Commerce Cornwall January 20, 2015 by DCMedia

JANUARY 20, 2016

Waves of optimism Cornwall’s pioneering Wave Hub is plugged into productive future PLUS: Is productivity a predicament?

Cornwall’s ‘social supermarket’

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Meet the people on the move Cornwall is on the up and the need to recruit key people vital to business success. Scott Harrison outlines some of the key appointments

Lisa Brewer and Laura Rowe will lead a new, Falmouth-based residential property team which has been created by Coodes Solicitors. Lisa and Laura have both moved to Coodes’ new Falmouth office, following the firm’s recent merger with Preston Goldburn. Lisa joined Coodes two years ago and, having worked in a number of the firm’s offices, brings her wealth of experience from across Cornwall. Laura has been based in Coodes’ Truro office for just over a year and has previous experience of conveyancing in Falmouth.

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Welcome to Commerce Cornwall It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Commerce Cornwall. A lot of careful thought and planning has gone into the creation of our new monthly business supplement and I am delighted to finally share our vision with you, our valued readers. Commerce Cornwall is set to be published in the third week of each month of the Cornish Guardian, West Briton and Cornishman. Our county-wide supplement will celebrate the best of Cornwall business and it comes free inside your favourite DC Media newspaper. But Commerce Cornwall is not just about us here at DC Media. The supplement is very much a collaboration

with our friends at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and the independent Business Cornwall magazine. As a group, we all agreed that it is an exciting time to do business in Cornwall. Co-operation between organisations is something that Cornwall does extremely well and something we all agreed would be in the best interest of our county. We are grateful for their support and invite you to read their dedicated pages within Commerce Cornwall each and every month. In each issue of Commerce Cornwall we will speak with the leaders of Cornwall companies and feature exclusive interviews with the CEOs of the county’s

top businesses. We will also focus on emerging industries in the county, including green technologies and digital enterprises. True to our Cornish roots, Commerce Cornwall will also feature stories about the many family businesses that operate in our communities, women in business and companies new to the Cornish business scene. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on Commerce Cornwall. Visit our website at commercecornwall.co.uk You can Tweet us at @CommerceKernow our like us on Facebook at facebook/commercecor nwall – Scott Harrison, editor

Improved productivity can change Cornwall’s fortunes

P KEY APPOINTMENT: Mark Duddridge. offices in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter.

Two new faces Coastline Housing has welcomed two new faces to its teams after appointing a new director of finance and director of development and commercial services. Nathan Mallows has been appointed as director of finance. His appointment follows the successful promotion of Coastline’s Allister Young from his previous role as director of finance to the post of CEO. Meanwhile, Chris Weston has been appointed as director of development and commercial services and will take up his post in March 2016. Mr Weston will be driving Coastline’s development programme, which will bring over 700 muchneeded new affordable homes to Cornwall by 2019.

Hotel manager Matt Redhead has been appointed a new general manager of the award-

winning The Lugger Hotel in Portloe. Mr Redhead, who grew up and studied in nearby St Austell, joins with more than 20 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry. Operated by Bespoke Hotels since 2011, The Lugger is an award-winning seaside property set in the picturesque fishing village of Portloe, at the heart of the Roseland Peninsula.

Financial controller Anthony Geach, or AJ, has been appointed the new financial controller at Smith and Reed Recruitment. This marks continued growth for the company which now employs 14 staff at their central Truro offices. AJ brings a number crunching, analytical brain to the team, with over five years of experience in finance and accounting. He will be responsible for managing the financial health of the company and be instrumental in the future development and growth of Smith and Reed Recruitment.

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roductivity is set to be a key phrase in Cornwall over the next year with a number of initiatives being launched which together will be aiming to boost the efficiency of the workforce and firms driving the economy. Recent studies have highlighted that rates of productivity in the UK are well below the potential for the country. The UK lags behind European peers such as France and Germany while when compared to the likes of the US, the UK is a poor relation when it comes to productivity. One report from the Government recently stated that, in manufacturing terms, it now takes a worker in the UK five days to produce what would take a worker in Germany four days. And, when it comes to Cornwall, our productivity is even lower than the average in the UK. Secretary of state for business Sajid Javid recently stated: “If we could match USA for productivity, it would boost our GDP by 31 per cent – that’s equivalent to £21,000 a year for every household in the UK.” But while the problem has been highlighted the next problem is how to address it. Kim Conchie, chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: “In a more industrial age the problem could be solved by laying on extra shifts to keep the machines whirring 24/7, upgrading the equipment, putting employees on overtime and so on. “But if you ask the average SME owner in the service sector how to increase productivity, most don’t know.” He added: “A rise in productivity means better standards of living, so it’s really important that our businesses take responsibility and look at what they can do to improve their output and help

national news Trading struggles The coming year could prove a challenging one for already struggling businesses, a recovery specialist firm has warned. According to the Begbies Traynor's Red Flag Alert research for Q4 2015, some 270,000 UK businesses suffered 'significant' financial distress in the last three months of the year – up 17per cent, the highest year-on-year rise for six quarters. The company is warning that British companies are now bracing themselves for a difficult 2016.

Wind power plea The renewable energy industry has called on the Government to rethink cuts to subsidies after wind power hit record energy levels last year. Wind farms provided enough electricity to meet the annual needs of more than 8.25 million homes last year, figures show. Onshore and offshore wind generated a record 11 per cent of the UK’s electricity in 2015, up from 9.5 per cent the year before, as the clean technology also set new weekly, monthly and quarterly generation records, industry body RenewableUK said.

Burberry blow

STRIKING A BALANCE: Matthew Thomson says the hospitality industry was keen to address productivity and pay.

64%

Percentage of South west business who believe staff development is key to as improving productivity rates Cor nwall’s economy.” A number of initiatives have been taking shape to try and address the issue of productivity. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been leading the way by attracting investment for infrastructure and transport improvements.

And through the Cornwall devolution deal the LEP has far greater responsibility for provision of training to improve skills and ensuring that businesses get what they need from education providers. LEP chief executive Sandra Rothwell said: “This will be key to addressing the productivity gap and helping our businesses find the talent and skills to drive growth. “By growing our skills base we can improve the quality of one of the key inputs in the productivity equation.” The LEP is also launching the Growth Hub, which will help provide business support for businesses as well as access to European funding which can be used to address issues around productivity. Matthew Thomson, from Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation, said that the hospitality industry was keen to address productivity in an industry where

“skills are undervalued and staff are low paid”. He said that the Cornwall Food Foundation and Fifteen Cornwall was working with Watergate Bay, St Austell Brewery, Cornwall College and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills on a productivity pay and progression project which is due to launch a toolkit in the near future. Mrs Rothwell at the LEP said that a recent survey in the South West found that 64 per cent of businesses which responded cited investment in staff development as being the top priority for improving productivity rates. She said: “This investment in people will be critical to achieving the cultural change that many businesses will need to embrace to solve the productivity puzzle, and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP pledges to play its role in helping that happen.”

Luxury fashion group Burberry saw an improvement in underpressure sales as China returned to growth, but revealed ongoing woes in Hong Kong and tougher trading in the UK. The trendy trench coat maker halted sharp falls in like-for-like retail sales, which remained unchanged in its Christmas quarter to December 31 against a 4 per cent drop in the previous three months. It said China sales bounced back, but trading was tough in Hong Kong, where sales declined more than 20 per cent.

Family debt fears Families' debts have jumped by an "alarming" £4,000 on average in the space of six months, a report has found. Aviva's Family Finances report found that typical household debt has surged by 42 per cent since summer 2015 to reach the highest levels seen for two and a half years.

