Business Cornwall Oct 2018

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

OCTOBER 2018 / ISSUE 124 / £3.95

PM APPROVAL FOR CAMPAIGNER RACHEL YATES

ORIGINAL GIN

CORNWALL’S FIRST CRAFT DISTILLER TARQUIN LEADBETTER

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10 9 772514

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OCTOBER 2018

ISSUE 124

INSIDE FEATURES

REGULARS

11 - STUFF

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BRISTOL AGENCY OPENS CORNWALL OFFICE

12 - CEO INTERVIEW FROM EMERGING MARKETS ANALYST TO DISTILLER OF CORNWALL’S MOST CELEBRATED GIN, WE MEET TARQUIN LEADBETTER

21 - PADDLE & COCKS NEW LEGAL START-UP

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BUSINESS NEWS £16M SEASALT INVESTMENT

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APPOINTMENTS NEWS

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FSB

COULD CORNWALL BECOME THE UK’S FIRST PLASTIC FREE COUNTY?

26 - OFFICE PARTIES CHRISTMAS PARTIES AND FESTIVE GIFT GUIDE

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TOURISM ST MICHAELS OPENS NEW SPA

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FOOD & DRINK

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CREATIVE & IT HEDGEHOG IN BRAZIL

PHOTO: PHASE ONE OF ST MICHAELS DEVELOPMENT, SEE P36

JUST A THOUGHT JARRANG CEO STAFFORD SUMNER

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TEST DRIVE ANOTHER ONE (MORVETH WARD) DRIVES A DUSTER

FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES

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EDUCATION PRUE LEITH COOKERY SCHOOL

ON THE MOVE

THE UK’S #1 OUTLAW

22 -PLASTIC REVOLUTION

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THE LONG HOT SUMMER

18 - BUSINESS GROWTH MAKING WAVES WITH MARINE TECH

INCOMING

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EVENTS DIARY FORTHCOMING DATES

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CONNECTED WHO’S IN THE PICTURE?

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THE LAST WORD SHANE BEADLE OF CORNWALL WASTE SOLUTIONS

OCTOBER 2018

ISSUE 124

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

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

OCTOBER 2018 / ISSUE 124 / £3.95

PM APPROVAL FOR CAMPAIGNER RACHEL YATES

The Brexit conundrum With just six months to go before the UK is due to leave the European Union, just what a post-Brexit Britain, or Cornwall for that matter, will look like, is anyone’s guess.

The Chamber of Commerce hosted a special Brexit conference at Pendennis Castle last month to debate the subject and the impact that a no-deal Brexit, in particular, could have on Cornwall.

The Prime Minister’s mantra during last year’s General Election campaign was that “no deal is better than a bad deal”. I’m not sure if even she believes that now, but a no-deal scenario remains a distinct possibility.

Cornwall, of course, much to the chagrin of many in the business community, voted to leave the EU, despite the many millions of euros of funding it has received over years. But if there was a second referendum tomorrow, there would be no guarantee that the outcome would be any different. The only certainty is uncertainty and the fact that, on the subject of Europe, Britain – and Cornwall – remain very divided.

For the majority of businesses that I speak to in Cornwall, deal or no deal, Brexit hard boiled or soft, it is very much business as usual and a case of just getting on with it.

The Prime Minister’s mantra during last year’s General Election campaign was that “no deal is better than a bad deal”. I’m not sure if even she

ORIGINAL GIN

CORNWALL’S FIRST CRAFT DISTILLER TARQUIN LEADBETTER

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10 9 772514

842001

9 772514

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

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

believes that now One person very much just getting on with it is the subject of this month’s feature interview, Tarquin Leadbetter. The story of Tarquin’s Gin is a fascinating and inspiring one and shows you just what can be achieved in places like Cornwall when you have the passion for your product.

And Brexit or no Brexit, I’m sure Tarquin’s Gin will be a huge success whatever.

EDITOR BUSINESS CORNWALL

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

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

TOURISm BUSINESS SUPPORTER

I CORNWALL Tourism Business Supporter

This year, Cornwall Air Ambulance looks set to be busier than ever. The fantastic summer weather and exceptional tourism numbers have added to the charity’s workload. In the peak visitor months of July and August 2018, missions increased by nearly 40% compared to the same months in 2017, increasing from 173 to 241.

In 2017 more than 20% of airlifted patients were tourists – that equates to 87 adults and 17 children taking the flight they didn’t plan to take when they visited Cornwall. Despite this, less than 5% of donations to the charity came from the tourism sector – with your help we can change this.

If you have a business in the tourism sector we need you to become a Tourism Business Supporter to fund these vital missions and redress the balance of donations. There are many ways you can support us, so get in touch today to find out what you can do.

TOURISM BUSINESS SUPPORTER: TALLAND BAY HOTEL

I have learned that the Cornwall Air Ambulance responds to a disproportionately large number of incidents involving visitors to Cornwall and that the Tourism sector provides a disproportionately small quantum of the funds required to provide the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

I strongly believe that, armed with that knowledge, our visitors would wish to correct that imbalance. It is our job to provide that knowledge and the conduit for their generosity. One day the life they save may be their own.

– Kevin O’Sullivan, Hotel Owner, Talland Bay

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

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corporate@cornwallairambulancetrust.org

Your business can help save lives

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@cornwallairamb

INCOMING

THE CONVERSATION

The big question Cornwall enjoyed some of the best summer weather it has had for many a year. What impact did this have on your business? Was business as strong as you hoped it would be? Has the good weather had a knock-on effect on forward bookings in the shoulder season or even next summer?

Join the conversation @biz_cornwall

/businesscornwall

businesscornwall.co.uk

ABOVE: THE LIMIT, HOLYWELL BAY, UNIQUE HOME STAYS

ADVERTORIAL

OUT OF THE BLUE

A surprise offer for your business that is too good to ignore. What should you do? Stephens Scown partner Christian Wilson has some words of advice

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

THE CONVERSATION

FRANCESSCA REID

Unique Home Stays

NEIL SLADE

The Headland Hotel & Spa

This year’s summer weather has had a very positive impact on our business, with occupancy rates close to 100% throughout the peak months. That has had a knock-on effect on other areas as well – our spa, for example, provided a record number of treatments in August. Our shoulder month bookings are also looking very good. The weather has changed, of course, but our location above Fistral Beach makes us a popular choice for storm-watching in the autumn and winter and we specifically market that type of break as well.

M

any business owners are too busy getting the job done to spend time thinking about a possible exit. So, when an unexpected offer comes their way they are unprepared.

Here are our recommendations to make sure you don’t miss out on a great opportunity:

CONSIDER RESTRUCTURING. We have seen a number of offers for a specific part of a business rather than the whole. Restructuring may have tax benefits and could make the sale process simpler.

ADJUST YOUR APPETITE TO RISK. Whilst riskier contracts may come with greater rewards,

The UK’s sunniest June since 1976 saw us a flurry of last-minute bookings which helped fill remaining availability for the summer holidays, especially for August where we took a significant number of bookings commencing in the same month. Several homes achieved 100% occupancy – and you can’t get much better than that. We finished with 3.5% more nights booked across the portfolio than last summer, which was a great success for us given the media’s projected nervousness earlier in the year following the adverse snow storms in March. Forward bookings are looking really positive too, where we are already tracking 11.5% ahead on nights booked for next summer.

With Visit Britain reporting a decline in business trips to the UK, we have curated a ‘Unique’ collection of private homes for corporate hire to help buck the nationwide trend. From luxury car launches to high fashion photo shoots and alternative company ‘away days’, we continue to develop out-of-the-box solutions to help increase both visits and visitor spend to area outside of the UK’s major cities, including Cornwall.

DAVID BRYANS

Land’s End Landmark

This summer was a positive one for Land’s End, with visitors up 6% on last year. In terms of the effect this has had on business going forward, we have already seen a noticeable increase in bookings at Land’s End Hotel for the autumn months, though this may be due in part to the recent addition of Penwith Studios to the accommodation we offer.

potential buyers may well wish to pin you with the risk by way of warranties and/or indemnities, which can impact the sale price.

CHECK YOUR SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT.

“Drag and Tag” rights can compel other shareholders to sell if there is a threshold of shareholder support who like the offer even if the minority don’t.

CONSIDER THE MANAGEMENT TEAM.

INCOMING

MICHELLE ROBERTSON

Duchy Holidays

The wonderful weather we enjoyed in Cornwall this year certainly had a positive impact on our business. We had an exceptionally busy June which could well be attributed to summer arriving early, and many more last-minute bookings than usual as people realised the sun was here to stay and decided to take a spontaneous holiday.

Overall this year bookings are up on last year, and next summer is already filling up; we had many guests booking next years’ holiday while they were here this year.

NICKY STANLEY

Harbour Holidays

The good weather this summer has undoubtedly helped with more bookings. It started in June with a higher than normal occupancy rate.

We were then pretty much fully booked in July and August - although this is normal for us.

The shoulder months have been very strong this year, with a run of late bookings in late June and early July.

We believe the good weather has also helped with September bookings. We are finding that people are booking later and later and waiting to check the weather forecast before they decide.

Having said that, advance bookings for 2019 are looking really good, which may well have been helped by this year’s good weather. Most houses that sleep 8+ people are already fully booked for the summer holidays. And we’re getting close to 50% occupancy for June, July and August next year and we still have the peak booking period to come.

Owners who have thought about these issues in advance, tend to find the process a little less stressful and achieve a result a lot closer to what they were anticipating.

Christian Wilson is partner and head of the corporate team at Stephens Scown. The team has top rankings in legal guides Chambers and Legal 500. For more information please call Christian on 01872 265100, email corporate.cornwall@stephens-scown.co.uk or via www.stephens-scown.co.uk.

Businesses that have invested in good management teams are likely to be much more appealing to a buyer, because the company can continue to operate once you’ve sold.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

cornwallchamber.co.uk

SEASALT PLANNING 40 NEW STORES Cornish clothing brand Seasalt has unveiled ambitious new expansion plans.

The company is planning to open 40 new stores across the UK over the next five years and create an additional 250 jobs in Cornwall following a £16 million investment from investment house, BGF, and Santander Corporate & Commercial.

In the last three years, Seasalt’s turnover has grown from £28 million to £51 million.

The company now employs 487 people in Cornwall making it one of the largest private employers in the county.

Seasalt chairman and co-founder, Neil Chadwick, said: “The success we’ve seen over the last few years has been underpinned by our love for our Cornish heritage and the landscape that continues to inspire us. Our team in Falmouth

and across the south west has grown significantly as the business has grown, and we’re proud to play our part in supporting our wider community.

“With this investment, we’ll be able to continue that journey; both by creating new job opportunities in the region and developing career prospects for our current employees.”

This investment will mark the first of its kind for BGF, as it is the first investment it has made into a Cornish business.

Ned Dorbin of BGF commented: “Seasalt is exactly the type of business we look to support: a creative and entrepreneurial brand, with a management team who are passionate about and have a clear plan to continue growing the business.

“This investment is testament to the quality of the brand that has been built, with sustained growth over the last five years.

We’re delighted to be supporting them as they continue to grow.”

BEST IN THE UK Mish has been named the UK’s Best Independent Lingerie Retailer at the Drapers Independent Awards.

Since establishing Wadebridge-based Mish in 2009, female entrepreneur Michele Poynter has built the company from a small, homebased business, into multi-channel retailer with customers from across the world, catering to the needs of women who require larger cup sized bras and swimwear.

Poynter said: “It’s such an honour to have received this award! I’d like to thank our lovely customers, as well as a very big thank you to the ladies that work so very hard at Mish.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY sapc.co.uk

CORNWALL

NEWS IN BRIEF Staircase manufacturer Spiral UK is making spiral staircases for the new Dyson Campus accommodation being built in Wiltshire. The brainchild of Sir James Dyson, The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology has been developed as a place to nurture engineers of the future. Helston-based Spiral has been commissioned to design, manufacture and install 12 external spiral staircases and walkways to modular accommodation pods, where the students will stay.

Sharp’s Brewery has been announced as the first ‘major appeal partner’ for the Cornwall Air Ambulance New Heli Appeal. The company has donated £10k to the New Heli Appeal, which seeks to bring a next generation air ambulance helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by April 2020.

St Austell-based eco-friendly design studio, Leap, is just one of nine UK B Corporation companies to make it on the B Lab Best For The World: Changemakers list. The newly-formed changemakers category recognises the improvement on a business’ overall impact based on an independent, comprehensive assessment administered by the non-profit B Lab.

The new Rapid Innovation Grant scheme is now available through Marine-i and is attracting widespread interest from marine technology businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the new project offers 100% grants of up to £2k to businesses which can be used to purchase services or equipment.

Redruth-based marine engineering company Severn Subsea Technologies has rebranded as Severn Glocon Technologies, in a move to unify the company with the other divisions within the Severn Glocon Group. Severn Glocon Technologies specialises in research, development and manufacture of valves, instrumentation and associated equipment.

RECORD TURNOVER AT STEAMSHIP GROUP

Continued passenger growth has helped drive record turnover at the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.

The Penzance-based company, which provides lifeline air and sea services to the Isles of Scilly, carried 215,624 passengers in the 12 months to March 31, 2018, an increase of nearly 3% on 2017 (209,853,35).

Turnover increased 2.1% from £17.09 million to a record £17.46 million. Excluding exceptional items, the group made a profit after tax of £514,736.

