Chamber Profile Winter 2020

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DEVON & PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FREE TO MEMBERS

WINTER 2020

A tribute to a true legend A salute to Steve Whiteway

Chamber Awards

Who won what?

Pages 20 - 22

NEWS: Putting our case to Parliament FINANCE: Steps towards cloud accounting WELLBEING: Working in a virtual environment

Pages 8 - 11

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

MEMBER NEWS

CONTENTS

CHAMBER PROFILE AUTUMN 2020

FIRST WORD

COVER STORY We pay tribute to Steve Whiteway, a true legend of the South West business community SEE PAGES 20-22

4

Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Elford on remaining positive and looking towards a brighter future for South West businesses

MEMBER NEWS 5

Eco-conscious Devon business becomes climate positive

6

Ice cream firm scoops major export deal

11

A few messages from our Awards sponsors

12 Watch restored after clocking up 70 precious years 14 Clients, choice and certainty the priority at new care agency 14 Better support for Parkinson’s sufferers

CHAMBER NEWS 15 Power to growth with the Access to Finance Expo 16 Chamber Customs – helping traders to keep on trading 18 Discover how our Small Business Toolkit can help you 19 Putting our case to Parliament about ‘levelling up’ 23 A warm welcome to our new Chamber members 26 Thomas Westcott announced as Chamber patrons

FOCUS FEATURES

28 Thousands to help your staff travel more sustainably 29 Airport receives £1m bailout to stave off threat of closure

CHAMBER AWARDS

SECTOR FOCUS

8-10

31 FINANCE Ten small steps towards cloud accounting

Spotlight on our winners and finalists for the Devon & Plymouth Chamber Awards

MAYFLOWER 400 30

The Mayflower Autonomous Ship officially named in Plymouth ceremony

CHAMBER TEST DRIVE 40-41 We take an in-depth look at the new Honda e from Rowes

32 PROPERTY Old Millennium nudged into new era 33 PROPERTY Business park set to expand further 34 LEGAL Directors no longer protected for wrongful trading 35 LEGAL Young lawyers join experienced Family team at Nash 36 SKILLS Industry placements can benefit youngsters AND your business 31 SKILLS Babcock welcomes record number of recruits to Devonport site 38 WELLBEING The stresses and strains of working in a virtual environment 39 CHARITY Hospice care continuing to strengthen hospital response

CHAMBER PEOPLE 42 Samantha Kerswill, Membership Executive at Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

3

FIRST WORD

FIRST WORD THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DEVON AND PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CONTACT DETAILS Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Unit 5 Derriford Business Park, Brest Road, Plymouth, Devon PL6 5QZ T: 01752 220471 E: chamber@devonchamber.co.uk W: www.devonchamber.co.uk News and articles should be sent to: E: marketing@devonchamber.co.uk Front cover: Tribute to Steve Whiteway, a true legend of the South West business community See pages 20-22 Published by Cornerstone Vision Ltd 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PY T: 01752 225623 W: www.cornerstonevision.com Managing Editor Chris Girdler Designer Leah-Maarit Jeffery Advertising David Simpson E: dave@cornerstonevision.com Printed by PDS Print W: www.pdsprint.co.uk PRIVACY NOTICE Cornerstone Vision Ltd process personal information for certain legitimate interest purposes, which includes the following: • To provide postal copies of this publication to Chamber member and Cornerstone Vision Ltd customers; and • To offer marketing and promotional opportunities within this publication to Chamber members an prospects.

Whenever we process data for these purposes, we always ensure we treat your Personal Data rights in high regard.

Chamber Profile is produced on behalf of Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce by Cornerstone Vision Ltd and is distributed without charge to more than 1,500 key businesses and all Chamber members in Devon. The publisher is committed to achieving the highest quality standard. However, views expressed in the magazine are independent and while every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise.

The publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without the prior written permission of Cornerstone Vision Ltd.

SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/@chamber_devon Like us on Facebook Devon Chamber of Commerce Join us on LinkedIn Devon Chamber of Commerce

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

“

Casting an eye into a crystal ball can be a fool’s errand in the best of times and on the cusp of 2021, it feels impossible to say what the next 12 months will bring.

The optimist in me – which I’ve always firmly believed is the best way to be – says the New Year will surely be one easier to navigate than the tiresome one to which we are about to wave goodbye.

I believe we can look forward with positivity. At the timing of writing, there is evidence to fuel that hopefulness.

We have a vaccine in the works that will open the doors to business as we once knew it. Doors that will swing open and let in a wind that will blow into the sails of the economy.

Undoubtedly that recovery will be tough and the sobering reality of life after Government support will hit many hard.

But recovery is ultimately what it says on the tin – recovery. I believe the spirit of collaboration that grew the value of relationships across the private and public sectors, saw competitors work together and the sharing of knowledge across our screens, will be the same asset that spurs us to success in recovery.

This is also the time when we traditionally look back and, while it might be painful to do so, we should do so with pride.

Later in Profile, we’ll pay tribute to the winners of the Chamber of Commerce Awards, all of whom are testament to the sheer resilience of our community. In the face of tremendous odds, they are beacons not only to the battling qualities that so often mark our members out, but also to the remarkable creativity, nimbleness and agility of their enterprise.

It is not just the winners to whom this applies. Our Awards are a symbol for the wider entrepreneurship that bubbles in our businesses and stood firm against the invisible enemy. The history books will

CHAMBER PATRONS

show that we suffered in many battles in 2020 but the war was not lost. The stories on these pages prove that.

Even the very fact that the Awards were held at all is a victory of determination, collaboration, comradery, innovation and no small dose of old-fashioned pulling together. Ingredients that power the very best of business.

We also took a moment at our Awards to pay tribute to someone special to many of us. Steve Whiteway was a Chamber director and an avid supporter but so much more than that. He was a Duracell bunny of relentless enthusiasm, a believer in the power of kindness and charity and a networker supreme. He was a friend.

I won’t repeat what’s said on two pages later in Profile and in the video tribute you will all hopefully have a chance to watch.

Only to say Steve was a reminder that life is to be enjoyed.

After the perpetual onslaught of neverending Zoom calls, too many heart-to-heart chats with your teams and existential worries of staying solvent, I hope you and your teams truly take the time to enjoy a proper Christmas break with your families and come back refreshed and ready for recovery. When you do, the Chamber will be here to support you.

A Merry Christmas and here’s to a much happier and more prosperous New Year!

”

STUART ELFORD CHIEF EXECUTIVE, DEVON & PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEMBER NEWS

MEMBER NEWS

NEWS FOR & FROM MEMBERS OF DEVON & PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Eco-conscious Devon business becomes climate positive An environmentally-conscious Devon business has become one of the first in the South West to become climate positive after introducing a series of measures to reduce its impact on the planet.

Dynamic Servers, which is based at Bow near Crediton, is now positively improving the environment rather than just being carbon neutral like many other well-known brands.

Entrepreneur Paul Edworthy runs Dynamic Servers, a website development company and a networking club for green-conscious businesses, along with two other eco-friendly businesses and decided he wanted to reduce the damage he might be doing to the environment.

The company has switched the servers used for website hosting for clients to those that make almost no impact on the

environment with reduced renewable energy use and built with more ethically-sourced materials.

Dynamic Servers has also gone entirely paperless and reduced the energy use in its offices, and for every new client they sign up the company plants a tree with the Woodland Trust.

As a result, the firm is now saving 3.397 tonnes of carbon, moving it out of the carbon neutral bracket and into carbon negative.

That means they are saving more than they are using.

Paul said: “This is something that I am absolutely passionate about - looking after the planet for the people that come after us.

“I have two young children and I really wanted to be able to look them in the eye when they are

older and to tell them that I did my bit to try to save the natural resources of the planet.

“It is a great feeling to know that as a business we can justify what we have done through the results that we have achieved.

Our customers love it too - they know when they work with us they are doing their bit for the environment, too.

“There are a lot of companies out there that are simply off-setting their carbon and I wanted to show that we are doing this in the best way possible and actually saving more than we use.”

“we are doing this in the best way possible ... saving more than we use”

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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MEMBER NEWS

Ice cream firm scoops major export deal A Devon ice cream and sorbet producer has scooped a major deal to supply a buyer in Dubai.

Granny Gothards, based in Willand in Mid Devon, is celebrating a landmark contract to send 56 different ice cream flavours to a firm in the United Arab Emirates.

Founded in 2012, exports now account for 60% to 70% of Granny Gothards sales, up from 35% before the pandemic, with other overseas opportunities including a ewe’s milk ice cream range for China, and interest from the US, India and Saudi Arabia.

Granny Gothards’ owner and managing director Amanda Stansfield said: “This Dubai deal has been a saving grace for us this year as we were hit really hard by the coronavirus lockdown, with visitor attractions, National Trust sites, restaurants and hotels closing across the world.

“This export win allowed us to bring staff off furlough at the beginning of July and with UK ice cream sales diminishing after

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

September we can continue to churn out ice cream all year round.”

With the UK exporting £120.4m worth of ice cream last year, the Department for International Trade (DIT) has been supporting UK producers such as Granny Gothards with exporting advice and funding.

The DIT is helping UK firms enter key markets overseas such as the UAE, the US and China and said that now the cooler months of Autumn have arrived, UK producers are looking to hotter countries overseas to maintain sales throughout the year.

The new deal will see bespoke flavours such as rose water and cardamom, charcoal and coconut and salted honey sold via huge online UAE retailer Kibsons International.

The more unusual flavours will be packaged in biodegradable wooden pots whilst family favourites such as strawberry and vanilla will be packaged in recyclable cardboard containers.

Granny Gothards, members of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber, has been successfully selling its range of products into the UAE since 2015, increasing profits made from exporting by 25% over the past five years.

During the lockdown period, the producer received a request for samples from TACCT Global, a distributor in Dubai. The next day, 25 ice cream flavours arrived for a tasting, and the following morning an order for two 40ft containers of the high-end product was received, with more to follow in the next five years.

Granny Gothards has grown from making just six ice creams to producing more than 195 flavours, including vegan varieties, for top chefs and high-end restaurants all over the world.

Its hand-blended, luxury ice cream has a crème anglaise base, no artificial additives, and uses ingredients sourced from across the South West such as Cornish sea salt, Somerset double cream, and fresh milk delivered from a farm only 15 minutes away.

The producer also garnered interest from a retailer and a major airline in the US, as well as buyers in India and Saudi Arabia due to the company’s high protein range manufactured under its brand PROice.

Ms Stansfield said: “We are excited about the new markets we’ll be entering in the new year, and we will continue to work with the Department for International Trade to grow our presence in the UAE and beyond.”

Bring in new skills and fresh ideas to support the future of your industry Team up with City College Plymouth to support your future workforce through getting involved in the Industry Placements programme.

Industry placements give an organisation: • fresh ideas and input from the next generation • a talent pipeline for the future • a way to fill skills gaps.

Funding is available to support with meeting upfront costs, such as providing protective equipment or specialist materials.

Students studying a variety of relevant technical skills can make a meaningful contribution to your organisation through taking part in an industry placement of 315 hours (approx. 45-50 days).

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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CHAMBER AWARDS

CHAMBER AWARDS We took our Devon & Plymouth Chamber Awards ceremony online this year to celebrate the very finest in local business.

While we would have dearly loved to have held an in-person event, we decided that the safest way to celebrate the achievements of businesses in one of the most difficult years in recent memory was through a virtual event.

Planning and hosting a glittering awards ceremony during a global pandemic - and subsequent second national lockdown - was certainly new territory for the Chamber team.

But our interactive virtual event proved a tremendous success as our unsuspecting winners were revealed and then surprised with their prestigious accolades.

All of our amazing finalists dressed to impress as they joined BBC Spotlight’s David Fitzgerald and our Chamber CEO, Stuart Elford, live from our offices with the help of the team at Home Park.

Stuart said: ‘Thank you so much to each and every member who submitted an entry for this

year’s Devon & Plymouth Chamber Awards.

“We know how incredibly difficult the last few months have been for everyone, but we’ve seen businesses throughout the South West adapt, survive and even thrive.

“While the coronavirus pandemic continues to greatly affect the way in which we live and work, I am incredibly proud of our members who have shown such amazing resilience in the face of adversity and continue to play such a huge role in the local business community.

“Choosing our winners was certainly a tough decision for our panel, with so many of our members enjoying great success over the last 12 months.

“We really have seen here today the very best in entrepreneurship and enterprise - and we look forward to seeing you all again - in person - for next year’s Awards.”

Those of you involved in this year’s

ceremony were helping to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, whose incredibly important work has carried on despite the severe impact of the pandemic – right here at the state-of-the-art research centre in Plymouth.

One lucky winner even collected a hamper of exclusive goodies in our amazing prize draw which was held during the ceremony.

Our ceremony also featured a tribute to our friend and colleague Steve Whiteway, who was a director of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber and served the local community with great pride for more than 50 years.

Some of Steve’s friends kindly shared with us their videos, pictures and memories of this amazing man who will be missed by so many of us.

You can see our full tribute to Steve on pages 22-24 of Profile.

Our winners and finalists Customer Commitment Award

Other finalists

- sponsored by Practice Plus Group Plymouth Citybus Plymouth Citybus has experienced an extraordinary few years of innovation and growth and continues to make significant investments as part of its mission to provide vital transport links, further improve services and help the environment.

The firm’s focus continues to be on supporting its customers, colleagues and the wider community, and it has improved customer satisfaction to a record 93%. That figure was boosted greatly by the restructuring of the customer services department, which saw the firm re-brand the externally facing team as ‘customer experience’ and introduce a number of new ways of working that really put passengers at the heart of the operation.

It is now the only bus operator in the area to have a travel centre where passengers can talk to someone face-to-face. From the MD, Richard Stevens, through to office staff and drivers, customer care is one of the most important aspects of the company’s ethos.

These changes contributed to Plymouth Citybus being named ‘Bus Operator of the Year’ at the 2019 National Transport Awards – a tremendous achievement and testament to the extremely hardworking team.

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Achievement Training

Portcullis Legals

Rising Star Award – sponsored by The Jockey Club Exeter OIlie Jackman, Taurus Ollie Jackman is the sales manager at Taurus, an established communications and IT services provider in Exeter that works with a wide range of organisations across the country, predominantly in the South West.

His role requires a huge range of skills, both for driving the team’s performance and for creating a suitable culture and working environment in which everyone can feel appreciated and thrive.

