Business Cornwall Jul/Aug 24

Local

experts impart their advice

Behind the scenes with Launceston-based woollen mill, The Natural Fibre Company

Newquay BID manager, Mark Warren

Who’s gone where?

VisitEngland Awards winners

Acclaimed chef opens new restaurant

Musical chairs

WELCOME

By editor Nick Eyriey

ON THE COVER

New Cornwall Chamber of Commerce CEO, John Brown –see page 10.

There is a palpable feeling of renewal and change as I right this piece. Old things coming to a close and new beginnings on the horizon.

The outcome of the General Election is unknown but the campaigning and mud-slinging is continuing at a relentless pace.

However, by the time you read this issue of Business Cornwall magazine, the music will have stopped, results will be known and political fall out will be settling. And I don’t think I am overreaching my Mystic Meg abilities to say we are now embarking on life under a Labour Government for the first time in 14 years.

Kim Conchie hasn’t been CEO of the Cornwall Chamber for quite that long, but almost. And as a new Government comes in, so does a new voice for the Cornish business sector and we welcome John Brown. You can meet the new incumbent on paper on page 10 and in person at the Cornwall Business Fair later this month.

There is another new kid on the business block, so to speak. Lord Hutton, who ironically served in the Cabinet of the last Labour Government as Business Secretary and then Defence Secretary, has been appointed chair of the newly-formed Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum. Turn to page 7 for full details.

Have a great summer.

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk

PUBLISHER

Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Caroline Carter caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Rachel Koerner rachel@businesscornwall.co.uk

DESIGN

Ade Taylor design@businesscornwall.co.uk

PRINT

Printed by Stephens and George

BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by:

Business Cornwall Magazine is proud to be associated with...

Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road, Redruth TR15 3PL

Tel: 01209 718688

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk

www.businesscornwall.co.uk /business-cornwall /businesscornwall @biz_cornwall /businesscornwall

Get your digital copy https://issuu.com/businesscornwall

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.

Tonick

PAPER LOVES TREES

European forests, which provide wood for making paper, paper packaging and many other products, have been growing by 1,500 football pitches every day!

Source: Two Sides analysis of FAO data, 2005 - 2020 European Forests: EU27 + Norway, Switzerland and the UK

Discover the story of paper www.lovepaper.org

Scan for paper facts, activities, blogs and much more!

THE BIG QUESTION

How do you like to spend time on holiday? Is it important to totally down tools and relax, or do you sometimes find yourself taking work with you?

ANDREW THATCHER

Newlyn Art Gallery

This is so hard to answer when you live and work in an incredible holiday destination. I like to regularly play the ‘tourist’, getting up early to explore and discover new places, spaces and to ensure I don’t miss out on the great things Cornwall has to offer.

When I am away from Cornwall, I never take work with me in the physical sense – that out-of-office is firmly on and I know our incredible team will be ensuring every visitor is given the best experience possible, whether for the exhibitions, a workshop or a corporate hire in one of our stunning venues.

ANN VANDERMEULEN

FSB Cornwall

For two weeks each summer I turn off every bit of tech (including the news) and focus on my immediate world without interruption.

No need to get on an aeroplane and go to some faroff land. Living right on a Cornish beach, especially on days off, there is no finer place on the planet. No packing or travel stress and I have my trusty paddle board to hand. It’s perhaps the most sustainable holiday you can have. Green or just lazy, either way for two weeks I can stop and smell the flowers.

Maybe that’s something many don’t do when charging about on their “holiday”

ROB COUMBE

Hutch

When taking a holiday, I believe it’s crucial to fully disconnect from work. Even handling minor tasks can keep your mind in work mode, so it’s important to activate your out-of-office message and take a real break. I’m fortunate to have a supportive team that allows me to do this. As a result, when I return, I’m usually brimming with ideas and able to view the business with a fresh perspective.

MONTY CLOUTMAN

Smart Commercial Property

I see downing tools to relax as important. Not only is it important to help maintain a healthy work-life balance and devote time to family, but I think it benefits my clients, as I return with my ever-present hunger and enthusiasm to work nicely refreshed.

LAURA TRUCKLE

Active Plus

Holiday for me is all about spending time with my young family, finding new places to explore and making memories. As the leader of a Community Interest Company that utilises the skills and experiences of wounded, injured and sick military veterans, it can sometimes be hard to completely down tools and I do find myself occasionally checking in with work when I’m on holiday. Do I see this as a bad thing? No! I love what I do and it’s important to me that my team feel supported even when I am not physically in the office.

RICHARD WOODS

Rewind Radio

On holiday, I love spending time with my family, especially going to the beach, switching off from mobile phones, and turning on the out-of-office reply for my emails. Completely relaxing and disconnecting is important to me and my family. I find this very hard and as such have never felt like I’ve had a holiday as my business is just three years old and means I can’t always be away entirely.

Running your own business comes with some challenges which include trust, inner anxieties and communication to key staff and stakeholders. Fortunately, my joy comes from knowing my key team players understand me well. They know when to contact me in emergencies and when to ask a client to wait until my return. My only challenge now is finding the time to take a holiday as we are busy.

ON THE CREST OF A WAVE

Falmouth-based offshore renewables specialist, Inyanga Marine Energy Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Verdant Morlais Ltd (VML) to deliver a 4.9MW tidal stream energy project at Morlais in Wales, the largest consented tidal energy scheme in Europe.

The project will take place in a berth close to the 10MW project awarded to Inyanga through the UK Government ‘Contracts for Difference’ Allocation Round 5 in September last year, which will utilise Inyanga’s patented HydroWing tidal stream technology.

Inyanga will deliver a full engineering, procurement, construction and installation solution to VML for the 4.9MW project in conjunction with a long-term operations and maintenance contract.

CEO, Richard Parkinson, said: “This new partnership allows us to explore economies of scale and creates a clear commercial path for our project. Collaboration unlocks exciting new opportunities for innovation and cost reduction, potentially accelerating development of the tidal energy industry.”

ALL CHANGE AT MERLIN

Merlin Cinemas is set to become an Employee Ownership Trust.

Ownership of the company is being transferred from the existing MD, Geoff Greaves, to an Employee Trust, which will own the company going forward.

The trust will protect the interests of the 320 people who work in the company’s cinemas and restaurants, located from Penzance at the tip of Cornwall to Thurso at the very top of Scotland.

A FISHY TALE

A Newlyn-based business that recycles fishing nets is the latest business to be backed by the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund.

The £126K loan from SWIG Finance is helping Fishy Filaments to invest in equipment and marketing to help accelerate its growth.

Fishy Filaments designs and builds new technologies to recycle end-of-life nylon gillnets and turn them into materials for 3D printing and advanced manufacturing.

Director Ian Falconer said: “Despite an existing register of supportive shareholders,

The current senior management team, based mainly in Redruth, will not change and after the transition it will be very much business as usual. Greaves will stay on in a new supporting role with the intention of a gradual transition to retirement, while the MD reins will pass to co-director Craig May, who has worked for the company for almost 20 years.

Daisy Wren and Chris Lawrence, experienced and long serving senior management employees, will become directors.

Greaves founded Merlin Cinemas in 1990 with the opening of the Savoy in Penzance and it has since grown to 20 rural and coastal locations across England, Wales and Scotland.

He said: “This is a fantastic and exciting route to protect the company and our ethos, and to reward all those people who together have been part of the success in bringing the magic of the movies to so many people around the UK.”

the nationwide lack of access to conventional growth finance for start-ups over the last year or so has really held us back. This funding package has unlocked our ability to mobilise and multiply the impact of our existing capital.”

By Frederick Noble, British

KEY ROLE FOR LORD HUTTON

Former Business Secretary, Lord Hutton, has become the first chair of the newlyformed Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum.

The new forum, which formally launched last month, will “embed a strong, independent and diverse local business voice” for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly at the heart of local and national Government.

Its aim will be to provide strategic challenge and business advocacy to Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly, influencing business policy, and “empowering the private sector to assist in determining economic strategies and interventions”.

The news has been greeted enthusiastically by Cornwall’s business community. Cornwall Chamber chair, Laura Whyte, said: “We are excited by the appointment of Lord John Hutton as the chair of the new Economic Forum. We believe his strong business background, and the ability to ensure Cornwall & Isles of Scilly can be heard in the corridors of Westminster, can only be a positive step in highlighting the great things we are achieving in this part of the world.”

Lord Hutton added: “I am delighted to take on this role and to act as an advocate and ambassador for Cornwall’s business community. There are great opportunities ahead of us and I look forward to working closely with businesses to secure the best possible economic future for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

John Hutton was elected to Parliament in 1992 and served as the MP for Barrow

and Furness until 2010. He served in the Cabinet under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as Work and Pensions Secretary, Business Secretary and Defence Secretary.

Since leaving politics he has served on the board of public and private companies

Most people know by now that one way to appear at the top of Google search results for particular terms is to pay for “Adwords” in relation to those terms. So why not buy Adwords for your competitors’ well-known names? That way, when someone searches for them, they will see your alternative offering. Is that legal? It depends.

Marks & Spencer tried to do it when they set up a delivery service for flowers. They bought Adwords so that when customers searched for the leading brand “Interflora”, M&S’ adverts appeared. Interflora sued back in 2008, kicking off proceedings that would last more than six years and include three visits to the Court of Appeal and one to the Court of Justice of the European Union. This litigation eventually ran out of steam without reaching an authoritative

and chaired national trade associations including Energy UK and the Nuclear Industries Association.

He currently chairs the board of Pearson Engineering, a defence company in Tyneside. He lives on the Roseland.

conclusion on M&S’ ads, but it has left us with some reasonably useful guidance on the practice.

In a nutshell, the critical question is whether the advertisement does not enable normally informed and reasonably observant internet users, or enables them only with difficult, to ascertain whether the goods and services advertised originate from the proprietor of the trademark.

Another way of putting that might be to say that as long as the advertisement itself is crystal clear as to the true origin of the goods advertised, then in principle there is no objection to buying the competitor’s mark as an Adword.

If you want to discuss the risks involved in using competitors’ marks, just get in touch with us.

A CHANGING OF THE CHAMBER GUARD

John Brown has been announced as the new CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. With over 15 years of business experience, he will be the new voice of Cornish businesses and has pledged to “support, fight for and deliver results to the full scope of the Cornish economy”.

Brown took the reins at the beginning of July, picking up the baton from Kim Conchie who is retiring following more than 12 years in the position.

With a background in brand building and communications, Brown has worked with brands such as Virgin, Cook, lululemon, Bird, Frugi, GoPro, Natura and Vivobarefoot. He most recently founded and led creative agency Don’t Cry Wolf.

Laura Whyte, chair of the Cornwall Chamber, said: “John has incredible dynamism. Through his brand communications and activism experience, he will continue to put the chamber at the cutting-edge of the business sector. Having stood in the shoes of business owners, John can appreciate the challenges they

NICE ICE BABY

Recumbent tricycle manufacturer, ICE Trikes, has become the latest Cornish company to earn B Corp certification.

The certification underscores ICE Trikes’ commitment to social and environmental responsibility, ensuring that every business decision prioritises positive impacts on employees, communities and the planet.

MD, Adrian Davies, said: “This is a decisive moment for ICE trikes. Not only is this the right way to do business, it also makes absolute commercial sense based on feedback from our customers and dealers globally.

“B Corp certification provides them with confidence that they are supporting a company that aligns with their values and priorities, whether those relate to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, or ethical business practices.”

face and the support they need.”