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Kier Construction has announced the promotion of two senior positions – Brian Rice to operations director and Simon Parsons to construction manager. Both men will be responsible for their respective roles across Cornwall and Devon for the regional contractor and lead their teams from

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ark Duddridge, who previously held the position of group executive board director at Samworth Brothers, has been named director at Rodda’s. Mark has over 19 years’ experience in maximising growth for both branded and own label products, resulting in increased profits for businesses and brands, including Tamar Foods, Ginsters and Melton Foods. Mark is also chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, a trustee of the Prince’s Countryside Fund, one of the Duke of Cornwall’s charities; a trustee of Chicks (Countryside Holidays for Inner City Kids) with centres in Cornwall and Devon, and has been chair of governors at Callington Community College since 2012.

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NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

ON THE JOB

CHAMBER

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EVENTS

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Family businesses

Latest chamber news Cockwells motors ahead Cornwall diary dates

appointments

in this issue . .

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Meet the people on the move Cornwall is on the up and the need to recruit key people vital to business success. Scott Harrison outlines some of the key appointments

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@commercekernow

NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

Improved productivity can change Cornwall’s fortunes

P KEY APPOINTMENT: Mark Duddridge. offices in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter.

Hotel manager Matt Redhead has been appointed a new general manager of the award-

Let us know what you think of Commerce Cornwall on Twitter: Find us at @CommerceKernow or use the hashtag #commercecornwall

Burberry blow

STRIKING A BALANCE: Matthew Thomson says the hospitality industry was keen to address productivity and pay.

64%

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ACCOLADES: Owner of Chapel House in Penzance, Susan Stuart. Picture by Greg Martin

Arts club reborn as brilliant boutique hotel Thomas Gainey

aving only been open for seven months, a boutique Penzance hotel has already scooped up a range of prestigious accolades and reviews. Chapel House PZ, at the bottom of Chapel Street, is owned by Susan Stuart, who spent two years completely refurbishing the

former Penzance Arts Club. Since opening just before last summer’s Golowan festival, it has proved to be an inspirational success. Susan said: “I have been surprised and really touched by how people I only know by sight come up to me in Penzance and actually thank me for creating Chapel House.” After being named as the Sunday Times’ top B&B in their list of the Ultimate 100 British Hotels in October and being selected by The Times’ travel correspondent Tom Chesshyre as his second favourite

‘cool hotel for 2015’, as well as other mentions in leading publications like Grazia, The Guardian and The Independent, Susan believes Chapel House is putting Penzance on the map as a tourist destination. “It’s extremely important to me that one way or another Chapel House can make a difference to the town,” she said. “Penzance got hard hit by the recession and there’s been a loss of confidence, people often talk about what Penzance was rather than what it is – just last week there was a letter to The Cornishman citing

the number of shops that have closed and suggesting that the town was still blighted by recession. “What all this fails to appreciate is the numbers of business that have opened and that a town shouldn’t be defined by and is far more than its high street. “This is especially true of Penzance; it is a wonderful place and Chapel House PZ just goes to show that if you give people what they want they will pay top-notch rates to come here.” The Georgian building, which has views of Mount’s Bay and St

Michael’s Mount, has also attracted a host of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. The hotel boasts six double bedrooms, most of them with spectacular sea views, large drawing rooms and an informal open-plan kitchen-diner. “I am so excited about the prospects for Penzance and would love to see more investors putting their faith in this place. “It’s great for us and hopefully it will help to attract more people to Penzance in the future.” ● www.chapelhousepz.co.uk

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RENEWAL: Wendy Bendell has transformed The Caradon Inn.

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‘The support I’ve received from the local community has been amazing and I’d like to thank everyone for their positive comments and feedback’ –Wendy Bendell

Start-up award for Fish House A small Cornish restaurant has been presented with the Start-Up Business of the Year 2015 award by the Start-Up Loans Company. The Fish House at Fistral was opened in 2014 by Paul and Elise Harwood, following initial investment via a start-up loan from regional delivery partner SWIG Finance. With extensive experience as head chef at Rick Stein’s Café in Padstow as well as assistant executive chef at the Seafood Restaurant Group, Paul decided to launch his own restaurant and focus on local, fresh produce. The Start Up Loans Company was impressed by The Fish House’s first year trading figures which helped make it stand out among thousands of other businesses supported by the scheme in 2015. Tim Sawyer, CEO of the Start-Up Loans Company, said: “It is a real achievement that the Fish House has established itself as a real contender in a highly competitive area of the country for restaurants. “We read through a number of the restaurant’s reviews on TripAdvisor and were highly impressed by the comments. The Fish House is an excellent example of what is possible for start-up businesses to achieve and why the

AWARD: Graham Ashton, SWIG Finance mentor, with Elise and Paul Harwood, of The Fish House, and Lisa Moore, of SWIG Finance. Start-Up Loans Scheme is so important.” Elise manages front of house at the restaurant as well as the administration of the business, while Paul looks after the kitchen. The husband and wife team made an application to SWIG Finance for a start-up loan to help fund the costs of renovating the building and received advice and mentoring from SWIG Finance mentor, Graham Ashton. Paul said: “We really wouldn’t have been able to

open the restaurant without the funding and support from the Start-Up Loans Scheme and SWIG Finance. We are so pleased to have won this award which makes all the hard graft of the last year worth it.” Lisa Moore of SWIG Finance, who nominated The Fish House for the award, said: “Paul and Elise presented an excellent business proposition and have proven themselves with their excellent first year of trading.”

The Federation of Small Businesses – or the FSB, to be known by its acronym – has a dedicated team in Cornwall supported by a regional committee and three branches. These branches are located in West Cornwall, East Cornwall, and MidCor nwall. As experts in business, the FSB offers our members a wide range of vital business services, including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Our aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. Additionally, FSB tax and legal advice comes as a right of membership and cannot be beaten by any other membership group. One thing to consider is that FSB members can call to use this service any time they need it. Part of the Federation of Small Businesses objective is to provide the most valued package of business benefits and services to cover the whole of the UK business community. FSB members are able to influence the Government in matters affecting business through the FSB policy team situated in Westminster. Is there something you would like to change or tell the Government about? If you are in business and interested in seeing what the FSB can do for you, visit the website at www.fsb.org.uk For those of you who prefer using social media, we can be found on Facebook by using the search Federation of Small Businesses. For Twitter users find us by using @fsb_policy and @fsb_voice. Lastly, the Federation of Small Businesses has a dedicated LinkedIn group which can be found at www.linkedin.com/groups/2560640 Bookmark all of these to your desktop or mobile device to get in touch with our team of professionals as quickly as possible. If you are an existing FSB members, please remember that you are welcome to come along to the MidCornwall branch meeting on February 4. The meeting is taking place at the Victoria Inn, Roche, at 7pm and every first Thursday of each month.

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Awards 2016

For more information contact 01872 247393 or email charlotte.little@dc-media.co.uk

A NEW landlord has taken over Upton Cross pub The Caradon Inn and renovated the building with new furniture and décor. Wendy Bendell is trying to give the traditional country establishment a new lease of life in partnership with pub operator Punch. The inn features home-cooked food prepared freshly on the premises including a Sunday carvery, a steak night and a curry night. Live music is also on the menu, with details announced on a monthly basis. It also has three bed and breakfast rooms, which have been updated along with the new décor and furniture including comfortable sofas and a wood-burner. Ms Bendell said she is determined to make the business a success and establish at as a focal point for the local community. “Having worked at The Caradon Inn as a chef several years ago, I’m extremely excited to be the pub’s new owner,” she said. “The support I’ve received from the local community has been amazing and I’d like to thank everyone for their positive comments and feedback.” Punch’s new business development manager, Chris Hunt, said: “Wendy and her team have really put their hearts and souls into The Caradon Inn. With her love of cooking, Wendy will be serving some amazing food and providing fantastic hospitality for the locals and tourists. “We are confident that she will make The Caradon Inn a success and we are looking forward to supporting her as she continues to develop the business going forward.”

