Business Cornwall July/Aug 2018

CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION businesscornwall.co.uk

JULY / AUGUST 2018 / ISSUE 122 / £3.95

MERLIN CINEMAS OWNER GEOFF GREAVES

IT & DIGITAL FOCUS

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Join the Mission Become an Appeal Partner

Cornwall Air Ambulance has been saving lives in Cornwall since 1987, caring for people in moments of crisis. With the launch of our £2.5m New Heli Appeal to bring a next generation helicopter to Cornwall, there has never been a more exciting time to join us as part of our Appeal Business Partner scheme.

With a unique approach to partnerships and a wide range of exciting benefits to offer, we carefully design a bespoke support plan around your business to meet your needs and objectives.

We have already partnered with some fantastic local businesses and there are a limited number of appeal partnerships available. Talk to us today about becoming an appeal partner – we can tailor a package to suit every budget. Together we can save more time and save more lives.

Appeal Partner Packages Available: Bronze: £1,000 Silver: £2,500

Gold: £5,000

Major: £10,000

For more information, contact Steph Preston-Evans, Corporate Fundraising Officer, on 01637 889926 or email corporate@cornwallairambulancetrust.org Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust Trevithick Downs, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4DY Registered charity 1133295

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JULY / AUGUST 2018

ISSUE 122

INSIDE FEATURES

REGULARS

10 – BUSINESS GROWTH

4

HOW THE LAUNCHPAD PROGAMME IS CREATING DIGITAL STARS OF TOMORROW

HIGH STREET RETAIL

6

WE TALK TO MERLIN CINEMAS OWNER, GEOFF GREAVES

34

17 – WOOD PAPER SCISSORS

35

18 – COMPANY PROFILE CORNISH FIRM OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS, LANG BENNETTS

20 – IT & DIGITAL FOCUS ON CORNWALL’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL SECTOR

BUSINESS NEWS SEASALT EXPORT SUCCESS

12 – CEO INTERVIEW

“YIN AND YAN IN EVERY SENSE OF THE TERM”

INCOMING

ON THE MOVE MOVERS AND SHAKERS

FSB LASTEST NEWS FROM FSB

36

TOURISM TOP CHEFFING COLLABORATION

37

EDUCATION UAE DATE FOR SSE

38

CREATIVE & IT CORNWALL IN THE CAPITAL

40

JUST A THOUGHT BBC CORNWALL’S DAPHNE SKINNARD

42

TEST DRIVE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE BMW 6 SERIES GT

44

EVENTS DIARY SUMMER WHAT’S ON

46

CONNECTED ROYAL VISIT TO ROYAL CORNWALL

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THE LAST WORD GYLLY COMPUTERS’ SIMON CADDY

PHOTO: TEST DRIVE, SEE P42

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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JULY / AUGUST 2018

ISSUE 122

WELCOME EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Hill caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Daphne Skinnard DESIGN Hutch Agency - hutchagency.co.uk Printed in Cornwall by Deltor BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by: Tonick Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road Redruth TR15 3PL Tel: 01209 718688 SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk

ON THE COVER GEOFF GREAVES CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION businesscornwall.co.uk

JULY / AUGUST 2018 / ISSUE 122 / £3.95

MERLIN CINEMAS OWNER GEOFF GREAVES

IT & DIGITAL FOCUS

ARE YOU FULLY SUPPORTED?

LAUNCHPAD

DIGITAL STARS OF TOMORROW

07 SPONSORED BY

07 9 772514

842001

9 772514

842001

Let us help you make an amazing first impression.

TEL: 01726 72548 | WWW.NATIONWIDEPRINT.CO.UK

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Business Cornwall magazine is proud to be a business partner of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

Playing the waiting game You could certainly never accuse the Government of rushing things could you?

Brexit negotiations – if that is the right word – appear to be moving on at an escargot’s pace, while the expansion at Heathrow Airport will be happening ‘dreckly’.

Closer to home we have the Government’s hotlyanticipated decision on whether it is going to match the Council’s £3 million for the Stadium for Cornwall. While I understand the money has been agreed in principal, the only spades going into the ground this month appear to be down the local beach.

And then there’s the decision whether Newquay will win its bid to be home to the UK’s first spaceport. A ruling was due before the end of March, then we were told in “early May”. Like passengers at a train station, we’re still waiting.

Although sod’s law, an announcement will be made just as this goes to press. If this is the case, congratulations/ commiserations to all involved (delete where appropriate).

In this month’s issue we meet Geoff Greaves, owner of Merlin Cinemas. Merlin has been a great Cornish success story and now owns picture houses from Penzance up to Thurso.

Also in this issue we focus on Cornwall’s IT and digital sector and meet Cornwall’s first wireless internet service provider, Wildanet.

Have a great summer.

We have the Government’s hotlyanticipated decision on whether it is going to match the Council’s £3 million for the Stadium for Cornwall

EDITOR BUSINESS CORNWALL Business Cornwall magazine is proud to be media partner of the FSB

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.

Wow your customers. Stand out from the competition. Win more business.

TEL: 01726 72548 | WWW.NATIONWIDEPRINT.CO.UK

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Now offering a wider range of outsourcing software solutions.

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Contact our Special Projects Division to find out how we can help you.

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INCOMING

THE CONVERSATION

The big question As an increasing number of retail chains report difficulties or shut up shop altogether, what is the future for these type of businesses on our high streets? Does it offer an opportunity for independent retailers, or is it a broader sign of the times that the retail sector is irrevocably changing? As more and more people shop online, what is the future for our high streets?

Join the conversation @biz_cornwall

/businesscornwall

businesscornwall.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

IP PROTECTION AND BUSINESS SALES Deal experts from Stephens Scown LLP will be sharing their tips in this regular column. This month Kathryn Heath, associate in the intellectual property team, explains why it is important to protect your intangible assets when growing your business

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

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THE CONVERSATION

MEL MARTIN

Camborne BID

Retail businesses have to offer what customers want, that has always been the case. However, what the Internet has brought is a way to shop that doesn’t require premises to sell goods and this is the real change and challenge. Retailers who understand this will succeed if they offer multi-ways to shop and excellent customer service. Independent businesses can also thrive if they get their local community behind them and, understanding what people need and how they want to buy it, do all they can to meet modern-day demand.

The high street has never been purely about retail - it should also service businesses, health, leisure and education and be a venue for daytime and evening events that engage both residents and visitors.

Situated in the heart of the town, the high street should reclaim its role of being a place for the community to come together in times of celebration and on a day to day basis.

MICHELE POYNTER

Retail Fixers

I think it could be an opportunity for some independents, but it really depends on what sector they are in, what their business model looks like, what size of town/city they are and how close they are to out of town shopping outlets with free parking. If they are a stack it high, sell it cheap model, then it may not be opportunity at all. However, if they have a premium offering, coupled with knowledgeable staff and great customer service which creates a great shopping experience, then is could be an opportunity. Sadly however, I do think the high street is going to continue to decline if we don't see big changes coming from the top, for example a higher rate of VAT on online purchases, free parking in town centres to match the free delivery offered online and lower rents and rates.

P

rotecting your intellectual property rights will add significant value to your business. And getting this wrong could create a risk many buyers do not want to take.

Even if selling your business is a distant prospect at the moment, carrying out an intellectual property audit is a useful process, allowing you to understand how to protect your brand and products – which are often the most valuable assets you own.

An IP audit should cover big items like trademarks, logos and design rights and Government funding may be available to help with this. It is also important to ensure you

INCOMING

RICHARD WILCOX Falmouth BID What we are witnessing at the moment is a seismic shift, a pace of change that has taken many respected brands and organisations frankly, by surprise. So why are we seeing this? There are many influencing factors, with the exponential rise of the internet and online shopping cited as the major one. Add to that a business rates model that many business leaders and trade membership bodies agree is not fit for purpose, fragile in-town transport infrastructure in many areas across the country, rising car parking tariffs and uncertainties surrounding Brexit, and it becomes clearer as to why footfall in town centres has taken a downward turn in many instances and especially so since the recession in 2009.

But to state the obvious, people do still shop both in-store and even more so as mentioned, online, and many of our familiar high street names have been slow to react to this fact.

Truly understanding and then proactively responding to consumer behaviour; the needs and wants of the shopper underpins a lot of this. There will be further challenges of course but there is a need for retail businesses to be much more digitally savvy, with a much closer

CARL LAMB St Ives BID

The St Ives retail community is predominantly made up of independent retailers but more national chains have been looking to move in.

High rents on key trading streets in St Ives like Fore St and The Wharf make it extremely tough for businesses to survive all year round, and the increase in business rates, especially when combined with increased rents, has proved too much for some town businesses.

People are increasingly shopping online more often, so town centres need to offer much more than just shops to compete. St Ives BID’s vision of a vibrant town centre is one which enhances

own the copyright in your website and that the domain name is registered correctly. These are often issues that are overlooked and can throw a spanner in the works at the last minute of a deal.

Particularly with increased press in this area, buyers will also be expecting target businesses to have a sufficient GDPR program in place, including appropriate registrations and policies.

A prudent buyer will look for warranties on intellectual property ownership and will want to know that the business they are buying has sufficient intellectual property protection in place before proceeding. Getting this right now, could save you time and increase the value of your business in the long run.

connection between their physical and virtual retail offer. The days of turning the shop sign to ‘open’ and waiting for customers to walk through the door are over!

All of which means that high streets will evolve.

Consumers will define what they wish to see from their town centres and it will be up to all of us, from Government-level down, to proactively respond. Reduce barriers that may impinge visits, invest in our public realm and transport systems, give many compelling reasons to visit with a colourful mix of year-round festivals, events, street fairs and markets. Digitallyconnected high streets that are destinations in their own right and not solely perceived as being there to service the convenience shopper. The independent retail sector has a crucial role to play here and we should justifiably be proud and give support to the very high percentage of small outlets trading in Cornwall’s towns and villages. Consumers will ever more so, demand authenticity and businesses that have a strong provenance and connection to the areas in which they serve as we see in the Duchy, are well placed if properly supported by our governing bodies, to flourish.

the customer experience and offers social interaction alongside shopping to counter that; enticing cafes and restaurants, as well as an enjoyable atmosphere and visitor attractions, all help to extend dwell time, increase spend, and deter people from resorting to online shopping.

The UK high street has always been a melting pot for ideas – a place where a myriad of business sectors and creative influences operate alongside multinational and independent retailers. And of course, this has historically and still continues to play, a vital role in respect of community cohesion.

Kathryn Heath has recently joined Stephens Scown’s intellectual property team as an associate. Please contact Kathryn if you would like help to conduct an IP audit or if you have any questions about intellectual property or the GDPR. Kathryn is available on 01872 265100, corporate.cornwall@ stephens-scown.co.uk or via www.stephens-scown.co.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

cornwallchamber.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL SALES STARS PHOTO: SEASALT CO FOUNDERS NEIL AND SOPHIE CHADWICK

A Cornish clothing retailer has been named to a list of Britain’s fastest-growing international sales stars.

The annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales.

Ranked in 28th position, Falmouth-based Seasalt is a new entrant on the list and

ADVERTORIAL

Cornwall’s only entry this year.

The business, which was founded in 1981 as a store in Penzance, sells its Cornishinspired clothing to 56 countries around the world, including Germany – its largest export market.

International sales have grown 98% over the past two years, reaching £2.2 million in 2017 out of total annual sales of £41.4 million.

Cornwall Council Leader Adam Paynter has delivered a rallying call for Cornwall to be ambitious for itself and its people and claim its place on the national and international stage.

Delivering his first State of Cornwall in the National Context speech at a recent Council meeting, he said: “In a world such as this it would be easy to shrink away from responsibility, looking passively at the events of the wider world. But I believe that now, more than ever, is the time for leadership; the time for putting Cornwall firmly on the map in the consciousness not only of people in these islands but beyond; the time to create a vision for our people that provides opportunity for one and all.”

He added: “Working closely with the Local Enterprise Partnership on which I sit, Cornwall is now attracting national and international interest in its world class areas such as creative and digital industries and is ambitious in emerging areas such as space technologies with its Spaceport bid. This Council has also levered in European funding to support low carbon projects including the UK’s first deep geothermal project, enabling energy to be generated from hot rocks.

“We need to grow our strengths in global industries like renewable energy, creative and digital technologies, and build on our mining heritage to exploit our lithium resources to develop batteries for electric vehicles.”

DIGITAL RETURNS

Are you ready for making tax digital, asks PKF Francis Clark’s Ian Hughes?

6

CALL FOR AMBITION

rom 1 April 2019 the Government is introducing its Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV) legislation which affects all VAT registered businesses with a taxable turnover in excess of £85k a year.

If your business is affected by the changes, VAT returns prepared for a period commencing on or after 1 April 2019 must be submitted to HMRC directly by software and not manually through the existing Government Gateway. This means

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

cornwallchamber.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Harbour Brewing has secured a new national supermarket listing. The Bodminbased brewery’s Helles Lager is now available in Morrisons stores across the country in 660ml bottles. Other beers from Harbour’s core range are available nationally in Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, and Asda.

Property and construction consultancy, Ward Williams Associates, has opened a new office in Salisbury, cementing its position in the south and south west alongside its other branches in Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, London, and its Truro HQ.