Ollie is responsible for the Taurus sales and marketing strategy, which includes supporting and motivating sales teams, creating clear

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CHAMBER AWARDS goals and targets for each team member, planning and implementing events, marketing and PR; designing and delivering effective coaching and training, managing high-value opportunities and signing significant business, and recruitment.

For the last six years, he has played a significant role in building a very successful IT division who, through continued drive and motivation, exceeded their targets and profits by a record amount with the best-performing year in the company’s history.

Ollie is a driven and fun leader, and his honest and approachable nature, along with his enthusiasm and ambition, help to drive forward goals and shared success.

Other finalists

Lorna Gaskin, Imployable

Dr Emily Beaumont

Workplace Wellbeing - sponsored by Coralline Health Crowne Plaza Plymouth One of Plymouth’s most wellknown and prominent hotels, the Crowne Plaza boasts 211 charming bedrooms and event space for up to 500 guests.

Since being rebranded from a Holiday Inn to Crowne Plaza in 2017, following a £5.5m refurbishment, the hotel also has a newly-opened spa and leisure club, plus a Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill on the penthouse floor which boasts some of the city’s best sea-facing views.

The Crowne Plaza Plymouth recognises that employees are its greatest asset and, therefore, the team’s health and wellbeing is vital to its success which has seen the hotel increase its occupancy by more than 6% year-on-year, with almost 68,000 rooms sold during 2019.

In addition to its physical wellness policy, there is also a mental wellness policy supported by having three team members on-site who are specifically trained in Mental Health First Aid and are able to provide counsel, support and signposting for anyone who may require help.

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Small Business of the Year

South Devon College South Devon College is recognised as one of the best learning

– sponsored by Thomas Westcott Services Design Solutions Services Design Solution (SDS) is a forward-looking, dynamic construction consultancy specialising in the design of mechanical and electrical engineering systems to buildings.

Based at The Millfields in Plymouth, the firm designs innovative, flexible, energy-efficient solutions to create exceptional environments for living, work or leisure.

The business has grown rapidly since its formation in 2004 and now has offices in Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol, employing more than 60 members of staff.

Its client base includes developers, contractors, project managers, quantity surveyors, architects, civil/structural engineers, housing associations, house builders, planners, solicitors, utilities, local government, healthcare and education providers, as well as end users.

In November 2019, SDS was recognised as one of the UK’s top 150 professional construction consultants across the country.

Over the past five years, as part of its growth, SDS practice has moved from a purely local business to one that provides services throughout the UK. This change has resulted from the depth of engineering expertise the team has built and the ability to win frameworks with national clients including the NHS and FTSE listed clients and international contractors.

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environments in the country, catering for more than 2,500 16-to 18-year-olds, 1,600 apprentices and 500 universitylevel students, while supporting more than a thousand businesses.

With part-time and Community Learning, the College supports some 10,000 learners each year. It has been awarded TEF ‘Gold’ for its university-level provision and is recognised as the second most successful FE College in England, rated 96% by the independent national FE Choices learner satisfaction survey. It is also the first college in England to achieve the Investors in People Platinum Award.

The College has four elements of success: Quality, Leadership, People and Resources. These are underpinned by a number of strategies, one of which is the 5-year People Strategy.

One of the eight themes is focused on employee health and wellbeing, with the overarching pledge to ensure staff are resilient and supported in response to increasing demands in accordance with OFSTED and the Association of College’s Health and Wellbeing Charter.

Other finalists

Other finalists

Imployable

Valves Online

Plymouth City Bus

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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CHAMBER AWARDS Best Export Business - sponsored by International Trade Matters PECO PECO is a plastic injection moulding specialist that produces model railway track, kits and accessories for the global model railway market.

As well as supplying an established network of retailers in the UK, the Devon company also has a mature but constantly developing export market, supplying a mixture of specialist wholesale distributors and retailers.

It exports its products to 35 different countries around the world and is a respected and recognised brand in its field in all markets.

PECO’s export sales turnover has been steadily increasing over the past 10 years as a greater focus has been placed on sales outside of the UK. Long-term relationships with key distributors in North America, Australasia and throughout mainland Europe have developed more closely, working together in a concerted effort to capture additional market share.

Over the next three years, PECO aims to maintain a steady growth pattern for export sales based on the principles of maintaining excellent availability, quality control and supply, and ensuring value for money for products in a competitive marketplace.

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Other finalists

During summer 2019, Plymothians and visitors were able to seek out the herd of painted elephants dotted around the city, from Royal William Yard to Sutton Harbour and as far north as the railway station.

The project spanned two years, with milestones including the launch event, Education Programme launch, sponsor workshop, VIP launch, the trail itself, farewell weekend and grand auction, which generated a staggering £323,750 for St Luke’s Hospice - the equivalent of providing more than 350 families with hospice care at home.

Other finalists

Bowater Communications

Building Plymouth

Best Use of Technology - sponsored by pbmedia CMOStores.com As one of the UK’s leading online suppliers of construction materials, CMOStores.com is the parent company of six successful online stores: CMOTrade, Door Superstore, Drainage Superstore, Insulation Superstore, Roofing Superstore and Tile and Floor Superstore, and sells more than 75,000 products across its sites.

In 2018, CMOStores moved to larger premises in Plymouth to accommodate its 100-strong team and its need for additional warehousing.

Thanks to its strong relationships with some of the world’s leading suppliers, including VELUX and Dupont, along with a focus on customer service, visits to CMOStores.com sites have grown by more than 50% during the last 12 months.

CMOStores is currently working to raise awareness within the industry, enabling more DIY enthusiasts and building contractors to take advantage of shopping for their construction materials online – from competitive prices, huge choice and swift delivery to excellent customer support and expert advice from a trained team.

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Audax

Barden

Third Sector Campaign - sponsored by Devon & Plymouth Chamber St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provides specialist end-of-life care for terminally ill people across Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall, looking after patients in their homes or care homes, in hospital and at its specialist unit.

The charity launched its Elmer’s Big Parade campaign to raise awareness of the charity and the vital service it provides.

Author David McKee’s beloved creation, Elmer, was transformed into 40 statues, all painted by talented artists far and wide and sponsored by local organisations.

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Other finalist

Bluescreen IT

CHAMBER AWARDS

A few messages from our Awards sponsors Exeter Racecourse

International Trade Matters

Exeter Racecourse sits in the surroundings of the beautiful Devon countryside and is one of the leading conference and event venues in the South West. Based on Haldon Hill, the racecourse buildings overlook the famous racecourse which has seen sporting stars earn their stripes for many years. With Haldon Forest and the rolling hills of the course as a view, it is a sight to saviour for all our guests.

Home to the Haldon Gold Cup, household names such as Best Mate, Cue Card and Kauto Star have taken to the fences at Exeter, and it is a venue with an exciting culture and history.

Whether you’re looking for a venue to host a conference, exhibition or a private party, Exeter Racecourse can accommodate up to 300 guests in one room. Whatever your requirements, our dedicated conference and events team consistently provides high levels of service and catering to a unique and quality venue.

Our team offers the flexibility to tailor individual components of your occasion to your needs and will work with you every step of the way in order to make your event seamless.

With ample free parking, Exeter Racecourse is an ideal venue to hire for your conference, private party or event with direct links to the M5, airport and train station.

International Trade Matters Ltd offers consultancy and training across sectors, geographies and disciplines. We are a leading independent consultancy for International Trade offering expert advice and support to companies engaged, or interested in, overseas connections or business. With a raft of super Specialists covering Devon and beyond, we offer expert advice on new markets, compliance, and international marketing strategies, offering bespoke packages to ensure value and satisfaction.

We advise companies on documentary issues and with gaining AEO and/or AE authorisations; provide Export Ready, Export Manager and Export Director services and conduct Export Audit checks to check for non-compliance. Our latest offer is Lean Globalisation, for those companies that want to secure and maximise the effectiveness of their supply chains.

We deliver the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) accredited International Trade training and, work closely with International Lawyers on specific international projects.

As a small business member of the Institute of Export we have the most up to date and relevant knowledge of the way that trade is changing. Linda Middleton Jones, the founder of International Trade Matters currently holds the position of Chairman of the Academic Board of the Institute that provides and awards professional qualifications.

Coralline Health Coralline Health Ltd are proud to offer discounted Health Insurance for Devon Chamber Members.

Health Insurance is designed to provide you with speed and choice of treatment when you are ill or injured.

Our Coralline Health Ltd team facilitates fast access to high quality medical diagnosis and treatment through a comprehensive choice of healthcare products for individuals, families and businesses via our insurer partner, WPA. With backgrounds in the medical and insurance sector we have unrivalled knowledge and expertise; we are both professional and approachable and we are always available to listen to our customers so that we can provide the best service and advice, underpinned by honesty, integrity and trust.

If you are considering health insurance then we are here to provide you, your team and family with qualified and friendly advice ensuring you have cover that is right for you.

Coralline Health Ltd are delighted to be sponsors of the Devon Chamber Business Award category “Workplace Wellbeing.”

Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants Shona Godefroy, Managing Partner of Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants, comments on the firm’s sponsorship of the Business Awards.

“At the end of such a tough year, these awards provide us with a welcome opportunity to celebrate all that Devon’s business community has achieved together.

Thomas Westcott is proud to be sponsoring the Small Business of the Year award and we are delighted to cement our commitment to Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce by becoming a Patron.

“With a team of 270, based in 17 offices across Devon and Somerset, we’ve always been firm believers in supporting the communities in which we live and work. While most of our people are currently operating from home, we have remained very much

open for business and focused on actively supporting our clients.

“In fact, despite being physically apart, the pandemic has brought us even closer to the region’s business community.

“Committed to keeping businesses updated on the fast-changing situation, we’ve been on hand throughout to interpret and communicate all of the information coming out from the Government, providing regular updates and webinars.

“We’ve proactively assisted clients with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claims process and in accessing funding. Responding to demand, we’ve also launched the Thomas Westcott Business Protection and Resilience Service.

“Throughout the year, we have worked closely with the Chamber and are proud to support Devon’s businesses during these challenging times and beyond.”

Practice Plus Group Mark White, Hospital Director, Practice Plus Group Hospital Plymouth.

“We have changed our name from Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre to Practice Plus Group Hospital Plymouth to emphasise our commitment to patient choice, the highest standards of care, innovation and resilience. Our team remains the same, our patients can continue to expect and enjoy the same outstanding levels of care we have always delivered and they can access care in the same ways as before.

“An outstanding patient experience continues to sit at the heart of everything we do – whether you come to us as an NHS, self-pay or private medical insured patient - which is why we are operating under the mantra of ‘Access to Excellence’. This means we will always invest in the best people, techniques, facilities and equipment while ensuring that patients are aware of and act on their right to choose where they are treated.

“Ours was the first hospital of its kind in the country to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, and we are one of just a handful of hospitals to have achieved Joint Advisory Group accreditation for our endoscopy service at the first attempt.

“We remain popular with patients, consistently scoring 90%+ scores in the national Friends and Family Test and with excellent feedback on the NHS website and our Facebook page.

“We look forward to welcoming you for care at our newly-renamed hospital.”

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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MEMBER NEWS

Watch restored after clocking up 70 precious years

Drakes Jewellers is a business built on a certain kind of customer service that’s earned them 70 years of proud trading.

And the family-run business was reminded of its proud values established when it first opened its doors - when a customer brought in a watch for a repair bought back in 1950!

The team at Drakes, based in Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth, were flabbergasted when Derrick Hewitt cheekily got in touch asking if his warranty was still valid from seven decades ago.

Director Andrew Hirshman said: “This year marks our Drakes 70th Anniversary so Derrick to have a customer getting in touch about a watch purchased from us when we first opened our doors was really exciting.

“They even still had the original box!”

Just 8-10 weeks after Drakes first opened their doors in Plymouth, Derrick visited the store to buy his sweetheart a beautiful watch for her 18th Birthday.

At the time he was on duty in Plymouth whilst serving in the Royal Navy. Derrick paid £38 for the watch which would be the equivalent to £1,292 today.

Derrick went on to marry Betty and the watch today remains a huge part of their family legacy.

Sadly, Betty died 20 years ago and the watch has not been worn since. The family have tried to get the watch repaired on numerous occasions but were told that it was not possible and their best option was to buy a new one.

Derrick’s daughter Carole said: “My dad being the cheeky fella that he is, asked me, ‘if you send them an email you can ask them if the warranty is still valid’.”

Carole and husband Ray were delighted to receive an email back to say that unfortunately the warranty had only just run out, but asked them to drop the watch into store so that Andrew could have a closer look.

The couple made the five-hour drive down

to Plymouth from Derbyshire to hand-deliver the watch that they “were never going to put it in the post, ever.”

Andrew said: “It was only when our local and preferred watch repairers reopened after the pandemic that we found someone who could restore it to its former glory.

“Adamson’s Elburton Watch Repairs were absolutely brilliant, and their service was second to none. I was thrilled to receive the call to say that the watch had been successfully repaired and could now be collected. It was so lovely to be able to pass this news onto Carole and Ray.” Carole said: “It’s been very hard for my dad, he keeps asking, ‘have you heard anything yet, have you heard anything yet’.

“We are absolutely flabbergasted that Drakes could have something done. I think he’ll cry when he sees it working again.”

The family plan to pass the watch down from generation to generation in the Hewitt family as a precious family heirloom.

Berry and Derrick

Carole and Ray

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Financial support available for Plymouth businesses If your business has been significantly impacted by the most recent national coronavirus restrictions (from 5 November to 2 December), there may be financial support available.

Plymouth City Council has opened applications for two grant schemes: the Local Restrictions Support Grant and the Additional Restrictions Grant.

Local Restrictions Support Grant Available to support businesses that: ■ Were legally required to close during the national coronavirus restrictions ■ Pay business rates Eligible businesses can claim the following grants, based on their rateable value, per 28 days of restrictions: ■ For properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under, grants to be £1,334; ■ For properties with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000, grants to be £2,000; ■ For properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or over, grants to be £3,000.

Additional Restrictions Grant Available to support businesses that: ■ Were legally required to close under the national restrictions but were not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant as they do not pay business rates, or pay packaged rent and rates ■ Have not been legally required to close but have suffered a significant loss in turnover as a result of the national restrictions This grant fund is particularly aimed at supporting retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and their supply chain. Plymouth City Council has also identified other types of businesses that it will prioritise for support, including childcare providers, language schools, fishing businesses and the creative and event industry.

