Dedicated Events Chef • On site teambuilding packages with Hangloose adventure • In house team delivering creative leadership and cultural change programmes

Eden’s creative leadership • Exclusive use available programmes, HotHouse, • Wide range of guide you on facilitated recommended suppliers experiences of nature • Delegate packages designed to inspire and lead • Licensed for live music transformational change.

Alongside our series of readymade programmes, we also work with individuals and organisations in a variety of ways, from one-off workshops, to facilitating company days and designing and delivering custom programmes tailor-made for your organisation.

The Hangar, Aerohub Business Park, St Mawgan, Newquay, TR8 4RZ

watergatebay.co.uk/the-hangar 01637 800 357 | space@hangar.work

20 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

01726 811950 | www.edenproject.com/weddings-and-venue-hire

VENUE

GUIDE

THE PARK CORNWALL Nestled in 27 acres of tranquil gardens in a secluded valley lies The Park Cornwall.

VENTON

CONFERENCE CENTRE, SUMMERCOURT Looking for a spectacular space to train up your new recruits or inspire a new generation of industry leaders? Venton Conference Centre combines quality and accessibility with state-of-the-art technology to help you take your workforce to the next level.

From the cutting-edge facilities to the most innovative tech - the Cynap Pure and Samsung Flip 2 are just the start - we have everything you need to hit the ground running.

So, explore our multiple packages and tailor your experience to suit your needs. Our modern, flexible conference and meeting spaces can cater for 10 to 120 people, with availability for weekday, evening, or weekend bookings (we also offer special rates for those who want to take advantage of our multi-date and rolling booking discounts).

You can even fine-tune your experience with us to include a delicious menu, from breakfast buffets to snackable lunch boxes - complete with Cornish favourites.

Perfectly-situated between Truro and Newquay, find us one minute off the A30 in the heart of Cornwall at Summercourt.

Just a short stroll from the beach at Mawgan Porth, with a selection of accommodation including luxury lodges, cottages, park cabins, cladded caravans and a fairylandstyle yurt village, there really is something for everyone and many of the properties even have their very own private outdoor hot tubs!

Not to mention there are also two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a sauna and steam room, children’s play areas, an onsite restaurant and a children’s soft play area.

FACILITIES INCLUDE • 2 - 20 delegates depending on style seating (in the Communal Yurt) • Tranquil, quirky and unique setting • Walking distance to Mawgan Porth Beach • On-site restaurant and kitchen facilities • Great for small meetings or creative workshops and events, packages available on request • WiFi

• Free parking At The Park there’s no need • Exclusive use for 4 Yurts 2 to leave anyone behind, as x sleeping 2 people and 2 a number of properties are sleeping 4 people, shared dog friendly with enclosed hot tub and full kitchen gardens, complimentary facilities dog bowls and even a doggie bag full of goodies.

The extensive grounds are perfect for early morning walks and there are some fantastic woodland pathways, coastal footpaths and nearby trails that can be accessed directly from the site.

To book your next event, call 01872 248533 or email the team at hello@ventonltd.co.uk For more information and 3D virtual tours, visit www.ventonltd.co.uk/

01637 860322 | www.theparkcornwall.com

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 21

EMPLOYMENT

& HR

A business is only as good as its workforce. The phrase might have become something of a cliché, but as any employer will tell you, in today’s competitive marketplace, it has never been more true.

Employment

& HR One of the organisations in Cornwall dedicated to providing the local business community with the sort of raw materials it needs is the St Ives Workstation community interest company (CIC). And this

ADVERTORIAL

development starts right at the beginning.

Director of programme and development, Rowena Swallow, explains: “There are so many wonderful opportunities for students and businesses in the St Ives Bay area, and through partnership-working the CIC is a ‘social enterprise’ which hopes to nurture the right conditions to support choice, promote sustainable approaches, and assist genuine prosperity for all, especially for young people in the area.”

Through working closely with the wider

FOUR WAYS TO MAKE HR WORK FOR YOU

A settled, happy and engaged workforce drives and sustains growth and competitiveness. However, navigating through HR and employment law can feel like a maze. Ellie Hibberd from Stephens Scown LLP unpacks four top concerns she hears from organisations unsure how to access the best HR support for them.

Ellie Hibberd is a Partner and head of the Employment team & HRExpress service at Stephens Scown. Find out more at employment@stephens-scown.co.uk

22 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

EMPLOYMENT community, schools and colleges, universities and business partners, the CIC hopes to be able to support individuals through growth in confidence and choice, in finding their voice and personal development route.

“In turn, we hope that more yearround opportunities for employment will emerge, small enterprisebusinesses and community ecosystems will thrive, and enterprise-support for sustainable, environmentally-led solutions will lead change,” Rowena says.

We hope that more year-round opportunities for employment will emerge

Currently, the CIC is working closely with St Ives School to deliver CREW – Community Renewal and Enrichment Workgroup – a St Ives young leaders’ development programme. In the shadow of climate change and Covid, the need to address sustainability and resilience in communities such as the need to build-back green, to focus on free and fair trade, habitat diversity, food security and shared values in democracy - mean that tomorrow’s adults will undoubtedly have to problem-solve differently, due to the existential challenges they will face.

We are excited that the first CREW cohort will be coming together shortly

1 The odds are against me As an employer it can sometimes feel like it’s all set up for employees to ‘win’.

We work with our clients to ensure they have control over whatever situation they may be facing without riding roughshod over your employees or their rights but by working with you to devise a roadmap and manageable way forward.

2 Outsiders don’t understand my business By its very nature HR is all about people and personalities. If you want to get the best of your HR consultancy support, it’s

“Arguably, educators, artists, scientists and businesses can assist opportunities, too, by routinely working together around real-world problems, in a manner rooted both in pupils’ lived experiences and in a circular economy, where the value of the environment and creative community - such as can be found in St Ives - are uppermost.”

CREW aims to train and empower a diverse range of young people as leaders, developing their skills in a societal, community and business context.

& HR

At Konnect for Business we understand the importance of recruiting and maintaining good staff.

We are here to help your business aid recruitment and staff welfare, increase motivation and staff retention.

HELPING CORNISH BUSINESS GROW WE LISTEN TO YOU WE WORK WITH YOU

Here is a handful of the services we offer:

Creative recruitment support Mental health and staff wellbeing support Support on welfare-led leadership Webinars and workshops on leadership mindset

WE ADAPT WITH YOU

GET IN TOUCH

01209 241308

Fully funded support is available depending on eligibility

hello@konnectforbusiness.co.uk www.konnectforbusiness.co.uk

“We are excited that the first CREW cohort will be coming together shortly,” adds Rowena, “and from the very beginning will be co-working with businesses to collaborate in framing challenges, finding solutions and giving voice to their creativity and hopes for future prosperity.”

important that you know and trust those you’re working with. That’s why we build long-lasting relationships with our clients, who see our team as an extension of their own.

3 I can’t see the wood for the trees Worry about HR issues can take up huge amounts of time and feel very isolated at the top.

However, getting expert opinion early on any personnel situation gives us the best chance of supporting you through it and ensures you stay prepared for any situation.

4 I have too many costs already Having skeleton or no expert HR input is likely to be counter-productive and could lead to you facing unexpected tribunal claims. That’s why our HRExpress service comes at a fixed fee cost, set for the year and without any automatic renewal terms. It’s an affordable way of providing additional support for your organisation without adding headcount or overheads.

HR consultancy support – make HR work for you

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 23

EMPLOYMENT

& HR

Falmouth’s future skills for the

new economy

Skills and employability are high on the political agenda. The Government’s recent White Paper on Levelling up outlines some of the ways universities and FE institutions are being increasingly called upon to drive a more inclusive and skills-focused education system, which delivers true impact and economic outcomes for students and communities.

