BUSINESS NEWS

STEVE TRETHOWAN

Flexi-Hex

Both myself and my wife, Tara, were furloughed, 12 weeks of DIY, then I had risk of redundancy. My wife’s Bridal Shop closed and there was a genuine fear of pending doom, dependents, financial crisis, mortgages… that most of us felt in some shape or another. However, coming out of lockdown led to a new job for me, I’m now working for an amazing business at Flexi-Hex. Mrs T and the Bridal Studio are open again and flying (just had her busiest month ever as brides queue for appointments) and strangely through a very worrying period the Trethowans have come out stronger and with the added bonus of five new lockdown Collie puppies!

JAMES HOPSON

Captain Satsuma

As a new children’s author looking to launch my first ever book at Easter, like many others my world was turned upside down by Covid-19. My first thoughts and concerns were for family and those directly affected by this terrible disease. Today nothing has changed. I still worry and wonder what might happen in the future. I share the grief for those who have suffered and lost loved ones, while being full of admiration for the bravery and unselfish acts of people on the front line, who battle to protect us all. I decided that I didn’t want to be defeated by coronavirus, and rather than delay the printing and publishing of my book that I would push ahead. Thanks to the brilliant

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work of my illustrator, Russell Becker of Rocket Pixels, Roche in Cornwall and the efforts of St Austall Printing Company I achieved my goal. On May 1, Captain Satsuma Has Landed officially became available for sale. I might have lost all of my opportunities to visit schools, or attend shows, but this is a small price to pay against the plight of others. Nearly three years ago I created Captain Satsuma whilst spending some time with my granddaughter. I promised her that one day she would see him in a storybook. I have a photo of her receiving the first copy of the book. The delight on her face is something that will live for me forever. There could never be a greater achievement than this for me, whatever happens in the future.

JASON MITCHELL

PKF Francis Clark

Since making the rapid transition to working from home at the start of lockdown, our people have gone above and beyond in assisting our clients and the wider Cornish business community, particularly to access the various Government support measures. It has been demanding but incredibly rewarding at the same time, knowing you have made a real difference as a trusted advisor to those who need your support in challenging times. On a more personal level, I also wanted to give something back to the community. So as lockdown restrictions were eased, my colleague Richard Wadman and I did a socially distanced 12-hour night run on the Cornish coast to raise funds for NHS Charities Together. We covered 40 miles When the country entered lockdown, Cornwall Council’s Business Regulatory Support (BRS) team understood the impact this would have on local businesses. The BRS team wanted to ensure that the most up to date regulatory advice and legislation was easily available to the business community. and raised £1,925 with a real sense of pride. The level of generosity was overwhelming. In times like these you get to see the best in people as they pull together, and this is the real sense of satisfaction.

CLAUDIA MONTANO

Thosemomentsofmine.co.uk

I initially work freelance in digital marketing, as an Instagram specialist and travel content creator. On one side I work with an array of influencers and small brands to help them improve their Instagram presence and organic reach, and on the other I work with a travel and tourism boards (and the odd brand) to create beautiful photo content for them. Everything has a central focus around social media, and everything is done by me with my own two hands. When the pandemic and lockdown hit, all of my clients cancelled in the fear that they all may lose work/jobs/income - and so I lost all of my clients in one fell swoop. Travel of course was closed off around the world and unsafe, and so I couldn’t create content for my usual travel focused clients either, not even from my doorstep. After an initial slump and day to day devotion to Netflix box sets, I decided to put my camera and creativity skills to good use and started sharing some ‘behind the scenes’ and ‘how to’ product photography videos to TikTok. Some of these really took off, one now with over a million views. From there I reached out to small brands, started to revamp my product photography portfolio, created a whole new second website (with blog) and Instagram account to feature it... and since then I’ve been creating new

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

product photography each week! Food delivery Fire safety Trading standards advice covering refunds and cancellations

A comprehensive Back in Business Guide

These are all available to the business community free of charge via the BRS website.

I have regained the odd social media client, but with travel still being a no-no, I’m putting my product photography in the foreground and really running with it.

