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MAY 2019 | ISSUE 130 | £3.95
CORNWALL SSE CEO SALLY HEARD
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES SECTOR FOCUS
AEROSPACE SKY’S THE LIMIT
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MAY 2019
ISSUE 130
INSIDE FEATURES 10 BUSINESS GROWTH NURTURING CORNWALL’S DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS
12 CEO INTERVIEW IN CONVERSATION WITH SALLY HEARD, CEO OF THE CORNWALL SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
17 CREATIVE WE FOCUS ON CORNWALL’S CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND HIGHLIGHT SIX HIDDEN GEMS
30 AEROSPACE GROWING THE AEROSPACE ECONOMY
32 TOURISM CORNISH GEMS AND ISLES OF SCILLY STEAMSHIP GROUP
REGULARS 4 INCOMING HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE A STRONG BRAND?
6 BUSINESS NEWS AWARDS SPEAKER REVEALED
36 EDUCATION STUDENT BUSINESS TACKLES PLASTIC WASTE
37 CREATIVE & DIGITAL NEW HEALTHCARE PLATFORM
39 FSB FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES
40 CORNWALL CHAMBER
41 ON THE MOVE STAUGHTON STEPPING DOWN
42 TEST DRIVE NEW SEAT ATECA
44 JUST A THOUGHT JOSH NEVE OF SANDERS STUDIOS
46 EVENTS DIARY NETWORKING DATES
47 CONNECTED NETWORKING PICS
48 THE LAST WORD BROCK FROM CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS
CHAMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
PHOTO: THE ISLES OF SCILLY STEAMSHIP GROUP SEE PAGE 34 FOR MORE
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 1
MAY 2019
WELCOME
BY EDITOR NICK EYRIEY
ISSUE 130
CREATIVE APPROACH ON THE COVER
SALLY HEARD, CEO OF THE CORNWALL SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
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
Cornwall is a brilliantly creative place to live and work. But creativity isn’t just limited to the creative industries, of course. It permeates across a number of sectors and manifests itself in a number of different ways. Take social enterprise, for example. Arguably, Cornwall is a beacon for social entrepreneurs. A few years ago, it became Britain’s first Rural Social Enterprise Zone and it is certainly fertile territory for people wanting to make a real change in the society they take pride living and working in. And many of these businesses can be incredibly ‘creative’ in their approach. But then I guess ‘entrepreneurship’ and business ‘creativity’ have always been happy bedfellows. In this month’s creative-themed issue, we focus on Cornwall’s traditional creative industries and chart its burgeoning worth to the local economy, while we also speak to Sally Heard, chief executive of the Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs.
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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.
She explains what makes a social entrepreneur in the first place, what drives her on in trying to make Cornwall a better place and also her work in helping others to fulfil these objectives. Commerce and capitalism can sometimes gain a bad reputation, so it is heartening to know that there is a movement of new businesses genuinely dedicated to improving lives and that Cornwall is leading the way. Business Cornwall Magazine is proud to be associated with
2 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
(or PMS 871c as it’s known in the trade)
We’ve just won the environmental printer of the year award! Fresh from the podium (if not hot off the press), we just had to let you know we’ve been awarded a prestigious industry gong. We’re still glowing with pride after the recent PrintWeek Awards – the gold-standard of the UK printing industry – named Nationwide Print as the country’s environmental printer of the year. We’ll spare you the teary-eyed details of the ceremony, but we will say what an honour it was to be recognised for our soaring solar powered printing talents, knockout green technology (including a rather nifty electric car) and our carbon-neutral record – along, of course, with our lightning-quick litho, digital and large format printing. So, while we clear space on our mantelpiece, why not take a moment to share our success and get in touch with the eco-friendly printing olympians of the world*. Selfie, anyone?
Nationwide Print Holmbush, St Austell, Cornwall PL25 3JL T: +44 (0)1726 72548 W: www.nationwideprint.co.uk E: estimating@nationwideprint.co.uk
* Strictly speaking the UK, but allow us our moment of glory.
INCOMING
THE CONVERSATION
The big question How important is strong branding to a company’s success? Can a business survive on strength of product/service alone, or does it need a strong brand identity to really make it fly? Join the conversation @biz_cornwall
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DO I OWN THE IP IN MY BRANDING? Experts from Stephens Scown LLP will be sharing their tips in this regular column. This month Kathryn Heath, senior associate in the intellectual property team explains why it is important to ensure you own the intellectual property in your branding and marketing materials
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THE CONVERSATION
ANDY TRISH
NCI Technologies While I agree that brand identity helps any small business have a uniform approach to its marketing and actually reduces costs in many aspects and that it shows staff and customers that the company has a structured way of portraying itself, the brand itself doesn’t always mean the product is good. Microsoft is an example. Everyone knows Microsoft due to the billions their marketing have invested in their brand awareness, but when you buy the software you are guaranteed to have to install patches for the lifetime of that product due to imperfections in the coding. McDonalds is another global entity and identified by the yellow arches. Their brand is fast food. They are what they say they are in their branding and have never claimed to be anything other than a fast food service yet despite their cheap products have expanded worldwide due to their branding. Branding alone doesn’t make a company or product but if you are lucky enough to get it right you can fly. As a tester for readers, without looking, see how many logos, colours or brands of your smaller suppliers you can identify.
KATIE SANDOW Fifteen Cornwall
There’s plenty of evidence to show that businesses can survive on the strength of their product/service alone, but ultimately how important branding is depends on what a business is trying to achieve.
The right branding can add significant value to your business but not many people know that if they commission a third party other than an employee to create materials for them (whether for free or for a fee) the third-party will automatically own the copyright in what is created unless there is a written agreement between the parties to the contrary. In using the materials you have commissioned and paid for you may end up infringing the copyright rights of your supplier. It is a trap we regularly see businesses fall into. If the work commissioned is key to your brand, for
Long-term value can be built into brands, so it makes the business proposition more attractive to investors or the business easier to expand. Brands also act as a way to indicate to audiences whether what the business is offering is right for them and what they can expect from the business and internally that also means it can be easier to make decisions through the lens of ‘is it right for the brand?’ In short, yes, a company probably does need a strong brand identity to really fly, but getting the product/service right for your customers in the first instance is more important.
ANDREW FINLEY Oxford Innovation
A brand strategy goes beyond the product or service, more than a logo or colourway, it is the embodiment of who and what you are as a company. Your brand needs nurturing through the constant referencing of everything it represents, from the way your products look to the behaviour of your people and your management culture. The end goal of this complex formula is to engender a sense of connectivity with your customers that builds resilience and value for both parties.
STUART BEVERIDGE Cornwall Air Ambulance
Successful business is about so much more than talking about the services and products you offer. The entire process of making a purchase is emotional. Consumers make a decision to purchase, or donate, based on an emotional
example logo design, it can have a huge impact on your business. So how can you avoid this? Take time to read the small print. Pay particular attention to the intellectual property ownership clause in any agreement with a third party, or in your supplier’s terms and conditions, to ensure that it gives you the rights you need.
INCOMING
connection. Perhaps the product will make their lives better in some way or to experience the feel-good sensation of donating to a worthy cause. Establishing a strong brand helps to engage in these emotional purchases, getting people connected to something bigger than themselves. Clear and consistent branding elevates businesses, building recognition and loyalty as well as providing a competitive edge in the market.
ROBERT SALVONI Swoop Applications
Whilst a product is what people need, a brand is what people want. For any business that aims to grow, a compelling and distinctive brand is what will open up your market and attract prospects. Remember though that product excellence is an intrinsic part of your brand, and is what will ensure that your brand rings true in the long term, rather than just being cosmetic.
JENI LUKE Coodes
Having an instantly recognisable brand is what we all aim for and marketers strive to protect. However, it only works if your company provides excellent products and service. Even when you have built that recognition and trust, you are not immune to failure if you don’t respond to changes in the market place. That’s why at Coodes we continually focus on keeping our brand relevant, but also ensuring our service lives up to the excellent service we promise.
Getting this right at the start will save both the supplier and the client time and money in the long run. Kathryn Heath is a Senior Associate in the intellectual property and IT team at Stephens Scown. Kathryn is available on 01872 265100, ip.it@stephens-scown.co.uk or via www.stephens-scown.co.uk
If you are the one creating the work it is best to have these discussions with your clients upfront at the beginning of the relationship to avoid any misunderstandings about intellectual property ownership later on.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 5
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AWARDS SPEAKER CONFIRMED
just four years later, she bagged Team GB’s first gold medal at the London Olympics. The dazzling summer of sport was topped off by the Queen awarding her an MBE in 2012. In 2016, she and her rowing partner Heather Stanning, defended their Olympic title in Rio, winning gold again. She has also won two World Championships with Stanning and a third with Polly Swann. Husband Steve Backshall, meanwhile, famous for Deadly 60, is now a TV fixture with hosting duties on Springwatch to a turn on Strictly.
Double rowing Olympic champion and threetimes world champion, Helen Glover, has been confirmed as speaker for next month’s Cornwall Business Awards.
Glover grew up in Penzance, with her family’s business, started by her great grandfather, Jelbert’s Ices of Newlyn famously serving only one flavour of ice cream!
And she will be joined at the awards at St Mellion International on Thursday, June 27, by her BAFTA award-winning husband wildlife expert Steve Backshall.
From a young age she excelled at any sport that she turned her hand to. Her rapid rise to rowing success only began in 2008 after she joined the GB Rowing Start Programme and
The glamour-filled night will see 14 awards given to the best of business from across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. New awards for 2019 will recognise Sole Traders and how we can reuse our planet’s resources with the Circular Economy award. The excitement will continue with the overall winner handed Business of the Year from a public vote which opens this month. See who is in the running and cast your vote at cornwallbusinessawards.co.uk
PRINTER PRESSES FORWARD St Austell Printing Company (SAPC) has announced an expansion to its digital printing department, with a major investment in a number of new printing presses. The family-run company has taken delivery of two new Xerox Versant machines, which are now running in conjunction with two existing presses and a number of large format machines. SAPC says the investment is to enable it to keep up with continued demand for digital printing from both local and national clients; including the production of leaflets, booklets, greetings cards, stickers, menus, posters, pull-up banners as well as print-on-demand services for the publishing sector. MD, Peter Moody, said: “We’ve been running a large Xerox digital press for three years and have been really pleased with the quality of the print, speed and efficiency it offers. That’s why we decided to add more Xerox machines to our digital department to not only increase capacity, but also offer an excellent level of consistency.” 6 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
CORNWALL GETS ON ITS BIKE Cornwall is set to receive a boost to the economy next year when it hosts the first stage of the 2020 Tour of Britain, with riders travelling 170 km through the Cornish countryside, starting at Penzance and ending in Bodmin.
Cornwall over the stage, and it is hoped that around 180,000 people will line the roads of Cornwall to watch.
The stage’s provisional route (subject to final approval) will also visit St Just, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Newquay, St Austell and Eden Project.
The Tour of Britain stage will be the biggest ever sporting event to be hosted in Cornwall. The Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event and the most prestigious race in Britain, and is shown live on ITV4 and Eurosport as well as being broadcast in 190 countries worldwide.
The agreement to hold the race was confirmed at a special signing ceremony with the Tour of Britain organisers SweetSpot and Cornwall Council at Chy Trevail in Bodmin.
Councillor Adam Paynter, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Cornwall, not just for cycling fans, but for the wider community as well.
The race could give a massive boost to Cornwall’s economy. Independent economic reports estimate that the race will generate over £3 million of extra spending within
“It will bring visitors into the Duchy, not only along the cycle route, but across the rest of the Duchy and it will also help to enhance our profile both at home and abroad.”
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NEWS IN BRIEF
PRINCE CHARLES TRIBUTE St Austell Brewery had a visit last month from His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall. Prince Charles visited the brewery in celebration of Tribute Pale Ale’s 20th anniversary and in recognition of the company’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The brewery was awarded the honour last year, for sustainable development initiatives across its operations. During the visit, St Austell Brewery’s chief
executive, James Staughton and head bewer, Roger Ryman, accompanied The Prince on a tour of the brewhouse, where he met members of the brewing team and local barley suppliers. Staughton said: “It was a very special day and the perfect way to celebrate Tribute’s 20-year milestone and our Queen’s Award for Enterprise – a recognition that we were enormously proud to receive for our sustainable development.”
ICE CREAM TO CHINA A Cornish company has won a £500k contract to export its ice cream to China. Freezer containers full of 125ml and 500ml retail tubs of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry Callestick ice cream have left on their six-week journey from Cornwall to Shanghai. It was a short visit to Newquay that resulted in the Chinese export order. “The managing director of the company we’re selling to was in the UK on business and happened to buy one of our ice creams,” said sales director David Jeffs. “He fell in love with it, thought it was perfect for the Chinese market and got in touch. It’s a very exciting development that we’re planning to build on in the coming months.”