With turbulent world events creating uncertainty in economic and labour markets, it’s important to consider how global events will affect regional economies and their workforce, too. Since the advent of so-called ‘Post92’ institutions, institutions like Falmouth University have become anchor institutions for their regions, with close links to local labour markets.

The creative industries contribute over £111.7 billion of value to the UK’s economy and arguably more important the UK’s largest and most productive employers identify creative problem solving as one of the most in-demand skills.

Falmouth is nurturing skills which will help students thrive in the future economy.

Throughout their studies, students have contact with businesses and organisations within their industries and tackle realworld challenges. They have the opportunity to develop their team-working, collaboration, innovation, problem solving and analytical skills.

Nearly 23.5% of Falmouth students set up their own business

In Cornwall, with its rich cultural and creative heritage and nascent digital tech cluster, there is a great opportunity to support and grow a flexible, innovative and entrepreneurial workforce.

24 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Falmouth students hone their communication and creativity skills, often working with teams and start-up businesses and these are the kinds of agile and flexible skills that will put them in good stead to navigate the ever-changing world of work when they leave.

Falmouth is not only deveoping highly skilled graduates, it recognises that they don’t yet have the local high-salary employment to progress into. As a consequence, many might move away to the south east or other UK cities. To combat this, Falmouth is a leader in fostering graduate start-ups that will in turn create employment opportunities for others.

This will take time, but we are on a shared journey to create of the UK’s most buoyant destinations for businesses to grow and innovate.

Business Cornwall readers will be familiar with Falmouth’s Launchpad venture studio, which is designed to develop and incubate highgrowth, high-value businesses headquartered in Cornwall.

It’s fantastic that Launchpad tech company Codices, the entertainment/streaming specialists behind the popular ‘Quiz Kit’ tool (used by 1 in 20 Twitch streamers worldwide), has just been valued at £9 million following a recent investment round.

Falmouth is also supporting budding student entrepreneurs to bring their business to life.

EMPLOYMENT

& HR

DATA DUOPOLY & TIM PEAKE

It recently held its Dragons’ Den annual event at Launchpad. With prizes of up to £6k, it was an exciting opportunity for students to pitch to a panel of established business leaders and secure additional support and advice from the studio’s entrepreneurs and experts in residence.

Business ideas on the day ranged from special kits prepared for emergencies during events and holidays, to an online streaming platform offering an abundance of student short films at an affordable price.

The panel of dragons awarded £2k to MSc Entrepreneurship student, Chloe Lingard for her Sustain Ability Project, which matches undergraduate and graduate talents with the needs of communities to improve the lives of people in Cornwall & Madagascar.

collaborate and connect – and it is proving a great way for student start-ups to scale up and spin out.

Teams in the University’s Games incubator also hope to follow in the footsteps of Moonshine studios, Waving Bear – games studios established at Launchpad - and Knights of Boria (winners of the UK’s Tranzfuser Award 2020 who spun out of the Games Academy), to make a real splash in the games industry and contribute to Cornwall’s exciting digital sector.

The University also works to ensure students are developing workplace skills while they study, so has developed a Micro-Internship Scheme, which provides businesses across the UK access to raw creative talent.

Sustainable Festival Management student Amelia Jones was also awarded £2k to launch Festival Hub, a website aimed at people with disabilities, to prepare them with information before attending a festival.

Under this scheme, students and employers can take advantage of subsidised 30-hour placements that focus on delivering projects based on creative briefs. So far, students have worked with National Trust, Bounceback Food CIC, Bluefruit Software and Eightwire.

We want Launchpad to be the leading meeting place for business brains to

The Employability Team RealWORKS works to align students’ skills with local business

needs. So far, it has connected more than 2,700 businesses with our student talent pool.

If your business would benefit from an injection of creativity, innovation or entrepreneurship you can find more information from the RealWORKS team at realworks@falmouth.ac.uk Falmouth’s students are also doing their own thing. Nearly 23.5% of Falmouth students set up their own business, many of them here in Cornwall. Over 1.3% of all UK self-employed Graduates come from Falmouth University and we have over four-times the number of self-employed graduates than the national average.

It’s exciting to witness this level of ambition, curiosity, and collaboration here in Cornwall and we can’t wait to see what’s next for these creative innovators and entrepreneurs.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 25

EMPLOYMENT

& HR

Group head of Talent Tide, Tamsin Pond, talks about employee expectations, a thriving jobs market and attracting the right people

The perfect

match

It’s no secret that recruiting staff in the first quarter of 2022 hasn’t been easy; with vacancy numbers hitting record highs¹, many businesses are struggling to fill posts across the UK. In fact, between October and December 2021, open vacancies in the UK were 109% higher year-on-year - signs that employer confidence is growing despite everfragile and changing economic conditions.

world have also resulted in many people seeking new adventures, starting up their own hustles or re-evaluating their work-life balance.

For business, though, this current employment environment can be detrimental to success; after all, you’re only as good as your workforce. Having a strong and reliable team with the right skills is what every business needs to continue to grow and hit key milestones.

Having a strong and reliable team with the right skills is what every business needs

Here in the south-west, we’re seeing a similar picture. Job openings are on a steady rise, which, though great for candidates looking for new challenges and opportunities, often means recruiters face more competition to attract the right people for the right roles.

This is a new world for some businesses who may have, in the past, never struggled with recruitment before. However, many are now being forced to look at what they’re offering potential candidates, from increasing salary budgets to offering better staff incentives upon employment.

For others, retention is the problem.

Around one in four employers say they’re struggling to hold onto staff in 2022, hindering their ability to meet targets and grow as the year progresses².

This is no surprise in an abundant job market, where changing attitudes in a post-Covid

26 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

So, how do you tackle these big issues and get the right people into your business (who are going to stay)?

If you’ve already begun a recruitment campaign and you’re not getting anywhere, review what you’re offering. Is the salary competitive with similar roles in your industry?

Do your incentives reflect what people are looking for in a job today? Do you offer the Real Living Wage?

Some staff may want a hybrid work scheme, where they can spend some of the week working from home (which isn’t a bad thing – it means you no longer have to rely on location, with a wider pool of candidates to choose from than ever before). Others want a focus on employee wellbeing, while training has also become increasingly important, with candidates keen to see progression opportunities.

If you’re not sure where to start, or you don’t have a hiring specialist on your team, handing over to a professional

recruiter can go a long way to reaching the people you need for your business.

And, here at TalentTide, we could be just what you’re looking for.

We know that the key to good performance is driven by good people, which is why our approach is totally personalised to your needs. From our outstanding knowledge of the finance, tech and people management sectors, to our extensive overview of the south-west jobs market, our team provides an innovative and market-leading service to each and every client and candidate alike.

Plus, our income generation gets redistributed into the Cornish community, helping to support a better economy; putting money back into projects, investing in local businesses and helping candidates land jobs.

It’s all about putting people first.

That’s why our team builds valuable long-lasting relationships that deliver for our clients time and time again.

To discover more about our approach and our latest job opportunities, visit our website at www.talent-tide.co.uk/

References: 1. Recruitment and Employment Federation, JobsOutlook January 2022 2. The Office for National Statistics (ONS), Business Insights and Conditions Survey (wave 46)

EMPLOYMENT

Inclusivity

& HR

works

Did you know… … that around one in five people of working age is disabled? That’s nearly 9 million people.

Disabled people have an unemployment rate that is nearly 30% higher than non-disabled people. This under-representation of a huge potential workforce reveals what is referred to as the disability employment gap. Similarly, the Office for National Statistics has also just released evidence that 80% of the growth in people out of work and not looking for work is in the over-50s population. However, a recent international report found that age-diverse workforces could raise GDP per capita by 19% over the next 30 years.

