Issue 64 | October 2012 | ÂŁ2.99
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We talk to Tom Kay, founder of the Cornish outdoor clothing brand, Finisterre
Also Legal 500 Christmas parties Billington Bulletin
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Now we have superfast broadband, saving time and money is child’s play. Michelle Wells, Tiggers Too Day Nursery, Blackwater
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Tiggers Too Day Nursery find that superfast broadband has brought all kinds of advantages to the business, including saving money and improving customer service.
Over a third of homes and businesses in Cornwall can now place an order for superfast fibre broadband and it will be available to at least 80% of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly by 2014. We are aiming to bring faster broadband to everyone else through alternative technologies. Prices start from around £16.50 a month from your choice of internet service provider. Check if you can order now or register for updates at:
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Join us NOW! Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, we make doing business easier in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
If your company Conducts business with local organisations Uses local suppliers Employs local people Is proud to be based in Cornwall
YOU need to be part of it! For an application form, please email: amanda@cornwallchamber.co.uk, or call: 01209
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Cover photo by Toby Weller
Contents Issue No.64
Digest General
Manufacturing skills boost Countdown to Ignite 2012 BoE governor addresses Cornwall Chamber
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Broadband
Latest progress on the ‘Big Build’
Tel: 01209 718688 www.businesscornwall.co.uk
Creative & IT
Editorial Director Nick Eyriey Email: nick@businesscornwall.co.uk
Tourism
Sales Director Toni Eyriey Email: toni@businesscornwall.co.uk
Cinema group looking at sun power
Siemens accolade for Truro company
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Environment
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Construction
Update on latest projects
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Marine
A&P benefiting from repeat business
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Food & Drink
Business Development Manager Rhys Bonney Email: rhys@businesscornwall.co.uk
Brewery expands retail estate
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Face to Face “In the pressure of a business context where you have to be commercially successful, you’ve got commercial success against ideology, and sometimes they do butt heads.” In conversation with Tom Kay, founder of Cornish clothing brand, Finisterre
Business Cornwall magazine is published 10 times a year by: Tonick Business Publishing The Old Farmhouse Nancemellin Camborne Cornwall TR14 0DW
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Steamship Company ramps up islands services
Sales Executive Nicci Dunning Email: nicci@businesscornwall.co.uk
Designer Andy Peat Email: andy@andypeatdesign.co.uk
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Business Clinic
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Business coaching advice from SneddonClark
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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Legal 500 Cornish firms recommended in the 25th edition of definitive guide to legal sector
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Office Parties Wondering where to hold your office Christmas party this year? We have a few suggestions Business Cornwall is printed in Cornwall on 100gsm silk with a 200gsm silk cover
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Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Incoming Blogspot Commentary On the Move Events & Networking Billington Bulletin The Last Word
Mark Beckett of Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency
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Contents
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Business Cornwall’s monthly feature, keeping a finger on the pulse of business thinking and opinion in Cornwall through our traditional media, social media and online channels. Join the conversation
The Big Question did one of the wettest summers on record, H ow combined with the recession, affect business this season? VisitCornwall has estimated that £13M has been lost from the local economy this summer – has business been down for you? Have you had to try anything different this year to attract bookings? Despite the wet summer and the recession, the St Moritz Hotel has just experienced its best financial year to date. Bookings have been up all summer and the hotel has had a real buzz around it, resulting in a 4% increase on last year’s figures. We put our success down to our commitment to customer service and innovation. We’re mindful, however, that the danger for the industry could come next year with customers not returning – our collective marketing of Cornwall will have to be especially good and effective, and we will be adding additional funding to our marketing budget next year in anticipation. Hugh Ridgway, MD, St Moritz Hotel
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Our June and July bookings were well down on usual, this was due to a couple of factors, one being the weather (the wettest month on record for May, June and July), but probably just as importantly, if not more so, the state of the economy in Europe. This, plus the poor exchange rate Europeans are getting against the UK pound make it potentially a far wider and longer reaching issue when compared to the poor weather we had earlier in the year. We saw our European numbers fall away to 8% of the normal for May, June and July. Visitors from Europe all had the same story to tell of the effect of the Euro Crisis on European economies and spenders confidence. 4
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Similar to the effect we saw several years ago before the elections with the talk of austerity measures around the corner, but on a wider scale. The fact that the Dutch elections have just taken place and they are about to embark on austerity cuts will only reinforce the economic outlook for the foreseeable future.” We have invested in more European wide advertising, to try and capture more of the market. We are also offering short break deals to entice more local trade to make up some of the lost trade. Richard Barnes, Tehidy Holiday Park
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This year has seen a downturn in bookings, particularly in the shoulder periods. April and May were really affected, both bookings and the holidays taken. The main season, July and August, were not affected and were as busy as usual but there has been a lot of last minute bookings and deals to tempt visitors. There is more and more to do in Cornwall that isn’t weather dependent – proving that the county is becoming more and more weather proof. Richard Beaman, MD, cornwallscottages.co.uk
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The addition of our new indoor play centre, One2eleven, that has now been in operation for over a full year, has helped drive numbers
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up. We have slightly increased our visitor numbers so far in 2012 compared to 2011. The wet weather has affected business but to attract custom, we have offered many different and easily accessible promotional offers/deals and have advertised heavily on our undercover attractions. This has definitely helped us during these tough times. Susie Hale, head of marketing, Flambards
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Retallack Resort and Spa has experienced a year on year growth of over 20% in the peak summer season. Retallack’s summer bookings were the best on record and the phones continue to be busy with people still looking to holiday in North Cornwall. We were concerned that the rainy summer would impact the 2013 bookings, but this is not proving the case so far. Amy Keyter, owner, Retallack Resort and Spa
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We have been scratching our collective heads on the matter of the ‘terrible’ summer. Yes, it might have been one of the wettest on record in terms of the stuff that falls from the sky i.e. it rained very heavily on occasions. However, when we
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
The LinkedIn debate
Poll of the month
W
e asked Business Cornwall Linkedin members for their three essential tips to starting a business. Here’s a taste of what they said To take part in this and other debates, join our group on LinkedIn
From my own experience (depends on the kind of business you’re starting, of course): 1. Start with at least one customer or client in the bag already – or at least the confidence that you can find a customer or customers immediately. 2. Have three months’ working capital in the bank as you may not see any money coming in in the first three months. 3. Don’t plan to take any holiday for at least the next three years! Fiona Campbell-Howes
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1. You must have a Passion for what you do – it will keep you driving forwards. 2. Don’t under-price yourself, whether you sell products or services – many new to starting a business don’t value what they do. 3. Plan in blocks of 18 months – every business I work with, and have worked for, tend to have 12 month plans, but very often the plans only
compared June to August 2012 with 2011 (we keep records of the weather for each day we are open), there was little difference i.e. the number of wet days was comparable. Admittedly it was not wall-to-wall sunshine, but the main season was reasonably warm. In terms of visitor numbers for the period June to August we are on par with last year – less than 1% down and have therefore not had to try anything different in terms of marketing. However spend per head was down by around 9%. Mike Simpson, Geevor Tin Mine
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The weather was certainly a significant and very negative influence during the peak season this year. Fortunately we mounted successful early booking campaigns at
start to be realised at around the 18 month mark (and yes this comes from the international arena but applies to UK businesses too). 4. Break the rules! Be different and stand out (hence this being No 4!). Gary Jones
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1. Do what you are passionate about as you will enjoy it more – and be careful about compromises as they can detract and undermine what you can offer best. 2. Have a proper business plan and understand it. Know your breakeven point, and what that means in terms of how much business you have to do this or next week. 3. Know what your key business drivers are. You will have a target turnover, but how many customers is that? At what price? At what margin? How many quotes do you need to do to get that much custom? How many meetings or enquiries do you need to generate that many quotes? What marketing will you do to create those enquiries? John Anderson-Riley
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We asked visitors to our website whether they responded to comments made about their business on social media.
55.6%
said ‘mostly’ For the latest readers’ poll, visit businesscornwall.co.uk now.
Events October 3 Coodes Innovation Breakfast Tremough Innovation Centre Tel: 01872 321533 October 3-4 Cornwall Business Show Kingsley Village www.cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk October 17 Carbon Mattter Master Class Trethorne Golf Club pholmes@edenproject.com October 18 Penwith Business Breakfast Penwith Campus, Penzane Tel: 01872 242711 October 18 Mid Cornwall Breakfast Newquay Zoo Tel: 01209 216006 October 18 Ignite 2012 Grand Final Heartlands, Pool
the beginning of the year and they worked well. Where we saw a real drop in business were the many families who prefer to make a late decision on their holidays and who, understandably, decided against touring and camping in the rain! On a positive note we have had more positive feedback from customers than ever this year; it seems those who did brave the rotten weather had a great time! Rachel Mabbs, marketing manager, Bridge Leisure Parks
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Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Tel: 01872 300116 October 23 The Chamber Breakfast Bedruthan Steps Hotel Tel: 01209 216006 October 25 St Mellion Business Show St Mellion International www.stmellionbusinessshow.co.uk To publicise your events here, email news@businesscornwall.co.uk
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Incoming
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Blog
spot
Hiring a PR agency? Marketing copywriter David McGuire has some friendly words of advice Speaking with a brilliant PR friend the other day, the conversation turned – as it often does – to clients. Everyone who has ever worked in PR has at least one anecdote about client demands. The problem, we agreed, was managing public relations clients’ expectations. Explaining right at the outset what PR is, how it works and what it’s for. Well, here’s the thing. I’m not working in PR anymore. So it looks like I’m in a good position to tell it like it is. So strap yourself in, public relations client. It’s time for a few home truths… The publication does not have to publish your story Some clients feel they have some kind of divine right to appear in print. One told me a publication was “failing in its public duty” if it didn’t cover them. Let’s clarify this immediately. A journalist’s duty is to their audience, not you. Their job is to publish stories they believe their audience will find interesting and useful. And PR (in this context) is where your company helps them to do that. Ideally, the two desires – yours to look good in the media, and theirs to do the best job for their readers – coincide. But they have the final say on what is and isn’t good enough. And that’s as it should be. A press release is NOT an advert Have you read a newspaper lately? Listened to the news on the radio? Did any of the stories start with “Such-and-suchcompany are delighted to announce…”? No? So why do you want your press release to start that way? Journalists write news stories. We want to help 6
Blogspot
them. So your press release should read like a news story, be written in the third person, and sound objective. If you want to say something is “fantastic”, save it for the bit of the release where you have a personal quote. There, opinion is fine. The rest of the time, stick to the facts. Also, the journalist can rewrite the story, pretty much any way they like. And no, you don’t usually get to see a proof. If you want to control exactly what’s said about you, buy an advert. Grammar is not like you were taught at school If we’re making it easy for journalists to use our copy, we need to write using their conventions. Chances are these are not the same as the ones you know. I’ve lost count of the disagreements I’ve had with clients about punctuating quotations. I have no problem with a client pointing out my mistakes, but if you do, and your PR writer replies “No, that’s on purpose; it’s how it works in the media”, you should really accept their expertise. If your quote sounds informal, it’s written that way on purpose I’ve been copywriting for ten years. If I use the phrase “very good” in your press release, it’s probably not because I don’t know the word “exemplary”. Everyone likes to sound clever, but believe me: there’s a real art to making things sound straightforward. You chose your PR professional for a reason. Trust them. Leave the photos to the pros I don’t care how many megapixels you have. In ten years doing this stuff, a client’s amateur photograph has been good enough to use exactly twice.