Five Cornish museums are to benefit from almost £700k of Government funding following a successful bid to the Coastal Communities Fund to use virtual and augmented reality technology to bring Cornish heritage alive. The technology will be developed by Falmouth University in partnership with Cornwall Museums Partnership and will be launched in phases at the Telegraph Museum Porthcurno; Castle Heritage Centre, Bude; St Agnes Museum; Isles of Scilly Museum and the Old Guildhall Museum & Gaol in Looe. ____________________ Newquay-based Solar PV company, Naked Solar, was named Installer of the Year at the recent South West Energy Efficiency Awards. “Winning a regional award is particularly humbling as we have so many great companies helping customers fight climate change in the south west,” said MD, Tony Sampson. ____________________ Perranporth Golf Club raised £9,656 for Cornwall Air Ambulance’s New Heli appeal from a series of fundraising events throughout the year. ____________________ Saltash-based Burcombe Haulage picked up a hat-trick of awards at The Pallet Network Awards (TPN), including the night’s biggest accolade – Depot of the Year. ____________________ A Cornish wetsuit company has acquired the Liskeard premises it has operated from since 2015 after securing a sixfigure finance package from HSBC UK. TWF International, which is owned by local businesswoman Lee Cooper, has purchased the 25,000 sq ft building in Liskeard, enabling the management team to future-proof the business. ____________________ The Driftwood Spars Brewery in St Agnes has won a national FreeFrom Food Silver Award, for its ‘Lou’s Brew’, named after landlady Louise Treseder. Head brewer, Pete Martin, said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to strip out all the gluten from our beers without affecting the flavour.” ____________________ Carrs Jaguar Land Rover has opened its new purpose-built showroom, just off the A30 at Scorrier. The dealership, which has relocated from Threemilestone, includes two handover bays and a lounge-style 20 seat waiting area.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 7
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CORNWALL SCALES UP WORK BEGINS ON HELIPORT Work has officially begun on the new Penzance Heliport that will become the helicopter gateway to the Isles of Scilly.
GLENN CAPLIN There are 295 fast-growing ambitious businesses with leaders “hungry for success” across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, according to new insights from the ScaleUp Institute. The report identifies 295 companies in the region that meet the definition of scaleup because they have increased turnover or employment by more than 20% annually. Based on the latest 2017 ONS data, the ScaleUp Institute says Cornwall and Isles of Scilly scaleups are employing a total of 17,000 staff and their turnover is worth £1.2 billion. It identifies the top five scaleups by employment growth as Goonvean, Seasalt, Fred Champion, WestCountry and MJL Contractors, while the top five for turnover growth are Goonvean, Audiotonix, Seasalt, WestCountry and Teagle. Across the UK there are over 36,000 scaleups, an increase of 3.7% from 2016. ScaleUp Institute chief executive, Irene Graham, said: “Scaleups are the engine drivers of local economies; they are twice as innovative as large firms, employ twice as many apprentices, are twice as likely to be operating in international markets, and, significantly, they create high quality jobs.” Glenn Caplin, chief executive of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The growth rate of scaleups in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is on a par with other parts of the country like the south east and Manchester and is testament to the strong business support ecosystem we continue to develop in our region, including investment in skills, access to finance and workspace. “It’s further evidence that our part of the UK is a fantastic place to grow a business.”
8 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
The first turf has been cut on the site at Jelbert Way, adjacent to the previous heliport site, using Cornish shovels by Mayor of Penzance Cllr Dick Cliffe, Cornwall Councillor for Ludgvan Simon Elliott, chair of Ludgvan Parish Council Cllr Roy Mann and Robert Dorrien-Smith, who is leading the project. During the event, west Cornwall-based Symons Construction was named as the main contractor responsible for building the £4.3 million heliport. Helicopters will fly between Penzance, Tresco and St Mary’s year-round from spring 2020,
operated by Sloane Helicopters. Robert Dorrien-Smith, who is behind the project, said: “Today is a momentous occasion not just for the islands, but for west Cornwall. “Today marks the start of the project that will once again make Penzance the proud home to one of the few scheduled passenger helicopter services in the world, with all the benefits to the local economy that entails. “We also begin work to reinstate the much-missed third leg of the Isles of Scilly transport system, working together to deliver the resilience, choice and connectivity the islands need to achieve growth now and in the future.”
HEATHROW LINK LAUNCHES Business leaders gathered at Cornwall Airport Newquay for the launch of the new air link with London Heathrow. As part of the new Cornwall Council led Public Service Obligation (PSO), funded by the Government, the new Flybe service between Newquay and London Heathrow operates four times a day, replacing the previous triple-daily service between Newquay and London Gatwick. The new route and frequency of flights have been secured for four years under the PSO agreement. It is claimed the service to London Heathrow, the world’s second busiest airport for international travel, will help businesses in Cornwall to compete nationally and internationally, attracting inward investment and boosting tourism.
Mark Duddridge, chair of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Regional air links are vital to rebalancing the UK economy and supporting our emerging industries.” Cornwall Airport Newquay’s Managing Director, Al Titterington, added: “It’s fantastic that all the hard work to make sure that Cornwall Airport Newquay has direct access to Europe’s busiest hub has finally come to fruition. The worldwide connectivity that this brings opens up a world of opportunity for Cornwall.”
Funding to support smaller businesses. The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund provides commercially focussed finance through Debt and Equity Funds. It aims to transform the finance landscape for smaller businesses in the area and to realise the region’s potential to achieve economic growth through enterprise. Equity finance £50k - £2m For start-ups or more established businesses with high growth potential
Debt finance £25k - £1m For early stage or more established businesses that can demonstrate growth potential
www.ciosif.co.uk @ciosifbbb British Business Bank plc (BBB) is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. British Business Financial Services Limited (BBFSL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BBB. Neither BBB nor BBFSL is authorised or regulated by the PRA or FCA. BBB and its subsidiaries are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. A complete legal structure chart for the BBB group can be found at www.british-business-bank.co.uk.
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BUSINESS CORNWALL | 9
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
REAL-WORLD
impact
We discover how Launchpad is nurturing Cornwall’s rising digital entrepreneurs Falmouth University’s incubation and acceleration programme, Launchpad, is supporting the next generation of tech innovators and entrepreneurs and driving the digital economy in Cornwall. The post-graduate programme, underpinned by an MA in Entrepreneurship, brings together teams of highly skilled software, creative digital and business minds, to develop high-growth, high-value digital companies to meet identified market demand. It reverses the usual start-up model, so participants don’t join the programme with ideas for a business, but are offered challenges by business partners, which have so far included Amazon, the BBC and Sony Interactive Entertainment. In the first phase of the programme, the teams build a product or
10 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
solution to meet these challenges, working hand-in-hand with their industry partner, so that the chances of long-term commercial success are increased. Surrounded by a team of professionals and academics that support both their business growth and search for future investment, they have access to world-class resources and expertise.
benefitted from £9.8 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund to help foster the development of a high-growth, high-value tech industry in Cornwall. The businesses established on the programme must remain headquartered in the county for a minimum of five years.
After the incubation phase, the business teams incorporate and spin out into acceleration.
Nick Dixon, head of the Launchpad programme, says: “Already, in just over a year, the first cohort of Launchpad participants have produced five new companies, secured £800k of investment and are valued at a total of £4.1 million. Within five years, we believe that Launchpad can create 65 high-value, high-growth businesses and 526 jobs in the county.”
The programme co-funded by the University of Falmouth and Cornwall Council has
The programme attracts a diverse pool of applicants. A stipend of £16k for the first
Located in a brand-new facility within the university, the Launchpad teams are in an environment that allows them to fully develop their ideas and take risks.
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
MAIN PHOTO LEFT: THE CREATIVE BRIDGE BUILDING (WITH THE ACADEMY OF INNOVATION AND RESEARCH ON THE LEFT AND LAUNCHPAD ON THE RIGHT) BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO: PARTICIPANTS FROM COHORT 1 OF THE LAUNCHPAD PROGRAMME, ON STAGE AT THE BUILDING’S OPENING EVENT BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO: GLAS DATA (COLIN AND ROB)
year means that people from a wide range of backgrounds and with varying levels of industry experience are able to join.
us introductions to key players in the industry that have helped us kick-start our enterprise.”
The co-founders of Glas Data came to Launchpad via very different careers paths. Rob Sanders was working as a software engineer before joining Launchpad, while Colin Philipson had many years’ experience in marketing and communications. Together, they launched an agri-tech company which provides a data ecosystem that will support farmers, agri-services, processors and retailers in meeting the demands of the modern agriculture industry.
Tanuvi Ethunandan joined the Launchpad programme in September 2018. She graduated from Cambridge University in 2015, having read Economics, then worked at Ernst and Young, gaining her Chartered Accountancy Qualification. However, she was keen to take the opportunity to start her own business. She’s now working with her cofounder, Erin Morris, and the Eden Project, to develop a tool that will reduce the frustrations of queueing and bottlenecks at major tourist attractions.
Rob says: “Without Launchpad, our business wouldn’t exist. It’s given us the financial stability we needed to start a company, it’s offered us business insight and expertise and it’s offered
“Launchpad has given me the opportunity to explore new industry segments, creatively problem solve and work with exciting new people. As a co-founder, I am constantly
learning new things, be it from the product development process, or from the Masters in Entrepreneurship offered alongside the programme. I am excited to see what the next 6 months of the programme has to hold, especially since our team, Data Duopoly, plan to trial our MVP this Summer.” Professor Anne Carlisle, OBE, vice-chancellor of Falmouth University adds: “Launchpad is what Falmouth University is all about; working together, across disciplinary boundaries, fusing creativity and digital innovation to tackle big economic and social challenges, and delivering real solutions with real-world impact.” Applications for Launchpad’s June cohort are now open. For more information visit: https://falmouthlaunchpad.co.uk/
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 11
Heard
Regeneration specialist Sally Heard believes in making a difference and as chief executive of the Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs she is helping hundreds of people in Cornwall change lives and transform communities through social enterprise
What is a social enterprise? A social entrepreneur is someone who recognises something, normally in the local community, that they see is broken. It could be a product, but predominantly it is a service, that is not being fixed. So, they take it upon themselves and normally that comes from a deep connection. It might be something to do with their family, a child for example. They might have had a bad time with
12 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
the education system, usually something they have gone through that sparks this passion. So, they want to do something about it but often don’t know how. By the time they come to us they usually have a pretty good idea and expertise about that specific issue, but what they don’t have is that business acumen to back it up.
What originally got you interested in social enterprise? It was a mixture of things. I was brought up very much in the private sector - advertising and PR in the 1980s, but it didn’t really float my boat, I wasn’t really impressed to be honest. In what way? A little too selfish perhaps? A little bit underhand at the time - I’m not suggesting that’s the case now! There was
something about the whole thing that worried me, didn’t connect with me. But equally, nor did the public sector! I did various things and ultimately got a place at Exeter University as a mature student to study community and international development and it just opened my eyes. I started out in Cornwall in regeneration, right back in the day of Objective One, but we were starting from such a low point it was challenging. We were meeting people on a one-to-one basis and that wasn’t an efficient use of time and wasn’t very helpful to those people. So, my vision was to bring people together, where they could learn from each other, support each other, but also have the expertise fed into them. The SSE programme has been running for ten years but we didn’t set up as a Community Interest Company until 2011. For the first
SALLY
three years it sat as a project under the Cornwall Development Company. First, we had to get a name, build the networks and contacts and get people to understand what we were doing, which is still ongoing, that’s never stopped. Those years spent with CDC, I was simply running a project, it wasn’t a business, but it helped me to build some really great networks, which stand really strong today.
I think the way we would describe a social enterprise is that it’s ok to make a profit, but it’s what you do with that profit
How many of these models are there in the country? There are nine schools across the UK. There is also one in Canada and another in India. This model particularly suits itself to Cornwall. We all know about our heritage and being independent-spirited and a long way from Westminster, so you can kind of get on with it.
What we have seen is this development of social enterprise and Cornwall has become a hotbed of social enterprise and that’s thanks not just to the work we’re doing, but some of the iconic social enterprises we have in Cornwall such as Eden and Fifteen.
HEARD
Many people wouldn’t think of Eden as a social enterprise. No, but it is. The way it is set up is complex but ultimately it is a social enterprise and we work very closely with them and Fifteen. Eden hold a corporate seat our board. We know them very well, they’re colleagues but they are also a bit more than that really. Is there still some confusion as to what qualifies as a social entrepreneur? Absolutely. There’s lot of confusion out there and with the business community as well, who perhaps don’t recognise social enterprise as a business, but actually it is. It’s just the way it is set up that is different. We’re still interested in making a profit, but it’s what we do with that profit that makes the difference.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 13
So, what’s a typical example of a social enterprise?
Are all social enterprises community interest companies as well?