CORNWALL

CUNLIFFE GOES SOLO

One of Cornwall’s leading estate agents is going back to his roots to create a niche, highend property agency for Cornwall.

After 25 years working in Cornwall’s prime residential markets, most recently as a senior director at Savills, Jonathan Cunliffe has decided to branch out on his own.

He said: “As my managerial work expanded and I spent more and more time working away

from Cornwall, I got to really miss actually dealing with people who want to buy and sell their homes,” he said.

“Setting up my own firm is a big move, but estate agency has and is changing so much: while the Internet dominates much of the market, in recent years I’ve seen a trend for more properties in the prime market changing hands without any online presence at all.”

The National Lobster Hatchery won the Stewardship & Sustainability Award at the inaugural 2018 Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards.

Husband and wife team Alex and Tanya Williams of the Polgooth Inn have been named Licensee of the Year 2018 at the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) Awards.

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CAMPER CONVERSION?

your method of record keeping must be capable of interacting directly with HMRC by 1 April 2019.

Although MTD represents a fundamental and unprecedented change to the UK tax system, it also represents a huge opportunity for UK businesses and taxpayers to modernise their record keeping and start using real time data to plan their business strategies.

Our recommendation, where right for the business, is a move to cloud accounting. There are a variety of products on the market that provide benefits beyond the basic bookkeeping functionality from the removal of the manual entry of invoices and bank transactions, to electronic payment solutions, automated debt collection,

A Cornish camper van conversion company has completed a project it believes could be one of the most expensive VW-based conversions in the world – ever!

Portreath-based Ecowagon has designed and built a bespoke, luxury Volkswagen Transporter conversion worth in excess of £100k.

Commissioned for a once in a lifetime trip across

South Africa, the owners of the van had specific requirements in mind for their custom build.

Ecowagon co-owner Kenny Green said: “Jeff and Nikki came to us with some very specific requirements for their camper build, which were quite challenging to meet, but we get a great buzz at Ecowagon from turning customers dream into reality.”

and industry specifics such as stock tools, webshop and till systems, etc.

Cloud accounting can be about more than just compliant software. It is a way of working together with your accountant who, with remote access possible, will be able to guide your business and spot potential issues or tax planning opportunities early on. The availability of real-time, business critical information

allows you to identify patterns and trends and take advantage of them quickly.

Although April 2019 may sound far away, we would recommend that businesses consider any potential change sooner rather than later to facilitate a smooth transition into the new legislation next year.

E: ian.hughes@pkf-francisclark.co.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

sapc.co.uk

COCKWELLS LUXURY VISION Classic boatbuilder Cockwells has unveiled its latest “ultra-luxurious” tender.

Combining durable composites with the resilience of yellow cedar and the sleekness of teak, the ‘Titian Tender’ was launched at Falmouth’s Port Pendennis Marina before a gathering of invited guests.

Cockwells says the new tender is not just another “beautiful bespoke boat” but a

“modern masterpiece of artisan craftsmanship and technical ingenuity”, featuring copperinfused caulking and silk panels imbued with original fine art for the interior.

Founder and MD, Dave Cockwell, said: “It has been a privilege to breathe life into this design. We can only hope that it will bring as much pleasure to the owner as it has to the Cockwells’ team in realising their vision.”

PRINTER GOES ELECTRIC Nationwide Print in St Austell has taken receipt of a new Volkswagen e-Golf, cementing its status as one of the UK’s most environmentallyfriendly printing firms.

The new, 100% electric vehicle will be charged using power generated by a large solar array on the roof of Nationwide Print HQ at the Holmbush Industrial Estate and used for local meetings and small deliveries.

Nationwide Print MD, Julian Hocking, explained: “The e-Golf has been specifically purchased to minimise the environmental impact of short trips. We meet with our Cornwall-based clients regularly to help them plan integrated marketing campaigns, and we also offer a turbo printing service for short digital print runs; using an electric vehicle for these journeys will immediately reduce our carbon footprint even further.”

The e-charging point at Nationwide Print is open to the public, who are welcome to drop in and recharge their vehicles.

Let our team of experts manage your tax, so you can get on with more important things. rrlcornwall.co.uk Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers Truro: 01872 276116 Penzance: 01736 339322

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CORNWALL

EVENT

THE SPEAKERS

JONATHAN TAME

TWO SIDES

Jonathan is the UK country manager for the Two Sides campaign, which promotes the sustainability of print and paper. Jonathan has over 30 years’ experience in the sector; recent roles include head of environment for PaperlinX merchants, and leading a successful Government programme to increase consumption of recycled paper.

THE POWER OF

DAWN REID

St Austell Printing Company is teaming with Business Cornwall magazine for a free event to help local businesses to embrace the power of their print

P

rint Power will take place at St Austell Conference Centre on Friday July 20 and features leading experts in the printing and publication industry with presentations and workshops to help business owners, managers and marketing professionals to get the most out of their printed marketing.

Matt Bunt, SAPC’s marketing and communications manager said: “It’s important to stress that this is not a sales pitch for print.

It’s about sharing advice and knowledge from the experts, ensuring that the printed aspect of your marketing mix is engaging, cost-effective and as sustainable as it can be.

“We are lucky to have an abundance of experience and knowledge at the event and this is a great opportunity to learn about how to embrace print as part of your company’s cross media marketing.”

With the Conference Centre sharing a home with SAPC, there’s also a rare opportunity to follow the story of your print through the

factory as well. In a special tour you can see first-hand how products are created for clients including Whistlefish Galleries, Rick Stein, The Eden Project and The National Trust among others. There’s also the chance to watch the production of the card game Top Trumps, which is printed by SAPC. The event will also focus on practical advice on getting the most out of printed publications, including how to produce engaging press releases and capturing photographs that increase the chances of publication. This section will feature workshops led by Business Cornwall publisher, Toni Eyriey, and printed mail expert, John Chapple from Imprimus.

The event begins at 0845am with coffee and networking, finishing with a buffet lunch being served at 1pm. The event will take place in the St Austell Conference Centre’s Sea View Suite which features stunning views across St Austell Bay.

A limited number of places are available – to secure yours please register at www.sapc.co.uk/printpower/

BPIF

British Printing Industries Federation Dawn Reid is a regional director at the BPIF, the principal business support organisation representing the UK print, printed packaging and the graphic communication industry.

TONI EYRIEY

BUSINESS CORNWALL

Toni is the publisher of Business Cornwall magazine. During her presentation, she will be sharing her hints and tips on how to create PR that will actually get noticed by editors.

JON HART, BETH MAYMAN AND MATT BUNT

ST AUSTELL PRINTING COMPANY

The Story of your Print - a journey of how your print makes it from the PDF you send in all the way through to final delivery.

JOHN CHAPPLE

IMPRIMUS

An exploration of how printed mail can drive effective marketing results in-line with traditional digital communications.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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GROWTH

PROGRAMME

READY TO Falmouth University’s Launchpad programme is creating the digital stars of tomorrow

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GROWTH

t’s crunch time for the teams from Falmouth University’s businesses incubation and acceleration programme, Launchpad.

The programme is designed to bring together teams of highly skilled software, creative digital and business minds, to develop high-growth, high-value digital companies to meet identified market demand.

The teams are reaching the end of a gruelling 12-month boot camp, during which they have been set complex challenges by industry partners including Amazon, BBC Worldwide and the globally renowned Pendennis Shipyard.

They’ve researched market opportunities, have begun to develop solutions and services based on their challenges and are now launching their new companies.

This year’s cohort includes an exciting range of businesses including Moonshine Studios. The unique Launchpad model brought together four people with complementary skills, introduced them to industry partners, provided expert mentoring, computers, software, office space, a stipend to help with living costs and

We are already recruiting junior software engineers and business development staff to help us build a global business from right here in Cornwall funding to support their start-up journey. A year later and they are about to receive £250k in investment which will allow them to hire the artists and programmers they need to take their collaborative games title ‘Get Packing’ to market.

One of the key objectives of Launchpad is to foster the creation of a digital economy in Cornwall; creating jobs, retaining talent and creating global opportunities. Over the next

PROGRAMME

five years 526 new jobs will be created and 65 new companies will be created in Cornwall.

Another of this year’s companies, Codices, is working with Amazon’s livestreaming platform, Twitch. The team is aiming to be the leading provider of tools which allow broadcasters to make, manage and monetise live, interactive, online game shows.

Tim Edwards, CEO of Codices, said: “We are already recruiting junior software engineers and business development staff to help us build a global business from right here in Cornwall.”

Codices is in the process of raising £500k in seed funding and plan to create eight new jobs in the next six months.

From Amazon to agriculture, Glas Data is a Launchpad company that’s trying to change the business of farming. It has created a cloud based ecosystem that will help farmers manage data to improve their efficiency and yields.

Speaking about joining the programme, co-founder of Glas Data, Rob Sanders, said: “It’s an opportunity to fuse the two things I love: the countryside and technology. It’s a great opportunity to try and use technology to address some of the issues in the farming industry and to make a difference in Cornwall.”

This year’s cohort of Launchpad businesses are now entering the acceleration phase and will be growing with the continuing support of the Launchpad programme and the wider University.

However, Launchpad itself is also expanding.

Thanks to funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council and investment from the university, the programme is moving into a £5 million purpose-built building which will accommodate 40 business teams by 2019.

Contact Applications for Launchpad’s September cohort are now open. For more information you can visit their website at https://falmouthlaunchpad.co.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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INTERVIEW

GEOFF GREAVES

Greaves The growth of Merlin Cinemas has been a good old fashioned Cornish success story and can lay claim to being the only company to have picture houses stretching from Land’s End up to John O’Groats. Owner Geoff Greaves tells us all about it PHOTOS: TOBY WELLER

I understand you have spent your entire career in the cinema industry?

I went to work part time in an ABC cinema when I was 16. I had a day job working for the local authority but I was enjoying my evening and weekend job far more than my day job. So at 18, which was the soonest I could do it, I took on an ABC management course and went on to become, at 21, the youngest manager in the company at a small cinema in Woking.

80s. It had become quite run down with lack of investment, while across the water the multiplex phenomenon was starting. A lot was learned very quickly that multi screens were the way forward.

The cinema industry reached its bottom point in the mid 80s, when the UK was only doing 50 million admissions annually, while now it is around 180 million admissions and from fewer sites.

Cornwall has always been big independent territory. The nearest major operator even now is Plymouth. In those days it was difficult for them to service cinemas in the peripheries.

They tended to be in the bigger conurbations.

The first Merlin opened in June 1990. By 1992 I had converted it into three screens and had also taken on the Royal Cinema in St Ives, which followed two years later with three screens. And from there we’ve gradually grown.

The industry has changed a lot since then In those days it was one big screen and two cinemas in town. Then there was this situation where in some towns the Odeon closed and in some towns the ABC closed; there wasn’t enough business for two cinemas and it was around that time that they started to split the cinemas into multi screens. The one I was training at, Croydon, was split into three screens very successfully. So the way forward was to have more screens under one roof.

When did you come down to Cornwall?

In 1988. It was just at the right time. I had done traditional cinema and had done three years running a multiplex in High Wycombe. But then that company was bought by another and the ethos changed while at the same time there was the opportunity to come to Cornwall and work for a company that had two or three small cinemas. Unfortunately they were on the verge of going broke so I had to make a quick decision and managed to buy the Savoy Penzance from them a few weeks before it went into receivership. For the first few years we traded under a different name but it very soon became Merlin.

When was the first out of county acquisition?

That would have been Torquay in 2000. Prior to that we picked up Helston from a Trust and then in Falmouth we bought the building and converted into a cinema. We now have 15 cinemas operational, and two underway.

Why the change? Did the rise of video play a part?

Video did have an impact, yes. Television had the biggest impact in the 50s, which is before I was involved I’m pleased to say! But cinema had developed a fairly poor perception in the

What was the landscape at the time? Were there any big operators in Cornwall?

Why have you focused on coastal and rural?

That’s just the way it has been. We seem to be lucky picking up cinemas in those type of communities. We tend to be where no one else is prepared to go but obviously it still has to meet the criteria for us to make it work as a business.

What is that criteria?

We need a certain number of potential bums on seats. And we don’t want to be next

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We had the premier of Poldark, which was amazingly successful, the BBC were really happy with the way it went, it was a great night

door to another operator. Not that we are afraid of competition, but there is no point in cannibalising what is a fairly small market.

You’ve picked up a number of failing cinemas.

Why were they failing?

Typically through poor management and a lack of cohesion with the community. The one in the north of Scotland which we started two years ago, literally taking us from Lands’ End to the John O’Groats, had failed twice under two different companies and was boarded up. Our reopening was so welcomed by the community, this time I think they were determined to support it. But our more flexible film programming, the branding, trying to be more involved in their community has all paid dividends.

Do all your cinemas operate in the same way, with food and drink, move magic cards etc?

We’re not able to do food and drink in all the cinemas, apart from popcorn and soft drinks, only four have full scale bar and restaurants. There is a physical constraint in some situations, but where we can, we like to add the catering because there is not a lot of money made out of cinema tickets.

CEO_July18.indd 3

How is that shared with the distributor, about 50-50?

More like 60-40 to them by the time you have taken the VAT and the performing rights society off the ticket as well. And there’s also a minimum ticket price, a minimum percentage the distributor will accept, so you can’t just reduce your prices to bring more people in. So food and drink has been a useful add on as has on-screen advertising, which I know some people don’t like but without which we would have a very big hole in the finances.