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Often, a great picture can make or break a story. If your PR person says you need a professional photographer, they’re probably right. Phoning every journalist about every story is just going to annoy them You’re paying a PR agency because it has great relationships with the media. It’s probably best to let them get on with managing those relationships. Journalists are busy people. Sometimes a story is worth a call, sometimes it isn’t. Crucially, the decision about the call should be based upon how important the story might be to them, not how important it is to you. A publication is not a charity For 99% of clients, PR is not an alternative to paid advertising. It’s an accompaniment. Editorial independence will depend on the media you’re dealing with. Sometimes your coverage depends entirely on your ad spend, sometimes not at all. Usually somewhere in between. But it’s a broader issue. If you want to communicate through a publication, radio station or whatever, who do you expect to pay for it? Expecting endless free coverage without giving anything back is not sustainable. It’s also a bit rude. The media aren’t there for your benefit… which brings us back to point 1. PR can be brilliant, but it’s not a magic bullet and it needs to be done right.
This article first appeared on the blog theboymcguire.wordpress.com. It has been edited by a journalist
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Commentary
Backing the local message The term ‘south west’ has always been rather woolly and vague. We all know where it ends, but just where it begins is anyone’s guess. The now defunct South West Regional Development Agency’s remit, for example, extended as far east as Swindon, which was closer to London than Cornwall. For Government statistics purposes, the south west still includes towns such as Tewkesbury and Bournemouth. South west of London maybe, but with little relevance to when trying to paint a local economic picture. Thankfully now, however, this “artificial construct”, as one Cornish MP put it, is set to change. From this month onwards, Government stats will reflect Cornwall as a region in its own right, which will give a far clearer picture on the needs and health of the Duchy. “The south west is dead,” said West Cornwall MP Andrew George. “Long live the Region of Cornwall!” Well, yes indeed. And what would be good to support this is if we all did our utmost to buy Cornish. It always disappoints me when contracts are awarded
out of county, when there are perfectly able businesses in Cornwall capable of servicing them. Admittedly, sometimes Cornish businesses need to be more competitive, but local doesn’t need to mean expensive. This is one of the messages of a new campaign being launched by the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Cornwall Food and Drink – Choose Cornish. It is a campaign that extends far beyond food and drink, to cover all products and services – from grocery to IT. And chamber chief executive, Kim Conchie, has promised that the campaign
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£1M training boost Cornish manufacturers have welcomed the news that the sector is in line for a £1 million training boost. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced provisional approval through the Employer Ownership of Skills project pilot, for a £1 million bid from a group of Cornish manufacturers to train their staff in business related skills. £375k of funding will be matched by anticipated financial and in kind contributions of £600k from the nine companies involved. The Cornwall Manufacturers Forum, a representative group of the manufacturing companies in Cornwall, brought manufacturers together to develop skills solutions to common problems. The bid had to be submitted by a single company, with Spiral Construction taking
will produce quantifiable benefits and be more than “just hot air”. “We will be introducing some targets and measuring the impact of the campaign,” he says. “Using suppliers from Cornwall means you’ll get better service, keen pricing and will improve the skills in the local supply chain. It is as important that an organisation chooses its IT provider locally as its water cooler.” Makes sense to me.
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Nice ICE, baby
Eric Nicholls: Looking forward the lead. MD, Eric Nicholls, said: “This bid has successfully competed against international PLCs, which says much for the Cornish business economy and those supporting it. We look forward to continuing involvement in driving Cornish business forward and to continue competing on the national stage and beyond.”
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
ICE, Inspired Cycle Engineering design, which builds and constructs recumbent trikes, has expanded into new premises in Falmouth. The company has purchased a 5,307 sq ft industrial unit on the Tregoniggey Industrial Estate in Falmouth. The company, which now employs 20 people, was started by business partners Neil Selwood and Chris Parker 13 years ago. Since then annual sales of their trikes have grown from around 100 in 1999 to 1,100 this year, with the American market accounting for around 70% of its sales. The deal to buy premises off a guide price of £325k was negotiated by Miller Commercial.
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Ignite down to final ten Ten local businesses will be battling it out later this month to win a business support package worth more than £100k. The Ignite 2012 business planning competition has been as keenly contested as ever, with the selected finalists set to pitch their ideas in front of a live panel of judges at Heartlands on October 18. One of the judges, Worlds Apart founder John Stewart, commented: “The other judges and I were encouraged by the variety of entrants to the competition and the ten finalists are a diverse mix of product and services businesses, which span a range of sectors. It is exciting to see the wealth of new and innovative businesses emerging right here in Cornwall.”
Briefs Founded: A new firm of financial advisers has been launched in Cornwall. Truro-based Cameron Lewnes Independent Investment & Financial Planning is being headed up by Duncan Cameron. Panel: Ignite judges
Ignite 2012 finalists: The Cornish Ceramic Masonry Stove Co Ltd; Noodle Live; Moviebees; A green waste product (name TBD); RCH Marine Renewables; Able & Grace; The Barking Box Company; Nadia’s Biscotti; Late Lettings; The Magnificent Science Company.
New agency fills skills gap A new apprenticeship agency has been launched in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly providing bespoke solutions to employers’ staffing needs. The Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency provides a tailored service that enables companies to improve their productivity and profit by taking on apprentices at a reduced risk to their business. The agency handles the recruitment and matching process and brokers financial incentives and specialist training packages tailored to each business’s requirements. Already, a number of Cornish firms are reporting positive returns on taking on apprentices through the agency’s pilot scheme – The Seafood Restaurant in
Padstow, Fowey Harbour Commissioners, South West Lakes Trust and Seasalt to name but a few. Mark Beckett, of the Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency, said: “Our scheme creates the best apprenticeship arrangement and specialist support available to help businesses fill their skills gaps, motivate their workforce, harness fresh talent and reduce staff turnover. We go the extra mile to help companies achieve their objectives and increase productivity and competitiveness.” The Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency is a subsidiary of Cornwall Marine Network (CMN).
Worldwide teams with Lorica
Partnership: Neil Chamberlain with Lorica’s David Easdon (l) and Ian White A Cornish firm of independent financial advisers has increased its offering to clients after partnering with a local independent insurance brokers. 8
Digest
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Worldwide Financial Planning, which has offices in Truro and Wadebridge, has appointed Indian Queens-based Lorica Insurance Brokers as its preferred partner for general insurance services. Worldwide says the move will allow it to extend the range of specialist support it offers to business and personal clients. Worldwide’s director, Neil Chamberlain, said: “As a company our philosophy has always been to provide specialist, not generalist, support.” Worldwide hopes it will be the first of a number of preferred partnership agreements with a range of companies across differing sectors.
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Accredited: St Columb-based engineering business A&T Services Ltd has been awarded accreditation from safecontractor for its commitment to achieving excellence in health and safety. Employing 50 people, A&T is principally involved in the industrial sector, and has a £3 million turnover. Nominated: Ann’s Cottage Surf Shop has been shortlisted in the Young Fashion Retailer of the Year category of this year’s Drapers Fashion Awards. Winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in London on November 21. Appointed: Gavin Poole, a partner based at the Truro office of south west law firm Foot Anstey, has joined the board of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, replacing former Sharp’s director Joe Keohane. Recruited: Financial planning and investment management company Watson French is launching a new graduate training programme that aims to recruit and train a new member of staff every year. Launched: A new online resource has been launched by local accountant Andrew Law aimed at small Cornish companies. In addition to providing accounting solutions, QBS Online also promotes such services as IT support, bookkeeping, marketing, human resource advice and help with payroll. Opened: Nominations have opened for the Excellence in Business Training Awards, hosted by Cornwall College Business. Any business in the region can enter the awards, sharing how they have used staff training to improve their profitability and performance. For a full list of categories and to download an application form, go to www.trainingawards.org
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Step close for Ellie’s Haven dream A local charity has moved a step closer to turning its dream into a reality. Ellie’s Haven has completed the purchase of a property in Duloe, just outside Looe, which it intends to turn into a relaxing environment offering free holidays to families of children suffering long term and life limiting illnesses. “This is a big breakthrough for us,” said Julie Libby, who founded Ellie’s Haven with her husband Nigel almost five years ago, naming the charity after their daughter Ellie, who was born with a complex medical condition and sadly
died earlier this year, a few weeks before her seventh birthday. “We’ve spent almost five years striving to create a special place for special children. It started as a dream and now it’s turning into a reality.” The preliminary design, by architect Andrew Thomas of AHT Design, received planning permission in April. Conversion work is expected to cost about £260k. The charity will need to raise a considerable additional sum – around £250k – before it can start construction work.
Football club on the edge Truro City Football Club has gone into administration but has staved off the immediate threat of a winding-up order in the High Court. Leeds law firm Walker Morris has been advising the club and football finance lawyer, James Moore, explained: “The move was made so as to suspend a winding-up
petition brought by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs against the club over an unpaid tax bill. “By putting the club into administration, the directors have bought the club some breathing space to try complete a sale to any interested party who can acquire the club in accordance with the
King “encouraged” after Cornwall visit
Presentation: Sir Mervyn King (centre) with Kim Conchie and chamber president Sue Hook The Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Mervyn King, was at Tremough last month to address the Cornwall Chamber’s quarterly Bank of England meeting. The chamber invites its members to share their business concerns and successes with Bank of England staff every three months. In return, they hear what
It’s show time! One of the largest business shows in the region will be holding its annual event again later this month. The St Mellion Business Show, on Thursday October 25, will feature more than 50 exhibiting businesses from a wide range of sectors.
the projections for the economy and currency are from the Bank. “They’re always very insightful forums but this one was exceptional,” said chamber chief executive, Kim Conchie. “This is the first time a Governor has been to explain to a Cornish Chamber audience what the Bank of England thinks about the economy. Sir Mervyn was informative on the factors influencing the UK economy.” Sir Mervyn King added: “During what is likely to have been my last visit to Cornwall as Governor, I have built up a greater understanding of the particular challenges facing businesses here. I have been encouraged by the level of optimism and enthusiasm from those I have met and I look forward to returning once I have stepped down as Governor.”