Grant levels will vary depending on the type of business and strict eligibility criteria applies.

For more information about both grant schemes, including full eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see investplymouth.co.uk/business-grants.

InvestPlymouth Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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MEMBER NEWS

Better support for Parkinson’s sufferers

Pixalytics supports sustainable development in Kenya Earth Observation specialists Pixalytics will receive a share of new funding to lead a project in Kenya.

The UK Space Agency

People with Parkinson’s in the South West are being supported to better manage their condition, with an innovative new ‘Home Based Care Pathway’.

The service reform, brought about by a team of researchers led by Plymouth University and University Hospitals Plymouth

(UHP), could reduce waiting lists and improve quality of care for patients.

Despite guidelines that consultant reviews should be every six months, a patient experience survey had found that 46% of patients had appointments delayed by more than six months, and some had

not seen a community nurse within a year.

By changing the setup of review appointments, patients are now seen when they need it most. In addition, they are provided with a suite of resources and wearable technology to closely monitor their condition at home.

has announced £3.4 million of funding for 10 leadingedge projects that back UK organisations using space to support global sustainable development.

The Earth Observation for Sustainable Aggregate Supply project, being led by Pixalytics, aims to blend Earth observation

Clients, choice and certainty the priority at new care agency A new care agency that matches clients to the carer that suits them best has launched in Plymouth.

Kintota Care prioritises giving its clients a choice of who their care giver is – and when they need care and how long for.

Founder Donna Barnes believes this choice, certainty and continuity gives her clients unique piece of mind and marks Kintota out in the care sector.

The business emerged in a moment of inspiration in the depths of lockdown as Donna closed her successful high street recruitment brand in search of a new challenge close to her heart.

She said: “During my 25 years in the recruitment industry, I spent four as a consultant in the care sector

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and it is important to me to make sure each client’s needs are being met and the best solution for them is found.

“Nobody likes to ask for help and having different people come into your home on a daily basis can feel extremely intrusive, so it was important to me to offer a service that puts the client in control.

“They have the choice of care giver and they can dictate the time they need. This provides them certainty of who is coming and when, as well as continuity.

“I am particularly passionate about providing support to people with dementia and Alzheimer’s - especially at a time when support systems are stretched and routines changed.

“If you know anyone who

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

data with local stakeholder input to explore the sustainable supply of the finite sand and aggregate resources in Kenya.

The findings will provide the Kenyan Government’s Ministry of Mining and local communities with ideas on how to improve Donna Barnes needs help or support to live a better life in their own home please bear me in mind and help my pledge of helping as may Plymouth people who need me.”

Donna, who also owns search and selection recruitment company Selwyn Stevens, can be contacted via donna@kintota.care

the monitoring and regulation of sand mining, supporting sustainability in the aggregate supply chain including the locations, scale, extraction rates and the environmental impacts of these activities.

Director of Pixalytics Ltd Andrew Lavender said: “We are delighted to be using our Earth observation technology and expertise to develop solutions to global challenges, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners in the UK and Kenya on this important project which will help support sustainable development.”

CHAMBER NEWS

Power to growth with the Access to Finance Expo Businesses across the region will be able to find the finance options that will power their post-Covid recovery at the first Access to Finance Expo in 2021.

This event will bring together some of the region’s foremost figures in finance, with leading experts in lending, accessing funding and accountancy – as well as well employers in the sector from across the South West Organised by Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, it is due to be held at Home Park in Plymouth and is an excellent

opportunity to experience one of Devon’s most exciting new venues.

The Expo has been earmarked to take place in the spring, depending on Covid-19 restrictions.

This event is an excellent chance for businesses of all sizes and sectors to find the options that give them the best possible chance of growth in a new era.

In a marketplace confusing for businesses which might lack a specialist Finance Director, this is an opportunity for businesses to: • Find new sources of financial investment best suited to you • Learn how historic funding routes have changed and viable alternatives to traditional funders • Meet their new lender

• Meet their new accountant • Meet new employers Exhibiting will be a diverse and highly knowledgeable selection of organisations specialising in finance and investment who cover an array of sectors.

The Access to Finance Expo is aimed at aspirational businesses seeking investment and support as they look to grow. It’s sponsored and backed by leading organisations including Western Union, the HotSW LEP, Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Start Point Finance.

The Expo will feature workshops and presentations by some of the region’s foremost experts, helping you unravel complex routes to commercial investment.

Historical funding routes have changed, with high street banks operating under new lending guidelines and new entrants now offering a range of viable alternative options.

There are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities available to this event. To find out more please contact Chamber Events Executive Daffne Zamudio via daffne.zamudio@devonchamber.co.uk Students from local universities and colleges are also welcome at the event as part of our mission to help develop young people’s understanding of financing business growth.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Tuesday, January 12

Thursday, February 4

Thursday, March 4

Access to Finance Expo

Chamber Connect

County Conversations

Chamber Live Theme

Thursday, January 14

Thursday, February 11

Tuesday, March 9

Thursday, March 25, 2021 Find the finance options that will fuel post-Covid recovery at our new Access to Finance Expo.

City Conversations

Chamber Live

Chamber Connect

Monday, January 18

Thursday February 18

Thursday, March 11

Chamber Live

Chamber Live

City Conversations

Thursday, January 21

Thursday February 25

Thursday, March 18

Thrive in Five series workshop and networking

Small Business Toolkit Roundtable - Legal and funding

Chamber Live

Sponsored by Western Union, Start Point Finance and Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

Thursday, March 25 Access to Finance Expo 2021

Full details for all our events can be found on our website.

Keep an eye out for our regular Chamber Live and Virtual Networking events on Zoom plus we’ll soon be revealing news of our Corporate Golf Day.

Exhibitor opportunities are available with many already confirmed including Barclays Bank, SWIG Finance and Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants.

Contact Daffne Zamudio at daffne.zamudio@devonchamber.co.uk for details.

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CHAMBER NEWS

CHAMBERCUSTOMS Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and our new ChamberCustoms service delivers a customs declaration service for UK importers and exporters, of all sizes, in every region of the UK. With our extensive knowledge, reputation and first-class service in facilitating international trade, we can take the hassle out of your hands when it comes to exporting and importing goods.

The service is offered direct to businesses and through UK freight forwarders, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors.

With direct links to the HMRC Customs handling system and all inventory linked ports, we can ensure that your goods, no matter where they enter or leave the UK, will be cleared for onward transportation smoothly.

We can help you keep your time-sensitive supply chains, moving efficiently and economically by offering: • •

•

A high level of compliance and assurance for customers.

Confidence on tariff and data entry to remove fiscal risk; backed by the technical expertise of the market leader in this sector.

A wealth of international trade experience and expertise from across the trusted Chamber of Commerce network UK.

Brexit and Beyond In the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, businesses and governments across Europe have been trying to get to grips with the implications for cross-border trade.

Whilst the details are not finalised, it’s clear that bringing goods into the UK from the EU will involve a lot more paperwork than it does now.

To give some idea of the scale, around 180,000 UK businesses only trade within the EU, 68,000 only trade outside the EU and 73,000 trade in both.

The EU27 accounts for just over half of all imports into the UK, so the volume of ‘checked’ goods passing through our ports will increase significantly. Being outside the customs union will mean that imports into the UK

We know that navigating trade documentation can be complicated, so please get in touch if you have any queries about trading internationally or want to find out more about customs declarations services.

Contact us now by emailing Nicky Byrne or Claire Mahoney via international-trade@ devonchamber.co.uk or by calling 01752 220471.

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HELPING TRADERS TO KEEP ON TRADING

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

from the EU will be treated the same as those from the rest of the world. They will shift from being goods in free circulation within the EU, to imports subject to duty and VAT. Traders today complete around 55 million declarations annually, which, according to the ONS, could rise to around 300 million at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. This will impact every business that imports or exports goods.

ChamberCustoms can help.

CHAMBER NEWS

ChamberCustoms - FAQ Q: What are customs declarations and why is it so important that businesses get them right?

A: Customs declarations are forms which are used to accompany goods that are entering or leaving a market. They’re used internationally to communicate the origin of the product and its relevant tariff, to allow customs and regulatory authorities to calculate what duty is payable and understand applicable restrictions. They are crucial because they enable authorities to know where goods are coming from or going to, in order to control the flow of goods, ensure the safety and security of the country and collect the correct duty.

Q: What is ChamberCustoms?

A: It is a customs brokerage service, run by your local Chamber of Commerce. In the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, the amount of paperwork required to import and export goods from overseas will increase in both volume and complexity. The dedicated team of experts at your local Chambers of Commerce can be trusted to have the expertise and knowledge to help traders to keep on trading.

Q: Why is ChamberCustoms unique?

A: Put simply, we’re unique because we have direct relationships with every port in the UK. This means we don’t need to rely on any third parties to clear goods for import and export. Most other customs brokers have to rely on third parties to offer a fully national service, exposing you to a loss of control and potentially affecting the accuracy, speed and cost of their service. It can also expose traders to penalties from the tax authorities.

Q: I’m interested in learning more – what do I do next?

A: Go to www.chambercustoms.co.uk and complete the short ‘Contact Us’ form. You can also find out more about ChamberCustoms here: www.devonchamber.co.uk/chamber-customs

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Unlike other customs brokers our pricing structure is completely transparent.

We charge a small fee to process your declaration directly through HMRC, plus a fixed 10% handling charge for the port fees which we will pay on your behalf.

Q: Do I have to be a member of my local Chamber of Commerce to use the service?

A: No. The service is open to all businesses who import or export goods.

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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SMALL BUSINESS TOOLKIT

Discover our Small Business Toolkit The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly proven hugely challenging for businesses throughout the South West and beyond.

The launch of our new Small Business Toolkit is designed to help you overcome those hurdles and run a more efficient, profitable business.

In putting together this online digital publication, we identified a whole range of key topics that business owners need to be thinking about on top of providing a service or product and getting it to market.

Each topic has a dedicated page of tips, advice and guidance and includes links to further reading or support tools, as well as information on how you can source further guidance.

We’re extremely proud of our ‘toolkit’ which has been populated by Devon & Plymouth Chamber members who have shared their immense expertise and experience.

Inside you’ll find a number of hints, tips and techniques from more than 30 specialists and professionals in their fields.

It has been really well-received so far, and we’d urge you to share this fantastic resource widely with all of your business contacts.

And as this is a digital ‘toolkit’, it can be updated as and when new information needs to be added, ensuring it remains fresh and giving opportunities for additional content to be included.

So if you have another topic that you would like us to include, or that you feel would add value to the information already included, please get in touch.

We’re even been running a series of free ‘Thrive in Five’ events based on the Small Business Toolkit where you can gain access to these professionals and ask them any questions you may have.

It’s essentially the ‘board you can’t afford’, with directors of the Chamber also in attendance in a bid to help you not only survive, but also thrive during these difficult times.

Find out more about our Small Business Toolkit here: www.devonchamber.co.uk/ small-business-toolkit

STARTING A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE In terms of what model you choose there are a myriad of adaptable and flexible ways to give you the business that you really want to run.

You could work as a cooperative with You may be wondering what social a shared responsibility, a CIC with a enterprise really is. Simply put – social traditional structure, a registered society, enterprise is business with a social a charity or even a more traditional conscience. A way of doing business that company that chooses to make a allows entrepreneurs and organisations difference with it’s actions and profits. to give back to the community and One of the biggest benefits to being a causes that are important to them. Here, social enterprise is the amount of support Jessica Holliland, Communications and available to you as you start and grow Membership Manager at Plymouth Social your business. Many social enterprises are Enterprise Network, explains more about eligible to apply for grants and starting a social enterprise… business support in a way that There are no limits to what traditional business models kind of organisation can can’t. be a social enterprise; If you’re looking at as a sector we cover starting a social-purpose hospitality, education, organisation or would green spaces, like to learn more property management, about how your existing recruitment services, business can make a healthcare and so much difference then get in touch more. for support. We believe in And it isn’t all about small collaboration and communication, and local, in fact, two out of five we believe that by working together of the largest employers in the city are with valuable partners like the Devon social enterprises and the sector employs and Plymouth Chamber, Plymouth City almost 10,000 people whilst bringing in Council and the South West LEP we can £580 million each year to Plymouth. create a future for Plymouth As well as all of the strategy where businesses and and policy-making work community can work we do on the behalf of together to become a our members, joining stronger, healthier place the network comes Having a visible social to live and work. We also with a host of impact to your business believe that the future practical benefits can help strengthen of business is social. including being part of

TOP TIP

relationships with your a directory of sociallyJessica Holliland is customers and support responsible businesses the Communications and and discounted access business growth.

Membership Manager for to an international Plymouth Social Enterprise accreditation mark.

Network.

A social enterprise isn’t actually Jess@plymsocent.org.uk a business model; it’s a way of doing www.plymsocent.org.uk business and an intent to use your Devonport Guildhall business to make a difference.

Ker Street The practical methods of running a Plymouth PL1 4EL social enterprise tend to fall in to one of these three types: •

•

•

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Profit-generating trade - where profits are used to give back to a cause Trade Off - where profits are made directly from an activity which also has social impact, and Lock step model - that provides social impacts which increase or decrease in parallel with the financial returns

ABOUT US Plymouth Social Enterprise Network is the driving force for a more inclusive and purpose-led way of doing business in Plymouth. With more than 200 social enterprises working across the city, we work with partners and policymakers to push for an economic system where profit for purpose becomes the norm.

CHAMBER NEWS

Our case to Parliament The Chamber was invited to talk to Parliament about the help we need to ‘level up’ in the South West. Here’s what we had to say.

Stuart Elford, our Chief Executive, spoke up on behalf of businesses across Devon and the wider South West, giving robust evidence to Parliament’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee, who were examining ‘levelling up’.

This is a subject that everyone at the Devon & Plymouth Chamber is extremely passionate about, ensuring that we get the best chance for local businesses and that you get the investment that you deserve.

Stuart’s evidence covered topics such as transport, skills, digital connectivity and R&D investment - helping give a voice to thousands of businesses who need more help from the Government.

Here are some of his answers to the questions at the committee:

Q. Representing local businesses, what does levelling up need to look like to support local businesses? From the perspective of businesses in Devon, is it just about these layers of government and policies delivering local public goods like better travel and infrastructure, or is it really about helping businesses to grow and employ people? How do they see it working there?