How does it work with films on release? Do you choose which ones you take?

We choose but we have a good relationship with the distributors. It’s not rocket science to choose the big movies. I don’t have to think “shall I play Star Wars”. But there are a lot of constraints that come with the contracts.

Like guaranteed first two weeks, guaranteed all shows. The large percentages might be 65% to start, not allowed to drop the evening performances even though it is a kids film, not allowed to drop the matinee performances even though it is an adult film. But there is a constant dialogue between us and them to find out what works.

It’s important to get the big blockbusters on date to benefit from the massive amount of media spend that the distributors do. When I came into this industry, most of the advertising for the film was done locally, local newspapers ads, shop windows etc. Now all of that has gone, the film is successful or otherwise on the

strength of what the distributors do, are the stars on Graham Norton? That sort of stuff.

Why hasn’t 3D really taken off?

3D was initially very successful. It was very special with Avatar in the beginning but then they started to put 3D on very average films and it no longer had the special appeal. They kind of killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

There’s still a small audience, but it’s very small.

We occasionally do 3D in some of the bigger locations, but it’s probably going to only be for another year or so and they will disappear.

We’ve run films in 2D and 3D alongside each other, no difference in cost, and 90% have chosen to go to the 2D version. People are voting with their feet.

Can you be dependent on the big blockbusters?

There are surprises both ways. We’re sometimes surprised by the success and longevity of a film, the most recent example being The Greatest Showman, which no one would have expected. And then it can go the other way; I think everybody is a bit disappointed with Solo, the new Star Wars movie. It’s not done what they hoped; too soon after the other Star Wars films in my opinion.

While many businesses in Cornwall pray for good summer weather, do you hope it pours with rain!

It rains after my rain dance! We tend to refer to the summer visitors as our wet weather friends

22/06/2018 10:19

INTERVIEW

because they’re only our friends when it’s wet.

If they’ve come to Cornwall, it’s not to go to the cinema. Having said that, if we have a really top film they will come in the evening. But in the afternoons it is very much dependent on the weather.

How long has your Movie Magic loyalty card scheme been running?

In some form for about ten years, but it has changed into something that is now very much part of our business. We’ve got about 70,000 Magic card holders across the group and we’re hoping the benefits are going to get even stronger. It recognises the loyalty of regular cinema going of your local audience from our wet weather friends. There are two economies really. We’re trying to make it possible for people to pay a fiver to see the latest movies whereas if you’re on holiday even if we charge them seven or eight pounds, they still say that’s much cheaper than where they come from.

You invest very heavily in your cinemas. How do you secure such investment?

I only wish we could invest more, faster. The business is underwritten by mainly freeholds, which helps. We prefer to buy our sites rather than lease them, which has been fundamental to the growth of the business. And all the cinemas contribute, all profits are centralised to reinvest and we pick carefully where we reinvest. But yes, we’ve done some pretty big schemes. Falmouth was a big scheme in 2006, Bodmin we’ve bought the building and

hopefully it will open between Christmas and Easter. We’ve been spending a lot of time and money repairing the outside of the building, which while it doesn’t put bums on seats, it is important to get the infrastructure right before we start making the alterations inside.

We have some fantastic plans drawn up for a four-screen cinema and hopefully will soon start work in a few months when our builders have finished the £2 million refurbishment in Penzance to do Bodmin.

The one that has probably been left behind is St Ives. We have some plans but it takes time to work it through to something you can present to the local authority.

Redruth has been another big investment.

That’s you flagship cinema is it not?

Yes, we’ve just had a couple of fantastic nights there. We had the premier of Poldark, which was amazingly successful, the BBC were really happy with the way it went, it was a great night.

And the night before that we had two complete sell out performances with Sarah Millican.

That’s a relatively recent development isn’t it, having live acts, particularly of that calibre?

We converted to be cinema and theatre three years ago and since then we’ve had a mix of live and cinema at the Regal and it has been gradually getting better and better. We’re on the map now, we’re starting to get some major acts.

The comedians are mostly very happy to play there. While it still seats 500, it feels intimate.

GEOFF GREAVES

One or two don’t like the venue, but that’s how it is. But a lot of them say to their friends, other comedians, “if you’re going to the West County, do the Regal Redruth, it’s a great audience, it’s a lovely venue” and we’ve been building this rapport.

And with Hall for Cornwall closed for a while, that must give you a great opportunity?

It is a big opportunity, particularly to get people to try Redruth for the first time. But once the Hall for Cornwall reopens, because they’ll have much bigger capacity, we’ll be operating on different levels. They’ll be looking to take in shows that probably would only have gone as far as Plymouth or Torbay before. Once they get a show in there, it’s there for two or three weeks. So if someone else is on tour, the Hall for Cornwall isn’t available so hopefully we’ll fill that gap. We feel the two will work hand in hand with each other.

Cinema has been your whole life. What is it about cinema that appeals to you so?

The passion is for the business, the cinema business, and for the buildings, which I love.

I am not a film fanatic! I love the concept of entertaining people, whether that’s live theatre or eating and drinking in our bars and restaurants. And I like the idea of putting the whole thing under one roof so you can have a complete night out quite easily. So we do lots of combinations like movie and meal deals and theatre dinners. I like to think we make cinema going affordable for everybody.

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I’ve always believed that the cinema is the jewel in the crown of the town centre, which is why we’ve never tried going out of town with these multiplexes

And I’ve always believed that the cinema is the jewel in the crown of the town centre, which is why we’ve never tried going out of town with these multiplexes.

A few years ago there was talk of building one of those big multiplexes in Pool. That must have been a worry, just as you were refurbishing the Redruth Regal.

We had just finished refurbishing the Regal when it was talked about. My business ethos is not to be afraid of competition but I do think it would have been the wrong move for the county. At the moment we’ve got cinemas available locally close to everybody and they act as magnets into the town centre for holiday makers and for local people. Town centre businesses benefit from the foot fall generated by a cinema. There’s no doubt about it, putting a large multiplex cinema in Pool would have been a kick in the teeth for all the town centres. Redruth Regal probably would have stayed, but the others would probably have closed. So in the summer when it rained, everybody would have had to get in their cars and drive to one particular location. I’m not just saying this from my business point of view, but having a town centre cinema is a good thing for the town and the community. And I passionately believe, if you have a local cinema, you will go more often.

If it means getting in a car and driving 30 minutes to take the kids to see something, you’ll do it for one or two major films a year, but not every weekend like so many of the kids in these towns do.

CEO_July18.indd 5

Looking at further growth, is it a case of looking at opportunities as they come along?

It’s very much like that. We’d like to take on more sites, but we’re not interested in going into cities. Going into a town that hasn’t got a cinema, like we did at Okehampton, that’s how to build the British cinema business. Suddenly you have a new site driving what are essentially new admissions, new cinema visits. If you go and open half a mile down the road from your competitor, you often just divide the business.

because they felt they were losing a community amenity but when you asked them how often they used that amenity, it was only one or two nights a week, not enough to make the building viable.

How do you come across opportunities?

It is mainly word of mouth but we also get enquiries from individuals, as in Thurso where people in the local community get in touch saying “you seem to have been able to do this with your local cinemas, could you come and have a look at ours?” That’s one way and another there might be someone who has running their own cinemas for years and are going to retire and would like to make sure they’re handing it over to a company who will keep it as a cinema and not convert it to a block of flats.

We have 43 screens across the groups now, by the end of the year should be up to around 50 and after that it depends on what other sites become available.

Ideally we like to take over operational cinemas.

If you take over something that was previously a cinema, they’re usually delighted it is going to continue to be cinema. If you take over a building that isn’t a cinema, it can be more difficult. It was quite a fight to do the Drill Hall in Falmouth but now everybody is really glad it happened. Same with Okehampton. There was initially a lot of opposition to us using a market hall to convert into cinema, but again now they love it. And I’m sure that will be case in Bodmin too. There were local people who opposed it

How many times would your Movie Magic card holders go?

That would be much higher. We reckon about half of all visits through the year are from people holding Movie Magic cards. So if I told you we had 70,000 card holders and we did a million admissions last year, you can do the maths!

But there is room for growth in our existing cinemas.

Is the cinema market generally quite healthy?

It’s very healthy, very buoyant. We’ve had three or four good years in a row. But it’s probably not far off plateauing, in terms of people going three or four times a year which is the average.

It must be quite a responsibility being sole owner of the business?

You get comfortable with it when you’ve done it long enough. It might sound like a platitude, but I really do have a fantastic team around me. Like the Poldark premier, I just went in as a guest. Everything had been done by the team and ran like clockwork and I can trust them to do that.

Do you have an exit strategy?

It’s a question I often get asked, but I don’t ask myself. I should do, but I am happy doing what I do.

Ever any outside interest?

We do get approached from time to time but it’s not something that’s likely to happen. As I say, I’m still enjoying it too much!

22/06/2018 10:20

CORNWALL

DESIGN

A TOUCH OF

KLYS

Wood Paper Scissors is the creation of designer/maker husband and wife team, Lindsay and Tony Day. Yin and yang in every sense of the term, their skills and expertise exist in perfect harmony; collaboratively creating artisanal items that are as fun, quirky and playful as they are

T

his dynamic duo were successful makers in their own right before coming together to form Wood Paper Scissors. After graduating with a degree in graphic design, Lindsay ran her own design and embroidery business, Evajeanie (and the sewing machiney), winning the Prince’s Trust ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ award in 2006, as well as receiving many other accolades from the likes of notonthehighstreet.com.

After giving birth to the couple’s daughter, Eva, being self-employed gave Lindsay the flexibility she desired to be a happy, working mum. She notes: “Having a baby inspired me to pursue more creative and colourful things, and I was lucky enough to be able to balance my dreams with being a new mum.”

Tony started his career as a talented joiner, later becoming the foreman of that business,

while running his own company, Square Pear Furniture, alongside.

Serendipity intervened one day and gave him the nudge he needed to take the plunge and start completely working for himself, alongside his wife. “We really hit the ground running,” he recalls. “Any initial reservations I had quickly disappeared, as the orders started to grow each day. It was a great feeling that’s only got stronger as time has gone on. We really are living the good life.”

Working from their studio-come-workshop in the Cornish countryside, their range is inspired by the Hygge ethos of enjoying life’s simple pleasures in comfort and cosiness. Lindsay and Tony went in search of their own version of Hygge, and discovered ‘klys’, the Cornish word for cosy. Inspired by their beautiful surroundings, Lindsay and Tony craft products that bring a little klys (and bliss) into life, most

notably in their ‘klys collection’.

“We’re the ultimate champions of the slow movement; of living in the present and enjoying life’s simple pleasures with the people we love most. Our products encourage people to do the same, creating cosy, klysful moments in the lives and homes of others.”

Inspired by the sunshine yellows and storm blue seas of the Cornish coast, their products are made with high quality, locally and ethically sourced materials, meaning they’re made to love and last. Each item is crafted to help celebrate the klysful moments in life, best shared with family and friends. From brilliant biscuit boards to personalised creations to be cherished forever; there’s something special to raise a smile in us all. Celebrating all of life’s moments; carved in Cornwall, for you. www.woodpaperscissors.com

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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COMPANY

PROFILE

THE TAX Business Cornwall discovers how Cornish firm of chartered accountants, Lang Bennetts, achieves the best outcome for its clients

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COMPANY

et’s face it, the very mention of the word ‘tax’ either gets us groaning or, worse still, burying our heads in the sand. Lang Bennetts’ clients, on the other hand, have no reason to gripe or panic. With a highly qualified tax team in place, whose expertise has legitimately reduced collective tax bills in the last two years by millions.

The firm has been advising clients in Cornwall since 1935 and, while tax planning has always been a key focus, substantial business growth, combined with added complexities in tax legislation, has led to the formation of a specialist tax department.

“Ours is an interesting, very satisfying job because we can genuinely make such a difference,” says tax director Simon Prior enthusiastically. He has been dealing with tax at a senior level for more than 25 years and joined Lang Bennetts two years ago, after first moving to Cornwall. “Our role is to help businesses grow by giving them tax and business advice that looks way beyond the routine and obvious. It’s a complex area but one that’s vital for growth and commercial success.”

Working alongside Simon are Dan Orasnjak, Amy Hookway and Claire Boddy, backed up

by Lang Bennetts’ partner Colin Truscott and

landed estates, farming and trust manager David Jane.

All highly experienced and equally determined to help their clients thrive, they also act as consultants for other professional firms who value their assistance.

“We’ve taken on cases where other accountants haven’t been able to offer a solution to a particular problem but, by taking a different approach, we’ve succeeded in achieving beneficial outcomes,” said Dan. “That’s the joy of working for a firm like Lang Bennetts. The ethos is about being friendly, approachable and caring for all clients.”

The team is regularly brought in to help other professionals with specific tax matters.

“We can advise on a broad range of issues including tax efficient business succession planning,” says Simon. “Collaboration of that kind is very important in achieving the best outcome possible for clients.”

PROFILE

A free consultation is offered to anyone considering their tax position – even if it’s just to offer a second opinion on advice already received.

In addition to their creative, knowledgeable approach to tax, Lang Bennetts offers a wide range of services – including audit, accounts, book-keeping and payroll.