Overcoming the barriers The Inclusivity Project funded with support from European Regional Development Fund and the SW Academic Health Science Network, is a partnership between the University of Exeter, Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Disability Cornwall and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

We are exploring why older people, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions find it harder to get work than the rest of the population.

One being that businesses are often fearful of navigating the processes that underlie inclusive employment. However, reasonable adjustments often cost less than £50. Other interconnected factors of Dr KhedmatiMorasae’s work showed that wider issues such as transport also affect the employment gap and highlights the need for policymakers to consider these wider system issues when working with businesses and people looking for work.

Could hybrid working offer a solution?

Since the pandemic, hybrid work (work based both in and away from the office) has become common. It can offer a more inclusive culture due to its flexibility but can also exacerbate inequalities if not thoughtfully implemented.

Dr Shruti Raghuraman has worked with Age UK Cornwall in developing a hybrid work culture that is fair and equitable and promotes positive connection and inclusion.

Make work more accessible, more inclusive and more enriching to our lives

Dr Esmaeil KhedmatiMorasae has examined the barriers to work for people with disabilities and those who are over 50 in Cornwall. He comments: “We have found that people are falling through the cracks of the employment system.” His findings have demonstrated multiple interconnected factors that produce barriers to inclusive employment.

“Hybrid work provides the opportunity to make work more accessible, more inclusive and more enriching to our lives,” she says.

Hybrid working is still experimental and a need for a planned systemic approach has been vital to navigating the transition.

Through engagement and co-design events with the AgeUK Cornwall team, we found both benefits and challenges to hybrid home and office working. This can include a more flexible balance and less commuting, but also the potential for silo working, and a reduced

sense of connectedness and opportunity for innovation. With this workforce, we are exploring how we can re-imagine connection, productivity and performance monitoring structures in this transformed work context.

Many teams are navigating this transition as they respond to the lasting impacts of the pandemic. We are working with our partners to develop a resource for organisations wanting to transition to a hybrid work culture that prioritises workforce wellbeing.

Find out more about how to make Inclusivity work for your business This is only a small snapshot of our research and we will be sharing our findings with the business community, policy makers and influencers. Our research has shown some of the causes of inequalities. By being aware of these barriers businesses can actively work to address them, and by following and increasing inclusive work practices, businesses can widen their recruitment net and benefit from a more diverse workforce.

To find out more about what we’ve learned and how you can boost inclusivity in your business visit our website and use our digital resources at: www.theinclusivityproject.co.uk or contact us at inclusivity@exeter.ac.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 27

EMPLOYMENT

& HR

Closing the

Skills Gap

Global events have had a huge impact on local businesses and the county’s workforce over the last few years, with Covid-19, Brexit, the energy crisis and rising living costs each affecting trade, employment and standards of living in the region.

Through funding received from the European Social Fund, The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly People Hub is on hand to help local people develop their skills and improve employment prospects, through dedicated services including their Skills For Growth programme, remote-working opportunities, and support for jobseekers claiming Universal Credit who may be affected by the recent policy changes announced by the Department for Work and Pensions.

who fail to find work in their chosen sector within four weeks of claiming Universal Credit to look for employment in other sectors or potentially face sanctions and a reduction to their benefits, under the new Way to Work programme.

Help close the gaps with a focus on learning and development

The updates to the policy require claimants

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There was a 97.9% increase in Universal Credit claims in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly between March and December 2020. The DWP expects to see 500,000 people back in work by the end of June as a result of the updated terms.

The pressure put on job seekers by these changes, and the effects that such changes can have on mental and physical health is something that the team at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly People Hub fully understand.

People Hub is helping job seekers and career-changers in Cornwall with training and employment support to get people into work.

We can’t change Government policy, but we can change how we react to it. People Hub is committed to getting long-term unemployed people into a career they love. Aware that rushing people into a job that doesn’t suit their skillset could lead to unhappiness and an increased likelihood of resignation. People Hub’s supportive Connectors are on hand to help find solutions that work for the individual to alleviate the excess worry these changes may cause.

As well as supporting jobseekers in adapting to policy changes and securing employment, People Hub have launched their Skills For Growth programme, aiming to help people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly improve their career prospects through tailored support and funded qualifications and training, overseen by one of People Hub’s Connectors, who offer support throughout the entire process.

We are currently experiencing a growing skills

EMPLOYMENT

shortage among young people in the county, with a greater reliance on less productive, lower paying sectors.

The programme aims to help close the gaps with a focus on learning and development.

Upskilling, retraining and supporting confidence growth so that participants are able to reach their career goals, whether they’re looking for a career change, facing the possibility of redundancy, or wanting some help moving up their chosen job ladder.

There is an opportunity within the region to take advantage of a major change in the way we work that occurred as a result of the pandemic – remote working – which for people in rural and remote areas such as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has opened up opportunities that they did not previously have access to.

Before the pandemic, the vast majority of

& HR

full-time, permanent jobs were based in cities or on the outskirts of large towns, making it difficult for those that didn’t live in these areas to get the work.

Preceded by an empowering remote working skills programme to ensure that people have the abilities, confidence and mindset for success in a remote working environment.

Workers had to endure an expensive commute or move away from their home to be closer to their workplace in order to secure a decent wage. The increase in workfrom-home roles has changed this, and the opportunities that remote working offers those living in rural areas are far more numerous.

For jobseekers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and those looking for a change of career, People Hub are on hand to supply training and support to help people get the most out of their working life, with £4,290,593 of funding from the European Social Fund to help stimulate local economic development and support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations.

The People Hub team are committed to making sure that the people of Cornwall are given the same opportunities as people anywhere else. Working together with SmartMatching Cornwall, People Hub have access to over 100 customer service focussed remote-working roles for people in Cornwall.

Get in touch with People Hub today – https://peoplehub.info – to find out more about the help and support on offer.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 29

EMPLOYMENT

& HR

Focus on

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub offers tips and advice for working in a post-Covid world.

productivity

With our working world turned upside down following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, only now are we beginning to fight our way through the weeds and return to a semblance of normality.

In fact, according to a series of reports from global management consultancy firm McKinsey, Covid-19 helped turn around workforce-productivity-growth rates that were at near historic lows prior to 2020.

Productivity now sits front of mind for many businesses and their people. How do we make our businesses more efficient amidst the new ways in which we find ourselves working?

The idea of the traditional 9-5 is being thrown out the window, with the four-day work week and flexible hours to be much more of the norm moving forward. Hybrid working, or working from home full-time, another two things that could be added to a post-Covid world.

How do we make our businesses more efficient?

A recent Deloitte survey of 1,248 UK workers showed that while 38% found the Covid lockdown periods to be difficult on their mental health, 55% believed that both themselves and their colleagues were more productive than what they were prior to Covid-19.

30 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

So how can we be more productive, making the most of our time wherever we work, and how do we find that elusive equilibrium between work and home life? How can new skills and training play their part as a contributor to innovation, productivity, and wage growth?

Here are a few tips from the team at the Skills Hub to help make you and your team thrive.

SKILLS, SKILLS, SKILLS New skilling, up-skilling, pre-skilling, re-skilling, levelling up; call it what you will but a culture that pushes its people to continually learn new things will be one that thrives in future ways of working.

For employers, you too play a vital role in job-related training and development. The UK, and particularly Cornwall, has long suffered from low skills investment, and a decline in skills development prior to the pandemic was identified as one of the likely contributors to reducing rates of productivity.

Low productivity and low skills are interlinked, so let’s flip the switch and think about how investing in skills can help drive future profit.

EMPLOYMENT

RECOGNITION AND RELATIONSHIPS When building your post-Covid-19 workforce, it’s those businesses that continue to prioritise employment engagement – such as effective and inclusive communications, staff recognition, employee-to-employee relationships, and staff wellbeing – who will prosper most.