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Wendy gives traditional country pub a brand new lease of life

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ACCOLADES: Owner of Chapel House in Penzance, Susan Stuart. Picture by Greg Martin

Arts club reborn as brilliant boutique hotel Thomas Gainey

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RENEWAL: Wendy Bendell has transformed The Caradon Inn.

New Businesses in association with Federation of Small Businesses

‘The support I’ve received from the local community has been amazing and I’d like to thank everyone for their positive comments and feedback’ –Wendy Bendell

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For more information contact 01872 247393 or email charlotte.little@dc-media.co.uk

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Q&A: Andy Shaw A&P Group, group managing director

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Q&A: Andy Shaw A&P Group, group managing director

Falmouth flies a flag for Cornwall Scott Harrison speaks to the man at the helm of the A&P Group to discuss how Falmouth plays a vital role in the company’s progression.

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the Falmouth port is still important for commercial shipping due to bunkering restrictions for low sulphur fuels and also reducing diversion costs for ships trading up and down the North West and South West coasts of the UK. A&P operates three facilities in the UK. A&P Tyne is the largest commercial dry-dock on the East coast of England and together with A&P Tees is able to service vessels travelling to the UK across the North Sea. Our facility in Falmouth makes our UK offering complete and enables the company to maximise all opportunities from the ships trading around and in proximity to the UK. Our yard in Falmouth has a broad range of berths and dry docks which adds significantly to the group portfolio ensuring we are competitive on the global shipping markets. A&P’s operation in Falmouth also has the opportunity to take advantage of the emerging marine renewable energy markets due to the wave resources provided by the Cornish coastline. Q: One year ago, A&P Falmouth was awarded a multi-million pound contract to complete the

– it is thought that this project will power 10,000 homes. A&P also works closely with the local supply chain, universities and Innovate UK on various research, development and innovation projects that can determine cost savings to assist in lowering the cost of energy in the energy sector. Q: What are the challenges you face being based in Cornwall? A: The key challenges we face are linked to the location of the peninsula so we believe it is very important that good air links are maintained from Cornwall Airport Newquay and that the road and rail infrastructure can support the efficient movement of people and goods. We are pleased that road improvements are being made, however we believe it is important that these link to the Falmouth Docks. Q: What are the advantages you face being based in Cornwall? A: The geographical location of the port gives our yard in Falmouth the opportunity to access the majority of commercial shipping operators that trade in and around the UK. In addition to our long standing commercial customers, on occasions the proximity to the western approaches has allowed the yard to assist with ships that experience difficulties on arrival to UK waters. The team in Falmouth regularly carries out ship repair work on vessels damaged by heavy weather or other incidents that have occurred on passage. Cornwall also has a huge untapped resource in the natural wealth of the wave energy environment around its shores. Our team on the ground in Falmouth has been working with wave energy device manufactures for more than ten years to help them develop and optimise their prototype devices. We are delighted that there is a nursery wave energy test site in Falmouth Bay called Fab Test that is a crucial stepping stone to the more exposed and remote wave hub test site on the north Cornwall Coast. We hope that in the future, Falmouth

MEET ANDY SHAW Andy Shaw returned to A&P Group as group managing director in May 2014 following a period of five years working as general manager for ASRY Offshore Services. Prior to this he was director and general manager for A&P Tees for four years. He started his career in shipping as an apprentice at Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd.

EDUCATION Ripley St Thomas, Lancaster.

FIRST JOB I started my career in shipping as an apprentice at Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd.

LAST BOOK READ I am a keen cyclist – the last book I read was Bradley Wiggins – My Time.

YOUR BUSINESS INSPIRATION I take my business inspiration from former managers and directors. will become the base for many more wave energy and wind energy devices and the “Aberdeen” of a new marine renewable energy sector, with all the associated benefits to the development of skills and long-term employment that this could bring. Q: A lot has been made about the future of Falmouth harbour and dredging plans which reports say will unlock £100 million in investment in Cornwall and create a further 1,500 jobs. How optimistic are you that plans that have been under discussion since 2004 will ultimately gain Marine Management Organisation approval? A: Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company, the Statutory Port Authority for the docks and surrounding waters, is owned by A&P Group. Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company has been working with Falmouth Harbour Commissioners who are leading the environmental licensing applications for the dredging of the approach channel that would

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facilitate the movements of larger cruise vessels to the port. We have been assisting them with this objective because it is widely recognised that in addition to the emergent wave energy market, the cruise market is growing and could deliver significant advantages to the wider community if the larger cruise ships could include Cornwall on their cruise itineraries. Q: Does it help that Chancellor George Osborne has already expressed his support for the dredging of Falmouth harbour? A: Like any harbour authority, Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company would appreciate any assistance that can be given to

maintaining the viability of a port, particularly in a location as economically challenging and sensitive as Cornwall. Q: What is your proudest achievement for A&P Falmouth? A: A&P Falmouth continues to perform well in both the commercial and defence sectors. In the commercial sector, our team in Falmouth’s long successful track record of project management and our well-equipped yard allow us to coordinate resource and facilitate the most complex of marine engineering projects. 2015 was a busy year. Our yard in Falmouth secured a multi-million pound contract to help Condor Ferries meet its IMO

MARPOL sulphur emission regulations. We carried out exhaust gas scrubber installations on two of Condor Ferries vessels, Commodore Clipper and Commodore Goodwill. More than 100 fabricators, engineers, pipe fitters, electricians, painters and support workers were involved in the project, working around the clock to ensure it is delivered on time. With a Global Sulphur Cap of 0.5% due to be introduced in 2020, we expect to work on many scrubber installations providing a much more cost alternative to switching to low sulphur fuel. A&P continues to develop its expertise in ballast water treatment

(BWT) projects and in 2015, designed and installed a number of systems for several different vessels. Projects include the SD Northern River, a multi-purpose auxiliary ship operated by Serco for the UK navy. The vessel is the largest operated by Serco Marine Service. The project was executed in partnership with Goltens Green Technologies after the work conducted on a BWT system installation for LPG tanker, Knightsbridge. In the defence sector, A&P Group has a contract to support and maintain RFA ships at home and abroad until 2018. Under the Cluster Support Programme, our yard in Falmouth provides maintenance

support to groups of MoD vessels which include RFA Argus and the RFA Bay Class vessels Mounts Bay, Cardigan Bay and Lyme Bay. RFA Argus is currently in dry dock in Falmouth for 120 days whilst she undergoes major refit and repair work which includes engine works, works on the aircraft carrier lift and works on the accommodation block. Last year was also a crucial year for us due to the fact that A&P Group was awarded a multi-million pound contract to complete the fit-out of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new fleet of four tankers and the first tanker is set to arrive at our yard in Falmouth for this work to be completed later this year. Q: Finally, what do you think needs to happen to ensure that Falmouth as a port reaches its true potential? A: Firstly, A&P Falmouth recognises that it has to concentrate on its core business and continue to provide the very best service to our customers as the yard has done for the past 155 years. However – we also have to look at developing new markets and technologies. The Marine Energy market will require additional land and water facilities due to the size and type of devices. If Falmouth port is to be really effective it will have to develop additional facilities so that it can support the wider Cornish goals of a sustainable marine renewals economy without disrupting the core ship repair business. The port will also have opportunities to reduce the bulk transfer of goods on Cornish roads by providing short sea shipping links and we hope to play our part in a more sustainable goods and services infrastructure for Cornwall.