Announcing the group’s annual results, chairman Andrew May said that group chief operating officer, Stuart Reid, would be promoted to the role of acting MD, and he confirmed two new appointments to the Steamship Company board.

Scillonian Stephen Hicks, who was brought up on the islands and had a career in the Merchant Navy before returning to Scilly in 1989, where he has been a boatman ever since, will be joined by Henk Wiekens, joint MD of Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth.

May said: “On behalf of my colleagues, I welcome Steve and Henk to the Steamship Group. They bring considerable maritime experience to the company, and in Steve we have strengthened island-based representation on the board. I also congratulate Stuart on his promotion, which is well deserved and reflects the huge contribution he makes to the business.”

During the year, the group invested £2.2 million in its assets, including £1.2 million in the Mali Rose, a larger freight vessel that is due to enter service later this year.

ABOVE: STUART REID Following a revaluation of the Mali Rose, and a resulting exceptional impairment of £633,447 in the group’s annual accounts, the company registered a small operating loss of £0.17 million compared to an operating profit of £1.52 million last time.

May said: “The company has had another good trading year with a solid underlying performance, continuing passenger growth and record turnover. Although preexceptional profits were down, this reflects our ongoing investment in our staff and assets to maintain resilience.

“We have acknowledged our disappointment that the Mali Rose has not yet entered service but we expect to introduce her on the route later this year subject to completion of the necessary familiarisation and regulatory processes.

The impairment review was a prudent oneoff accounting step which we have treated as an exceptional item.”

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

SAPC HAS IT COVERED St Austell Printing Company has made a significant investment in meeting its sustainability goals, by unveiling one of the largest roof-based solar panel arrays in Cornwall.

A total of 441 panels across two buildings at Carclaze will generate 130,000kWh per year - the equivalent of 40 domestic solar PV systems. It’s hoped that the 150kWp system will present a carbon-saving of at least 45 tonnes per year.

Operations manager, Beth Mayman, said: “We’re really excited about installing the solar panels, as it really meets the sustainability values of our company. It will supply all the energy needs for the units on our business park and a significant proportion of our printing

INNOVATION POPS UP IN LISKEARD A new Pop-up Innovation Centre has opened its doors on Liskeard’s high street.

Located where the fruit shop once stood, the space will now offer a range of free business support and innovation advice to help drive business growth in the area.

The premises has been fully kitted out with five hot desks, meeting space, free Wi-Fi and printing facilities. One-to-one business consultancy is also offered and businesses are encouraged to drop in to speak with a business innovation advisor.

The service is being delivered by Acceleration Through Innovation (ATI), a project which has engaged with over 230 businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly since launching last September.

Pop-up centre coordinator, Adrienne Silcock, said: “We see a real variety of people visiting our Pop-up Innovation Centres and welcome all businesses with fewer than 250 staff to use the facilities.”

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

factory. Any unused power will be sold back into the grid to be used by local homes and businesses in the St Austell area.

“This is the latest in a range of projects to ensure we remain as sustainable as possible.

Our buildings harvest rainwater, we maximise natural ventilation and daylight, and limit heat loss through insulation. From a printing point of view, we use vegetable-based inks, recycle 100% of our paper waste and our brand new press uses LED-UV instant drying technology – making it one of the most environmentallyfriendly presses available.”

sapc.co.uk

CHAMBER CHARITY BIRTHDAY BALL The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has announced details of a charity ball later this year to help celebrate its 30th birthday.

The birthday ball, at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay on November 8, will culminate in a charity auction for the chamber’s charity of the year 2018/19 - Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Chamber CEO Kim Conchie said: “The New Heli Appeal is a fantastic cause and we are delighted to be supporting Cornwall Air Ambulance with this ball.

We celebrate 30 years of businesses working together for a better Cornwall, and this is the ideal celebration.”

Tickets for the ball are priced at £70.

For more details and to book tickets go to cornwallchamber.co.uk If you are interested in donating a prize for the auction, please contact Cornwall Chamber.

STANDS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE CORNWALL BUSINESS SHOW 2019

Now it its eighth year, the Cornwall Business Show (CBS) will be held on March 14, at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge, and is expected to attract 140 exhibitors and more than 1,000 visitors.

After trailing it last year, CBS will again feature the Business Start-up Zone, offering cheaper stands for those new businesses that need a leg up, and a similar area for charities and social enterprises.

Show organiser, Andrew Weaver, said: “We are delighted that from 2019 the Cornwall Business Show will be the only B2B services expo in the south west during the first six months of the year.

“This I believe will have a positive impact on the volume of exhibitors and visitors at the show, particularly those from across the south west.

I am also very pleased with our new headline sponsors Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth & Skills Hub and appreciate the support of supporting partners Cornwall Live, JHAV and Business Cornwall.”

Kirsty Miles-Musgrave, communications manager for the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth & Skills Hub, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Cornwall Business

Show, which is one of the premier events in the business calendar. We will be working with Andrew and his team to make sure every business attending the show knows about the support on offer to help them work smarter and grow.”

The event will also again host the popular A Bite of Cornwall Café and The Feel Good Zone - a specific area within the show that allows business owners, managers and employees to take the time “to reflect on their work life balance”.

For more information about the Cornwall Business Show, including stand details, go to www.cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk.

DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS SPACE FOR HIRE?...

S PEC I A L ISING IN BRIN GIN G YOU BUSIN ES S S PACE S LAC U N AB USINE SS.C OM

If you have a great space that is available and awaiting bookings, then a listing with Lacuna Business helps to ensure that you reach businesses looking for the right meeting space. Visit our website to list your space or give us a call to find out more – we’re really friendly and love to talk business.

SOUND GOOD TO YOU?

GIVE US A CALL ON 01209 718688.

hello@lacunabusiness.com 01209 718688 lacunabusiness.com

CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

SPONSORED BY

SAY HELLO TO LACUNA Business Cornwall is launching a new venture this month that will help businesses find meeting space.

Lacuna Business is the website that makes the process of finding the right venue for upcoming conferences, workshops or training sessions easy.

Rather than trawling through search engine results and visiting numerous websites, bookers will now only have to search in one place to find exactly what they need.

With workplace productivity being an increasing priority for many businesses throughout the UK, the potential time saving from using a website like Lacuna Business is proving to be crucial for everyone – from events management specialists, to those who book all conference and training venues for their organisation, and those who simply arrange their business’ board meeting twice a year.

Having worked closely with the business community throughout the county for a number of years, the team

sapc.co.uk

BELOW: TONI EYRIEY

at Business Cornwall has developed a sound understanding of the need for a website that helps to streamline the process of finding the right meeting space.

Publisher Toni Eyriey said: “We are delighted to announce that Lacuna Business will be launching in October.

“We talk to businesses throughout Cornwall on a daily basis and so understand that some of the seemingly simple jobs can become a hefty task.

This helped to spark the idea behind Lacuna Business, and we’re so excited to be offering this unique solution to local businesses.”

Business Cornwall has been working with full service marketing agency Eight Wire to develop the Lacuna Business website. The mini-site is now live and those wishing to be notified of the full launch can easily register to be kept updated by visiting www.lacunabusiness.com or calling the team on 01209 718688.

FIVE REASONS WHY BUSINESSES CAN BENEFIT FROM WORKING WITH A UNIVERSITY

T

he University of Plymouth’s Enterprise Solutions team connects businesses with the University’s facilities and expertise.

Corporate projects manager Rich Adams explains how businesses can benefit from collaborating with a university

1. YOU CAN ACCESS AMAZING FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Many universities have high-end equipment that businesses can use, for a modest fee or sometimes even free of charge. Any business looking for new equipment to support R&D, product testing or quality control would do well to contact their local university.

2. THEY’RE A HOT BED OF IDEAS AND TALENT If you are looking to develop a new product or process you may need a new perspective.

Universities have a wealth of knowledge and talent, from world class academic researchers to fresh-thinking students. Many academics need industry partners to support their

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

research, so collaborating can be a win-win for both parties.

3. THEY COULD OFFER YOU SPACE FOR YOUR GROWING BUSINESS Growing numbers of universities have space that businesses can rent, often at very competitive rates. For example, the Enterprise Solutions team can advise you on whether you would be eligible to take a space in one of the three innovation centres we run across Cornwall.

4. IT COULD LEAD TO FUNDING AND SUPPORT

Joint working between a business and university can pave the way for Government funding. For example, we’re running a number of successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) across the South West. KTPs are nationally funded schemes to support businesses to work with a university and a graduate.

5. UNIVERSITIES UNDERSTAND BUSINESSES BETTER THAN EVER I’ve seen a step change in the way universities approach businesses. Increasingly, academics need business input to focus on how their research can help solve real world problems.

Forget any notions of dusty books and ivory towers. You might be pleasantly surprised by how much your local university understands the needs of your business.

To find out how your business could work with the University of Plymouth, contact Enterprise Solutions: 0800 052 5600 or enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk or visit www.essupport.com

CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

THE STUFF GREAT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS ARE MADE OF

Stuff is a creative and media agency that, until recently, operated purely from Bristol but is now launching in Cornwall. Here, MD Jonnie GalvinWright explains why Cornwall is the perfect place for Stuff, what they can bring to brands in the region and why you don’t now have to go out of Cornwall for media planning and buying ounded in 2005, Stuff is a South West creative and media agency delivering advertising, design, digital and PR. It is led

by Managing Director Jonnie Galvin-Wright and Creative Director Richard Spruce, both of whom have extensive experience of providing creative campaigns for some of the best brands in the UK including the British Army, Royal Canin, The Guild of Fine Food, The Prince’s Trust and many more. So why Cornwall?

Jonnie explains, “It’s actually always been a case of why not? We have just been waiting for the right time. Both Directors already have family in Cornwall (which includes students at Falmouth University) but this year a few more things clicked in to place.

“First of all, two Stuff people settled permanently in Cornwall. Now based at the Pool Innovation Centre, Chris and Louise Wigmore will run Stuff Cornwall. Chris is a very talented Art Director and Designer and Louise is a rare commodity in being both a Project Manager and a specialist Media Planner and Buyer. This expertise means Cornwall brands now have a Cornish planning and buying point for local and national advertising campaigns across press, posters, digital and more; exactly the kind of service that some think is only available in Bristol or London. And, Louise is also a specialist in micro and local marketing and social – perfect for SMEs in the region.

“Secondly, the region is poised for further growth. The creative sector especially is running ahead of the national average and we want to be part of that. Plus, as the world of work

evolves, growth will be further fueled by better work life balances. I don’t think there is any better place for that than Cornwall.

“But, it’s also how we can work with those in the region to make the most of this opportunity too. We have always had a culture of collaboration and openness and we are looking forward to working with Cornish organisations across the private and public sector, as well as mixing with related creative agencies where we are always happy to work together for the benefit of clients. We’ve been delighted with how the Cornish Development Company have helped us already.

“Lastly, we have been working in some sectors that have a natural fit with Cornwall:

So far, interest in how we can help has been high and we are delighted to already be working with clients in Cornwall

rural broadband, SME B2B, food and drink and destination marketing. We also have a very big focus on Marine where we already deliver for some of the biggest marine engineering businesses.

Jonnie says Stuff’s mission is clear; “to create the stuff great campaigns are made of, to build stand out design and marketing campaigns that work, but always delivered with clarity and straightforward, honest advice - we try and cut the “bull” as much as possible. We are delighted to be working in Cornwall and particularly looking forward to taking Cornish brands to market through our offer of a new, Cornish media buying point” www.stuffadvertising.com

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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Leadbetter Gin is going through something of a boom at the moment, with hundreds of craft distillers popping up over the country. One of the most successful and very first craft distillery in Cornwall is Tarquin’s Gin. We meet the man behind the name, Tarquin Leadbetter

TARQUIN

LEADBETTER

You started making gin in 2012, what were you doing before that?

Immediately before I started the distillery I was working in a bar in London, a pub in Notting Hill which sold Thai food. I had left my desk job - I was an emerging markets analyst. I used to write research on Latin American economies, mainly Venezuela and Colombia, doing political, economic and financial market research, which was very much an extension on my degree - I did politics and economics at Bristol University.

So it was really good to put it into practice, but I knew it wasn’t me, it wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had always wanted to do something creative and loved the idea of being my own boss.

Prior to university I had done a cordon bleu cooking course and ran a ski chalet of eight people in France. I was very interested in food and liked the idea of doing something creative within the food industry, so left with the intention of writing a business plan to set up a quick service Thai restaurant in the City of London, for office workers. Because that was pretty much what i had been doing, working in an office, interested in the lunch offerings, so everything clicked together.

So I took a job in this pub which sold Thai food, the manager said he’d teach me about the hospitality industry and the numbers behind it while I wrote this plan. About six months down the line I got to the end of the road with this plan, as it seemed to me setting up a restaurant in London was particularly tricky, property probably being the biggest hurdle. And according to all my numbers it set off a lot of the red flags for why not to set up a restaurant. If the rent is x% over your predicted revenue, you shouldn’t be operating.

I’m sure every restaurant in London operates within those dangerous thresholds, but it didn’t particularly appeal to me.

So I needed a change of direction. I had always been interested in food but hadn’t been so immersed in the drink realm of things. So I became more inquisitive about the drinks I was working with, the beers, the ciders and being from the West Country, there’s obviously local ciders and breweries, but spirits back at that time, 2011/12 was not at all like that.