Businesses that create platforms for open and honest communications that reach people wherever they might be working, with the right message, at the right time, will cultivate trust and confidence in the direction of the business and, ultimately, boost productivity.

Employers need to build on the camaraderie that was formed during the initial stages of the Covid-19 period, and the creativity that came about when solutions were needed for problems many of us had never considered before.

Leaders need to take active steps to ensure continued relationship building, as well

as creating both space and resources for employee creativity to take hold.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE THE SWITCH Making the switch has been a phrase we have heard a lot of these past six-months.

Predominantly this switch is in relation to tariffs and energy providers, but the switch we speak of here focuses on technology.

As we have spoken about previously in Business Cornwall, businesses will need to further their strategic thinking on the impact that technology will continue to have on both their workforce and their businesses future prosperity.

Whether you are an employer or an employee, don’t be afraid to re-train, up-skill or implement new technologies in your business. The past decade

& HR

has delivered an astonishing cluster of technological breakthroughs so think long and hard about how you can leverage digitisation, tech and the innovation space to make your business better. The reward for such efforts would see you with a more resilient, more talented, and more productive team.

Contact the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub; the independent and impartial specialists when it comes to all things skills, training and workforce development. We can equip you and your team with the skills needed to ensure that you’re ready to tackle whatever comes next. www.ciosskillshub.com – 01209 708 660

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 31

RECRUITMENT

CORNWALL

TalentTide: Providing an ocean of

opportunity

Helping clients and candidates find their perfect match.

32 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

RECRUITMENT

In an ever-changing world, the jobs market is a tough place to be – especially if you’re not sure about exactly what you’re looking for, or how to find it.

But, whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect person to fill a job opening, or you’re a candidate looking for a new adventure, the team at TalentTide are here to help. In fact, we’re all about matching businesses with the right people (and vice versa), to help the economy thrive across the southwest.

about supporting the candidate in the long term to ensure they’re working in the right role at the right company for them.

working is bringing a whole new pool of talent to the area (albeit virtually), which, in turn, helps to grow the Cornish economy.

That’s why, when candidates are represented

by TalentTide, they get all the support and information they need to give them the best chance of getting the job – we’ll even help them through handing in their notice, avoiding any counter-offers and beyond, until they start their next adventure!

And that’s where we’re a little bit different to every other recruitment agency out there.

We’re not just committed to the people who walk through our doors – we’re also committed to supporting the local economy as a whole. How? Our income generation goes back into Cornish community, through local businesses, projects and investment, bringing more money to Cornwall (and keeping it here).

So, who are we?

Based in the heart of Cornwall (but with an everincreasing reach), TalentTide is a recruitment consultancy which focuses on quality over quantity. Why? Because we know that the performance of any organisation is driven by the quality of its people.

How to make the right people sit up and take notice

Today, our team of experts offer an innovative and market-leading service to professional sectors (such as finance, technology and people management), to help businesses exceed their goals and take things to the next level. After all, without a strong workforce, how can a business expect to grow?

And with more than 100 years of recruitment experience under our belts as a collective team, it’s safe to say we know what we’re doing. This collaboration of knowledge and skill has delivered for our clients and candidates time and time again, helping us to build solid, long-term relationships with everyone we work with.

Long-term support with a difference It’s not just about the businesses, though; it’s also

CORNWALL

But why do this? It’s simple; candidates who don’t feel supported or in the right role, don’t often stick around. And there’s nothing more tedious than being forced to start the recruitment process all over again, after thinking you’ve found the perfect person for the job.

Our advice? Get it right the first time around, with a recruitment consultancy that knows how to find your ideal match.

More than just an agency The good news is that, here at TalentTide, we do our due diligence when it comes to every client and candidate, so a quick turnover is far less likely. By utilising our arsenal of innovative platforms for effective candidate attraction and reach, we know almost everything there is to know about the market in the southwest and how to make the right people sit up and take notice.

These days, hybrid working has made our job even more exciting. We’re no longer tied to the confines of locality, with the opportunity to advertise nationally and bring even more talent to Cornwall than ever before.

With a broader field of candidates to choose from, taking advantage of new ways of

Starting your journey with TalentTide So, let us make your job easy and hand the hard work over to us.

If you’re looking for a new job, you’ll be allocated to a specific consultant with in-depth knowledge of the job role that you’re interested in from day one, who will explore (in detail) your skills, experience, and types of career opportunities you want to pursue. Then, we’ll put forward the roles that meet your specifications and actually fit your skill level.

Likewise, if you’re a business looking for a new recruit, you’ll get a dedicated account manager with an in-depth understanding of the sector you operate in and its specific challenges.

We’ll develop a deep understanding of how your organisation operates, and find those ideal candidates to futureproof your business for years to come.

To find out more, get in touch with the team today. Call 01872 322823 or email info@talent-tide.co.uk to get started. www.talent-tide.co.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 33

DIGITAL

CONNECTIVITY

Broadband boosts brewery Fine ales, good times and great WiFi – it’s been a winning formula for the team at Bluntrock Brewery after Wildanet pulled out the stops to get them connected in time for their grand opening.

Bluntrock Brewery, co-founders Hugo Roads and George Collins were desperate to get internet connectivity after setting up their business in St Minver Lowlands, near Wadebridge, in 2021.

They opened their nanobrewery and taproom in a set of two converted 40ft shipping containers in August, after months of planning and hard graft.

The final, and unexpectedly difficult, hurdle was setting up a decent internet connection, essential for taking card payments, running

34 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

their CCTV system, taking online orders and organising social media marketing campaigns.

With their grand opening approaching, and having been let down by another internet provider, George and Hugo turned to Wildanet for help.

“We didn’t have any internet up here at all,” says George, Bluntrock’s brewer.

“We were relying on phone hotspots to run the tills and do the sales transactions, which is not ideal when you’re trying to get signal through a shipping container.

“It was going to be really difficult to set up with the other provider and we thought we had a date for installation but they never turned up.

“That was the week we were opening and we

still hadn’t got any proper Wi-Fi. We’d been let down and we needed to have a solution in place because running the opening night with just the hotspots on our phone was just not going to work.”

A friend recommended Wildanet because the company had been able to connect his business ‘in an-out-of-the-way spot’ in Cornwall, which didn’t have any fibre network.

Wildanet prides itself on being responsive and finding solutions for businesses, including deploying the latest wireless technology to provide superfast broadband direct to homes and businesses in rural areas where fibre isn’t available.

For George and Hugo, it was the perfect solution.

DIGITAL

CONNECTIVITY

Cornish broadband provider Wildanet is expanding its network bringing superfast and super-reliable broadband to communities and businesses throughout Cornwall, including delivering much-needed connectivity for customers and staff at Bluntrock Brewery.

“It was just super quick with Wildanet,” says George. “Because it was wireless, they just turned up, put the mast up and we were online. It was that quick and easy.”

“I have just generally been really impressed,” adds Hugo. “The level of customer service was amazing.”

Both George and Hugo say they would recommend Wildanet to other businesses struggling with poor internet or simply to get connected in Cornwall.

“I would absolutely recommend them, especially down here where it’s geographically really difficult to get decent Wi-Fi in a lot of places, says George. “They just took all of the stress out of trying to sort our internet connectivity.”

Being fully connected means Bluntrock Brewery can now get on with the important job of creating their range of delicious, small batch beers, from hop forward hazy IPA’s to fruited kettle sours.

Online sales are going up all the time and there are plans for more events in the taproom.

“We’re looking forward to a busy summer with lots of different street food trucks and live music events,” says Hugo.