Conchie will continue to have an active role in Cornwall’s business community as a member of the chamber board as well as via a wide range of business and education positions. This includes the chair of trustees at Cornwall Community Foundation, a member of Truro & Penwith College Employment & Business Board and a Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall.

For more on this story, turn to CEO Interview on p10 and Kim

Conchie’s farewell column on p43.

CIRCULAR&CO UP FOR THE CUP

Perranporth-based sustainable drinkware specialist, Circular&Co, has partnered with Danish food and drink tech startup business Kleen Hub to launch what it claims to be the world’s simplest and most cost-effective returnable cup system.

Tap&Reuse has been introduced as a cost-effective way for organisations to implement a returnable cup solution in their bid to combat the use of single-use cups.

Users of the system simply need to tap their card or phone to borrow a cup which

KENSA IN SCIENCE MUSEUM

Cornwall-based Kensa Heat Pumps has seen one of its products recognised by the Science Museum as a green heating trailblazer, securing a spot in its national collection of historically and scientifically significant items.

The Kensa Shoebox, designed and manufactured in Kensa’s Truro factory, accounts for around one-third of all UK ground source heat pump installations and is the only ground source heat pump

they can use when buying a drink from their chosen outlet.

Adam Trethewy, commercial lead at Circular&Co, said: “We are proud to have worked with Kleen Hub to launch the world’s simplest returnable cup system, which makes adopting returnables more commercially viable for a variety of businesses than ever before.”

The free-to-use system was initially piloted at the Roskilde Festival and is currently being adapted for the Brazilian market to be installed at the 73,000-seater Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Once in place, it is expected to save 315,000 single-use cups per week.

in the collection. It will be on display to anyone who visits the Science Museum’s new Energy Transition gallery.

Kensa CEO, Tamsin Lishman, said: “Seeing our ‘little white box’ featured in this exhibition and immortalised in the Science Museum collection as a green heating pioneer is a remarkable achievement, but one this incredible Cornwall-made product fully deserves.

“The Shoebox is a brilliant example of what Cornwall’s manufacturing and engineering sector can deliver.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Folk2Folk has announced record turnover and investor returns for the last financial year. The Launceston-based peer-to-peer lending platform returned £15.78 million in interest to investors in the 2023/24 tax year, alongside turnover of £5.3 million, according to its latest annual results. Profit before tax slipped slightly from £1.4 million to £1.3 million.

Cornwall Marine Network won the Coastal Powerhouse accolade at the Maritime UK 2024 Awards. The Award celebrates maritime businesses who demonstrate exceptional leadership as catalysts for economic growth within their local communities. CEO Paul Wickes said: “CMN was picked as this year’s Maritime UK Coastal Powerhouse winner for our exemplary track record of creating 4,600 new jobs with our members in the last 20 years.”

According to data, Cornwall has nearly 38,000 MCS certified renewable installations – more than any other local authority in the UK. This means that more than 15% of Cornish households have an MCS certified renewable installation, including solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.

Queen Camilla is to continue her Royal Patronage of Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF). She has been patron of CCF since 2005 as formerly HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, supporting local communities across Cornwall and IoS.

Chenoweth’s Business Park near Ruan High Lanes on the Roseland is undergoing a £1.2 million expansion that will see the creation of eight new net zero commercial units, supporting up to 50 local jobs. The expansion is aimed at creating a mix of office space as part of a rural business hub.

The Wave Project is collaborating with waste-management company Suez to launch the Wetsuit Reuse Scheme. Under the initiative, which has received £116k of funding from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, dedicated wetsuit recycling bins will be placed at Cornwall Council household waste recycling centres, managed by Suez.

I think there is an extraordinary sense of collaboration and pride among Cornish businesses.

The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has a new CEO starting this month.

After 12 years at the helm, Kim Conchie is stepping down and passing the baton to John Brown.

We catch up with John and trace his career from local newspapers to most recently running his own creative agency, Don’t Cry Wolf.

John reflects on the business landscape in Cornwall and shares his vision for its future.

So how did it all begin?

I started off life as a journalist working at a local rag in Bournemouth, the Dorset Echo. I had a proper old school editor as well. He had this set up in the editorial room, where he was right in the middle, so he could spin around on his chair and bark orders in every direction! And then you had the sub editors just on the outer circle, and then us, the jobbing reporters, the ambulance chasers on the outside.

That got me into my love of writing content and communicating as a whole. But it didn’t pay enough, as any starting out journalist will know, and was offered a role at a PR agency.

Front cover and most CEO feature photographs by Toby Weller.

Turning to the dark side!

I joined PR right at the tail end of the 90s, as the Max Clifford sort of era was starting to peter out, and started working my way up through the agency world.

I was at Speed, which is a fairly large agency. I was in charge of the Virgin account there, which was where I really cut my teeth on how to communicate effectively, working with a lot of small organisations who were part and parcel of the Virgin Media’s business network, which was really interesting. I met some fascinating people and businesses through that. I then moved on to take over creative and engagement at global agency, Hotwire, and then in 2018 I decided let’s give this a shot on my own and started Don’t Cry Wolf.

Just you on your own?

My wife, Lois, is a Chartered Accountant, so she made sure that I didn’t spend all the money in one go! So yes, I started on my own in my spare bedroom. I wanted Don’t Cry Wolf to be a different type of organisation. I have a tremendous passion and belief that business can be a force for good. We were a B Corp, a B Corp ambassador, and built up a strong reputation as an agency.

Did you pick and choose to work with the type of brands that you believed in yourself?

I think you’ve got to do that. They don’t always have to be the most ethical, shiny do-gooders in the world. In fact, sometimes it’s quite interesting to work with brands that want to transition from a perhaps chequered past, but you’ve got to believe them. There has to be a level of honesty. You have to believe that they are on that path, and that they do want to approach business in a way where there’s a benefit beyond the bottom line.

I started to build up a portfolio of clients that were in this territory of doing both societal good as well as making a profit. And we just grew from there, working with brands like Elvie and Natura. We did some work with Frugi as well, which was fantastic.

After a couple of years you moved from London down to Cornwall. What was the thinking behind that?

We all worked remotely. We’re an organisation of grown ups, so we didn’t feel like we needed to have a table tennis set in an office in Shoreditch to feel like a creative agency. And I’ve got some great friends here in Cornwall and have worked really closely with some of them over time, like Matt Hocking at Leap, for example. So, we were kind of already orbiting these different areas within Cornwall. We had been coming down to visit twice a year for the best part of a decade. Our kids grew up knowing this place as the place to be for holidays, as well as having friends and also family down here on my wife’s side.

So, we got to ask ourselves the question – why, running a remote agency, aren’t we living down here and totally immersing ourselves in the Cornwall scene?

How have you found living and working in Cornwall? Must be very different from London?

There are some differences, definitely. I think there is an extraordinary sense of collaboration and pride among Cornish businesses.

You get this sense that people want to come together to really shape a beneficial and vibrant, Cornish economy. There’s a lot more jeering and competitive protectionism in London, for example. Here you get that sense of a collaborative community that is absolutely trying to steer the Duchy towards something remarkable and powerful. It needs a helping hand, but everyone seems to feel like they’re here to chip in. I felt really welcomed into the community as a resident in Mevagissey. I’m on the parish council and have really been embraced because I wanted to be a part of that community, as well as the business community.

Had I come down here all London swagger, telling people how to do things properly, it would have been a dreadful attitude to have. I came to learn, to listen and contribute, not to dictate with some sort of fake sense of grandeur, because I’ve come down from London and done it in the City. That’s all nonsense and I’m not into any of that. And that applies both from a personal level and a business level.

What we are looking for is that blend.

So you’ve stepped back from Don’t Cry Wolf altogether?

Yes, we’ve been winding the business down. It’s been a conscious decision around what we all wanted, which was to be more ‘independent consultants’.

The market’s changed. That chunky agency model, it’s not particularly sellable anymore. There’s a lot of infrastructure costs that come with that. And when marketing budgets are being slashed, that’s not something that you want to be operating in.

And it was serendipitous. This role came up just as I was thinking about the future. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t sugarcoat this, if Don’t Cry Wolf was posting billions of pounds of profit, and we were gold plating our impact reports, I’d probably still keep it running and probably take a lovely, handsome slice! But from a serendipitous perspective, we were already thinking, actually, this isn’t quite working, there needs to be an evolution of what agency models look like, let’s wind DCW down. And then the Chamber role came available.

I came to learn, to listen and contribute, not to dictate with some sort of fake sense of grandeur.

I’ve learned an enormous amount from organisations in Cornwall on how to be more creative, how to embrace nature into business, how to collaborate more. How to stand up for yourself as well. So if you approach it with that mindset, rather than with a sort of dictatorial mindset because you’ve got some sort of belief that London’s better, then you’re embraced.

Is there more of a work/life balance in Cornwall?

There’s more of a work/life blend, rather than a balance, which I really like. Even if I look at some of the stuff that the Chamber of Commerce is doing.

There’s a way to network, of course, with breakfasts and lunches and dinners and they’re all fabulous, but there’s also surfing and walks in nature where people are collaborating. Cornwall has got a really strong sense of “how do we extract some fun and enjoy the Duchy as part and parcel of our day-to-day business?”

I think there’s a lot the rest of the nation can actually learn from that, because it’s a blend, not a balance. It’s not an I’m shutting my door now and that’s it, work doesn’t filter into my mind, because that’s not realistic.

What do you think you would have done had the Chamber job not come up?

Probably getting more involved into Cornish business anyway. I’d been doing some talks with Exeter University and helping Cornish organisations to communicate their sustainability footprint more authentically.

And then Kim Conchie retires and the Chamber role comes along.

It genuinely is such an exciting opportunity and I’ll explain why. If you look at where the future of the economy is heading. People talk about the idea of a regenerative economy, or a new economy, or a green economy, all those kind of things, and that can evoke connotations of placard waving and Greta Thunbergs.

But actually it’s an economy that has to eventually become more sustainable and more regenerative, a little kinder, give people a fairer wage and level up a society that might be feeling the pinch right now.

Cornwall is quite literally the perfect test bed for that sort of economy. You can feed people, because there’s agriculture and fishing. So, you’ve got the food system, which is an enormous part of it. Renewable energy, another enormous part of this new economy, and then science and innovation. We have a space hub here, along with some extraordinary organisations emerging that are really pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Mining and lithium.

And we have a local society which needs levelling up in a whole number of ways, more jobs, better opportunities and a greater sense of purpose and direction. Alongside retail, tourism, hospitality, etc, you won’t find a better test bed anywhere else. And to be a voice of businesses within that, to help foster and nurture that collaboration, fight for those organisations, fight for that economy, that’s an amazing role and fantastic opportunity and one I just couldn’t pass up.

And with a new Government, I think there’s great opportunity to really fight for the Cornish business voice in the corridors of power, while also making sure that within the Duchy itself, there’s a real sense of collaboration, of nurturing and fostering those wonderful connections which will ultimately give everyone that best opportunity to level up.

What is the biggest thing you’ll be bringing to the role?

I think the biggest thing I want to try and do is to be able to set a strategy that bridges some of the big picture work that we need to achieve, which is at that national level, fighting for the Cornish economy, either from an investment perspective, public sector or private sector, and then bridging that with knowing that this is also an economy that has thousands of extraordinary micro organisations.

I’m hoping I’ll be able to navigate and build a strategy and an approach that both nurtures those deeply important micro organisations and brings that voice and that opportunity right to that national level.

How do we extract some fun and enjoy the Duchy as part and parcel of our day to day business?”

You have a reputation and expertise in building brands. Will you use that experience in developing Brand Cornwall? And how is Cornwall’s brand perceived outside, still a bit bucket and spade?