Sarah Cowburn came to us with very much the seed of an idea. She used to work for the local authority but for various reasons she left and was looking to see how she could make changes in her own local community with regards to health and fitness. She got herself fit first of all and then got the passion and started to engage with people in the clay areas and gradually got them into exercise and wellbeing. Her business is now a CIC called Bodeeworx. She is very much into the ‘This Girl Can campaign’ and really embedded in the local community, seriously making a difference with people’s lives.
No. There’s a range of different models. I think the way we would describe a social enterprise is that it’s ok to make a profit, but it’s what you do with that profit. Unlike a limited company where you can take the profit off and go off and buy a yacht or whatever, with a social enterprise all the profit is reinvested back into the business and that is where it stays.
Another good example is The Cornish Apple Project, Hidden Orchard. Jeff Bradley is a trained horticulturist running his own landscaping business, and he began noticing the number of apple trees hidden away in the many gardens he worked in and the amount of delicious fruit going to waste. This prompted him to set up the fruit exchange ‘exchanging your unwanted fruit for juice’. Recent investment has taken the business to the next level and he now produces a range of apple juice, crushed pale apple cider and apple cider vinegar. 14 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
Because we’re a CIC, that enables me to be the chief executive and a director, which is great and really important to me. And I can take a salary. I could have a car, I don’t, I could have all kinds of stuff, but actually if I give my notice in tomorrow, in three months times I walk away and don’t take anything with me. You’re leaving everything there, it’s not my business. Roughly how many people have you helped? Since we constituted as a CIC seven years ago, we’ve worked with around 700 people. That’s probably a conservative figure, but I don’t want to over egg it. And what sort of percentage have gone on to form a business? The percentage success rate has grown since the Lloyds Bank Programme, because the recruitment for that is robust. In Cornwall it’s around 40% who have gone on to form a social enterprise. Sometimes they’re just not ready. And the best will in the world, they have to be at a certain stage. Sometimes they may just have misunderstood social enterprise. What
we’re looking for in a social entrepreneur is a passion. You could have someone sat in front with the best business plan in the world, but if you’re not feeling that passion, we would question that. Do you have to believe in the business plan and the person? We don’t necessarily want people to come with their business plan. We’re a nonaccredited programme; we want them to grow throughout the programme; we want their business idea, but they do need to have a clue. They do need to know their numbers; they need to know where they’re at and where they’re going in order to succeed. The recruitment is tough, we look at their numbers and all that stuff, but it’s kind of in the round. Ultimately for me, and this where I get a few wry smiles at panel, is that I am looking for the person. Part of what we do is develop that person and if you can work with that person, you can work with their business.
So, dumbing it down a bit, there are similarities with Dragons’ Den? We used to call it a Dragons’ Den and we’ve kind of softened it, but it is tough. There are five people around the table, some of whom are Lloyds Bank managers, myself and maybe one other. People come in and have a pitch and are timed. We do support them through this recruitment process. We ask them to come along and practice their presentation with us, a couple of my team will work with them to help them get across the key points.
SALLY What is the success rate of the social enterprises going forward, beyond the first year say? The survival rate is very high. They’re driven by passion and coming through the programme they start to build some really great networks. And once they’ve graduated, they become our fellows and from there not only do we keep in touch with them but they come back to us and we work with them to deliver various parts of the programme.
To begin with, are they all sole traders?
great reputation as a hub for social enterprise all over the world. We are a pretty innovative bunch, but we could have done more with that.
Once a social enterprise, always a social enterprise? Normally, yes. You can change your structure but not many people do. A good way to describe it is wherever you find a deprived community, you’ll find a social entrepreneur trying to make a business, which wouldn’t necessarily be the first choice for someone wanting to make stacks of money.
Not necessarily. If they’re start-up they can come to us and not have done anything very much, just this seed of an idea. But the session I ran this morning, our trade up, people are more established, so they have companies in various guises which they want to develop into social enterprises.
And this isn’t about CSR. This is different because CSR you can dip in and out of.
Cornwall was the first rural social enterprise zone. What is that?
And it’s making a real impact in communities?
There’s a little gang of us in Cornwall. There’s Dan from Eden, Matthew from Fifteen, Lindsey from RIO, a few others, and we meet regularly just to chew the fat to see how we can lift social enterprise in Cornwall and make it more visible and we came up with this notion that we could create this social enterprise zone. And before we knew where we were, we found ourselves in Westminster meeting with MP Nick Hurd and that’s how it was launched really.
We see that impact year on year, we know the tremendous difference being made. If I am lucky enough to be home early to watch the local evening news, I think “there’s so and so and there’s so and so”, because there’s always something going on where they are involved. They’re real activists in the work that they do.
It was given to us by Social Enterprise UK, and Peter, who is their CEO came down and Nick Hurd came down and we had a big launch.
I don’t know actually. Some of them would certainly come through, but sometimes they don’t recognise quite how good they are. You can be full of self doubt can’t you? Starting your own business is a big thing.
You make a real pledge to become a social entrepreneur. Ultimately, you’re reinvesting. You can make a shed load of money, but you can’t make away with it, you’re putting it back in.
In Cornwall it’s around 40% who have gone on to form a social enterprise
But what we missed out on was not getting any money from anybody! I can remember the moment thinking ‘ouch!’. We should have pushed harder there! But anyway... So, we have this title, but don’t have anything to back it, but it’s a nice thing to have and puts Cornwall on the map. Cornwall has a
If SSE wasn’t around what would happen to these sort of enterprisers and ideas?
A lot of feedback we’ve had is that “you were the first people to really give me the confidence”. There are friends, fools and families, but outside of that, we’re the first they’ve spoken to and that is a good feeling. And also, I’m not a walkover. If it ain’t right, it ain’t right and they’re told. Kindly, but firmly, you need to go away and think about this a bit more. It has to stand up. They need to know what they’re doing, we’re not the experts in whatever it is they doing. What we bring to them is the personal confidence and
HEARD
business acumen skills. And the networks. For example, all of our Lloyds tudents are allocated a mentor, and that tends to be a bank manager.
Let’s talk a little more about the Lloyds programme, how does that work? The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs programme is delivered across the UK in partnership with SSE and is jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. But importantly, and this is where Cornwall does really well, is that Cornwall Council and the LEP have backed us with hard cash. It’s a tremendous thing having that kind of investment locally. The programme is free. There’s a £4k grant but in order to draw that down they need to be able to show very clearly that they are able to trade up £4k within the year on the programme. And another programme we have is for £10k. So, we’re reinvesting right back into the Cornish economy.
And typically, what is that money used for? Helping staffing costs? It can be small capital items, it’s to help grow the business. But they must be able to demonstrate that they’ve brought in that trading income. We’re trying to break that cycle of dependency that we see in other sectors, where people are just dependent on grants. You need to trade up from wherever you are now £4k or £10k, depending on the programme you are on.
You recently worked with women entrepreneurs from the UAE. How did that come about? I am very interested in female entrepreneurship. I am a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and an opportunity came from our London team. I had been with SSE for a long time, I know it and know what I’m doing and they needed a safe pair of hands and asked me to lead on it, which I did.
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SALLY
HEARD
Without being disrespectful, it must be a thousand times more difficult being a female entrepreneur in the UAE than this country? Yes, really difficult. There are all kind of cultural considerations, which is I think why they asked me to do it. There’s a lot of diplomacy required but at the same time these women were keen to push. The Emirati women are quite incredible because this is out of their comfort zone. We’ve had women on the programme from all over the region, from Egypt, Syria, which was very interesting to see how that worked.
something they want to do. And quite often they’ve been on the receiving end of something they’re not very keen on. Social enterprise offers women the opportunity to rise to the top and lead. Across sectors women are increasing being sought for their excellent communication and business acumen skills, but social enterprise is currently ahead of the game with regard to women in leadership roles.
There’s a high percentage of women leaders who are social entrepreneurs. I think they just identify with it really well
Where social entrepreneurship works best is countries like India and Africa. There is a massive social enterprise in India and particularly women in Africa, they’re feisty! Social entrepreneurs are typically feisty by nature, the ladies from the UAE are much more mellow, although those from Egypt and Syria were quite feisty, so it’s very interesting.
What holds women entrepreneurs back in this country? Actually, there’s a high percentage of women leaders who are social entrepreneurs. I think they just identify with it really well. Women are very passionate about
Do some women find it more comfortable working in social entrepreneurship than they would in more corporate life?
Maybe they do. I’m a female leader of a social enterprise and I am in a very comfortable space for me, because it enables me to do that more nurturing and caring for a more inclusive approach, but at the same time it’s got that gritty, business approach as well. I’m not comfortable in a particularly heavily commercial environment, it wouldn’t be for me, wouldn’t make me happy. Other women are, and that’s fantastic and long may that continue.
What are your plans for the future? What gets you out of bed in the morning? I’d have to say the people and seeing what they’re achieving and attributing some of that to us. I’m aware I’m not the person working in the depths of the community, but what I am doing is facilitating people to do that and making a real change to people’s lives. There is food on the table. We can dream that’s down to us, it definitely not, but what we’re doing is supporting those social entrepreneurs getting out and doing it. I am personally really interested in international development and supporting women and sharing what we’ve learned. It’s not been an easy journey, I’ve got bruises, but I might as well use that to help others along.
Is the world becoming a better place? Yes, if you talk to the kids. We’ve just started a youth programme and I am fascinated to see how that goes. To hear them talk, I am quite excited because they’ve got it, they’re driven in a slightly different way, they’re very aware. It’s a progression, but our young people give me an immense amount of hope for the future. So, we’re offering that opportunity to explore social enterprise as an option and make sure they understand it. 16 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
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CORNWALL
With our creative industries lying at the very heart of Cornwall’s economic growth prospects, PFA Research director, Robert Rush, casts his analytical eye over the sector
a creative Employment in creative businesses has grown by 35% over the last eight years
Only time will tell whether the eventual outcome of the Brexit deliberations will have any form of lasting impact on the Cornwall economy and its creative industries. Whether it’s out with a deal and we start a long series of negotiations for the future relationship with our European neighbours, or an absolute ‘out out’, the results will eventually be played back through national statistics… always a retrospective view. We have reviewed some of the key economic indicators around Cornwall and Isles of
future? Scilly’s creative industries which will serve as important benchmarks for the future.
In context, our analysis of data from National Statistics shows that the number of jobs in the creative industries nationwide is estimated to be around 1.4 million, delivered by approximately 290,000 enterprises. About 85,000 of those jobs are in the south west (21,000 businesses) and over 4,800 are within one of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s 1,400 enterprises. The independent Bazalgette review in 2017 (commissioned by the Government’s Business and Culture Secretaries to conduct an independent review into ‘how the UK’s Creative Industries can help underpin
our future prosperity, focussed on developing new technology, capitalising on intellectual property rights and growing talent pipelines’) states that the creative industries could deliver close to £130 billion GVA by 2025 and approximately one million new jobs could be created in the UK by 2030. So, what do we mean by the creative industries? The sector encompasses film, TV, music, fashion and design, arts, architecture, publishing, advertising, video games and crafts. Further, the ‘creative tech’ sector is a subset of this, where technology is used alongside creativity and design to deliver products or services. In a recent report by PFA Research for Invest in Cornwall, the creative tech sector was defined broadly as those companies operating within advertising and marketing, architecture, design (product and graphic), software engineering, and specialist video production and design services. The proportion of Cornwall’s creative industry businesses that fall within the ‘creative tech’ category is 69%. Although this is somewhat lower than the 82% for UK as a whole, this likely reflects the wide diversity of creative talent in Cornwall with its long heritage in the arts including Falmouth University (previously Falmouth College of Arts).
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 17
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CREATIVE
CORNWALL
There has been greater employment growth in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly associated with creative industries than across all industries as a whole. Employment in creative businesses has grown by 35% over the last eight years compared to less than 25% across all industry sectors. The real success however is within the creative tech cluster, which has seen an eight-year employment growth of 63%. It is important to note that National Statistics report only from those enterprises leaving a footprint by VAT and PAYE registrations, so it is likely that the real figure including all those earning a living from creative tech, ie the sole traders and part time creatives in the gig economy, is even greater than that currently counted in national statistics. And the outlook is promising. Given a fair wind after the Brexit heavy weather, employment in creative tech enterprises in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly could increase to over five thousand by 2030, if the trend of the last few years is anything to go by, a cumulative increase that proportionally is double of that of growth across all industries as a whole. It is frequently commented how Cornwall as a place for business offers significant lifestyle benefits to employees over other places. The PFA Research survey of Cornwall’s creative tech businesses in 2018 showed 30% had increased staff over the previous 12 months and that being able to attract and retain staff
was broadly not a problem for them, with four in ten saying they had attracted skilled workers from outside Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, not only across the south west but the wider UK, Europe and internationally.
A third (33%) believed that the staff retention in their industry was better than compared to the national average and a half thought it was about the same or they were unable to say either way. Just 16% thought it was worse.