If you or your business need help and support with digital connectivity, Wildanet has a range of options and innovative solutions available as it accelerates its £50m rollout across Cornwall.

Speak to the team on 0800 0699906 or visit www.wildanet.com/business Watch the video: wildanet.com/bluntrock

“So, if you’re into your beer and good evenings out having fun with your mates, then come and check us out.”

See www.bluntrockbrewery.co.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 35

EDUCATION

& TRAINING

Professor Emma Hunt, vice-chancellor and chief executive, Falmouth University

LEVELLING UP: FOR ONE AND ALL...

As the new vice chancellor of Falmouth University, I was very interested in the recent publication of the Government’s Levelling Up White paper. As an anchor institution in Cornwall, Falmouth has an important role to play in supporting the growth of the local economy and I was keen to see how Higher Education will fit into the Government’s plan to spread opportunity and prosperity more widely across the UK. The White Paper presented a thorough and compelling analysis of the complex interdependencies that create ‘successful’ regions. Among the 332 pages, there were two key areas for universities to get their teeth into: Research & Development and higherlevel skills.

While it was good to see HE institutions identified as having a “vital part to play in supporting regional economies, as significant local employers and through their role as anchor institutions”, it would have strengthened the case if there was greater responsibility apportioned to universities on the skills agenda.

Empowering local leadership, putting local businesses at the heart of provision and investing in FE are policies to be applauded, but Vice Chancellors and universities should not be excluded from this mission – we all have an important part to play. Universities across the country are already working in lockstep with their local authority and industry leaders to tailor their academic provision to local need, widen access and participation, and to provide Knowledge Exchange, business partnerships and CPD to support local skills development with the core aim of increasing productivity.

In Cornwall, it’s no different.

For example, our Launchpad Outreach teams work with local SMEs across the county to identify new ways of helping them grow, innovate and launch new products and experiences. Our Immersive Business lab is helping companies adopt augmented, virtual and extended reality to transform their businesses. We’re proud that our students are working with the likes of Spaceport Cornwall, Goonhilly and local FE partners, helping to develop VR experiences for new space launches, trips to outer space, hologram presentations and satellite deployments.

These cutting-edge tools are incredible tools for boosting engagement and participation.

These efforts help to plug employment gaps, strengthen business capacity and hone future skills and opportunities for our graduate base.

It’s ‘Levelling Up’ in action.

When it comes to R&D funding, the White Paper raised questions about the Government’s commitment to spending an increased proportion of public R&D investment outside the greater south east. Historically, rural and dispersed communities miss out to the large cities and areas of economic prosperity when it comes to investment funding. Levelling-up R&D must include place-based investment that assesses value for money and critical mass against comparator regions, or social or environmental induced impacts, rather than national statistics and an arbitrary measure of ‘excellence’.

Support local skills development with the core aim of increasing productivity

36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

I’m proud Falmouth is applying its research capacity to address real world challenges, including some of Cornwall’s biggest social

and structural roadblocks, focusing its creative and technical efforts on improving health and social opportunities for the most vulnerable and isolated in our communities.

The Connected Healthcare Project (CHC) is one example, using satellite technology to the improve the delivery of mental health care, diabetes care and clinical education in remote communities.

Working with the Cornwall Museums Partnership and the LEP, our wAVE Project aims to use Cornwall’s distinctive heritage to support digital innovation and economic diversification in coastal communities by maximising Cornwall’s digital infrastructure, skills, and heritage for the benefit of the local economy.

And this is my final observation of the White Paper; there isn’t enough about the importance of culture and creativity. Now accounting for 5.9% of the UK economy and supporting innovation across the economy more broadly, creativity is essential in the future economy. It’s also a vital component in placemaking, regeneration and supporting strong resilient communities. Here in Cornwall where, as showcased in our bid for City of Culture, creativity is woven through the sense of local identity and crucial to the local economy, it deserves to have a place at the heart of the Levelling Up strategy.

The White Paper gives those of us living and working in the regions a lot to be enthusiastic and hopeful about. However, in its implementation, it must embrace specific local needs. I hope there will be the recognition of the important role for universities which can be powerhouses of growth and I’m certainly looking forward to Falmouth University playing its part in this policy area.

www.truro-penwith.ac.uk

EDUCATION &

SPONSORED BY

WALROND RECEIVES OBE The chair of Callywith College and former principal of Truro and Penwith College, David Walrond, has been presented with an OBE by The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle for his services to further education and skills in Cornwall.

Walrond’s work was recognised in the Queens New Year’s Honours List in January 2021. He has worked in further education for nearly 40 years and other recent roles in Cornwall include serving as a director of

the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and on the Truro Town Deal Board. He also established the Cornwall Teaching School and is a Founder Member of TPAT (Truro and Penwith Academy Trust) which supports pre-16 education in schools across Cornwall.

He said: “It was a very memorable occasion. The Princess Royal recalled her visit to open the redeveloped Penwith campus over a decade ago and she was appreciative of the fact that similar outstanding opportunities had been made accessible to many more learners through the opening of Callywith College at Bodmin.”

SUMMER SPACE CAMP Secondary school students have an out-of-this-world opportunity to immerse themselves in the space sector and future skills at a brand-new Space Camp for Cornwall.

Created and funded by Truro and Penwith College’s Cornwall Space and Aerospace Technology Training project (CSATT), Space Camp Cornwall will be free to year 9 and 10 students this summer.

The week-long, non-residential camp will fully immerse students in the space sector, allowing them to take part in a rocket building challenge, spend a day at Spaceport Cornwall, where the UK’s first rocket will be launched into space, and tour Goonhilly Earth Station’s famous satellite dishes that were recently used to communicate with the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft.

Space Camp cadets will also attend talks from world-leading space experts with topics including: The UK’s First Astronaut Training Centre, Removing Space Junk from Orbit, Safety of UK Rocket Launches

and Using Satellite Data to Protect the Environment.

Heidi Thiemann, space project manager at CSATT, said: “We’re over the moon to be able to offer this exciting new summer camp for pupils in Cornwall. Getting handson with the space sector is the best way to find out about the amazing range of opportunities that it can offer young people and we want to give them the best chance of working in a career that they love.”

For more details, go to truro-penwith.ac.uk/csatt

TRAINING

DPN WEBINAR SUCCESS Cornwall-based digital training provider Digital Peninsula Network (DPN) has heralded a successful first six months of running digital skills webinars aimed at small businesses.

The webinars, part of the Progressing Businesses through Digital Skills project, were developed in mid-2021 in response to feedback from Cornish businesses citing time, covid restrictions and geographical constraints being a barrier to accessing training. Topics delivered to date have ranged from how to create a Facebook Business page through to using video for business and Search Engine Optimisation.

Project manager, Lizzie Trudgeon, said: “The success of our webinar series indicates that Cornish businesses, especially micro businesses and sole-traders, are crying out for digital skills training. Learning a new skill through bite sized, online sessions has offered a positive solution allowing time-constrained and remote businesses to access upskilling opportunities online.”

Building on the success of last year, DPN will continue to run monthly digital skills webinars throughout 2022.

LOTTERY FUNDING FOR GRADS Two graduates from the Falmouth University Business School have secured £200k funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Harry Deacon and George Bewley secured the funding for their TeX Innovation project, which is part of the Cultivate Cornwall CIC social enterprise.

TeX Innovation aims to stimulate the growth of the sustainable textiles and fashion industry in Cornwall by working closely with local communities, businesses, academic institutions, and policy makers.

Deacon said: “We are astonished by the news of this funding, after spending almost a year planning this next stage we are delighted to now be in a position where we are able to create more opportunities for our local communities and Cornish Businesses.”

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 37

CREATIVE

AND DIGITAL

SPONSORED BY

www.digitalpeninsula.org

HOME SWEET HOME across Cornwall, which is now under way and gathering pace.