There is that. And I also think sometimes we can dismiss that as being the wrong thing for Cornwall. But tourism brings good trade and is an important part of the Cornish economy, and we don’t want to ever lose that. But I think there’s so much more to it that is not necessarily getting the airtime that it deserves. And I think there is a branding exercise and perhaps a communications exercise to show the depth and the breadth of what the Cornish economy provides – extraordinary creativity, incredible research, and a real ability to hustle as well! There are lots of individuals and organisations working for a new future, and you can point to some rock stars, whether it’s Flexi Hex or Finisterre, these sorts of brands, through to some other organisations like Cornish Lithium, that are really exploring new territory. I’m not sure there’s that sense nationally that

Cornwall is actually a melting pot of ideas, creativity, passion and ingenuity. And I really want to help try and bring that to life.

What are you most looking forward to when you take over?

Learning more about the businesses, the individuals and the organisations. With Don’t Cry Wolf, I had been a member of the Chamber for a few years. We were the founding sponsors of Planet C, for example, we have sponsored the 30 under 30 Awards as well. We’ve had a great introduction into this world, but obviously that’s come from a perspective of wanting the Chamber to represent us as well. Now I’m going to have the opportunity to look at this from what I can do for these organisations, and what we can do together to really promote Cornwall as a strong and vibrant economy.

Cornwall has always had a reputation for being a creative place, but traditionally a lot of our younger talent has moved away to find work. The brain drain.

I’ve got to say I think that’s changing. One of the reasons why I set up Don’t Cry Wolf and we moved our HQ down here, was because there was talent emerging in Cornwall, talent you can tap into. And more people want that work/life blend and don’t want to leave Cornwall. One of the objectives that we should explore together is, how do we make sure that that talent and that creative industry gets access to international and national briefs. I think that’s part and parcel of what we’d love to be able to achieve. But that’s just one part. The science and innovation side of things, we’re leading in some of these areas. How do we incorporate lithium, for example, into this new economy. How do we look at things such as wind, solar and incorporate that into an agricultural economy as well. Cornwall is a perfect place to see how we can do that and work in a symbiotic way, rather than in a competitive way, with one another. I want to attract attention outside of the Duchy to say look at what we’re doing, look at what we’re achieving, look at the progress that we’re making

Obviously, I’ll need to remain a bit more politically impartial, which is unusual for me, but with a new Government there is an opportunity to raise our voice. We need to get better representation of the Cornish economy and Cornish businesses at a higher level.

Can Cornwall be out of sight, out of mind with Whitehall?

It can. There’s been a lot of talk around Northern Powerhouse and investment in HS2, those sorts of areas, but I’m selfish. I want to focus on Cornwall and I think that there’s an enormous amount more attention that could be paid. That blueprint for a future regenerative economy.

The potential here is huge, but it needs attention, it needs investment and it needs collaboration.

66% OF GEN Z CHANGE JOBS TO CLIMB THE CAREER LADDER QUICKLY

GEN Z STEPPING STONE?

Two-thirds (66%) of Gen Z believe that changing companies is the key to growing their career, prioritising skills development and new experiences over job loyalty, according to a new FDM Group study.

Factors such as the cost-of-living crisis were cited as a primary driver of career changes, with graduates often looking at moving jobs to climb the ladder and increase their salaries quickly. In total, Gen Z are 13% more likely to view their role as a stepping stone.

Developing skills, especially digital skills, was also viewed as a key driver behind job-hopping, and 80% of Gen Z claimed they would go into the office more for coaching, collaboration, mentoring and learning from others. Two-thirds of Gen Z expressed dissatisfaction with available learning resources, compared to 56% of non-Gen Z.

53% OF BRITS LIKE TO HAVE A FULL ENGLISH WHEN ABROAD

BRITS ABROAD

While many of us love getting away in the summer to enjoy foreign climes, latest research suggests that the Brits abroad don’t like to be too adventurous.

When in Rome? Well, not quite. According to low cost airline Wizz Air, 53% of us still like to have a full English breakfast while on our foreign hols and perhaps even worse, 55% like a pint in a British-themed pub.

On average, UK holidaymakers turn to British options for at least two of their meals and 44% are likely to seek out foreign shops and restaurants that sell much-loved British classics like Monster Munch, Digestives or beans on toast!

OFFICE BRIBES?

Free food, free drinks and social gatherings can be effective in enticing workers back into the office, a new survey has revealed.

78% OF WORKERS STILL MAINLY PREFER WORKING FROM HOME

While 78% of respondents still want an element of flexibility in their working week, free food, free drinks and more social events could be key to drawing people back to more traditional ways of working in the wake of the pandemic.

The online poll, by recruitment firm Pertemps, showed 12% of respondents said free food could help convince them to change their working habits to be based in the office. 1% of participants indicated free tea and coffee would be enough for them to ditch remote working, while social events emerged as a more compelling factor, with 9% saying they would consider returning for regular gatherings.

ISLES OF SCILLY START-UPS

The City of London is the best area in England to start a business, averaging six new openings for every five closures between 2022 and 2024.

No surprise there, but what does perhaps raise an eyebrow is finding that the Isles of Scilly is the second best place.

Despite smaller figures than any other area in the study from MRPeasy, the Isles of Scilly have the second highest ratio of business openings to closures.

Exactly 30 new businesses have opened their doors in the last two years, while 25 have closed, meaning the area ranks slightly behind the City of London with a ratio of 1.2:1. Five new businesses have been established in the region during the first quarter of 2024, and no existing companies have shut down.

20% GROWTH RATE OF NEW BUSINESSES VS THOSE CLOSING

OVERTIME IN OVERDRIVE

If you are thinking about a new start-up, don’t do it in the Wyre Forest with closures more than twice as common compared to openings in the region.

New research has revealed that 84% of workers feel pressured to do overtime in their job role, with expectations of fulfilling job demands being the top reason for those going above and beyond.

84% OF WORKERS FEEL PRESSURED TO WORK OVERTIME

According to Moneypenny, law enforcement and security workers are the most overworked, with the majority in the sector staying behind to finish work an average of 12.6 days each month.

Business, consulting and management are the second most likely sectors for Brits working overtime. The average worker will put in an extra 32.24 hours each month. With the average employee staying behind almost ten and a half days each month, those working within the industry will add an additional 3.1 hours to their working day.

And the study shows that working overtime has a significant impact on lives outside of the workplace, with 26% of respondents reporting that working overtime harmed their physical health, while 23% cited adverse effects on their mental health.

RISE IN CONFIDENCE

South West manufacturers are seeing a much stronger picture as they enter the second half of the year with business confidence increasing and the sector forecast to outpace the economy overall in 2024.

69% OF BUSINESSES WANT GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITISE INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

The findings come in the Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK. According to the survey, both output and orders have picked up substantially compared to the first quarter and are set to strengthen in the next three months in line with the national picture.

Business confidence has also risen to equal the highest level recorded since the survey started measuring the indicator in 2014. The only previous occasion it reached the current level was during the immediate post Covid rebound.

The survey also asked companies to list their top three priorities for the new Government. More than two thirds (69.1%) said delivering an industrial strategy was the top priority, 54.2% said strengthening EU/ UK relations, while almost half (44%) said reducing the business tax burden.

Make UK is forecasting that manufacturing will grow by 1.2% in 2024 but moderate to 0.8% in 2025. GDP will grow by 0.9% in 2024 and 2% in 2025.

ZEITGEIST

Exploring the current mood and trends in the business world.

Cornwall is very fortunate to have a plethora of local business professionals, each an expert in their specialist field.

Over the next few pages we “ask the expert” to find the answers to some frequently asked questions...

As a business owner I cannot be expected to know everything – that’s why I rely on expert support to help acheive my growth goals.

Navigating a divorce can be emotionally challenging, and understanding the financial implications is crucial, says Kate Stephen, a chartered financial planner with Francis Clark Financial Planning.

During divorce, it’s typical to sell shared assets like the family home or for one person to buy out the other. However, many people overlook an essential aspect: pensions. Here are some crucial considerations to bear in mind during the divorce process:

Pensions

Pension funds are often the second-largest asset owned by a couple after the family home, but how valuable these benefits are can be misunderstood when looking at the split of marital assets.

There are several ways to split a pension, but achieving a fair resolution of all the financial issues can be a stressful process.

It’s common for individuals to have multiple pensions; a work pension, a personal pension and of course a state pension.

During divorce proceedings, pensions will be valued using the cash equivalent transfer value, this value looks at all aspects of the pension not just the fund value as it will help you understand the amount you would be entitled to if you transferred your pension. This is sometimes less than the actual fund value of your pension due to transfer fees.

What are the financial considerations when navigating divorce?

Your pension provider will be able to provide a cash equivalent transfer value for your pensions dated at your separation. Your pension provider will also be able to create a statement showing how much wealth was accumulated throughout your marriage.

Defined benefit pensions, for example final salary pensions, are not as easy to value so it is important to speak to a pension actuary early in the divorce process to establish this valuation, as it can be a lengthy process.

If you have sourced a report from a Pensions on Divorce Expert (PODE), we can help you understand the implications on your overall financial planning.

Employer benefits

Another often over-looked aspect in divorce is the loss of employer benefits your partner received that you may have benefited from. This can include death in service life assurance, private medical insurance, the use of a company car and a company pension scheme.

These benefits, providing financial security or enhancing your lifestyle, may not be available postdivorce and may need to be self-funded in future. So, it’s important to consider which ones are important to you and how much they will cost to replace.

Questions to ask yourself to ensure you are financially secure:

• Will my new mortgage or any other liabilities be repaid if I die or suffer a critical illness?

• Will I have enough income to cover all my monthly expenses if I can’t work due to an accident or an illness?

If I’m now wholly responsible for my income in retirement, do I know how much I will need and am I saving enough to achieve this?

We don’t expect you to have all the answers or even all the questions, but speaking to a financial planner can help identify any potential threats to achieving your financial goals, along with navigating your way through a divorce successfully.

For more information, call 01872 246 584 or visit www.fcfp.co.uk

Step

How do I ensure my hiring process attracts the right employees?

One – Knowing your brand

If you are confident in what your brand stands for, and the culture of your workplace, you can portray that message to potential applicants in your recruitment adverts. This means that applicants who have similar values are more likely to apply.

Step

Two – Targeting

Consider who you are looking for as a business. If you are not getting the types of applicants you are aiming to recruit, think about where you are recruiting. There are a variety of applicant types, each with a different focus and who engage in job hunting in different ways, so tailoring your approach to a way most likely to reach the right people is very important. Proactively recruiting in different ways is also important to attract more diversity in applicants.

What steps do I need to take to improve my business’ local SEO?

HookedOnMedia technical director, Andrew Thomas, explains all...

Local SEO is an important component to include within your digital marketing strategy. Optimising your Google Business Profile page can gain you higher rankings than a competitor who has invested more budget to focus on their organic positions.

The map results, known as the local pack, are usually above the organic results, and Google currently identifies these listings with a ‘Places’ heading. Only the more popular key phrases and three or four visible slots are available, so if you’re not within the top local pack results, then click through rates will be far less.

Recruitment is a costly process, so it is vital that you take a considered approach, as Hazel Sanders from Stephens Scown LLP explains.

Step Three – Defining the role

Once you have done all this, you can then use this information to tailor your job advert to be most effective. Provide as much information as possible, so that applicants know exactly what the role will look like and whether it is a good fit. Do be conscious however, that you still appear flexible and show that you are open to applicants from a wide range of demographics, as you don’t want to put potential applicants off applying by appearing inflexible.