Sector business owner/managers mentioned several reasons relating directly to the creative tech sector as an industry with positive staff retention rates, including that the sector offers “interesting and challenging work” and an “environment/lifestyle with good salary and variety of work”, all of which helps them to keep hold of their most skilled employees.
Further, none of the survey participants felt that they would have to reduce employee numbers as they looked ahead to 2019, suggesting strong trading conditions at the time and a perceived healthy level of job security. In fact, 41% were expecting the need to increase their staff count.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Here are my tips to market your milestone:
Government data shows that businesses in the south west have the highest survival rate in the UK, says Bishop Fleming marketing director Paul Seymour. But with nearly 50% set to fail within five years, those that succeed have something to shout about
2. Look forward. Recognise where you have come from, but focus on where you are heading.
“Whatever your business, if successful, at some point you will achieve a milestone. Whether that’s a first anniversary, 25 years or longer, these achievements are a creative opportunity to reinforce that you’re not just surviving, but hopefully thriving too. This will resonate with your existing and prospective customers and your wider market. 2019 is Bishop Fleming’s centenary year - a remarkable milestone that few other businesses may emulate. We’re using our achievement to deliver a year-long programme of activities, events and new projects that better reflects the business we aspire to be. A new website, intranet and visual identity have all come together under a centenary campaign - It’s what we bring together, that sets us apart – very much a rallying call to our business.
Our people have committed to raising £100k for the communities we serve too. Creatively speaking, it has allowed us to be dynamic, bold and confident.”
1. Plan well in advance. Start to think about marketing before it is too late.
3. Be inclusive. Bring together your people, customers and everyone who has contributed to your success. 4. Create a lasting legacy. Use your milestone to drive your business forward.
Above all, in an age of mass-marketing, any business milestone is a fantastic opportunity to get creative and allows you to connect with your audience in a refreshingly different way.
“Some call it celebrating success, I call it marketing gold.” – Paul Seymour
Paul Seymour is marketing director at Bishop Fleming. www.bishopfleming.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 19
CREATIVE
CORNWALL
DRIVING INNOVATION Rich Adams, corporate project manager at the University of Plymouth, says businesses and universities can work together to create groundbreaking new technologies When businesses and universities join forces, they can really drive innovation. This is perhaps most apparent of all in the field of new technology. Here in Cornwall, there are some really exciting developments, particularly across the fields of agri-tech, e-health and marine robotics. So, what can a university bring to a new tech development? ADDITIONAL SKILLS Any new tech project is likely to need a broad range of skills and expertise. While your business may have the specialist knowledge for aspects of your project, it is highly likely that, as it progresses, you will discover that you need additional expertise that you don’t have in house. One of the key roles a university can play is to plug those gaps in skills and knowledge.
Any external perceptions that Cornwall’s creatives are only part-timing against the draw of the surf are probably unfounded… hours worked in Cornwall’s creative tech business are fairly typical of the industry across the nation (a solid seven hours daily) though data suggests that those same jobs in London will demand higher average daily working hours. Creative tech businesses in Cornwall enjoy the flexibility of their working hours, with many employees being free to work the schedule that suits them as long as core hours are
20 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
OBJECTIVITY AND CREDIBILITY Taking any new technology to market is challenging before your product has a track record. This is where a university collaboration can really help. Academics are known for their objectivity, so their involvement can bring credibility to your product, which could give you the edge on your competitors. ACCESS TO FUNDING Having access to funding is likely to be crucial to getting any major technology project off the ground. Collaborating with a university could pave the way for Government funding. For example, universities like Plymouth are seeking industry partnerships for the Industrial Strategy Challenge fund, which has been established to boost the UK’s productivity and earning power.
observed. This highlights Cornwall’s attitude towards promoting positive and flexible working to aid a strong work/life balance, and for business leaders to maintain good morale and working environments.
REVENUES In terms of turnover, over the last three years creative tech in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has grown 45% compared to just 14% for creative industries as a whole and has doubled since 2010. Creative tech turnover
To find out how you could work with a university to develop new technologies, attend Venturefest South West on 17th June 2019 at Sandy Park, Exeter. For more information and to book tickets: www.venturefest-sw.co.uk For more information on how your business can work with the University of Plymouth: www.essupport.com
for the UK as a whole grew ‘just’ 26% for the same three-year period. On average, creative tech businesses in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly earn 20% of their annual turnover from exported services. However, a half of those surveyed (51%) reported not exporting at all. Some, and most notably those in the games development subsector, report close to 100% of their turnover coming from exported product, clearly having a strong weighting on the overall sector average. Other companies with strong export links are typically found in design and other software development.
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CREATIVE
CORNWALL
Marketing services form an important part of the creative mix in Cornwall. Four local experts share their knowledge
- if they want to continue to win brands’ advertising spend. Jim Michel, Barefoot
How has marketing changed in recent years?
Social and digital marketing have brought more immediacy to the way businesses reach their audiences. Consumers are now in control It’s nothing new, but the quality and of the brands rather than the other way round. innovation of Virtual and Augmented Reality More recently, clients have had to be more products are starting to become seriously agile with their thinking in order to stand out impressive. This is a service in their marketplace and we we personally offer and take help to bring their idea to life. great interest in keeping The key thing that businesses Understanding a finger on the industry can expect from working pulse. With the parallel your audience and with Vitamin Cornwall is for advancements of handheld us to listen, understand their marketplace and technology, we are starting needs and to provide creative to see everyday marketing reflecting this in solutions that go beyond being exploited in an your brand will pay expectations and deliver on augmented or virtual world. their ambitions. Stores have VR headsets
What are the key marketing trends in 2019?
dividends
set up ready to promote a product, and new apps allow you the ability to bring a static image to life and explore their form and function intricately. In 2019, marketers will be competing for consumer’s attention on a more immersive level than ever seen before. Josh Neve, Sanders Studios I think that trust and responsibility continues to be a huge issue for marketing, especially in the newer channels. Facebook and Google have to step up on a number of levels - most notably with social responsibility, vetting news content, and preventing political infiltration
INNOVATION Creative tech businesses by definition are likely to be the innovators or will have a linked dependency on innovation from other sectors. The Government’s biennial UK
John Lowdon, Vitamin Cornwall
Generally speaking, is marketing something too many businesses overlook? Marketing is overlooked by businesses that see it as an irritating overhead or an extraordinary expense once in a while. Smart businesses factor marketing as an essential component of Cost of Sale — and for brands seeking growth it’s a strategic investment with planned and anticipated ROI. The marketing landscape has become broad and very complex with a need for technical capability. If a business doesn’t have a marketing strategy and support, either
Innovation Survey is currently in field and we can expect the results next year, but the latest findings released last October showed that 9% reported the EU referendum as a barrier to innovation, noting that the survey fieldwork period covered a pre- and postreferendum time frame, making it difficult to
in house or via an agency, it’s more likely tasks will linger at the bottom of the list with unfocused goals and money wasted. Jo Downie, Wolf Rock
Is Brexit uncertainty hampering business? Absolutely, it’s affecting everyone. Different sectors are feeling the effects in different ways. We have tourism clients who are simultaneously seeing a drop in bookings from EU countries and at the same time a surge in bookings from domestic customers. The construction sector is particularly sensitive to the uncertainty, we have seen clients who have mothballed projects as a direct result of the Brexit vote. A no deal outcome would be bad news all round. Jim Michel, Barefoot
What are your top tips on branding? Be authentic. Don’t cut corners. You get what you pay for. More time spent considering what you stand for, understanding your audience and marketplace and reflecting this in your brand will pay dividends. John Lowdon, Vitamin Cornwall Know your brand. Without a clearly defined brand, any marketing communication is futile. Even if you have been in business for a long time, revisiting your brand can be a great way to refocus your marketing, and prioritise your budgets to make sure you are reaching those key customers with the right message. Jo Downie, Wolf Rock
draw firm conclusions about the impact of the referendum on innovation. However, Bazalgette in the 2017 sector review makes recommendations around innovation, noting “the Creative Industries are highly active in Research and Development (R&D) but such activity is not fully or formally recognised, meaning direct investment into Creative Industries R&D projects is too low. Industry and Government need to work together to ensure that this trend is reversed and that the contribution of creative disciplines to R&D is properly valued.” Evidently the creative industries in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, and in the creative tech sector especially, remain an important part of the economic fabric. Whilst just 1.5% of employment across all industry sectors is accounted for by creative tech businesses (and 2.7% of all in creative industries), this has grown 44% since 2010 but remarkably just 3% since pre-EU referendum. Next year’s data may tell us whether we’re ready for another creative lift off.
22 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
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CORNWALL
hidden gems Six shining stars from Cornwall’s creative sector
ANTHONY GREENWOOD Anthony’s creative and fine art background has led him to focus on photography for over eight years. In particular, commercial photography; providing clients across the south west and beyond with creative imagery to enhance their marketing projects. “I find understanding my clients’ individuality and balancing their needs with creative solutions has always been key to my methodology,” he says. “Imagery is massively important for all businesses; it focuses and entices current and future clients with personal and relevant visual information, drawing them deeper into marketing schemes and sales.” Anthony is always available for a chat and this helps him delve deep into his clients’ requirements, pushing to find creative solutions in a friendly and collaborative nature. “I work across many disciplines with my photography, from food, architecture and interiors, to portraiture and lifestyle. I am always up for a challenge, and have many happy regulars coming back for new imagery year on year.”
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anthony-greenwood.com
COAST 360 DIGITAL MARKETING
Coast 360 Digital Marketing combines creative flair and technical insight to help travel and tourism companies thrive and prosper online. The team is expert in delivering content-driven marketing campaigns to boost online visibility and generate bookings for its clients. Founded in 2005 by Elliot Walker - a former journalist and travel content producer for Virgin - Coast 360 has ridden the wave of digital evolution. From blog writing and content marketing, through to digital PR and search engine optimisation, the company delivers strategic campaigns to help its clients attract, engage and win new customers online. The Newquay-based company works almost exclusively with travel and tourism companies, including hotels, cottage rental agencies and tour companies in Cornwall and beyond. Coast 360 works hard to ensure its clients are prominently positioned and top of mind when visitors research and book their time away.
www.coast360.co.uk
CREATIVE
BAD WOLF HORIZON Bad Wolf Horizon is a multi-award-winning B2B drone company, specialising in aerial photography and aerial filming across the south west. Bad Wolf Horizon is the media production side of the business and has worked with clients including Visit Cornwall, CSA Architects, Goonhilly Earth Station and the BBC. Aerostream is the name of the world-first drone live streaming side of the business. Its main service, ‘Social Stream’ allows it to live stream to business’ social media for social media marketing and live event coverage. Last summer, you may have seen its ‘Cornwall. Live. from a Drone.’ campaign with Visit Cornwall, which gained over 85,000 views. Its hard work has not gone unnoticed. The drone live streaming services won ‘Best Innovation in Digital Tourism’ from Cornwall Live and in November 2018, director Tom Wadsworth (24), won ‘Young Business Person of the Year’ from the Western Morning News. www.badwolfhorizon.com
SOLVE WEB MEDIA When Lawrence Harmer first started designing websites back in 1998 (the same time Google itself was founded), little did he know that his thirst for knowledge and innate design skills would see him running his own creative digital design agency with 11 staff members and over 250 clients worldwide 20 years later. Solve takes a completely holistic approach to digital marketing. Harnessing a combined skill set covering all aspects of digital marketing from SEO and content optimisation to website design and video production, Solve uses data-driven strategies that really pack a punch. With a diverse range of clients from the world of leisure and tourism, the arts, food, fitness and accommodation, It’s an exciting time for Solve whose runaway success is built on the success it brings to its clients. Building clients a solid online foundation sees clients returning time and time again, with 90% of business coming from recommendation. https://solve.co.uk/ info@solve.co.uk 01841 705 507
CORNWALL
CAMELLIA INTERIORS With over 30-years’ experience of designing coastal home, in the highend luxury market, Camellia Interiors has worked on everything from grand coastal properties and penthouse apartments to quaint cottages, townhouses and commercial premises. As well as working direct with private clients, Camellia works closely with architects, property developers and holiday let companies; they also help estate agents to advise potential buyers on suitable investment properties and how to maximise a property’s potential and add value. Whether it’s the blank canvas of a new build to the complete re-configuration of a building, Camellia works on everything from large-scale builds and renovations to simple room makeovers. With a fantastic reputation and many years of experience in the luxury holiday home industry, it is the go-to interior design agency in Cornwall and one of the only qualified and accredited British Institute of Interior Design practices in the county. Founder Elaine Skinner, is the direct point of contact for all clients helped by her team of degree level, qualified designers. www.camelliainteriors.co.uk hello@camelliainteriors.co.uk 01872 248952
CONTENT MARKETING CORNWALL Founded in 2013 by former BBC Journalist Lisa Woodruff, Content Marketing Cornwall serves the needs of small to medium-sized companies in the south-west who don’t have the time, budget or creative juice to write compelling content, copy and PR to promote their products or services. Addressing a real need for those companies who don’t have a marketing department or dedicated marketing person, Lisa will step in to help with one-off projects or as a regular freelance member of the team. She works with a broad range of clients in the marine, tourism, lifestyle and leisure industries. Key areas of expertise are copywriting, proofreading, editorial, writing press releases and distributing to her local media contacts. Lisa writes website content, newsletters, articles, blogs and copy for all online and printed marketing material. She is highly efficient and approachable and has ongoing long-term working relationships with most clients. www.marketingincornwall.co.uk www.contentmarketingcornwall.co.uk
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 25
ADVERTORIAL
commercial
things A technology called LoRa can provide data that may help communities, conservation groups, farmers, housing associations.