The back bar, about 90% of it, was probably owned by three or four multi nationals. Even if you had choice of brands, you didn’t have choice of company, because they were owned by the same people, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, someone like that.

Then I read about a couple of independent spirit companies who had started up. I didn’t really know that it was feasible to make spirits on a small scale, so it immediately sparked my interest. I read

I had left my desk job - I was an emerging markets analyst. I used to write research on Latin American economies

a lot of what was going on in America, and they were having a renaissance in the spirits industry as they had in the beer industry, lots of small scale producers starting up.

I made the decision to see if I could set up a craft distillery and make a gin from scratch.

That was my aim. I literally went from looking to set up a restaurant in London to seeing if I could do a distillery.

I didn’t want to do it in London, though. I’m from the West Country, I’m actually from Devon but spent all my holidays at my grandparents’ house in Cornwall. So the idea of living by the sea in Cornwall, going surfing and making gin was kind of a dream on paper but one which sounded pretty incredible. So I pretty much spent the next year planning it. I didn’t have a huge budget, I couldn’t afford a consultant, so it was very much planning this on my own, working out how it is done.

And this was very much pre-gin boom time as well. When I told people my idea, they thought I was a bit crazy. We’ve got gins, they would say, not really sure we need another. And there is a lot of secrecy in the gin distilling world.

Most of the producers are big companies, and the details of the recipes at to what goes into a gin was kind of proprietary information which they had developed and researched over the past 40, 50 years.

They’re not going to share it with anyone, it’s not in the public domain. So I had to read between the lines and ultimately dive into trial and error and experimentation.

You can buy really small pot stills and run it from your cooker and that’s what I did. Lots of combinations and permutations, learning the flavours of botanicals, learning what Juniper berries smell and taste like on their own, learning what coriander seeds taste like, all the classical gin ingredients and what they bring to a gin, why they’re in gin and I also experimented with some of the weird, wild and wacky botanicals, anything that grows in Cornwall that you can pick, anything that you can buy on the Internet.

Were you a gin connoisseur before?

I liked gin, and gin and tonic but I was still quite young, about 24 when I went on this journey, so it wasn’t as if I had been drinking gin for years and was fanatical about it. But I went on this journey of experimentation, tried lots and lots of gin brands and knew what I liked but initially I didn’t know what direction I was heading, it unfolded as I experimented.

But while I hadn’t been a gin drinker since the age of 12, everything that gin represents I loved. I come from this food background and was very much interested in flavour. Ultimately gin is the distillation of botanicals and the presence of juniper, but really it’s an expression of essential oils and an expression of various ingredients. You can make it unique, it can taste different to everything else. You can literally add in anything you want, so you have the chance to be completely creative and at the end of it you have a tangible product which you can drink, share with friends, enjoy.

And ultimately when setting up a new business, it was important for me to have something I would be proud to sell. So it appealed to me from all of these angles. And in these early stages, my older sister who is a chartered accountant, it coincided with her getting married and wanting to move back to the West Country.

So it pretty much started with the two of us in this tiny 500sq ft lock up just outside Padstow with one still, called Tamara, and we made about 220 bottles in one batch. When we first started that was enough to last us more than a week and as time went on it was about picking up momentum. I sold the first few batches out of the boot of my car driving to various bars and restaurants and shops, then we learned to send things by courier, then by pallet and it picked up from there. A lot of word of mouth and social media. And it’s important to bear in mind that we were genuinely the first new gin to be made in the West Country since Plymouth Gin. And this is now about 2013?

Yes. We sold the first bottle on July

30, 2013, to the Gurnards Head down in Zennor.

There’s now hundreds of craft distilleries.

What sparked this gin craze?

There are two crazes I guess, the gin craze then the craft distilling craze. The craft distilling craze was heavily influenced by America. I think gin has a very strong background in England so is the first spirit which English craft distillers would lead to. But in terms of consumers demanding gin and becoming connoisseurs, it’s a mixture of a lot of factors in society. The British consumer had got to the stage where we enjoy local produce, we’re willing to pay a little bit more for something better, but drink a bit less of it. It’s not all down to cost. The big companies over the last 20 or 30 years have been cutting costs, killing off brands and homogenising products within the marketplace, and people are turning their backs on that, drinking local products and liking variety as well.

There’s not a snobbery around gin, so most consumers can enter the category quite easily; you can easily taste the difference between gins. I wouldn’t say you could necessarily become an expert but you can certainly become an enthusiast and start to bring collections and try different ones.

So more people are drinking gin?

Definitely. You get various shifts and a migration of perhaps people who used to drink, say, fruity ciders or maybe even alcopops moving on to something a little more sophisticated.

And across the ages?

Yes, you get young hipsters drinking gin and tonics, martinis, there’s a renaissance of the classic 1920s cocktails and then you have the older generation of gin drinkers. Even the category within gin itself is expanding, so you’ll see within the dry gin category, a classic white gin, you’ll see an expansion of botanicals, more exotic and wacky flavours, and then also more fruit gins.

The big players must be losing a lot of share to the smaller ones?

The premium end of the gin market is growing.

The supermarket own brand and low end of the market is contracting, but gin as a category is growing significantly. It is that shift within the category, that premiumisation of the product. A few percent lost from the low-end spirits and a move into the high end is quite a lot of meat on the bone for a lot of the small distillers.

We don’t sell huge amount of quantities compared to the big boys, so there is a lot of potential growth there for the craft distillers.

Although there are hundreds about, there is still scope to grow and increase in number. The smaller companies don’t need so many sales to stay viable. But that said, not all companies

TARQUIN

LEADBETTER

There’s not a snobbery around gin, so most consumers can enter the category quite easily; you can easily taste the difference between gins

work out and there is a natural failure rate as in any business.

How many companies are there roughly?

Lots I think. I was the first in Cornwall, now there’s probably a dozen or so here. Cornwall is a food and drink-led county so perhaps we have a higher number compared to other counties, but this can be replicated across the country, so there will be few hundred and more starting up. It was my dream, it’s a lot of people’s dream, to quit their job and do something creative and be their own boss and start up a distillery.

And it’s still on an upward curve?

I’d stay we’re still a few years away before we see a drop in the number.

And on consumer levels. Is gin a fad or is it longer term?

Everyone says it’s a fad. I try and look at it historically looking into the life cycle and product cycle of spirits. Typically, some commentators say spirits categories have a 20-year life cycle of being in vogue. Vodka was very much in the 90s. Hendricks launched in 1999 so did Martin Miller’s, so you could possibly pinpoint that as the beginning of the gin wave. So there’s a question are we at the end of the 20 years? I’m not sure. Is it going to go another decade? But people are always going to drink gin and in Britain we have a really good background and are known internationally as being fantastic gin producers.

Is the export market developing for you?

Over the medium term we’re certainly going to

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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focus our attention towards that and in 2019 we have a more proactive plan for export. We do export to 12 countries, but at the moment it represents less than 10% of our business.

And last year you won the San Francisco Gin Award. Was that quite a big thing for you, as some awards don’t always mean that much?

Truth be told most competitions you pay to enter, so in theory you kind of expect something in return. And some awards are more independent than others. But within our industry there are probably two international awards, one in San Francisco and one in London which are seen as the pinnacle and are judged by a panel of expert judges, blind tastings and several hundred products at a time.

So, I think any good result from one of these awards is a good pat on the back from your peers and to win it in San Francisco for our Sea Dog Navy Gin was definitely the highlight of my distilling career. Everyone felt proud. To go up against the biggest brands in the world and to come out on top is definitely a fantastic feeling.

And then it’s something you can shout about and helps get new consumers to try your brand, which is always what we’re about. Converting one consumer at a time and hopefully they will become a repeat customer forever.

Are the big boys doing anything to combat the rise of craft distillers? Are they getting more adventurous?

They’ve been launching new products and

I think there will be a trend where they buy brands. We’ve seen that with the early pioneers within the category. There’s a German company called Monkey 47 which got bought by Pernod Ricard. Sipsmith, which is probably one of the earliest British pioneers, got bought by Beam Suntory, a Japanese brand.

Similar to what has happened in beer, like Sharp’s being bought by Molson Coors?

Exactly. We’re still very much in the early stages of this in the gin category. It depends how adventurous these big companies are.

They’ve done it in the past, in the 60s and 70s buying up brands and then they tend to kill them off and focus on their core brand. They have various strategies and ideas. But equally they’ve been launching fruit gins and there has been a trend to compete to an extent.

How many types of gin do you do now?

We have six core products, three of those are fruit flavour gins, two are London dry gin in style, but we call them Cornish dry gins, and then we have one pastis as well, which is our take on the French aperitif.

Why did you go into that?

Sounds crazy doesn’t it? A personal decision.

I did my ski season in France running a chalet and pastis it was pretty much the cheapest thing on the menu so I drank quite a bit of it out there. Also, when I was on this journey of experimentation with flavour distilling single botanicals, creating single botanical distillates, when it came to thigs like aniseed, star anise and fennel, they pretty much felt like spirits in their own right. And when I added water they louched and they instantly reminded me of the anisettes, the pastis, ouzos around the Mediterranean and I though how cool it would be to launch another product and we wouldn’t just be a gin distillery, we would be a craft distillery and it went from there. And then the pun came in from there - Cornish Pastis,

Cornish Pasty, everything clicked into place.

Are there plans to do other spirits?

We’ve always got plans. We have about a million ideas written down. We wouldn’t rule anything out. Everyone within the team is very creative and always keen to launch new products. I think as a business we want to grow sustainably, we’re very much quality over quantity. Within our first year we were even approached by Tesco for the south of England to go into hundreds of stores, but it wasn’t the right timing for us, didn’t really tie in with what we were looking to do. We’re independent ownership, my sister and I. The aim for our company is to be #1 craft distiller in the UK, but it’s not sacrificing quality over quantity. We’re not looking to ramp up as fast as we can. We want to create a brand.

My view is the faster you grow, the greater the potential to fall back just as fast. I don’t particularly want a new consumer to discover our brand in a supermarket. ideally, I would want them to have heard about us before and see it a way to buy us and I’m very keen to build brand awareness, obviously starting locally and moving out across the country and internationally. And to do this sustainably. We are quite cautious but have been growing quite fast over the past five years.

What sort of sales do you do now?

There is a team of about 25 of us, and growth has pretty much doubled year on year since year one. Obviously we are now at a bigger base so it’s slowing down a little bit, but in 2018 we hope to do 25,000, 8.4 litre cases of gin.

But we’ve definitely been lucky with the timing of the gin boom, but at the same time we are quite an ambitious forward-thinking company.

Why have you been so successful?

A mixture of a lot of things and we’ve been

TARQUIN

lucky with a lot of things as well. You could say we were at the right place at the right time launching our gin in a fantastic county at the beginning of the gin boom. Then having a good product has really been important.

It’s easy to sell one bottle to someone but to get a repeat purchase has been crucial to our success, but also brisling a fantastic team.

We’ve had positive people join the company right from the beginning and everyone has had the same vision as I have and been really proud to work here and see the growth as well.

And I don’t think we would be where we are if we didn’t have such a fantastic local community within Cornwall. It is the ideal place to launch a brand; I think word of mouth is particularly strong. Having that strength in grass roots marketing has really been fantastic.

but possibly neglect the marketing side of things. Some may not taste as good as the others but sell more. There’s definitely a mix involved.

And some of the bottles are works of art. Is that also part of it?

Absolutely. As the market becomes more crowded it becomes more important, as in any industry, to differentiate yourself. And gin distillers are becoming more creative in doing so. And everyone likes forward thinkers and people who are doing something innovative. There’s always scope to do something new within any market, however old or however saturated.

So, I definitely think there is scope for new brands and new distillers to pop up over the next decade. And being a gin enthusiast as well as a distiller, I’m as interested and excited to see a new brand in a fantastic bottle with fantastic liquid, as the next person. And it keeps us on our toes, really pushes the craft distillers who are agile to push the boundaries of the category. And the winner in all of this the gin enthusiast and consumer.

When I started there was a lot of secrecy, possibly a lot of misinformation as well, about the extreme difficulty in getting licenses

Is it quite easy to start a craft distillery?

It is a lot easier than it used to be. When I started there was a lot of secrecy, possibly a lot of misinformation as well, about the extreme difficulty in getting licenses, extreme difficulty in inflated costs in starting up.

But I think myself and a few others started up on a shoestring, me being a 20 something old guy, I think a lot of people saw this and thought if he can do it, it must be possible. Definitely, the barriers to entry are falling by the day and you can get a product to market pretty reasonably.

If you have a good tasting product you stand a good chance, but as with any company or brand there’s a whole realm of other things that go with it. Being able to market is probably most important. Some brands taste fantastic

Are you as hands on as you’ve always been?

A little less so but for me the best part of the job is the production and making the gin. Up until this point I’ve probably made myself 95% of the gin which is probably hard to believe!

But I think that’s been a strength of our brand that I have genuinely been making it. But as we’ve got bigger, we’ve now got a head of operations to help facilitate expansion and we’re recruiting assistant distillers, but I am still

LEADBETTER

head distiller and oversee every single batch.

But the first and most important thing is I am the only person who knows our recipe - in the world! So, I still load very single still with the botanicals, making sure they are spot on.

You’ve mentioned secrecy in the industry, so you are just as secretive yourself!