Our employment team is skilled at advising employers on their recruitment processes and would be happy to assist. Our HRExpress team can also provide ad hoc advice throughout the year.

For more information, contact: www.stephensscown.co.uk; email enquiries@stephens-scown. co.uk or call 01872 265100

So how do you increase your business listing into higher local pack positions?

1 Add your business to Google Maps, by creating a Google Business Profile page. You may already see your business (on the right-hand side of the Google results), if so click “Claim this business” or “Own this business?” and follow the prompts.

2 Build lots of citations! Google Maps citations refer to your business’ name, address, and phone number (NAP) that are listed on other websites and directories that Google then aggregates. Your citation (NAP) needs to exactly match across all these aggregators.

3 Encourage user reviews and reply to both positive & negative reviews.

4 Add your physical address to the footer of each page within your own website.

5 Keep your Google Profile Page updated and regularly add photos, events and news snippets.

HookedOnMedia is very experienced with local map campaigns and all other forms of digital marketing, so, to see how we can help,please contact us on:

01872 248 376 or hookedonmedia.com

What is

the key ingredient for holding a successful conference?

Group, brand, marketing & sales manager for Red Hotels, Emma Benney has the answer...

The key ingredient for holding a successful conference is finding a venue that is practical but inspires creative thinking and has exceptional hosting. We encourage our delegates to explore the hotel and location and take time to build relationships as a team with activities alongside the conference agenda.

Be it a crafting workshop, surf lesson, or a wellbeing class, these are all things that make a conference something to look forward to rather than just attend.

There are always the essential must haves when booking a conference and I think Bedruthan ticks all the boxes. The practicalities – parking, space, natural daylight, good tech, plenty of bedrooms for overnight guests, we have it all.

What

is Salary

Pension?

Sacrifice

We ask Cornwall Payroll MD, Tim Wilkins to explain...

Also known as ‘Salary Exchange,’ Salary Sacrifice is an alternative arrangement for making pension contributions. An employee agrees to give up part of their salary, equal to their pension contributions (5% is the standard amount) and in return this reduces the amount of tax and NI payable by the employee.

Because the employee’s salary has been reduced, they will pay less tax and NI. Employers will also pay less Employer NI contributions on the reduced salary. The employer can then choose to pass this saving on to the employee by increasing the pension contribution by this amount.

But alongside this we have created an events offering that people can get excited about which combines work with the option to have a little fun and getting to know your colleagues.

Apart from our incredible location, we have a variety of private spaces to enable us to easily cater for large or smaller events.

We have focused on our service and dining options to make our hosting personal and professional alongside food you will get excited about. Deli style lunches bursting with colour and flavour –perfect brain food and delicious treats made in our bakery.

We also have a variety of team building activities that complement our offering, giving teams time to build relationships and have a little fun.

bedruthan.com

Higher rate taxpayers will benefit the most and will also receive instant tax relief on their pension contributions, so no longer need to claim back the additional tax relief via self-assessment.

Here is an example of savings based on a salary of £30k per year:

The annual salary would be reduced to £28.5k and the employee would receive £120 extra net pay per year (based on a standard tax code).

The employer would save £207 per year in Employer NIC (£1.5k pension contribution x 13.8%).

• An employee earning a salary of £60k per year would receive £660 extra net pay. The employer would save £414 per year in Employer NIC.

Disadvantages? You won’t be able to offer Salary Sacrifice if it reduces an employee’s pay below the national minimum wage. For part time workers, this could reduce the level at which they pay NI, so may affect entitlement to state benefits.

Employee contracts would need to be revised, so you would need to seek specialist advice about this.

www.cornwallpayroll.co.uk | 01872 306412

Falmouth University has a storied history at the heart of innovation, in step with the Cornish business community. More than 120 years since the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic – from which Falmouth University grew – was established to harness the power of technology and creativity to power Cornwall’s growth, we’re still doing exactly that today.

Launchpad Futures is Falmouth University’s ‘big front door to business’ offering a range of support, from bespoke 1-2-1 packages of research or technical expertise, to paid micro-internships and workshops.

By taking advantage of our knowledge and facilities to trial new technologies and develop ideas, you may be able to create new products and processes to benefit your business.

As part of opening up our resources, colleagues in the business school have run a number of workshops that draw on our extensive industry experience, gained in festivals, events and hospitality as well as business start-ups, marketing and entrepreneurship.

While you may not see a natural alignment between your business and a creative arts university, James Gazzard from British Classic Car Parts found the workshop from Stewart Noakes on the MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management course “really useful and well targeted at Cornish SMEs”.

Why invest in a PR consultancy?

Georgie Upton, MD of Wild Card, explains…

There are many skills and attributes needed to be great at public relations. At the top of the list is an in-depth understanding of the media landscape and how to navigate it for different brands. At Wild Card, we always think in terms of the right channel, for the right audience, for the right brand – it’s never one size fits all.

How can collaborating with universities help my business?

Falmouth University Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management course leader, Marcus Simmons, tells all...

Stewart delivered a workshop on how to grow a business from £1m sales to £5m. Research shows that the innovative, creative and resilient skills needed to grow a start-up to £1m sales are very different to the more managerial and structured skills needed to grow to £5m.

falmouth.ac.uk

Our specialist team know which journalists are writing about what, where the opportunities to pitch stories lie, the nuances of different audience profiles, and most importantly, how to secure interest.

Investing in a PR consultancy provides access to a multitude of comms experts - in our case, over 25 spread across Cornwall, Bristol and London. You will typically be assigned a core team as strategic and dayto-day delivery partners but behind the scenes, there will be a whole consultancy flying your company’s flag. Working with a consultancy also brings its benefits in terms of collaborative partnerships with other clients within the portfolio and you’ll have daily access to what’s making the news agenda.

There’s also the reassurance that we know what works - and more importantly, what doesn’t work. You want your money to work hard, and we do too. That’s why Wild Card is a consultancy rather than an agency. We give specialist advice based on over 25 years of experience and operate as an extension of your team to produce the results that are right for you.

Thinking about investing in PR? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat.

wildcard.co.uk | hello@wildcard.co.uk

Why is it so important to securely shred old documents?

Britannia Lanes of Cornwall director, Sarah Lane offers 3 top reasons why shredding is so important

Identity theft has soared by 125% and is one of the easiest ways criminals can gain access to this golden information is through what a business throws out.

1 Protecting your customers

Customers trust you with their personal information. A data breach can have a severe impact not only reputationally but also to your pocket with large fines for lack of compliance handed out in 2023. Your customers will feel assured knowing you have a robust and compliant disposal system in place.

RRL managers Mikaela Richards and Carole Thomas, highlight important tax year dates...

This is a general guide. Specific deadlines may vary depending on your circumstances.

Truro 01872 276116

Penzance 01736 339322

post@rrlcornwall.co.uk

www.rrlcornwall.co.uk

Staying organised with tax deadlines can be a challenge. Here’s a breakdown of key dates for the 2024/25 tax year...

Self Assessment 2023/24:

If you became self-employed or started receiving non-PAYE income in 2023/24, register by 5/10/24.

• 31/10/24, is the deadline for filing paper Self Assessment returns.

• For HMRC to collect tax (of under £3k) through PAYE codes (online submissions), the deadline is 30/12/24.

Final deadline for filing online Self Assessment returns and payments for the tax year, is 31/1/25.

Corporation Tax:

• The deadline for filing returns is 12 months following the end of the accounting period.

Corporation tax payments are due 9 months and 1 day after the company’s year end.

2 Protecting your employees

Businesses hold huge amounts of personal data for employees; from CV’s of perspective employees through to leavers documentation. A competent document destruction programme will not only be welcomed by employees but can also help internal organisation with regular clear outs of non essential file and paper being stored.

3 Compliance!

It is important to remember not all GDPR breaches are digital, in fact in Q4 of 2023 The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) states 70% of reported breaches were non digital. Legal obligations require businesses to protect data, including proper disposal of documents containing confidential, sensitive or personal information. A trackable document shredding service, be it one off or scheduled periodically, helps prove a business is taking its responsibility to compliance seriously.

Order your shredding bags or ongoing collection service with free console at: www.britannialanes.co.uk

Email: sarah.lane@ britannialanes.co.uk

Phone: 01872 560147

What are the key tax deadlines I need to be aware of?

VAT:

• Quarterly VAT return submissions and payments are due one month and seven days after the quarter’s end. For instance, the September quarter’s VAT return and payment is due by 7/11/24.

• Annual VAT returns have a filing deadline of 2 months after the VAT accounting period. Payments on account must be made throughout the period with the final balancing payment due at the same time as your VAT submission.

P11d:

• Employers must file P11d forms detailing employee benefits and expenses, and provide copies to employees, by 6/7/24.

• Payments for Class 1A National Insurance on employee benefits are due by 19/7/24 (cheque) or 22/7/24 (online).

How do I register design protection for my digital products?

N. J. Akers & Co. chartered patent attorney, Guy Cooper, explains all...

Businesses in all sectors are increasingly engaging in the development of bespoke software and related digital assets to give them a competitive edge, be that through improvements in the efficiency and operation of their own business, or as a marketable digital product.

Consequently, there is considerable value in the intellectual property (IP) rights underpinning digital innovations. It is therefore important for businesses to protect these rights. However, when it comes to software and related media, this can be challenging.

For example, in many jurisdictions including the UK, computer programmes per se are expressly excluded from patentability by law. Furthermore, where the programme functions to improve the operation or running of a business, such methods may themselves be subject to similar exclusions.

Many businesses, deterred by these challenges, instead rely on copyright. It is generally recognised that any original source code underpinning a computer programme is automatically protected as a ‘literary work’ by applicable copyright laws. However, while copyright offers a layer of valuable and necessary protection, it does not go so far as to protect the functionality of the programme.

This can leave businesses vulnerable to exploitation by competitors who might attempt to ‘reverse engineer’ innovative digital products to deliver the same or a similar user experience with differently coded software.

The strategic utilisation of registered design protection can help address some of the limitations of copyright.

A registered design protects the appearance, shape or decoration of the whole or a part of a product and grants the proprietor the exclusive rights to the design for a period of up to 25 years. This includes making, offering, importing, exporting, or otherwise using a product incorporating the design.

While many businesses effectively utilise registered designs to protect physical products, their utility in protecting the visual characteristics of digital assets,

including web pages, apps, and other software packages, is often overlooked.

Advantageously, the appearance and layout of digital media including icons, Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), and dynamic or transient digital content can also be protected by registered design rights. In this manner, the visual interfaces by which users interact with a software product may be protected. These rights can be enforced against competitors to prevent them from using the protected design elements in their own digital products.

By adopting a strategy of protecting the various graphical design elements which together form a digital product, businesses can supplement their rights in the underlying code with a suit of design registrations which together present an additional line of defence against competitors attempting to replicate their products.

Icons, GUIs, and dynamic digital content can be protected by registered design rights.

Registering a design is also comparatively quick and affordable. A business may therefore develop a portfolio of design registrations to suit its budget. This portfolio can be readily expanded to continue to provide commercially relevant protection.

Please contact us by phone or email, if you would like to know more.

Web: www.njakers.com

Email: info@njakers.com

Tel: +44(0) 1872 266810

POWER YOUR POTENTIAL

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub – your one-stop-shop for free business support.

It’s no secret that the business landscape can be a difficult place to operate in.

Trusting someone to guide you and finding the budget to get support can feel impossible.

At the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub, we pride ourselves on easing this load, matching local businesses, self-employed people and not-for-profit organisations with business support that can take them to the next level - completely free of charge.