A. For most businesses, a lot of what you are talking about - and I say this with the greatest respect - would sound like empty words. What does “levelling up” mean?

They do not know. The South West feels it is hugely overlooked. We are, frankly, fed up of hearing about the northern powerhouse and the midlands engine. What about the South West? Our motorway ends at Exeter, and you still have two hours before you reach the other end of my region. The transport infrastructure is terrible.

There is long-publicised talk about the Dawlish railway line, where trains stop at the slightest hint of a storm. That also goes for Haldon Hill, which is where the A30 and A38 split after the M5 and then carry on into the South West. If you get a weather bomb at Haldon Hill, which happens every couple of years, the whole of the South West is cut off. Plymouth has lost its airport. Exeter is in danger of losing its airport, if it does not have significant investment.

Generally, digital infrastructure is very good in the South West, but there are significant pockets where it is not, certainly in terms of broadband and mobile connectivity.

There needs to be thought about joining up these strategies. There is huge connectivity

between business, income, health, skills and education, and no one thing is going to join it.

What does levelling up really mean? I would say it means equality of investment, but I do not think it does; it means equality of opportunity for all businesses. When I heard previous panellists say, “If you invest here, we will give you £10 back for every £1 you put in”, that is all well and good but you have to start somewhere. Highly effective regions can always turn money into a greater return, but if you cannot get to your nearest town or city, or if the infrastructure is poor, it does not mean anything.

Q. How should the resources that might be put into the levelling-up agenda be targeted? Are they part of the conversation about local industrial strategies and prioritisation?

A. I appreciate that every region has its issues. The South West is going to be absolutely decimated by Covid in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry and the connectivity of the supply chains to it, which is going to put us on the back foot to start with.

You talk about connectivity, and everyone wants better connectivity and better infrastructure. I want to give you an example.

I worked for a firm of lawyers, where I was director of operations. We went out to recruit a commercial lawyer of a certain level. We had to go headhunting nationwide. When they asked where the job was and we said Plymouth, of the five lawyers who said they were interested, every single one said, “No - too far and too disconnected.” That is a real-world example of how difficult it is to attract talent down here if the infrastructure is not here.

The Covid situation has enabled the public and private sectors to work better together than they ever have. I now sit on various recovery panels with the LEP, the county council and the city council in Plymouth, and those are fantastic opportunities. I hear a lot of talk about elected Mayors. Business cannot have an influence on that. We feel left out because we do not have an elected Mayor.

We do not have a high-profile person. We do not have an Andy Burnham. We do not have someone fighting our cause.

If Covid has shown something, there are places you want to be when you set up your business and places you do not, and the South West is a fantastic place to do business. With the right investment, we can do really well, but we need that investment in the things we are good at.

Upskilling is massively important.

Something that the Government could do

as a swift and helpful intervention would be to extend the annual investment allowance to training, education and skills, so that it becomes very cost effective for businesses to invest in that and takes some of the costs of business away. I would just make that little point.

Q. How does clustered R&D investment support local economic growth? How can we agree priorities across the various regions?

A. I happened to be speaking to Exeter University and mentioned that I would be here. Forgive me for reading this out, but I want to get it right because it is not my skill set. They have said that there is a challenge about lots of parts of the innovation and enterprise ecosystem in place that need to be more joined up and more accessible, with gaps plugged and activities scaled up to support more businesses to start up. The aim is to leverage all those existing assets to deliver effective support. They are talking about creating what they call a South West technopole, bringing together the science parks, the impact lab, the innovation centre, business support organisations and virtual membership available to all, regardless of location.

I will not go into the full details, but you are absolutely right that they were evidencing a lack of connectivity and joining up in research and innovation. There is something that could be done there to pull those together. It sounds to me, from what little I have read in this, that a South West technopole would be a really good way of doing it.

Q. Are there any ways in which the LEP does not do what you would like it to do?

A. The situation with my LEP is improving.

It uses the quarterly economic survey. It wants data from us. I completely agree that it is often about pots of funding that do not quite match up with what business needs One thing that I have taken away from this discussion is that there is a lack of joined-up communication between the various bodies.

I would like to see the national Government, and regional and local government, working much more closely with LEPs and chambers to ensure there is a joined-up approach to this sort of thing. While I am not critical of our LEP, and it has started to consult with us and to use information, it is not a truly joined-up approach and more could be done to ensure that it is.

You can watch Stuart’s answers here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAyeAtqetRY

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

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CHAMBER NEWS

A tribute to a true legend of our community

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

A few weeks ago, we bid a sad farewell to the irreplaceable Steve Whiteway.

As well as being one of Plymouth’s mostrespected businessmen, Steve was a director of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber and served the local community with great pride for more than 50 years.

His contribution to charity during that time was immense, raising more than £750,000 for good causes.

The award-winning campaigner’s amazing efforts were recognised by GWR, who named a train in his honour - putting him in the company of national treasures such as poet Sir John Betjeman, Monty Python’s Michael Palin, and Covid-era fundraiser Captain Tom Moore.

Steve didn’t let pancreatic cancer stop him from leaving his hospital ward and visiting Plymouth railway station with his daughter Lucy and son Chris to see the I Intercity Class 802 locomotive pull in for the first time emblazoned with the words: “Steve Whiteway, volunteering and serving the Plymouth community for over 50 years”.

Diagnosed with his illness in the early days of the coronavirus lockdown, he thanked NHS staff at Derriford Hospital’s Brent Ward, and colleagues from Plymouth’s St Luke’s Hospice, for arranging the event – and GWR for giving him such “an amazing honour.”

Sadly, Steve passed away peacefully the next day at the age of 61, surrounded by his widow Diana, daughter Lucy, and close friends Marilyn Grose and Steve Kerswill.

Steve was born in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth in 1958. His bank manager father taught him the importance of community, and especially the role of entrepreneurs and businesses, “the backbone of the British economy”, he said.

A keen keyboard player, his first job was selling pianos in a music shop in Plymouth, where he also appeared in several bands and was a familiar sight at concerts in the city.

Steve’s career took him into banking and finance, and then marketing, including a stint working in Dubai. More recently, he spent seven years with Devon Contract Waste.

He was also a director of the Plymouth Area Business Council, which has a membership of 250 key business, academic, and educational leaders in the city, as well as a former vice-chair of Fairtrade Plymouth and an honorary ambassador for the Plymouth City Centre Company.

Steve dedicated his life to helping others, from small businesses who needed a ‘leg up’ to community organisations in need of funds.

CHAMBER NEWS Among his many accolades are the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award, which he proudly received in 2017 from thenPM Theresa May – the same year he was given the Lifetime Achievement honour at Plymouth Live’s community awards.

He also won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the South West and Business Community Awards in Swindon earlier this year.

Steve’s impact on the local community cannot be underestimated, and he leaves behind a lasting legacy that will be carried on by his many friends and colleagues who continue to be inspired by his tremendous achievements.

“Steve Whiteway, an absolute legend, a long-term friend of the Chamber, an allround great guy who will be sadly missed. He brought warmth, fun, energy and compassion to the Chamber. He was a star of our community and we will miss him so much, but we are so grateful for all he did, because what he wanted was to help everybody – and that embodies everything the Chamber is about.

Our condolences to Steve’s family and friends. We will miss you, Steve.”

Stuart Elford Chief Executive Officer at the Devon and Plymouth Chamber “What a pleasure it was to have known Steve Whiteway – a truly great man, hugely inspirational, and we will all feel his loss massively.”

Tracy Barnes and the team Achievement Training “Wonderful Steve Whiteway - when you’re asked to say a few words about him it’s a bit difficult, isn’t it? There are so many wonderful memories that come up when you think about Steve, so I thought I’d share a few of mine with you. There’s this most amazing man who is so smartly turned out, who smells glorious, who is so kind-hearted, selfless, always giving, always coming with gifts of sweets, chocolate, biscuits, but this person who mainly had Plymouth in his heart. Steve, Plymouth will miss you and I’m sure you are looking after us now.

“It’s been my utmost pleasure to work

with Steve over the years, since I came to Plymouth in 2012. He was one of the first people I met, and he was such a giant personality – infectious and so excited about what we could achieve and what we could do together. I was immediately drawn to him and I’ve enjoyed working with him ever since – both on his charitable work and also in his role as a board director at the Chamber. It’s fair to say that Steve always had a great point to make – so much enthusiasm and I just miss him hugely.”

Richard Stevens Chamber Chairman, Managing Director Plymouth Citybus

before, but the first thing he did – which he did for so many of us – was to try and big me up. There’s nothing to ‘big up’, to be honest, when you compare that to what Steve has done in his life. I turned it right away into that thing about, ‘This man has got a train named after him’. And if that doesn’t sum up his contribution to our city and our communities, and just his warmth and humanity, then I don’t know what else will, and I think we’re all delighted that Steve got to see that train on that day. I was very proud to have him as a friend and I’ll miss him every day. Steve, you’re an absolute angel. God bless.”

Trevor Worth Managing Director “Steve Whiteway was an absolute legend. When I first moved down from Manchester and started Start Point Finance, I met Steve really early on and he helped me so, so much, introducing me to loads of different people in Plymouth. He knew everybody and he was liked by everybody.

We’ll miss him loads.”

Tim Jones Chamber Director, Director at Start Point Finance “What can you say about Steve Whiteway that hasn’t already been said? An absolute angel of a man and I’ll miss him every day. I’ll miss his friendship, his humility, his sense of humour, and that goodnatured banter that we always shared, as I’m sure he did with everyone. The last time I saw Steve before his diagnosis, I was walking across the Vue cinema with my small children, and some idiot decided to jump on my back out of nowhere – and it was a guy with all this jogging gear on. It was Steve, obviously, so I turned around, chucked him off and we started talking. Steve had not met my children

Portcullis Legals “Steve Whiteway was a friend, a colleague and an inspiration. A true champion for the Plymouth community, he dedicated his life to improving the lives of others and I feel very fortunate to have known him. Our world is a little darker without him in it, and I will miss his infectious laughter, his ability to see the positive in every situation and, most of all, his kindness. He inspired us all to be better, to be kinder, and do more for others. This is something I will forever hold on to and he will never be forgotten.“

Pauline Hands Chamber Director; Director of Marketing, Business Engagement & Apprenticeships at City College Plymouth “I was deeply saddened to hear that the Plymouth community has lost Steve to this terrible disease. He was the first person to welcome me to the city when I took up the role as Principal and CEO and I could instantly see why he was so well-liked and respected throughout the city and beyond.

He was one of life’s genuinely nice people and it was a pleasure to get to know him. He will be sorely missed by so many.”

Jackie Grubb Principal and Chief Executive at City College Plymouth

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CHAMBER NEWS “Steve, you really were Plymouth’s guardian angel. I am sure you will still be watching over us all now, spreading your “Steve magic”.

Plymouth and I will miss you greatly - you have left one massive hole that can’t be filled. Fly high, my wonderful friend and colleague.”

Donna Barnes “A lovely moment from Plymouth’s first International Men’s Day 2019. Rest peacefully, Steve.”

Penny Hannah “Steve was one in a million. With the hugest heart and the most community-minded vision I’ve ever known. He was a keen kayaker and a talented musician. He never stopped smiling.

It is painful to now say that he was an integral part of the Plymouth Business Community, but even more importantly the whole community.

To be saying that in the past tense brings sadness. Steve gave so much of himself to others his memory remains loved and respected by so many people.”

Carolyn Giles Plymouth Citybus

Chamber Director, Director Selwyn Stevens, Director Kintota “Steve was a great supporter of the Britain’s Ocean City Running Series and raised thousands of pounds for charities by taking part. Even after a tough race, he always had a smile on this face and would stay at the finish, cheering on other competitors as they crossed the line. A true gentleman who will be missed by us all.”

David Williams

“Steve approached Improving Lives Plymouth with the proposal that we take him on as a fundraiser, wanting to end his working career doing what he has done for decades as a volunteer. From this the 110 Club was born, a unique and innovative way for local business to support our Charity. The club is still going strong despite the covid-19 challenges, a fitting memorial to Steve and encapsulating all he believed in.”

George Plenderleith Chief Executive Improving Lives Plymouth

“ Steve was accompanied by his dear friend, Steve Kerswill, up on the Hoe for an interview about his life and business career. This picture was taken four weeks before he passed away and I was proud to know him and supported some of his charitable projects. He will be sadly missed.”

Kevin Kelway Dorcas Media

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

“I knew of Steve before I joined the Chamber team. I had heard of all the great work he had done for Plymouth and the local charities.

But since joining the Chamber team and having had the privilege of working with him, I saw for myself the passion and love he had for everyone and the work that he did. He was a pleasure to work with and no matter how busy he was if any of the team needed help, he would be there even if it was getting on the phone with me and helping me call the members.

Whenever he was in the office, it would always be filled with joy and laughter.

He will be missed greatly amongst the whole team, he was quite simply a legend in every way.”

Samantha Kerswill Chamber Membership Executive

CHAMBER NEWS

NEW MEMBERS Eddystone Media

Psychology Associates Ltd

www.eddystonemedia.co.uk City Business Park, Unit 30C, Plymouth

www.psychologyassociates.org.uk 41-43 Lower Fore Street, Saltash

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

FROM ACROSS DEVON & PLYMOUTH

Access Cleaning Services Limited www.accesscleaningservice.co.uk Oak Hayes, Bal Lane, Mary Tavy

Kintota Grapevine (the transport company) Ltd

Earlswood, Plymouth Road, Plymouth

www.grapevine-transport.co.uk 10 Tremarran Court, Ivybridge

Artistic Licence Engineering Ltd

F3 Design www.f3design.co.uk 2 Orchard Cres, Plymouth

AB Heritage Ltd Veganish by Zoe www.veganishbyzoe.com 15 St Lawrence Road, Plymouth

www.abheritage.co.uk South West and Wales Office, The Generator Quay House, King’s Wharf, The Quay

www.artisticlicence.com The Mould Making Workshop, Soby Mews

Manico PR www.manicopr.com 66 Molesworth Road, Plymouth

54 Royal Navy Avenue, Plymouth

Fine Tubes Ltd.