Confirmed exhibitors include include Galliford Try, Cornwall College, Sita, Ashro Promotions and Fuel Communications. The event will officially open at 9:30am, with a comprehensive programme of guest speakers, seminars and workshops and will close at 3:00pm. www.stmellionbusinessshow.co.uk
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Ellie’s Haven: Artist’s impression The trustees hope to raise this within two years so that Ellie’s Haven can start offering free holidays by the spring of 2015.
rules of The Football Conference and thereby secure the club’s future. “Without the administration order, the club would most likely have been wound up and forced to reform back down the leagues if at all.” Kate Breese, of the law firm Walsh Taylor, has been appointed as the official administrator.
Fit for purpose A new functional fitness area was officially opened at Carn Brea Leisure Centre last month, adding to its already extensive range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment. Gym and studio manager, Amelia Blackford, said: “There has been a real buzz around the opening of our new functional training area and it’s been great to see all our members getting involved.” Last month the leisure centre also restructured it memberships system, to include a new ‘gym-only’ membership.
Daily Digest Service Keep up with the very latest Cornish business news by subscribing to our free daily email service at www.businesscornwall.co.uk
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Big Build progress The Big Build to bring superfast broadband to Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly continues, with over 40% of the region currently having availability of superfast fibre broadband. By March 2013, around 80% of the region is expected to have coverage, which foretells a busy autumn and winter of engineering activity. Camborne and Redruth have recently received additional coverage, whilst the first availability in parts of the St Columb Major and St Mawgan exchanges has also been announced. Nigel Ashcroft, Superfast Cornwall programme director, said: “Superfast
Cornwall continues to deliver superfast fibre broadband to rural as well as urban locations, with St Mawgan being a great example of a very rural area that now has access to the latest broadband technology. “This is the largest rural broadband deployment of its kind anywhere in the world, with 200-300 engineers working at its peak to deliver the infrastructure. Between now and March, we expect to see some very rural areas starting to get access to superfast broadband, which will be transformational for businesses and homes in those areas. It’s a very challenging stage of the programme, but also a very exciting one.”
“A real step forward” Coodes Solicitors introduced flexible working practices in 2007, but since becoming the first business in St Austell town centre to have a ‘fibre to the premises’ superfast broadband connection, flexible working has suddenly become even easier than before. Around 20% of staff work flexibly, including solicitors, managers and partners, the lynchpin of the system being the virtual private network, the ‘Coodes Virtual Office.’ ICT Manager Julian Holmes said: “The virtual private network allows secure access to our whole system online. It works on a remote desktop basis, so our staff can work just as effectively from
home, on the move or even from an internet café in the Bahamas, if they so wish! “This has real implications for productivity, for example, some of the criminal lawyers are also able now to make use of any time that they may have to wait at court by using their laptop to go online and connect to the ‘Coodes Virtual Office.’” He added: “Flexible working is allowing us to provide a better service to our clients whilst improving productivity and work-life balance. Superfast broadband is enabling us to take these improvements to the next level and opening up incredibly exciting new ways of working and living.”
Business begins at home
Adam Daniels: “Advantage” Since upgrading to superfast broadband earlier this year, computer repair technician Adam Daniels has been able to set up his computer maintenance business from his home at Polgooth, near St Austell, immediately removing a number of overheads from his business plan. AGD Computers provides a comprehensive IT support service and Daniels 10
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was quick to spot the potential of superfast broadband to improve customer service and increase his own productivity. “My previous broadband was frankly awful,” he explained, “around 0.8 to 1.1 Mbps. Trying to work at home was almost impossible; I could work with only one client at a time, waiting too long for software updates to download. Now I regularly get thirty times that speed, enabling me to work on up to six repair jobs at any one time. “My clients also really appreciate the fact that we can now use videoconferencing to communicate. Although personal visits and phone calls are still hugely important, being able to use a video-link to actually see the IT problems they’re facing is a real advantage.”
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Deployment: Big Build on track To find out which parts of Cornwall already have coverage, and for the latest forecasts for availability in your local area, take a look at the Cornwall exchanges map at www.superfastcornwall. org/where-and-when
How large is your footprint? If you’re interested in knowing how superfast broadband can reduce your business carbon footprint, as well as save you money, Superfast Cornwall would love to hear from you. Superfast broadband has the capability to do both, and to help you to monitor your business’s carbon footprint and evidence the related cost savings, Superfast Cornwall has developed a simple online tool which requires minimal input, leaving you free to concentrate on running your business. Katherine Stewart, Superfast Cornwall’s Research & Innovation Manager, said: “The carbon calculator will provide ongoing comparisons of carbon savings as the benefits of superfast broadband really start to kick in. “And used in conjunction with CarbonDiem, our specially developed smartphone app, it will take less effort than ever to upload your data, as CarbonDiem monitors your travel and uploads all the figures automatically – meaning all you have to do is enjoy the dual satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping the environment and saving money at the same time.” To find out more, visit www.super fastcornwall.org/carbon-calculator
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Agile well received Last month’s Agile on the Beach (AOTB) conference at University College Falmouth proved to be a huge success. Following on from last year’s inaugural event, it broadened out the Agile spectrum and demonstrated the valuable techniques to a diverse business audience. The conference drew leading Agile practitioners from Germany, Australia and the USA, and addressed over 150 delegates from across the UK.
And it attracted a number of nontechnical delegates wanting to adopt agile principles beyond the software development field. Allan Kelly, speaker, organiser and leading expert on agile processes, commented: “Our second event in 2012 has shown that AOTB is growing up – after last year’s success we were able to pull in a potent cocktail of experts and in-thetrenches practitioners.
Datasharp technical director Allan Williams has been named recipient of the first-ever Siemens Technical Excellence Award. Tony Smith, sales director indirect channel at Siemens Enterprise Communications, explained: “This special award
has been presented to Allan, to recognise his outstanding technical abilities which have been instrumental in the development of OpenScape Office MX, LX and HX and contributing to making it an award-winning leading SME product in the marketplace.” Williams added: “This is the first time Siemens have presented this award and I feel incredibly privileged to receive it. “It means a lot to me on both a personal and professional level. Datasharp has a strong focus on future proof solutions for our customers and clearly this award helps to differentiate what we do as a business.”
Frugi takes thefancy.com Helston-based organic children’s clothing company Frugi has joined the growing rank of brands on thefancy.com. thefancy.com is, in its own words, “part store, blog, magazine and wish list”, with the aim of connecting users through shared tastes and interests. Over 1,000 partners have signed up since its launch earlier this week and in an average week, users press the ‘Fancy’
button more than 3 million time in 75 countries and 20 languages. Frugi e-marketing executive, Stephen Bedser, said: “Frugi is always looking for fun and creative ways to market our great clothing range online and worldwide. Fancy is a great new take on social networking that we think will be an increasing hit.”
Evolution of Lungfish The creative director of one of Cornwall’s leading marketing agencies has struck out on his own, providing copywriting and marketing advice under the name Lungfish. During his six years at The John Knowles Company, David McGuire worked with clients as varied as Mitsubishi and The Fork Lift Truck Association. An ongoing associate relationship between the two agencies will ensure
“Word of the achievements of 2012 has already spread within the Agile community, and I have people knocking on my door to speak at AOTB3!”
Creative contract wins
Siemens first for Datasharp
Award: Allan Williams (l) with Siemens’ Lou Squillaci
On the beach: Agile speakers
The Cornish arm of a fast-growing design firm has seen a major increase in new business growth. Creative Network – which is headed up in Cornwall and Devon by St Ivesbased Chris Martin – is expanding the work it is doing for Tregenna Castle hotel, while up country it is working with the Draycote Hotel and Whitefields Championship Golf Course in Warwickshire.
A hoot for The Vine Falmouth-based marketing agency The Vine has become a HootSuite Pro Solution Partner. HootSuite is a social media management system which allows clients to connect to and manage multiple social networks from one website. As a HootSuite Pro Solution Partner, The Vine can now offer training, resources and discounts to its clients and workshop participants. The Vine’s Lotte Mahon commented: “We have been using HootSuite for years and we train our clients to use it too. It is a fantastic tool for managing social media campaigns and we’re proud to partner with such a progressive organisation.”
Daily Digest Service David McGuire: New venture continuity of service for JKC customers, while allowing McGuire to grow his new business in its own right.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Steamship Company picks up the slack The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company is expanding its services to the islands following the demise of the helicopter operation. The announcement was made at special celebration event to mark the 75th anniversary of flying fixed-wing to Scilly out of Land’s End Airport. The company, which operates the Skybus and Scillonian ferry services, plans to buy an additional aircraft to operate the route. It will also spruce up the ferry and examine the possibility of operating it seven days a week during the peak months. Chariman Andrew May said: “As a company we have been working tirelessly during these past six weeks to
reassure people of our ongoing commitment through our fixed wing aircraft, passenger ferry and freight services. “We are aware of the increase in the number of people who need to use our services and have created a schedule for Skybus which enables us to increase capacity considerably. “We are looking at acquiring a new aircraft and will also be looking at recruiting additional pilots and crew. In addition to this, Scillonian III will be undergoing a schedule of works this winter which will improve the passenger experience on board. We are reviewing the option to operate the ship for seven days a week during the peak summer months next year.”
properties on the Roseland Peninsula and attracts 7,000 unique visits per month. Managing Director Richard Beaman, who set up the internet-based business four years ago, said: “As seen by the St Mawes website, which increased our share of the marketplace to around a third in that area, we think these sister websites really are a useful tool for expansion.”
Classic buys Aspects Specialist self-catering holiday lettings company Classic Cottages has acquired Aspects Holidays for an undisclosed sum. Aspects Holidays, based in Hayle, was established in 1989 by Jennie Smith and markets 296 holiday cottages, mostly in St Ives. All of its properties are in Cornwall. The deal will see Aspects Holidays continue to trade under its own brand and Jennie Smith will remain involved in the business for at least a year. All 18 Aspects Holidays staff are being retained. Classic Cottages chairman, Simon Tregoning, said: “Jennie has built up a successful and well-established business with a strong brand and specialist knowledge of St Ives, all of which was attractive to us. “Working with Aspects will give us first-hand experience of running multiple properties in the same location, and that’s something new for us given our wide geographic spread.” Last year Classic Cottages became 12
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The company has also finalised its schedule for 2013, with flights operating from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter. The seasonal service from Bristol and Southampton will not operate, which it says, will enable Skybus to offer more frequent flights from the other three airports.