We’re a one-stop-shop for free business support, backed by the Good Growth Fund, to help local businesses and the economy to grow.

Our range of business support programmes, alongside our database of information and resources, provide the answers to a host of business questions.

So, we wanted to give you a peek into our world. We help incredible businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to fully realise their potential, and hold interesting, engaging conversations every day.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Starting with a free business review, we’ll establish the facts, discuss which direction you want to go in, plus what your business and personal goals are, before pairing you up with one or more of our support partners - your new business growth confidantes.

They operate across key areas to empower businesses - including research, innovation, teams, products, net zero, finance and growth planning.

Access world-renowned resources to supercharge your ambitions and turn your ideas into reality. These talented partners are expert specialists who can support your business no matter which stage of development it’s in or what you want to achieve.

From traditional, tried and tested business principles to help you take your first steps, to having their fingers on the pulse of the latest innovations in the commercial world - including how AI and Data Science can fit into your plans - they’re here to help develop your business model however works best for you.

FINDING YOUR FEET

If you are taking the first steps of your business journey by refining your business offer, our Products, Research, and Innovation support is great for introducing new ideas, processes, products, or services to your normal day-to-day operations.

Develop ways to conduct your own market research and competitor analysis, gaining a better understanding of your position within your industry - whilst keeping an eye on the competition at the same time.

Behind the scenes, Finance support can help you with business basics like forecasting and cost strategies to give you the edge over your competitors, or investigating longer-term investment options for a brighter future.

TAKING THE LEAP

If you’re a little more established and on the brink of something incredible, we’ll pair you with a business that can specialise in levelling up.

With a focus on efficiency and growth, Team support can help develop you and your employees’ confidence, leading to successful staff recruitment and retention. We’ll help you place extra emphasis on product and service development, embracing new commercial ideas and technology to help you scale and grow.

FORGING NEW PATHS

Even if you’re confident your business is doing well and heading on an upward trajectory, Growth Hub still has programmes for you. It’s not just about growing, it’s about thriving. We can support great businesses to do amazing things.

CHECKLIST

Research: Evaluate demand, collect evidence and develop your pitching skills.

Innovation: Introduce new ideas, processes, products, or services into your business.

Teams: Recruit, grow and retain your workforce to the highest standard possible.

Products: Use specialist advisors and researchers to develop your latest and greatest product.

Net Zero: Maximise your efforts to minimise your environmental impact.

Finance: Navigate the everchanging landscape of bids, funding and spending.

We help incredible businesses to fully realise their potential, and hold interesting, engaging conversations every day.

Growth Planning focuses on leadership and strategy development - navigating change in a way that is comfortable for you - whilst Net Zero measures your carbon footprint and helps establish decarbonisation strategies to ensure your business is as friendly to the planet as possible.

No matter how you like to work, be it through workshops or one to one sessions, guided consultation or mutual innovation, or placing a focus on long-term or immediate results, we have a solution to pair you with. Every Growth Hub programme is built around making work more efficient, insightful and – ultimately – effective.

A PERSONAL WELCOME

“Over the past decade, we have worked alongside more than 5000 local businesses covering a wide variety of industries. Each business has presented an opportunity for us to learn from them in return.

“All of our support is tailored to individual business need and ambition. We are independent, impartial, totally free and not happy until you are.

“We look forward to welcoming you to the Growth Hub network and helping you make your business the best possible version of itself.”

Kirsty Miles-Musgrave, Growth Hub Investment Operations Manager.

Sound good? If you are a business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly then head to the Growth Hub website or call 01209 708660 to take the first step of your journey.

Cost and risk free, get in touch and discover how to realise your business’ potential now.

Growth Planning:

However it looks – money, people, or skills – get on track for growth!

The Growth Hub is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, branded locally as the Good Growth Programme.

Across Cornwall

Sign up for FREE workshops and events powered by

the Growth Hub

Events to join in

Embedding Workplace

Wellbeing

Finance Advice Drop-In

R&D Tax Credits

Innovation for Manufacturing

IN ORPERSON ONLINE

Opportunities in

Support for Disabled Colleagues

Women in Business

Manufacturing Conference

The Innovation Exchange: R&D Tax Credits

Marketing and Competitor Analysis

Innovation in the Wild: Bodyboarding

Financial Readiness and Business Basics

Entrepreneurs Workout

Carbon Footprint

Events to seize in

Good Work Roundtable for National Inclusion Week

Introduction to Innovation

Financial Readiness and Business Basics

How to Write Winning Bids

Innovation in the Wild on Dartmoor

How to Implement Impact and Social Value

Sustainable Finance

The Innovation Exchange: The Green Future

Green Your Supply Chain

Creating a New Culture for Sustainability

Improving Movement and Reducing Sedentary Behaviour

Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Do you have to be signed up to our business support programme to access these events?

No, you can sign up for one-off events, workshops and knowledge sessions. Covering hot topics such as AI and inclusivity to business basics like sales and marketing, innovation or planning.

Where are events held? Events are held across the county or online and open to everyone. Visit our website or sign-up to our newsletter to get booking links direct to your inbox.

What if I want in depth support? Get in touch for a free business review, where we discuss all the options and point you in the direction of support that is right for you.

Innovation in the Wild Innovation Discovery Studio

The Innovation Exchange: Boosting Biodiversity How to Implement Impact and Social Value Planet and Sustainability in Business Sector Start Ups Marine and Clean Energy

Financial Readiness and Business Basics Events of note in

Events defining

B Corp in the Wild Business Model

FROM RARE BREEDS TO FINE THREADS

Weaving heritage and innovation, the Launceston-based woollen mill, The Natural Fibre Company, is an asset to the UK textiles industry.

We’re very proud to be the only company in the country that spins both woollen & worsted yarns under the same roof.

Writen by Rachel Koerner.

Led by Colin Spencer Halsey, an expert in manufacturing, investment and change management, The Natural Fibre Company boasts a dedicated and passionate team. Blending artisan methods and machinery, with new technologies to meet modern demands, The Natural Fibre Company is recognised for its expertise and approach to business, having received multiple industry awards and accolades and working with small batches of fibre, often from rare British flocks or herds.

Colin praises his “energised and knowledgeable team” and highlights the value of surrounding yourself with people who know more than you. Colin clearly has a team who are equally passionate about the success of The Natural Fibre Company (TNFC).

This month I had the pleasure of talking to account executive, Beki Gilbert; senior carding engineer, James McQueen and marketing and PR executive, Sarah Hemingway, about the company’s journey and their insights into the day-to-day running of such a unique and precious manufacturing business.

RK: I felt privileged to have a tour of your mill and see firsthand the incredible machinery and meet some of your skilled team. Can you share an overview of what you do at the mill and the sort of products and services you offer?

BG: As a specialist, vertically integrated woollen mill, we’re very proud to be the only company in the country that spins both woollen and worsted yarns under the same roof. We specialise in turning small batches of shorn, rare breed raw fleeces into processed fibre which can be used for felting or hand spinning and producing British breed premium quality yarns suitable for knitting, crochet, weaving or machine knitting.

The end-to-end process involves sorting the fibre, then scouring, carding, spinning and finishing it, this all takes place at our mill, providing a convenient and efficient service for our customers. We provide our fibre expertise to farmers and smallholders with flocks of sheep, goats or alpacas wishing to produce their own branded yarn products. We also work with trade businesses throughout the UK, primarily within the premium fashion and textiles industry. We also produce our own brand of knitting yarns called Blacker Yarns which we sell through an ecommerce platform, with stockists located in the UK, USA, Canada, The Netherlands, South Korea and Switzerland.

I’m the first point of contact for customers and will discuss with them their aspirations and requirements so that we can design, create and deliver the finest quality end product to realise their ambitions. I keep the customer informed at every stage of the process, with each batch of fibre in the mill being tracked individually to ensure that the customer receives only their own fibre back in their chosen form.

RK: Preserving traditional techniques and maintaining heritage machinery is a real commitment. I imagine being part of that commitment is something that provides real job satisfaction too?

JM: We’re one of only a handful of traditional mills in the country, with heritage machinery still in operation. Yes, this provides a great sense of job satisfaction and pride in being able to support this very special industry and championing British wool. Our mill team is made up of highly skilled, textile industry trained engineers and specialist finishers who have worked with over 50 types of British breeds including rare and specialised varieties.

RK: And are there any specific traditional practices that you incorporate into your work?

JM: As a British woollen mill, we hold traditional values alongside an innovative and forward-thinking approach to our work. The process of turning raw fibre into yarn hasn’t changed much over time. Many of our machines, such as our Fearnought machine which blends the wool after scouring, dates from the 1940s. We still undertake many of the same traditional practices today, such as the manual sorting and grading of the raw fibre by hand, right through to the plying, washing, reeling, winding and ball-winding of the yarns.

RK: Whilst much of what TNFC produces supports the creative economy and fashion industry, I understand you’re used to less obvious requests too. Can you share some of the stranger requests you’ve received?

BG: We’ve carried out many R&D projects since 2020 and we enjoy experimenting with different types of natural materials, blending them with wool. Some of the most unusual requests that we’ve received have resulted in us working with human hair waste collected from hair salons via the Green Salon Collective, yak and camel, and guanaco and llama. We test trialled some dog hair which led to us developing Ulti-Mutt, our own knitting yarn range and we have also worked with Tencel, hemp and bamboo.

We specialise in turning small batches of shorn, rare breed raw fleeces into processed fibre

RK: Could you share some of the current challenges you’re facing as a business based in Cornwall? And perhaps some of the broader issues faced by textile businesses, such as the competition with mass-produced fashion and textiles, and the need for skilled labour?

SH: As a small manufacturing business, the main challenges are rising utilities bills and a shortage of skilled labour. However, we’re resilient, and we adapt our working practices accordingly. For example, we’ve adopted a staff-led initiative to operate a four-day working week, with our machinery running for longer periods over fewer days enabling us to manage our productivity costs whilst continuing to complete customer orders within our standard lead times. Continued on page 32

We regularly collaborate with education providers in the region, including Falmouth University, to promote manufacturing as a career choice for young people, and we take part in the annual Make UK National Manufacturing Day.

We’re witnessing a shift in consumer buying habits, away from mass-produced fashion and textiles to slow fashion, the shop local ethos, being more conscious of buying less and buying better, and knowing where your clothes are made. This approach strongly underpins our work.

RK: Does your Cornwall location influence your business ethos?

SH: Cornwall offers a high quality of life with stunning natural landscapes, beautiful coastlines and a relaxed lifestyle. We believe this environment can positively impact our overall wellbeing and work-life balance.

of the Carbon AAA initiative with Make it Net Zero, and installed energy monitors in the mill. Our zero waste initiatives include producing our own recycled yarn range called Flocked Off, a blend of 50% waste fibres blended with 50% undervalued new wool, and we sell all our mill by-products as carded, noil and bobbin waste which is very popular for crafting activities, padding and stuffing in toys and dog beds, for example. It’s also useful in the garden as it’s biodegradable.

RK: Can you tell us more about the importance of the relationships you have with local suppliers and farmers?

We’re one of only a handful of traditional mills in the country, with heritage machinery still in operation

Operating a business in Cornwall complements our core values of sustainability, traceability and natural. And we are fortunate to share those values with a range of visitors to our Mill; knitters and crocheters, international tourists, as well as our commercial customers.

RK: Sustainability is a hot topic in the fashion and textiles industry. The Natural Fibre Company seems to create very little waste and you clearly share environmentally conscious values which play into your production processes and vision for the business’s future?