EDVARD GLÜCKSMAN

Tevi

From a professional perspective, my most satisfying achievement during lockdown was the Tevi team of 12, based across four institutions, shifting to teleworking in a matter of days. We quickly reached out to some of the enterprises we knew were most in need, offering advice and signposting to relevant support funds. We also set up online sessions to allow our businesses to keep connecting with each other: in the three months following lockdown, Tevi delivered 17 online sessions to 591 attendees. On a personal level, my wife and I adopted a retired greyhound racer, named Forest, back in January. He was the pride and joy of our lockdown! After their racing days are over, thousands of greyhounds are put down each year across the UK and Ireland, so we were delighted to be able to give him a home and the love he’s never known. He also forced us to go outside regularly, which was really important during days that were regularly dominated by video calls.

As the lockdown restrictions eased, the BRS team in partnership with Visit Cornwall and Cornwall Fire and Rescue hosted a series of webinars for sectors including: Office businesses

Food businesses

Retail businesses and market traders

Holiday accommodation / tourism Hairdressing, beauty & tattoo parlours Gyms, fitness centres and dance studios Pubs and restaurants

More than 1800 business owners attended these webinars; they were provided with the latest advice and were able to put

questions to the expert panel. The webinars covered a range of regulatory topics relating to coronavirus safety, fire, health & safety, terms and conditions and food safety. “Businesses have made a huge effort in getting back upon their feet and we are extremely grateful for all that they’ve done to reopen to customers safely.”

Rob Nolan, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “After being shut for so many months we can understand that some businesses have been apprehensive about reopening.

Our BRS team has been working hard to give reassurance and advice to many businesses over the weekend and last two months

Businesses wanting more information on reopening through our business webinars.

and advice in meeting the new legal requirements can find information at www.businessregulatorysupport. co.uk/recovery or by contacting the BRS team businessadvice@cornwall.gov.uk

£14M FOR THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Seven ‘shovel-ready’ projects in Cornwall are set to benefit from the Government’s Getting Building Fund (GBF) to stimulate post-Covid-19 recovery over the next 18 months.

£14.3 million will be shared among the schemes spanning renewable energy, space, aerospace, creative industries, STEM skills and agri-food.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP says the investment will attract a further £44.6 million of public and private sector match funding, representing a total investment of almost £59 million, supporting 1,100 jobs and furthering a number of Cornwall’s green recovery ambitions around renewable energy technologies, geo-resources and sustainability.

Chair of the LEP, Mark Duddridge, said: “We submitted an ambitious bid and have spent the last few weeks working with Government and local partners to agree this first phase of strategic investment towards post-Covid-19 recovery. “It combines world-leading innovation such as lithium extraction for batteries, space data analytics and advanced manufacturing, with new investment to accelerate growth in our renewable energy, agri-food, creative, and aerospace sectors. And we are investing in the future of Cornwall’s young people, with a new STEM Skills Centre.

“Our economy has been one of the hardest hit by coronavirus and we will continue to work with Government for more devolved funding so Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can play a national role in the economic recovery.”

The projects include:

Europe’s first geothermal lithium recovery pilot plant to extract lithium for use in batteries. This project represents a £4 million collaboration between Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) and Cornish Lithium at GEL’s deep geothermal project at United Downs to demonstrate that lithium can be produced from geothermal brines with a zero carbon footprint.

A space ‘AI’ institute and receiver factory at Goonhilly Earth Station. A £3.77 million project led by Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd will involve commercial operators across sectors including space, data science, and high-performance computers as well as a consortium of leading universities to progress innovation in space-related artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, machine learning and advanced manufacturing. The investment will lead to manufacturing and specialist test facilities at Goonhilly for deep space, radio astronomy, and space telecommunication receivers for new and existing markets across the UK and internationally.

Accelerated delivery of the £26.2 million Hall for Cornwall redevelopment project in Truro which will include a 1,300-seat theatre, creative industries workspace, an extensive youth outreach programme and new bars and cafés. Audiences are projected to increase to over 300,000 a year, driving footfall in the city centre and contributing to a vibrant high street.

The multi-million pound expansion of the Saputo Dairy UK creamery in Davidstow to increase production of cheese and demineralised whey powder for both the UK and export market, providing security for more than 330 dairy farmers across the region. The investment will reduce the environmental footprint of the dairy, including significant CO2 reductions.