Readers’ favourite
Online for expansion Specialist Internet holiday cottage agency, cornwallscottages.co.uk, has expanded its web presence with the launch of a new sister website. falmouthholidayrentals.co.uk has been introduced to support and grow the agency’s 43 cottages based in Falmouth and the surrounding areas. This follows the success of the company’s other sister website, stmawesholidays.co.uk, which hosts more than 80
Andrew May: Reassurance
Cornwall has been named ‘favourite British holiday location’ by the readers of Countryfile Magazine. The Duchy was voted ahead of the Peak District and Lake District in the 2012 Countryfile Magazine Awards, while the Cornish Pasty came second in the ‘favourite regional dish’ category – behind the Devon cream tea. Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall, said: “This is another fantastic achievement and I thank all those that voted for Cornwall and the Cornish pasty. “Countryfile Magazine captures all that is great and good about the British countryside so to be recognised by the readership of such a creditable source speaks volumes about the quality of our destination.”
Simon Tregoning: Expansion a partner in St Agnes-based Boutique Retreats, which offers a bespoke alternative to hotel accommodation in 27 luxury properties in Cornwall.
Crafty new service A local firm has launched what it claims to be the first arts and crafts themed holidays in the region. St Agnes-based Aggie Arts will offer a range of activities, from traditional watercolours to brewing, jewellery making, and photography, all tutored by local experts.
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Up for web award VisitCornwall’s official online travel and tourism guide was shortlisted in the Best Tourist Board Site category in the UK TravelMole Web Awards 2012. visitcornwall.com faced competition from insidevancouver.ca and discoveryorkshirecoast.com for the top spot, which was due to be announced at a ceremony shortly after Business Cornwall went to press.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Awards sponsors unveiled The sponsors for the 2012 Cornwall Sustainability Awards have been revealed. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the awards recognise environmentally friendly and sustainable businesses from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This year’s supporters are the Environment Agency, Cornwall Council, University of Exeter Medical School, Henry Orchard and Sons, Truro and Penwith College, NISP, Manufacturing Advisory Service in the South West (MAS-SW), TJ
International, Oxford Innovation, Lloyds TSB, Idenna photography, MPAD, Imerys, St Austell Brewery and Follett Stock. Gitty Ankers MBE, senior environment officer for the Environment Agency Devon and Cornwall, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be able to announce the sponsors for what is a really special year for us. “We’ve had fantastic support in the ten years we have been running and it’s key for us to engage with local businesses to ensure this important event on
Planning for renewable future Cornwall Council has published guidance documents on its website for anyone looking to submit a planning application for a renewable energy scheme. Covering a range of technologies including wind, solar, hydro and heat pumps, the documents give design and preparation advice and explain the level of information normally required to support a planning application. The guidance documents have been prepared in response to a surge in interest in all forms of renewable energy development throughout Cornwall. Julian German, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for climate change, said: “Cornwall is currently heavily dependent on the
importation of electricity and fossil fuels to meet its energy needs, importing approximately £1.4 billion of energy each year. “This dependence on imported energy has a detrimental impact on our economy and environment and makes Cornwall particularly vulnerable to rising energy costs. Cornwall is blessed with a range of renewable resources from which electricity and heat can be generated and we are keen that residents and businesses in Cornwall consider the sustainable use of these resources to help meet their energy needs.” The full range of planning guidance documents can be viewed at www.cornwall. gov.uk/renewableenergy
Sun shining on the Regal
Rooflights: (l-r) Ed Doveston (Merlin), Debbie Webb (Merlin), Justin Mowbray (Solen) Merlin Cinemas has installed solar panels to its Redruth picture house as part of a trail scheme. As part of a general refurbishment of the building, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system has been installed on the cinema’s roof by Indian Queens-based Solen Energy UK, which is set to generate 20,000kw of electricity from sunlight each year.
Merlin runs ten cinemas across Cornwall and Devon and director Geoff Greaves said if the trial is successful, it could expand it across other complexes. He said: “We are looking to the future. We’re tackling increasing electricity prices whilst being socially conscious as well. “This is a pilot project for us – we estimate we have over an acre of roof-space across our cinemas, so if this works we hope to roll it out across our buildings.” With electricity bills of around £12k each year, Merlin Cinemas can expect to receive payback on their system within six years of it being installed, and save up to £255k against its electricity bills over the next 25 years.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Backing: Awards sponsors the Cornish business community’s calendar continues to grow and develop.” The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held at the Green Lawns Hotel on December 7.
Carbon Master Class The latest Carbon Master Class will be taking place this month, at the Trethorne Golf Club near Launceston. Jointly hosted by the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses, the free to attend event will provide a firm understanding of the future impact of carbon on your business. Delegates will learn about the free carbon tools available that are designed to help save money, hear how other businesses have embraced the low carbon agenda, as well as signposting to other support and resources available. For more details of the seminar, which takes place at 8.30am on Wednesday, October 17, contact The Eden Project’s Paul Holmes on 01726 818811 or email pholmes@edenproject.com
Carbon Master Class:
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Digestconstruction A Practical solution Work is nearing completion on the construction of a hybrid office/industrial unit which was awarded over £600k of Convergence investment. The project is being undertaken by Practical Developments Ltd and has a total project cost of some £1.2M. The building on Plot 6, Treleigh Industrial Estate, Redruth, has a floor area of 871sq m and comprises two storey office accommodation with production space. Practical Developments Ltd has presold the building to Milkwood Publishing Ltd, which is currently based in two separate smaller industrial units
on the Barncoose Industrial Estate in Redruth. The relocation will facilitate the continued expansion of the Milkwood Publishing business and lead to the creation of an additional 21 new jobs. Business Location Services Ltd of Truro has provided the advice to Practical Developments Ltd in respect of the Convergence funding.
Men at work: (l-r) Russell Dodge (Business Location Services), Rob Smith, Bob Pepper (both Practical Developments), Alec Robertson (deputy chair of the Convergence Programme)
Fresh funding for Mulberry
New property agency
Regional construction firm Mulberry has secured £150k of funding from the South West Loans Fund to facilitate expansion plans for its business in Cornwall. The funding follows the launch of a new Truro office and director, Cary Burwood, said: “Securing this funding is an important step in our growth strategy
A new online property marketing agency has opened its doors – FACdirect.co.uk. The business, which forms part of the FAC brand, is the brainchild of MD, Andrew Harvey. He explained: “I have been mulling over a direct property marketing agency for some time now, as I feel the internet offers a dynamic and efficient way for homeowners wishing to sell or let their property without the costs and fees involved with a traditional property sales and lettings agency.”
and will give us a much stronger footing to create employment opportunities and develop our client base in Cornwall. “We want to increase the market share in insurance related restoration and repairs, and develop the same reputation in Cornwall that we have in Devon.”
Trevithick View opened
Regeneration: Camborne development A new housing development of the site of the old Holman’s Foundry in Camborne has officially been opened. Local MP George Eustice performed the honours for Coastline Housing, the local landlord behind the development on Trevu Road.
Eustice was accompanied by the Mayor of Camborne, Cllr Jean Charman, Cllr Mark Kaczmarek and Dr John Lander, chair of Coastline Housing, who all spoke at the opening ceremony for ‘Trevithick View’. Coastline’s chief executive, Robert Nettleton, said: “This has been much more than just a development scheme for Coastline. It has been about the regeneration of a world heritage site in the heart of Camborne that had been derelict and decaying for almost 15 years.”
Phase one complete The first phase of the £1.7 million redevelopment of Stephens Scown’s St Austell office has been completed. A new reception area, client meeting rooms and office space are now open, while a second phase should be completed by the end of the year, giving staff 700 sq m of new working areas and allowing them to move from five separate offices into one building. 14
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The building refurbishment received nearly £944k of Convergence investment, with £753k being provided by property investor DB Gilbert. St Austell-based David Gilbert, wellknown for the restoration of period buildings, has been developing the new premises.
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Natural way of teaching A new ‘natural’ outdoor classroom has been constructed for the pupils of Upton Cross Primary School. The pupils were involved in both the design and construction of the build, using local natural materials. The stone footing comes from a local quarry, the cob walls are made up from local, clay, sand and straw, the roof is built with Cornish Oak and the clay plasters made in Cornwall. The building was designed and constructed by Clayworks Ltd and Carter Hayward, with contributions toward the construction from the local community.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Repeat business key for A&P A&P Falmouth has stressed the importance of long-term relationships and repeat business to the port. A huge car carrier, M/V Autosky, dominated the skyline at Falmouth Docks during August and was a vivid illustration of A&P’s on-going relationship with United European Car Carriers (UECC). In the past 15 years UECC has docked at least one vessel per year in Falmouth. M/V Autosky’s superintendent, Dave Barker, said: “A&P Falmouth was chosen in competition with other north European yards for the dry docking,
maintenance and repairs of the Autosky. “The project was carried out in a timely, efficient manner, with a very high standard of workmanship maintained. The cooperation with the management and repair teams has been excellent. The support we receive from A&P makes them one of our preferred suppliers in Europe.” Peter Child, Managing Director of A&P Falmouth, added: “UECC has strong ties with Falmouth and we are delighted to celebrate the continuing success of the partnership and to showcase what has been achieved so far.
CMN in Belgium The Cornish partners of an EU maritime project dedicated to preserving traditional boat building skills were due to speak at a major international conference in Belgium early this month. British, Dutch and Belgian enthusiasts were set to gather for the Traditional Maritime Skills (TMS) Conference in Ename, near Gent, on October 5. Representatives from Cornwall Marine Network (CMN), the lead UK partner in the project, were due to launch the project’s Virtual Learning Environment, a comprehensive online tool complete with teaching packages, videos, images, CAD drawings and interviews that capture specific traditional skills unique to the industry.
The aim of the £1 million project has been to record wooden boat building skills that are in danger of becoming extinct due to an aging workforce. CMN’s Tim Bowerbank said: “This project is an important step towards preserving the industry’s heritage. It has produced a range of quality educational resources that will support the teaching of traditional boat building to current and future generations.” The three other organisations working together on the project are project-leader Maritiem en Logistiek College De Ruyter (Netherlands), Zeeland Province (Netherlands), and Province Oost-Vlaanderen (Belgium).
Dave Barker: A&P praise “The relationship with UECC helps provide A&P Falmouth – and it’s highly skilled employees – with vital security for the future.”
Latest Cockwells launch Mylor-based classic boat builder Cockwells has launched its new 39ft ‘Ocean Fugue’. ‘Ocean Fugue’ is a semi-displacement, twin-screw motor vessel built entirely of wood. It features a number of innovative new features, including a full ‘fly-bywire’ control system, and is powered by 2x Nanni 200hp engines. She is now currently for sale at a cool £170k.