“Being based in Cornwall, we work with start-ups through to large organisations and pride ourselves on knowing the area and the people who live and work here very well,” adds Lang Bennetts’ partner Colin Truscott. “Our tax team works both independently, as well as supporting our other departments, and that makes a positive difference to the success of many of our existing clients.”

Our role is to help businesses grow by giving them tax and business advice that looks way beyond the routine and obvious.

It’s a complex area but one that’s vital for growth and commercial success

For more information, visit www.lang-bennetts. co.uk, email mail@lang-bennetts.co.uk or call 01872 272047.

SOME LANG BENNETTS’ SUCCESS STORIES: Research and development (R & D)

In two years, the Lang Bennetts’ team have helped corporate clients in industries like engineering, software\app development and health and fitness save more than £1 million in tax by alerting them to their tax credit eligibility. They’ve also worked as consultants for other firms of accountants drafting reports and R & D tax calculations.

“There’s a common perception that research and development is something that only high-tech businesses engage in, but the scope is actually much broader than that,” says Simon. “We’ve helped clients creating software for applications like medical assessments, business compliance, telephony, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and data collection and analysis. Engineering product enhancements and adopting new manufacturing processes may also meet the criteria.”

Inheritance tax (IHT)

When reviewing a client’s will recently, a simple re-allocation of assets to various beneficiaries resulted in a saving of £300k.

“The person concerned implemented our advice and is delighted to know that their loved ones and charities will now inherit a lot more between them,” says Dan.

Capital allowances in property

One of the reliefs that businesses in the leisure and tourism industry may not know about is their eligibility for capital allowances on fixtures within the buildings they own. It’s a niche area, requiring specialist knowledge.

“We saved one client around £250k last year,” says Dan. “We also helped another client, who was buying a business, to negotiate fixtures within the property – resulting in a tax reduction of about £100k. It’s very important to look at capital allowances on fixtures early on in the process of purchasing property – not doing so, risks losing the potential tax benefit.”

Business disposals

There are various reliefs available to those selling a business. One recent Lang Bennetts’ client significantly reduced their end tax bill by claiming them.

“We’re often brought in as consultants to work with solicitors on exit planning, to ensure all available tax reliefs have been considered,” says Simon.

“We were approached by someone working in construction who had received a letter from the HMRC threatening to make them bankrupt on the basis of unpaid taxes and penalties totalling more than £130k,” says Simon. “They were also told that their details would be published on a list of deliberate tax defaulters.

“Having taken over the case from their previous accountants, we were able to reduce the liability by more than 30% and agree with HMRC that their details wouldn’t be made public.”

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT)

With the introduction of the 3% SDLT surcharge, the amount payable has become more significant when looking at a property purchase. Careful planning should therefore be considered to ensure any applicable reliefs and exemptions are claimed.

“We were able to save a client in excess of £9k in SDLT by applying a relief that hadn’t been claimed,” says Dan.

HMRC enquiries

The one thing that every business owner dreads is a tax investigation. With Lang Bennetts to help, it doesn’t need to be a nightmare.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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CONNECTING THE UNCONNECTED ACROSS CORNWALL Grow your business with high speed broadband however remote your location.

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22/06/2018 09:55

IT

DIGITAL

IT & Even the Luddites among us cannot ignore information technology. Without IT and digital, business would grind to a standstill. Quite simply, technology helps us run our businesses in a faster, more efficient manner. Over the next 13 pages, we present our guide to the IT world and some of the key players in Cornwall that can help you stay connected

A

IS FOR AGILE ON THE BEACH

Since launching seven years ago, the Agile on the Beach conference, which takes place in Falmouth on July 12-13, has become one of the biggest events of its kind on the international calendar, attracting speakers and delegates from across the world to discuss the latest thinking, methods and practices within the agile community.

B

IS FOR BITCOIN

Rarely far from the news, Bitcoin is a digital currency created in 2009 by a mysterious figure using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto. It can be used to buy or sell items from people and companies that accept bitcoin as payment but is only available online and does not exist as physical currency. Bitcoin has no central bank and isn’t linked to or regulated by any state. Much of the hype that surrounds it is about getting rich by trading in it.

C

IS FOR CF SYSTEMS

Redruth-based CF Systems is a wellestablished IT support services company that has been providing IT and cyber security solutions for businesses in Devon and Cornwall for the past 15 years, numbering the likes of Seasalt, Imerys and Gloveman Supplies among its many customers. CF Systems prides itself on providing a flexible and impartial 24/7 service. “We’ll always recommend solutions that work for you, not just ones that suit us.”

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DIGITAL

IT &

D

IS FOR DIGITAL PENINSULA NETWORK

Established in 2001, Digital Peninsula Network (DPN) is the largest network of ICT and digital businesses in Cornwall, from micro businesses to SMEs. It offers a range of services from training and apprenticeship provision, through to networking events, business and innovation and marketing support.

E F

IS FOR ENCRYPTION

Encryption is the process of converting electronic data to an unrecognisable or encrypted form, one that cannot be easily understood by unauthorised parties.

IS FOR FINTECH

Fintech, or financial technology, is a new technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. And Cornish businesses are at the forefront of this new sector, with Cornish startup, CFT Group, a finalist in the FinTech Future PayTech Awards for Best Consumer Payments Initiative.

G

IS FOR GYLLY COMPUTER SERVICES

Fintech is a new technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services.

And Cornish businesses are at the forefront of this new sector

Gylly Computer Services offers its IT support solutions across a range of sectors, including hospitality, B2B, retail and education. It has recently restructured its offering to make its services as flexible and affordable as possible, ranging from remote only support through to fully unlimited onsite and multi-site packages. “We can be your IT department or an addition to your IT department; when specific skills or more man power is needed.”

H

IS FOR HEALTHTECH

Healthtech, or digital health, is one of fastest-growing sectors in the industry. And there is a growing cluster of businesses in Cornwall that are all excelling, such as LumiraDX, which has just gained approval for a first of its kind app to be added to the NHS Digital App Library, and Microtest, which supplies clinical IT systems to GP surgeries across England and Wales.

SUPPORT TO EXPLOIT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY FOR CORNISH BUSINESSES Digital technology can transform the way a business operates, opening up fantastic new opportunities for growth like new products or access to new markets, facilitating more effective working practices and greatly improving productivity.

Superfast Business Cornwall offers ambitious businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly a fully funded 12 hour programme of expert advice and guidance on how to understand, adopt and exploit digital technology. Designed with small to medium sized enterprises in mind, it fasttracks the move to a much more effective way of working, by showing businesses how to use the full capabilities of modern IT systems.

Programme Manager Sebeail Fowell said “We are delighted by how many businesses are taking up the support, businesses engaged with the service have told us that the adoption of digital technology has been a real game changer for them.

Our “Superfast Champions” have been

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sharing their stories of exploiting technology on our website www.sfbcornwall.co.uk.

“We find some businesses want to adopt digital technology but struggle with slow broadband speeds. Although we are not involved in the roll out of Superfast Broadband, as part of Digital Forum 2O18 our support, we can investigate Register your interest at: options to improve connectivity.” sfbcornwall.co.uk/workshops-events

Lightning talks from local businesses

‘Personal Productivity’ from Cosmic IT

‘Your Digital Brand’ from Eight Wire

South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit

Google Digital Garage

Exhibitors from technology business

The programme’s annual showcase event will be held on Thursday 27 September from 9-5 at Hotel Victoria, Newquay, and promises to be an excellent opportunity to find out how digital technology can help small businesses.

Digital Forum 2O18

Lightning talks from local businesses

‘Personal Productivity’ from Cosmic IT

‘Your Digital Brand’ from Eight Wire

South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit

Google Digital Garage

Exhibitors from technology business

Thur 27 September, Hotel Victoria, Newquay

FUNDED BY

DELIVERED BY

Register your interest at: sfbcornwall.co.uk/workshops-events

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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IT

I

IS FOR ICT4

Redruth-based iCT4 was originally set up in 2002 to provide IT services to schools in Cornwall, but has since expanded to work with charities and businesses across the UK. iCT4 provides a wide range of services ranging from supplying an iPad and deploying site-wide WiFi, to installing and maintaining servers or managing a migration to the Cloud. “iCT4 is not about salespeople or call centres,” says MD Glyn Pascoe. “We talk with – not to – people at the very beginning so we can find out what they need. We then make sure that our experienced, knowledgeable, and local staff provide them with high quality ICT support which meets those needs.”

J K

IS FOR JPEG

JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, which was the committee that created the file format known as JPEG. The format is commonly used for photos displayed on the world wide web.

IS FOR KBPS

kBps is a measure of how fast information is downloaded to your computer via a modem. kBps means a transfer rate of one kilobyte per second. Not to be confused with kilobyte (KB) which is a measure of computer memory and represents 1,024 bytes

L

DIGITAL

IS FOR LAUNCHPAD

Launchpad is an incubation and acceleration programme that has been developed by Falmouth University to help create new high growth and high value tech businesses in Cornwall, underpinned by a specially-designed one year MA Entrepreneurship programme.

M

IS FOR MALWARE

Something that many of us are far too familiar with. Malware is software which is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain authorised access to a computer system.

Viruses, Trojan, spyware are all forms of malware, often propagated by criminal organisations.

N

IS FOR NETIQUETTE

Netiquette means communicating and behaving appropriately on the Internet, such as in social networking sites, online forums, via any form of messaging and sharing data. ‘Netiquette’ is seen as a useful concept for children to understand as getting along with others is an important part of belonging to a community, including an online community.

The Personal IC T Service for Business and Hospitality

• Proactive Support • Onsite and Remote

• Flexible Options • Affordable

• Complete Solutions • Outsource your IT

info@gyllycomputers.co.uk | 01326 312 664

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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DIGITAL

IT &

O P

IS FOR OPEN SOURCE

A collaborative approach to working, mostly when developing software, where people share their work with the rest of the Internet in the hope of it attracting more people to work on the project and to consequently develop a better product.

IS FOR PHONETA

Phoneta is a market leader for business answering services across the UK. Established 25 years ago by LaVerne Caddy, the business was originally set up to provide telephone answering services to the GP and veterinary industry. Still owned and run by second and third Caddy generation, it has since expanded its services to meet the demands of all professional sectors.

Q

IS FOR QUARANTINE

A term used to isolate spam e-mail messages, it is often seen in antispam software. Once you quarantine the suspect messages, you must then delete them.

R

IS FOR REMOTE ACCESS

Just what it sounds like, remote access allows an IT support engineer the ability to access your computer from a remote location without having to visit your premises, often saving both time and money. In order for a remote access connection to take place, the local machine must have the remote client software installed and the remote machine must have the remote server software installed.

S

IS FOR SATELLITE BROADBAND

While the roll out of fibre broadband across Cornwall has been a great success, ‘not-spots’ inevitably still exist and can cripple a business’ growth. This is where the benefits of satellite broadband come into play, with superfast download speeds of up to 40Mbps and upload speeds of up to 6Mbps.

And thanks to European funding, your business could be eligible to access Avanti’s satellite broadband at subsidised rates. This includes free hardware and a net contribution towards

the installation, with service provision from national certified satellite service providers.

Delivered through Avanti’s facilities in Goonhilly, the service provides the fastest satellite broadband speeds available in Europe, unlimited overnight access, and a guarantee of no further commitment if you get access to a fibre connection.

T

U

MAKING IT WORK FOR YOUR BUSINESS Let our experienced and knowledgeable staff help you make the most of your ICT. From supplying equipment and deploying site wide WiFi, to installing and maintaining servers or managing a migration to the Cloud – we will support you every step of the way.

IS FOR TECH NATION

The Tech Nation report is the annual survey of the UK’s tech industry, which again this year singled Cornwall out for “impressive growth”. The report identifies Truro and Redruth as tech hotspots with 2,368 people working in digital tech occupations.

Digital tech businesses in this cluster have a turnover of £50 million – up by 32% since 2014 – and generate £93.4 million for the local economy in GVA (Gross Value Added).

IS FOR URL

url stands for ‘Uniform Resource Locator’ – the web address to you and me, eg www.businesscornwall.co.uk

ict4.co.uk

“iCT4 provide an excellent service and fully support our needs in a timely manner.

Their service is professional and fully meets our expectations.”

(WES Engineering Redruth)

We can also ensure you have access to the best possible security measures without impacting on your day to day operations.

Trevenson House | Church Road | Pool | Redruth TR15 3PT | 01209 311344

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IT

A virtual private network (VPN) is a computer network that enables remote offices or individual employees to get secure access to their organisation's network

V

IS FOR VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK

A virtual private network (VPN) is a computer network that enables remote offices or individual employees to get secure access to their organisation's network.

This network uses encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure only authorised users can access the network and that data cannot be intercepted.

W

IS FOR WLAN

WLAN Stands for "Wireless Local Area Network." A WLAN, or wireless LAN, is a network that allows devices to connect and communicate wirelessly – over WiFi - opposed to the traditional wired LAN, in which devices communicate over ethernet cables.

X

IS FOR XML

Strictly speaking should probably be EML as it stands for Extensible Markup Language: a type of code used to create websites.

Online Job adverts

Only £49+vat

Y

DIGITAL

IS FOR YAK SHAVING

This rather colourful programming term refers to a series of tasks that need to be performed before a project can progress to its next milestone. It is believed to have been coined by Carlin Vieri and was inspired by an episode of ‘The Ren & Stimpy Show.’ The term's name alludes to the seeming uselessness of the tasks being performed, even though they may be necessary to solve a larger problem.