I’m open in terms what goes into it, it’s in term of quantities where the secrecy comes in. I am the only person in the company who knows what goes in. There are people here who are trained to use the equipment and the stills to produce a constant recipe based on my instructions, but the actual sign off of the liquid and the ingredients is still very much my domain and that will always be the case.

If this hadn’t of worked out, what do you think you would be doing now?

That’s a good question! I would probably would have gone abroad for a year, learned a new language something like Spanish. I don’t know, I could have been setting up a Cachaca distillery in Brazil! I’m not sure, I haven’t thought about it too much, but I know I’ve been really lucky with the way this has all worked out. As we grow and I develop, my role has changed a lot over the years from doing everything to becoming a little more specialised. I’ve had to develop personally and it has become more of a management role.

What do you think the business will look like in ten years time?

Ten years? Wow! I would hope we would have fulfilled our aim, which is to be the #1 craft distiller in the UK. We have a really good visitor centre up here in north Cornwall, and we’re pretty much a household name in the UK. Still family owned, maybe some children to potentially take over one day! And possibly a few other spirits as well. It would make sense to have a portfolio of spirits and expand production.

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GROWTH

PROGRAMME

MAKING WAVES IN

Discover more about Marine-i, an initiative to promote innovation in marine technology in Cornwall arine-i is a pioneering scheme that has been designed to foster innovation in the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

This sector has high growth potential and has therefore been identified as a key priority for the region.

Explaining its philosophy, Professor Lars Johanning, who leads the Marine-i team, says: “We have an exceptional maritime heritage and we want to ensure that Cornwall plays a pivotal role in the sustainable marine industries of the future.

“These include marine energy, marine manufacturing, maritime operations and marine

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

environmental technologies. This programme is part-funded by the EU and aims to stimulate and support research, development and innovation to help our marine businesses exploit new market opportunities.”

ACCELERATING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Marine-i’s pioneering support scheme is already paying dividends for local companies such as Ultrabeam Hydrographic, which specialises in high resolution hydrographic surveys. It has designed the Ultra-USV, an unmanned surveying vessel with a clever thruster configuration that enables it to make precisely controlled movements in any direction – rather like an aerial drone. Marine-i’s support has meant it can build a fully engineered vessel and conduct crucial sea trials.

Ultrabeam Hydrographic’s technical director, Gabriel Walton, says: “The help we

have received from Marine-i is allowing us to accelerate to the next stage of development for the Ultra-USV and we now hope to have this unique new technology in commercial operation by the end of 2018.”

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT

Matt Hodson, Marine Hub Cornwall operations director, explains how the Marine-i project partners collaborate to deliver a comprehensive support package to Cornish businesses.

He says: “There are six project partners who work closely together to provide the Marine-i offer. These are the University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, The Cornwall College Group, Cornwall Marine Network, Cornwall Development Company, and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

“We each have our own particular strengths and specialist expertise that we apply to

ABOVE: THE ARMOREL, USED BY TRISKEL MARINE TO TEST ITS NEW TECHNOLOGY BELOW: 3D MAPS OF MEVAGISSEY HARBOUR, CREATED BY ULTRABEAM HYDROGRAPHIC

We each have our own particular strengths and specialist expertise that we apply to support businesses, and between us we have access to some of the best testing facilities in Europe which businesses can access through the Marine-i project

support businesses, and between us we have access to some of the best testing facilities in Europe which businesses can access through the Marine-i project. We can provide a bespoke package of support to marine businesses that is geared to their specific needs and delivered through one point of contact.”

IMPRESSIVE EXPERTISE

Ken Wittamore, MD of Triskel Marine, experienced the benefits of this ethos when his company created a new on-engine generator that is designed to work with hybrid marine propulsion systems.

He says: “Our product is a real breakthrough and one that potentially has a massive worldwide market. The grant support that we have received from Marine-i has allowed us to purchase the specialised test equipment, prototyping tools and computer modelling software that we need for our vital pre-launch tests.”

Ken was very impressed with the knowledge and experience of the Marine-i partners and says: “It has been great to deal with a team of people who really understand the marine technology sector and the challenges that businesses like ours face.”

BUILDING GLOBAL LEADERS

Another highly innovative company that has worked with Marine-i is Unmanned Survey Solutions. The company designs smarter unmanned surface vessels to carry out marine surveys. Its latest Ascension Class USV, which has been created with the support of Marine-i, is designed for long endurance missions in open seas.

Director James Williams says: “We are delighted to receive grant support from Marine-i, which will help us refine the specifications for this innovative USV. It gives our company the opportunity to lead the way in this important global market.

“I would urge other marine technology businesses in Cornwall to get in touch with the Marine-i team and find out how they might help translate their new ideas into commercial reality.”

You can see full details on the Marine-i programme at www.marine-i.co.uk

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CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

While there are many start-ups in Cornwall, rarely is there one entering the legal profession. Business Cornwall caught up with Penny Paddle and Verona Cocks to find out why the two thought 2018 would be a good time to team-up and launch commercial law firm, Paddle & Cocks

W

While this is a start-up business – it seems misplaced to term it that since the managing partners, Verona and Penny, have entered this new venture with over 44 years of high-level experience between them. Penny started her legal career in 1992 doing a training contract with City of London law firm, Mayer Brown, qualifying into its corporate and commercial department in 1994. In 1997 she was seconded to GE Information Services to run its in-house legal team across Europe, Middle East and Africa and she joined GE in that capacity in 1998. She relocated to Cornwall in 2008 where she took over as head of corporate and commercial with a well-known local firm where she received numerous recommendations in the Legal 500. Since 2012 she has been working as an independent consultant under a national brand with clients both in and out of county.

In the early days of her career, Verona, who qualified in 1998 and is from Cornwall and went to school in Truro, did an internship at a law firm in Virginia, USA, before practising in London and Birmingham. While in the Midlands Verona became the 100th partner of a now top 45 national firm, Weightmans LLP, where she was head of commercial disputes & insolvency, a department she developed from scratch. She was also shortlisted for Commercial Solicitor of Year at Birmingham Law Society awards two years running, (2009 & 2010), while ranking the Birmingham department in the Legal 500, which described her as “tactically astute” (2010 ed.).

She subsequently became a partner at Matthew Arnold Baldwin, a panel firm for the city of London banks where she practised banking and finance litigation. Eventually, the naturally occurring call that every Cornish person experiences, to return home, was helped by a partnership opportunity at a large Cornwall

centered firm. Among other things, a clear hankering for greater control and influence led Verona to work as an independent consultant, similar to Penny, essentially running her own enterprise for a different national brand.

Despite working through different consultancies, Penny and Verona started working together back in 2016 and it rapidly became apparent that there would be many benefits to starting their own firm, hence Paddle & Cocks LLP was born. Paddle & Cocks is a fullservice commercial law firm, providing services across corporate, commercial, commercial property, commercial dispute resolution, banking and insolvency, employment and international law, with the focus being the businesses it works with.

The hybrid business model is a combination of a traditional law firm and a consultancy-based practice. This means that as well as growing the in-house team, based out of Charles House, Truro, lawyers from different pockets of the UK can join forces, many of whom like the founders, have direct commercial experience having set up and run businesses themselves as well as operating at high levels within the legal sector - this allows Paddle & Cocks to cover a wide geographical area (currently Truro, Birmingham and London) and facilitate fast growth.

Commenting on the motivation behind setting up Paddle & Cocks, Penny said: “Having worked for a national consultancy I could see the value in this kind of model and saw the opportunity to create a streamlined version with a client focused service.

“The opportunity to be creative was another attractive factor.”

Verona commented about the nature of the business model and how it provides an environment where people flourish: “A key aspect to delivering first-rate client services is our people. We believe individuals excel in an environment in which they feel comfortable, which is supportive, flexible and adapts to their unique talents. We embrace diversity; to that

end whilst building a traditional law firm we also promote a consultancy-based practice. This combination, we believe, facilitates a more client focused service.”

A wealth of commercial expertise and a streamlined business model using the advantages of modern technology to facilitate a paperless practice would certainly suggest that Paddle & Cocks has the armoury to deliver on its promise to achieve first rate client services and help its clients reach their commercial goals.

In a short space of time this law firm has already started to entwine itself within the local business community (and beyond) and will continue prominently doing so. It has five lawyers in total including a consultant Barrister, embracing the changing legal environment.

Paddle & Cocks are always looking for motivated lawyers who want a better work/life balance and to be properly remunerated for the work they carry out.

Contact: Website: www.paddleandcocks.co.uk email: law@paddleandcocks.co.uk Telephone: 01872 672072 National: 0333 3449429

BUSINESS CORNWALL

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PLASTIC

REVOLUTION

Will Cornwall be crowned the first plastic free county?

WORDS BY KATIE MCVEY lastic, the once revolutionary material marketed as ‘the material of a thousand uses’ with endless possibilities is now creating catastrophic chaos in our oceans, destroying marine life and ruining our endless coastlines.

12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste have been discarded into our oceans, from plastic bags to plastic bottles and of course the infamous plastic straws and cotton buds, which have been the viral images guilting the nation into action.

The impact of these images or what has been referred to as the ‘the Blue Planet effect’, has woken the nation and the Government to the horrors of plastic pollution, with Cornwall taking the lead on trying to be the first ‘plastic free county’.

Cornwall has been making headlines with its dedication to making the county completely plastic free. This has been advocated by various charities throughout the south west with many organisations making noise that has resonated throughout the UK and beyond.

The Final Straw campaign, which was formed

by Bosinver Farm Cottages owner Pat Smith to rid Cornwall of single-use plastic straws, has been gaining great traction across Cornwall, with the likes of Healey’s and Fifteen Cornwall all pledging their support, while Bedruthan Steps Hotel recently hosted a special conference to discuss plastic pollution.

And Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigner, Rachel Yates, recently received recognition from Prime Minister Theresa May for her efforts in making Penzance the UK’s first plastic-free town.

SAS is one of UKs most influential marine conservation charities and has been the driving force behind the plastic free movement with their voices being at the centre of the campaign.

Chief executive, Hugo Tagholm, says: “We work on all sorts of issues but plastic pollution is our priority it is a huge crisis in our oceans, in our

environment, in all parts of our planet.

“So that’s why we’re focused on it, from the beachfront with our beach front volunteers right up to the work we do in Westminster and with governments in the UK and around the world.”

Hugo and his team have created a framework called the Plastic Free Communities initiative, which was formed to encourage towns and villages to reduce their single use plastic, and has been successful. There are numerous communities involved with some towns reaching plastic free status.

“Penzance was the first town to receive its accreditation. Which means it has really put the engine in place to tackle plastic pollution.

“We’ve got lots of other communities in Cornwall, plastic free St Agnes, plastic free Falmouth all sorts of communities either with the status or working towards the status with us and the council is very committed to this programme.”

The community leader for Penzance’s plastic free movement and the south west’s regional representative for SAS, Rachel Yates, decided to join the Plastic Free Community scheme after noticing the mess caused by the storms in February 2014. Rachel believes that Cornwall is the best location for the plastic free movement because of its marine life.

“We are an obvious place to take action because the evidence and the impact of single

LEFT: RACHEL YATES RIGHT: HUGO TAGHOLM

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

use plastics on the marine environment is so clear. We can also send a really strong message to the rest of the UK. “We are custodians and we have a duty to protect our environment but we also have an opportunity to spread that message further and to act as an example.”

Hugo suggests that although Cornwall has some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK the tidelines are cluttered with rubbish every day.

“Cornwall needs to do this because these are its natural assets, these are the assets which sell the county and so it’s in its interest to be leaders as it were, not just nationally, but internationally on taking a stand on plastic pollution.”

There has been a direct effect on Cornwall including the impact on wildlife, from entangled birds, seals and turtles, as well as the ‘detrimental impact’ on tourism.

Penzance has managed to encourage many small businesses to join the plastic free movement by removing or replacing at least three single use items so they could achieve their accreditation, but there is still the issue of trying to convince the local supermarkets to join forces.

With over 800,000 tonnes of plastic generated by supermarkets it is no surprise that people want to see a change. Tesco has vowed to make all packaging fully recyclable by 2025, Iceland has welcomed deposit return schemes and all supermarkets now charge for the use of a plastic bag which has seen a reduced circulation by over nine billion.

Hugo says that “using these more sustainable alternatives is a market advantage rather than a market disadvantage in what they’re doing”.

From the beach cleans to the talks to the relentless campaigning it seems the small county of Cornwall is having a big impact on the rest of the world and are hoping to be crowned the first plastic free community.

Hugo states more needs to be done globally to

cease the flow of plastic into the ocean and that “we can’t just pick our way out of the problem”, although he adds that saying no to single use plastic will reduce your plastic footprint and therefore the environment and that is a “victory for our environment.”

But Cornwall’s efforts are being recognised and at the end of August, Rachel Yates received a personal letter from the Prime Minister, as the latest recipient of the Points of Light award,

in your footsteps and will protect the environment for generations to come.”

Rachel said: “There are hundreds of people across the UK working tirelessly to tackle single use plastic as part of the ‘Surfers Against Sewage’ Plastic Free Communities movement.

So, for me this is an acknowledgment for each and every one of them as well as the swathe of businesses, organisations and individuals who have got behind the ‘Plastic Free Penzance’

There has been a direct effect on Cornwall including the impact on wildlife, from entangled birds, seals and turtles, as well as the ‘detrimental impact’ on tourism which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.