Dredging trial begins A small-scale dredging trial in Falmouth harbour to measure the potential environmental impacts of relocating maerl habitat has got underway after Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) awarded the work to a specialist dredging contractor. The contract was awarded to Kentbased GPS Marine, following an open tender process. The trial is expected to take six months to complete. The cost of the trial is expected to exceed £200k, which is being funded jointly by FHC and Cornwall Council. The trial results are expected to form important evidence in the decision making process by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on whether to
allow the dredging of a deep water channel into the docks. The deep water channel proposals by the Port of Falmouth Development Initiative are aimed at safeguarding Falmouth’s future as a thriving working port and opening up new business opportunities. Mark Sansom, Falmouth Harbour Master, said: “This is an important step towards providing more evidence for consideration by the MMO in reaching a decision on the proposals for dredging a deep water channel into the docks.”
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
The Ocean Fugue: Launch
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‘Oyster Lady’ headlines festival Local Cornish produce has been headlining at the Great British Oyster Festival. The festival ran alongside last month’s Southampton Boat Show, and featured daily appearances at the ten-day event from Cornwall’s ‘Oyster Lady’ Katy Davidson. Davidson offered taste comparisons of oysters from all over the country, and showcased the many ways that oysters can be used in cooking and cocktails. Cornish Shellfish provided the well known Fal Rock and Fal Native Oysters while Rock Shellfish sent its unique North Coast, Porthilly Rock Oysters.
“It’s fantastic to be featuring oysters from Cornwall,” said Davidson. “I know the producers personally and they do such fantastic work. Oysters are such a wonderfully historical part of our culture here and raising awareness of the oyster industry is something I’m passionate about.” But she had some disparaging words on how supermarkets market oysters. “At the moment in Cornwall if you go into Morrisons,” she said, “they have Scottish Oysters on sale when we have some of the best oysters in the country right on our doorstep.
She explained: “When I was filming my latest TV series in Cornwall, I discovered what a wonderful and idyllic region this is, full of culinary diversity, beautiful landscapes and welcoming people. “After visiting Tregothnan, a friendship and partnership developed, we are now excited to be the distributor of their products in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.” UrlaubCornwall MD, Niall MacDougall, added: “We studied how domestic German websites promoted the county and found that by using our own local knowledge we were able to build an unmatched online resource that really lets Germans see the best of the county.”
Brewery adds to pub portfolio St Austell Brewery has expanded its estate outside of Cornwall with the acquisition of five pubs from Enterprise Inns. The company has purchased the Albion in Bristol, the Blue Ball Inn in Exeter, the George Hotel in Plympton, the Rose & Crown in Yealmpton near Plymouth and the Cornish Arms in Tavistock. The additions bring St Austell Brewery’s portfolio to 173 across the south west. The deal follows a successful year for the family brewery. Despite the pub industry as a whole witnessing a market decrease of 6% in beer sales in the first quarter of 2012, volumes at St Austell Brewery have continued to rise. 16
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Sharp’s Brewery has brought back Red Ale, as part of its popular Seasonals range. Head brewer Stuart Howe said: “We pride ourselves on being able to provide beers for every occasion and, as a result of its continued success, we are delighted to welcome back Red Ale this autumn.” The beer will be available on-trade throughout the autumn.
Talking about Stein’s
The Cornish Arms: New addition Adam Luck, estate director at St Austell Brewery, said: “The acquisition of five new pubs is an exciting addition to our portfolio. The purchases form part of the brewery’s on-going investment programme to develop our pub estate and our presence across the south west.”
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“The supermarkets also warn you not to eat them raw on their signage, no wonder oysters aren’t as popular as they used to be.”
Return of Red Ale
Taking Cornwall to Germany A Cornish company is teaming with a German celebrity TV chef to promote Cornish produce to the German market. Cornwall is a hugely popular holiday destination for German speakers, with an estimated 90,000 visitors contributing around £42 million to the Cornwall economy in 2011. And now Truro-based UrlaubCornwall (‘Holidays in Cornwall’), the #1 Googleranked hospitality directory for German speakers searching for holidays in Cornwall, is looking to develop this market even further. To tie in with German TV chef Sarah Wiener’s current TV programme about her tour of Cornwall, the UrlaubCornwall website will be featuring some of the products she profiled on her series – notably, Tregothnan Tea.
Oyster Lady: Katy Davidson
The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow is among the ‘ten most talked about restaurants’ in the UK. Rick Stein’s establishment features in seventh place in a list of restaurants which received most reviews on the TripAdvisor website over the past year. The list was topped by the Oxo Tower in London.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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‘Icing on the cake’ The creative team at design and marketing agency Eight Wire has been strengthened with the addition of a new graphic designer. Catherine Murray recently gained a first in graphic design from University College Falmouth and has joined the Penryn-based studio having spent six weeks there last year as part of its summer internship scheme. She is the third new member of staff to join Eight Wire this year and cofounder Sara Pugh said: “It’s been an
Barker tuned to MPAD
Catherine Murray exciting year for the company and adding Catherine to our multi-talented team is the icing on the cake.”
Head chef at Q The Old Quay House hotel in Fowey has appointed a new head chef to its Q Restaurant. Ashley Wright joins The Old Quay House from 22 Mill Street in Chagford, Devon, where together with his wife Karla, he built a strong reputation for
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Truro-based marketing agency MPAD has appointed former Atlantic FM presenter Nigel Barker as PR account manager. Barker also has significant experience in the IT industry, having worked in systems architecture, and just before joining MPAD, worked with Redruth-based Piran Technologies as new business development manager. Barker will handle a number of MPAD’s key PR accounts and projects, covering the voluntary sector, renewable energies, professional services and tourism.
“innovative gastronomic experiences”. During his time at 22 Mill Street, he appeared on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Best Dish’, championing the delights of the humble pumpkin with his own take on a classic pumpkin pie.
Doctor in the house Dr Godwin Eton has joined Falmouthbased Coastline Surveys as a geotechnical engineer. Dr Eton, who recently received his PhD researching geotechnical stability of offshore pipelines at the University of Leeds,
has worked as a geotechnical engineer on a number of projects in Africa and Europe within major onshore and offshore international consultancies.
Hotel names marketing head term development of the new hotel, Old County Hall in Truro. She brings 18 years of marketing and advertising experience to the role from some of London’s most prestigious agencies, including M&C Saatchi and Joshua. Most recently she was marketing consultant at Truro-based MPAD. She also lectures at University College Falmouth in planning and strategy on the university’s advertising course. Sam White St Michael’s Hotel & Spa has appointed of Sam White as head of marketing. White will drive the brand and marketing strategy for St Michael’s and will work with the rest of the team on the long
Mutual expansion Truro-based insurance firm Cornish Mutual has appointed two new Inspectors to cover key areas of Cornwall,
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Nigel Barker (centre)
Devon and Dorset as it continues to grow its business across the region. Matthew Hewer joins the company as the new insurance inspector for east Devon and west Dorset, while Paul Shirley has become the new insurance inspector for Bodmin, Padstow & Wadebridge. It brings the total number of Cornish Mutual insurance inspectors across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset to 24.
Student becomes teacher A former apprentice at Duchy College Rosewarne has joined the college team full-time as an instructor at the Stoke Climsland campus. Tom Gill recently completed his Landbased Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship and now has been appointed as a construction plant maintenance instructor.
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On the Move 17
FacetoecaF
Business Cornwall meets Tom Kay, founder of renowned Cornish clothing brand, Finisterre
Tom Kay – Finisterre St Agnes-based outdoor clothing company celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and it has very much been a labour of love for its founder Tom Kay.
BC: Are they the ‘big corporate surf companies with little integrity and no transparency’ you talk about on your website?
With no design background and little business experience, Kay has built his company up the hard way, very much ‘learning on the job’.
TK: They’re the ones. A lot of them have come a long way now, which is good, but at the time these big brands, the stuff is not always very well made.
He has been driven by strong convictions of doing business the right way, and a passionate belief in producing products that stand close scrutiny not only for their quality but for their ethicality as well.
BC: More of a fashion brand?
It’s these sorts of beliefs that led him last year to being featured in Richard Branson’s book, Screw Business As Usual. As Kay explains, he has little time for the ‘big corporate surf companies with little integrity and no transparency’. But how does he balance this ideology with the harsh realities of the commercial world?
Business Cornwall: You don’t have the usual background for starting a clothing business. Tom Kay: Not at all. I studied for a marine biology degree and then I became a chartered surveyor. I had an opportunity to do coral reef research, I could have done that abroad, but I decided England was my home, my family was here. So when I left uni, I went to work in London in a suit, working 9-5 in a big office block. BC: Totally different to this. TK: A million miles away. I soon realised that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted something I was totally committed to and passionate about, so I started thinking what that might entail. I have always been into the sea and surfing and started to combine the areas of my passion – surfing, cold water, UK, the environmental side I got from my degree – into a brand. And then the name Finisterre came from an old shipping forecast area, which in Latin means Land’s End, end of the earth, that sort of thing. When I was little I remember listening to the shipping forecast in the car on a winter’s day. 18
Face to Face
BC: You didn’t consider Lundy or German Bight! TK: Finisterre just had a romantic sounding name and a meaning to it as well, it just stuck out. They’ve changed it to Fitzroy now. BC: You didn’t think about changing? TK: (laughs) No! But I read an article about it and it was an EU ruling telling the UK met office they needed to change the name of the area because French and Spanish boats were getting muddled with Finistere in France and also Cape Finisterre in Spain. I thought it was quite funny because it was a British weather shipping forecast. You guys can go and listen to your own forecast! BC: So why clothing specifically? TK: I was massively into surfing and looking around at some of the big brands out there, they made fleeces which the wind would go straight through, not windproof or waterproof, made in some factory in the far east and totally not fit for purpose.