Built in 1816 for solicitor NW Penrose, the house was once one of the grandest in the town and its gardens spanned what is now the Westbourne Car Park, with two connecting footbridges. In the latter part of the 19th century it was owned by Richard Hawke, then the wealthiest man in Liskeard.

MP Sheryll Murray enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of work taking place to transform Liskeard’s historic Westbourne House into new headquarters for Cornwallbased broadband provider Wildanet.

Westbourne House is the subject of an A Cornish start-up has seen its value balloon to almost £9 million, following a recent investment round.

To mark its new investment success, tech company Codices is set to launch a new platform in the interactive gaming and entertainment space.

Codices, a spin out from Falmouth University’s Launchpad Venture Studio, has so far impressed streaming giants and entertainment platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and The English Premier League with its live streaming and interactive entertainment tool, ‘Quiz Kit’.

CODICES VALUE ROCKETS

extensive restoration and renovation project after Wildanet took on the lease from owners Cornwall Council in 2021.

The move was part of the company gearing up to roll-out its gigabit-capable fibre and wireless network in towns and villages

Wildanet CEO Helen Wylde said: “We were delighted to show Mrs Murray the work under way at Westbourne House and to have the opportunity to update her on the progress of our rollout, bringing reliable, high speed internet access to homes and businesses in rural and hard to reach areas across Cornwall and the south west.”

Undeterred by a challenging market in 2020, the start-up initially secured $800k of seed funding from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund and Haatch Ventures and scaled up its team to more than 11 last year. The expansion helped them grow a monthly userbase of over 3.5 million viewers and 16,000 broadcasters around the word.

Codices founder Tim Edwards says the new valuation and investment is welcome news, which will enable the company to focus on its next big product which is soon to be announced.

He said: “We’re incredibly proud of the growth and progress we’ve made – it’s a real vote of confidence that our investors share our vision to democratise the process for creating live interactive shows. Our next product is built on the knowledge we’ve gained from Quiz Kit and we can’t wait to announce it very shortly.”

FLEXI-HEX B CORP Porthleven-based sustainable packing company, Flexi-Hex, has been awarded B Corp certification. Flexi-Hex joins a growing number of businesses across Cornwall and the world who are prioritising the environment and society above profit.

This is the only certification that measures a company’s entire impact and meets the highest verified standards of environmental and social performance, transparency, and accountability. It achieved an overall Impact score of 89.7, bypassing the 80 points needed to qualify and the median score for the average business being 50.9.

Co-Founder and creative director, Sam Boex, said: “B Corp for us is about being accountable. This is a huge badge of honour and it’s just the start of the journey.

We see this as a guide that will help inform the strategy we have in place which in turn allows us to the make the very best decisions for people, planet and the journey ahead.”

38 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

NEWS

SPONSORED BY

#FSBCONNECT

TOWNS MUST ‘EMBRACE CHANGE’ A Cornish town has been highlighted in a new report calling for the region’s town centres to embrace change.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in the south west has produced a wide-ranging report which urges towns to move away from being an ‘identikit’ of one another, to encourage local pride and to embrace digital initiatives to boost a high street and town centre fight back.

One of the towns highlighted is Liskeard, which is said to be taking practical action such as using social media in a collaborative way to help promote local business and encourage footfall.

The report entitled ‘Freedom, Funding and Fearlessness’, suggests that identity, digital promotion, keeping things local, collaboration and regeneration are the key themes that can drive success for towns in the region.

It says towns must have the freedom to work out what they need, the funding to support new initiatives and that sense of “fearlessness” to see how digital innovation and hybrid models can improve their visibility and appeal to residents and tourists alike.

The FSB South West regional chairman, Lee Nathan, said that the vision behind the

report was to encourage small businesses operating within local towns to take ownership and feel that they can be part of the solution to help drive change.

“FSB gives a voice to small businesses and our members tell us they are more successful when they are based in vibrant, thriving towns,” he said.

“Our hope is that by drawing out some key themes that appear to engender success in a location this will spark conversations and new initiatives which will not only revitalise towns but also provide new opportunities for those small businesses based within them.”

The report will be formally launched at an online meeting for stakeholders and interested businesses on Monday, April 25 (to sign up email Gioia.Grobler@fsb. org.uk). The report can be downloaded from the firstvoice.fsb.org.uk website.

MARTIN TAKES THE CHAIR

Entrepreneur and small business champion Martin McTague has been appointed as the FSB’s new national chair, taking over from Mike Cherry, who had held the office for six years.

Tina McKenzie, one of the best-known business figures in Northern Ireland, has been appointed FSB chair, policy and advocacy.

The appointments were confirmed following FSB’s annual general meeting last month.

McTague has for many years been a key figure in advocating on behalf of the small business community, most recently as FSB’s national vice chair, policy and advocacy. He has served as a volunteer with FSB for more than 20 years, alongside running his own businesses.

ARCO2 DELIGHT

He said: “I’m passionate about promoting and supporting entrepreneurs and giving the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and selfemployed a powerful voice. These businesses are the beating heart of both the economy and communities right across the country.

There has never been a more important time to make sure their interests are represented at the highest levels, as the costs and challenges of running a small business intensify.

“Small firms are absolutely crucial to the economic recovery, bringing innovation and dynamism, creating jobs, growth and opportunities. They account for 60% of private sector employment in the UK and make up 99% of all businesses. But they face

Bodmin-based ARCO2 Architecture was again recognised for its green credentials, at the FSB South West Small Business awards.

The firm won the FSB South West Ethical-Green Business of the Year trophy in 2019 and this year they was crowned as champion once again in the same category, which now has the title of the Environmental/Sustainability award.

Ian Armstrong of ARCO2 Architecture Ltd expressed delight at being back on the winner’s rostrum again.

“We really didn’t expect to win this year given the people in our category so we are very proud of the team,” he said. “It feels absolutely amazing and is a huge achievement.”

The south west final is one of a number of regional finals place across the UK with all of the winners have now been invited to take part in the national FSB final in Glasgow in May. For more details see www.fsbawards.co.uk significant barriers which I’m determined to pull down – from growth-inhibiting tax hikes to poor treatment by big business clients.”

McTague first started his own business almost 35 years ago and currently owns and manages three businesses. He is based in Darlington and London.

FSB Offer for Business Cornwall Magazine Readers at www.fsb.org.uk/join If you want to join FSB after reading this page then please quote BCM30 when you join and save £30!

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 39

FOOD

& DRINK

PREMIER PASTY CHAMPS

GIN AND BEER IT!

Cornish Premier Pasties triumphed at last month’s World Pasty Championships.

Young said: “It’s been a fantastic experience bringing women from across the business together to brew such a unique beer, and to demonstrate how exciting and creative the brewing process is.”

The St Columb Major-based baker scored a one-two in the Cornish Pasty Company category for its standard and gourmet pasties, beating Phat Pasty Company into third place.

Phat Pasty was ranked first in the Open Savoury Company category for its peppered steakless vegan pasty.

Winner of the World’s Fastest Crimper competition run by the Cornish Pasty Association was Chloe Rowse of Proper Cornish.

St Austell Brewery launched a limited edition, gin-infused pale ale in celebration of International Women’s Day last month.

A number of women from across St Austell Brewery collaborated with brewing director, Georgina Young, to brew ‘Gineous’, paying tribute to the women who have played a role in the business over the years.

She added: “Gineous is a delicious fruity pale ale, with added juniper, orange peel and bergamot. A splash of Gin 77 – a London dry gin which was kindly donated to us by Bristol Distilling Company - lifts the flavour of the beer, adding notes of fresh grapefruit zest, root ginger, and pink peppercorns.”