Z

IS FOR ZOMBIE COMPUTER

A zombie computer is a PC connected to the Internet which has been unwittingly hijacked by a hacker and used to do what the hacker wants without the owner even noticing - often to run DoS attacks or to send spam emails.

Digital Forum 2O18 Thur 27 September, Hotel Victoria, Newquay Free to attend for eligible business, this is an excellent opportunity to find out how digital technology can help small and medium-sized Cornish businesses.

Lightning talks from local businesses

‘Personal Productivity’ from Cosmic IT

‘Your Digital Brand’ from Eight Wire

South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit

Google Digital Garage

Exhibitors from technology business

To register your interest, visit: sfbcornwall.co.uk/workshops-events To book contact morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk

FUNDED BY

DELIVERED BY

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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IT &

DIGITAL

DEDICATED FOCUS We meet Focus Technology and discover why it is so important that a business has reliable IT support WORDS: KATIE MCVEY

hen running a business of any size it is fundamental to have a strategy that helps to support the running of your business, especially in a world that has become so heavily reliant on technology. For many businesses in Cornwall it may not be economically feasible to employ a dedicated in- house IT team.

A business statistics report by the House of Commons in December 2017, revealed that 99% of businesses in the UK are small to medium sized (SMEs) with 0-249 workers.

For some of these businesses paying for an IT department is not cost- effective, with an IT managers annual salary ranging from £30k-£40k.

For SMEs it would seem more convenient to outsource IT support from companies who are dedicated and experienced in the technology sector. Focus Technology is a technology support business that provides customers with effective IT management to assist them in the day to day running of their business.

Based in Cornwall since 2011, Focus provides SMEs services from IT management to creative solutions to communications support. Chief executive Andrew Davenport and his team adopt the role of an IT department from the comfort of their own offices.

“If you want an IT department rather than pay salaries and staff and all the headaches that can bring, you invest in an IT department when you come on board with us,” he says.

Well equipped with a market-leading managed services platform, Andrew and his team can ensure that they can monitor a business’s IT infrastructure with software that works 24/7, 365 days a year. Having access to

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high end solutions and equipment proves that out of house IT support can allow a business to run smoothly without any interaction from the customer as the information is directly collected in real time by Focus through this software.

This piece of advanced equipment can identify an array of issues from a drive space on a server reaching its maximum and failed critical services, to the unwanted deployment of a Windows 10 update in the middle of a working day. By using this equipment Andrew and his team can ensure that issues are resolved quickly and harmoniously, allowing you to avoid unwanted downtime Another important aspect of running a business is being able to communicate quickly with the customer. While working with communication providers can cause their difficulties, having an IT support team, like Focus, can mediate between the service provider and on behalf of the customer to solve the issues and provide the right solution, With some companies it can be easy to spend money in areas of IT that are not always necessary, such as social media. Andrew knows that all businesses have a different marketing strategy as well as a different customer base, so providing the customer with the correct IT is paramount.

“Not everyone has to be on social media to have a successful business,” says Andrew.

“That’s one of the mistakes people make and one of our roles is to be a critical friend and challenge the customers perceptions: Do you really want to spend this money on this?

Because if we can’t evidence a return, we’re

going to get a bad reputation on delivering, we need to be sure that the customer gets a positive experience.”

Andrew is aware that many business sectors require the use of social media and a strong online presence, which is why Focus offers creative solutions, but he advises that when investing money into any digital marketing strategy the business must ensure they are making a return. “We meet so many businesses who will throw hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds a month into a digital marketing strategy and they’re not measuring what is coming back, and that is the worst thing a business could possibly do.”

For many people technology can be bewildering and frustrating, by having access to an IT support company a business can have access to a team that is fully dedicated to supporting and solving issues, it is crucial to invest in the right technology and team.

“With IT the wrong investment will have a negative impact on your business it will give you and your users a negative view of technology and it will cause you problems from the word go. Do your research, find a company that provides support and is passionate about your business. The support provider wants to see you develop and succeed with the right technology as opposed to a business that just wants to sell you as much as they can.”

Focus prides themselves on their ability to tackle any obstacles thrown at them by a variety of businesses. Andrew and his team have solved many problems including providing a company a wind and solar powered CCTV

If you want an IT department rather than pay salaries and staff and all the headaches that can bring, you invest in an IT department when you come on board with us

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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IT

system to monitor a building development in an area without internet connectivity or power.

“We love challenges like that, a lot of people would have gone no we can’t do it, but because of the way we work we think oh that’s interesting let’s have a look at that and see how we can. They were happy to pay for our time and the technology to do it, we built a solution that worked.”

When finding a team of experts to handle your IT it can be difficult to find an honest company that is not going to pressure business owners in to purchasing equipment

that is not required. Andrew’s ethos revolves around customer service and his main concern is to focus on the customer’s needs.

“We’re all in business to make money but there is a big difference between making good honest money with a good relationship with the customer versus preying on customers who aren’t fully aware of what the technology is or does and taking the money that way. We meet many businesses who have a negative perception of IT support providers and the industry as a whole because of this.

DIGITAL

Sourcing your IT from out of house companies, like Focus Technology, offers a variety of benefits. A business can run smoothly without the hassle of dealing with technical issues knowing that an outside team can give on demand expertise and a range of experience from solving issues for multiple clients. Small business owners can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their IT is in the safe hands of skilful professionals. www.focus-technology.co.uk Tel: 01209 613660

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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22/06/2018 11:46

010100101 cf systems full page ad

IT SUPPORT

IT Infrastructure & Consulting

Dedicated support desk

Hardware

On site engineers

Software

Out of Hours Support

Networking

Cyber Security Cyber Essentials Security audits GDPR and compliance

CF Systems Ltd Telephone 01209 340030 sales@cfsystems.co.uk www.cfsystems.co.uk @CFSystems

Cloud

Talk to us about how we can make IT easier

Secure IT Solutions for Business IT_FeatureJuly18.indd 8

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LIGHTNING FAST When we say fast, we mean it with speeds starting from 20Mbps.

BENEFITS Unlimited data allowance.

Guaranteed speeds.

No Line Rental.

HARD TO REACH AREAS If your community is starved of broadband, look out for Wildanet coming your way.

Rolling out in Cornwall now! Find out if we can bring Wildanet to you at wildanet.com or call 0800 0699906

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH SUPERFAST BUSINESS CORNWALL DIGITAL BUSINESS ADVISER

FIXED TERM CONTRACT APPROX. 6 MONTHS MATERNITY COVER

Remuneration: £30,000 per annum + Pension Location: Plymouth or Pool Innovation Centre (Redruth) with extensive travel in Cornwall “Are you ready to put your advisory skills to the test? Do you thrive on supporting businesses with digital technology solutions? Do you want to work in team where fun, dedication and passion is at the heart of everything they do? Then we have the role for you!

About the Role: We are looking to recruit a fixed-term Digital Business Adviser, to join our Superfast Business Cornwall (SFBC) team. As a Digital Business Adviser you will largely work face to face with both new and established businesses to help them better understand and exploit digital technology to develop new markets, reduce costs, develop new products/services and enable remote working to facilitate growth.

About You: Already an experienced, talented Digital Business Adviser; then we want to hear from you! We do ask that you have a good understanding of digital technology as a business tool and/or relevant business and IT adviser experience with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for SMEs in the region.

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Whats the Package?

Our success is a reflection of our people and that is why it’s important that we reward our employees, to say thank you for the commitment to Serco. With this role you will be given a mileage allowance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata), a competitive pension scheme (matched up to 6%), training & development opportunities, and as a valued employee you will have access to a world of exclusive discounts and privileges including Childcare vouchers, Mobile Phone discounts, Merlin Attractions discounts and more!

What to do next….. If you are interested in applying for this rare opportunity to join our, super-friendly, super-supportive, super-talented team; where you will benefit from a wealth of knowledge and expertise, then please apply now and upload an up to date copy of your CV and cover letter!

To find out more about the service - take a look at our website and view case studies of Cornish businesses who have benefitted from the service. https://sfbcornwall.co.uk/about-us/ or head over to Twitter to see our live updates @SFBCIOS

22/06/2018 10:36

IT &

DIGITAL

CORNWALL WELCOMES

WILDANET

Ian Calvert is chief executive of Wildanet, Cornwall’s first Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP). For this month’s tech-focussed edition of Business Cornwall, he shares the story of how he and three other telecommunication specialists Barry Deadman (sales director), Paddy Paddison (CTO) and Charles McKay (finance director) joined forces to bring lightning fast, reliable internet to Cornwall’s hardest-to-reach areas ( HTRAs)

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

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IT

t was 25 years ago that the digital roll out began in the UK and for too long HTRAs in Cornwall have been precluded from services that the rest of the UK take for granted.

This lack of choice has created social inequality which traditional fibre providers have exploited!

Wildanet aims to change that by creating a new network that will transform the user experience in homes along with businesses, as well as providing choice. Wildanet will empower its customers by providing reliable broadband at guaranteed speeds, no line rental, no hidden charges, just lightning fast connectivity and a service they can rely on.

WHY CORNWALL?

The team’s mission began over 20 years ago when they were working for NTL, the company that became Virgin Media. Barry, along with the other members of the team, provided West Cornwall Council with the UK’s first digital CCTV system. At the end of that project Barry remained in Cornwall identifying parts of the county that were likely to be on the wrong side of the digital divide. That divide sees 1.14 million homes with broadband speeds below 10Mbs (according to OFCOM), with more than 100,000 of these in Cornwall.

In the years following, the team worked on a number of transformational telecommunications projects, from NHS communications to revolutionary millimetric radios. The directors remained in close contact, waiting for the right opportunity to return to Cornwall to address the issues they had witnessed first-hand.

That opportunity arose in 2016 when Ian was completing some work for Goonhilly Earth Station. It was clear that issues with broadband were still hugely prevalent across the county, particularly amongst rural communities. There had been

little or no investment made for alternative internet connectivity methods, and what little investment was generated became ‘sticking plaster’ solutions for these communities.

So, frustrations were reignited and more than 20 years after their initial Cornish collaboration, Wildanet was formed, bringing to the county over 120 years of collective telecommunications expertise and a shared vision for delivering a viable solution to its poor connectivity.

ADDRESSING THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE

Although Superfast Broadband is increasingly available to Cornwall’s larger villages and towns, the infrastructure required to supply sufficient fibre and copper broadband to some of its geographically dispersed premises is simply too costly or challenging for traditional providers. This means that many homes and businesses end up receiving internet at a fraction of the speeds they have signed up for, if they can get it at all.

The Chancellor has recently announced ambitions for 50% of UK homes to have fibre to their premises (FTTP) by 2025.

It can be assumed that the 50% that will not get fibre to the premises are going to be in the rural areas of the UK, areas like Cornwall.

This is where Wildanet fits perfectly. Its fixedwireless network uses radio frequencies, transmitting from interconnected wireless hubs directly to premises and providing lightning fast internet at guaranteed speeds.

Because its network effectively runs through the air, as long as there is direct line of site, they are able to reach some of Cornwall’s most remote locations.

WISPs are the preferred choice of rural communities across the USA because wireless technology is able to cover larger areas, without the expense of installing wired or fibre broadband infrastructure. In the UK, this technology has largely been overlooked, until recently.

Currently, our network covers most of The

Wildanet will empower its customers by providing reliable broadband at guaranteed speeds, no line rental, no hidden charges, just lightning fast connectivity and a service they can rely on

DIGITAL

Lizard, already passing over 4,000 homes and businesses. While technologically advanced, the simplicity of the Wildanet infrastructure roll out enables them to be much more agile than traditional telecoms providers, and over the coming months Wildanet will be establishing a network across the whole of Cornwall. The network is far more sustainable than fibre and can typically deliver 20 square miles of network for the same costs as one mile of fibre-optic cabling. Wildanet can do this at a rate unachievable by copper and fibre-bound competitors, without digging up any roads!

GUARANTEED SPEEDS

Unlike many of the big broadband providers who will advertise an average speed and, in reality, deliver a much slower service, Wildanet’s speeds are guaranteed. If the customer orders a 20Mb/s package that’s the speed they will get. All packages come with unlimited data allowances and no hidden costs, just lightning fast reliable internet. Once connected, customers are also future proofed, as their networks are Gigabit as well as 5G ready, and more IoT type products will also be available through the online Portal.

INVESTING IN CORNWALL’S CONNECTIVITY

Establishing a wireless network that covers the whole of Cornwall is the team’s ambition.

It would enable Wildanet to pass 100,000 premises and connect 12,000 residential and business customers within three years. They’ve made a fantastic start, but need additional funding to keep the momentum of the roll out plan. In order to do this they have launched a Crowd Cube campaign, with the aim of raising £750k.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to be part of something truly innovative, with commercial scope that will transform the lives of hard-to-reach communities in Cornwall.