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TK: Totally. We came from a functional point of view, there’s a real need for the product. Our first product was a fleece, windproof and breathable. Changing in the car after a freezing cold surf in the middle of February, this is what this brand provides for. We look after you in that kind of sense. Yes, it looks good and fits as well, but ultimately has a function behind it. There was a need for surfers to have this product, and that’s how it started out. BC: Having no design background or industry experience, how did you go about bringing out your first products? TK: We started out with just one product, two styles – the fleece. It was literally a case, in those days, of getting the yellow pages and getting onto a fabric manufacturer to send fabrics down. I had to work out what I thought was missing in the market – a cold water surf brand. I worked with a factory up in Devon who we still work with today, and started putting patterns and products together, then sent the stuff off to Leeds University’s textile technology department to get some credibility behind it, testing the products. That gave us the stamp of approval from a product point of view. Our first product came out and I remember we got quite a good write up in the Sunday Times Good Gear Guide, about cold water surfers need this product, about it being beautifully made. And the cheques started coming in, not a lot, about one a day, which was a lot back then! I had all the stock in one corner of my room.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Photos by Toby Weller
“The cheques started coming, not a lot, about one a day, which was a lot back then!�
“We have a strong voice and point of view and are keen to grow that” BC: How many fleeces was your initial order. TK: 25 of each style, so 50 products, retailing at £120. Which people thought was expensive at the time, but when they see the brand and realise the deeper stuff behind it in terms of manufacturing, ethics and environmental traceability, it makes it worthwhile. And the performance of the garments is fantastic. We now do 20, 25 styles, hooded jacket, waterproof, merino wool, and in those styles, two or three different colours. BC: Merino wool is traditionally sourced from Australia and New Zealand, but you’re trying to get it over here. How is that going? TK: It’s getting there. There’s a thing on our website about the Bowmont Project, a 100% UK supply chain. The flock in Devon has gone from 29 sheep to 140 sheep. We’ve got our first products off them last winter. We’ve got a merino Bowmont beanie, and this year a knitwear jersey is coming out. BC: How do you go about sourcing suppliers, checking that they are the sort of businesses you want to deal with? TK: Because we’ve been quite small, a lot of our dealings are on personal relationships, and we want that to carry on. We know all our suppliers; we’ve visited all
their factories and we know who they are. And Debs our production director does a lot of work on this, something she has really brought along. She has worked on business traceability and the i-spy campaign. You get an intuition into whether they are shysters or not. Looking around the factories you can tell if they’re well run. BC: I guess you could source a lot cheaper in places like the Far East? TK: Of course you could. We get guys coming here all the time asking why are we making it in Europe for? BC: And quality is probably improving in these countries, too? TK: There’s some stuff coming from the Far East and the quality is good, but traceability wise and transparency wise, there is still a question mark. But there are some good responsible brands making stuff in these places now, but for us, a small business but with a big voice, at the moment we would rather have guys we know, down the road in the UK, or down the road in Portugal, who we can visit and see, can do our minimum orders, and can look after us. But since we started out, the whole transparency and traceability thing throughout the business world has got much better, which is a really good thing. BC: As you become bigger, does it get more difficult?
TK: It’s that old age thing, do your suppliers grow with you, or do you move suppliers? But we’ve been with our existing suppliers and our guy in Portugal for four, five years now. I’m not saying we’ll be with him forever, you can’t say that sort of thing, but fundamentally we have a load of principals that apply to a manufacturing supply chain that’s applicable to any factory, whatever size. So if it’s a big one in a new place, we can go in and look around, see the accreditation, carbon policy etc and use that as a framework to foster new relationships. BC: Are these kinds of principles what Finisterre is particularly well known for do you think? TK: I hope so, but we don’t do stuff to be well known for it, but it did start out as one of the founding principles of the business. Hopefully when people think of the business, they think of really good kit, looks good and performs well, and is made from responsible fabrics. Because as well as the manufacturing, it’s also the fabrics we use, organic cotton, and made in open transparent places. Our marketing is quite open and I hope we’re known for that. BC: You could have grown a lot quicker and made more money if you sacrificed these principles. Is it bad to make money, or are there just bad ways of making money? TK: We’re a business, so we’re not saying we’re whiter than white. We cause damage, pollution, but we’ve got a good brand and we’re really proud of it and there’s a lot of purpose behind the brand. We need to pay bills and make money, there’s no question about it, but we have a strong voice and point of view and are keen to grow that. BC: Are businesses in general taking Corporate Social Responsibility more seriously? TK: They are. But for us, it’s just something that we do. I don’t mean to sound cheesy, but it’s just what we do. We don’t have a CSR policy in the file. If you are a bigger business that has been going for the past 25 years as the green movement has came along, you need a CSR policy, but for us this is one of the reasons we started in the first place. We thought we could do it better from a product point of view and from an environmental and ethical point of view. It’s just part of what we do. BC: And you appeared in Richard Branson’s book Screw Business As Usual. How did that come about?
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Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
TK: Some of the guys that work there buy our stuff and know about the brand so suggested it to him or his ghost writer, I don’t know which, and they interviewed us and wrote about the brand and the business, how we combine our passion and beliefs into the business. BC: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced over the last ten years? TK: Loads of things. Everything you could think about has probably gone wrong at some stage! When you look back you think ‘oh God, what was I doing’. And if you were doing it all again, you could do it much quicker, much slicker, but that’s the journey we went on. A lot of the guys joined, it was like ‘right, we’ve got a bit of an idea for the brand but it’s an adventure, let’s live our lives through this business, let’s make it really successful, let’s really believe in it and stick to what we said at the start, let’s live in a great place, let’s go surfing’! BC: How many people work here now? TK: Ten, across merchandise, a design director, production, marketing, customer service, warehouse, shop and finance. BC: How long have you had your shop next door?
TK: No, otherwise it’s purely online. That was one of the hard things. We were in 15 or 20 shops four or five years ago. People were keen for the product, but we didn’t really have the right pricing structure for them and us. And also, looking after a lot of small accounts is quite difficult when we only had limited resources in terms of people. So we thought, let’s just communicate on a regular basis through our newsletters and that sort of thing, and get a really loyal online following. And that’s worked well. BC: Is this something you would look to change in the future? TK: In the future we may build up a few key locations and independents that we think may work well with the brand, that kind of thing, but principally we would like to stay as an online business. BC: Who are your typical customers? Surfers? TK: Yes, it’s relevant to them. It’s Cornish, cold water surf, a committed brand in all aspects it does. The typical customer is aged 25 and upwards, starting to understand it’s not about the next cheapest t-shirt, it’s a purchasing decision beyond just the pure presentation of products. BC: And is the business still as much fun today as it was when you started out?
TK: Three or four months. BC: Do you have any other outlets?
TK: It is, but this last year has been tough because of the recession. BC: That must affect you, because your products aren’t the cheapest? TK: They’re not cheap, because they’re well made from good places and backed up by a good brand and good service. I think it’s a fair price. But it was tough last year and we really dug in. But we are now really excited by the new products we have coming in and a new website which is working really well. There’s lots of stuff going on and we’re all very excited about the future. BC: And another problem, is if you products are so well made, they don’t need replacing so often! TK: You still see guys walking in with products we made eight, ten years ago.
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“Just get on with it. You can always find a reason for not doing something” BC: You’d make more money if they fell apart after three or four years! TK: But that’s the whole thing of what we do, we like to make things that last a long time. And if you’re doing that, you’re inherently doing a better job for the environment than if you made something that had in-built product obsolescence. The worst thing about making something is having to make it again in there or four years time. I’m really proud of the fact that people come back and say it’s their favourite product, their favourite bit of clothing. They almost become emotionally attached to it because it’s done them so well. BC: When you started out it was almost a hobby. Does there come a point when it almost becomes too much of a job, and the passion dwindles? TK: When it’s tough, but you just do what you have to do to be in it. And as I said before, we’re just in it, living and breathing it, driving it forward and excited by the opportunities it is presenting and the people we’re meeting. I love it, but yes there are times when it definitely challenges you – sleepless nights, it happens, but you just do what you do to survive. BC: There are probably easier ways to make money if that’s what you’re driven by. TK: This was never a money making exercise, although we want to be financially successful
of course. But it’s always been about doing something we believe in. We’re serving a function in the cold water community. BC: You sometimes help out with young and would-be entrepreneurs, what sort of advice do you give them? TK: We do stuff sometimes at places like Helston Community College, with a 11 and 12 year olds and it’s so funny because they’re so enthusiastic and always sticking their hands up to ask questions. Then we’ve done stuff at the college in Truro and at universities. The biggest thing I tell them is just to get on with it. Like all big decisions in life, it’s never a perfect time, let’s do it right now. If you wait for the unknowns to become knowns, you’d be here forever. Just get on with it. You can always find a reason for not doing something. BC: So passion is almost more important than experience and sticking with what you know? TK: Absolutely. The passion will help you get to know what you need to know. I knew nothing about accounting or online marketing for example, you’re never going to know everything when starting, you learn it on the job and that’s one of the really exciting things, adding to what you know just through work. BC: Because you learn on the job, in hindsight are there things you would have done differently?
TK: I’m not naturally good at the financials, although I’m quite good at it now, but I would probably have got someone in to guide us a bit earlier on. An all-round business coach can also give a bit of guidance. Passion can get you through, but if you’ve got someone older, a mentor if you like, that can help you out. BC: Was there as much help available when you started out as there is now from the likes of Oxford Innovation, Outset Cornwall etc. TK: Not at all. UCP, Oxford Innovation, all these guys are fantastic. It really started to kick in about 2005, and they’ve been great. We wouldn’t be the business we are today without some of those guys. BC: Over the years, have you ever had to compromise your ethical beliefs? TK: We have this discussion quite a lot and it’s something I talk to the design students at university about. I say to them ‘ideologically speaking you’ve got a fantastic product here, but commercially why are you designing it’? There is an interesting reconciliation between the two. Where does design cross into commerciality. You could probably make a jacket for £600, made within ten miles of here, but is that feasible commercially? We are still a business, and we often ask ourselves do we use this fabric or that fabric, one that lasts a long time against one that is recycled, which is better? In the past we’ve had people push us to factories we shouldn’t have gone to. We compromised for a short time but we’re back with what we know now and what is really good for the brand. In the pressure of a business context where you have to be commercially successful, you’ve got commercial success against ideology, and sometimes they do butt heads. But now looking back on it, I wish we had stuck to our guns more on some things. When business people come over, and tell you this that and the other, five years ago it was very easy to take their advice at face value. In reality, we know this business and this brand better than anyone else. BC: So it’s easier now to stick to your guns? TK: Yes, much easier. We have even more conviction of where this brand is and where we belong. It’s been a bit of a journey with a couple of wobbles and waivers, some have been our own decisions, some external factors, but we’re more excited than ever about the business.
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Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
A different reflection The business coaching journey isn’t always an easy ride Last month we suggested questions you might consider in finding an effective coach – their qualifications, experience and personal chemistry. Now we focus on the other side of the looking glass, past your initial reflection, into the alternative world you now have access to: see yourself six coaching sessions later, how might the coaching have helped you? How has the picture changed in your business kaleidoscope? It’s brighter, more colourful with clearer distinct patterns. Life is different. Business is different. You are different. Challenges have become opportunities. You are already thinking and doing things differently. You have moved on. No longer are you repeating the same pattern which, like an elastic band, kept bouncing you into the way you’ve always done things. A new world is opening up to you – where you have greater confidence, improved self-belief, better and deeper understanding. ‘Feedforward’ your coach called it. Recognising and playing to the strengths you and your colleagues possess. You have embraced ‘can do’ and you are now doing it! Your coaching journey hasn’t always been an easy ride. Initially apprehensive, at times puzzling, challenging; revealing; affirming; highlighting discrepancies and ambiguities in your thoughts yet always
supportive, trusting, positive, growing; moving you forward at your pace, helping you find solutions to your challenges from the skills you had, but weren’t fully aware of before coaching. You have also begun to appreciate the safe space provided in your coaching sessions – a space where you feel comfortable and able to be completely open; even sharing your concerns and worries or sometimes exploring the ‘unthinkable’. These sessions counter some of the loneliness of leadership.