LoRa Gateways can be installed within communities on town halls, council buildings, schools then provide the connectivity for anyone within the community to link their own sensors and build applications. There are two parts to a LoRa system. The LoRa sensor (transmitter) and a Gateway (receiver antenna). One Gateway can receive signals from hundreds of LoRa sensors. A farmer may benefit from the installation of one Gateway antenna at the farmhouse and connect to this a small battery operated, relatively low-cost motion detector on a tractor or quad bike and will be alerted should that machine move when not in use. Once the Gateway is installed the same farmer adds a stand-alone battery-operated smoke detector in a barn where before it had been prohibitively expensive to cable to one. Not only will this sound an alarm but will also alert directly via email or other means. Then they install temperature sensors in the cold store to alarm on failure, soil moisture sensors out across the 300-acre estate, water level detectors in the storage tanks, fault detection from a bore hole pump or bulk milk tank compressor...you see the possibilities are endless.
26 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
Ver Facil Ltd based in Wadebridge, established for ten years and experienced in electrical automation control systems. We provide free consultation on LoRa solutions, can provide presentations to community groups and we are a commercial installer of Internet of Things technologies.
Contact managing director Rob Cartwright iot@verfacil.co.uk For more detailed information please visit www.verfacil.co.uk
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How can low power, long range sensors help your community or business? Wadebridge-based business Ver Facil explains all
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 27
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Nominations open 31 May To nominate visit: www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/CAA
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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
28 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
UK
ADVERTORIAL
protect your With the uncertainty that 2019 is set to bring and Employment Tribunal claims being at a five-year high, there has never been a better time to ensure that your legal employment support is in hand. Each quarter, the Ministry of Justice publishes the number of Employment Tribunal claims. In December 2018, the figures reported a five-year high. The reason for this must be linked to the abolition of Employment Tribunal claim fees in July 2017. In 2017, we saw over 23,000* single cases brought. Now the deterrent of the Employment Tribunal claim fee is no more, employees are wise to the fact, and claims have been progressively increasing.
since before the introduction of fees. With nearly 16,000* of those claims being unfair dismissal, employers are advised to tread carefully to avoid being one of the recipients of a claim. The time, stress and expense of an Employment Tribunal is best avoided at all costs. As we face a period of uncertainty (let’s not mention the B word), where even largescale corporate companies face sale, closure, or restructuring, there is concern also from small and medium-sized business. As a business owner with any number of employees, it is inevitable that you will find yourself apprehensive about what the future might bring. The added complexity and ever-changing nature of employment law, can make the prospect of having to restructure, or make other changes to your business, daunting and risky. This is where we can help.
January to September alone last year saw almost 29,000* single case claims brought
The Ministry of Justice are yet to publish statistics for the final quarter of 2018, but January to September alone last year saw almost 29,000* single case claims brought, which already makes it the highest year
Through joining our Employment Law Package, we can help you start thinking about futureproofing your business, as well as avoiding Employment Tribunal claims. We
provide the peace of mind and employment law advice for all eventualities. In light of increasing Employment Tribunal claims and uncertain times, WBW who have offices across Devon and Cornwall, are offering consultations with businesses to discuss our employment law offering and your workforce-related concerns, including lay-offs, redundancy, restructuring, long and shortterm changes to employment law terms and conditions, or preparation for sale or closure. Please get in touch with the employment team if you would like to know more about the Employment Law Package, or to arrange a free consultation. Kerry Curd – employment partner at WBW Solicitors kerrycurd@wbw.co.uk 01566 772451
*Figures from Ministry of Justice Employment Tribunal Statistics published 13 September 2018 and 13th December 2018
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 29
growing the
aerospace
economy
AeroSpace Cornwall is building on a thriving industry for the region From groundbreaking advances in deep space communications, to the development of a state-of-the-art spaceport, Cornwall is home to some of the biggest innovations and developments currently taking place in the world’s aerospace and space sectors.
Innovation in technology Truro-based research and development company, Greenwall Environmental Innovation (Cornwall) Ltd, received match funding from AeroSpace Cornwall to help develop its innovative ‘Asbestoprobe’. Used to analyse asbestos content in structures in real time on-site, the product enables fast decisions that could potentially affect public health and safety. It could impact across many industry sectors, where potential asbestos samples have to be sent to laboratories to determine asbestos content. Asbestos is a particular issue for aviation, where older aircraft, facilities and buildings such as hangers can have a high risk of asbestos content. Greenwall was able to utilise the R&D funding from AeroSpace Cornwall to progress the development of the product, and also received support to relocate into the new Aerohub Business Park to accommodate the company’s growth. 30 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
AeroSpace Cornwall has been behind this momentum by driving the expansion of a high-tech business cluster, supporting local businesses with funding and opportunities to propel the region to the forefront of the UK’s aerospace and space industry.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, AeroSpace Cornwall’s programme has given these businesses the chance to grow, to invest and to collaborate, resulting in some exciting developments for Cornwall and its space sector.
james@aerospacecornwall.co.uk
aerospacecornwall.co.uk
Shining the spotlight Further helping businesses grow and innovate, AeroSpace Cornwall has been putting companies in the spotlight at various high-profile industry events. This gives them the opportunity to showcase their latest developments while promoting Cornwall’s space sector.
Supply chain competitiveness Part of AeroSpace Cornwall’s aim in building the cluster was to engage with the supply chain, offering access to SC21 development and giving practical advice and guidance to help businesses become more competitive. Logan Electronics in Ponsanooth utilised this support, working with a consultant to maximise workshop capacity and increase margins. The manufacturing firm, which
Exhibiting at events can better secure your business as a supplier in the global market, with opportunities to network and connect with other likeminded businesses. Exposure can help your business develop and grow. AeroSpace Cornwall has been key to the growth of the aerospace and space sector in Cornwall, from supporting local businesses such as Greenwall, Logan and Bluefruit Software, to showcasing Cornwall’s
capabilities on a global platform. This is the driving force behind the county’s growing space economy – and the momentum hasn’t stopped yet. Funding and support is still available for innovative businesses that could contribute to further growth of these leading business clusters, and play their part in driving Cornwall to the forefront of the global space and aerospace sector.
makes coils, wiring looms, RF antenna and electronic assemblies for markets including aerospace and defence, has since implemented improvements across the business and increased competitiveness in its supply chain. AeroSpace Cornwall’s Supply Chain Competitiveness Support framework has helped a number of Cornwall-based SMEs like Logan, to access the tools and support to achieve business growth. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 31
TOURISM
FOCUS
LEADING THE WAY IN LUXURY LETTINGS
Founded in 2007 by managing directors, Julianne Shelton and Nadia Macer-Wright A luxury holiday home rental agency with an exclusive portfolio of 180 luxury holiday homes in Cornwall With offices in St Ives and Truro, Cornish Gems employs 100 people in Cornwall, 90% of whom are women Visit cornishgems.com
Cornish Gems is an established and award-winning local company specialising in providing luxury self-catering holidays in Cornwall. Since 2007, it has been providing visitors to the UK’s number one tourist destination with superb self-catering accommodation that meets the highest quality, cleanliness and safety standards in iconic and breathtaking locations
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Twelve years ago, Julianne Shelton and Nadia Macer-Wright identified a gap in the Cornish tourism market and created a business centred on delivering the highest-level tourism standards and offering luxury holiday homes appealing to an emerging trend of visitors seeking a home-from-home holiday experience (or better). The primary unique selling point of Cornish Gems is the ability to take the hassle away from holiday letting and changeover management for time-poor homeowners. This aspect of the Cornish Gems service was groundbreaking at the time and has over the years developed into a turnkey, fully managed rental solution for property owners. What Julianne and Nadia didn’t quite appreciate when launching Cornish Gems was that their efforts in realising their dream and mission to create the best hand-picked range of luxury holiday homes in Cornwall
TOURISM
would contribute towards raising the bar of Cornish tourism. With holiday tariffs ranging from £500 a week to over £12k, Cornish Gems appeals to a diverse range of customers, all seeking the same thing: an amazing place to call their home on holiday in Cornwall. Twelve years later and Cornish Gems is now a multi-million pound holiday rental agency employing around 100 people in Cornwall, 90% of which are women - including all nine senior management positions.
with arranging holiday essentials such as babysitters, private chefs, extra housekeeping and those memory-making holiday experiences from surfing to wine tasting. We offer a myriad of support services to holiday home owners too, along with advice to ensure they are legally compliant, that they are providing safe environments for guests and that they don’t have to get involved with the most challenging element of holiday letting, the weekly changeovers.
Rather than being the biggest in what we do, we want to be renowned as being the best
Julianne and Nadia explain the Cornish Gems service... Excellence and customer focus At Cornish Gems we have two main customer groups, the 25,000 holiday makers we bring on average to Cornwall every year and the individual property owners that each own the 180 properties within the Cornish Gems portfolio. Over time we have honed our customer service to centre around providing the highest level of customer care and our workforce has been shaped to deliver this. We fully manage the guest experience from the point of enquiry, right through to their day of departure. This all-encompassing service - via our knowledgeable travel advisors, housekeeping and maintenance staff and our trusty customer service team, who are on-hand to ensure we have a solution to every request creates a truly memorable holiday experience. We are passionate about Cornwall so once our travel advisors have helped guests choose their perfect Gem we provide additional services to provide a tailored, memorable holiday experience. In addition to local information and recommendations we also offer a concierge service to help
Our exceptionally trained housekeepers, clean week in week out, keep an eye on wear and tear and standards, while managing all the laundry and luxury welcome provisions. We have also developed our own in-house quality standards, which define and benchmark luxury holiday letting. Our full time in-house quality assessor works with property owners to achieve these standards and meet guest expectations.
Setting the industry standard We are fortunate that Cornish Gems’ holiday home owners share our passion for excellence and high quality and want to join us on our journey, playing an integral part of our luxury travel brand by offering the best standard of accommodation they can. Being the first in the industry to adopt this business model certainly created competitive advantage and gave the initial springboard to success but the real fruits of the hard work at Cornish Gems is a direct result of our passion, commitment and entrepreneurial spirit to drive the business forward by continuously challenging ourselves to deliver the highest quality of service.
FOCUS
Continuing to compete One of the major market forces which ensures we continuously strive to get better at what we do, is the highly competitive nature of the industry and the rise in dominance of global booking engines vying for a bigger slice of our marketplace. We believe our continued efforts to promote the value of choosing a local agency with the strictest standards in terms of safety and quality will secure our longevity in the market place. Cornish Gems has been selected as one of around 15 businesses featured in this year’s Parliamentary Review. The Review showcases case studies from companies across differing sectors and business sizes throughout the UK. It demonstrates how organisations have become outstanding leaders in their field and how they have responded to challenges within the industry, sharing best practice as a template for reform. Entrepreneurial spirit is in our blood and while at Cornish Gems we’re very comfortable with our portfolio size of 180 holiday homes, we’ll always be exploring new ways to bolster and improve our service and secure our position as the market leader in our field. Rather than being the biggest in what we do, we want to be renowned as being the best.
If you have a holiday home and would like to discuss joining Cornish Gems’ exclusive portfolio, contact enquiries@ cornishgems.com or call 01872 241241. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 33
TOURISM
FOCUS
NEW BEGINNINGS As the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group begins the countdown to its 100th year anniversary in 2020, the mood is very much one of new beginnings however, rather than a reliance on the past. On April 1, new chairman Ian Howard took up post, joining a number of new board directors and new managing director Stuart Reid. He has pledged to take the company forward with a strategy to bring the group back to its roots, refocusing attention on the core activities the company was founded for on March 26, 1920: enabling visitors and residents alike to make the connection between the Isles of Scilly and the Cornish mainland.
Randall, Scillonian boatman Stephen Hicks and Henk Wiekens, joint managing director of Pendennis Shipyard. It is a time of growth as well as change for the £17.5 million turnover business, which employs up to 250 people in high season, and last year transported 216,000 people to the islands by air and sea. Passenger growth helped to drive record turnover which increased by 2.1% in 2018, and this is fuelling growth of the region’s tourism industry.