Smart Employment Law Ltd

Hannah’s Games Ltd

www.finetubes.com Estover Works, Plymouth

www.smartemploymentlaw.co.uk 3 Station Road, Okehampton

www.hannahsgames.co.uk 30 Long Meadow, Plymouth

25 Boringdon Avenue, Plymouth

Moorland Fuels

Hope Barton Barnes

Hilsdon Holmes Limited

www.hopebarton.co.uk/index Hope Barton Barnes, Hope Cove

Butterbee House, Callington

PRmatters

www.moorlandfuels.com Moorlands House, Okehampton

Laura Campbell Operational Excellence SW

Wedofootball

Skymind Studios www.skymindstudios.com Flat 1, Chapter One, 19 Albert Road, Plymouth

Ocean Pay Ltd

H W Southwest Care LTD

www.oceanpay.co.uk

www.rpmatters.co.uk Plymouth Science Park

The IWH Group Limited

Finding True North

www.operationalexcellencesw.co.uk/

www.annmccluskey.co.uk 12 Bedford Street, Plymouth

lauracampbell.html

Twisted Tea Room www.twistedtearoom.com 56 Ford Hill, Plymouth

Westcountry HR www.westcountryhr.com 2 Highweek Street, Newton Abbot

23 Seymore Drive, Dartmouth

Pivotal Recruit Ltd www.pivotalrecruit.co.uk Abbotsbury Road, Newton Abbot Chris Field (Training Services) Short Stop Video www.shortstopvideo.com Flat 5, St Moritz, Torquay

Dragon&Phoenix Business Growth Consultancy

Committed with Love

www.jojoramsden.com 37 Hunters Moon, Totnes

www.committedwithlove.com 5 Longfeild Close, Callington

SW Business Support Solutions Ltd

Certitude Cleaning Services & Traumatic Clean Up Ltd

www.swbss.co.uk Unit 9 Mannings Yard, Dawlish

22 Eden House, Forge Lane, Saltash

www.wedofootball.co.uk 57 Davies Avenue, Paignton

www.theiwhgroup.com 108 Fore Street, Kingsbridge

Commissioning HR Ltd Time Well Spent www.time-well-spent.co.uk Furze Park, Bridestowe, Okehampton

www.commissioninghr.co.uk Unit 2, Teinbridge Business Centre, Newton Abbot

The Cadman South West Home Instead Senior Care Tavistock and Tamar Valley

www.thecadmansouthwest.co.uk 31 Tregenna Close, Plymouth

www.homeinstead.co.uk/tavistocktamar-valley Kilworthy Park, Tavistock

The Minster Partnership Ltd www.tmpllp.co.uk Walford Mill Studios, Wimborne

Liz Rees Ltd www.lizreesaccountant.co.uk 9 Venn Court, Plymouth

Virtuallight www.virtuallight.co.uk 288 Outland Road, Plymouth

Myriad Business Services www.myriadservices.co.uk 8 fairfield Close, Bovey Tracey

Fruit Marketing www.linkedin.com/in/richardprice3 Mandalay Church Hill, Plymouth

CULTURE Dub’l-Lif Ltd

Innovation, Impact and Business, University of Exeter

www.dubl-lif.co.uk Belvedere Trading Estate, Taunton

www.exeter.ac.uk University of Exeter, Box 1 Finance

Torbay Gin

Devon Energy Partnership

www.torbaygin.co.uk 138 Beaumount Road, Plymouth

www.devonenergypartnership.co.uk Northleigh House, Morchard Bishop

Willmott Dixon

www.howisyourculture.com 1107 East 9th Street, Austin, Texas

Loganair www.loganair.co.uk 9 Marchburn Drive, Paisley

Jubb www.jubb.uk.com Unit 1, Ensign House, Plymouth

Lynn Rees Virtual Assistant www.lynnreesva.co.uk 11 St Margrets Road, Plymouth

Holiday Staff www.willmottdixon.co.uk Aperture, Pynes Hill House, Exeter

www.holidaystaff.co.uk 7 Trevanna Road, Kingsbridge

Hayley Starling 9 Cowick Road, Exeter

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

23

CHAMBER NEWS Plymouth Design

CRM365 Solutions Ltd

Flat 8, Edgecumbe Court, Plymouth

www.crm365solutions.co.uk Po Box 123, Brixham

Steve Evans Illustration 14 Gleneagle Road, Plymouth optl www.optlea.com Water Edge, Lower Street, Dittisham

Sekoya Specialist Employment Services

Coast & Country Cottages

www.sekoya.com 79 Higher Bore Street, Bodmin

www.coastandcountry.co.uk Hannafords Landing, Island Street, Salcombe

Leatfield Ltd

Miranda Hackett Flowers

Leatfield Drive, Plymouth

www.pizza-planet.co.uk 20 Mill Street, Kinsbridge

Plymouth Jobs www.plymouthjobs.co.uk Millfields Business Centre, Plymouth

Global Finance TQR (Total Quality Recrutiment)

12 Corberry Avenue, Exmouth

Memento Vita

TJVA

www.tqr.co.uk 9 The Crescent, Plymouth

STED Interiors Limited

www.mementovita.co.uk 75 Station Road, Plymouth

www.tjva.co.uk 20 Lake View Drive, Plymouth

Matrix ER/HR Ltd

www.sted-interiors.com 67 Lake View Drive, Plymouth

Fusion of Power Ltd

Big Results Training

matrixerhr.com Trevellas, Main Road, Downderry

ASC Finance for Business

www.fusionofpower.com 11 Barn Owl Close, Torquay

www.bigresults-training.com 23 Higher Drive, Dawlish

Crowded Space Drones

Axe Valley Accountancy Ltd www.axevalleyaccountancy.co.uk 3 Swan Road, Seaton

20 Southernay West, Exeter

WillSecure Limited

Your Digital Solutions (Devon) Ltd

www.willsecure.co.uk 119 Market Jew Street, Penzance

www.ydsdevon.co.uk 3rd Floor, 84 Union Street, Torquay

Colebrook Foot Clinic

Print Copy Scan Limited

www.colebrook.clinic 12 A Colebrook Road, Plymouth

www.printcopyscan.co.uk Unit 6 Darklake Park, Estover

52 York Place, Plymouth

Ice Warrior Expeditions Ltd

Gun Show Plymouth 6B Dascoyne Place, Plymouth

Vacancy Atlas 19 Turret Grove, Plymouth

www.ice-warrior.com Basecamp, Tavistock Road, Princetown

Dawes Accountants

Highway to L

www.mccaren-aia.co.uk Floor 2, 26 Lockyer Street, Plymouth

www.dawesaccountants.co.uk 95 Queens Street, Newton Abbot

www.highwaytolplymouth.co.uk 23 St. Georges Avenue, Plymouth

Age UK Plymouth

Bee@one Coaching

Cox and Co Salon

115 Byron Way, Exmouth

www.cox-and-co-salon.business. site 33 Foxwood gardens, Plymouth

www.crowdedspacedrones.com Plymouth

The Original Pasty House

The Lighting People Limited

www.pastyhouse.co.uk Bedford House, Tavistock

www.lightpeople.co.uk Suite 127, Bridge House, Taunton

Brooklands HR

Little Orchard Montessori Nurseries Ltd www.littleorchardmontessori.co.uk The Old School Room, Sparkwell

Sawdye & Harris www.sawdyeandharris.co.uk The Dartmoor Office, 19 East Street, Ashburton

Positively Flourishing www.positivelyflourishing.co 5 Cedar Court, Rockbeare, Exeter

DDC Scaffolding LTD Torquay

McCaren Design Ltd

www.ageukplymouth.org.uk The William and Patricia Venton Centre, Mount Gould

Urban Agenda SW Flat 1, 52 Headland Park, Plymouth

JH AV Ltd Audax Global Solutions Ltd

Claire Perry Virtual Assistant

www.audaxsecurity.co.uk 16 Mary Seacole Road, Plymouth

www.claireperryva.co.uk 48 Woodfield Crescent, Ivybridge

Horizon Counselling Ltd

bthechange

www.horizonplymouth.co.uk 3rd floor, 3 The Crescent, Plymouth

www.bthechange.org.uk The Generator, 11 - 15 Dixs’ Field, Exeter

Swatpro Academy www.swatproacademy.org.uk Unit 6, First Floor Offices, 6 Marsh Green Road North, Exeter

Pin and Pose www.pinandpose.co.uk 14 Barne Road, Plymouth

HSW Resources

www.uploy.co.uk 29 Southey Lane, Kingskerswell

24

Fair Winds Mortgages www.fairwindsmortgages.co.uk 7 Harlech Close, Plymouth

White Oak

Nellie PR www.nelliepr.co.uk Pynes Hill Business Centre, Exeter

www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/laura. jackson 117 Healy Place, Plymouth

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

www.whiteoakuk.com Dee House, St. David’s Park, Flintshire

The HR Dept Mike Lister Photography

HSE Professional Services Ltd www.hseps.co.uk 41 Bethel Place, St Austell

Veg Box Fresh vegboxfresh.co.uk Majorie Court, Burraton Road, Saltash

21 D Enfeild Road, Torquay

Travel Counsellors Uploy

www.jhav.co.uk Unit 1, Trethawle Farm, Liskeard

www.mikelisterphotography.co.uk

www.hrdept.co.uk/torbay-andivybridge

11 Station Road, Plymouth

1 Myrtle Cottages, South Hams

The Back and Beyond

Dr Emily Beaumont

34 Mutley Plain, Plymouth

30 Torland Road, Plymouth

pirkx Ltd www.pirkx.com 6 Queen Street, Leeds

CHAMBER NEWS Actualise Marketing

Link & Bloom

John Gorman & Associates

Ambition Growth Network

9A Stonehall Flats, Plymouth

www.linkandbloom.com

www.JohnGormanAssociates.co.uk Coombe Rise, Torquay

HW Language Services

Igneous Interactive

www.ambitiongrowthnetwork.co.uk 21 Faraday Mill Business Park, Plymouth

www.hwlanguageservices.co.uk Camaret, Fremington Road, Seaton

www.igneousinteractive.co.uk Plymouth

Let Lucy Help

Peregrine Risk Management

www.letlucyhelp.co.uk 12 Piper Street, Plymouth

Office 7 Thrive Hubs, Plymouth

KARGO DESIGN

FirstCare South West Limited

Outdoor Fitness Concepts

www.kargodesign.co.uk Plymouth Science Park

www.firstcaresw.co.uk 23 St Georges Avenue, Plymouth

www.outdoorfitnessconcepts.com 5 Sandy Court, Plymouth

Precious Canines

Boomerang Marketing Consultants Ltd www.ecopromogifts.co.uk/ boomerang Primrose Cottage, Broadclyst, Exeter

IP Office Ltd www.ipofficegroup.co.uk Silverdown Office Park, Exeter

Kristiina Gwynne www.businessperformancecoack.co 11 St Grabrials Avenue, Plymouth

Granny Gothards www.grannygothards.co.uk The Ice Pod, Ethmar Court, Willand

54 Dolphine Square, Plymouth

Keen to Connect

DB Fitness and Nutrition Ltd

Quay Media Ltd

www.db.fit Unit 1 Broadley Court, Plymouth

www.quay.media 84 Union Street, Torquay

www.keentoconnect.org Base Point Business Centre, Yeoford Way, Exeter

Urgent Health UK Ltd

Rack rocket Ltd

www.urgenthealthuk.com 154 Palace Meadow, Chudleigh

www.rackrocket.com Plymouth Science Park

Strategic priorities Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce sets strategic priorities to guide its lobbying activity and how we support our members.

Below is an outline of our priorities we have recently set.

We’ll be updating our members with more details on how we’ll achieve these objectives in the coming months and the next edition of Profile.

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

25

CHAMBER NEWS

The firm is committed to recruiting and retaining the very best people

Thomas Westcott announced as Chamber Patrons Leading South West firm Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants has been announced as an official Patron of Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

The independent accountancy practice has 17 offices across Devon and Somerset and has played a prominent role in helping businesses improve their financial resilience in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thomas Westcott’s position as a Chamber Patron reflects its status as a regional leader and a supporter of thousands of businesses in the South West.

Patrons of the Chamber are some of the best-known and respected names in the business community. They are woven into the Chamber’s extensive lobbying activities and become one of the region’s principal voices.

Shona Godefroy, Managing Partner of Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants, said: “Becoming a Patron of Devon & Plymouth Chamber is a huge honour and a reflection of our commitment the region’s business community.

“Thomas Westcott has the largest network of accountancy offices in the South West, offering a wide range of sector and service specialisms to businesses, large and small.

With 28 partners and more than 250 staff operating from 17 offices, we have supported a diverse range of businesses and individuals for more than 30 years. Throughout that time

26

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

have remained passionate about supporting the communities in which we live and work.

“Our priority is to continue to support businesses across the South West and play a leading role in the future of the region.

“We see our Patronage of the Chamber as an important step in achieving this.”

Thomas Westcott’s role during the 2020 pandemic has seen it contribute heavily to the Chamber’s output, taking part in several of the Chamber Live virtual events dispensing invaluable advice on managing finances, and in particular cash flow, in the face of unprecedented conditions.

The Thomas Westcott team has also contributed in-depth articles to the Chamber’s Profile magazine designed to help business leaders, as well as useful bitesized advice aimed at start-ups covering accountancy and tax in the inaugural Small Business Toolkit.

Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Elford said: “I am grateful to Thomas Westcott for the way its team have helped dozens of our members with financial matters in the Covid-19 crisis.

“It has served to illustrate the sheer breadth of the team’s knowledge and their

position as Patron underlines just what an asset they are and will continue to be to our region’s businesses.

“Our Patrons play a unique role in developing the future of our region and the Chamber is far stronger with Thomas Westcott’s support and Patronage.”

Thomas Westcott acts for a wide variety of clients ranging from individual tax return cases to businesses operating in local, national and international markets.

The firm is committed to recruiting and retaining the very best people, ensuring clients receive outstanding, highlycustomised service.

Thomas Westcott Director Adam Croney added: “We believe the South West is one of the best places to do business, with so many reasons to celebrate.

“We are genuinely excited to be part of so many innovative organisations and helping them grow and be part of their journey.

“Together with the Chamber we believe that in the months and years ahead we will be able to build a brighter future for business and make the South West an even more enterprising region than it already is.”

By Your Side. On Your Side.

Meet our team

Shona Godefroy Shona is Managing Partner and Head of Audit & Assurance. She has over 25 years of audit experience and considerable knowledge of corporate and charitable organisations and a cross section of different industries.