A&P FALMOUTH

THE DEEP WATER GATEWAY TO THE SW PENINSULA Port Facilities: Dry Bulk Cargos Jack Up Rig Berths Ship Repair Tyne • Tees • Falmouth

Project Cargos Cruise Berths Conversions

Mobilisations Towage Services Bunkering

The Docks, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4NR

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Q: A&P Falmouth is part of the wider A&P Group and serves as one of three centres for your business interests. How strategic is Cornwall to A&P’s long – and short-term business and commercial interests? A: The south western approaches to the UK have always been important for the global shipping industry. Historically, Falmouth was the first and last port of call for the Falmouth Packet Postal Services. Today, the geographical location of

BRIGHT FUTURE: Andy Shaw.

fit-out of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new fleet of four tankers. At that time, you said that you believed that this contract will underpin the growth of A&P Group over the next five years. Is that proving to be the case? A: Our success in securing the contract to complete the fit-out of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new fleet of the new Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tankers has helped to underpin our continued growth. The tankers will maintain the Royal Navy’s ability to refuel at sea and will provide fuel to warships and task groups. The tankers will support deployed amphibious, land and air forces close to the shore and will have the ability to operate helicopters. Our yard in Falmouth will customise the vessels to UK MoD standards and will support the vessels as they go through their initial capability assessment trials. The four tankers are planned to enter service from 2016. A&P Group will provide through-life support to all four ships in service for a minimum of three years and the length of this contract will help to underpin our growth. Q: What other key business announcement can we expect for A&P Falmouth in 2016? A: The renewable sector is a key area of growth for A&P Group. The Wello Penguin wave energy device is set to mobilise to Wave Hub from Falmouth this summer. The Penguin devices float on water and capture energy which is then turned into electrical power. The devices are strategically placed so that they do not interrupt the environment and the project is an excellent way of producing energy working in tune with the environment. Our team in Cornwall is about to start working on preparing the Wello Penguin to be mobilised. We are very excited by this project – which follows on from the SeatricityOceanus wave energy project last year – which resulted in the first wave energy device to be moored at Wave Hub. Going forward

&P Group, the largest provider of ship repair, conversion and marine services in the UK, has been a major employer in Cornwall since 1861. Operating from Falmouth docks, the company employs 350 people in one of the world’s largest natural deep-water harbours. A&P Falmouth is one of the largest ship-repair complexes in the UK, providing three large graving docks and extensive alongside deep water berthing facilities which provide capacity for vessels up to 100,000 tonnes. The company has become a world leader in its field, offering onsite engineering, electrical, paint and fabrication workshops and links to all other specialist contractors and original equipment manufacturers. A&P Group is undoubtedly a key stakeholder in the economy of Falmouth and the wider Cornwall economy, working in partnership with over 30 firms located in the docks to maintain its standing as a busy working port which handles over 100,000 tonnes of product annually while welcoming 40,000 cruise ship passengers a year who truly see Falmouth as the gateway to Cor nwall. At the helm of the A&P Group is group managing director Andy Shaw, a man who has more than 25 years in the shipbuilding and shiprepairing industry in the UK and the Middle East.

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Q&A: Andy Shaw A&P Group, group managing director

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Q&A: Andy Shaw A&P Group, group managing director

Falmouth flies a flag for Cornwall Scott Harrison speaks to the man at the helm of the A&P Group to discuss how Falmouth plays a vital role in the company’s progression.

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EDUCATION Ripley St Thomas, Lancaster.

FIRST JOB I started my career in shipping as an apprentice at Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd.

LAST BOOK READ I am a keen cyclist – the last book I read was Bradley Wiggins – My Time.

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BRIGHT FUTURE: Andy Shaw.

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Key to Kelly’s: It’s true to say ice cream is in my veins

The number of Kelly’s of Cornwall ice cream vans on the roads in Cornwall and Devon

Creating a storm with digital games Gayle McDonald

Today the company has around 20 employees, and following its success over the last two years, is now in the process of moving to larger premises in the centre of Falmouth. The team worked on the hugely successful shoot-them-up Rising Storm, which was named best multiplayer game of 2013 by PC Gamer, and is currently developing the sequel, Rising Storm 2: Vietnam, which has generated a flurry of excitement in the gaming world. Director Rich Barham, pictured below, has AAA experience in the digital games sector and has worked for leading games development companies around the world for over a decade. Along with many of his colleagues, the 44year-old moved to Falmouth to be part of Antimatter Games. “The difference in the quality of

SEQUEL: Rising Storm 2. life here is huge,” he said. “In London people spend thousands of pounds on train tickets and their rent is much higher. That will take up the lion’s share of their wages. “In Cornwall, wages are lower but

you actually have more money. “We have a team of twenty but we are constantly recruiting,” he added. “We get applications every day. People want to work here.” He says Falmouth University’s

Cornwall Show since 1947 and Philip remembers clearly his first show in 1963, working for his father and uncles on the vans. “We had introduced our own soft ice cream by then and it was proving very popular. We had several different makes of van in the fleet but it was based on Commers, which were often used for ice cream vans.” Over the years, the Kelly’s fleet has been updated with modern vehicles, but he still retains some old models, including a 1957 Trojan which has been refitted. Although he has chalked up over 50 years selling ice cream, for Philip, there is no thought of retiring. “Our ice cream is such a lovely product. I still enjoy every day in the business. I suppose one day I’ll stop, but I can’t see it happening soon.”

A Truro family who started a high street business more than a decade ago are now stocking the shelves of the likes of John Lewis and the Natural History Museum. The Fleming family, which includes Richard, Janet, son Kristian and his wife Joanna, have combined fun and business to create a successful toy that has brought joy to thousands of shoppers young and old. Kristian, 41, who now deals with most of the daily running of Inhabit on Green Street, Truro, said: “We use the shop like a sort of retail laboratory. We have tried out product design and manufacturing and some of the ideas have ended up being incredibly successful.” This is how the shop’s range of

sock creatures were born – craft kits to make toy animals out of socks. The family’s bright idea came from the original sock puppet – the sock monkey – made by inventive American housewives during the Great Depression as toys for their children. The kits became very popular very quickly and the sock creature kits, of which there are 36 in the range, are now sold wholesale to 100 different retailers including John Lewis and the Natural History Museum. They have also made a limited edition sock creature, the Sockosaurus, for the Eden Project’s Dinosaur Unleashed programme last year and have just added a Sock Unicorn to their range. He said: “It’s great fun and who

ABOVE: Kristian Fleming with his parents Richard and Janet Fleming and some of their sock creatures. Picture by Jonathan Jacobs would have known that they were born in little old Inhabit in Truro, he said, adding: “We have certainly evolved. The market place has changed so much since we started 16 years ago.”

The Flemings launched as Rugs Direct back in 2000 selling rugs, and quickly evolved into selling gifts, home interiors and fashion accessories and in 2002 changed its name to Inhabit. Five members of staff are employed at Inhabit who, Kristian says: “Spend a lot of time listening to the customers to try to understand what people want and make sure we give them what they want.” And while the internet has meant the sock creatures have gone around the world, Kristian adds the shop has also changed with the times too, saying: “It seems to continue to stay relevant to our customers.” Inhabit is on the edge of the Pannier Market and opposite the bus station.

in association with Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme

Meet Neil Robertson The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme is the European economic regeneration programme for the region. Running from 2014 to 2020, this programme of European funding builds on the previous Objective One and convergence programmes. The European funding available through the growth programme is accessed through a series of calls. A call is an open invitation for organisations or applicants to submit bids against a published specification. The integrated territorial investment (ITI) board is made up of a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Collectively, their role is to agree the ITI strategy, advise the managing authorities on call development and review all responses made to calls. Each month, we will be introducing a member of the ITI board to give you a feel for what their hopes and aspirations are for the growth programme. ● Neil Robertson chairs the Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership (RCP), a partnership of public, private, community and voluntary sector organisations that’s been in existence for almost 30 years. Neil said: “I represent rural interests on the board and the RCP was delighted that the ITI board recognised the importance of having a ‘rural’ seat on it.” Having previously worked in economic development for many years, Neil brings much experience of preparing, managing and delivering European and national funding schemes. “I feel we have a good depth of experience amongst the ITI Board members,” added Neil. “This means that whilst my contributions can be wide and varied, I can really focus on my ‘rural mission’, which is to make sure that individuals, businesses and other organisations benefit from the growth programme, wherever they work or operate. “I want to ensure rural areas are aware of the opportunities. “I don’t want to see the more rural areas missing out.”