A £6.3 million Truro and Penwith College STEM Skills Centre for north and east Cornwall, located in Bodmin next to the Callywith College campus. Providing post-16 education in health sciences, digital, engineering and manufacturing, including new T-levels.

Workspace at Cornwall Airport Newquay. New hangar facilities for Cornwall Airport Ltd available to lease to businesses in the satellite and space sectors. The new £1.25 million facility will support the UK Space Agency’s decision to pick Newquay for horizontal satellite launches and create new rental revenue for the publicly-owned airport.

A Cornwall-wide pilot project to retrofit

social housing with renewable energy

technology. A £4.07 million Cornwall Council project that will include the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on 600 social homes, with a whole house retrofit of 42 properties.

SOUTH WEST’S TOP DEALMAKER

PKF Francis Clark has been ranked as the south west’s most active financial adviser in Experian Market IQ’s latest M&A Review.

The research, which analyses mergers, acquisitions and other deals worth over £500k during the first half of 2020, found transactions in the UK and Ireland were down by 36% overall on the same period last year, as the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on activity levels.

In the south west, 179 deals were recorded, with a total value of £5.46 billion. The volume of deals completed in the region declined by nearly 40% year on year, broadly in line with the national picture.

PKF Francis Clark topped the rankings of the region’s busiest financial advisers, after the firm’s corporate finance team helped to facilitate nine deals across sectors including energy, manufacturing, retail and IT. These included Cornwall-based Kensa Group’s sale of a minority shareholding to Legal & General, paving the way for the ground source heat pump specialist to scale up and play a growing role in the UK’s green energy revolution. Andrew Killick, corporate finance partner, said: “The last few months have been a difficult time for many people and organisations, but, despite the uncertainty that Covid-19 has brought to the country, there has still been corporate finance activity, and we have seen an increase in appetite for transactions develop recently.”

OFFSHORE WIND BOOST

Plans to build floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea to generate clean power and create thousands of green jobs have taken a major step forward after being shortlisted by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The South West Floating Offshore Wind Accelerator has been chosen to work up a detailed bid for over £30 million of potential Government funding provided through UKRI’s flagship Strength in Places Fund. UKRI is providing £50k of early-stage funding to support development of the bid following a successful stage one application.

The project aims to build on Cornwall and Plymouth’s strong reputation in offshore renewables business and research to fast-track the construction of large scale floating offshore windfarms in the Celtic Sea from the mid2020s onwards.

The South West Floating Offshore Wind Accelerator is being led by Wave Hub, the Cornwall Council-owned marine renewables research and technology organisation.

Steve Jermy, executive chair of Hayle-based Wave Hub, said: “We’re delighted that UKRI has recognised the strength of our bid and that we can progress to the next round. The Great South West has the potential to make a decisive contribution to the UK’s offshore wind energy targets by developing a new floating wind industry that can create thousands of jobs with huge export potential.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Canadian mining company Strongbow Exploration, which owns South Crofty Mine, has formally changed its name to Cornish Metals. CEO Richard Williams said “The renaming to Cornish Metals is a reflection of our dedication to revitalising an industry which means so much to the people of Cornwall. We are currently drilling at the South Crofty tin project, and thereafter will be expanding the drill programme to United Downs to follow up on the recent high grade copper – tin discovery.” ____________________

Hayle Harbour Authority has partnered with Unmanned Survey Solutions (USS) to help with the development of robotic vessels in performing hydrographic surveys in Hayle Harbour. The aim is to monitor the effects of dredging, sluicing and periodic natural changes to the depths of the harbour in fulfilment of its conservancy requirements, and ensure safe operation to harbour users. ____________________

Miller Commercial has been recognised as Cornwall’s leading commercial property agency for the tenth year in a row by EGi, the largest property news provider and data analyst. ____________________

Falmouth-based beauty company Bloomtown was awarded joint gold in the overall Best Brand category at the ninth annual Free From Skincare Awards, alongside New Zealand skincare company Antipodes. ____________________

Chris Biggs Engineering is under new ownership, following the founder’s decision to step back from day-to-day duties after more than 50 years in business. The Fowey-based steel fabrication company has been acquired by local business consultant Clay Cowie. ____________________

Local lending company Folk2Folk has partnered with Berlin-based digital debt marketplace CrossLend, which connects loan originators such as Folk2Folk and institutional investors. ____________________

Hard Pressed Cornwall, which is producing Cornwall’s first sunflower oil, raised more than £4k for a mental health treatment unit in Bodmin after it opened the gates to its field of more than 275,000 sunflowers to the public.