Last year, we transported 216,000 people to the islands by air and sea
The group provides lifeline services, with the Scillonian III passenger ferry sailing daily between Penzance and St Mary’s from March to October; a year-round freight shipping service; Skybus flights from Land’s End Airport - which the group also owns and operates - and Cornwall Airport Newquay year-round, and flights from Exeter between March and October. Last year the Steamship Group restored helicopter flights to the islands but following a lack of interest, this service closed in February – and Stuart Reid is open about the reasons why. “We can only be honest - we hoped to make a helicopter service work but there simply wasn’t the demand to justify the investment,” said Stuart. “Now we intend to concentrate on our core businesses, to support the tourism economy which is itself so vital for the islands and for Cornwall.” Other new appointments to the board this last year include Cornish accountant Gary
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The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is one of Cornwall’s biggest employers, and a fundamental contributor to the tourism economy which both the county and the islands rely on so heavily
Research commissioned by ISSG found that holidaymakers travelling to the islands spend almost £24 million in Cornwall every year, including £6.3 million in Penzance, with 27% of visitors spending time in Penzance, and a further 37% visiting other locations in Cornwall.
In the meantime, the group is supporting visitor growth by expanding services – Scillonian III will offer double return sailings on Saturdays throughout the peak summer months – and the Isles of Scilly Travel website has been redesigned to make it easier to use, helping the now 72% of customers booking their travel online.
NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR STUART REID One constant remains the group’s ongoing commitment to giving back to its local communities, through sponsorships, grants and subsidising travel for islanders. A recent announcement of an exciting new partnership between the group and Scilly’s independent nature conservation charity, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, has been warmly welcomed. And the group’s Community Fund made its single biggest donation yet in 2018 – a massive £5k to the Cornish Pilot Gig Association to help fund a project to preserve irreplaceable materials – as it marked a milestone of £50k given away to 35 different groups and individuals over the last three years. For more information, visit www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
www.visitcornwall.com
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SORTING OUT THE NURDLES Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow has stepped up its fight to keep local beaches clean by investing in special equipment which can rid the sand of micro-plastics. Called a trommel, the machine sieves the sand to separate out ‘nurdles’, the small plastic pellets produced in their billions each year during the manufacture of plastic products. Staff at Mother Ivey’s Bay carry out regular beach clean-ups throughout the year, and team leader Anna Wilsher says the trommel will make a huge difference: “Last year we noticed nurdles during our beach cleans, and although it was possible to pick these up by hand, we have been on the look-out for a way that makes the task easier,” she said. “It’s a fantastic piece of equipment and easy to use. I am looking forward to letting families staying at our holiday park to have a go as it’s also actually rather fun!”
Are you keen to make Are you keen to make the most of the final the most of the final EU support available to EU support available to your tourism business? your tourism business?
TOURISM
If YES, then we have a simple proposition for you: If YES, then we have a simple proposition for you: Join our exclusive Together for Tourism Club and Join Together for Tourism Club and weour canexclusive guarantee you access to over £8,000 weworth can guarantee access toand overdevelopment £8,000 of training,you mentoring worth of training, for your people.mentoring and development for your people.
For a small, initial investment of just £750, you’ll unlock access to the full £8,000+ For a small, initial investment of just £750, you’ll unlock access to the full £8,000+ of EU budget specifically for your business. of EU budget specifically for your business. Our team of specialists will immediately get to work, building a gold-standard Our team of specialists will immediately get to work, building a gold-standard tailormade training and people development programme around your business tailormade training and people development programme around your business challenges and needs. challenges and needs. You’ll gain access to an ongoing series of exclusive member events, designed You’ll gain access to an ongoing series of exclusive member events, designed around key industry issues that they are experiencing right now. around key industry issues that they are experiencing right now. Your key competitors are already taking advantage and have joined the Club. Your key competitors are already taking advantage and have joined the Club. Why wouldn’t you? Why wouldn’t you? This is a time-limited opportunity as the funding finishes in Spring 2020. This is a time-limited opportunity as the funding finishes in Spring 2020. Our Business Advisor Claire Evans is more than happy to meet with you to discuss. Our Business Advisor Claire Evans is more than happy to meet with you to discuss. Claire will take up no more than half an hour of your time and will leave you with all Claire will take up no more than half an hour of your time and will leave you with all the information so you can make a fully informed choice. the information so you can make a fully informed choice. To make an appointment please contact To make an appointment please contact claireevans@nfet.co.uk or call 01637 871067 claireevans@nfet.co.uk or call 01637 871067
40 YEARS OF THE ARMSTRONGS NFET outlined.indd 1 NFET outlined.indd 1
Staff and friends came together at The Headland to mark the 40th anniversary since John and Carolyn Armstrong first took the keys to the hotel. To help celebrate, a cake designed and developed by husband and wife team Christine and Phil Jensen of Peboryon, was unveiled.
The cake, a replica of the hotel itself, stood at one foot tall, three feet long and one and a half feet wide. To serve 300 people, it included 130 eggs, seven kilos of flour and sugar, 12 kilos of butter, 15 kilos of fondant icing and involved three days of hard work by Penzance-based
28/02/2019 17:06:26 17:06:26
Peboryon, which regularly features 28/02/2019 on Channel 4’s Extreme Cake Makers.
Paying tribute to the Armstrongs, hotel MD Darryl Reburn said: “It has been a lifelong project and while the Armstrongs tend to be reticent about their achievements, this is an opportunity for staff and lifelong friends of the hotel to recognise their accomplishments and share in their success.”
TATE VISITORS UP 34% Tate St Ives recorded its highest ever visitor figures in 2018, according to the latest figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA). 302,864 visitors went to the gallery in 2018, the highest number since it opened in 1993 and 33.8% up on 2017, making it the 115th most visited attraction in the UK. The Eden Project was once again Cornwall’s most visited attraction, drawing 1,006,928 people in 2018 (down 1.68% on the previous year), putting it in 36th place overall.
Other Cornish attractions in the top 250 include St Michael’s Mount (347,773, -1%), Lanhydrock (273,149, +4%), Tintagel Castle (230,584, -6.3%), and Trelissick (214,034, +7%). Anne Barlow, director of Tate St Ives, said: “We are delighted that ALVA’s report shows how successful the first year of the new Tate St Ives has been. This is a testament to the hard work, energy and ideas of artists, the Tate St Ives teams, our membership, community, and advisory
committees and our many supporters. We wish to thank everyone who has contributed to this success.” The most visited attraction in the UK in 2018 was the Tate Modern with 5,868,562 visitors. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 35
EDUCATION
AND TRAINING
SKILLS SHOW SUCCESS
SPONSORED BY
Combining their talent for business with their desire to protect the planet, six aspiring young Cornish entrepreneurs have created a product to help combat plastic waste pollution.
PROTECTING THE FUTURE Cuppa Cornwall, the brainchild of BA (Hons) Business, Enterprise and Leadership students from Truro and Penwith College, specialises in the promotion of plastic-free living with the creation of their 100% leak proof and recyclable reusable cup. Business member, Katie Ellery, said: “99.75% of single use cups do not get recycled properly. As Cornish students we want to tackle this problem and save our coastline to preserve Cornish beauty.”
Students from across Cornwall had the opportunity to explore their future job opportunities recently at the largest single day careers event in the southwest. The Cornwall Skills Show held at Royal Cornwall showground at Wadebridge was attended by over 3,000 secondary school students and 150 businesses. Businesses were asked to be innovative, interactive and inspirational, ultimately highlighting the wide range of opportunities that students have within the county. The event was organised by Careers Hub Cornwall & Isles of Scilly and supported by Next Steps South West. Carrie Holmes, Careers Hub Manager, said: “The whole day has been a huge success, support from local businesses has been outstanding and students have gained a great insight into some of their future opportunities in the county. We have had great support from a huge range of organisations to put this event on who deserve a huge thank you.”
A POSITIVE Dawn George, director of HR at the Eden Project, talks about the benefits of being a disability confident (DC) employer 36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
Proudly portraying the Cuppa Cornwall
Falmouth University’s Creative Bridge and Launchpad Buildings has been officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Penryn, Charlie Wenmoth. Wenmoth cut the ribbon at the end of a day of talks, panel discussions and presentations that showcased the university’s graduate incubation and acceleration programme, Launchpad, and celebrated the institution’s “impact driven research and innovation activity”.
logo, the company name and Cornish flag is laser etched into the natural bamboo and stainless steel cup, which has proved to be an instant hit with customers. Launching its product in the Truro branch of the national kitchenware specialist store Steamer Trading Cookshop, Cuppa Cornwall was overwhelmed by the response that its product gained. Having exceeded its predicted sales, Steamer Trading Cookshop has invited the company to return to the store in the future to deliver further demos of the reusable cup.
OFF THE LAUNCHPAD
Keynote speeches were from Sir Mark Walport, chief executive of UK Research and Innovation, and Simon Edmonds, deputy executive chair and chief business officer at Innovate UK. Professor Anne Carlisle OBE, vice-chancellor of Falmouth University, said: “The event was a great opportunity to bring together inspirational people to talk about how creativity and entrepreneurship can drive innovation and economic growth, both in Cornwall and globally.”
Eden has been committed to the DC scheme for several years and more recently been working towards attaining Leader status. Our aim is to both enhance our recruitment model and practices with a wider agenda of weaving inclusion into the fabric of what we do. There is a misconception amongst many employers that this is both expensive and difficult to apply - it doesn’t have to be! When employers seek to gain a wider understanding both of someone’s capability needs and what they can bring to their organisation, it is clear that the benefits can outweigh any adjustments
required. Sometimes adjustments can be larger, but often they are really simple and cost effective for a business to implement. Some disabilities can be less visible and with communication to understand the situation better, may only require small, easy to implement adaptations. Those responsible for recruitment should have a good understanding of best practice and an awareness of diversity and inclusion to avoid any potential discriminatory decisions or practices. How you present your organisation and word your job descriptions will determine
www.digitalpeninsula.org
CREATIVE
SPONSORED BY
SIGNING THE WAY
ABG Design has completed the signage design for the Quadram Institute. The Quadram Institute is a new multi-million pound state-of-the-art food and health research and NHS endoscopy centre, based in Norwich.
CLAIRE IS SNAP HAPPY
ABG managing director, Howard Miles, said: “We are really pleased with the outcome of this project. The building is state of the art and by working closely with the Architects NBBJ the signage design fits seamlessly with its Research and NHS facility.”
NEW HEALTHCARE PLATFORM exchange skills and earn time credits.
A skill exchange platform has been launched to help healthcare professionals work together to improve the quality of health and care services across the UK. Powered by Cornwall-based Made Open’s new community exchange software, Hexitime gives healthcare professionals a platform to
if candidates feel comfortable applying and openly sharing what support they need. A growing area for employers is appropriate support for employees who develop a long-term condition/disability whilst in employment. Working with the individual, occupational health or the employee’s medical practitioner, longer term solutions can be provided to keep an employee in work and contributing to the organisation. It goes without saying that this also has huge positives for the employee, their personal value and mental well-being where an adjusted solution can be agreed.
& DIGITAL
Made Open director, Robert Woolf, said: “We are delighted that the Q community have chosen our platform which offers so much more than a catalogue of offers and requests. Because our platform is a social network, members can make and build connections with each other as well as find offers and requests that match their location, skills and interests.”
Sometimes a more creative approach may be needed, possibly looking at alternate roles than the one applied for, or for an existing employee, a suitable alternative role within the organisation.
Falmouth-based photographer Claire Wilson has been enrolled as Licentiate of The Royal Photographic Society. Wilson focuses on PR and portrait photography, as well as her documentary photography projects, with her business, LLE Photography. The Royal Photographic Society’s distinctions are internationally respected and sought-after by professional and amateur photographers, with over 1,000 applications received each year. Wilson presented a collection of ten portrait images, both contemporary and more traditional in style, to reflect her passion in capturing people. She said: “I couldn’t quite believe it when it was announced that my panel would be recommended to the Distinctions committee. The process is one that shows my commitment to developing my photographic skills to ever higher levels.”
ADVERTORIAL
People are living and working longer which can present challenges for both employer and employee but by being on the front foot, accepting that change can be good, and embracing people’s differences we can build an inclusive and productive work team that adds value to its internal and external communities.
www.cornwallbeacon.co.uk
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 37
INNOVATION FOR BUSINESS
CONFERENCE
-- MAKING THE CHANGE FOR TOMORROW -WEDNESDAY 26TH JUNE
SCORRIER HOUSE CORNWALL’S INNOVATION EVENT OF THE YEAR KEY NOTE SPEAKERS
ROBOTICS AND AI
IMMERSIVE TECH
INNOVATION WORKSHOPS
LIMITED SPACES. RESERVE YOUR PLACE: WWW.ATICORNWALLINNOVATION.CO.UK
INSPIRATION - KNOWLEDGE - HIGH LEVEL DISCUSSION - NETWORKING
This event is fully-funded by the European Regional Development Fund
G
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
#FSBCONNECT
WANT TO BE A BUSINESS LEADER? At FSB Cornwall we are always keen to welcome members who want to get involved in the work that we are doing.
particular portfolios. We are now looking to fill two vacancies for two of those themes Infrastructure and Funding Access to Finance.