BG: We collect and recycle the effluent waste from our scouring processes and recently we invested in a larger tank with increased storage capacity. This means that the local farmer who uses the wastewater on his farmland can take a larger volume and make fewer trips.

We operate a four-day week and have had positive results in increased productivity, energy saving and staff welfare. Central to our core values is the sourcing and traceability of the raw fibre, so we can measure the mileage for the whole process and measure the CO2. For example, our special edition yarn, created for a premium customer, highlights the mileage from farm to garment.

Operating a business in Cornwall complements our core values of sustainability, traceability and natural.

SH: Also, wool is a wonderfully versatile, environmentally friendly and sustainable natural fibre that we’re all passionate about, work with and promote on a daily basis. We believe in creating high quality products which are made to last. We’ve achieved our Carbon Reduction accreditation with a validated carbon footprint, as part

BG: We are regularly asked to source suitable types of shorn, raw fibre according to our customers’ requirements and we work with local suppliers, specialist small yarn producers and farmers to do this. We believe in thinking on a global scale and reduce our carbon footprint by supporting and buying from local businesses whenever we can. We source almost everything from Britain, providing traceability from farm to fashion is an important part of our work.

RK: And in line with this thinking, are there any new techniques or innovations you have recently adopted?

JM: In our development house we trial a variety of natural fibres and less well-known materials which we blend with wool. We collaborate with a range of industries and researchers and students from academic institutions. Our research and development projects have included work with UK grown hemp, nettle, flax, recycled plastic, ruby cattle, bamboo, tencel, human hair and dog hair.

RK: You also work with some world-renowned brands. Can you tell us more about some of the client projects and collaborations - past, present or in the pipeline - you are particularly proud of?

SH: Our portfolio of clients includes well-known premium brands such as Araminta Campbell, the largest producer of handwoven tartan in Scotland and John Smedley, creators of luxury fashion knitwear. Last year we sourced and processed fibre belonging to Duchy of Cornwall Estate farming tenants for the John Smedley Duchy Wool Collection, in collaboration with Campaign for Wool.

We worked with the curatorial team at Tate Modern sourcing white Dorset Down fibre, scouring and carded into can coiled rovings for an installation by Chilean artist and poet, Cecilia Vicuña, in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern in London. We’ve also supported the NFU’s Back British Farming campaign, providing the wool for the Back British Farming Day wheat-pin badges that are worn by politicians to show their support for farming. And yes, we have lots more exciting projects in the pipeline…

HIGH STREET RETHINKING

Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) manager, Mark Warren, discusses the great high street reset.

I have had the pleasure of working in pretty much all of the towns in Cornwall throughout my professional life, from Penzance right up to Plymouth (beyond Cornwall, but you know what I mean!) and everywhere in between. So, I have seen, from the ground up, how retail and the high street has changed and evolved over the years. This applies to the independents who operate alongside the larger corporate businesses – both of which form the lifeblood of our great British high street.

Established, compelling events are also vital for town centres in terms of driving footfall.

Much has been impacted by the growth of internet shopping, the challenges of Covid and most recently, the cost-of-living crisis. All these factors make people really think about what they want to spend their money on, making it more of a challenge to drive footfall onto our beloved high streets. That said, there is a great opportunity for businesses to give consumers a high street that is innovative, changeable and that offers the absolute best service and experience, community engagement, the best product knowledge, as well as the opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. None of this can be bought on a laptop from home.

There are some existing businesses in Newquay that are looking constructively at their unique selling points and reviewing, looking forward and realising they need to evolve to meet the changing face of the high street. Some of which are evolving into new business models entirely and it’s these ‘place shapers’ that will not only ride the wave, but become the future of our high street.

One such example is CAVE Newquay. Formerly part of the nighttime economy, it has reemerged as Cave Barcade and ManCave, offering a host of daytime activities from interactive darts, a golf simulator, pool, arcade games and more. Future proofing the business, they are adopting three-dimensional thinking, working with the tools they have, but using them in a different way.

Similarly, The Boathouse in Newquay adopted an entirely different model, post Covid. What was once a traditional restaurant is now a buzzing smorgasbord of different foodie options for visitors and locals to enjoy in a sublime harbourside setting. The team there are on the pulse, putting on events, working with partners and other businesses to make their proposition constantly stronger. This demonstrates just how key collaboration is. When businesses work closely with other businesses, town centre managers, BID managers and even local councils, fantastic things can be achieved.

I truly believe that established, compelling events are also vital for town centres in terms of driving footfall. Markets, for example, are happening all over the country, and are proven to bring volume, not FROM businesses but to drive additional footfall, breathing a real community vibe to the location they take place in. Here in Newquay, we have organised several successful markets and we now have funding from the Good Growth Fund to bring more regular markets to the town.

The reality is that if we don’t do events and other places do, this will pull people from the town centre. It is a fact that the town centre nighttime economy occasionally struggles in the summer because of out of town events and festivals going on so this is something for local businesses to really consider.

Also in Newquay now we are seeing several new businesses opening for year round trading because they’re seeing the vibrancy of the high street. Of course, Newquay has huge summer appeal and a mass increase in visitors but a lot of what we are doing is around delivering for locals year-round as well as winter tourists.

Newquay is so much more than summer. Newquay has grown up. It is now about experiences, activities, shopping, fantastic quality hotels and accommodation providers and incredible food and drink. We have a new transport hub coming in - a £10million train investment to make the town even more accessible. All of which is really exciting.

See you down the high street soon?

Newquay is so much more than summer. Newquay has grown up.

Long summer days at home with bunnyhomes in the heart of Cornwall

From bold and playful florals to sumptuous elegance, the showhomes are unlike any others in Cornwall

With long summer days and sunshine weekends now here, bunnyhomes is especially pleased to welcome visitors to its new neighbourhood nestled the heart of Cornwall this summer.

Carefully planned and created by bunnyhomes, ‘John the Watchmaker’s Great Country Park’ (known a ectionately as The Watchmaker’s), is an exceptional new community of just 95 elegant new homes for sale, 24 homes for rent and 51 local parish homes on the edge of pretty Bodmin.

Barry Stiles, Managing Director at bunnyhomes, said: “We have been especially looking forward to our first summer with our fabulous new Craft Collection showhomes open at The Watchmaker’s, and are really looking forward to welcoming people to see them for themselves.

“Our beautiful and elegant Georgian-inspired homes reflect the quintessential architecture of Bodmin yet are carefully considered with true 21st century living at the fore, and as our homes are unlike any others in the local area, our showhomes are unlike any others too!”

It’s true. The three showhomes in the lovely sales hamlet located o a leafy lane in Bodmin have been designed to reflect both the beauty and ingenuity behind each home, and the result is quite spectacular.

The interiors, inspired by the Designers Guild and great British homes really do showcase three of the nine di erent styles of home available at The Watchmaker’s.

They are all very di erent – from the bold and playful floral designs found in the two bedroom Honeysuckle showhome, and the clean retro lines found in the three bedroom Poppy Cottage, to the sumptuous grandeur of the four bedroom Ivy House, the showhomes really do have the ‘wow’ factor, not least because they all have lovely gardens ideal for enjoying summer at home too.

But that’s not all.

The Craft Collection has been designed in meticulous detail – bunnyhomes calls it ‘Specs Appeal’ – where everything has been considered – from beautifully designed and fitted kitchens complete with Smeg appliances, and the luxury bathrooms with gorgeous tiling and ceramics, to the air source heat pumps that are not only more sustainable but also give clean lines throughout each home, with underfloor heating and no radiators downstairs.

Meanwhile, the perfect proportions and symmetry inspired by the e ortless elegance of Georgian architecture create grand facades and beautiful street scenes, with sash-style windows alongside stylish

canopied porches. And as a further nod to Georgian grandeur, bunnyhomes has designed its homes at The Watchmaker’s around a lovely 1.5 acre green space, creating stunning street scenes that residents will be proud to come home to.

Barry adds: “Feedback from our visitors since we opened the showhomes this Spring has been incredibly positive. With our first residents moving to their new homes in June, and sixty per cent of released plots now reserved, we are expecting demand to continue to be high this summer.”

With so much more to discover about bunnyhomes’ Craft Collection and The Watchmaker’s, visit the sales hamlet located o Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, open daily from 10am to 5pm, telephone 01208 244971, or visit bunnyhomes.com/ developments/the-watchmakers-bodmin.

NEW EDEN CEO

The Eden Project Group has named a new CEO.

Andy Jasper will replace Rob Chatwin, who is set to step down in September after nearly three years in the role.

Jasper will join the Eden Project from the National Trust where he is currently director of gardens and parklands.

He joins at an exciting new phase in the Eden Project’s history, with Eden Project Morecambe about to go to tender and Eden Project Dundee having been recently granted planning permission.

This will be his second period at the Eden Project, having previously spent 13 years as head of research and valuation where he specialised in understanding and communicating the social and economic impact of the Eden Project in Cornwall.

“As a Cornishman, I look forward to returning to the spectacular Eden Project in Cornwall, where I laid the foundations of a global career,” he said.

“I can’t wait to rejoin and lead, nurture and support the fantastic team as we take the Eden Project into its next chapter.”

REWIND LOOKS FORWARD

Former Pirate FM MD, Mark Peters, has joined Rewind Radio as AI integration specialist.

Rewind Radio is set to become the first of its kind to implement an AI strategy designed to drive efficiency and maximise return on investment (ROI) for its local clients.

“I am incredibly happy to be back in Cornwall after a decade at the helm of Pirate FM,” he said. “The opportunity to re-engage with the Cornish business community

and demonstrate the transformative advantages of AI technology to enhance their productivity and profitability in partnership with Cornwall’s Rewind Radio is hugely exciting.”

Richard Woods, MD of Cornwall’s Rewind Radio, expressed his excitement: “Partnering with Mark once again is a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “His extensive experience and innovative approach to radio and AI will undoubtedly boost local Cornish businesses and elevate our training and knowledge programs across all sectors of business.”

NEW CREW FOR NEW PILOT

Two new crew members have joined or changed roles in the Falmouth Harbour pilot boat team in the run up to the harbour taking delivery of its new £1.6 million state-of-the-art pilot boat this summer – the name of which has been revealed as ‘Atlantic’.

Both accomplished sailors and seasoned mariners, Ben Turner has stepped up to be appointed pilot boat coxswain and Abi

HOTEL PROMOTION

South west hotel group Philema Hospitality has announced the promotion of Laura Cameron to MD after more than ten years of working in the company.

Cameron joined the business in 2010, starting on reception and rising through the ranks to partner and operations director in 2016.

Philema Hospitality, which has been included in The Caterer’s top 30 best places

Rickard joins as deckhand with the pilot vessel crews.

Falmouth Harbour CEO, Miles Carden, said: “Ben and Abi are further strengthening our incredible Falmouth Harbour team and we’re delighted to welcome them aboard. Our pilot boat crews work tirelessly through all seasons and weathers to keep our harbour open and safe to shipping. They deserve the best equipment as represented by our new pilot vessel Atlantic - which will be an incredible asset for the next 20-30 years.”

to work in hospitality, holds a portfolio of leisure properties including Boringdon Hall Hotel, Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa and The Esplanade Hotel.

Cameron commented: “It has been a privilege to do my role over the last few years and a dream come true to be promoted to managing director. I could not be more grateful to my team who without; it would not be possible and it’s an honour to be able to lead them going forward.”

NEW OWNER AT ICONIC HOTEL

The Falmouth Hotel is under new ownership after being acquired by The Cornwall Hotel Collection, owners of The Greenbank in Falmouth and The Alverton in Truro.

The Falmouth Hotel was put on the market earlier this year by owner Richardson Hotels with a guide price of £7.5 million.