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1930s they decided to anglisise the name to Kelly. Philip Kelly was instrumental in building up the business into a nationwide brand, and made the ice cream available in supermarkets across the country. Although he sold the manufacturing arm of Kelly’s a few years ago, he and his wife Tina are still very much part of the ice cream business, selling the product through their fleet of Kelly’s of Bodmin ice cream vans, and is still family-owned. “We have a fleet of 30 vans and in the summer employ 40 to 45 staff, many of whom have been with us for years,” said Mr Kelly. “We cover all of Cornwall and Devon, attending large events such as agricultural shows, and of course, cover a lot of Cornish beaches during the summer. Kelly’s has been a fixture at the Royal

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he name Kelly is synonymous with Cornish ice cream, and the same family has been selling it for over a century. Philip Kelly is now 67, and sold his first scoop way back in 1963. “It’s true to say ice cream is in my veins. I left school at 15 and my only ambition was to be an ice cream man,” he said. Bodmin-based Kelly’s began life in the 1890s when Philip’s Italian great grandfather founded the business selling ice cream and fish and chips from a horse-driven cart. It was St Austell-based then and traded as Stafferi. Philip’s grandfather, Lazzero Calicchia, relaunched it as a mobile business in 1918, using a horse and cart. Over the generations it remained a family business and in the late

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LEFT: Keeping it in the family – Philip and Tina Kelly.

Family’s toy brings joy to thousands

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chamber events Meet the Neighbour Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the new look Devon Chamber of Commerce (formerly Plymouth) to offer its members the chance to expand their services across the Tamar. Meet the Neighbour, sponsored by Cornwall College Business, will be held at St Mellion International Resort on Monday, February 29. Delegates from both chambers will get the chance to network with each other over lunch, before making use of St Mellion’s stunning facilities for private meetings. Booking is open now.

Connected Lunches Despite Cornwall’s wonderful hotels providing us with large rooms capable of seating more than 130 people, we still have to turn people away from our BIG Breakfasts. In 2016 we’ve introduced Connected Lunches, so if you’re busy at breakfast time you’ll have another opportunity to get great networking during the month. Our Connected Lunches are scheduled for the first half of the year – venues include Budock Vean Hotel, Headland Hotel, Carbis Bay Hotel and China Fleet. Book the next one now!

Export Events Many people think of exporting as large shipping containers full of heavy industrial items travelling to a far-flung place. A huge part of solving the UK’s productivity crisis is getting businesses to realise their export potential; web design, PR, tourism, accountancy and insurance are all exportable services. If your offer is good enough for a company in Launceston, it’s good enough for a company in Lisbon. Cornwall Chamber of Commerce holds the contract for delivering UKTI services in Cornwall; we have lots of export events coming up, and you don’t have to be an exporter or a member to attend! http://cornwallchamber.co.uk/events/

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Every year, Cornwall celebrates its vibrant business environment by organising a host of different events and branding the series ‘Cornwall Business Week’. The three main events of the week – which this year runs from Monday, May 9 to Friday, May 13 – are Finance in Cornwall, Cornwall Business Awards and the Cornwall Business Fair. Cornwall Business Fair is organised by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. Now in its eighth year, it attracts thousands of businesses, all with an interest in what the Duchy has to offer. Held at the Eden Project, the business fair plays host to more than 100 local and national companies showcasing their products and services via a promotional stand. The day also features a large breakfast networking event for 180 people, a lunch event for 200 people,

woman in business

The social supermarket

the chamber year ahead 2016. Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is here to inspire, connect and support businesses and social enterprises in every sector and every part of Cornwall and Scilly. We are a British Chamber of Commerceaccredited body contracted to provide export services and documents and point your business in the right direction, introduce you to potential customers and suppliers in Cornwall, nationally and inter nationally. We run events for you to meet

other businesses, share best practice, promote your company, collaborate and/or compete; we promote Cornwall; we signpost you to the best business support independently and without favour; we inspire you – business owner or hard-working employee – to achieve of your best; and we are always here for you, paid by businesses for businesses, not blowing in and out with political changes. Keep an eye out for some highlights! Don’t forget to enter your product or business in Cornwall Business Awards and

don’t forget to book a stand at Cornwall Business Fair, to be held on May 11 at the Eden Project, and put this centrepiece of Cornwall Business Week in your diary. Both can provide a huge morale and sales boost to your company. If you fancy a decent and very reasonable bite to eat while learning about sales and business opportunities check out our website for our events: cornwallchamber.co.uk ; if you’re mystified by EU finances, apprenticeships, training, H&S, HR, PR, HE, FE and their impact on business, contact us hello@cor nwallchamber.co.uk

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CARE IN THE COMMUNITY: Charlotte Dank is looking to expand her Bargain Food Outlet operation from Newquay across Cornwall. bold young entrepreneur, who started her own social super market where most things cost just 25p, has taken Cornwall by storm. Charlotte Danks, 21, caused a stir when she opened the first Bargain Food Outlet in Newquay last year. Word of mouth quickly spread when Charlotte’s story first appeared in the Cornish Guardian – and before she knew it, the entrepreneur featured in newspapers across the country and on national TV. But community-minded Charlotte said she didn’t start the business for fame or recognition. She only ever wanted to help people struggling to make ends meet by offering an alternative to food banks. The shop at Wesley Yard, Newquay, sells off food which is not quite up to supermarket chain

standards for knock-down prices. But perhaps most unusual about the ‘social store’ is that shoppers needn’t be on benefits or living within any particular postcode – everyone is welcome to shop there. And that seems to be the key to the business’s success. Now, Charlotte, who humbly admits to having no previous business experience, has revealed her plans to expand across Cor nwall. “It’s really taken off. Hopefully in the next six months I’ll have another two shops, which I’m planning to open in St Austell and Penzance,” she said. “I’d never done anything business-related before – I just had an idea, and ran with it.” Despite being fresh to the business world, Charlotte, says the biggest challenge she faces is the constant need to keep her shop stocked with goods. “People do judge me and say that I’m too young, so I think it is harder because I’m a young girl,

People do judge me and say that I’m too young

but it’s just made me more motivated than ever to prove them all wrong,” she said. She dreams of one day rolling out her discount store nationwide, but says she has to travel as far as Exeter and Bristol to pick up stock as she struggles to find supplies locally. “I’ve got an old Transit van, which I transport all the stock in,” said Charlotte. “I don’t get anything locally, the supermarkets near me don’t want anything to do with me and would rather it go to

waste, so I have to go to Bristol or Exeter, places like that.” But all the while, shoppers continue to sing Charlotte’s praises for being bold enough to take on the retail giants to help those most in need. “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback; people come in often and thank me for helping them get through difficult times – which is very rewarding,” she said. “I’ve had people coming to visit from all over country, which is amazing. “I’ve had people writing to me from in Taiwan and America saying they’ve read about the shop in their newspapers.” She added: “I hope to continue doing this for the rest of my life, as long as I keep having customers regularly coming back I should be able to expand and I hope I can bring this to other struggling communities. “I’d love to see this spread all over the country, but at the minute I am focussing on Cornwall.”