Did you know that there are nine different levels of involvement? You can go from the very light touch engaging on social media (eg twitter @FSBCornwall) or signing up to take part in our Big Voice Survey Panel all the way up to director level. It all starts here at the grassroots and you can see details of these nine levels on our website at www.fsb.org.uk
So, if you run a Cornish small business, have a passion for these topics and you feel that you could lend your expertise, knowledge and experience in those areas then please email Ann.Vandermeulen@fsb.org.uk for more information and to organise an initial discussion about the opportunities.
FSB Vacancies: In Cornwall we have Key Theme Specialists who lead on seven
NB This is a voluntary role where expenses are covered and you will need to be an FSB member.
FSB’S MIKE CHERRY AND ROGER TARRANT MEET WITH SKILLS HUB AND CORNWALL COUNCIL
A BREXIT CIRCUIT BREAKER? After already facing two potential cliff-edges, on March 29 and April 12, small businesses are being continually being asked to wait and see what they face next in, what is a painful saga. FSB national chairman Mike Cherry said: “Extensions have avoided a cliff-edge in the short term, and each time dodging the economic harm of no-deal came as a huge relief for many small businesses. What is a problem, however, is that these extensions
FSB BOARD REVEALED Appointments to the National FSB Board of directors were announced at the AGM held in London. The FSB Board will lead the business organisation as it continues to represent the interests of the UK’s 5.6 million small businesses and self-employed at a critical time amid political uncertainties and economic pressures. Elected to the board are: Mike Cherry (national chairman), Martin McTague (chairman, policy and advocacy), Dave Stallon (commercial director), Gillian MacEwan (operations director), Alexis Lay (director), Terry Lockwood (director).
provide no comfort that there will be an end to the debating, dithering and delay. “They also eat into the length of the transition period which small firms desperately need if they are to have enough time to prepare for whatever changes they will need to post Brexit. By October 31, a third of the planned transition period will have been lost. Unless we get a political consensus, all a further extension does is create even more uncertainty which is driving small firms to despair.”
FSB chief executive, Julie Lilley, said: “Congratulations to all the Board of Directors. FSB is a proudly member-led organisation and all our elected member leaders have one thing in common – they all own and run businesses. “Our members lead from the front, working closely with a strong team of expert staff. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the board to deliver FSB’s corporate objectives which will help smaller businesses to achieve their ambitions.” The national board works closely with area and regional teams. Area leads for Cornwall are Edward Chapman and Zoe Howard and the south west regional chairman is Bodminbased, Roger Tarrant.
FSB/CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS NETWORKING EVENTS MAY 8 Fit for Business Mevagissey Activity Centre Taking care of yourself so you can take care of your business. We’ll show you practical steps to ensure you are looking after yourselves and your business and where to find tools to help – after all, no you, no business! MAY 21 Making Tax Digital Penventon Hotel, Redruth This networking event will give an insight into the upcoming HMRC requirements into reporting all accounts via digital platforms. JUNE 18 Getting Investment Penzance AFC Five things that no equity investor wants to hear. Learn how to be completely prepared to ask for investments and the steps you can take to ensure you success. JUNE 28 Meet Scott Mann MP Launceston Town Hall Join us for a small round table discussion on business issues with your local MP for North Cornwall. Book all events via eventbrite.co.uk & search “FSB Cornwall”
FSB Offer for Business Cornwall Magazine Readers at www.fsb.org.uk/join If you want to join FSB after reading this page then please quote BCM30 when you join and save £30!
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 39
CHAMBER
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
cornwallchamber.co.uk
REIMAGINING OUR TOWNS This June, Cornwall Chamber is doing something different. In fact, we are always innovating and finding new ways to connect with the business community and answer your needs. This is something we’re really looking forward to. There’s been a lot of press in the last few years covering the plight of the high street and what is happening in town centres to reduce the number of people visiting them. Cornwall Chamber of Commerce hosts this half-day conference to bring fresh thinking to towns and those running businesses within them. Jackie Sadek from UK Regeneration and Anthony Shapland, head of development
for Colliers International are our key note speakers who will bring good news stories of towns that have successfully run reimagination projects. We’ve got an exciting morning of workshops programmed, covering everything from community food projects in towns to how infrastructure and parking can help keep towns accessible. Civic minded businesses are welcome to join us for this dynamic and vibrant morning on June 27 from 9:00 -12:30 with networking lunch included. A contribution of £20 per delegate will secure your spaces. Book early to avoid disappointment.
MEMBER FOCUS:
SAILFLAGS
optimised and portable flag system prototypes developed until, finally, the first market ready system was exhibited at London Olympia, under the brand Sailflags.
Peter Williams was working as an English Teacher in Japan during the late 90s when he first discovered banner shaped flags being used to advertise product offerings and branded goods. A traditional form of decoration had been turned into vibrant, eye catching advertising media and they were prevalent throughout the country. This was of great interest to Peter and he was convinced there was nothing quite like it available back home and so the idea of bringing promotional flags into the UK was born. The art of making promotional flags and flag printing, however, was a very secretive business in Japan, so it took Peter a few years of information gathering and research to understand the materials and processes used to make them. In 2000, he secured formal training with an established Japanese flag maker and was ready to return to the UK with a new and innovative product. During 2002-2004, Peter used all his spare time developing a portable feather flag system that would work both indoors and outdoors. Flag printing processes were 40 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
Sailflags captured the imagination of many marketing departments and business owners, offering a moving, eye catching medium in which to increase footfall to stands and business premises. By 2008 Sailflags had established itself as a key maker of promotional flags in the UK, culminating in a move to larger premises in 2012, where all flags are made in-house, supported by a design and customer service team. Today Sailflags produces a wide range of flags and banners for every type of business imaginable, available in environmentally friendly materials, including the newly launched ECO TX banner range, using waste materials that would otherwise go into landfill. As the first carbon neutral flag company in the UK, Sailflags continues a longstanding commitment to reducing impact on the environment, the company maintains a Carbon Zero Footprint and is also a proud member of the Flag Institute. As a Chamber member, Sailflags benefits from one of the Chamber’s affinity schemes: MoneyCorps , our Foreign Exchange service. To find out about this or any other money saving schemes please contact nicci@cornwallchamber.co.uk www.sailflags.co.uk
CHAMBER’S MAIN THEMES 2019 As the Parliamentary crisis rolls on and we have seen a national halt in the economy, due largely to the uncertainty, there has never been a more important time to focus on what businesses can do themselves to prepare and strengthen the economy. This comes down to collaborative working and creating a business community, something which Cornwall does very well when compared to other regions. Some key themes the chamber is working on are:
• REIMAGINING OUR TOWNS See article above left
• PRODUCTIVITY
Our Productivity Conference in September 2019 focuses on how businesses can be more productive, and we have an exciting list of speakers who will be letting us know about productivity trends worldwide and what businesses in Frankfurt are doing to be titled the most productive in the world!
• EQUALITY AT WORK
From the high volume of female business leaders to the increase in multi-ability staff forces, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce supports an equality agenda and is keen to represent a balanced workplace across the whole of Cornwall.
• GREAT SOUTH WEST
The main ethos of the chamber centres around the phrase ‘stronger together’ and for 2019 we are running a major collaboration with other accredited chambers to bring to life the Great South West economic area. We are working collectively across the south west with businesses to shape policies that improve the region as a whole.
Email: hello@corwallchamber.co.uk Call: 01209 216006 Online: www.cornwallchamber.co.uk
www.sapiencehr.co.uk
PEOPLE
SPONSORED BY
CHANGE AT THE TOP Admiral Taverns CEO Kevin Georgel is set to replace James Staughton as CEO of St Austell Brewery. Staughton will retire from the family business in January 2020 and assume the honorary role of president of the company. He said: “As one of Walter Hicks’ greatgreat grandsons it has been a huge privilege and honour to have served this very special family business for 40 years and played my part in helping it grow into the remarkable company it is today. “Having reached the age of 60 I have decided 2020 will be the right time to stand down and to pass on the baton to the capable hands of Kevin Georgel. Kevin is a good friend to me personally and we are very fortunate to have such a qualified and experienced chief executive to take on the role. I look forward to working closely with Kevin and the board over the rest of 2019 to ensure a smooth transition.” Georgel has served as CEO of Chesterbased Admiral for the past five years and has also been on St Austell’s board for four years as a non-executive director. He said: “I am enormously conscious and respectful of the values and history of this great company and feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to join the business at this exciting time.”
The Eden Project has appointed a new chair. Sanjeev Gandhi succeeds Judith Donovan, who had been non-executive chair for the past six years. Currently a partner at Mitchell Gandhi LLP, Gandhi has held a number of senior roles in the technology, media, investment management and not-for-profit sectors. He worked as director of strategy at Yahoo! Europe and a similar role for BBC Worldwide. He also founded Reach to Teach, a primary education NGO. He said: “Eden is an amazing British story which I have admired for a long time, and I am very pleased to join Gordon, Edward, Tim and the team. They have achieved so much and I’m looking forward to supporting and being part of an exciting future.”
Slater has been promoted to be the firm’s deputy head of Cornwall, to work alongside Brian Dolan, who was named head of Cornwall last year. She is a partner in the employment team and also heads up the firm’s marine sector and leads on corporate social responsibility for the firm.
EDEN NAMES NEW CHAIRMAN
LANG BENNETTS HOWARD’S WAY
PROMOTES DUO
Lang Bennetts Chartered Accountants has promoted two new partners. Becky Thomas, who oversaw the firm’s expansion into Falmouth and has managed that office’s growth ever since, originally joined the firm as a receptionist 19 years ago. Dan Orasnjak’s career path over the past 11 years, meanwhile, has taken him from graduating with a first-class honours’ degree in economics, qualification as a chartered accountant, then further qualification as a chartered tax adviser.
VERITY ON BOARD Stephens Scown LLP has appointed Verity Slater to its board.
ON THE MOVE
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has appointed a new chairman, replacing Andrew May who has stepped down after 16 years. A qualified solicitor, Ian Howard is also president of the British Triathlon Federation and represents it on the boards of the British Olympic Association and the International Triathlon Union. He has just stood down as chairman of MKM Mansfelder Kupfer und Messing gmbh, registered in Germany, as a consequence of the owner selling the company. Howard brings to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group a strong track record in business having worked in a variety of senior management and board roles during his 33-year career with Siemens AG.
VERITY SLATER AND BRIAN DOLAN Stephens Scown’s managing partner, Robert Camp, said: “From May 1 our board will include six women and three men. Research continues to show that a better gender balance in leadership roles brings business benefits, so I’m delighted that this means we will have over twice as many women on our board as the average for FTSE 100 businesses.”
His connection to the islands dates back to the early noughties when his sister Gill and brother in law, Alan, worked on Tresco. He has been a shareholder in the company since that time. MD, Stuart Reid, said: “I would like to welcome Ian as chairman of the board of directors. Ian brings with him a wealth of experience working in senior roles in high profile companies. The company is entering a new phase in its direction and I look forward to working with Ian in taking the company forward.”
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 41
TEST DRIVE
SEAT ATECA
42 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
SEAT
WORDS BY MORVETH WARD
Morveth Ward is back in SEAT’s Ateca for a second time to road-test the 2019 model It was nearly a year ago when I first tried out the Ateca, which I summarised as being one of the class leaders. A huge achievement from the Spanish brand which was late to the SUV party. Sharing the same drivetrain and most components with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq, was always going to stand it in good stead, bringing to the fore expectations of build quality and refinement, which the Ateca delivers well on.
camera or even a bird’seye-view camera. There is also a self-parking system, as an option. It’s stacked full of other equipment, such as DAB radio; 5 and 8 inch media display systems with cool changeable digital interfaces.
By virtue of its versatility, an SUV is essentially a jack of all trades and master of There’s a big range of petrol and diesel none. However, this is so engines to choose from – the model I tested good that the compromises last time was the 1.0l petrol, but this time are negligible for a car that I tried out the 150ps 1.5l petrol: It was delivers on so many levels – very willing and pretty potent which made for example: A SEAT Leon this Xcellence LUX model more exciting to hatchback does handle better drive. The handling was good, too: the firm and more sharply, but most suspension means you can enjoy the high-up people will unlikely position without ever push it enough body roll and there is for this to be worthy loads of grip. of consideration. bringing to the The Ateca is You’d probably rather fore expectations available in foursit up that bit higher wheel-drive but I’d and gain ground of build quality only recommend it if clearance, in light of and refinement, you require the extra this small sacrifice? which the Ateca traction since it will You just feel like you’re getting mean it’s slower and more value for money with an SUV, delivers well on worse on fuel. Nice especially when this costs less than to have the option some higher-end hatchbacks. though. One thing that is particularly cool is the now Inside the cabin of the Ateca is a pleasant sub-brand of SEAT, Cupra, which deals with place to be for drivers and passengers alike. sporty SEATS, has launched the Cupra Ateca The seats are good and you sit up high with for 2019. This uses the well-established 2.0l a commanding view of the road. There are turbo-charged petrol, producing just shy of a driver aids such as parking sensors (SE whopping 300 bhp that will facilitate a 0-60 model or above) and the option of a reversing time of 4.7 secs and a top speed of 152mph.