“It’s brighter, more colourful with clearer distinct patterns” Your coach has posed some courageous and challenging questions. You have been heard and supported on your journey of discovery. You’ve learned some new tips and techniques and begun to practice them; some for you alone; some to share with your team and peers. You are more aware and developing new listening skills. Your colleagues are noticing how different you are. They are responding differently to you too. During coaching sessions you have begun to appreciate the full, extensive range of skills and experiences you bring
to your role. You’ve discovered your interest in learning, not superficially, but in deeper meaningful ways which affect your way of thinking about and doing things in your business. You’ve also developed an ability to ‘unlearn’ and to change some old habits. Perhaps you’ve participated in a specialised assessment like MTQ48™ reviewing your mental toughness and resilience and been surprised at who you saw in the mirror. And as a result of this you have already begun to work with your coach in developing some new ideas and strategies strengthening your resilience for the challenges ahead. Now looking at yourself and your team you see new, healthier working relationships; more effective meetings; clearer team purpose and goals; team members accepting accountability; positive conflict and challenges leading to improved decision making. Team ‘norms’, what’s OK and what’s not, have been more clearly stated and understood. Core values and common bonds are emerging. And yet it feels as if you’re doing less than before your coaching. Less stress, shorter hours, more focused work. This new coaching approach is ‘catching on’. Your goals are being achieved. Yes it’s been a sound investment. Many times over! by Tom Sneddon and Karon Clark, partners, Sneddon Clark
www.sneddonclark.org.uk Tel: 0844 8002722 Email: info@scllp.org.uk
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Business Clinic
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Legal excellence Industry guide ranks Cornish law firms among the best Cornish firms of solicitors again feature prominently in the latest publication of the Legal 500. The Legal 500, now its 25th year, offers a comprehensive guide to the UK legal profession and the country’s top lawyers. The result of nine months of research, it identifies the leading law firms and individual lawyers in the south west and is widely seen as an indispensable guide for the buyers of legal services. Truro-based Follett Stock receives several plaudits, being listed in nine
categories, while Foot Anstey, Murrell Associates and Preston Goldburn are other firms to have offices in Cornwall that are recommended.
always practical”, while the “invaluable” Penny Paddle is given special mention and “opens doors that clients feel are impossible”.
Stephens Scown’s St Austell and Truro teams are recommended in 12 categories between them, with further mentions to its work out of Exeter. The company is ranked as a ‘regional heavyweight’ with a “loyal following locally”.
Foot Anstey’s Truro office receives plaudits for ‘commercial litigation’ as does Stephens Scown, calling its advice “balanced and always proves to be the best course of action.” At Follett Stock, Martin Pearse and team head Chris Lingard are both recommended.
It receives a second tier ranking in the ‘corporate and commercial’ section of the guide. It writes: “Stephens Scown’s fourpartner team demonstrates ‘commitment, tenacity and clarity’. It has acted on loan, mezzanine and straight equity investments as corporate adviser to Dragons Den Investments, and also advised Imerys on jointventure matters relating to the Clay Vision Eco- Town projects. Team head James Keliher has ‘excellent negotiating skills’, and Guy Curry has ‘great breadth of knowledge’.” In the same section of the publication, there are also mentions for the Trurobased Follett Stock and Murrell Ashworth, ranked in the third tier of firms. It declares that Follett Stock gives “great advice which is
Brian Dolan and Andrew Ring at Stephens Scown are both recommended by the Legal 500 for their ‘debt recovery’ work. Foot Anstey receives mention in the ‘banking and finance’ section, while Stephens Scown is considered “always accessible, technically adept and commercial” in ‘insolvency and corporate recovery’. Follett Stock is noted for its ‘employment’ work, where Verity Slater is described as “pragmatic” and “reassuring”, while in the field of ‘intellectual property’, Lucy Morgan is said by the guide to give an “excellent service”. Foot Anstey receives a first tier entry under ‘clinical negligence: claimant’, where an “outstanding” and exceptionally busy team listens “carefully and empathetically” to clients. Tim Goldburn, a partner at Falmouthbased Preston Goldburn also receives a mention in the Legal 500 under this heading, where it is noted that he is a member of the Law Society’s clinical negligence panel. Stephens Scown’s ‘personal injury: claimant work’ is praised where “nothing is too much trouble” for Philip Snell’s team “which enjoys a good reputation for occupational disease and serious injury cases”.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Stephens Scown (second tier) and Follett Stock (third tier) are both recognised for their agriculture and estates work. “Stephens Scown LLP acted for 90 large land-owning farmers regarding a photovoltaic solar energy project, and is well known for its mining and mineral rights expertise. Team head Philip Reed and rural land use specialist Richard Baker are both recommended,” it says. If you are looking for an expert in family law, according to the latest Legal 500 you could do no better than Stephens Scown, which is ranked among the first tier of companies for this discipline. “Stephens Scown LLP is a leading presence in the region,” it enthuses, “with lead partner Liz Allen a standout practitioner. The team recently advised on the first reverse pension sharing case in the country, and Michael Lowry acted in a large ancillary relief case involving US jurisdictional issues.”
Stephens Scown’s Cornwall offices receive further mentions in the guide for their work in ‘personal Chris Lingard: tax, trusts “recommended” and probate’, ‘social housing’ and ‘property litigation’, which also features Foot Anstey and Follett Stock. Murrell Ashworth is noted for its “extensive experience in renewables”, with the guide referring to it as a “City firm in Cornwall”.
Follett Stock’s managing partner, Chris Lingard, said he was delighted with the results of the survey. “We are now recommended in nine categories, up from seven last year, which was itself an improvement on the previous year,” he said. “This year our client feedback was stronger than ever and we are grateful to them for the time they took to complete the references and their supportive comments. “The only slight drawback with the whole process is the necessary time drag that occurs. For us speaking about us as only being in Exeter and Truro is out of date since we have opened new offices in London and Bristol which has made us a very different firm.”
Foot Anstey’s Truro operation is among its offices to receive a top tier ranking for its ‘commercial property’ work, while Follett Stock is named among the third tier of companies.
Your natural legal partner Our clients appreciate our local dedication and know that they have a partner more than willing to go the extra mile to support their legal and commercial objectives. We were founded in Cornwall in the 1930s so as true locals we are committed to the people and businesses of this vibrant and diverse region. Supporting Cornwall’s businesses is our passion and our privilege.
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Clownfish and sea anemone are a great partnership. The sea anemone protects the Clownfish from predators whilst the Clownfish cleans the anemone.
Contact solicitors@stephens-scown.co.uk Telephone St Austell 01726 74433 Truro 01872 265100
www.stephens-scown.co.uk
Stephens Scown is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (No. OC356696).
194x136 Emp law Ad for show.indd 1
19/09/2012 11:15
Office party time! Christmas will be upon us sooner than you think and over the next four pages, Business Cornwall has some ideas to help you plan the perfect office party. From match day hospitality with the Cornish Pirates, to that special party evening at the Penventon. Or how about a relaxed evening filled with good food and lots of fun at the Watergate Bay Hotel, where you can enjoy a three course meal in the dining room, and then dance into the night with live music in the Living Space all for £30pp? Whatever you are looking for, we’re confident we have the office party venue for you.
time to feel Christmassy again...
Why not join us this Christmas?
Christmas Parties
Lunch
Still a few dates available with Free Accommodation!
Three courses plus coffee and mints, £16.95 per person served Monday - Saturday throughout December
Party Nights
Pre Christmas Lunches 2 courses from only £14.99!
Call us today or email meet@stmichaelshotel. co.uk
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth, TR11 4NB
01326 312707 stmichaelshotel.co.uk
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Three courses plus coffee and disco until midnight £21.95 per person Midweek evening Th Three courses plus coffee and disco until 1.00pm £25.95 per person Friday evening £29.95 per person Saturday evening
Now taking bookings for Christmas Day Lunch The Green Lawns Hotel | Western Terrace | Falmouth | Cornwall | TR11 4QJ T: 01326 312734 | info@greenlawnshotel.com | www.greenlawnshotel.com
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
hotel & spa
Whether you are looking for an amazing Christmas party venue for your company, a festive lunch or just somewhere for your friends and family to celebrate, you will find it all at Sands.
rty 3 course Dinner Pa 95 1. £2 o sc + Di urse meal Enjoy a tasty 3-co away and dance the night Relax and unwind s followed by a deliciou Christmas lunch
NOW
£16
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Perfect for a nice or with family, friends colleagues
rty 3 course Lunch Pa00 6. £3 & Spa event at our spa
ING BOOK from
rty 3 course Lunch Pa 95 6. £1 ly for on get together
ith Overnight stay w 2.00 £3 om fr breakfast ff or Why not treat your sta break family to a Christmas
To learn more or for a sample menu contact: Sands Resort Hotel, Watergate Road, Porth TR7 3LX
01637 872864 www.sandsresort.co.uk
Whether you’re looking to AVoiD the office secret sAntA or siMPly fAncy A festiVe night out With frienDs,
we’ve got just the right Christmas party for you. enjoy A THREE COURSE MEAL in our neW eVent sPAce, then PArty into the night With live music. £30 Per Person.
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Christmas 27
Perfect for office Christmas parties... ...or festive get-togethers with friends Restaurant Gatherings of up to 12 can enjoy our festive set menu (£25 for 3 courses). Private Dining Room Parties of 12 - 24 celebrate with a personalised menu that could be anything from traditional turkey to something more unusual (£25 for a 3 course lunch or £42.50 for a 3 course dinner). The Retreat Larger parties of 15 - 35 can make exclusive use of The Retreat for a sociable, stand-up affair with 3 tasting bowls of festive food, or selection of wintery canapés (from £10 per person).
See www.scarlethotel.co.uk for more information or call 01637 861 800.
Christmas Party Nights Dates available throughout December Wednesday & Thursday £24.95 per person Friday and Saturday £29.95 per person Four Course Dinner Dance the night away with our DJ Fantastic Party Atmosphere Crackers, poppers and balloons! Banqueting Room or Restaurant available Free overnight room for the organiser
www.penventon.co.uk/party Penventon Park Hotel - Redruth T: 01209 203000 E: enquiries@penventon.com
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Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Taking The Best Of Cornish Sport To The Rest Of Britain And Beyond
Match Day Hospitality
Grow Your Business With The Cornish Pirates
Raise your company profile and have a great day out. You and your guests will enjoy a sumptuous 3 course meal and then watch a great game of rugby from some of the best seats in the house
The Cornish Pirates provide an exciting and cost effective means of maintaining brand awareness whilst also reaching out to new audiences and markets.