Ian Pring Ian is a Chartered Tax Adviser and Partner who advises on business and corporate tax matters, and specialises in property taxes with a particular interest in SDLT, providing ongoing tax support to other property professionals.

Iain Andrews

Jon Mitchell

Iain is a Partner and Head of Financial Planning.

He and his team advise private clients on wealth management, tax planning, retirement planning and insurance as well as providing investment advice.

Jon is a partner and head of our Business Recovery & Insolvency Department and has considerable experience in working with companies, individuals and stakeholders in all areas of Corporate and Personal Insolvency.

Alison Watts

Adam Croney

Alison is our Corporate Finance Director, who for the last 20 years has worked with directors and business owners advising on finance raising, acquisitions and exit strategies.

Adam is a Director who has nearly a decade of experience in supporting clients of varying types and sizes from charities and non-profits, to owner managed businesses and large listed groups.

01392 288555 www.thomaswestcott.co.uk Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

27

CHAMBER UPDATE

Thousands to help your staff travel more sustainably Grants of up to £25,000 are now available to businesses in Plymouth for measures that help their staff travel more sustainably to, from and while at work.

The cash forms part of the Plymouth City Council’s Productive Plymouth Programme for sustainable transport measures.

The Workplace Travel Grants Scheme is making £750,000 available to local businesses to boost productivity through investing in infrastructure that helps employees travel sustainably.

The kind of measures that could receive funding include: • Providing secure cycle parking • Introducing pool bikes • Installing workplace shower facilities • Establishing electric vehicle charging points • But the bids aren’t limited to these areas and the Council is open to innovative proposals that specifically reflect how the business operates. The Council can contribute a maximum of 75 per cent of the scheme costs.

Purple Flag Even during a global pandemic and a tough time for the night-time economy, businesses, staff and partners have ensured Plymouth’s nightlife remains vibrant, exciting and safe - and are flying the purple flag again to prove it.

The ‘Purple Flag’ accreditation is given to cities and towns that meet or surpass the standards of excellence in managing its

28

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Travelling sustainably means meeting business needs whilst being mindful of the impact on the environment. A sustainable approach has many local benefits including reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality and healthier lifestyles.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure said: “Although a greater number of us are working from home, the workplace travel grants come at a crucial time in Plymouth’s recovery when we are all collectively establishing new ways of working, and we want to provide the practical and financial help to get businesses moving again.

“The Council have provided workplace travel grants in the past, through the Plymotion programme, and we were really impressed with the innovative proposals that businesses presented.

“We know that businesses are best placed to know what transport issues they face, and we’re pleased that we can work with them to overcome these challenges. This will not only help boost local business, but also helps the Council reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.”

Successful applicants will be supported by the Council’s Plymotion at Your Workplace personalised travel planning team to help them get the maximum impact from the grant.

Applications from businesses are now open and full details are available online at www.bit.ly/3lbR6Np. The closing date for applications for the 2020/21 programme is Friday 15 January 2021 and all schemes funded this year must be delivered by mid-March.

evening and night-time economy.

The city was assessed on elements such as community, entertainment, partnership working, transport (including pedestrian routes, lighting and parking), identity and much more. The panel were really impressed with the renewal application and that Plymouth would be used as an example of best practice of renewal completion to other

areas.

Partners have worked closely to ensure businesses in the evening and night-time economy have been supported during this difficult time.

Additional guidance has been provided on a regular basis to ensure everyone is clear on how to comply with the legislation and reopen their businesses safely and successfully.

CHAMBER UPDATE

Exeter Airport receives £1m bailout to stave off threat of closure

Made in Devon will set your business apart

Councillor Rufus Gilbert

Exeter Airport is to receive a £1million bailout from East Devon District Council to stave off a “worst-case scenario” of closure.

A combination of the collapse of the Flybe airline in early 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic and its restrictions have hit the airport hard with passenger numbers down 90% year-onyear.

There are now fears for its future and East Devon District Council has leapt in to approve a package of measures to support the ailing airport. These include a further deferral of £180,000 of business rates relief, forward-funding the airport’s share of the Long Lane road enhancement scheme to the tune of nearly £750,000, and to endorse the concept of a sustainable aviation cluster centred on Exeter Airport.

Project director Andrew Wood, in his report to the council’s cabinet put forward the recommendation and said the airport had probably been the business most impacted of any in the district by coronavirus, particularly given the collapse of Flybe.

He said: “The package of support is in place for the airport to help counteract the impact of the lockdown, promote recovery and chart a course to a more sustainable future. It is not possible to say categorically that the package of support outlined in this report will stave off the threat facing the airport, is not a cure,

and won’t address the totality of issues they face, but it will help to cushion the impact of the pandemic and we hope it is more than a gesture.

“The most obvious alternative option would be not to provide any form of public sectorbacked support. The airport does, though, face an existential threat currently. In the worst case scenario the airport would close.

“This would lead to further large-scale job closures, reduce business rates revenues and also diminish the connectivity of the region.”

When Flybe, which accounted for 75% of the passengers numbers at the airport, went into administration on March 5, it led to the loss of 931 jobs. This was followed by the coronavirus crisis with passenger numbers down by 94% during August.

Mr Wood added: “The package of support is in place for the airport to help counteract the impact of the lockdown, promote recovery and chart a course to a more sustainable future.

“Passenger numbers at the Airport in May 2019 were 97,000 and in May 2020 the equivalent figure was just nine. From the beginning of the financial year to the end of the July passenger numbers dropped by 99.5% compared to the same period last year.

“The flying programme continues to be further impacted by the uncertainties around quarantine restrictions.”

If you own a business in Devon and want to build on your reputation for producing quality, locally-made goods, the Made in Devon scheme can help showcase what you have to offer.

Made in Devon is part of Trading Standards’ Buy With Confidence scheme, which guarantees that members trade in an honest and fair way.

The new scheme is being launched just as trust in locallymade products is at an all-time high, with more people than ever before choosing to ‘shop local’.

During the first lockdown, demand for local produce and products increased with 41 per cent choosing to shop locally more regularly than they did before the pandemic, while almost half (46 per cent) said that they were ‘motivated’ to support local businesses.

Made in Devon allows businesses, who sell directly to customers, to promote the quality and origin of their products – helping them to tap into a desire from consumers to support local businesses during a time of economic uncertainty.

By being a paid-up member, that business would be able to show that the products they sell, and any claims they make about its origin,

have been thoroughly vetted, checked and certified by Trading Standards.

Businesses wishing to join are assessed to ensure that they and their products meet the qualifying criteria; that their goods are actually made in Devon and that the component parts of products or ingredients of foods are sourced from within the county.

Membership also provides local businesses with a full audit, including a full review of their complaints history, access to legal and trading advice and business support from an awardwinning trading standards team.

Additionally, their business will be listed on the Buy With Confidence website with their details publicly available in directories circulated by partners.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills said: “There are hundreds of businesses in Devon that produce high-quality locallymade goods and over the past six months, we have seen how local residents and visitors want to help Devon’s economy get back on its feet by supporting them.

“Made in Devon will consolidate Devon’s reputation as a quality tourism destination where local people, products and skills all contribute to the local economy.”

For more information, visit the Made in Devon website: www. devonsomersettradingstandards. gov.uk/made-in-devon

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

29

MAYFLOWER 400

Modern-day Mayflower’s

crewless cruise The Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) was officially named during a special ceremony in Plymouth on the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

A ceremonial bottle of Plymouth Gin was poured on the ship, before representatives from America, Holland and the UK gave speeches.

They included the US Ambassador to the UK, Robert Wood Johnson, in the presence of the Dutch Ambassador, Karel van Oosterom, and the First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin.

The future of oceanography, MAS will transform ocean science, enabling scientists to gather the data they need to better understand critical issues including global warming, ocean plastic pollution and marine mammal conservation.

The ship has been built by marine research organisation ProMare and is based at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth, with IBM acting as technology partner.

Robert Wood Johnson, said: “Four centuries after the famous Mayflower voyage across the Atlantic, the US and the UK are once again setting sail from Plymouth to make history.

“American and British scientists have collaborated to launch a new autonomous Mayflower ship powered by the most cuttingedge artificial intelligence ever known.

“As we embark on this new era of marine exploration together, it could not be clearer: in America and Britain, the pioneering spirit of the original Mayflower Pilgrims lives on.”

Karel van Oosterom said: “As the Netherlands, we have always been proud of our maritime history and religious tolerance.

“The story of the Mayflower is part of our history. It highlights the longstanding ties we have with the four nations commemorating,

30

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

but also reflects what we stand for today.

“As a trading nation and partner in development, the Netherlands has a leading role in developing creative, innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges.

“The launch of the ‘new’ Mayflower is a great example of innovation, both in the field of security and science.

“Together with the UK – as well as other countries - we work together to contribute to a safer and more sustainable world.

“Our presence here today, as well as our joint maritime activities in Plymouth are an example of this cooperation.”

Adrian Vinken, Chair of Mayflower 400, added: “It’s fitting that this radical pioneering vessel should receive the Mayflower name 400 years to the day that her namesake left on her original world-changing journey.

“It’s the perfect way to start this year of national and international cultural activities and collaboration.”

The ship launch is a key futurefacing moment in Plymouth’s Mayflower 400 programme.

It represents the strength of Plymouth’s marine sector, an engine of growth and regeneration for the city.

Andy Stanford-Clark, Chief Technology Officer at IBM UK & Ireland, said: “Able to scan the horizon for possible hazards, make informed decisions and change its course based on a fusion of live data, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship has more in common with a modern bank than its 17th century namesake.

“With its ability to keep running in the face of the most challenging conditions, this small ship is a microcosm for every aspiring 21st century business.”

Follow the journey of the new Mayflower To enable followers around the world to stay updated with MAS as it undertakes its various missions, IBM and ProMare have launched a new interactive web portal.

Built by IBM iX, the business design arm of IBM Services, the MAS400 portal is designed to provide real-time updates about the ship’s location, environmental conditions and data from its various research projects.

Live weather data will be streamed from The Weather Company, as MAS is receiving forecast data and insight from the new IBM Weather Operations Center.

The portal even features a seven-armed, stowaway octopus chatbot called Artie, who claims to be hitching a ride on the ship.

Powered by IBM Watson Assistant technology and created in partnership with European start-up Chatbotbay, Artie has been trained to provide information about MAS and its adventures in a lively, and accessible format.

Fredrik Soreide, Scientific Director of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship project and Board Member of ProMare, added: “MAS400. com is one of the most advanced ocean mission web portals ever built.

“Protecting the ocean depends on our ability to engage the public in important matters affecting its health. This MAS400 portal is designed to do exactly that and tell people where the ship is, what speed it’s travelling at, what conditions it’s operating in and what science we are conducting.

“Users can even help Artie the Octopus fish out surgical masks, cigarette butts and other increasingly common forms of ocean litter from a virtual ocean of facts and data.”

SECTOR FOCUS: FINANCE

SECTOR FOCUS TEN SMALL STEPS

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE REGION’S LEADING SECTORS

towards cloud accounting As businesses adapt to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, most are looking to drive efficiencies. One way to streamline processes and adapt to new ways of working is to digitise finance systems, says Adam Croney, Director at Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants.

One stand-out lesson for me from the pandemic has been that those businesses which had already adopted cloud accounting generally fared much better under the restrictions. Though there are many benefits (security, time and cost savings and having access to real-time data), the dramatic move to remote working has perhaps now become the key driver If your business has not yet fully embraced cloud accounting, there are a number of small steps you can take to reap some of the benefits.

1. Move to a cloud-based finance system A cloud-based finance system means you can do business from anywhere and monitor everything remotely. This is crucial if your entire staff is working remotely, but enabling your finance team to work remotely creates more options if you need to limit the number of employees on site.

2. Consider data capture and retrieval tools There are a growing number of tools that allow you to retrieve data automatically, using optical character recognition. More businesses are now also using data capture tools, which automatically input into the finance system. This relatively cheap technology removes the need to have someone on site inputting supplier invoices, which can be a huge efficiency saving.

3. Automate your credit control processes Getting cash into the business is a priority, but particularly in challenging times. There is a range of digital tools to manage credit control and help prevent late payments. These automated systems are very sophisticated so businesses can send personalised payment reminders.

4. Research digital payment processing tools Many SMEs are now using digital payment processing tools, which fully integrate with cloud accounting systems.

Moving to such a system can make it much easier to receive payments and can improve your customers’ experience.

5. Track your time and costs digitally Many service businesses, from solicitors to beauty salons, use systems to track their employees’ time and accurately cost work.

Most digital time-tracking software can now be integrated with finance systems to accurately track costs. This can provide really insightful data, demonstrating where profit is being made and identifying any losses.

At a time when businesses need, more than ever, to reduce any waste, such a system could help you to understand which products or services are making money and where the growth opportunities are.

6. Check the quality of your data If you want to make important decisions about the future direction of the business based on data, you really need to ensure that data is as accurate as possible. There are a number of cloud-based tools that check the quality of your data, highlighting duplication and other potential errors.

7. Digitise staff expenses Administering staff expenses with a paper-based or email system is a huge time waster, both for the finance team and the employees who are claiming.

The move to home working has made these more traditional systems even more cumbersome. Moving to a cloudbased expenses system would be a quick efficiency saving for any business.

8. Adopt a cloud-based approach to inventory management A tight and efficient stock management system is crucial when cash is tight. Having an inventory management and stock reporting system that integrates with the cloud can enable you to constantly track which products are making money for the business.

9. Explore integrated payroll and HR systems With the introduction and evolution of the furlough scheme and the surge in remote working, 2020 has been a difficult year for anyone involved in payroll.

Businesses with cloud-based payroll and HR systems have been better able to adapt to changing Government support and to staff being off site.

10. Think about what else your staff could be doing Adopting some or all of these new approaches could significantly free up time within your business. With less administration, could your employees be contributing in a more impactful and meaningful way, working on more valuedriven tasks?

It is certainly something to think about.

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

31

SECTOR FOCUS: PROPERTY

Old Millennium nudged into new era The former Millennium building - a landmark building on Plymouth’s Union

part in Union Street’s revival.