And it starts from only £35,915. Even if this isn’t for you it will certainly transfer cool credentials over the whole Ateca range. There are really no drawbacks with the Ateca – it was one of the class leaders last year and still is in 2019. The 2019 Ateca Starts from £21945.
Contact: Dales, Scorrier | 01209 821144 BUSINESS CORNWALL | 43
OPINION
JUST A THOUGHT
“ Happy bees make sweet honey”, says Josh Neve, head of communications at Sanders Studios
THE PERFECT BALANCE When we walk to work it’s along the seafront. The fresh coastal air is invigorating and the landscapes breath-taking. In the studio, a mere glance a little to the right of our screens reveals Falmouth harbour and we can stroll to the beach for lunch. Yet we work with international superyacht designers, property developers in Miami, architects in Oslo and aviation giants in Nevada.
Cornwall is arguably fast becoming Europe’s ‘Silicon Valley’. A world-leading superfast broadband network, coupled with one of the highest growth clusters in the tech industry, allows Cornwall-based businesses to be worldwide digital leaders. We’re lucky enough to call Falmouth Town our HQ yet can work anywhere in the world.
Cornwall is arguably fast becoming Europe’s ‘Silicon Valley’
It goes without saying that it’s no longer critical to be based in a big city in order to compete on the world’s business stage, but Cornwall can still often be overlooked. It can be taken for granted by people that live and work here and dismissed by those blinded by the lure of the big city. Yet Cornwall is quickly shedding its ‘dreckly’ stereotype and firmly cementing itself as a global business player. One need only glance over the latest press release from Spaceport Cornwall to understand the incredible impact our tiny county can have on the world.
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We certainly have the ‘big city’ working ethos and global talent of the London heavyweights, but instead of an hourlong tube ride at the end of the day we can be at the beach in five minutes. The escapism Cornwall has to offer coupled with its unquestionable business potential creates the perfect platform to get the most out of work and life, something everyone strives for. Happy bees make sweet honey, and here we have the headspace to focus on producing incredible work rather than stress about the daily commute.
In fact, this work/life balance appeal has allowed us to attract some incredible global talent to our small corner of the world. We have artists from Greece, Lithuania, Italy and Australia all thriving in the Cornish environment. And with the recent introduction of four flights per day from Newquay to Heathrow, Cornwall’s door has well and truly been opened to a physical global network that could soon rival its digital one. Combine all these factors and businesses can thrive. In fact, we take direct inspiration from the Cornish lifestyle and translate this into our work’s USP. Our arena is property marketing, more specifically using the power of CGI, animation and immersive tech to bring unbuilt visions to life. Our clients want to sell a dream, communicate a lifestyle, and that’s where we shine. Everyone is online, connected, and the digital world is an ever-evolving beast that demands our attention 24-7. If you don’t evolve or adapt you disappear, so it’s more critical than ever to be different and innovative. In Cornwall, you can. It hosts a flourishing community of creative businesses able to glean inspiration from the region’s landscape, culture and community. We’ve fully embraced the flexibility that Cornwall’s connectivity and burgeoning business notoriety permit and do so without sacrificing any of our global ambition. In fact, we can thrive on the world stage.
Online Job adverts ONLY +VAT
Employment law specialists providing a personal & tailored service for your business.
To book, contact: morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk Corporate & Commercial Solicitors
businesscornwall.co.uk @biz_cornwall
/businesscornwall
policies & procedures * Contracts, Restructuring, takeovers & redundancy * HR legal support * Facilitating exits & settlement agreements * Workplace disputes & tribunal representation *
www.murrellassociates.co.uk
01872 226990
The SEAT Ateca. Now available to test drive.
Dales SEAT Scorrier Wheal Rose, Scorrier, Redruth TR16 5BX Tel: 01209 821144 www.dalescornwall.co.uk
Visit Dales now. Dales SEAT Summercourt Chapeltown, Summercourt, Newquay TR8 5YA Tel: 01872 511600 www.dalescornwall.co.uk
Official fuel consumption for the Ateca range mpg (litres/100km) combined: 31.7 (8.9) – 54.3 (5.2). Combined CO2 emissions 120 – 168 (g/km) . Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures (known as WLTP). The CO2 figures shown however, are based on a calculation designed to be equivalent to the outgoing (NEDC) test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. For more information, please see seat.co.uk/wltp or consult your SEAT Dealer. Data correct at 04/2019. Figures quoted are for a range of configurations and are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes. Please consult your SEAT Dealer for further information.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 45
EVENTS
MAY
MAY EVENTS 1-2
3
MAY
GOODFEST 2019
8
Bedruthan Hotel, Mawgan Porth
‘Creatives on the beach’ festival will explore how to create sustainable change through purposeful ideas and actions. Speakers include Sir Tim Smit (Eden), Hugo Tagholm (Surfers Against Sewage) and Tom Kay (Finisterre). goodfestcornwall.com
9
CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS OPEN HOUSE Premier Inn, Hayle
Since January 2018, Cornish Partnerships has had great success holding a monthly Open House in the St Austell area. Now bringing that same networking to the west of Cornwall. cornishpartnerships.co.uk
15
CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH Trenderway Farm, Looe
Join the Chamber for a networking lunch at Trenderway Farm, near Looe. Owned by husband and wife Yaron and Jacquie it is a venue known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere. cornwallchamber.co.uk
7
PKF FRANCIS CLARK BREAKFAST BRIEFING Lowin House, Truro
This month’s Breakfast Briefing is based on the theme of what you can do as a business owner to recruit and retain your staff. pkf-francisclark.co.uk
BODMIN BUSINESS BREAKFAST Westberry Hotel
The breakfasts are open to all and provide an opportunity for business people to network and catch up with each other over a top quality breakfast. There are speakers at some (but not all) meetings. em@sproullllp.co.uk
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16
FSB/CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS Mevagissey Activity Centre
FSB Connect Cornwall has partnered with Cornish Partnerships to offer you great networking opportunities for 2019. Today’s meeting asks: Are You Fit For Business? eventbrite.co.uk
20
Eden Project, St Austell
21
KING NETWORKING
Victoria Inn, Threemilestone
The Kernow Independent Networking Group gathers at 7.15am on Wednesdays, fortnightly, at the Victoria Inn, Threemilestone, near Truro. Members each give a one-minute presentation on their business and the kinds of referral they would particularly value. king-networking.co.uk
FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB
The Carnon Inn, Carnon Downs
The Falmouth Business Club meets over breakfast every two weeks at the Carnon Inn. All welcome. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk
To publicise your event for free, email news@businesscornwall.co.uk
The Carnon Inn, Carnon Downs
Networking with an emphasis on passing referrals and creating lasting business relationships. eventbrite.co.uk
Penventon Hotel, Redruth
Making Tax Digital. Learn how all businesses will be required to file quarterly no matter what the business is trading as. You’ll also have lots of time to network and chat to your new and old contacts. eventbrite.co.uk
22
CORNWALL CHAMBER BREAKFAST
Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to The Greenbank Hotel. This is a great networking opportunity with the chance to listen to specially chosen presenter and enjoy the beautiful views from the hotel. cornwallchamber.co.uk
Headland Hotel, Newquay
For further details of these and more networking events visit businesscornwall.co.uk
PIRAN BUSINESS CLUB
FSB/CORNISH PARNTERSHIPS
CORNWALL INNOVATION CLUB Are you looking to network with other forward-thinking individuals? Perhaps you want to get inspired by the latest innovative business trends? Kick-start your morning with a coffee and the Cornwall Innovation Club. aticornwallinnovation.co.uk
Haven House, Truro
Who would like to develop their leadership? Outstanding leaders need outstanding development opportunities. Truro & Penwith College is committed to developing the very best leadership capability and welcomes you to attend its Developing Leaders Conference. truro-penwith.ac.uk/ developingleaders
DIGITAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIP Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership is delighted to invite you to the launch of its local Digital Skills Partnership following a successful bid to Government. eventbrite.co.uk
DEVELOPING LEADERS CONFERENCE
23
CORNWALL ARCHITECTURAL TRUST SUMMER LECTURE Falmouth University
This year Amin Taha will present the Cornwall Architectural Trust and Falmouth University Summer lecture. Following the lecture, there will be a chance to view the Falmouth University Architecture Students’ end of year exhibition. eventbrite.co.uk
www.cioslep.co.uk
CORNWALL
SPONSORED BY
2019 SMALES LECTURE
CONNECTED
The Future of Cornwall’s Creative Economy was the topic for discussion at the annual lecture at The Poly in Falmouth, with a key note address from Cornwall Chamber CEO, Kim Conchie
LAUREN HOWARD (THE POLY), COUNCILLOR MARY MAY
LORD MAYOR GRENVILLE CHAPPEL AND HENRIETTA BOEX (FALMOUTH ART GALLERY)
FSB EXPERT ROADSHOW
Pentillie Castle hosted a special Making Tax Digital masterclass
CLAIRE SMITH (CORNISH GEMS) AND CLAIRE TRICE (CTCC SOLUTIONS)
WENDY TAYLOR AND CAROL BLEWITT (LUXTOWE VETS) AND LISA CHAMBERS (DUFORT ASSOCIATES)
FSB TAX ADVISOR, JAMES CORDONER, TALKS TO THE FSB ROADSHOW AUDIENCE
TOUR OF BRITAIN
A special event at Cornwall Council’s offices in Bodmin was held to announce that the Tour of Britain cycle race will be coming to Cornwall next year
GEOFF BROWN (CORNWALL COUNCIL), BOB EGERTON (CORNWALL COUNCIL), STEVE LAMPIER (SAINT PIRAN CYCLE TEAM), ADAM PAYNTER (CORNWALL COUNCIL)
MICK BENNETT (TOUR OF BRITAIN RACE DIRECTOR)
GORDON SEABRIGHT (EDEN PROJECT) AND GLENN CAPLIN (LEP)
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47
THE LAST
WORD
SPONSORED BY
www.paddleandcocks.co.uk 01872 672072
Founder of Cornwall’s fastest growing networking group, Cornish Partnerships, David Brock, aka...
BROCK WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?
WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
Play American Football but I never was big enough.
When I had to call on Richard Woods to take a meeting for me as I had actually missed my alarm, but he jumped in and all went perfectly. We all help each other like this all the time.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? I was in the US Navy for 25 years.
WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? Eight business cards as I have just met eight new people to hopefully help from a networking meeting.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? To me what I do is relaxing, as networking and helping people brings me happiness. So, my work is actually relaxing.
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE?
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? The people – first and last.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? The Queen and David Attenborough – this would make my daughter so happy.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Pensacola, Florida.
Mawgan Porth – might seem strange to some but being retired Navy and have been to most of the world, I actually love Cornwall and Mawgan Porth is our local beach and love it there.
IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Cure for cancer.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
When I used to drink I made many, but thank God those days are behind me.
That is a hard question as I know there is so much more to come. Cornish Partnerships is only a little over a year old, but I recently was told by a successful business that 63% of all business they won last year was in direct association with working with Cornish Partnerships. What I love to hear is how the network is helping so many.
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WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE?
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? What I am doing now but helping 100 times the amount of people and planning an exit plan to make sure Cornish Partnerships carries on without me in the future.
Bergen Stavanger Oslo
Helsinki Stockholm St Petersburg
Tallinn
Gothenburg
LONDON HEATHROW Moscow Amsterdam Brussels
NEWQUAY
Warsaw Prague
Lyon Toulouse
Lisbon
Madrid
Kraków Vienna Zürich Salzburg Budapest Ljubljana Milan Zagreb Pula Belgrade Rome
Valencia
Kiev
Sofia Corfu
Algiers
Tunis
Athens
Marrakech
Crete
WORLDWIDE CONNECTIVITY via London Heathrow Discover the possibilities of worldwide travel with our interactive map at: cornwallairportnewquay. com/flying-from-cornwall
LONDON HEATHROW Calgary
St John
Montreal
Vancouver Chicago New York Las Vegas Los Angeles New Orleans Dallas Miami Mexico City
International routes on this route map are displayed as an idea of where you can travel and are not a comprehensive or exhaustive list.
Algiers Marrakech
Tunis Cairo Dubai
Delhi Mumbai
Bogotá Nairobi
Beijing Seoul Chengdu Dhaka Hong Kong Hanoi Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur Singapore Jakarta Bali
Rio De Janeiro Santiago
Johannesburg Buenos Aires
Perth Sydney Melbourne