THE IDLE ROCKS, ST MAWES

TRENCHERMAN’S WINNERS Cornish establishments were among the winners at last month’s Trencherman’s Awards, presented at The Alverton in Truro.

Chaired by Michael Caines MBE, The Trencherman’s Guide Awards were established seven years ago to recognise hospitality excellence across the south west. The awards have become one of the south west’s most prestigious culinary recognitions where, traditionally, over

PORTHMINSTER BEACH CAFÉ

40 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

10,000 readers have voted for their favourite restaurant, hotel, pub, chef and more.

The Idle Rocks in St Mawes triumphed in the Creativity and Innovation category, while other Cornish winners included Porthminster Beach Café, which was named Best Restaurant; The Pig at Harlyn Bay, which took the Best Front of House Team accolade; and the Fistral Beach Hotel which

was rewarded for having the Best Bar List.

Top chefs Guy Owen of St Enodoc Hotel in Cornwall, Jamie Rogers of Restaurant Twenty Seven in Devon, Nick Hodges of The Alverton and Jonas Lodge of Restaurant GL50 in Cheltenham created the ceremony’s four-course feast. Michael Caines led attendees in a rousing toast to the chefs who cooked on the night.

The creative cooking was paired with fine wines from Hallgarten and Novum, Cornish beers from Sharp’s Brewery and soft drinks from Frobishers.

CHAMBER

SPONSORED BY

cornwallchamber.co.uk

NEWS

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE WE CAN PLAY OUR PART TO HELP THE GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN UKRAINE, SAYS CORNWALL CHAMBER CHIEF EXECUTIVE, KIM CONCHIE. With the lifting of restrictions in the UK, I really didn’t think my April column would take such a sombre tone. I don’t feel I can launch into light-hearted chat about Cornwall’s business community without first acknowledging the events that are unravelling in Ukraine.

When situations like this arise it’s often difficult to ascertain exactly how one can help from a distance – all sorts of giving pages pop up, and different charities organise missions out to the region to assist. I’ve been blown away by the businesses and individuals here who have taken the bull by the horns and used the resources they have to get stuck in.

Cornwall is almost top giver per capita in the UK and our generosity is shining through as we rally to get essential supplies out to Ukraine.

So many businesses have put their expertise and/or resources to good use, getting packages out to people in desperate need

and raising vital funds. At the Chamber, we helped provide blankets and toiletries to go in the West Cornwall Removals van that made the long trip to a refugee camp in Warsaw, Poland.

At the beginning of March, in a post on Facebook, West Cornwall Removals said: “We are used to travelling around the EU with our work and we have the equipment so we thought let’s help as much as we can.”

That kind of instant, unquestionable willingness to support just sums up Cornwall for me. We may have businesses to run – heavily impacted by the pandemic and just getting back on our feet, but there’s a crisis and we have the means and knowledge to make a real difference, so of course we’re going to.

Cornwall should be proud of the way it has responded to the war; we are historically very

generous when it comes to humanitarian crises, even though we are far from rich compared to other regions.

At the Chamber we will continue to support in any way we can, so do get in touch if you need help getting a message out.

CORNWALL BUSINESS FAIR Our annual Business Fair, ‘The Future of Business’, sponsored by Wildanet, will soon be upon us and we’re very excited at how it’s shaping up.

Cornwall Festival of Business runs from June 13-17 and our much-anticipated Business Fair takes place in the middle of the week, on Wednesday June 15 at a brand-new venue for us - Falmouth University’s Penryn Campus.

This year, the Business Fair - the largest celebration of the innovative, forwardlooking businesses and business support in The Duchy, is sponsored by Wildanet and will continue the Chamber’s sustainability theme and focus on the future of business in Cornwall and the world.

The day starts with our June BIG Breakfast, sponsored by Coodes, which we’re hoping will be our largest yet with 200 people filling

the Uni’s Stannary restaurant.

There’s plenty of opportunity to get involved and showcase your products and services in whichever way works best for your business: have a physical presence alongside 64 other businesses with a promotional stand in Falmouth Uni’s sports hall, run an event on campus during the day, or gain visibility by sponsoring parts of the day like the tea and coffee station or a row of stands.

Put the date in your diary now! If you have young colleagues – bring them along, our young Chamber group, Surge of Entrepreneurs will be well represented. It’s the perfect environment to dip a toe into business networking and make some brilliant contacts.

Visit https://www.cornwallchamber. co.uk/cornwall-business-fair for more information about Cornwall Business Fair.

Email: hello@cornwallchamber.co.uk Call: 01209 216006 Online: www.cornwallchamber.co.uk

WHY JOIN? Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is an independent not-for-profit organisation accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce. We solely exist to represent businesses in Cornwall. Our events provide a platform for businesses to connect, create and make valuable business relationships. Membership to the Chamber starts from as little as £17 +VAT per month and provides you with the tools to promote your business.

Get in touch today to have a chat about how we can support you and your business.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 41

OPINION

JUST A THOUGHT

Bull & Wolf MD, Joe Turnbull, explains how youthful energy is leading a creative revolution in Cornwall.

Creating a

bright future

At the start of 2020 I had put together an ambitious plan for Bull & Wolf Film Co; to create Cornwall’s leading video agency, working across the UK and beyond with a young team of creative filmmakers who would push boundaries and deliver real results for our clients.

clients, and we are increasingly recognised across Cornwall and beyond for the work that we are doing.

Even though I was only 26 myself, I believe that key to this was utilising the amazing young talent we have here in Cornwall, graduating from local institutions like Truro & Penwith College and Falmouth University. I passionately believed that we could build a business that worked with the same type of clients as a London agency, while making the most of the Cornish way of life and all that comes with it. I didn’t want to settle for a one-man band operation that ticked along; I wanted to build something that I, and Cornwall, could be proud of.

That success is by and large down to the amazing work of our young and exciting team, testament to that belief in young, creative talent that had been at the heart of my plans two years ago. Our team’s average age is just over 24 and these are the people who live and breathe social content, so who better than them to create social videos for our clients? Not just that, but they are some of the very best young talent coming out of Cornwall. Our editor, Will, won Best Director at the BFI Future Film Festival for his student film, Heart Failure, I am lucky enough to have been in Insider Media’s 42 Under 42 for the South West and our creative director, Chris, is working with one of his all-time dream clients as I write this.

Of course, we all know what followed, as the hopes of a new decade faded into a pandemic filled world. All our plans were put on hold and for a while I didn’t even know if Bull & Wolf would be around six months later. Fast forward to the start of 2022 and that outlook couldn’t have been further from reality. One team member (me) has turned into six, we have worked with some amazing

These are not just our content creators, colleagues and collaborators, they are young people building the foundation of vibrant careers right here in Cornwall. They are also not standing in isolation. As I look at our friends across the creative industries here in Cornwall there are some outstanding creatives who are making their mark on the industry in the UK and beyond. They are

Helping to build and create well paid creative jobs that will grow the Cornish economy

42 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

helping to build and create well paid creative jobs that will grow the Cornish economy, as well as showing that Cornwall can be home to both a vibrant business community and a work/life balance that treats people better. This leaves me really excited for the future of Cornwall’s creative industries.

That is not to say that Cornwall doesn’t have its challenges ahead. Far too often we see amazing young talent come here to study but leave for a lack of visible or viable opportunities. Indeed, I still speak to businesses outside Cornwall who are surprised to learn that we have been as successful as we have down here, a stereotype that does nothing to attract talent. Nor does the ongoing housing crisis in all parts of our county. It is punishing both local people and those wanting to come here to work or study, all of whom have a vital part to play in growing our economy. However, these are challenges I believe we can overcome.