Phil Davies, the Rank Foundation’s

Community Builders isn’t about the past; it is firmly rooted in an optimistic view of

Street – has been bought by community

Associate Director for Plymouth said: “Rank

the future – one in which the continued

benefit society Nudge, in partnership with

has close historical ties to the Millennium

regeneration of buildings in Union Street

Eat Work Art.

building, dating back to the early 1940s when

supports community cohesion, helps to

This building, which has been standing

Rank acquired Gaumont cinemas – of which

deliver better community activities and

empty for 15 years, was built in 1931 as The

Plymouth’s Gaumont Palace was one, before

services, and in so doing helps to reverse

Gaumont Palace and has been a dance hall,

it became the Top Rank Entertainment Centre

both social and economic decline.

roller disco and much-loved nightclub.

in the 1960s.

Hannah Sloggett, Nudge Co-Director, said:

“Indeed, it was the wealth from Rank’s film

“Nudge’s successful redevelopment of ‘The Clipper’ and ‘The Plot’ should give us all

“We bought the building because it is too

companies which has enabled the Foundation

confidence that the Millennium building can

important to our community to be standing

to make charitable grants for over sixty

be brought back to life as a wonderful asset

empty. Taking on a major building on the

years.”

for the community.”

street was always part of our plan, it’s taken a

“But Rank’s financial support for Nudge

long time with lots of twists and turns.”

Nudge were able to buy the building with the support of the Rank Foundation and Power to Change. Both funders have been supporting social enterprises and community businesses to thrive in the city thanks to the ongoing work of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network.

Nudge and Eat Work Art take a similar approach to breathing life back into buildings. They pledge to open it up for a mix of temporary and commercial uses as soon as possible.

The organisations say they will then test out what could work, and build up to investing in what is needed to get the building back into long-term sustainable use. Look out for events and opportunities to support the project over the coming months.

They say they will experiment within current guidelines to see if there is still a gap in the market in the city for a medium-sized venue.

Nudge will be running a community share offer next year to give local people the opportunity to invest in the project and play a

Bike scheme expands in Exeter The expansion of Exeter’s Co Bikes, the UK’s first on-street city electric bike hire

and outside Chapel Platt Surgery in Topsham.

The new locations are part of Devon

campus, the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus, Digby & Sowton train station, RD&E

scheme, continues with three new dockless

County Council’s plans to increase access

Hospital main entrance, Cranbrook and

sites for the city.

to walking and cycling as a result of the

Heavitree High Street.

The new stations, which need no fixed infrastructure for bikes to be locked into, are

coronavirus pandemic.

Existing Co Bikes sites include St David’s

being trialled at the junction of Magdalen

Station, Central Station, County Hall, Civic

Road and College Road, in Digby Park & Ride

Centre, University of Exeter’s St Luke’s

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

And more are planned with sites on Sidwell Street, and in St Thomas due to open before the end of the year.

SECTOR FOCUS: PROPERTY

Business park set to expand further One of Plymouth’s highly-successful international business parks is to be

office units.

leasehold basis. The Council has committed

The development will be highly

to spending locally as much as possible

expanded to allow more businesses to set

sustainable incorporating solar panels, EV

under the Spend 4 Plymouth pillar of its

up there.

charging points, high levels of insulation,

Resurgam recovery programme.

The green light has been given for planning permission to develop an acre plot at the Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park in Derriford.

efficient heating, solar reflective glass and a sustainable drainage system.

A team from the Council worked

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “Now, more than ever, we need to be confident and encourage our businesses to stay,

alongside Plymouth-based companies,

thrive and succeed here. We set out a

Permission has been granted to build

Bailey Partnership and partners Airey and

case for this scheme which could create

light industrial and office units on a site off

Coles, to develop the design and progress

or support around 56 full-time jobs once

William Prance Road on what used to be

it through the planning process. Local

it is ready and we know there is ongoing

part of Seaton Barracks.

company John Grimes Partnership also

demand for good modern and flexible

carried out the geo technical work.

business space.”

The approval is for two buildings for light industrial and office space. Block one

The project will be going out to tender

comprises four units with mezzanine space

over the next month for a main contractor

include The Peninsula Radiology Academy,

Organisations already based at the park

above which could be either independent

to design and build the development. The

Biovault Technical, the UK’s leading and

office space or storage space. Block 2

build is expected to last around a year

largest private tissue bank and K2 Medical

comprises six separate but connectable

with units available from Spring 2022 on a

Systems.

New development revealed for Union Street

Plans for a new development for Plymouth’s Union Street has been revealed by the Millfields Community Economic Development Trust.

The Trust has engaged architects and structural engineers to work on plans for a new building which could include housing, but also flexible work space, a youth enterprise area, health and wellbeing centre, community open space and a hotel and cafe.

Plans are at an early stage but such a building has been on the Millfields Trust’s wish list for years, since the 2015 opening of the award-winning Genesis office block.

The new building would sit between that and the Aldi supermarket on land which is currently used as a car park.

The trust is hoping for feedback from local residents and businesses via its website www.millfieldstrust.com

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

33

SECTOR FOCUS: LEGAL

Company directors no longer protected for wrongful trading Soon after the economic lockdown began, the Government introduced legislation assisting directors to battle the financial effects of the coronavirus.

By Nash & Co Solicitor’s Commercial Dispute Resolution team The suspension of what is known as wrongful trading was a key part in this battle; directors should not continue to trade when a company is insolvent. Robust businesses were suffering badly at the start of the pandemic, and this measure was seen as an important step. This suspension expired on September 30. It’s now really important that directors are aware of the implications should their company become insolvent.

When is your company ‘insolvent’?

liable for wrongful trading in one of several ways.

This is not always clear. However, as you’d expect, insolvency will arise where a company can no longer afford to meet its financial liabilities. A company will be considered insolvent if any of these conditions are met:

Firstly, if you continue to allow the company to trade. But also, if you are found not to have taken every reasonable step to reduce the risk to creditors. This may mean suspending credit accounts, not entering into further transactions or seeking to agree payment plans with creditors.

•

To satisfy a statutory demand. This is a formal demand made by a creditor for a debt which is not disputed. If your company does not pay the demand within 21 days the creditor is free to petition for the company’s insolvency.

Finally, directors will be found liable if they have continued trading with the intent to defraud creditors.

The next steps

•

Failure to satisfy enforced rights. This is where creditors seek to enforce their contractual rights (often where debts have been secured against company assets) but the rights are not satisfied.

Given that this suspension has now been lifted, directors should stop and take everything into account. They need to consider their own liabilities if their company is in financial difficulties.

•

Cash flow insolvency, where the debts of a company cannot be paid on time.

We’d strongly suggest that directors should consider the following practical measures:

•

Balance sheet insolvency. This is where the liabilities of a Company exceed its assets.

•

Ensure an accurate and comprehensive record is kept of all decision making. This should include any board minutes. This is one way to show that the company’s financial health is regularly considered. And also appropriate steps, in line with a director’s duties, are being taken.

•

Flag any concerns you have concerning the company’s financial health with fellow directors and the company’s accountants.

•

Seek legal advice on your own position, if the company is going to enter either administration or insolvency.

What is wrongful trading?

Where a company enters the process of either liquidation or administration, the conduct of the directors will be examined.

Those directors who continued to trade after entering an insolvency process, are likely to be liable for wrongful trading.

Any directors found liable, can be held personally responsible for the company’s debts.

How can a director be found liable of wrongful trading?

As a director, you owe various duties to your company. If you identify (or even if you should have identified) that the company has become insolvent, you owe a duty to promote the success of the shareholders and the company’s creditors.

Ultimately, if the company is insolvent, priority will need to be given the creditor’s interests. In such circumstances, a director may become

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Do bear in mind that resigning your post the moment the situation deteriorates is unlikely to protect you. This will not remove any liability you may have for the period that you were a director. There is also a risk that you breach your director duties if you are seen to be ‘abandoning the ship’.

If you are concerned about your company’s position and would like to discuss your own liabilities, please contact Nash & Co Solicitors’ Commercial Dispute Resolution team on 01752 827014 or via email at cdr@nash.co.uk

SECTOR FOCUS: LEGAL

Young lawyers join experienced Family team at Nash Nash & Co Solicitors’ Family team have been bolstered with the news that Rhianna Greenley has qualified as a Solicitor, and Chelsea McVicker has become a Chartered Legal Executive after completing her training.

It means Nash now has one of the most experienced and largest Family teams in the area.

Jon Loney, Managing Partner, said: “We’re delighted that Rhianna and Chelsea have both done so well. Not only does it demonstrate their commitment, it also shows that as a firm, we’re not afraid to invest in our young lawyers and ensure that they have the time and support necessary to qualify. We’re very proud of them both.

“Our Family team will continue to reap the benefits of having two dedicated, hardworking and approachable young lawyers.”

Nash & Co have continued to recruit and invest in lawyers over recent months, and still have three of the team progressing through the CILEX route.

Arguably the biggest challenge for ecommerce businesses after Brexit ‘From January 1, 2021, any online UK businesses which target customers within EEA jurisdictions, will need to comply with local laws specific to online commerce’, writes Suzie Miles of Ashfords.

Currently cross-border operation of online business in the UK and EEA is protected by the EU eCommerce Directive.

The Directive allows online businesses to operate anywhere in the EEA (e.g. to provide goods and services via the internet, to recipients right across the EEA) while only requiring the business to comply with the laws of the country in which it is established.

A place of establishment means a fixed establishment where the business carries out its economic activities over an indefinite period.

After the end of the Brexit transition period, UK businesses will no longer benefit from this protection.

This means that in order to continue offering goods and services online within EEA countries, UK businesses will be

required to:

within all relevant EEA countries.

•

Comply with local laws applicable to the “coordinated fields,” in every jurisdiction that it operates. The “co-ordinated fields” of legislation cover online information, online advertising, online shopping and online contracting.

•

Obtain prior authorisation if operating in certain regulated fields, for example in the financial services sector.

Ashfords has established a network of trusted partner firms within the EEA, which facilitates the sharing of local legal updates. If you need any advice on what changes you may need to make to your online business, please contact Suzie Miles on (0)117 321 8058 or via email at s.miles@ ashfords.co.uk

The deadline for making any necessary changes is fast approaching. In order to avoid business disruption, it is important that online businesses take steps to identify any divergences between applicable UK laws and the laws of any EEA countries in which it operates.

As an indication, it may be necessary to make changes to the information provided to customers about the goods and services available via a website or platform, or to update customer terms and conditions.

Going forward, it will also be important to keep abreast of new legal developments

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

35

SECTOR FOCUS: SKILLS

Industry placements can benefit youngsters AND your business

Local businesses can take advantage of an exciting opportunity from City College Plymouth, where students gain a direct insight into the workplace through the Industry Placements programme.

These industry placements will support the future delivery of T Levels, new level 3 technical courses for 16 to 19-year-olds that have been designed by employers.

An industry placement provides a longer, more structured placement in the workplace of 315 hours (approximately 45-50 days) for young people to develop real work skills and make a meaningful contribution to an organisation.

Skills areas involved in the programme include a wide range of industries such as business, catering, construction, engineering and manufacturing, creative and design, digital, education and childcare, hair and beauty, and many more.

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

Work experience is an important facilitator for young people entering, and succeeding, in the workplace; around two-thirds (65%) of employers reported that relevant work experience was a critical or significant factor when taking on (any aged) recruit.

That is why the Department for Education (DfE) made a commitment that all 16 to 19-year-old students following a new technical education route will be entitled to a quality industry placement to arm them with the technical skills they need to give them the best possible chance for entering skilled employment.

During the present climate of uncertainty faced by businesses, City College Plymouth is seeking to work in partnership with employers to help make a meaningful contribution to an organisation and support the current and future workforce.

Industry placements give an organisation: • fresh ideas and input from the next generation • a talent pipeline for the future such as entry-level jobs or Apprenticeships • a way to fill skills gaps • a chance for staff to develop supervisory and mentoring skills • an enhanced reputation in your community The Government has now launched an industry placement support site which has a wealth of further information for employers: www.employerindustryplacements.co.uk For more information, contact the College’s Business Engagement Team at employers@cityplym.ac.uk. Enquiries will be shared with the College’s Industry Placement Officer, Emma Hooper.

SECTOR FOCUS: SKILLS

“This is a complete retrain for me, coming from my previous career in the NHS.”

Babcock welcomes

record number of recruits to Devonport site Babcock International Group, the Aerospace and Defence company, has welcomed more than 300 new apprentices and graduates at Devonport Royal Dockyard - its largest ever intake.

The 156 apprentices and 161 graduates will support a variety of projects and business areas at Devonport, from the Life Extension Programme on various frigates and submarines, to advanced manufacturing.

The apprentice roles are varied, from welders, fabricators and pipe workers, to electrical fitters, mechanical fitters and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinists, while the graduates are filling a wide range of posts, including mechanical, electrical, process and civil engineers, naval architects and project managers.

Paul Foster, Managing Director for

Devonport Royal Dockyard, is also new in post and started recently. He said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to welcome so many apprentices and graduates to Devonport, especially at a time of such turbulence.

“Being a recent recruit, too, I’m sure they share my sense of pride in joining a business with such a great legacy and an exciting future. Our people make the difference, and I look forward to seeing the development of these young people as their careers progress.”

The apprentices and graduates undertook a thorough application process, including online testing and virtual interviews due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alyssa Davies, sailmaker apprentice, added: “As an older apprentice this is a complete retrain for me, coming from my

previous career in the NHS. “I want to start my new career specifically with Babcock because it has a good reputation, along with an incredible training package and brilliant career prospects. I just can’t wait for my first day in the workshop learning my new trade.”

Graduate mechanical engineer Abby Heath-Sawyers talked of her excitement at joining Babcock, saying: “I couldn’t wait to join Babcock because it provides an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers experience in so many different business areas.

“I am most looking forward to rotating placements around the company and learning as much as possible to aid me in my personal and professional development, and carrying out important and meaningful work with visible and impactful results.”

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

37

SECTOR FOCUS: WELLBEING

Highlighting the stresses and strains of working in a virtual environment The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to work from home, and has made many more re-evaluate the way in which we approach our daily lives personally and professionally. Here, Jacqui Shaw, Director of Coralline Health Limited, looks at how employers can support their staff...

With the UK now battling a second wave of coronavirus, and many workers back working from home, how employers can support – long-term – the mental and emotional health of their remote virtual teams is becoming a pressing health and wellbeing issue.