“We are honoured to welcome The Falmouth Hotel into The Cornwall Hotel Collection

PUB OF THE YEAR

The Peterville Inn in St Agnes was crowned Pub of the Year at the annual VisitEngland awards.

The announcements marked the conclusion of the 2023/24 awards cycle which started in 2023 when businesses from across the country entered their local tourism awards.

The national winners were announced at a glittering event in Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel with categories ranging from Attractions, Pubs and Self Catering businesses to B&Bs, Small Hotel and New Tourism Business.

While The Peterville Inn took Gold in the pub category, My Cottages in St Ives won Silver for Self Catering and The Pig at Harlyn Bay took Bronze in the Small Hotel of the Year category.

Robin Barker from south west awards organiser, Services for Tourism, said: “It was a delight to share in the success of an astounding group of tourism businesses. Their commitment to excellence, sustainability, accessibility and customer service is a testament to their whole teams, whether managers, front of house staff, cleaners or volunteers.”

family,” said chairman Roger French.

“Our roots in Cornwall go back generations, and we understand the responsibility that comes with stewarding such iconic establishments.

‘The Falmouth Hotel holds a special place in the hearts of many, and we are committed to ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.”

Ben Young, MD of The Cornwall Hotel Collection, added: “Falmouth deserves its eponymous hotel to shine brightly as a beacon of pride for the town.

“This is more than just a business deal for us. The Cornwall Hotel Collection has many personal ties and anecdotal links to The Falmouth Hotel. My family were on the board of directors for the original company, right up until the hotel was acquired by the Richardson Group in 2005, and the foundation stone was laid in 1865 by the brother of the first owner of our hotel in Truro.

“We are focused on preserving and improving the hotel for the benefit of the town, the employees, and all stakeholders involved.”

ALL SET FOR SEASPACE

Cornwall’s “first coastal aparthotel” will open its doors this autumn.

SeaSpace, on the site of the former Sands Resort in Porth, features 56 self-catering spaces with studios and two or threebedroom apartments.

There will be a café and deli in the lobby area and a bar and restaurant.

Other facilities, which will also be open to the local community, include a reimagined

19-metre pool, refurbed gym and a five court padel tennis club, with two of the courts under a retractable roof, allowing year-round play.

SeaSpace CEO, Ben Harper, said: “SeaSpace will be stepping into new territory, moving away from the conventional hotel and self-catering accommodation models to put freedom and community first – without compromising on quality. We’re enjoying breathing new life into the space and look forward to creating a place where everyone feels like they belong.”

NEW ST IVES RESTAURANT

Renowned chef Dorian Janmaat is opening his first solo outpost this month.

Janmaat, who honed his culinary style as the award-winning executive head chef of The Idle Rocks Hotel in St Mawes and before that at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, is opening Ardo in the heart of St Ives on July 8.

Set on Fore Street, the casual dining restaurant will pay homage to Janmaat’s love of the Mediterranean coast and Cornwall, where he spent much of his upbringing. Spanish-influenced small plates will celebrate locally and Andalusian-sourced produce, along with the freshest Cornish seafood and dry aged cuts, cooked simply over charcoal.

He said: “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to open a restaurant, and I can’t wait to throw open Ardor’s doors and welcome visitors, locals, friends and family in the best way we know how –with beautiful food and wine.

Ardor is set to open its doors from July 8.

TOP OF THE PUBS

St Austell Brewery has been placed second in a list of the UK’s top pub operators, based on customer feedback and reputation.

CGA by NIQ’s PubTrack service unveiled its latest rankings of Britain’s biggest pub operators, based on guests’ satisfaction, revisit and recommendation scores. Brunning & Price, part of The Restaurant Group, topped the list for a second year in a row.

St Austell CEO, Kevin Georgel, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be named top pub operator in the south west and second in the country for the experiences we offer for our guests. This is particularly meaningful for us, as it’s based on the feedback and scores of those guests.”

Meanwhile, the brewery has reported “strong” growth for the last financial year.

GYLLY PLANS UPDATE

Following meetings with residents and stakeholders, the team behind Gylly Beach Café have shared their updated plans for the space.

The revised plan, which was submitted to Cornwall Council last month, sees the additional seating extension to the front of the beach and boat moorings halted.

Instead, a brand-new seated decking area to the side of the café will replace the current watersports containers, with renovation plans to upgrade and improve

the existing terrace area.

Healeys purchased Gylly Beach Café in August last year under the Cyderhouse Co Ltd Group. MD, Joe Healey said: “Last autumn, we circulated a first round of visuals for ideas to improve the café. Since then, we’ve met with local stakeholders and residents to discuss the plans and hear their views. We’ve listened to the feedback, which was incredibly supportive overall, but also highlighted that the previous plan for the decking area on the beach would take away from prime spots for sunbathers.”

DRIFTWOOD SPARS FOR SALE

The Driftwood Spars inn and microbrewery in St Agnes have been put on the market with a guide price of £3.25 million.

As well as the ‘brewpub’ itself, which features several characterful bar and restaurant areas, the freehold listing includes 15 letting bedrooms, a large private car park, and an outdoor hospitality space known as The Crib

Despite “challenging” trading conditions for the hospitality industry, for the 52-week period to 31 December 2023, the brewery posted a 15% lift in operating profit to £13.2 million off the back of record turnover of £229.5 million.

Non-executive chairman, Will Michelmore, said: “I am pleased to report that St Austell

Shack - all overlooking Trevaunance Cove.

Landlady, Louise Treseder, said: “I’ve made the extremely difficult decision to put the pub on the market because I want to dedicate more time to my other responsibilities and interests. My ambition is to find new owners who understand what the pub means to the local community, and who will be able to preserve its soul while reimagining it for the next generation.”

Brewery has once again achieved record turnover, but importantly, this increase in sales has also been converted into improved operating profit.

“We are very proud of these results given the challenges that the company and wider sector continues to face.”

NCI BOUGHT BY CROFT

Penryn-based IT support company NCI Technologies is under new ownership.

The company has been acquired by the Hertford-headquarterd Croft, a business IT company which has operations across England and Wales.

NCI Technologies’ CEO, Chris Penrose, said: “The team at NCI are excited to be part of Croft, I have found Mark and Phil (CEO Mark Bramley and COO Phil Waters) to be extremely honest, flexible and supportive throughout the process.

“It is a good time for NCI to be part of something bigger, the team have a lot to bring to the table and I am sure it will provide new and interesting possibilities, both internally and for our customers.”

NATIONAL AWARD FOR WILDANET

Wildanet was named the UK’s Best Rural Fibre Provider at the UK Fibre Awards.

ASK WILD

The national restaurant chain ASK Italian has appointed Wild Card to manage its strategic communications following a four-way competitive pitch which included the incumbent agency.

“We knew Wild Card was going to be the right partner for us after we bonded over our strong sense of purpose that

The accolade represents a significant achievement for Liskeard-based Wildanet, which was flying the flag for Cornwall against tough national competition, including industry heavyweights such as Openreach and Gigaclear.

The UK Fibre Awards celebrate the best in technology, projects, people, organisations, sustainability, culture and community initiatives from the UK’s booming fibre, AltNet and carrier sectors.

Wildanet also won an award for Best Sustainability Programme and was Highly Commended in the Sales/ Commercial Team of the Year category.

AGILE AND GOLD

A Cornwall communications agency has gained gold standard accreditation for offering employees a four-day working week.

The Agile Communications Agency, based in Truro, has been offering employees a four-day working week since April last year and has now signed up for accreditation with a national campaign.

The 4 Day Week Campaign strives for

businesses and organisations to establish a 32 hour working week with no loss of pay, to benefit workers, employers, the economy and society.

Founder and director Rachel Foster said: “We make our 30-hour week work by reviewing capacity, profitability and productivity on a regular basis.

“We employ Agile ways of working in everything we do and that’s about delivering value, not the amount of time your team spends at work.”

connects with their own,” said ASK Italian marketing director, Corinne Prior.

Wild Card MD, Georgie Upton, added: “ASK is one of the most recognised restaurant brands in the UK… We are combining our food and hospitality expertise and pulling on the strengths of our PR and digital divisions to deliver campaigns that will keep it front of mind for memorable meals.”

‘HALLMARK OF EXCELLENCE’

Cornish PR and communications agency, Analogy, has been accredited by the Public Relations & Communications Association (PRCA) through its Communications Management Standard (CMS).

The PRCA CMS is “a hallmark of excellence in the public relations industry, recognising agencies that demonstrate exceptional management practices, client service, and commitment to diversity and inclusion”. Co-founder and strategy director, Katherine Kowalski, said: “Achieving the prestigious Communications Management Standard accreditation demonstrates that exceptional, international standard PR and strategic communications expertise can be found right here in Cornwall.”

FROM CORNWALL TO MADAGSCAR

A new initiative is launching this summer in collaboration with businesses in Cornwall and Madagascar.

TSAP Education is the brainchild of Falmouth University graduate, Chloe Lingard, and her start-up, The Sustain Ability Project CIC (TSAP).

CONSERVATION COURSE

Graduates and conservation enthusiasts can now apply for a new Master of Science degree in Conservation Project Management at Newquay University Centre Cornwall College.

From this September, in partnership with the University of Plymouth, the Newquay-based campus of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), has announced the planned launch of its course, designed to “redefine the landscape of conservation education”.

The level 7 MSc degree has been designed to bridge the gap in essential skills amongst some graduates of traditional zoology and wildlife conservation degrees.

Head of campus, Ruth Martin, said: “The launch marks an exciting moment for conservationists, environmentalists and ecologists of the future. By equipping our students with the multifaceted expertise and real-world practices, we are empowering them to thrive in their chosen careers.

The business bootcamp, which is targeted at students aged 14-17, aims to connect young minds from Cornwall and Madagascar through the power of the internet.

Lingard explained: “By connecting students from Cornwall and Madagascar, TSAP Education aims to foster a sense of global citizenship and mutual respect among young learners,” she added. “This initiative underscores the importance of understanding different cultures, perspectives, and business practices in an increasingly interconnected world.”

Local businesses and community members are being invited to support this initiative.

By partnering with TSAP Education, Lingard says businesses can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of young entrepreneurs and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

ACADEMY LAUNCH

A new digital learning academy has launched in Cornwall.

After 18 years of working with leaders and managers across policing, health, manufacturing, professional services and government, Elevate People recently launched a digital learning platform – Elevate People Academy.

The two launch courses, Emotional Intelligence and Resilience, are anchored in positive psychology and are CPD accredited.

Founder and director, Tracie Seebold, said: “As a Penzance-based business we would love to work with other businesses across Cornwall. Our Open Cohorts are designed for SMEs to attend the courses with people from other businesses. The digital courses are accessible to all and designed to be flexible to meet the needs of business today.”

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

The Future Skills Institute at Truro and Penwith College has announced its latest package of career and professional development training.

The college’s 19+ career-driven learning options sit under its Future Skills Institute, with training and facilities developed in collaboration with employers and in line with Cornwall’s Local Skills Improvement Plan.

The training encompasses a huge range of professional qualifications, short courses, degrees at the University Centre Truro & Penwith and a targeted range of apprenticeships to offer 300 training and skills solutions to boost businesses and careers.

The college’s range of professional development courses is available in more than 15 learning areas from automotive, engineering and construction to business, education, nursing and computing.

Charli Styles, programme team leader of Future Skills at the college, said: “Expanding the college’s highly regarded range of training in line with employer and learner need across professional short courses, qualifications and apprenticeships has been a key focus ahead of the 2024/25 academic year and we are delighted to launch the enhanced offer for September 2024.