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Future Economy in association with Local Enterprise Partnership

Drone-docking designer, data hostage specialist, 3D food printer chef, avatar relationship manager. What have all these jobs got in common? They don’t yet exist - but one day they might, according to a fascinating list drawn up by futurist Thomas Frey. The driver for a lot of these jobs of the future is technology, and although some of them may seem fanciful now, anticipating what’s over the horizon is critical to maintaining a competitive economy. That’s why a large part of the LEP’s economic strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly focuses on the ‘future economy’, identifying those areas where we already have a head-start and where we are confident we can grow businesses and create jobs. These include space and aerospace, agricultural technology, e-health, marine technology (including renewable energy) and the digital economy. What underpins much of this activity is our superfast digital network, which allows us to do things that many other areas cannot. Take e-health as an example. Rather than patients having to travel long distances for assessment, what if they could be assessed and monitored from the comfort of their own homes? Or renewable energy. By investing in renewables and smart grid technology we will be able to balance supply and demand in a far more localised, low carbon energy network that could bring greater energy security and reduced costs. Later this year we expect to be invited to bid for the UK’s first spaceport, with Cornwall Airport Newquay the only location in England identified as suitable for hosting such a facility. These are not pipe dreams but things that are going on right now. That’s why we are investing in research, development and innovation, and in our skills base to equip our young people for the jobs of tomorrow. This is a priority for the LEP this year and something that you will be hearing a lot more about in the coming months. ● Sandra Rothwell is chief executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership ● www.cioslep.com ● @LEPCornwall_IoS

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workforce runs our own business; and 97 per cent of Cornish business owners live in the Duchy, so are intrinsically involved with their environment and their colleagues as well as their organisation’s financial wellbeing. It is never happy reading to hear the likes of Tulip’s possible redundancies in Bodmin but businesses ebb and flow and, despite that early bad news, there is much to be optimistic about for

and new for 2016 – a free pasty and pint event in the afternoon. The event was so well received last year that the chamber has added another entire floor to the exhibition, full of promotional stands.

Another 2016 addition will be wi-fi boosters throughout the building to ensure exhibitors and attendees can make the most of the networking app, which allows them to arrange meetings, browse the Linkedin profiles of other delegates and send instant messages. The event is free to attend; there’s also free parking, and even free access to the biomes and Eden attractions for delegates. The chamber encourages people to make a day of it at Eden; it’s a fantastic opportunity to catch up with existing customers and meet new ones, without the travel time! The Cornwall Business Fair takes place on Wednesday, May 11, 10am-4pm, with breakfast at 8am. Booking opens soon. Stands are still available – contact inci@cornwallchamber.co.uk, or visit www.cor nwallbusinessfair.co.uk

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

Charlotte Danks made national headlines when she opened the UK’s first ‘social store’ in Newquay. Alexandria Pesic speaks to the 21-year-old about her inspiration and motivation

Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

Business fair promises opportunity to network

Kim Conchie unning a business is never easy; there are lots of things that can go wrong whether internally or externally. And yet Cornwall is one of the most entrepreneurial places in the UK and we should be proud that more of us start our own thing (proportionately) than anywhere else in England. Business owners are a big group in Cornwall even if many of the businesses they run aren’t large in size. One in five of the Cornish

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woman in business

The social supermarket

“

People do judge me and say that I’m too young

Like what you see? Follow us on Twiiter: @CommerceCornwall

Future Economy in association with Local Enterprise Partnership

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

Charlotte Danks made national headlines when she opened the UK’s first ‘social store’ in Newquay. Alexandria Pesic speaks to the 21-year-old about her inspiration and motivation

Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

Business fair promises opportunity to network

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NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

www.COMMERCECORNWALL.co.uk

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

Welcome to our monthly highlights from Business Cornwall magazine. Each month we will be featuring a look at what has been appearing in Business Cornwall magazine, as well as a preview of what to expect in next month’s issue.

Get in touch with us: Produced by Redruth-based Tonick Business Publishing, Business Cornwall magazine is available by subscription only. If you are a Cornish business and would like to be sent a copy each month, please e-mail subscriptions@businesscornwall. co.uk Tel: 01209 718688 E: news@businesscornwall.co.uk

In terms of numbers of businesses, this is nearly half the rate of growth seen in the previous year from 20132014, half that of the UK as a whole (3.8%) and still far behind London, which experienced the greatest growth of 6.9% between 2014 and 2015. In 2015, agriculture, forestry & fishing remained the largest industry group in Cornwall and Scilly with 18% of all registered businesses, but this has reduced slightly since 2014. Construction (13%) is still next largest, but accommodation and food services (10%) has been matched in proportion by professional, scientific

and technical businesses, which has overtaken retail (9%) in numbers of businesses. The growth in professional, scientific and technical businesses is following the national trend where this is the largest industry group, with 18% of all registered businesses. The ONS 2015 data shows that Cornwall & Isles of Scilly still has a higher proportion of businesses in the lowest turnover band (less than £50k), with 20% compared to the UK average of 17%. It also still has fewer bigger businesses – 7% operate at the higher turnover levels (over £1

million) compared to 9% across the UK as a whole. In terms of employment size, the 2015 stats are similar to 2014; Cornwall & Scilly is still broadly representative of the UK average. Also, perhaps surprisingly, there is still no conclusive evidence to suggest that Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has a higher proportion of micro entities than the UK as a whole. 86% of businesses in Cornwall & Scilly have a turnover less than £500k compared to 84% in the UK as a whole. And 88% of businesses in Cornwall & Scilly have less than ten employees which is the same as the UK average.

guest column

Creative talent is a valuable resource This month’s guest columnist is professor Anne Carlisle, vice chancellor and CEO of Falmouth University Cornwall has glorious landscapes, a rich cultural and social heritage and the county offers the chance of an idyllic country lifestyle. City dwellers dream of escaping the rat race and joining us in such a beautiful location on the coast. However, what is often not appreciated by those ‘up country’, is that Cornwall also has a cost of living among the highest in the country and an economy that’s skewed towards low wage, seasonal employment. Cornwall doesn’t have the jobs market to retain creative, talented young people with big career ambitions. For many years, Cornwall has lost out too often as our younger generations are drawn east, towards the

exciting career opportunities that are promised in London. The past 20 years have seen incredible investment in Cornwall’s road, rail and communications infrastructure. The improvements have been beneficial in opening up greater opportunities for Cornish businesses beyond the Tamar and have been valuable in enabling Cornish businesses to showcase their offerings to those outside the county. These developments have been crucial in removing obstacles to expansion, enabling innovation, global connection and increased trade. Nevertheless, we need to do more to accelerate the development of our economy and we can do that by reversing the brain drain, retaining our Cornish talent in Cornwall, for the benefit of Cornwall. At Falmouth University, we want to play a big role in the continued

growth of the Cornish economy. We believe that business capital and academic capital should work hand in hand to nurture local talent; such cooperation will mean that students equipped with valuable skills and experience can graduate into local jobs with enhanced career progression and earning power. Falmouth students are four times more likely than the national average to set up their own businesses. Launchpad, our pilot graduate entrepreneurship programme which ran from 2014-15, involved the establishment, incorporation and incubation of new businesses that must be headquartered in Cornwall. Only 18 months after the cohort joined us on campus, we are very proud that four successful spin-outs are now employing staff and signing big contracts with household name investors. Much more can, of course, also be

done to help stop the flow of talent away from Cornwall and to bring more brilliant brains and innovative ideas in. Firstly, it’s vital that the investment to improve Cornwall’s infrastructure and travel links continue. Local businesses need to play a part too, engaging with students early on in their education, offering internships and apprenticeships that will provide impactful experiences and help them make the right decisions about their futures. 200 years ago, when a little village near Falmouth was one of the richest square miles in the world, tin was our greatest asset. Now our mining days are behind us, and despite Poldark’s resurgent popularity, our creative talent is our most valuable resource. We must work together to make sure it’s found and fostered in Cor nwall.