If you are interested in supporting Wildanet, visit Crowd Cube for more information: www.crowdcube.com/wildanet.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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Digital We profile six of Cornwall’s Digital Stars

FLOAT DIGITAL loat Digital is an award-winning marketing agency offering SEO, PPC & Content. We support businesses from Penzance to New York to increase their visibility in search engines, drive traffic, and achieve higher conversions. Yielding a positive return on investment is at the heart of everything we do, so we only implement forwardthinking strategies, to ensure you get ahead of your competitors in the search results. Our flexible packages are the perfect way to trial our services: No minimum contract, no cancellations fees, and no hidden management fees - just straight talking digital marketing. So, if you’re looking to grow your business, then get in touch and let’s discuss how we can support you to reach your goals.

Quote 'Business Cornwall' for £100 off our SEO & AdWords services. Valid until September 2018. T: 0845 468 029 8 www.float-digital.com | hello@float-digital.com

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PEAKY DIGITAL

P

eaky Digital are a full service digital agency offering marketing, design and development services. We know how important it is for you to succeed online and we go the extra mile to help drive traffic to your website.

Our approach is to ensure that we are maximising long and short term goals through our campaigns and getting the most from budgets. In order to effectively plan budgets across channels we take time to really get to know you and your business, undergoing a period of discovery taking into account current data and customer preferences.

You need an agency that puts you first and that’s what we do. www.peakydigital.co.uk | hello@peakydigital.co.uk 01872 302371

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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DIGITAL

STARS

COBIT SOUTH WEST as your IT system grown to a point where you need some impartial, experienced and understandable advice on what to do next?

Do you spend more time looking after your computers than your business? Has your business grown to be in a position where you need to review your IT systems? CoBIT has been providing IT support services to the business market in Cornwall and the south west for more than 15 years. From consultancy through to maintenance and project management, Chris O’Brien’s friendly and flexible approach will get the best out of your IT, so you can get the best out of your business.

Call now on 0845 642 2652 or email chris@cobitsw.co.uk

CHANNEL DIGITAL A Web Design and Digital Marketing agency, Channel Digital are 100% focused on helping businesses become more successful online.

Founded in 2006, Channel create user-friendly websites with marketing and security essential to the build. Whether your project is large or small, Channel actively work to make your online presence more profitable, useful and usable.

Web development, search engine and social media marketing is delivered with exceptional expertise that remains highly cost effective - something their long-standing clients appreciate the benefits of.

Channel’s approach is to be open, accessible and transparent while delivering visible results that achieve the business objectives of their clients.

Located conveniently on the outskirts of Truro come in and meet the team for a chat. 01326 567150 | info@channeldigital.co.uk www.channeldigital.co.uk

DIFFERNET DIGITAL Where a lot of people have experience dragging and dropping a WordPress theme into their website, Differnet Digital uses its vast technical expertise to go the extra mile and push way beyond the sluggish pre-defined templates many developers use. In their own words, they do WordPress…’the way it was meant to be done’.

The Truro-based team of developers has more than a dozen years’ experience building websites and online stores (and fixing other people’s ones). They’re specialists in optimising site performance, adding crucial layers of security, providing regular maintenance, and creating completely bespoke themes to remove any restrictions for those with big ideas.

For clients that means fast, secure, truly individual and technically excellent websites that go way beyond the boundaries of traditional WordPress templates. info@differnetdigital.com 07590 535409 | differnetdigital.com

FIRETEXT n today’s digital world, the trusty text message is holding its own as a reliable and powerful communication tool. In fact, with an open rate of 98%, it’s the single most effective form of communicating messages, which is why more and more clever companies are relying on this simple way to send important campaigns.

Based in Tremough, the FireText HQ is home to a friendly team of developers, problem solvers and marketers, working around the clock to provide the UK’s highest rated text marketing platform.

This Cornish business works with thousands of companies including some of the largest organisations and brands across Cornwall and the UK such as; GOV.uk, Deliveroo and PrettyLittleThing.com chances are you’ve probably received a text sent from the team here in Cornwall. www.firetext.co.uk | 0800 038 5522

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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PEOPLE

ON THE MOVE

SPONSORED BY www.sapiencehr.co.uk

NEW ROLE FOR BAKER Local law firm Stephens Scown LLP has appointed its first deputy managing partner.

Richard Baker, who has been with the company for 25 years, has been appointed to the new role and was most recently head of Stephens Scown’s Truro office, where he oversaw a growth of 100% over six years. It is intended that he will take over as managing partner in due course.

Managing partner, Robert Camp, said: “Stephens Scown has transformed over the last five years. We are now employee-owned and have over 300 members of staff – it is the right time to strengthen our leadership with this new role. Richard has played a significant part in our success and I look forward to his input in this new role.”

NEVILLE PROMOTION FAMILY VALUES Coodes Solicitors has appointed Machaela O’Brien to its specialist family team.

O’Brien is based in Coodes’ Liskeard and Truro offices and joins from Stephens Scown, in St Austell.

Partner and head of the Coodes’ family team, Elise Alma, said: “A number of our lawyers have come across Machaela and spotted her potential. In particular, they recognised her professionalism and supportive manner with clients. We are delighted to welcome Machaela as the latest member of our family team.”

JILL ON BOARD St Austell Brewery has appointed Jill Caseberry as a new non-executive director.

Caseberry brings extensive sales, marketing and general management experience gained in blue chip companies including Mars, PepsiCo and Premier Foods.

Meanwhile, non-executive director Jonathan Neame has retired from the St Austell Brewery board after 16 years’ service.

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Stratton Creber Commercial has appointed Tom Neville as a director.

Neville, who already leads the Truro office, will also now take overall responsibility for the company’s professional services department and will continue to provide valuation, landlord & tenant and business rates advice with particular focus on medical property.

MD Chris Ryland said: “Tom’s appointment to the board represents exciting times for the company and for its future progression. With the strong experienced team we have in place across our offices, this appointment will enable the company to go from strength to strength.”

RICEMAN COMETH A&P Falmouth has appointed a new production director.

Darren Rice has worked his way up through A&P Group since joining the business as a fabrication and ship building apprentice in 1987. He became an area manager in 2004 and project manager in 2006, responsible for running a number of large and complex projects. He was promoted to production manager in 2013.

Steve Jones, MD and operations & site director for A&P in Falmouth, said: “Darren’s expertise and attention to detail are instrumental to our operations in Falmouth and his promotion reflects his hard work and commitment to HSEQ and customer satisfaction in particular. We are delighted to see him promoted into this role.”

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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NEWS

SPONSORED BY

#FSBCONNECT

www.fsb.org.uk

ORINOCO CASH-FLOW? We succeeded in making the subject of cash-flow forecasting sound like an 80s Enya tune! You know, simple and sticks in your brain.

The venue was the superb Pentillie Castle on the banks of the majestic river Tamar. Not South America, admittedly, which as geographers will know is actually the home of the Orinoco, but it shamelessly fitted the headline! However, our venue was incredible value, equally breathtaking and much easier to get to which are always three big considerations.

Heather Coupland from Access to Finance went through how to prepare a cash-flow forecast from start to finish. Created in front of our very eyes, all in about an hour, she enthralled attendees. Questions were answered, myths dispelled and suddenly cash-flow became less scary, interesting and achievable!

Attendees also had an elegant lunch on the terrace and then a tour of the incredible venue which was the location for Dawn French’s ‘Delicious’ TV series.

Our next fascinating ‘Insight / Onsite’ networking event is at Jo Downs Glass studio in Launceston on July 12 where there will be a tour, a guide to how the business operates and networking. Limited places so don’t miss our and book via Eventbrite soon!

BE PREPARED New research by the Federation of Small Business (FSB) has found that many firms are unprepared for the disruption risks that they face from internal and external threats.

The data, part of wider forthcoming research into how the UK can better use supply chains, shows that 65% of small businesses and the self-employed do not have any plan to cope with potential disruption risks to their business operations or their supply chains.

SW Regional FSB Chairman, Roger Tarrant, said: “Small businesses face a number of threats on a regular basis and it is vital they are prepared to deal with them. It is important

that businesses look ahead and implement continuity plans to prepare for many of the sudden changes that can impact on them directly and their supply chains.”

The most prevalent risks to small firms were customers who failed to pay for services or goods (51%) as well as the loss of key members of staff (37%). The high risks identified, not only included loss of staff, but also the impact of cybercrime (17%), transport problems (15%) as well as severe weather (13%). Smaller businesses are the most vulnerable to such risks due to their size and lack of resources.

PR/CRISIS MANAGEMENT HELPLINE Dealing with a major public relations crisis or negative publicity is a daunting prospect. It can be expensive, even devastating and if you remember Gerald Ratner then you will know just how damaging it can be. It can also happen to anyone. One small, slightly of guard comment or a product failure can become a huge nightmare.

Small businesses don’t often have the luxury of their own marketing department that can spring into action, so what do you do?

FSB members have access to a PR/Crisis Management service that is available to provide

support, important information and expert public relations guidance to assist you in controlling and mitigating any damage should the worst happen along with up to £10K of insurance to assist with a major public relations crisis.

You can find out more about this service and many of the other benefits and advantages that members receive here: www.fsb.org.uk/benefits or just give our Customer Services Team a call on 0808 2020 888.

FSB CONNECT NETWORKING Open to all. All events can be found on Eventbrite for easy online booking #FSBConnect Cornwall Heartlands Great Customer Service to Drive Sales Thursday 5 July, 11am-1pm Heartlands, Redruth A session on how great Customer Service can drive sales, followed by our interactive networking with local businesses then a simple buffet lunch, so you can carry on those new conversations. #FSBConnect Cornwall“Business Insight - Onsite” - Tour of Jo Downs’ Glass factory Thursday 12 July, 5pm-7pm Pennygillam, Launceston Enjoy an “Insight - Onsite” when you join us for an exclusive tour of Jo Downs’ wonderful studio, factory and gallery. You’ll see how these beautiful products are made and hear how the business operates. We will talk about work/life balance (Jo is a great example as a marathon runner herself) and you can make great new contacts over some after-work canapes and drinks!

Our Next MP Round Table Meetings: Free to attend – raise your issues face to face with your MP Derek Thomas Friday 7 September 12 noon Wharfwide Shopping Centre, Penzance Join us for a discussion focused on your business issues with your local MP for St Ives. Derek will be on hand to answer any questions you have for him as well as bringing you up to date on plans that the government have for small businesses.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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TOURISM

NEWS

SPONSORED BY

www.visitcornwall.com

A GRAND RECEPTION A GEM OF A COLLABORATION A new collaboration between a top Cornish chef and a leading luxury holiday lettings company is taking self-catering holidays in Cornwall to a new level.

Guests of luxury holiday specialist Cornish Gems can now enjoy a special private dining experience hosted by a multi-award winning chef from the comfort of their holiday home.

Ben Tunnicliffe, who was one of the first chefs in Cornwall to receive a Michelin Star and owns the renowned Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn, will create a bespoke dinner party menu with sommelier-matched wines.

Each private dining experience is completely bespoke and offers Cornish Gems’ guests the opportunity to get involved in the cooking and learn top tips and skills from Tunnicliffe.

Commenting on the collaboration, Nadia

ADVERTORIAL

Macer-Wright, co-managing director of Cornish Gems, said: “This is a very exciting new venture for Cornish Gems and we’re delighted to be able to offer our guests this unrivalled luxury self-catering experience in Cornwall.”

Tunnicliffe added: “Cornwall has so many first-class restaurants and talented chefs, but it’s not always possible to get a reservation at busy times, and eating at the most soughtafter places often involves a long car journey or taxi ride.

“My private dining experiences are intended to provide an alternative, bringing the finest quality ingredients and many decades of experience as a chef into the beautiful holiday home visitors have looked forward to enjoying all year.”

A new reception building, shop and apartments has been officially opened at the Polmanter Touring Park in St Ives.

Local MP Derek Thomas and Mayor of St Ives Suzanne Jenner cut the ribbon on the new building, which is a significant investment for the Osborne family-run business celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Thomas said: “What a great achievement for this business. Polmanter provides an excellent holiday experience and has worked hard and made significant investment to improve the overall experience for locals and visitors.

“I’m truly in awe of the grit and determination that goes into running this kind of business and I wish Phill, Becki, the whole family and its staff, great success in the future.”

Becki Osborne added: “For our 50th year, we really wanted to make a mark, create a building that embodies everything we do as a business and as a family. It is a space that not just our visitors but our staff can be proud of. We have already received so many fantastic comments from many of our regular visitors and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.”

APPRENTICESHIPS AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Thought that apprenticeships were just for school leavers? Adult employees can upskill through the apprenticeship programme. Lisa Hutchings from the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub explains 36

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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TRAINING

SPONSORED BY

EDUCATION

www.truro-penwith.ac.uk

COLLEGE TO PILOT ‘T LEVELS’ The Government has chosen Truro and Penwith College as one of only 52 schools and colleges nationally to pilot the teaching of a new “revolutionary” technical qualification, T-levels.

From 2020, the Ofsted-Outstanding college will offer the T-Level qualification, a technical alternative to A Levels, in construction, digital, and education and childcare.

The college was chosen by the Department for Education (DfE) in a national selection process based on evidencing the highest

quality of provision in technical education and training. It is the only Cornish provider chosen to deliver the new technical levels and one of only two throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Truro and Penwith College principal David Walrond said: “The College welcomes this invitation to be part of the first delivery of these technical courses. Supported by the British Chambers of Commerce and designed by employers, they should be responsive to business needs and target industry skills gaps.”