In the letter, Theresa May wrote: “Your work to turn the tide on the consumption of single use plastics has inspired individuals and businesses alike to play their part in proudly creating the UK’s first plastic-free town. Your trailblazing efforts are motivating communities across the UK to follow

campaign. I am always bowled over by the level of support in the town and am hugely grateful and proud of what we are trying to achieve.

“I hope that together we can bring about positive change, empowering individuals and communities to take action which benefits the world we live in – not just environmentally but socially and economically too.”

BUSINESS CORNWALL

23

Wendron Stoves are the wood burning specialists in Cornwall

CORNWALL

ith over 30 years experience in selling and installing state of the art wood burning and multi fuel stoves, we pride ourselves on being one of Cornwall’s longest and leading experts in the field.

Back in the 1980’s, a young Nathan began selling from his Dad’s workshop at home. From these humble beginnings, and with passion and determination to be the best, he built the family business and Wendron Stoves’ great reputation to where it is today.

The last 12 months has been an example of how the business is continuing to grow. We opened a second showroom on Quay Street in Truro, we were awarded retailer of the year for Everhot Range Cookers and we were chosen to be the exclusive retailer in Cornwall for Focus Fireplaces of France. There is so much to say about Focus, its designs and its master creator.

Beautifully designed, these world-renowned stoves are created in France under the watchful eye of founder, owner and artist Dominque Imbert. The pieces are all unique. They are created entirely by hand in the factory in the South of France and the designs are scrutinised to the last detail to ensure that the finished product is perfectly adapted to the space it is destined for. Dominique himself believes in

following intuition rather than convention as is evident from all styles of his work, whether you prefer a hanging fireplace, wall mounted or built in. The Focus signature elegance of design will suit your living space whether your taste is modern and minimalist or rustic and cosy.

Amongst the above, we have also concentrated on being at the forefront of supplying highly energy efficient stoves and sustainably sourced fuel. One of our manufacturers Hwam, are constantly committed to making their stoves more efficient and ecofriendly. Man started using fire for a millennia as a form of heat, HWAM are using today’s technology to control how we use a fire now, look how any other technology has improved over the years, so why not improved wood stoves’. The new SmartControl stove system is a refinement of the existing system with one big innovation – from now on, the system is controlled by an app on a mobile or tablet. In addition to the way the system is regulated, Hwam SmartControl naturally offers several other important advantages including slashing firewood consumption by up to 50%. This stove is the most eco-friendly way to light a wood burning stove and has an automatic night reduction feature which reduces the intensity of the fire and extends the heat in a form of embers during the night. We currently have one installed and live in our showroom in Helston.

Gary Hawkins is the General Manager with Paul Thirlby looking after the sales at Helston and Ashley Ward running the Truro Showroom.

ADVERTORIAL

We employ 6 full time installation engineers and 3 service engineers covering wood stoves and fireplaces together with Biomass boiler maintenance.

Innovation, design, sustainability and social responsibility are the values that have guided Focus since its inception and which will continue to drive its development in the years to come.

Wendron Stoves Ltd, Unit 4, Water-Ma-Trout Ind Estate, Helston , TR13 0LW Helston - 01326 572878 Truro - 01872 520010 www.wendronstoves.co.uk

The last 12 months has been an example of how the business is continuing to grow. We opened a second showroom on Quay Street in Truro, we were awarded retailer of the year for Everhot Range Cookers

BUSINESS CORNWALL

19

As summer sun tans fade into a distant memory, thoughts turn to a cool yule and ways to reward loyal staff for all their hard work over the past year

I

f you have yet to book your office Christmas party, we have some ideas; while we also present a seasonal gift guide full of some great products perfect for saying that special thank you.

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

Christmas Party Nights at WHAT’S ON this festive season at Retallack Christmas Parties

Selected Dates In December Celebrate in the cosy backdrop of our Lookout Restaurant & Lounge and with a stunning festive menu and live music you’re in for an unforgettable celebration! £35pp

Walk the red carpet, mingle with a welcome drink and enjoy a stunning locally sourced festive 3 course menu in the most stylish surroundings followed by entry to the Atlantic Hotel disco in the ballroom next door.

Christmas party nights run every Friday and Saturday throughout December

£29.95pp

Lunch and mid week parties also available from £23.95pp Limited availability enquire today to secure your party

Call 01637 839048 | www.atlantichotelnewquay.co.uk silks@atlantichotelnewquay.co.uk | Silks Bistro 7 Champagne Bar at the Atlantic Hotel, Dane Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1EN

Magical Woodland Den

1st - 23rd December Thurs, Fri & Sat Enter the magical world of The Den, meet Santa & friends, create crafty Christmas gifts in Santa’s workshop and more! £10 with gift included.

New Year’s Eve Parties

Party Christmas Dinner 95pp 6. £2 + live music -

31st December

se meal Enjoy a tasty 3-cour away ht nig the e nc da and

Dine, drink and dance the night away with our exclusive adults only four-course menu in The Lookout Restaurant. £55pp with after dinner entertainment and fireworks!

To book any of our events, call us on 01637 882500

Christmas spa & 0pp afternoon tea - £6

G OOKIN

B

NOW

from

£26

.95

on

s per per

t, use Enjoy a spa treatmen’s style, 40 a d an ol po the of tea Christmas afternoon

ith Overnight stay w£45pp om fr t as breakf ff or Why not treat your staak bre t or sh family to a

LIVE MUSIC BY ‘THE QWEST’

stay@retallackresort.co.uk | 01637 882500 Retallack Resort & Spa | Winnards Perch | St Columb Major Cornwall | TR9 6DE

01637 872864

www.sandsresort.co.uk Sands Resort Hotel & Spa

|

Watergate Road

|

Porth TR7 3LX

U N F O R G E T TA B L E C H R I S T M A S PA R T I E S AT ST IVES HARBOUR HOTEL & SPA Enjoy a delicious 3 course meal, entertainment and a Disco until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays throughout December. ÂŁ25.00 pp for Thursdays ÂŁ32.00 pp for Fridays & Saturdays Book for 20 guests or more on Thursday and the organiser receives a complimentary standard inland double room for the night.

Email stives.events@harbourhotels.co.uk or call 01736 795221 for more information.

St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa The Terrace, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2BN

TheManor

House

&

GREAT VALUE CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Ashbury Hotels

- The Only Sport, Craft & Spa Hotels in the UK

Get into the festive spirit and enjoy a three course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a disco with our resident DJ. Or why not choose our B&B Option - Party the night away knowing your bed is only minutes away.

PLUS as an overnight resident you’ll also receive use of our Sport and Leisure facilities including our Hydro Spa. Tomato, Basil and Red Pimento Soup (V) Deep Fried Breaded Baby Camembert (V) Smoked Salmon Salad *** Roast Turkey & Trimmings Roast Beef served with Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni served with Garlic Bread (V) Vegan Chickpea, Lentil and Green Pepper Balti *** Christmas Pudding & Brandy Sauce (V) Irish Cream Cheesecake Passion Fruit Bavarois with Raspberry Sauce Available on selected Saturday nights. Minimum 8 adults.

Dinner may be booked for 7.45, 8.00 or 8.15pm.

Bar available 7pm - Midnight | Disco until Midnight Vegan and gluten free options available on request - please ask for more information.

STAY OVERNIGHT AND ENJOY FREE USE OF OUR FACILITIES! •• 3 Course Dinner & Disco - £20 per person ••

Get into the festive spirit and enjoy a three course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a disco with our resident DJ

•• 3 Course Dinner & Disco with B&B - £49 per person•• Party the night away knowing your bed is only minutes away.

PLUS you’ll also receive use of our Sport and Leisure facilities including our Hydro Spa.

Call Leanne or Krystian on 01837 53053

TEA AND BISCUITS

ULTIMATE FACIAL KIT

Organic Radiance - The ultimate facial kit by Made for Life Organics - £65. All you need for the ultimate 100% organic three step cleanse, tone and moisturise ritual, removing all traces of make-up and leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, balanced and healthy. madeforlifeorganics.com

Biscuiteers, the online retailer of hand-iced biscuits, has launched its own special blend of ‘Great British Tea’ grown on the Tregothnan estate in Cornwall.

The tea, which will be sold online and in its icing cafes, is the perfect partner for its hand-iced biscuit collections and can be combined to create a very special ‘tea and biscuits’ gift. biscuiteers.com

CHRISTMAS

To appear in November’s Christmas Wish List please contact Caroline Hill 01209 718688 or caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk

GREEN TOYS

LUXURY FUDGE

Created using Copperpot Originals flagship flavour, English Butter Fudge as a base, sweet-treat lovers will be able to buy and gift a seasonally spectacular Christmas Trio: Christmas Spiced Butter Fudge, Irish Cream Butter Fudge and deliciously decadent Chocolate Covered Butter Fudge presented with a luxury black branded jute bag. Price: £20. copperpotoriginals.co.uk

The National Lobster Hatchey stocks a Fantastic range of ‘Green Toys’ made from 100% recycled milk cartons. Beautiful quality made to last. Toys include Seaplane, Ferry, Submarine, Rescue Helicopter, and a pull-along Wagon. nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

SEASONAL CHEERS

Inspired by an Alpine adventure and crafted in Cornwall, Jubel was voted the UK’s Best Fruit Beer in the 2018 World Beer Awards jubelbeer.com

FINISTERRE

If you could only own one jacket, make it the Borealis. Waterproof, warm, and lightweight, it’s built to withstand the worst the weather can throw at you.

Price £225.00. finisterre.com

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING

The Susa Gilet is available for £50 from Weird Fish, in Dark Navy or Mulled Wine. Ideal for the changing temperatures, this stylish layer will keep you warm and comfortable.

Available online and in-store in Falmouth, Newquay and Truro. weirdfish.co.uk

LITTLE SHOP OF LOBSTERS

For cooks who love to experiment with flavours or those who simply appreciate good quality ingredients, this Cornish Sea Salt hamper from the National Lobster Hatchery makes a lovely gift for friends & family. nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk

TOUCH OF GLASS

Zennor Glass is a jewellery company formed by Falmouth University students using recycled glass found on Cornwall’s beaches. With its new charity collection, Zennor Glass will be donating some of the profits from its new necklace collection to a different appeal every few months. zennorglass.com

PEOPLE

ON THE MOVE

SPONSORED BY www.sapiencehr.co.uk

NEW ROLE FOR COL BOLITHO Col Edward Bolitho, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, has agreed to become patron of Citizens Advice Cornwall.

Col Bolitho is well known throughout Cornwall for his work with a range of charities and organisations and manages the family Bolitho Estates.

Welcoming Col Bolitho’s appointment, Gill Pipkin, Citizens Advice Cornwall’s chair of trustees, said: “We are delighted and honoured to have Col Bolitho as our patron as we look

forward to securing our future as a service free to all people living in Cornwall.”

Col Bolitho added: “I am delighted and privileged to become Patron of Citizens Advice Cornwall. I look forward to meeting everyone involved and will hope – in a very small way – to be able to help everyone involved in the vital work the charity is doing.”

Col Bolitho takes over the role of patron from the late Lady Mary Holborow.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS

Investment management company Brewin Dolphin has appointed a new business development manager.

Rob Jones returns to the south west having started his career in the insurance industry in Devon and Cornwall back in 1991.

Working out of Brewin Dolphin’s three regional offices in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter, Jones says he’s delighted to be back in an area that he knows and loves well. “I’ve been part of HSBC’s global asset management team in London for the last ten years so coming back is very special,” he said.

Jones take over from Philip Thitchener, who has recently retired.

MOVE INTO CORNWALL A leading provider of business finance has expanded its presence into Cornwall.

Henry Howard Finance, which has its head office in Wales, has appointed Truro-based Dave Smith as a new account manager.

Smith, who has 40 years’ experience with

Lombard within the RBS group, will be responsible for providing asset finance solutions to SMEs across the Duchy.

He said: “The company is growing, and I am excited to play a part on their exciting journey.”

'DREAM JOB’ FOR JAKE Developments in the science sector are drawing a new generation of ambitious young people to the region.

Jake Silcock recently relocated from Kent to take up the position of product manager with IVF Bioscience.

Some 40 years after the first ‘test-tube’ baby, the Falmouth company is making great strides in the revolutionary field of animal in-vitro production (IVP) – developing, manufacturing and selling a range of ‘media’ (the complex formula in which embryos are briefly grown outside of

32

BUSINESS CORNWALL

the animal during the IVF process).

For 24-year-old Silcock, keen to develop his career in the field of livestock fertility and assisted reproductive technologies, the opportunity represented his “dream job”.

“I’m fascinated by how we can use IVP in animals to feed an ever-growing population,” he said.

Silcock’s role is being supported by the Agri-tech Cornwall Project (ACP), a three-year, £10 million initiative to increase research, development and innovation in the agri-tech sector.

NEWS

SPONSORED BY

#FSBCONNECT

www.fsb.org.uk

HIGH STREET ACTION PLAN A freeze on business rates, increased free town centre parking and safeguards around access to cash and banking, must be put in place to help struggling businesses on the high street.

The burden of rising rates bills and everincreasing rents, coupled with soaring employment costs and pressure from online retailers and out of town shopping centres, are all creating a perfect storm in our town centres.

FSB has set out new recommendations in five key areas, which should be targeted by policymakers to provide an urgent lifeline for

the sector in England.