Green Cornwall in association with Cornwall Sustainability Awards (CSA)

Sustainability is good business and essential for Cornwall’s future prosperity. In this monthly column will showcase leading Cornish companies who are leading the way.

POWER PLAY: Fortum has created the Penguin wave device.

Wave Hub to harness power of the sea for next generation

Anne Carlisle, Falmouth University.

IT company Microtest. Under the guidance of MD Chris Netherton, along with sons Tristan and Christopher jnr, Microtest has grown into one of the biggest IT employers in the south west, and one of the largest suppliers of clinical systems for GP surgeries in the UK. All this plus the usual roundup of news and opinions from the Cornish business sector, while there will also be featured expert advice from some of Cornwall’s leading finance IT EXPERTS: Microtest MD Chris Netherton with Tristan companies. (left) and Christopher jnr (right).

or nwall’s pioneering Wave Hub is set for a productive future with more groundbreaking renewable energy technology on the way. The Wave Hub, which is located in Hayle, is at the forefront of developing sustainable and renewable energy using the power of waves. The company is currently moving to new premises next to the new multimillion pound Marine Renewables Business Park on North Quay. The Wave Hub Ltd operates the world’s largest marine energy test site ten miles off the Cornish coast and is a wave power research project which is used by companies, both UK-based and Inter national. The £41 million hub was installed on the seabed in September 2010 and is able to have up to four types of converters, which will be connected to the main land, able to provide power to the electric grid. It is estimated that this Cornwall-based project could generate £70 billion for the UK economy by 2050 as well as potentially creating nearly 6,000 jobs by 2035 in the South West. Claire Gibson, managing director at The Wave Hub, said: “The marine energy sector has enormous potential, not only in terms of generating renewable energy but also in delivering green growth and jobs for the local economy. This presents a considerable market opportunity for Cornish businesses.

“With best-in-the world facilities such as Wave Hub, our excellent wave energy resource and a supply chain that is founded on a strong maritime heritage, Cornwall’s offer to the sector is a highly attractive proposition. Two leading wave technology developers have already established offices here and we expect to welcome more international companies this year as they finalise their plans to demonstrate devices at Wave Hub. “By accelerating the development of marine energy in Cornwall we have ensured a significant competitive advantage in a sector that has enormous potential for our region.” Four renewable device developers will be able to connect

to the Hayle site and these will be UK-based Seatricity, Carnegie Wave Energy Limited from Australia, Finnish company Fortum and UK-based Simply Blue Energy Limited. Simply Blue Energy aims to create the UK’s first wave energy park by placing 200 sea-based generators at the Hayle centre around 2017. Seatricity have created Oceanus 2 which generates hydraulic power through waves and pumps. The generator was placed in Hayle in June 2014. Carnegie Wave Energy has created a generator which can be submerged into the water to create zero-emission energy. Fortum have created the Penguin wave device, which is

part of the Clean Energy From Ocean Waves (CEFOW) project. The project aims to use the penguins it is planned to be deployed in Cornwall during the year. Another two penguins are due to be to convert wave movement into power. The device has been successfully tested in Scotland and manufactured to complete the set and will be deployed at the Hayle centre. The Wave Hub is home to many projects that could help provide a cleaner energy source, which could benefit Cornwall and the rest of the UK. The projects currently being tested in Hayle are being monitored in terms of impact on the environment and the energy converted to help secure a greener future.

Nationwide Print is a St Austell-based award-winning litho and digital printing company. In 2011 the company received a highly commended award for Best Managed Medium Business at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards. This recognition has intensified their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their business and becoming more profitable. Managing director Julian Hocking, pictured, explains how: “We have made two major investments reflecting our commitment to sustainability. In 2015 we increased our solar panel capacity from 30kw to 50kw so we could become a net producer of electricity. Our business is now electricity self-sufficient and the investment will have paid for itself by July 2016. “To maximise the return on our investment in energy generation capacity we have also invested to reduce our own use of power. We have replaced all our office lighting with modern energy efficient LED lighting which will reduce our consumption by 25% and again will pay back the investment within two years. Clearly, in making these investments, we have been motivated by the benefits to our bottom line. “However, we also are very conscious of the other benefits they deliver and to ensure our business is contributing to the overall sustainability of Cornwall. Our energy efficiency and generation investments have saved over 100,000 tonnes of carbon in four years, the equivalent of driving 300,000 miles! “Our commitment to leading sustainable business in Cornwall has resulted in the receipt of a prestigious national award. The national voice of the industry, Printweek, awarded us the highest accolade in UK print last year when we won The SME Printing Company of the Year. “We are proud of our achievements and pleased to share our good reputation and commitment with our equally environmentally conscious and high profile clients, such as St Austell Brewery, The Eden Project and Fifteen Cornwall. Pursuing sustainability as a core value within our business is our commitment to Cornwall’s future prosperity.” For more information about Nationwide Print, please visit: www.nationwideprint. co.uk Nationwide Print kindly sponsor the printing of the CSA award ceremony programmes. For more information about CSA, please visit www.cor nwallsustainabilityawards.org

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NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

TEAM EFFORT: The Iso Spaces team. Picture by Simon from Exposure Photo Agency.

is one that the Treleaven and Curtis have readily embraced. “We were used to dealing with very large numbers that didn’t really exist!” says Mr Treleaven. “We had always talked about setting up a business that was a bit more tangible, and I had always liked the old school business model, of buying something for a price, adding value to it and selling it for a profit. And we took it from there.” Next month’s issue will also profile Bodmin-based

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next issue Next month’s issue of Business Cornwall magazine features an interview with the team behind one of the Duchy’s most exciting and innovative new companies – ISO Spaces. The brainchild of former stock brokers, Gregg Curtis and Ben Treleaven, Trurobased ISO Spaces takes used shipping containers and transforms them into some of the most fantastic work, leisure and even living spaces imaginable. It is a world away from dealing in derivatives, but it

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Kirstie Smith explores the potential of Cornwall’s Wave Hub

State of the nation very month, Business Cornwall magazine publishes insights into the business marketplace in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly in collaboration with market research company, PFA Research. In the last issue, PFA took a look at some of the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It reported that the number of VAT and/or PAYE businesses in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly is estimated to have risen by 350 (1.5%) between March 2014 and March 2015 to 23,145.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

green cornwall

NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

www.COMMERCECORNWALL.co.uk

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

guest column

Green Cornwall in association with Cornwall Sustainability Awards (CSA)

Sustainability is good business and essential for Cornwall’s future prosperity. In this monthly column will showcase leading Cornish companies who are leading the way.

POWER PLAY: Fortum has created the Penguin wave device.

Wave Hub to harness power of the sea for next generation

Anne Carlisle, Falmouth University.

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NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

TEAM EFFORT: The Iso Spaces team. Picture by Simon from Exposure Photo Agency.

@commercekernow

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Kirstie Smith explores the potential of Cornwall’s Wave Hub

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

green cornwall

NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

www.COMMERCECORNWALL.co.uk

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

marine sector

marine news

New lease of life for old power station

ON THE UP: On the water with the new limo built in Mylor.