STUDENT CRAFTS NEW BUSINESS A student who began making gifts for friends as a way to alleviate stress and anxiety as a teenager is now running her own business raising awareness of mental health issues.

Gracie Sodzi struggled with the pressure of exams and mounting coursework while studying for her GCSEs and A levels.

By attending counselling and doing what she loved - namely arts and crafts - she learnt about the importance of looking after your mental health and by 18 years old was fully focused on setting up her own company.

As she prepares for a summer working on her venture, Graciefullymade - having just completed the second year of an

Anyone aged 16+ who lives and works in England is eligible to be an apprentice. There is no upper age limit and they can be new recruits or existing employees. Apprenticeships are a great way to support existing staff development and they reflect the skills that employers actually need so have a direct impact on productivity and efficiency.

Tony Sampson from Naked Solar in Newquay is one of the many local employers seeing his staff flourish through the modern apprenticeship scheme. Having chosen to go down the apprenticeship route because he appreciates that some people thrive in an academic environment while others learn best when hands on, he says: “Apprenticeships are good for our team,

entrepreneurship degree at Falmouth University - the 21 year-old has built up a wide customer base and is creating heartfelt products from her Cornwall home.

She said: “I had never done any business subjects at school but knew that was where my heart lay. I had no theory or experience so when I arrived at Falmouth the support I received from the school and my lecturers was important and gave me a real confidence boost.

“As it’s a social enterprise it’s not about profit and turnover for me, there is a feelgood factor that I want to share with others. No amount of money comes close.”

good for business and it makes work so much more enjoyable when you can see people find a path to a really productive, lucrative and fulfilling career.”

There are two options for developing existing staff through apprenticeships; higher apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships. These lead to nationally recognised qualifications from level 4 to 7, equivalent to a foundation degree up to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub can talk you through all the apprenticeship options and help you to choose a route that is best for you

SSE IN UAE

Sally Heard, CEO of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall (SSE), has returned from delivering SSE’s first international programme for female social entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates.

The Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme is designed to offer its participants a more lucid understanding of society’s most pressing social, cultural, and environmental challenges, so they can use their enterprises to create real change in their communities.

The ten-month hands-on programme will coach and educate 15 UAE-based female entrepreneurs on running a profitable business that can generate a positive social impact. It also includes a field visit to Cornwall for the participants during the summer, and another field visit to SSE India in October.

Heard said: “This is an exciting opportunity for a cultural exchange between Cornish social entrepreneurs and those from the UAE looking to create a positive social impact in their communities.

“My time in Sharjah showed that social entrepreneurship is gaining traction in the UAE. Cornwall has a thriving community of social entrepreneurs, so bringing the two together will enable participants and SSE graduates to share their knowledge and insights in the classroom as well as enjoying first-hand experience in the field.”

and your team. To find out more and book a free and impartial Skills Review call 01209 708660 or visit, www.ciosskillshub.com The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and match funded by Cornwall Council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

Free ‘making the most of apprenticeships’ webinar. Turn to page 45 for details.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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22/06/2018 10:54

CREATIVE

AND DIGITAL

SPONSORED BY

www.digitalpeninsula.org

AN APPOINTMENT WITH NO 10

SHOWCASING CORNWALL IN THE CAPITAL Cornwall has been showcasing its creative industries at Clerkenwell Design Week in London.

Now in its ninth year, the festival celebrates design and creativity with a programme of talks, showrooms, workshops and installations.

The Cornish events were held in the shared showroom of branding agency Nixon Design and furniture designer and manufacturer MARK Product, two Cornish companies that opened a new outpost in Clerkenwell last year.

They kicked off with a talk by Sir Tim Smit on ‘Creating Eden wherever you are’, while BBC Click’s Kate Russell hosted a panel

discussion, which included the likes of Sanders Studios and Headforwards, on ‘Creative Cornwall’, covering everything from the influence of technology on Cornish companies to the benefits of a work-life balance.

Nixon Design MD, Martin Nixon, said: “Cornwall’s creative economy has always been strong and it’s only getting stronger. It was an honour to represent the region up in the capital, working alongside some of the best Cornish creative businesses.

“Together we demonstrated the important part Cornwall plays in the creative industries country- and worldwide.”

£800K DIGITAL SKILLS PROJECT West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s businesses are set to benefit from a pioneering £800k digital skills project being launched in Penzance this summer.

The project, Digitising the Economy through Skills Development, will be collaborating with up to 400 local businesses to understand what digital skills they think their businesses need.

Funded training will be available to upskill staff as well as the opportunity to take on an apprentice being trained in the skills they need.

Janus Howard, MD of the lead partner Digital Peninsula Network, said: “We are extremely excited to see the impact of this project on

local businesses and apprentices. It is proven that digital skills can boost profits and reduce costs. Nationally, small businesses with a strong web presence grow more than twice as quickly, export twice as much and create twice as many jobs as those without.”

The project is being led by DPN with delivery partners Truro and Penwith College, Penzance Business Improvement District, Maybe* and the Council of the Isles of Scilly with Penzance Regeneration Partnership contributing to funding.

To find out more about being involved, contact DPN on 01736 333700.

BAREFOOT BUSINESS WINS A local PR and marketing agency has secured two new account wins.

Legacy Properties is a premium property developer focusing on coastal locations in north Cornwall, while Harbour Brewing, which recently won four awards at the South West Independent Beer Awards, produces craft beer and lager using natural spring water at its brewery near Bodmin.

Barefoot director, Jim Michell, said: “We

38

worked on the launch of Harbour Brewing in 2012 and have always enjoyed seeing what the brewery is producing. Naturally, we’re really looking forward to working with Eddie Lofthouse and the team again at a very exciting stage of the company’s growth. We’re also thrilled to be working with Legacy Properties, as we continue to develop our services for the property sector.”

The founder of a Cornish social media marketing agency visited 10 Downing Street recently to talk business to one of the Prime Minister’s special advisers.

Katherine George, founder of Penryn-based Oh So Social, attended Number 10 with business support network Enterprise Nation and a host of other business founders to meet Jimmy McLoughlin.

George raised with the special adviser about how young entrepreneurs required more support, as well as opportunities to be showcased at a national level.

“I’m so grateful to Enterprise Nation for the amazing opportunity to visit Number 10 with a group of like-minded business founders,” she said. “It was extremely valuable as a young entrepreneur myself to be able to voice my concerns and ideas for business at the highest level, as well as bringing an oftenunderrepresented Cornish perspective to the conversation.”

MICROTEST SHORTLISTED FOR DIGITAL AWARD Microtest has been shortlisted for the South West Digital Awards 2018. The company, which has offices in Bodmin and Plymouth, has been selected as a finalist in the Best in Health Tech category.

MD Chris Netherton: “We are really honoured to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. Our team is constantly innovating to improve the capabilities of our software and it is fantastic to see their hard work recognised in this way.”

The winners will be announced at an awards evening in Plymouth on September 27.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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22/06/2018 10:55

CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

COUNT ON ABACUS FOR EFFECTIVE DEBT RECOVERY unning your own business can be difficult enough, so chasing unpaid debts is one headache you can definitely do without. Thanks to bespoke debt collection providers Abacus Collection there is now a local service tailored to your needs at affordable prices that allows you to focus on what you do best.

Involved in running his own businesses for the past 30 years, Jeff Painter founded Abacus Collection after a chance meeting with a friend who had a plumbing business, as Jeff explains.

“I was astonished to learn how many people owed him money. As a sole trader working long hours he simply didn’t have time to chase debts, so this was how Abacus was born.”

Based in Truro and covering the south west,

Abacus Collection offers a comprehensive range of no win, no fee debt collection services to customers ranging from sole traders to regional small and medium-sized companies Abacus can help you find out if your debt is collectable by contacting clients and trying to find a resolution. All debts have a time limit, so even if your customers can’t or won’t pay Abacus can secure your debt provided customers have an asset such as property.

If the debt is less than six years old and you’re not sure whether to write it off or not, Abacus can investigate the viability of spending more time and money trying to recover the debt.

Abacus also collects ledger debts for small

and medium sized businesses and can provide you with access to legal assistance at substantial trade discount.

Employing Abacus to manage your debts will help save you valuable time and money, improve your cash flow and increase business profitability.

Contact Abacus Collection today on 01209 821714 or email jeff@abacuscollection.co.uk for a no win, no fee debt collection service.

TRURO INVESTORS

LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN CORNWALL Ideal candidate business would be distressed, cash poor or just having difficulty growing, ideally in a growth sector

You must have drive and ambition with some existing clients and have provided a product/service in the last year

PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE AND SERVICES TO STARTUPS, SMES AND ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES FOR OVER TWO CENTURIES. Our clients are based all over the West Country and beyond. Our solicitors will provide practical, commercially astute legal advice designed to resolve your legal matter and implement strategies for growth quickly and costeffectively.

OPTIONS COULD INCLUDE Merger/Partnership/Purchase/Finance

01872 241414 www.nalders.co.uk

To arrange an informal meeting please call Emily on 07961402448 All discussions in confidence.

Outset_advertorial.indd 1

TRURO - ST AUSTELL - FALMOUTH - HELSTON CAMBORNE - NEWQUAY - PENZANCE Nalders Solicitors is the trade name of Nalders LLP (authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority) a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales under number OC354499.

22/06/2018 10:56

OPINION

JUST A THOUGHT

BBC Cornwall assistant editor, Daphne Skinnard, explains what Cornwall means to her

BRAND CORNWALL e call it ‘invisible ivy’, the hold Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have over people.

The strength it has to pull you back to a place that shows off its beauty in the Poldark series, that is a popular holiday destination to many and the homeland of St Piran, the pasty, clotted cream and so much more.

Everyone who falls in love with our area wants a bit of it and ‘Brand Cornwall’ is a

I know I take this for granted and it’s only when I travel across the Tamar or talk to family and friends who live further afield, that I realise how valuable ‘Brand Cornwall’ is

JustAThought_July18.indd 2

very precious and valuable commodity. I love being able to spread the word and to share stories about the very special place that I was fortunate enough to be brought up in and continue to work in.

Some companies have been selling ‘Brand Cornwall’ for a while, others are just on the cusp of being recognised. And it’s not just products or places. People do a very good job too – showing off nationally and globally what Cornwall has to offer.

Embracing its culture and heritage also helps to complete the picture but it’s not all romance, shipwrecks, pasties and cream. I take my hat off to those working hard to create jobs and secure partnerships. Since I have been working here I have noticed the considerable growth in support and investment for Cornish companies no matter what size. It’s been refreshing to witness new faces emerging and ideas expanding…and what’s been most intriguing is the pride involved in making sure everyone is aware that their roots are firmly set in Cornwall.

I know I take this for granted and it’s only when I travel across the Tamar or talk to family and friends who live further afield, that I realise how valuable ‘Brand Cornwall’ is. It’s exciting to live within an innovative and energetic economy which doesn’t just rely on its beauty but also looks to new ideas for inspiration.

When I first came to Truro for my job, many of my friends were concerned I was moving to ‘retire’ – I on the other hand was only just beginning my career. I am the lucky one.

Years later they are desperate to move back, that ‘invisible ivy’ is taking hold. Every time Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are mentioned in articles, featured on television or on the radio, their hearts yearn for a small piece of the action. I can provide a little bit by sending them local products, but there’s nothing like the real thing.

Companies across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly need to be congratulated on recognising their birthplace and using this to their advantage in a competitive world where keeping it local is a great selling point.

22/06/2018 10:57

CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

MOVE OUT OF YOUR BEDROOM! any great businesses begin in kitchens, bedrooms and cafes, but there comes a time when an entrepreneur needs a dedicated workspace. Taking on an office is usually too great a leap for a fledgling business. That is why a desk in one of Cornwall Innovation’s FormationZones can be the ideal stepping stone for a new venture.

Cornwall Innovation Centres manager, Matt Harrington, explains: “Becoming a FormationZone client at one of our Innovation Centres means that you can improve both the potential and opportunity for collaboration and networking with likeminded entrepreneurs.

“For a fraction of the cost of renting an office, you’ll get access to a range of business support organisations as well as a prestigious company address, 24-hour seven-days-aweek desk space, high speed connectivity and use of meeting rooms.”

One entrepreneur to benefit from being a

Formation Zone client is Julian Bose of Inspire Cornwall, the social enterprise behind DadPad, a guide for new dads and dads-to-be. Julian now rents an office at the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre in Truro, having started out in the FormationZone in early 2016.

He says: “A key benefit to me was being around lots of exciting ventures with many different skills. There was a real camaraderie as we were all focused on growing our new businesses. I also had support from Cornwall Innovation, such as having access to the Innovation Centre Entrepreneur in Residence.

Being in the FormationZone undoubtedly helped accelerate our growth.

“When we began preparing to launch our latest product, DadPad Neonatal, we needed to scale up quickly to accommodate our

growing team. Cornwall Innovation made our transition to an office very easy.”

To discover how you could benefit from being a FormationZone client, visit www.cornwallinnovation.co.uk

ATI SUPPORTING BUSINESS INNOVATION IN CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY THROUGH: CULTURE CHANGE

FUNDING MASTERCLASS THURSDAY 5TH JULY 9.00AM – 13.30PM ST AUSTELL POP-UP INNOVATION CENTRE

BUSINESS ACCELERATION INNOVATION GRANTS POP-UP CENTRES

www.aticornwallinnovation.co.uk

Innovation_July18.indd 1

01209 705 166

ati@plymouth.ac.uk

22/06/2018 10:58

TEST DRIVE

BMW 6 SERIES

THE FIRST GRAN TURISMO

A six-cylinder turbo; 20” wheels; and a cockpit that introduces richness equaling most of the floating palaces at Yacht Club de Monaco - Now we’re talking. This month I’ve been trying out BMW’s 640i GT. Cheers Ocean!