• Create fairer business rates bills for high streets and beyond • Build an easy and simple system for businesses to appeal rates bills • Abolish the rate relief rule that penalises small business expansion into additional premises • Create more free parking and invest in the maintenance of local road networks, which support local high streets and their customers • Put in place measures to safeguard access to cash and banking services

WELLBEING

You will also find case studies from the FSB membership and partner organisations like Public Health England and mental health charity Mind.

Taking care of wellbeing can have positive effects on both health and productivity. The FSB want to encourage the conversation about wellbeing amongst the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and welcome all small businesses to the wellbeing conversation. They hope you will share your stories with #FSBwellbeing on social

Did you know that the FSB has a Wellbeing in Small Business hub? It’s a place where you will find information and practical advice for your business on mental health and general wellbeing. Included are ideas and suggestions that you can try if you are looking to improve your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of your staff.

UNLOCKING PRODUCTIVITY A report released by FSB reveals that almost a quarter (24%) of small firms have not made any significant changes to products or ways of working in the last three years – with many held back by pressures on time and finances.

The report, Spotlight on Innovation has revealed that 76% of small businesses have made some kind of significant improvement to their business in the past three years.

Fundamentally, innovation for small firms is not confined to a workshop or lab. The report shows small businesses that do innovate are far more likely to introduce a change within their business (95%) like a new software or change to organisational structure or marketing process, rather than invent a new, marketchanging product (25%). This has implications for the current innovation debate, which focuses mainly on creating new products rather than ways of working.

As well as improving support for those creating ‘new to market’ innovations, including reducing the complexity of the R&D tax credit and Patent Box Tax relief systems, Government must put more emphasis on supporting businesses to make improvements within their firm.

Larger firms should help promote innovation throughout their supply chain and, where appropriate, encourage them to make claims

for tax credits.

Currently, almost half (43%) of small firms that are thinking about making changes, say a lack of time is holding them back, followed by a lack of skilled employees (37%). Almost a third (27%) say they can’t decide if the disruption is worth the longer-term benefits.

With research showing less than half of smaller firms have used cloud services (40%), online data storage (37%) or file transfer technology (33%), more needs to be done to help business owners introduce productivity-boosting technology. FSB is urging Government to explore the idea of growth vouchers to take up digital technologies.

FSB South West regional chairman, Roger Tarrant, said: “With just 10% of innovating small firms accessing Government financial support, improvements need to be made to increase awareness of what support is on offer.”

The full report can be found at www.fsb.org.uk .

FSB national chairman, Mike Cherry, said: “We know that small business owners are resilient and are used to adapting to market forces. But we want to see Government and local authorities come together to look at real solutions to these issues so that our high streets are not only able to survive, but to thrive."

media and join in the debate. You can start by downloading the FSB guide from the Policy and campaigns section of their website www.fsb.org.uk

FSB CONNECT NETWORKING FSBConnect Heartlands - GDPR Revisited October 4 How GDPR has impacted on small businesses. Our guest speaker will give us an update and address any issues you have about GDPR now that it has been up and running for five months.

FSBConnect Falmouth – How to Sell October 11 Guest speaker Trevor Lee of Trevor Lee Media will, with the use of some great props, share some innovative tips in the art of selling.

FSBConnect Heartlands - Effective Social Media November 1 There is no reason why you can’t use social media as effectively as some of the big brands. We will show you some of the free ways that you can create an advantage for your business.

FSBConnect Bodmin – Get Your Business in the News November 8 Alan Soady, Head of Media at FSB will be coming from our Westminster office in London to talk about what makes a story “newsworthy”.

All £10 to attend with includes lunch.

Book via Eventbrite.co.uk & search “FSB Cornwall”

BUSINESS CORNWALL

33

ADVERTORIAL

Scale Up with Tech

Small Cornish businesses are exploiting digital technology to grow Sales and reduce costs – Get involved

O

ver 2000 Cornish businesses have received impartial advice and information from Superfast Business Cornwall to help them adopt and exploit technology for growth.

Superfast Business Cornwall offers a tailored programme of high quality information and 1-21 advice to boost business competitiveness through increased understanding and exploitation of digital technology. The service is fully funded by European Regional Development Fund so there is no charge for eligible SMEs, start–ups and social enterprises to participate.

The programme is ahead of its target to give in-depth support to 300 small businesses and are encouraging more businesses to #Get Involved to reap the benefits of technology. 190 new jobs have been created and 77 companies have introduced a new product or service. You can find out more on how Cornish businesses have benefited from digital technology in the case studies on our website. As one of the businesses we have worked with said: “The support has been transformational for our business. I really can’t say enough about them, I’m like a walking billboard

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

advert! As a company with little digital knowledge, Superfast Business Cornwall have held our hand throughout and made the impossible, possible” Julia Roberts, Business Manager – MWR Media.

The service offers eligible businesses a half day workshop giving an overview of modern business technology followed by: • 1-2-1 support from a Digital Business Adviser to draw up a bespoke Digital Action Plan for your business, aligned to your key priorities giving and identifying quick wins • A detailed website review and report identifying any opportunities for improvements • Masterclasses on subjects such as ‘Free up your time with Technology’ and ‘Digital Tools for Finance’ • Fully funded private sector specialist support is available to assist if any niche expertise is required to implement your plan.

We find some businesses want to adopt digital

technology but struggle with slow broadband speeds. Although we are not involved in the roll out, as part of our support, we can investigate options to improve connectivity.

All businesses based in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly can access The Knowledge Bank, an online resource of practical guides, top tips, articles covering all things digital with subjects such as Moving to the Cloud, Integrating Systems, and Creating a Successful Website.

Go to www.sfbcornwall.co.uk all that’s needed to access is a business name and postcode.

The programme continues to Spring 2019. Why not get involved? Contact us to see how we can help your business #ScaleUpWithTech.

Call 0345 600 3936 or email enquiries@sfbcornwall.co.uk. @SFBCIOS superfast-business-cornwall @SuperfastBusinessCornwall Superfast Business Cornwall

CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

A DIFFERENT CHOICE FOR OUR CLIENTS

C

ornwall Waste Solutions (CWS) is a Cornish based waste specialist covering the greater SW Region providing a total waste management support in liquid waste collection and treatment dry waste collection and treatment hazardous waste and recycling.

There is a combined knowledge of over 60 years’ experience in this sector If you’re in manufacturing, production, energy supply or utilities, minimising your environmental impact is a major factor in the business model.

Managing environmental issues responsibly is central to your business and not complying with regulations will damage more than your business. Deciding who to trust with your waste management is effectively deciding who to trust with your business reputation Cornwall Waste Solutions (CWS) offer a fresh approach when working with clients as we take an interest in your business. We are keen to help share knowledge and bring a focused fresh vision to how you deal with waste and recycling while engaging at all levels of the business to create a positive and committed approach.

The business is keen to share ideas on things like a reduction in single use plastics and the recycling of used hard hats that often end up in general waste as a couple of innovations delivered into clients.

Supporting local business is a key to the growth and development for any business and we feel we can offer a one stop shop for all client needs. We are a CHAS approved business continuously looking at forming strong partnerships where we can help support all aspects of this element of business. From initial data capture with tailored monthly reports to on site waste assessments that can often yield benefit from a fresh set of eyes looking and we challenge how things are done. Compliance forms a large part of our service offering as we ensure that you have all the information relating to your waste movements and the treatment and recovery processes.

Cornwall Waste Solutions (CWS) has recently been awarded a

CORSERV contract covering liquid waste services for Cornwall Housing Ltd (CHL) covering all of Cornwall for a 3 year period collecting septic tank waste collections.

Cornwall Waste Solutions (CWS) is a member of the Goonvean waste alliance which includes Clear-flow and YPH Waste Management offering our customers specialist environmental expertise across the South West. The alliance offers specialist tanker and drainage services along with dry waste recycling including waste skips. The group waste alliance offers a strong market presence and the ability to meet all customer needs and expectations while offering a compliant and professional comprehensive service.

We have some exceptional customers and are continually looking to improve, let us see what we can do for you.

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

TOURISM

NEWS

SPONSORED BY

www.visitcornwall.com

NEW ACCOMMODATION

£50M VISION BECOMES REALITY

St Michaels Falmouth has officially opened the first phase of its £50 million investment project.

The scheme, which is said to be the largest investment of its kind in Cornwall, is taking place over two phases, at the end of which St Michaels aims to become the south west’s pre-eminent resort hotel.

The completed first phase features a new spa, 32 additional bedrooms in the new Beach House, Arrival Lounge, Brasserie on the Bay and Garden Kitchen restaurants, as well as the new Health Club which has already attracted 1,700 members.

Phase two will be a new luxury, sea-facing

Land’s End has completed a £300k investment in new luxury accommodation.

Formerly known as Penwith House and originally a Victorian-era Temperance Hotel, Penwith Studios has been restored and converted into four en-suite rooms overlooking Cornwall’s westernmost point.

Originally built in 1860 to provide a healthy retreat within a natural setting, Penwith Studios aims to offer its guests a similarly revitalising stay.

Land’s End Landmark general manager, David Bryans, general manager at Land’s End Landmark, said: “We’re thrilled with this new development and we’re sure our guests will be too.”

FUNDING BID SUCCESS

apartment development, called The Liner, which is expected to break ground this autumn and offer a collection of 53 self-catering seafacing apartments.

St Michaels chairman, Nigel Carpenter, secured the investment from CBRE Global Investors, BH Group and Acorn Property Group with the vision of turning St Michaels, then a boutique hotel, into a leading luxury resort.

He said: “St Michaels is a luxury resort with unequalled spa, health and fitness facilities and testament to the fact that the British seaside has grown up.”

Visit Cornwall has made a successful bid for a slice of the £40 million Discover England Fund.

VisitEngland announced last month the latest successful applicants to the fund which will each receive more than £800k and among them is England’s GREAT South West Peninsula project.

The initiative, led by Visit Cornwall, is a collaboration of tourism organisations made up of Visit Cornwall, the Islands’ Partnership, Visit Devon, Visit Somerset, and Visit Dorset, to deliver targeted experiences including accommodation for family and friendship groups from Australia and the USA.

ADVERTORIAL

CORNWALL AIR AMBULANCE APPEALS FOR SUPPORT FROM THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

Last year more than 20% of airlifted patients were tourists, yet less than 5% of donations came from the tourism sector 36

BUSINESS CORNWALL

FOOD &

WORLD BEER AWARDS WINNER A Falmouth-based beer brand has triumphed at the World Beer Awards.

Jubel, which was only launched last year, was named in the UK Country Winner for Fruits Beer category for its Jubel Alpine (Peach) beer and was also a UK Country Winner for Herb & Spice Beer with its Jubel Urban (Elderflower).

The accolade caps off a successful summer for Jubel, after also picking up a Bronze Medal

in the Drinks Business Global Beer Awards and Silver in the British Bottlers’ Institute Beer Awards.

Co-founder, Tom Jordan, said: “It’s exciting to be competing against such credible and well-established beers as a young, Cornish challenger brand, and a reflection on just how hard we’ve worked to brew up a new beer experience for people to discover.”

OUTLAW STILL #1 MOST WANTED Restaurant Nathan Outlaw has retained its top spot in the Waitrose Good Food Guide.

Nathan Outlaw, who has been running the restaurant in Port Isaac for the past four years following its relocation, said: “Learning that we had been placed in the top spot last year and retained a cooking

score of 10/10 from the previous year was amazing, but this is just mind-blowing.

“I am grateful to each one of my fantastic team for their commitment and hard work.

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw embodies everything I’d want in a restaurant as a customer, and it seems that other people like it that way too.”

DRINK

NATIONAL AWARD FOR WARRENS Warrens Bakery took the Craft Bakery Business Award at the Bakery Industry Awards last month.

“The British Baker’s Baking Industry Awards are the biggest night in the UK bakery calendar and to walk away with this title in this highly competitive award category is phenomenal,” said Warrens chairman, Mark Sullivan.

While Warrens has 70 stores across the country, it recently opened its 21st franchise outlet in Redhill in Surrey. Earlier this year it also ventured into Wales, opening a bakery in Merthyr Tydfil. Since opening its first franchised bakery in 2017, the brand has experienced rapid growth and now plans to open hundreds of new bakeries in the next five years.

SKINNER’S LANDMARK The Truro-based brewery, Skinner’s, has produced its 10,000th brew.

Each ‘brew’ produces around 25 brewer barrels which is approximately 7,200 pints. The ale that has claimed the crown is Skinner’s Porthleven – a CAMRA award-winning “fresh, hoppy” pale ale.

Skinner’s head taster, Steve Skinner, said: “I can’t believe we are on our 10,000th brew – it only seems like yesterday we were mashing in, by hand, our first ground-breaking brew in July 1997. I’d like to thank all the brewers that have been involved in our last 10,000 brews, great memories and I’m so proud of you all – here’s to the next 10,000!”

T

his year, fantastic weather and exceptional tourist numbers, have added to the charity’s workload over the summer. In the peak visitor months of July and August 2018, missions increased by nearly 40% compared to the same months in 2017, increasing from 173 to 241.

Cornwall Air Ambulance Chief Executive, Paula Martin, said: “The pressure on Cornwall Air Ambulance as a small local charity to deal with serious incidents has increased significantly this year. Meeting this additional cost, at the same time the charity is trying to save for a new generation air ambulance, is very hard, so we

urgently need your support.”