Cornish Pirates v Bristol RFU Championship Round 13 New Years Day 2013 January
Tuesday 1st Bristol
Sunday 13th Dundee
February
Sunday 10th Doncaster
Sunday 17th London Scottish
March
Sunday 10th Moseley
Sunday 31st Bedford
April
Sunday 20th Jersey
For an informal chat about how we can benefit your business or to book hospitality Contact Alex Davies on 01736 335314 or e-mail alexandra.davies@cornish-pirates.com
www.cornish-pirates.com
Connected Cornwall A late summer of celebration on the Cornwall networking scene Undercover Boss Stephen Martin was at the Atlantic Hotel last month to address the latest meeting of the Senior Executives Forum, hosted by Cornwall College Business. The star of the Channel 4 TV show, and CEO of the Clugston Group, delivered an entertaining and practical keynote speech at the event, describing his experiences as part of the documentary, which saw him working covertly alongside his frontline staff, discovering what they really thought of his management decisions. Meanwhile, Falmouth Aquarium opened its doors to the public in the summer and by way of special thank you
to everyone who helped make it possible, co-founders Johanna Naradzay and Barry Pope invited special guests to an after-hours VIP viewing and hospitality.
centre piece to the party, while canapés and cocktails were on offer throughout the evening under the September sunshine.
Meanwhile over in St Austell, there was an opening of another kind as law firm Stephens Scown invited clients and guests to the official opening of the first phase of its new £1.7M office development.
MD Hugh Ridgway said: “I can’t believe it is now five years since we opened the new St Moritz Hotel. This month sees the start of our fifth birthday year; we’re going to be marking the fifth anniversary of the day that each phase of the hotel opened, so get ready for ten months of celebration at the St Moritz!”
The Champagne corks were also popping on the north Cornwall coast near Rock last month, as hundreds of local customers helped the St Moritz Hotel celebrate its fifth birthday. A cake shaped like the art decoinspired hotel was commissioned as a
Senior Executives Forum 1
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All captions L-R 1 Stephen Martin (Clugston Group) 2 Ian Granville (Pendennis Shipyard), Stephen Martin (Clugston Group) Dave Linnell (Cornwall College) and Ashley Holmes (Pendennis Shipyard) 3 Peter Moody (St Austell Print), Martin Walton (Midas) and Peter Child (A&P Falmouth) 4 Alan Goddard (Cornish Mutual Assurance) 5 Sally Foard (Cornwall College), Sam Weller (Cornwall Hotel and Spa) and Jacky Swain (Commercial Estates Group) 6 Toni Eyriey (Business Cornwall)
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Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
St Moritz Hotel’s Fifth Birthday 1
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1 MD Hugh Ridgeway and marketing manager Judy Thorne Powell and Bethany Powell
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Nicki Mitchell, Deb Budge and Christine Robinson
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Mark Powell, Wendy
Stephens Scown Office Opening 1
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Simon Gawler (Stephens Scown) and Gary Staddon (IMERYS Minerals Ltd) 2 Tony Geake, Margaret Geake and Phil Reed (all Stephens Scown) Alison Nicholls (Stephens Scown), Ian Pawley (Cornish Mutual), Nicola Hoar and Canda Hedges (both The Manor House Dental Practice) 4 Robert Camp (Stephens Scown) and Nancy Phillips 5 Owen Beynon (Alan Leather Associates Architects), Robert Camp (Stephens Scown), Alan Leather (Alan Leather Associates Architects) 6 Michael Lowry (Stephens Scown) and Ian Chalmers (Phillips Frith Accountants) 1 3
Falmouth Aquarium Opening 1
1 2
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Sam White, Russell Kateley, Sam Banks (all St Michael’s Hotel), Lucy Morgan (Follett Stock), Nigel Carpenter (St Michaels) with tour guide Stuart Hughes (Skinner’s Brewery) and Paul Goodwin from Greenbank Hotel 3 Jonathan Griffin (National Maritime Museum) and daughter
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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Events & Networking 31
The
Billington
Bulletin
Jess Billington; founder of treatalady.com provides her monthly round up of new businesses and news for entrepreneurs in Cornwall
Introducing… Clarity in Mind chotherapy?! Alex explains that her individual approach to psychotherapy is “a deep exploration of a person’s life and experiences and that it focuses on how that lifelong conditioning affects them as adults”. Clarity in Mind was started two years ago following years of prior practice and Alex practices from the Walsingham Clinic in Truro and the Blue Lotus Centre in Scorrier. She helps people with all sorts of problems from anxiety and depression to traumatic issues, phobias and problems such as weight loss, relationship issues and abuse.
Alex Wedlock
Alex from Clarity in Mind is not what I imagined. The grey haired, mid 50’s academic psychotherapist is actually a vibrant woman wearing a bright green wrap dress, a big smile on her face and (shock horror) nail polish! What surprises me most is how approachable she is: within minutes I feel as if we’re friends and I think that is probably what makes her such a great therapist. Following on from the last article featuring Voice Coach Richard Hainsworth, I decided to do something about my fear of flying and signed up to see Alex to see if she could eliminate the dreaded fear. I sit down with pen and paper to ascertain exactly what IS psy-
“...a deep exploration of a person’s life and experiences and that it focuses on how that lifelong conditioning affects them as adults” It’s hard to put into words what she does and how she works but she just seems to “get” people and understand things better from a bird’s eye view. She brings so much intelligence without confusing you with jargon and I can honestly say I’ve seen a difference already in a matter of weeks – watch this space to see my progress! To find out more about Alex and have an informal chat contact her on alex@clarityinmind.co.uk
Breaking open the bubbly! Big shout out to the fabulous Finisterre as they are celebrating ten years in business! MD Tom Kay is perhaps the kindest person in business I have ever met, always giving
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Billington Bulletin
great advice to new entrepreneurs and remaining down-to-earth and dishing out the best advice (and bonus: he loves dogs too!). Well done Tom and team... hopefully you will inspire
www.businesscornwall.co.uk
more new businesses and entrepreneurs to follow in the Finisterre footsteps! :)
Life Coaching For Free! A new life coaching organisation New Horizons Life Coaching has just been launched by Peter de Snoo, founder of South West Business Mentors and the Mentors Den which assists disabled or disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
Peter, a qualified life coach, started New Horizons at the beginning of 2012 to assist the increasing number of people who wish to start a new life or change their current life direction. A team of qualified life coaches offer their coaching for free and the service is conducted face-to-face. As someone who has always wanted a life coach I think this is a great opportunity! For further information contact Peter on swnewhorizons@ aol.com or visit www. newhorizonslifecoaching. co.uk
Got a new business and want to be featured on this page or simply want a chat and some advice from someone who has been there and done it? – get in touch: jessica@ treatalady.com
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
Flexible training from JNC Safety Services JNC Safety Services has been offering health and safety advice and training since 1999. It strives to understand the needs of its clients and their need to comply with the legal duties efficiently and economically. JNC offers a team of qualified safety consultants with a combination of over 70 years of experience in the health and safety sector. Health and safety is becoming a more demanding aspect of everyone’s business, and with busy work schedules, it is becoming increasingly difficult to train staff in health and safety during the working week. With this in mind, the company is now offering the NEBOSH General Certificate and NEBOSH Construction Certificate by Distance Learning.
This allows students to work on the course as and when they can. JNC provides all the necessary support throughout the study time, whether by phone, email, fax, Skype or in person. Students can access the online login throughout the study, where reading resources and question papers will be provided to assist and test their learning. The NEBOSH General Certificate or the NEBOSH Construction Certificate by Distance Learning costs £695 including VAT, course handbook, examination and registration fees.
and General Certificates as evening courses. The next course starts on October 16 and runs every Tuesday evening between 5pm and 8pm. Again the cost of this course is £695 including VAT. All course fees are per delegate. For more information please visit the website at www.jncsafety services.co.uk or contact JNC on 01872 262261.
Alternatively, if students prefer a face-to-face learning process, JNC Safety Services also offers both the Construction
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The last word Mark Beckett – Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency Name: Mark Beckett Company: Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency Job title: Manager What did you want to be when you were young? Professional footballer. What was your first full time job? Project appraisal officer, Cornwall Development Company. What is your best quality? Relating to people from all walks of life. What is your worst quality? Trying to do everything myself, I need to work on my powers of delegation. What is your favourite book? I don’t read books, it’s never something I’ve got into. I remember I enjoyed reading Lord of the Flies for my English GCSE though. What is your favourite film? The American Pie trilogy, when I was younger I wanted to be Stifler! What is your favourite restaurant? Nobo London, sushi at its best. How do you like to relax? Spending time with my fiancé and young son. If you could build a house anywhere in the world where would it be? In a Cornish village over-looking the sea. If you could be a superhero, what superpowers would you like to possess? The ability to create more time in a day! Who was your teenage pin up? Louise Redknapp. Can money buy happiness? No, but it would be nice not to have any money worries. Most annoying TV personality? Jeremy Kyle, my fiancé loves his show and I’ve been told I look like him… What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in life? Treat people how you wish to be treated yourself. 34
The Last Word
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What has been the best moment in your career? Being given the opportunity to head up the new Cornwall Apprenticeship Agency. What has been the worst moment in your career? Recommending refusal of public funding for a very worthwhile community project on the grounds that their geographic location was just outside a qualifying ward. What do you begrudge spending money on? Petrol. If you only had £1 left in the entire world, what would you spend it on? A kinder egg for my 2½ year old son and fiancé to share. What’s the best thing about Cornwall? It keeps on giving, after ten years here I still find myself driving to places that I didn’t know existed, it’s a stunning place to live and work in. What makes you happy? Helping struggling young people to find new employment and training opportunities. What makes you angry? People who are cruel to others and laugh about it. If you could invite any two people for dinner, who would they be and why would you invite them? David Cameron because I would like to find out what its really like to have the pressure of running the country on your shoulders. Ricky Gervais because he’d keep the mood light! What could you not live without? TV and my Sky Sports subscription. What’s the greatest invention ever? The internet. What’s your favourite holiday destination? It’s between Spain and Greece. When is honesty not always the best policy? When people’s feelings are at stake. Describe yourself in three adjectives: Industrious, positive and funny (I hope!)
Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2012
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For over 10 years Datasharp have provided us with outstanding communications products and service. It's unusual these days to work with an organisation which cuts out the jargon and simply offers honest advice. They have a right to be proud of their team! Darren Willcocks Director Ward Williams
Ward Williams Associates is an independent professional construction consultancy providing a range of specialist services for building and civil engineering projects across all sectors of the industry. With multiple sites throughout the UK Ward Williams needed a flexible solution that would expand as they do, offering their multiple sites true future proofing. Ward Williams Associates is one of thousands of customers benefitting from Datasharp’s award winning products and service.
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