LAW GRADS ‘LACKING BUSINESS SKILLS’

A survey with leading south west law firms has identified five factors which are holding law graduates back from becoming high achievers.

The survey also showed that undergraduate law degrees are not effectively teaching the business skills that students need for a successful career in law.

The survey with ten of the leading law firms in the south west was conducted by Trurobased Kies Consulting.

Michael Schauer, director of Kies Consulting, said: “The transition from an academic to commercial world can be an uphill struggle for junior lawyers. Our research has shown that the factors that decide which junior lawyers will be high achievers is not just down to legal excellence. Practical business skills are vital and this is something that many new graduates struggle with.”

A Cornish company which designs and manufactures diving equipment is on track to meet its 2020 sustainability targets.

Fourth Element, which provides high-performance and eco-friendly equipment for diving professionals and enthusiasts around the world, hopes to completely eliminate single-use plastic from its operations by the end of the year after already removing 4,000 kilograms of plastic - the equivalent of almost 300,000 1.5 litre plastic bottles – from its products since 2017. This is in addition to the removal of 110,000 plastic bags from its packaging processes.

A finance facility from HSBC UK has been used to support the business through the coronavirus outbreak when its plans to remove all single-use plastics were put on hold as lockdown measures were introduced. Among other things, the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme loan has helped Fourth Element continue plans to develop a first-of-its-kind dive suit made from natural and recycled materials.

Fourth Element co-founder, Jim Standing, said: “The ocean is at the core of our brand and sadly, we see the negative effects of plastic in our seas first-hand.

The need for improved attention to detail among junior lawyers, particularly in business writing was identified by 92% of participants in the survey. Junior lawyers’ lack of emotional intelligence and the ability to build resilience and perseverance was highlighted as a barrier to success by 83% of the survey’s participants.

The survey also pin-pointed junior lawyers’ lack of commercial awareness and difficulty in establishing the necessary work ethos as issues. Finally, respondents identified the need for a well-balanced mistake culture in a firm, where mistakes are seen as a starting point for a learning opportunity. “If every organisation in the diving industry eliminated or even reduced its single-use plastic waste by 70%, it would mean hundreds of tonnes of plastic could be removed from the ocean every year.”

BIDDING FOR A THIRD TERM

As it enters the final months of it second term, Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) is looking to be renewed for a further five years.

Newquay BID, the not for profit organisation that delivers projects and services in the town, funded by town centre businesses, will see its second term come to end on March 31 of next year. The BID is looking to be renewed for a further five years subject to a new business plan being published and a ballot held in December.

BID manager, Carla-Marie Jones, said: “Newquay is such a great town, home to many superb businesses whom we would like to continue to support through delivering services that generate the greatest value in return for their money. We can only do this if businesses engage with us and tell us what they think so I would urge all businesses to have their say.”

DIVINGFOR PLASTIC FREE FUTURE

www.newquaybid.co.uk

Fourth Element’s products, which include drysuits, wetsuits, swimwear and footwear, are sold in 120 stores in the UK and more than 1,000 stores worldwide, with flagship stores in Bangkok and Shanghai.

The arrival of Mascotte, the largest surviving Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter, into her new home in Charlestown has marked the launch of a new sailing trust – Rich’s Boat.

The Rich’s Boat Charitable Trust was founded by Mascotte’s owner in memory of her skipper of nine years, Richard Clapham, who took his own life on July 30 of last year.

Mascotte, which is believed to have been the third largest Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter ever built, with the help of the Charlestown Harbour team will be used as an inspirational and educational sailing tool.

It is hoped Mascotte will provide a valuable team building asset to help boost confidence and morale – using sailing to champion positive mental health and wellbeing.

Jessie Atkinson, Charlestown harbour vessel manager, said: “Rich was passionate about Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters and incredibly knowledgeable. I know he’d love to think people are benefitting from Mascotte, taking good care of her, learning and sharing his passion for sailing.”

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