To help cover the costs of the extra missions, the charity is launching a campaign to generate more donations through the tourism sector.

Paula continued: “While four out of five patients are local people, one fifth of our work is to help seriously sick and injured tourists. Last year, more than 20% of airlifted patients were tourists, yet less than 5% of donations to the charity came from the tourism sector.

“We are hoping to substantially increase the donations from both tourism businesses and their customers year on year, to meet the increased costs of trying to save lives when things go horribly wrong while people are on

holiday. The charity is now appealing for tourism businesses to get on board with this campaign and make sure we can save more time and more lives in the years to come.”

The charity has recently trialled a new scheme with accommodation providers to ask customers to donate at the point of booking a holiday. More than 40% of families opted to make the donation and Cornwall Air Ambulance is now rolling out this scheme and other initiatives to businesses across the tourism sector.

Visit cornwallairambulancetrust.org to get your business on board.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

37

CREATIVE

AND DIGITAL

ST ERTH TO SAO PAULO

SPONSORED BY

ORBISS ON PAR FOR GLENEAGLES

St Erth-based marketing agency Hedgehog presented at a global digital marketing event in Brazil last month.

The Expo Digitalks Forum in Sao Paulo had over 4,000 participants and included speakers from Google, IBM and Coca Cola.

With support from the Department of International Trade, Hedgehog is exporting its services to Brazil with clients ranging from Brazilian football clubs to a national toy chain.

Hedgehog founder Alan Spurgeon, along with digital marketing and search engine expert Felipe Bazon, presented a keynote speech on the importance of search engine marketing.

He said: “We presented a unique view on how businesses should integrate the power of search engine marketing with their overall marketing strategy. South American businesses are very receptive to how we do marketing in the UK and we were humbled with the feedback.”

ADVERTORIAL

www.digitalpeninsula.org

Truro-based telecommunications provider Orbiss has just completed a project for the world-renowned Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

Orbiss supplied the hotel with contemporary Vtech cordless and corded phones for its 232 luxury bedrooms, suites and lodges.

Not only did the phones have to be stylish and reliable, they also had to integrate with the hotel’s existing telecoms infrastructure.

Orbiss sales manager Sam Hallworth managed the contract, travelling between Cornwall and Scotland to ensure everything ran smoothly.

“We’re honoured to work with such a prestigious client as Gleneagles,” said Orbiss director Karen Patterson. “Vtech’s range of hotel phones come with several bespoke options and were perfect for the job. Everyone is very pleased with the result.”

EVEREST STILL PEAKING Marketing and technology agency, Everest Media, has relocated to one of the largest office units at the Pool Innovation Centre (PIC) in Redruth, following two years of rapid growth.

Since 2016, revenues at Everest Media have surged by 128%, with 40% coming from international partnerships. Headcount at the agency has also increased from eight to 18 digital experts and developers, with the company currently recruiting for more staff.

MD Samuele Armondi said: “We’ve moved into

a great space at the Innovation Centre, that will give us the freedom to continue to grow and develop as a business.

“We are an ambitious Cornish company and aim to continue to bring in the talented individuals we need to help us make a difference to new and existing clients. With one of the fastest growing digital and technology sectors in the UK, we are confident that Cornwall is the right place to enable our business to really thrive.”

NATURAL BORN LEADER? Are leaders born or made? Clair Murray from the Skills Hub argues in favour of ‘made’… eaders naturally possess the social intelligence and charisma that motivates others to work together. Well, that’s what one camp says. The other argues that leaders are made - they build their skills with training, experience and mentoring.

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

TRAINING &

SPONSORED BY

EDUCATION

www.truro-penwith.ac.uk

HELP SHAPE TRAINING

A new project backed with over £3 million of European money is calling on Cornish employers to help shape training in the county while accessing free funding.

Lead partner of Developing Skills 4 Business (DS4B), The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), said the European Social Fund (ESF) money would also enable businesses to secure £3K to support them in participating in the project

And while Brexit is imminent, customer service manager Jen Siggs, said DS4B will run until the end of April 2020.

“I would urge all businesses in Cornwall to get in touch and have their say and seat at the table in fashioning the future training and apprenticeship standards for their sector,” she said.

“It will give them a voice, help shape work-ready employees for their sector.”

NEW COOKERY SCHOOL OPENS

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith officially opened Truro School’s new cookery school last month In addition to enabling practical cookery to be taught throughout the school, the new facility gives sixth form students the opportunity to complete Leiths Introductory Certificate of Food and Wine.

Sixth form students made the most of the opportunity to meet with Leith to find out more about her extensive and varied career arising from her main interests of food, business, education and writing.

Headmaster Andrew Gordon-Brown said: “It is fantastic that we are able to provide such state-of-the-art facilities, not only for our pupils to learn to cook but for our sixth formers to become associated with such a prestigious organisation as Leiths.”

The Cookery School will also be open to the community with regular cookery sessions on Saturday mornings and with the arrival of the Leiths School of Food and Wine Pop Up Cookery School, the first of which will be in the autumn halfterm holiday.

NEW LEADERSHIP TRAINING CCB Training has revealed details of a new part-funded leadership training course.

CCB Training, part of the Cornwall College Group, is the project lead and along with its delivery partner will receive up to £1.5 million of funding from the European Social Fund.

The funding will be used to provide leadership

Whilst both sides can be justified, research is increasingly swinging in favour of the latter with one such study by The Leadership Quarterly estimating that leadership is 24% genetic and 76% learned. It’s a view that we support here at the Skills Hub - it’s hard not to when we see it happening in businesses all around us. Training has the power to unlock hidden qualities and transform managers into leaders.

Businesses agree. In fact, leadership is one of the most common development requests that we encounter amongst businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Over a quarter of all the businesses that we support recognise it as having the greatest potential impact on

training for those employed in private and public sectors across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, as well as specific opportunities for women in business to work together.

According to Sally McAuley, head of business and professional at CCB Training, the Developing Leaders project is an “opportunity

not to be missed”.

“This exciting project will not only develop skills for those taking their first steps onto the leadership ladder but also provide opportunities for those operating at a strategic level to work together with other senior leaders across the region,” she said.

productivity and long-term sustainability, and cite it as an area in which they are keen to invest.

Since the launch of the Skills Hub 18 months ago, we have connected many businesses to leadership training, ranging from taster workshops to professional qualifications.

Businesses have a wide range of training options available to them, so we help them explore the possibilities and introduce them to the training solution that is right for them.

Fantastic training opportunities are currently available to businesses, some part-funded, so

it is an ideal time to build leadership skills within your business and prove that leaders are made, not born.

The Skills Hub service is free, independent and unbiased. To find out more, call 01209 708660 or visit www.ciosskillshub.com.

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and match funded by Cornwall Council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

BUSINESS CORNWALL

39

OPINION

JUST A THOUGHT

Jarrang CEO, Stafford Sumner, shares what the last 15 years have taught him about business success Sometimes businesses can get stuck in a rut – committed to entrenched systems and business models. Yet sometimes it really pays to be bold and not be afraid to make a major change

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

RECOGNISE WHAT MAKES YOU GREAT uccessful businesses have a core offering, and while it’s important to adapt to the evolving market in terms of delivery and products, it is also vital not to lose sight of what makes you great.

In 2012, we at Jarrang took the decision to expand our offering to a wider digital service, offering web development and search alongside our core service of email marketing. It was the right decision at the time, but within three to four years we realised we were still excellent at email marketing but just OK at the other stuff. So, we made a decision in 2016 to retrench, focussing on being experts in email marketing and data management, and gracefully exited the market for the wider services.

The business landscape is rapidly changing,

and the businesses that succeed are the ones that don’t stand still. The old adage that the only constant is change is just so relevant in the business sphere. Jarrang started out as an email marketing pioneer, carving the way in an immature market, but boy have things changed!

We have continually evolved to respond to the shifting market over the past fifteen years, regularly evaluating our offering and what our clients need. In our early days, we as a business were wedded to a couple of key email marketing platforms.

Realising that our clients wanted more flexibility and support across an array of platforms, we recently took the move to become platform agnostic – a unique step and one which has paid dividends in terms of client satisfaction and our ability to deliver a wide variety of services.

Sometimes businesses can get stuck in a rut – committed to entrenched systems and business models. Yet sometimes it really pays to be bold and not be afraid to make a major change that will ultimately pave the way for more success.

In 2010 Jarrang took the decision to launch an email marketing self-service brand, aimed predominantly at the SME market in the south west, called MailAway. While both Jarrang and MailAway have flourished over the years, the market is now looking for more integrated email marketing support – and we realised that there was an increasing overlap between the two brands which meant the differences between them and rationale for having both were decreasing. So, we recently made a decision to bring all operations under the Jarrang brand – and as of Autumn 2018 they will come together.

MailAway customers will then benefit from Jarrang’s expertise, while Jarrang customers will have increased flexibility and options. It’s a win-win situation – and an exciting new chapter for Jarrang.

CORNWALL

ADVERTORIAL

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS: HAPPY STAFF

Happy employees are 12% more productive than unhappy employees, and companies with a happy workplace culture outperform their competition by 20%

B

ut just how do you create a happy workplace culture? Training your team is a great place to start says Mel Colton-Dyer from the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, the delivery partner of the Skills Hub: “Making sure your team have the right skills makes everyone happier. Research shows that investing in training for an employee is as motivational as a pay rise - and the effects last longer.”

Supporting flexible working has also been proven to have a positive impact: “More companies have moved towards flexible working whilst still covering ‘normal’ working hours,” adds Mel. “Working remotely allows employees to catch up on meaningful activities that require concentration and makes time spent in the office more enjoyable.”

“Likewise, say no to long working hours.

Just because someone is staying longer at work, doesn’t mean they work harder than the rest of your team. Maybe they have productivity problems, or they struggle to complete the task that was given to them?

Don’t encourage a culture of long hours; good work life balance is key to employee happiness.”

And when it comes to meetings, there’s a resounding vote in favour of quality not quantity. Increasingly businesses are turning to alternatives such as social collaboration tools or skype to help cull the number of

meetings and give employees more time to complete work, be more productive and boost satisfaction.

The Skills Hub can help you nurture your team and create a happy workplace culture.

Visit www.ciosskillshub.com or call 01209 708660 to find out more about the free, independent and unbiased service.

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and match funded by Cornwall Council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

CELEBRATING INCREDIBLE SUCCESS One of the pioneering business start-up programmes in the region is to close its doors next month after almost a decade of supporting local businesses

O

fficially launched in October 2009, the award-winning Outset Cornwall programme has made an indelible impact on the Cornish economy, facilitating the creation of over 1,000 new jobs and helping more than 2,000 people explore the viability of starting their own business.

Where many have followed, Outset was the first to pave the way with its unique style of start-up support, reaching out to members of the community who previously had been excluded by mainstream business support.

These included people facing redundancy and the long-term unemployed; women; disabled people; ethnic minorities and those aged over 50 wanting to embark on a new career. All from very different backgrounds, these people

shared one thing. The desire to receive support that could help them realise their dream, provided locally in a language they could understand, with like-minded people, and all for no charge to them.

Thanks to the successful bid for ERDF funding from Outset’s parent company YTKO, with its fine pedigree of working with a huge variety of new entrepreneurs over many decades, these people finally had a voice.

For almost a decade Outset’s team of specialist business advisors have offered clients accessible, jargon-free, business start-up workshops, together with mentoring, specialist training and opportunities to network with other

budding entrepreneurs.

Outset Programme Director, Kate Perkin, who has been with the programme since the very beginning, feels it has been a privilege to oversee the management and delivery of the programme.

“Outset certainly captured the hearts and minds of the people of Cornwall, nurturing businesses through the most challenging early years of their commercial life when so many businesses fail. It has been an honour for me and my team to have played a part in helping transform so many lives and supporting Outset to create an incredible legacy of jobs for Cornwall.”

TEST DRIVE

DACIA DUSTER

DACIA This month Morveth has been trying out the Dacia Duster, courtesy of Dales Renault & Dacia. Starting at less than £10000 when most SUV’s are double this - Do you get what you pay for? Or are they simply a bargain? We find out WORDS BY MORVETH WARD

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

o tell you a little more about Dacia, its sister company is Renault, and this is where it pinches most of its mechanical parts from. The body however is purpose built for Dacia so it’s more than just a badge.

Largely necessitated by the cost saving, the build quality isn’t going to win any awards, however, for budget motoring, it’s impressive.

The standard equipment is surprisingly good with plenty of optional extra’s – the Duster I test drove had extra’s which included, keyless entry; reversing camera; touch screen media display; and air conditioning. Naturally the price increases accordingly with the extras, though it’s good to know the Dacia range can depict more than

basic motoring.

The Duster’s styling is one of its best assets – it’s modern and butch brining it in the mix with the rest of the SUVs - based on looks you wouldn’t think it undercuts most rivals by approaching 50%.

The drive is more refined and smoother than I expected. The performance and handling are as I expected. It’s no driver’s car but in normal driving, if blindfolded (as a passenger!), I doubt you’d tell the difference between this and the more expensive rivals.

There are petrol and diesel variants available.