“I’d strongly encourage employers and adults seeking to boost their skills to contact the college to explore the range of options and take advantage of our expert funding advice.”

Well, this is it. After 12 and a bit years I am stepping down as CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.

As you will have seen from the front cover, I have the great pleasure of handing the baton over to the wonderful John Brown. I honestly can’t think of a better person for the job.

He’s a successful businessman in Cornwall, so he knows the lay of the land. He’s also a huge advocate for sustainability and has been a great supporter of our Planet C campaign.

I like to think I leave this position with the business community in a much more confident and dynamic state than it was when I joined the Chamber. The pandemic, Brexit, European funding cuts, and let’s face it, relentlessly tough business conditions since, have built resilience and encouraged the spirit of collaboration.

IT’S GOODBYE FROM ME, AND HELLO FROM HIM

By the time you read this, we will have a new Government. The British Chambers of Commerce is apolitical (and unless you’ve seen me in the pub this week, so am I), so whatever the outcome, it will continue to lobby hard for the private sector. SMEs are the rock of society and we need a Government that understands the employment power they hold.

What can I say – it’s been an absolute pleasure!

There are too many highlights to mention, but I am very proud of the brilliant 30 under 30 awards and our Nexgen events that have provided a much-needed space for Cornwall’s young business people. Planet C has provided a forum for so many younger, femaleled businesses to have a voice through the Chamber. I’m also thrilled to have successfully launched a Cornwall Angel Network with the support of British Business Bank; and I leave satisfied that our Large Enterprise Action Group (LEAG) is achieving exactly what I hoped it would.

I really believe Cornwall is going places, and – I’m not just saying this, I think Cornwall Chamber is different to other chambers in the country (for all the right reasons). John has a very exciting journey ahead of him.

Some of you may have met John at our Connected Lunch, but if not, be sure to attend Cornwall Business Fair on July 17. We’ll both be there and it promises to be another fantastic event.

Speaking of which, my parting gift to Cornwall’s business community was to send a strongly-worded letter to Lord Hutton, the new chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum. I stressed the importance of ensuring an open dialogue with the private sector, with the first job being to consult Cornwall’s businesses on the Council’s new economic strategy. It is vital this forum doesn’t become another public sector venture where the private sector has to deliver something it has had no input in crafting.

So that’s me, what can I say – it’s been an absolute pleasure. I will continue championing Cornwall’s incredible businesses on a local and national stage through the positions I still hold. And perhaps internationally from my sun lounger, should the chance arise.

All jokes aside, I remain active in the Chamber through my new role as non-executive president. I also continue as chair of the trustees at Cornwall Community Foundation, with a special focus on their Business Club. In my position as a Deputy Lieutenant, I will be calling up a few of you to encourage you to enter the King’s Award for Enterprise, and if our paths still don’t cross, maybe you’ll spot me hauling a box of Navas Drinks around – I am to take on a few key accounts at the company I co-founded.

Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Cornwall Champion of Commerce, it’s been an honour.

Over and out – mic drop.

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.

Cornwall Chamber CEO, Kim Conchie, bids a fond farewell. Email: hello@cornwallchamber.co.uk

FEATURED EVENT

17 JULY

CORNWALL BUSINESS FAIR

Truro School

The Cornwall Business Fair brings together businesses from various sectors, providing them with opportunities to showcase their products and services, network with other professionals, and learn from industry experts through seminars, workshops, and keynote speeches.

The day kicks off with a special Cornwall Chamber BIG Breakfast networking event. cornwallchamber.co.uk

EVENTS

July/August 2024

11

JULY

WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCH

Penventon Hotel, Redruth

All are welcome to the Women in Business Lunch on the second Thursday of each month. yourpartnerships.co.uk

12 HEADFORWARDS

DIGITAL ACADEMY

FibreHub, Pool

Learn how to make the most of your digital transformation project and how Headforwards Digital Academy can help your people harness the tools that will deliver the outcomes your business needs. headforwards.com

12 CORNWALL CONVERSATIONS

Foot Anstey, Truro

The hot topic this month is the tourism and hospitality industry, featuring guest speakers Laura Clerehugh (Healey’s), Sacha Cauwels-Wigan (Gwen an Mor) and Rupert Cooper (Philleigh Way Cookery School).

cornwallchamber.co.uk

18 YOUR PARTNERSHIPS OPEN HOUSE

Victoria Inn, Roche

This is the original home of Your Partnerships and this is always a great meeting. If you have never experienced an Open House with Your Partnerships at the birth home of Your Partnerships you are missing out.

yourpartnerships.co.uk

19 GYLLY DIPPERS

St Michaels Resort, Falmouth

Cornwall Chamber and Sara Tremayne Taylor from Brooks Financial Planning Limited have teamed up with St Michaels Resort to create The Gylly Dippers - a monthly net-swimming and breakfast club. cornwallchamber.co.uk

24 TESLA & NAKED SOLAR

Naked Solar, Newquay

An evening celebrating the launch of the groundbreaking Tesla Powerwall 3, a new and innovative product set to revolutionise the Solar and Battery Storage market! nakedsolar.co.uk

25 NETWORK HFC

Hall for Cornwall, Truro

Network HfC gathers a free-range collective of individuals from business, creative, tech and media, for an informal monthly get-together. Each session culminates with a Q&A with a Cornwallbased leader of their field.

hallforcornwall.co.uk

25

THE PIG DIPPERS

The Pig at Harlyn Bay

Blow away the cobwebs. Netswimming and breakfast club for those who want to start their day fresh! cornwallchamber.co.uk

AUGUST

6 WEST CORNWALL NETWALKING

Portreath

Join Your Partnerships for its monthly Netwalking events along some of the mining trails in West Cornwall, with event host Ed Chapman. yourpartnerships.co.uk

7 CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH

Padstow Harbour Hotel

Join Cornwall Chamber of Commerce for its networking lunch which this month comes from the Padstow Harbour Hotel. £36 for members and £51 for non members. cornwallchamber.co.uk

8 WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCH

Penventon Hotel, Redruth

All are welcome to the Women in Business Lunch on the second Thursday of each month.

yourpartnerships.co.uk

15 THE PIG DIPPERS

The Pig at Harlyn Bay

Blow away the cobwebs. Netswimming and breakfast club for those who want to start their day fresh!

cornwallchamber.co.uk

28 CORNWALL CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST

St Michaels Resort, Falmouth

Cornwall Chamber’s flagship networking event this month comes from St Michaels, with guest speaker Richard Woods, MD of Cornwall’s Rewind Radio.

corwnallchamber.co.uk

28 NETWORK HFC

Hall for Cornwall, Truro

Network HfC gathers a free-range collective of individuals from business, creative, tech and media, for an informal monthly get-together. Each session culminates with a Q&A with a Cornwall-based leader of their field. hallforcornwall.co.uk

For further details of these and more networking events visit businesscornwall.co.uk

To publicise your event for free, email news@businesscornwall.co.uk

Your Partnerships is Cornwall’s largest networking group, with meetings throughout 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.

For meeting dates (online and in-person), visit our website at yourpartnerships.co.uk YOUR PARTNERSHIPS, CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW!

CONNECTED

Gallery of some recent Cornish events.

ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW

This year’s Royal Cornwall Show again drew in the numbers, with the sun shining (mainly) across the three-days on 117,447 attendees.

UK MINING CONFERENCE

YEAR IN REVIEW

Falmouth University’s Cornwall Business School hosted its inaugural Year in Review Business Conference, focusing on the subject of ‘building resilience’.

The fifth annual Cornwall Mining Conference drew a record number of delegates from Cornwall to Canada and culminated in a celebratory gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth. Photos by Steve Woodcock.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT WINNER

CLIVE NEWALL (CORNISH TIN) AND STEVE DOUBLE

STEVE DOUBLE, DOM BARRACLOUGH (FINCH CONSULTING) AND TAUTUS RISING STAR SEAN CLEVELAND (CORNISH LITHIUM)

JEREMY WRATHALL (CORNISH LITHIUM)

BUSINESS CORNWALL LIVE!

Tregothnan’s Jonathon Jones was guest speaker at a special networking breakfast hosted by Business Cornwall at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show.

ARTS ON THE BEACH

Protecting the ocean was the theme for a Watergate Bay Hotel creative family weekender that featured a line-up of live theatre and music, dance, performance workshops and talks.

IAN JONES (CEO OF GOONHILLY SPACE STATION AND CURATOR OF THE SPIRIT OF TREVITHICK AWARD)

TAMAS HAYDU (CORNWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION) AND DARREN BUCKLEY (TRURO CITY FC)

JONATHON JONES (TREGOTHNAN), JEANNIE CAIN (ASC FINANCE), PENNY PADDLE (SPENCER WEST)

CAROLINE CARTER, NICK EYRIEY,

TONI EYRIEY (ALL BUSINESS CORNWALL), JONATHON JONES (TREGOTHNAN)

DETRITUS

NICK WHITE

Sharp’s Brewing Co brand activation manager.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?

An actor.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB?

A floor manager for big events at venues such as the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Olympia London. I worked on events such as the Motor Show and Crufts.

WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS?

Keys to our Sharp’s truck that has beer taps built in and, of course, the obligatory smart phone.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX?

Getting in the sea has always been a favourite way for me to relax and jumping the waves with my kids is my new favourite version of this activity. Although you can’t beat dancing to some live music or vinyl DJ sets at B-Sides Social Club up in Bude!

IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Well, being born here, I do love Cornwall, but my wife’s mother is Norwegian and I also love Norway. It would be great to build a Norwegian style cabin on the water with snowy mountains nearby.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

Myself and our excellent beer sommelier at Sharp’s, Ed Hughes, came up with an experience called Silent Bistro and the first time we did it was at a massive event (no pressure). It went down a storm at Rock Oyster Festival last year and turned into a sort of silent disco with loads of other people spontaneously joining us. It was completely magical and joyful - my two favourite ingredients when creating experiences for people.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

I once forgot to confirm the order of carpet for one of the UK’s biggest exhibitions! That sinking feeling will never be forgotten. Although, there is always a positive as this situation made me realise the power of building strong relationships. It was the whole event network that grouped together to save the day and all was well.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM?

Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool football manager because he is my kind of leader and Kristy Forbes an Australian Neurodiversity advocate whose words have had a massive impact on me.

IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM?

The miracle of collective open-mindedness to help us all see and celebrate each other’s differences, busting the myth of ‘normal’.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE?

I once committed to a place to live in London when I knew in my heart I wanted to get back to Cornwall. The elongated wait to leave the city felt way too long but it all worked out well in the end.

WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK?

Years ago, when travelling I arrived in Sydney, Australia with just a few pounds left to my name. On the exact same day, I was given a free place to stay, a car to borrow and spotted by an old colleague who gave me a big project manager job on Grand Designs Live Australia!

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?

In recent years, I have been lucky to create experiences and conceive of new products for Sharp’s, including Cold River Cider, Solar Wave and Twin Coast. In five years’ time, I would love to have further embraced my creativeness, developing more new products and collaborations.

We have over ten FR EE programmes of suppor t to help you work smar ter and grow your business .

You don’ t have to worr y about which suppor t is right for you - that is why the G row th H ub is here ! Together we will have a f ree business review to discuss all the options and point you in the right direc tion

You c an also sign up on our website for one- o event s and work shops . These are a mix of in person and online covering hot topic s such as AI and inclusivit y to business basic s like sales and marketing , innovation or planning

O ur f riendly team of loc ally based exper t s are independent, impar tial and totally f ree !