WORDS BY MORVETH WARD

The performance, whilst largely superfluous on Cornish roads, adds to the refinement because of the way it effortlessly wafts it along, yet can still put a smile on your face

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hilst in places like London and the Home Counties (and parts of Cornwall) vehicles like this are more common, in Cornwall they are generally far scarcer – therefore the GT stands-out down here and it feels special.

You do pay for it though - The demonstrator I tested was spec’d up to about £70k’s worth – that’s not far off Range Rover territory.

However, in a world where rarely do we part with such a capital sum I was very surprised to hear that you can contract hire a 6 Series GT from only £400 + VAT per month. That’s the figure which is relevant here and, on that basis, it is accessible to businesses looking for luxury.

I see this as a bit of a hybrid between an X6 and a 5-series. Not as tall and off-roadie as the X6 but more jacked-up and bigger than a 5 series. The drive and capabilities reflect this too – a tall enough vantage point to browse over the top of Cornish hedges but still low enough to handle sharply without feeling top heavy and boat-like.

It is an absolute delight to sit in, this is the best part for me: (bring out the superlatives) Perfect driving position; superb user-friendly layout; super-comfortable, and highly spacious.

Inside it certainly feels worth the money – such a refined lovely vehicle to cruise around in.

Goodies include ‘Integral Active Steering’ which is actually very useful and will for example vibrate (with varying levels of aggression) if you cross lanes unknowingly. The Intelligent Voice Control System worked well for me too. Similar technology from other manufacturers that I’ve tested have been a total waste of time.

The performance, whilst largely superfluous on Cornish roads, adds to the refinement because of the way it effortlessly wafts it along, yet can still put a smile on your face. The economy is better than I expected, probably because the 335 horses have little work to do along with BMWs efficient dynamics.

One point that cannot be ignored is the way it looks – seems divisive. What makes it look stand-out is the coupe-style roofline and frameless doors. Otherwise I did find the ‘liftback’ hatchback rear awkwardly proportioned however after spending some time with it I have grown to like it because it’s unique in a world where there’s many ‘samey’ cars.

Of course competition is tough in this price bracket and you’d expect a lot of the positives I’ve mentioned. In my opinion this confident and striking BMW does stand-up to competition well and particularly has a lot of

driver appeal, together with some particularly encouraging contract hire rates, making it a more than worthy player in the class.

Stephen Bentley, Ocean Corporate Sales 01326 3751000 stephen.bentley@oceanbmw.com www.oceanfalmouthbmw.co.uk

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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22/06/2018 11:02

EVENTS

JULY/AUGUST

JULY/AUG EVENTS 5

10

FSB – FIRST THURSDAY

Heartlands, Pool

A session on how great Customer Service can drive sales, followed by our interactive networking with local businesses then a simple buffet lunch, so you can carry on those new conversations fsb.org.uk/regions/south-west

HEARTLANDS BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Red River Café, Pool

17

19

12

#FSBCONNECT

Pennygillam, Launceston

Join FSB Cornwall for an exclusive tour of Jo Downs’ studio, factory and gallery. You’ll see how these beautiful products are made and hear how the business operates.

And make great new contacts over some after-work canapes and drinks. fsb.org.uk/regions/south-west

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

EventsDiary_Jluy18.indd 1

The club meets at the Norway Inn for breakfast on alternate Thursdays, where a lively and welcoming group of business people awaits. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk

CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS

Victoria Inn, Roche

Come along and see what the fuss is about. Cornish Partnerships open breakfast meeting, free to members, £5 to non members payable on the day cornishpartnerships.co.uk

Summer business networking with likeminded businesses at the Norway Inn over breakfast. All welcome! falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk

20

China Fleet Country Club, Saltash

Hosted by Marine-i, this forum will bring businesses and national and regional policy makers together to discuss the future opportunities and challenges for business innovation over the years to 2030.

Keynote speaker will be Richard Noble OBE marine-i.co.uk

Norway Inn, Perranarworthal

7

26

9

PRINT POWER

St Austell Conference Centre

Free half-day event presented by St Austell Printing Company and Business Cornwall magazine, featuring presentations and workshops to help ensure your printed marketed is as engaging and cost-effective as it can be. sapc.co.uk/printpower

These networking sessions provide opportunities to meet new people and will give you top tips for you to take back to your business. Among the speakers at this CCB-hosted breakfast networking event will be Access to Finance. cbtraining.co.uk

For further details of these and more networking events, visit

Red River Café, Pool

CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH

Bodmin Jail

This month Cornwall Chamber’s lunchtime networking gathering comes from Bodmin Jail. We promise you will be released after a hearty lunch! cornwallchamber.co.uk

16

Norway Inn, Perranarworthal

21

CORNWALL CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST

CCB BUSINESS BREAKFAST

The Business Space, Truro

HEARTLANDS BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Heartlands presents an excellent opportunity to meet other local businesses in the area, gain contacts and establish mutually beneficial relationships. heartlandscornwall.com/events

Norway Inn, Perranarworthal

St Mellion International

2030 – NEW HORZONS

AUGUST 2 FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB

FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB

ST MELLION BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Meet and network with likeminded businesses from Devon and Cornwall at the St Mellion Business Breakfast and trade exhibition. st-mellion.co.uk/stmellionbizshow

Truro School

Among the speakers for this month’s networking event will be National Maritime Museum Falmouth director, Richard Doughty. cornwallchamber.co.uk/events

Heartlands presents an excellent opportunity to meet other local businesses in the area, gain contacts and establish mutually beneficial relationships. heartlandscornwall.com/events

11

CORNWALL CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST

FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB

The club meets at the Norway Inn for breakfast on alternate Thursdays, where a lively and welcoming group of business people awaits. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk

Alverton Hotel, Truro

Join Cornwall Chamber on what we hope will be a warm August day for its main monthly networking event. Tickets £20.70+vat for chamber members and £30+vat for non members.

Cornwallchamber.co.uk/events

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

22/06/2018 11:03

CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

APPRENTICESHIPS WEBINAR

Businesses are being given the opportunity to find out how to make the most of apprenticeships in a free live webinar aking place on July 19 from 9.30am to 10.30am, the webinar will update employers on the recent changes to apprenticeships and explain how businesses can access Government funding for both new recruits and existing staff.

To demonstrate the practical business benefit of apprenticeships, the webinar will also feature local employers as well as apprentices who will discuss their experiences and share learning. Businesses will also be invited to pose questions to employers, apprentices and training providers in a live Q&A session.

The webinar is aimed at employers who: • Simply want to know more about apprenticeships • Wish to attract and develop new talent at all levels and ages, including graduates

• Need to upskill or re-train existing staff • Have specific skills needs and gaps • Want to develop future managers and leaders The webinar will be jointly hosted by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership and Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.

“Employers are missing out on the huge potential that apprenticeships offer,” explains Josh Hoole, project manager of the Skills Hub. “Significant change has taken place in recent years, not least the introduction of the apprenticeship levy.

Apprenticeships are a cost-effective route for businesses to develop the skills they need right up to degree level among both new and existing staff.

The webinar will demystify the confusion that exists and showcase the positive business benefit.”

To register for the ‘Making the most of apprenticeships’ webinar, visit https://apprenticehipswebinar.eventbrite.co.uk/ The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and match funded by Cornwall Council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

Nominations now open Vote for the 2018 Achiever of the year online now: truro-penwith.ac.uk/CAA

Hosted by Truro & Penwith College

Nominations close 6 August 2018 #CornApp18

t: 01872 242711 e: nominations@truro-penwith.ac.uk /TruroApprentice

Skillshub_Halfpage.indd 1

@TruroApprentice

22/06/2018 11:37

CONNECTED

CORNWALL

SPONSORED BY

www.cioslep.co.uk

ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW 119,201 visitors flocked to last month’s Royal Cornwall Show, which was attended by the HRH Duke and Duchess of Cornwall

TOP ROW: COL EDWARD BOLITHO WITH DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL SECOND ROW FROM LEFT: BRIAN HARVEY (PKF FRANCIS CLARK), ALISTAIR MACKAY (BARCLAYS), JULIANS ELLIS, PAM JOHNS (COODES), EDD BUCKLAND (EDWARD BUCKLAND LTD) AND IAN PAWLEY (CORNISH MUTUAL) AT EDWARD BUCKLAND CHARITY AUCTION; THREE GENERATIONS OF RODDAS AT ROYAL CORNWALL THIRD ROW FROM LEFT: DUCHESS OF CORNWALL VISITS THE CORNWALL AIR AMBULANCE STAND; NICHOLAS RODDA MEETS PRINCE CHARLES

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

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22/06/2018 11:06

CORNWALL

CONNECTED

CORNWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION A charity lunch cooked

by Seafood Restaurant head chef Stephane Delourme in Padstow raised over £2k for the Cornwall Community Foundation

TOP ROW: HARRIET TOWNSEND AND KATIE TOOGOOD (BARNABY’S BISTRO AND PRAWN ON THE LAWN) SECOND ROW FROM LEFT: NICKY MARQUIS, JANE HARTLEY, JO RILEY (ALL CORNWALL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION); SARAH WALSH (SAMUEL F WALSH FURNITURE, ELLIE MICHELL (BAREFOOT MEDIA) AND CLAIRE VICKERS THIRD ROW FROM LEFT: ROSS GEACH (PADSTOW KITCHEN GARDEN), GIO VILLADA (CRAFTWORKS), ALISON AND LARISSA (HELPING HANDS AND PANS/RICK STEIN’S RESTAURANTS), STEPHANE DELOURME (HEAD CHEF, THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT), LOUISA HOLMES (OPERATIONS MANAGER, RICK STEIN’S RESTAURANTS), TWO MEMBERS OF STEPHANE’S KITCHEN TEAM; KATE AND ROSS MCBURNIE (CORNISH WINE TOURS); CRAFTWORKS STREET KITCHEN, WHICH PROVIDED THE KITCHEN AND MARQUEE FOR THE EVENT BOTTOM ROW FROM LEFT: JANE WATSON SMYTH (PADSTOW FARM SHOP), JENNIE KEEBLE (PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ORGANISER), STEPHANE DELOURME (THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT), GRAHAM KEEBLE, TINA EVANS (PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ORGANISER)

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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22/06/2018 11:07

THE LAST

WORD

SIMON CADDY All you need to know about Gylly Computer Services’ director of communications, Simon Caddy, but were afraid to ask

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? I always wanted to be a vet and look after animals, my GCSE results told me that wasn’t going to happen though.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? I was a telephonist for Kernow Message Handling Service answering the phone for vets and businesses.

WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? My aging Samsung Galaxy

S7.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Ian Mitchell agreeing to join forces with

Phoneta, enabling me to join the Gylly team.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? Will Smith and Simon Sinek. Will

Smith has always been an idol of mine since I was young and would love to meet him in real life. Simon Sinek has such a brilliant view on what leadership is and means; to be able to learn from him would be an amazing opportunity.

IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Reverse global warming.

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

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? You can be in the middle of nowhere with no one around in just a few minutes’ drive from almost anywhere.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? With my fiancée and

two girls at home.

WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK? Ian

mentioning that he was considering if joining forces with another company was a wise move.

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

business across the south west and beyond.

LastWord_July18.indd 2

22/06/2018 11:08

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But we’re so much more...

But we’re so much more...

We have an unrivalled choice of over 70 sport, craft, leisure and We have an unrivalled choice of over 70 sport, craft, leisure and spa activities. All of our activities can be included as part of a spa activities. All of our activities can be included as part of a team building trip, or can be enjoyed at your leisure as a 24 hour team building trip, or can be enjoyed at your leisure as a 24 hour delegate - just choose the great value delegate rate, delegate - just choose the great value delegate rate, tell us what you need, and relax - we’ll do the rest. tell us what you need, and relax - we’ll do the rest.

MEETING SPACES FOR UP TO 250 DELEGATES • LATEST ONE-CLICK TECHNOLOGY MEETING SPACES FOR UP TO 250 DELEGATES • LATEST ONE-CLICK TECHNOLOGY

24 24 HOUR HOUR DELEGATE DELEGATE RATES RATES FROM FROM ONLY ONLY £60 £60 PER PER PERSON! PERSON! Make the most of your visit as all 24 hour delegates Make the most of your visit as all 24 hour delegates will receive: the standard day delegate package, will receive: the standard day delegate package, evening meal, one nights accommodation, breakfast evening meal, one nights accommodation, breakfast and free use of all facilities. and free use of all facilities.

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Steve Mattey Print Manager Joined SAPC 1982

Great Print delivered by an experienced team Great print isn’t just about having the best equipment. It’s about having a dedicated, knowledgable team who genuinely care about your print.

Most of our team have been with us for over 15 years, some for even longer unrivalled expertise helping bring your print to life.

Your friendly printing experts 01726 624900 | sapc.co.uk St Austell Business Park, St Austell, PL25 4FD

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