While many modern cars can be difficult to differentiate, with similar equipment levels; build quality; economy; price and so on – the Dacia range is very easy to separate from most of the

The Duster’s styling is one of its best assets – it’s modern and butch brining it in the mix with the rest of the SUVs - based on looks you wouldn’t think it undercuts most rivals by approaching 50%.

market, as it’s in a totally different price bracket. The Sandero starts at £6995, and the Duster from £9995 – most other vehicles in the respective categories are twice this. Dacia doesn’t offer the build quality and prestige of the others, but it’s not bad and it does have the practicality. On this note, you have to ask yourself, what do you really need from a vehicle? If it’s a practical mode of transport, then you may as well save yourself thousands and buy a Dacia.

Its pragmatism means that it does have a lot going for it in terms of supporting an embracive lifestyle in Cornwall – the high ground clearance (and option of 4x4) will see you tackle any bumpy tracks and you don’t need to worry as much about using it properly – because it would cost you much less in the first place to buy, and as it is simple, this should also mean servicing and repairs are cheaper. I’m not saying that you don’t need to look after it, but you will feel less anxious when returning from a beach trip, with a boot full of sodden wetsuits and footwells of sand.

Contact Dales Renault & Dacia, Scorrier 01209 821133

BUSINESS CORNWALL

23 43

EVENTS

OCTOBER

OCTOBER EVENTS 04

05

FSB CONNECT HEARTLANDS

Heartlands, Pool

The guest speaker will give an update and address any issues you have about GDPR now that it has been up and running for five months. There will be lots of time for your questions and for networking too. eventbrite.co.uk

08

Headland Hotel, Newquay

09

Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay

CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS HAYLE

The Old Quay House, Hayle

An exciting new meeting in the Hayle area. Attendance is free for all Cornish Partnerships members and only £5 for guests tickets. cornishpartnerships.co.uk

THE PRESENTER’S TOOLKIT

10

The Presenter’s Toolkit equips you to design and deliver winning presentations, whether that is a 90-second elevator pitch, a long conference presentation, a short review meeting with your team or even a written piece. eventbrite.co.uk

07

NEWQUAY BUSINESS WEEK

The Headland Hotel will host day one of Newquay Business Week, kicking off with a presentation from Visit Cornwall chief, Malcom Bell. newquaybid.co.uk

11

NEWQUAY BUSINESS WEEK

Sessions start with Al Titterington of Cornwall Airport Newquay, discussing the airport’s growth and what the future holds for terminal and route development. newquaybid.co.uk

FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB

Tom Harvey-Jones, a search writer for Mining Searches, will be this mornings guest speaker. The Club meets on alternate Thursday mornings over breakfast at the Carnon Inn (Beefeater) where a lively and welcoming group of local business people awaits you. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk

NEWQUAY BUSINESS WEEK

12

TECHNOLOGY ESSENTIALS FOR BUSINESS

CORNISH PIRATES V NOTTINGHAM

St Austell Conference Centre

Mennaye Field, Penzance

Technology Essentials for Business workshop is designed specifically for start-up businesses and those just starting to incorporate digital into their business. Part one of two sessions. sfbcornwall.co.uk

For a truly memorable occasion, match day hospitality is the perfect way to entertain clients and colleagues alike. Match day hospitality starts at £25+vat each. robyn.ashurst@cornish-pirates.com

Kirsty McAuley from Coodes Solicitors begins the day’s events with a crucial update on GDPR, while other presentations will include FSB’s Cornwall development manager, Ann Vandermeulen, who will explain how “to eat a frog”! newquaybid.co.uk

Carnon Inn, Carnon Downs

Atlantic Hotel, Newquay

David McGuire from Radix Communications and James Strawbridge book end day three of Newquay Business Week, with plenty of informative presentations in between. newquaybid.co.uk

NEWQUAY BUSINESS WEEK

Hotel Victoria, Newquay

NEWQUAY BUSINESS WEEK

Great Western Hotel, Newquay

Sustainability is the theme as Newquay Business Week draws to a close, with presentations from the likes of Eden Project, Final Straw Cornwall and COAST One Planet Network Tourism. newquaybid.co.uk

For further details of these and more networking events, visit

businesscornwall.co.uk

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

Top 5 this month

04

CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH

Rick Stein’s, Porthleven

Everest Media, Sapience HR and iSight Cornwall are among the speakers at this month’s lunchtime networking event, which for the first time comes from Rick Stein’s in Porthleven. cornwallchamber.co.uk

0812

NEWQUAY BUSINESS WEEK

This year’s Newquay Business Week comes from a different venue each days and features a packed programme of seminars and presentations from some of Cornwall’s leading business figures. newquaybid.co.uk

NETWORKING 16

TECHNOLOGY ESSENTIALS FOR BUSINESS

St Austell Conference Centre

Technology Essentials for Business workshop is designed specifically for start-up businesses and those just starting to incorporate digital into their business. Part two of two sessions. sfbcornwall.co.uk

18

CORNISH PARTNERSHIPS OPEN HOUSE

Victoria Inn, Roche

Open house networking meeting hosted by Cornish Partnerships.

Entrance is free for all Cornish Partnership Members, Guests pay a £10 registration fee. cornishpartnerships.co.uk

23

CORNWALL CHAMBER BREAKFAST

Eden Project, St Austell

Cornwall Chamber’s monthly breakfast networking event typically attracts up to 180 guests, depending in size of venue. cornwallchamber.co.uk

31

11

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING DAY

University of Exeter, Penryn Campus

Do you know that your business needs to look at alternative packaging options? Does your use of single use plastics affect your brand and customer relationships?

Special event for businesses who have specific packaging challenges. h.kirk@exeter.ac.uk

FSB CONNECT FALMOUTH

Cornwall Marine Network, Falmouth

Guest speaker Trevor Lee of Trevor Lee Media will, with the use of some great props, share some innovative tips in the art of selling. Feedback from the FSB’s previous event was that Trevor’s presentation should not be missed! eventbrite.co.uk

Business Cornwall’s Morveth Ward keeps us up to date on the networking scene

W

ith summer parties and boat trips a distant memory, we now slip in to Autumn with a steady events calendar, already in anticipation of the Christmas season, which will inevitably be full up with awards and end of year celebrations.

Last month provided the opportunity to learn more about electric vehicles (EVs). Cornwall New Energy invited local businesses to the Royal Cornwall Showground for a morning focused on understanding how adopting electric vehicles and charge point infrastructure can generate interest and footfall for your business.

It was a great opportunity to talk to experts about the hurdles and solutions that will need to be addressed in order to deliver customer satisfaction in this emerging marketplace.

There were presentations to help you understand the technology followed by a supplier fair, allowing you time to network and talk directly to local experts.

September 20 saw the birth of Growth Fest - The Growth Hub hosted event showcased the success and impact of the project and the businesses it has helped.

Delegates also heard from Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership about their latest developments and exciting new projects.

This month kicks off with Newquay Business Week which runs from Monday October 8 – Friday October 12. The event

21

CORNISH PIRATES V BEDFORD BLUES

Mennaye Field, Penzance

For a truly memorable occasion, match day hospitality is the perfect way to entertain clients and colleagues alike. Match day hospitality starts at £25+vat each. robyn.ashurst@cornish-pirates.com

brings an impressive roster of experts from all over Cornwall spanning a wide range of businesses from a variety of sectors, including digital marketing and creative content, tourism in Cornwall, GDPR and Brexit updates, business networking, branding, and small business tips. The schedule is packed with innovative, informative and practical sessions to motivate, inspire, support, and help businesses thrive. Locations for the event include the Headland Hotel and Spa, the Lighthouse Cinema, the Atlantic Hotel, the Hotel Victoria and the Great Western Hotel.

Many of the regulars will be running as normal, including the Chamber Breakfast (and its AGM) which will take place at Eden on October 23.

At the end of the month the University of Exeter (Penryn Campus) will be holding its Sustainable Packaging Day. The event will bring together academics, policy makers, activists, packaging providers, students and businesses from across the UK with the aim of helping you find a solution, whether this is changing the materials that you use, looking at closed loop solutions or offsetting your impact.

Next month marks the start of the Christmas parties season and some awards, including the Cornwall Sustainability Awards which takes place at the Headland Hotel on November 30.

25

FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB

Carnon Inn, Carnon Downs Samantha Perkin of Zamu will be talking about making tax digital and cloud accounting. This is a must attend meeting for anyone who runs a small business as changes in the way that HMRC collect tax information will affect all of us in the next two years. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk

CONNECTED

CORNWALL

GROWTHFEST Businesses flocked to the Royal Cornwall Showground last month for GrowthFest, a free event organised by the Growth Hub to celebrate the success of business support in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

FSB SCHOOL Small businesses went back to school for the day at St Austell Conference Centre, for a collection of masterclasses covering subjects from tax to selling FROM LEFT: AARON HAMSHIRE (SOUTH WEST INVESTMENT GROUP); ANDREW UPTON (OXFORD INNOVATION); LIZZIE WEDGWOOD (ECOBLISS) AND SARAH PICKING (COSY CORNER HOLIDAY PARK); MARIA MILLEN (HIGHER TREWITHEN HOLIDAY COTTAGES)

46

BUSINESS CORNWALL

SPONSORED BY

www.cioslep.co.uk

CORNWALL

CONNECTED

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: ELEGATES ENJOYING GROWTHFES; HAVE A GO PENZANCE SHOWING OFF THEIR FLYBOARD EQUIPMENT; KEYNOTE SPEAKER JO FAIRLEY (GREEN & BLACKS) MIDDLE ROW, FROM LEFT: CAIT & NICK (SEAGRIFFEN GAMES); JOE PETERS (FROZEN CUSTARD CO); KENNY GREEN (ECOWAGON) AND HIS DOG; CATH ROBINSON (CORSERV), BILL GILES (GROWTH HUB) AND CERYS HARTT (GROWTH HUB) BOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT: NIGEL SWIFT (REALLY BIG BUBBLES); MP SARAH NEWTON AND CHRIS WOOD (OCEAN 3D)

BUSINESS CORNWALL

47

THE LAST

WORD

SHANE BEADLE

Getting to know Cornwall Waste Solutions director Shane Beadle WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? I always wanted to work in logistics as I am always looking for a better way of doing something or getting somewhere and I achieved my goals by working for a blue chip distribution company as a transport manager for a 150 vehicle fleet of vehicles and trailers.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? I worked for a heavy haulage company do all sorts of jobs from the workshop to the transport office and driving the large abnormal loads before gaining my CPC and moving into logistics.

WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? My mobile phone, nothing too techy, and my

car keys.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? I like to relax by listening to music and I find that driving to appointments is a great time to listen to my very diverse music tastes.

IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE? I would like to build a house in Greece the climate is great and the food

fantastic.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Setting up CWS and building the business with the help and support of the team and the strong customer base we have.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? Living in Cornwall is so

diverse and we are blessed with so many great places to visit and enjoy the great scenery and beaches.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? Martin LutherKing & Churchill.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Greece.

IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Health, wealth and happiness for all.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE? Not taking

enough time off to be with my family.

WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK? Working for a company

that believed in me and progressed my career and skills in my chosen sector.

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

to be working hard and achieving all my goals.

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BUSINESS CORNWALL

TRURO INVESTORS

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

You must have drive and ambition with some existing clients and have provided a product/service in the last year OPTIONS COULD INCLUDE Merger/Partnership/Purchase/Finance

SOLICITORS WITH ONE FOCUS: Your Business A full service commercial law firm providing expert advise on: • Commercial Property • Corporate / Commercial • Commercial Dispute Resolution • Employment • International • Insolvency & Restructuring

Your business in safe hands To arrange an informal meeting please call Emily on 07961402448 All discussions in confidence.

Contact us today for a no obligations discussion on 01872 672072 or at law@paddleandcocks.co.uk

Which Dacia takes your fancy?

All-New Dacia Duster From £9,995* Car shown: Duster Prestige SCe 115 with optional metallic paint £14,890

Ridiculously roomy Dacia Logan MCV from £8,495*

Small but mighty Dacia Sandero Stepway from £9,595*

The smarter supermini Dacia Sandero from £6,995*

Smart meets spacious Dacia Logan MCV Stepway from £12,095*

Car shown: Logan MCV Lauréate dCi 90 with optional metallic paint £13,190

Car shown: Sandero Stepway Ambiance TCe 90 with optional metallic paint £10,090

Car shown: Sandero Lauréate SCe 75 with optional metallic paint £9,290

Car shown: Logan MCV Stepway Lauréate TCe 90 with optional metallic paint £12,590

1968–2018

Dales & Renault Celebrating 50 Year Partnership

Wheal Rose, Scorrier, Redruth TR16 5BX Tel 01209 821133 Summercourt, Newquay TR8 5YA Tel 01872 511600 www.dalescornwall.co.uk

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Dacia range are: urban 40.4 (7.0)–76.4 (3.7); extra-urban 35.3 (8.0)–83.1 (3.4); combined 44.1 (6.4)–80.7 (3.5). The official CO 2 emissions are 158–90g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EU legislation and may not reflect real-life driving results. Equivalent NEDC value (for All-New Duster) obtained from WLTP figures, aiming to reflect a closer representation of the ‘real-world’ fuel consumption and CO 2 figures. *Prices shown are manufacturer’s recommended retail prices, available on featured new vehicles ordered and registered by 30 September 2018. Prices shown include delivery to dealer, number plates, 20% VAT, 12-month government road fund licence and £55 first registration fee. Cars shown with optional metallic paint at an extra £495.

Dales & Renault Celebrating 50 Year Partnership

Celebrating 50 Year Partnership with Renault

Great Print delivered by an experienced team

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Printer Joined SAPC 2006

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