A highly informative webinar, ‘The stresses and strains of working in a virtual environment – a clinical perspective’, organised by health insurer WPA, brought together two clinical psychiatrists, Dr Dominic de Souza and Dr Filippo Passetti, to discuss the health and wellbeing challenges posed by virtual working, from ‘Zoom fatigue’ through to the risks of burnout, presenteeism, and carving out a sustainable home-office worklife balance.

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

It highlighted that: • With home working now set to be a long-term, perhaps even permanent, transition for many, it is imperative that employers are putting in place strategies and tools for supporting the mental and emotional health of their teams.

• There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution.

It’s important that employers prioritise individualised solutions for both employees and their organisation.

The prospect of suddenly having to work from home was something many of us imagined would be little more than a temporary adjustment to a one-off public health emergency. However, nine months on it is clear virtual or remote working will be with us for many months yet, and may even become a permanent transition for some.

There can, of course, be positives about home working, such as no longer having a long or tiring commute. But, as the WPA webinar highlighted, virtual or home working can create its own challenges that employers need to be managing.

Support tools, tips and strategies What then can employers do? Dr de Souza outlined some practical support tools, tips and strategies while Dr Passetti emphasised the need for employers to help employees to introduce ‘pockets’ of rest and recovery into their day.

Actions to consider include: • Limit ‘Zoom fatigue’ by encouraging/ planning for short breaks between virtual meetings • Encourage your teams to mark a clear end to their working day; to separate ‘work time’ from ‘home time’ • Consider one-to-one conversations to talk about how home working is working for them • Reassure and engage regularly with your staff so they feel confident to take time off if they’re unwell • Remind your teams to take breaks during the working day and allow for ‘recovery time’ Jacqui Shaw is Director of Coralline Health Limited, which provides a discounted healthcare scheme for Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Members and are Appointed Representatives of WPA Healthcare Practice Plc. For helpful advice and assistance, please call 01803 855210 or email corallinehealth@hcp-plc.org.uk

SECTOR FOCUS: CHARITY

Hospice care continuing to strengthen hospital response The team at St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth explains how they been supporting hospital care despite the Covid-19 pandemic

Working across the wards of University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust 365 days a year, there is a team small in number yet dynamic and consistently compassionate in the face of pressure, who swiftly stepped up to help strengthen the hospital’s emergency response when the pandemic hit hard earlier this year.

Now, with the number of COVID-19 patients on the rise locally as well as nationally, the hospital-based team from local charity St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is again giving its support to NHS colleagues, fortifying the frontline so that patients who are dying from complications of the virus receive the compassionate endof-life care they need.

Julie Ayers, St Luke’s nurse, said: “Ordinarily, our team is involved in looking after up to 40 hospital patients at any one time, ensuring they receive the highest calibre care and giving emotional support to their families, too.

“While we are a small team, we are also flexible so when the gravity of the COVID-19 situation brought huge extra pressure to bear on the hospital, we were able to adapt quickly as part of its response to dealing with the emergency.

“It was about more than just providing specialist care and advice for patients with complex symptoms caused by the virus.

We were also there supporting hospital staff who suddenly needed to have difficult but

necessary conversations with patients’ families.

“This was especially hard for colleagues who’d never done it before, in some cases because they’d only very recently qualified as doctors and nurses.

We drew on our experience to build their confidence and help them do this with kindness and sensitivity while not shying away from clarity because it’s so important to be open and honest with families in these situations.”

Julie, who is married with two teenage daughters living at home, appreciates the unswerving support her family has given her as she’s continued to deliver vital care for patients week after week.

This time around, she feels she and the team are much better placed to meet the challenges of working on the frontline of hospital care, looking after patients who include those struggling with symptoms of COVID-19.

She added: “I still feel some trepidation – my biggest fear would be to have the virus, be symptomless and pass it on to one of my family – but with all the strict infection control measures in place, the hospital does feel a safe place to work.

“Despite all the challenges and the emotional toll my work can take, I still love what I do.

Although my role can be very sad at times, it is nevertheless really rewarding as I know I make such a difference to people’s lives.”

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

3939

SECTOR FOCUS: MOTORING

All-new Honda e plugs electric gap in Rowes Honda fleet Sales of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles (EHVs) are set to soar this decade, with ever-improving batteries, performance and range, and more than twice as many public electric charging points than fuel stations now in place across the UK. Offering an ‘electric’ option to the people of Plymouth, Rowes Honda has announced it has added the much-awaited next-generation electric car from Honda, the Honda e, to its extensive fleet of vehicles.

For many, a reduction in one’s own environmental impact is now front of mind, as Brits are looking to the key car brands to provide them options that support these evolving preferences.

However, offerings within the EHV space often come with a feeling of compromise in terms of design and performance of a vehicle in order to go green - until now.

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

SECTOR FOCUS: MOTORING

Introducing: the all new Honda e Powered by proven Honda electric powertrain technologies, the highperformance electric motor has been designed to deliver the agility and speed expected from smaller sportier models with a modern and stylish aesthetic.

Tim Chatfield, Group Sales Manager at Rowes Honda, commented: “As consumer preferences are evolving, we are seeing the popularity of hybrid and e-vehicles rapidly increasing.

“We’re thrilled to be able to provide an affordable, efficient and stylish option in this space with the launch of the Honda e and look forward to inviting local customers in for a test drive.”

In true Honda style, the Honda e isn’t just about how it looks and feels to drive; it also over-delivers on practicality and intelligence.

The technology introduced into this model sets new benchmarks in the compact EV (Electric Vehicle) segment, with intuitive infotainment services and connected apps that seamlessly integrate with the owner’s modern lifestyle, accessed via the dual touchscreen displays, Honda Personal Assistant artificial intelligence or via the My Honda+ smartphone app[1].

Why the Honda e?

The Honda e can charge up to 80% in 31 minutes and has a driving range of up to 137 miles. With its fun and quirky look, it’s a real head-turner. This is an EV you can fall in love with driving, because Honda has gone out of its way to make it a unique and exciting experience.

Designed to meet the needs of the modern lifestyle Take control of your Honda e with the My Honda+ app. Lock, charge and protect your car or start the air conditioning from anywhere. Get a charging status and maintenance reminders. Honda technology is at its finest with this next-generation EV.

Exterior From the outset, you can see that the Honda e is different. State-of-the-art technological innovation is wrapped in a pure, flowing design. Hidden door handles

complement the Honda e’s clean lines. There are no wing mirrors; instead you have a camera on each side which is then displayed on the inside on two six-inch screens at either end of the dashboard, making it even more futuristic.

Interior Inside, the modern minimalistic passenger cabin utilises tactical, contemporary materials. The spacious, uncluttered interior creates a comfortable lounge-like feel. There are two 13.3-inch screens with smartphone connectivity, full navigation and an Artificial Intelligence powered personal assistant brought to life with the words ‘OK Honda’ – this system can offer all manner of assistance on the move and can even be personalised.

It’s got power Designed into this EV are the dynamics of a sports car. Equipped with a 154PS electric motor, the Honda e delivers 315Nm of torque, as well as rapid acceleration - it goes from 0-60mph in 8.3 seconds. The new Honda e has been engineered to deliver an exceptional driving experience.

The Honda e is available to view and test drive at Rowes Honda Plymouth, starting from £26,660 OTR with finance options available. To book your test drive today, contact Rowes Honda on 01752 364400 or email at info@rowes.co.uk

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

41

CHAMBER PEOPLE

CHAMBER PEOPLE Name: Samantha Kerswill Role: Membership Executive at Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce What do you do and why do you enjoy it?

I enjoy my role as Membership Executive at the Chamber because I get to meet so many different businesses and inspiring people and then connect them together, which is very rewarding.

What inspires you?

The satisfaction of helping others.

What drives you?

Doing a job well.

Where do you see the future of your organisation?

For the Chamber to be the centre of the business community - providing business support for our members and opportunities for everyone to connect, grow and succeed.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

It is better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb, than halfway up one you don’t.

If you could sum up your CV in one word, it would be..?

Customer-focused.

When it comes to business, do you follow head or heart?

Both, depending on the situation.

Describe yourself in five words Glass always half-full person.

How do you balance life and work?

Make time for myself and appreciate the little things.

What’s your favourite quote?

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Who has been the greatest influence on you?

My mum. She has always worked hard and always knows the right thing to say.

What are you most proud of?

My beautiful, kind-hearted daughter. She makes me proud every day.

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Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

All-New electric

This is not a prototype

£309 per month. 5.9% APR Representative.

Honda Aspirations (Personal Contract Purchase).

Model Honda e Advance

OTR [inclusive Customer of Gov. Grant] Deposit £29,710.00

ROWES HONDA PLYMOUTH

£6,238.41

ROWES HONDA PLYMOUTH

Amount of Credit

36 Payments of

£23,471.59

£309.00

Final Final Payment Total Amount Option to Annual Contracted Excess Mileage APR Interest Rate pa Payment inc Option Fee Payable Purchase Fee Mileage Charge £15,860.58

£15,870.58

£33,232.99

5.9%

£10.00

8,000

£0.10

5.77%

ROWES HONDA TRURO

ROWES HONDA PLYMSTOCK

447 Wolseley Road, Weston Mill, Plymouth, Devon, PL5 1BL Trispen, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9BA Call 01752 or search Rowes Honda Plymouth 01872 PL5 279631 or search Rowes Truro 447 364400 Wolseley Road, Weston Mill, Plymouth, Call Devon 1BL 56Honda Oreston

Road, Plymstock, Plymouth PL9 7JQ Tel: 01752 485333

Tel: 01752 364400

Model Shown: Honda e Advance with 17” alloy wheels in Platinum White Pearl at £29,710 On The Road (OTR). Economy & Emissions figures (WLTP) Range: Power consumption in kWh/100 km: combined 17.2-17.8; CO2 -emission combined (g/km): 0. Efficiency: A+. The Honda e is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Zero emissions while driving. Electric range figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. The electric range was determined according to a new test (WLTP). Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures Honda with otherecars tested towith the same procedure.

Terms and White Conditions: New Honda eOn orders 01 July 2020 toEconomy 30 September 2020 and registered 30 September 2020.

Subject to model and colour availability.km: Offers applicable at17.2-17.8; participatingCO2-emission dealers (excludingcombined Channel Islands) and are the promoter’s absolute Model Shown: Advance 17”technical alloy wheels in Platinum Pearl atretail £29,710 Thefrom Road (OTR). & Emissions figuresby(WLTP) Range: Power consumption in kWh/100 combined (g/km): 0.atEfficiency: discretion. to be used along any other offers currently Prices for theelectricity Honda e include the Government Car Grant discount, worthElectric £3,000 atrange the current level.may The value this Grant by the Office for Low Emission Vehiclesupon (OLEV). reserve right toincluding alter or withdraw the Plug charge In Car Grant anybattery, time. Any changes in A+.Not The Honda e is with a battery electric vehicleavailable. requiring mains for charging.

ZeroPlug-in emissions while driving. figures not ofreflect realis approved life driving results, which will depend a OLEV number of the factors the starting of at the the Plug in Car Grant will be reflected in the overall Honda e price. All are correct at time of publication but load. may beThe subject to change.

5.9%was APRdetermined representativeaccording Honda Aspirations (PCP): Maximum customer deposit 30%.

At the end of the agreement, thereelectric are threerange options:figures i) Retain:with Pay the optional payment to own the vehicle, ii) Return: Return accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in figures weather, driving styles and vehicle electric range to a new test (WLTP).

Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and other carsfinal tested to the same technical the vehicle, or iii) Renew: Part and exchange your HondaNew for a new one.

You doe not have tofrom pay the Payment2020 if youto return car at the end of the agreement and you paid all other2020. amounts due, theto vehicle is in good conditionavailability. and has beenOffers servicedapplicable in accordance the Honda service book(excluding and the maximum annual mileageand has not procedure.

Terms Conditions: retail Honda orders 01Final October 31 the December 2020 and registered by have 31 December Subject model and colour atwith participating dealers Channel Islands) arebeen at exceeded. promoter’s absolute Not to bemay used any circumstances. other offers Finance currently available.

Prices foraged the18Honda e include theAll Government Plug-in Car Grant discount, worth £3,000 at Honda the current level.

Thearevalue this Grant is approved by the Office for Low Excessthe mileage charge includes VAT atdiscretion. current rate. Indemnities be along requiredwith in certain is only available to persons or over, subject to status. figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change.

Franchise Dealers credit of brokers, not lenders.

Credit provided

by Honda Finance Europe Plc. Cain EmissionBerkshire Vehicles (OLEV).

OLEV reserve the isright to alter theEurope Plug In Grant at any time.

Any changes in the Plug Honda in CarFinance Grant Europe will beplc reflected in the Honda e price.Conduct All figures are correct time of publication but may be £649 subject to change.

5.9% House No 03289418. is authorised andoverall regulated by the Financial Authority, Financialat Services Register number 312541.

5 years service package: This is applicable to Road, Bracknell, RG12 1HL. Honda Financial Services a trading nameor of withdraw Honda Finance Plc.Car A company registered at Companies Honda Maximum customer deposit 30%. by At30the end of 2020. the agreement, there are three options: i) Retain: Pay the optional own the vehicle, ii) Return: Return all newAPR retailrepresentative Honda models ordered fromAspirations ordered from(PCP): 01 July 2020 to 30 September 2020 and registered September Visit Honda.co.uk/cars/campaigns/five-servicing for more information.

Image final shownpayment is left-handto drive.

Right-hand drive will be released in the the UK. vehicle, or iii) Renew: Part exchange your Honda

for a new one. You do not have to pay the Final Payment if you return the car at the end of the agreement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced in accordance with the Honda service book and the maximum annual mileage has not been exceeded. Excess mileage charge includes VAT at current rate. Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Honda Franchise Dealers are credit brokers, not lenders. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe Plc. Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL. Honda Financial Services is a trading name of Honda Finance Europe Plc. A company registered at Companies House No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register number 312541. 5 years £649 service package: This is applicable to all new retail Honda models ordered from 01 October 2020 to 31 December 2020 and registered by 31 December 2020. Visit Honda.co.uk/cars/campaigns/five-servicing for more information. Image shown is left-hand drive. Right-hand drive will be released in the UK.

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Publishers of Chamber Profile

Ian Pilkington ian@cornerstonevision.com

Chris Girdler chris@cornerstonevision.com

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile

43

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44

Winter 2020 Chamber Profile