As I look forward to the years ahead, and despite much uncertainty still hanging around the world, I see a really bright future for Cornwall and its young creatives. I hope that we remain part of that at Bull & Wolf for a long time to come, and that we can work together with other businesses to make sure the creative industry in Cornwall gets the recognition it deserves.

JUST A THOUGHT

OPINION

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 43

UPCOMING

EVENTS

APRIL

EVENTS 5

HEARTLANDS BUSINESS BREAKFAST Red River Café, Heartlands

7

Heartlands business networking breakfast is a great way to start the day with friendly, relaxed networking and good grub. heartlandscornwall.com

S’PEAKY 2022

8

eventbrite.com

Your Partnerships is Cornwall’s largest networking group, with meetings up and down the Duchy.

Growing a business can be challenging. You want your business to be visible to the right people, so it’s important to know how and where to meet them.

Your Partnerships is Cornwall’s largest networking group and its events enable you to connect with other members, gain referrals and build trusting relationships with customers and suppliers.

Your Partnerships, can help your business grow!

44 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Fibre Hub, Pool Digital Transformation, part of the Unlocking Potential programme, is hosting a fully funded event to help Cornish business owners demystify some of the expectations and realities of how to work with a developer when upgrading their website. digital-cornwall.co.uk

Venton Conference Centre Hosted by Peaky Digital, the event is designed for local businesses to hear from industry experts from across the region about the latest trends and actions they should be implementing in their marketing strategy.

HOW TO BUY A WEBSITE

CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH The Headland, Newquay

8

CTCC SOLUTIONS 10TH BIRTHDAY Blue Bar, Porthtowan CTCC Solutions Ltd is turning 10 this April and would love to invite you to celebrate this major milestone with them at The Boardroom at the Blue Bar in Porthtowan. eventbrite.co.uk

18

Do not miss out on the chance to expand your Cornish connections, while joining in on some great conversation.

BODMIN CHAMBER AGM Westberry Hotel, Bodmin The Annual General Meeting for all Bodmin Chamber Members. bodminchamber.co.uk

cornwallchamber.co.uk

4

TRURO BREAKFAST

8

BREAKFAST NORWAY INN

11

Victoria Inn, Truro

Ambassador: Mike Bee

Norway Way, Perranarworthal Ambassador: Gareth Looker

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION EVENT

Holiday Inn Express, Victoria Ambassador: Latoya McDonald

13

WADEBRIDGE FORUM

Falcon Inn, Wadebridge Ambassadors: Jos and Warren D’Souza

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BUDE NETWORKING

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OPEN HOUSE CORNWALL

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NEWQUAY AREA BREAKFAST

Neetside Community Centre, Bude Ambassador: Edward Chapman

Victoria Inn, Roche

Ambassador: David Brock

Plume of Feathers, Mitchell Ambassador: Sinead Gow

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HAYLE BREAKFAST MEETING

Brewers Fayre, Loggans Moor Ambassador: Karen Looker

Your Partnerships also hosts a wide range of online events and webinars across a number of subjects and sectors, from HR & Recruitment, through to Health & Wellness and Tourism & Leisure. For full details, check out the website.

yourpartnerships.co.uk

UPCOMING

EVENTS

For further details of these and more networking events visit businesscornwall.co.uk To publicise your event for free, email news@businesscornwall.co.uk

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CORNWALL CONVERSATIONS Online Every Thursday from 2.30pm join FSB Cornwall for its weekly virtual networking Cornwall Conversations via zoom. This is your chance to chat, make new contacts, catch up with FSB Cornwall and share best practice for an hour each week. fsb.org.uk

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CORNISH PIRATES V DONCASTER

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BOARDROOM 2030 Eden Project, St Austell Imagine the boardrooms of the future. Explore what a 2030 future looks like for your business and how you can adapt to meet future demands.

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The Poly, Falmouth A free space for local businesses, start-ups, creatives, entrepreneurs to connect over (really) good coffee.

Kindly hosted by Solskinn Coffee and Cocktail Haus in Falmouth.

eventbrite.co.uk

27

FALMOUTH’S EARLY BIRD COFFEE CLUB

eventbrite.co.uk

CORNWALL CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST & GOLF DAY

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BUSINESS MODELS FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Mennaye Field, Penzance

Falmouth Golf Club

Newquay Orchard

Championship Cup rugby action.

For a full matchday experience, why not try a hospitality package – the perfect way to entertain clients and colleagues alike.

Cornwall Chamber is pleased to be hosting its first Big Breakfast/golf day of the year, hosted by the beautiful Falmouth Golf Club.

Hear from leading academics and innovative companies operating in a circular model. Get inspired to take the first steps to making your business circular.

cornish-pirates.com

cornwallchamber.co.uk

eventbrite.co.uk

“Apprentices revel in their training and take pride in what they do and assume more responsibility at work.”

Ofsted Report 2022 BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47

CONNECTED

CORNWALL

CHARLES WILLIAMS (CAERHAYS) AND TOBY ASHWORTH (THE NARE)

SPRING STORY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GREAT GARDENS OF CORNWALL AND TOBY ASHWORTH CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING

CHARLOTTE WINTERBOURNE, GEORGIE UPTON AND JULIA HUGHES

The Nare hotel hosted its Cornwall Spring Story drinks reception to celebrate a declaration of the new season along with six of the Great Gardens of Cornwall; Trewithen, Heligan, Caerhays, Trebah, Trewidden and Tregothnan.

SALLY-JANE COODES, ANDREW LESLIE AND EDWARD BOLITHO (LORD LIEUTENANT OF CORNWALL)

ELAINE HUNT

EVELYN BOSCAWEN AND JONATHON JONES (TREGOTHNAN ESTATE) 46 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

TIM HUBBARD, CLAIRE VICKERS (DUCHY OF CORNWALL NURSERY) AND JAMES STEPHENS (HELIGAN)

CONNECTED

CORNWALL

EXPOWEST CORNWALL

After two years of being unable to run its trade shows as usual, Hale Events was delighted to return to the Royal Cornwall Events Centre last month to host Expowest Cornwall, for the leisure and hospitality industry.

LYNHER DAIRIES

Lynher Dairies owner Catherine Mead OBE welcomed The Duke of Cornwall to the home of Cornish Yarg last month.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47

THE LAST

WORD

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? All I ever wanted to do for as long as I can remember was write for magazines – particularly Kerrang! (a weekly rock music mag) which I collected from a young age. I was lucky enough to do work experience with them in my early 20s and then write for them for a couple of years so managed to tick that off!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? Marketing assistant at Truro School.

WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? Phone, wallet, keys! I also carry a 7-year-old note from a fortune cookie that reminds me of my dog.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? A good Stephen King in a comfy chair or a run along the coast with loud music in my ears.

IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? In a bit of woodland, with a water source, near the coast.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Lying in the Lawn Terraces at Newquay Orchard in the sun last year knowing I’d played a part in creating this beautiful space through the most difficult of times.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Being told at an interview in London that I didn’t “have enough experience to scrub the toilets let alone write for this company.” Incidentally that lead to me walking into the Kerrang! offices an hour later and pitching myself as their new freelance reviewer... so every closed door etc.!

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? There’s a guy called Tobias who plays in a Swedish rock band called Ghost and I think he is fascinating, or Amy Poehler (from Parks and Recreation) because she makes me laugh so much.

IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? I would lift every ounce of single use plastic from every stretch of water, every forgotten alleyway, every roadside hedge on the planet and then blanket ban the whole lot of it.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE? Spending too much mental energy on battling a lack of self-belief. It’s a work in progress!

WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK? Seeing this role at Newquay Orchard advertised less than a year after I moved to Newquay, at the exact time I was ready for a new challenge, not long after the birth of the project.

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KYLE REED

marketing manager at Newquay Orchard