New superyacht: Cockwells unveils 9.5m tender to meet growing demand

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GROWING TREND: Cockwells team with the new limo. the art computer control systems and a self-launching anchor system. Dave Cockwell, the company’s managing director said that this limousine tender is part of a growing trend. He said: “The superyacht industry is an international industry in which British craftsmanship plays an important role. It lends itself very well to the custom boatbuilding skills Cockwells has to offer. The positive reactions we’ve received are a direct result of the

hard work and commitment my team here at Cockwells have put in. “We are all very proud of the craftsmanship and dedication which is helping to put our yard and Cornwall on the map and I am looking forward to welcome more self-motivated and keen individuals onto the team in order to meet the growing demand here at Cockwells.” Following a successful boat show season in September at the Southampton Boat Show and the

Monaco Yacht Show, the sales team of Cockwells in Mylor Bridge secured a number of new orders. Three Cornish built tenders and yachts were present at the Monaco Yacht Show and attracted a huge amount of attention from visitors and the press. Cockwells is currently building two superyacht tenders, two Duchy motor launches and winter refit jobs. Mr Cockwell said: “It will be another busy winter at the yard.”

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Academy 1851: Brewery serves up opportunities

Training & Skills in association with

Truro and Penwith College On the up – but have you got the staff and skills in place to deliver? Recent results from the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce QES survey show that 74 per cent of businesses in Cornwall are enjoying growth with 63 per cent of these seeing increased profitability and 36 per cent looking to increase their workforce as a result. And while the economic forecast is positive for businesses it is a tricky balance deciding when to recruit those additional staff. Competition for qualified staff is also fierce. So what are the options?

RIGHT: Neil Curnow changing a barrel during the cellar training course at St Austell Brewery training centre. Picture by Tom Last

hey’ve been brewing beer at St Austell Brewery for over 150 years, and now the company is passing on decades of knowledge and experience to other businesses in the South West. Building on its existing inhouse investment in staff, the brewery’s newly-refurbished training and development centre, dubbed Academy 1851, is offering a range of practical training courses at varying levels for the licensed hospitality industry in the region to access. The academy, launched in November, will enable other South West companies to better train and develop their own staff without having to travel further afield. Courses range from specialist barista training and cellar management, to food hygiene and advanced wines and spirits, and in some cases they can be delivered at the customer’s own premises. Academy 1851 takes its name from the year the brewery was founded – the company is known to be one of the oldest businesses in Cornwall. “The facility will enable those

St Austell Brewery has opened a new training centre to meet the challenges of recruiting staff in the hospitality industry. Mike Smallcombe reports

“

By giving staff the very best training available, they grow along with the business

working in pubs, hotels, restaurants and bars across the region to take advantage of the expertise, knowledge and experience we have accrued over the years,” Jackie Scarfe, people

director at St Austell Brewery, says. “St Austell Brewery has achieved incredible growth over the years, and we firmly believe that our success is due in large part to investing in our workforce. By giving staff the very best training available, they grow along with the business.” The brewery’s own staff are already trained on site, along with staff working at many of the brewery’s tenanted public houses. Each course available at Academy 1851 aims to train delegates to the ‘very highest’ industry standards in the chosen discipline, with specialised coaching provided from the brewery’s acclaimed in-house team, along with highly qualified professional freelance trainers with extensive experience in the sector. “It is essential, especially in the South West, that we meet the ongoing challenges of recruiting

and retaining staff in the hospitality industry,” Mrs Scarfe added. “Our aim in creating Academy 1851 is to help businesses in this field to find it easier to support their staff to develop their careers, making their job prospects more attractive, and helping to keep the best staff in the region.” St Austell Brewery is Grade 1 accredited with the BIIAB Bench Marketing and Accreditation Services, as well as a registered provider for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. It also works closely with the BIIAB, CPL and Truro and Penwith College to ensure all of its training courses remain at the highest industry standard. For more information about Academy 1851 and the training courses available, visit www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/

1. Upskill existing staff Often, ‘good’ staff could be ‘great’ with some training to build confidence, skills and knowledge. That’s why a quarter of Cornish businesses are saying training is now one of their key priorities. Truro and Penwith College is working with business across Cornwall to identify skills gaps, design development programmes and deliver professional qualifications to move staff into taking on additional responsibility. Sometimes this is a marketing, accountancy, leadership, engineering, construction or regulatory qualification, sometimes this might be a management development programme. Sometimes it’s developing a particular skill such as social media, SAGE, CAD or Excel pivot tables! This development of staff provides a catalyst for performance change, as well as increasing staff retention and motivation. 2. “Grow your own” through apprenticeships Our own research (Marketing Means: December 2015) has found that 37 per cent of Cornish businesses are looking to recruit apprentices, while for businesses that have had apprentices before, 73 per cent are looking to take on more. So how does it work? The college’s apprenticeship recruitment team can support the recruitment process, as we are currently for St Austell Brewery who are recruiting 38 apprentices to respond to their growth. Then the apprenticeship is a comprehensive package of training delivered over at least a year. This can be for new (or existing) staff of any age. ● Truro and Penwith College provides short courses, bespoke training, professional qualifications and apprenticeship programmes for business across a broad range of areas including management, leadership, marketing, regulatory training, engineering, construction, hospitality, hair and beauty, motor vehicle, health and social care and IT. For more information on developing your workforce or to talk to one of our team call 01872242711 or e-mail business@truro-penwith.ac.uk

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Cornish boat builder has launched a brand new superyacht tender. Mylor-based Cockwells has been enjoying a full order book and trade is on the up. The firm said international demand is growing and its latest China-bound, luxury limousine tender is no longer the exception. To satisfy new customers coming from all over the world, the yard is constantly expanding its activities and hiring new skilled tradesmen. Cockwells settled in Mylor Creek Boatyard five years ago. The 9.5m tender is the latest superyacht tender to come out of the Cockwells shed. She was built for an 88m superyacht, was partly designed by the inhouse team at Cockwells and will be sent to a client in China. Built to carry 10 guests in the comfort of an enclosed cabin, the limousine can reach speeds of up to 36 knots; she has all the modern technology you would expect on board a superyacht tender including air conditioning, heating, a state of

/commercecornwall

“

We are all very proud of the craftsmanship and dedication which is helping to put our yard and Cornwall on the map

Cor nwall’s growing marine renewable sector has received a welcome boost following the completion of the Marine Renewables Business Park. The new business park in Hayle has been designed to accommodate companies in the growing marine energy sector and is built on the site of a former coal-fired power station at North Quay. MRBP will offer 2,500 square metres of managed workspace in a two-storey modern office building comprising seven offices with superfast fibre broadband and seven light industrial units varying in size from 180m2 to 220m2. The workspaces, which are built to BREEAM Excellent rating, will be available for occupation from December 2015 and will be suited to businesses working within and supporting the marine energy and marine technology sectors. Cornwall Council, which owns the site, is hoping that around 120 jobs will be created. Stuart Farmer, offshore renewables development programme manager at Cornwall Council, said: “Investment in the development of the Hayle Marine Renewables Business Park offers a stunning new addition to the wide range of facilities available to those businesses and organisations looking to get involved in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly growing Marine Renewable sector. “Complementing historic investment in enabling infrastructure, the availability of high quality workspace forms another important element towards achieving the goals for marine renewable growth as set out in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine Renewable Road Map. “Delivery of the business park underlines the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP and Cornwall Council’s commitment to the establishment of robust long term foundations that are designed to support the marine renewables sector and its vibrant supply chain achieve the next steps towards future commercialisation.” John Pollard, councillor for Hayle North and leader of Cornwall Council said: “This new business park will cement Cornwall’s position at the forefront of the development of marine energy.” Hayle MRBP is being developed as part of a collaborate package of investment in Hayle Harbour and North Quay, with £11.6 million of funding from the ERDF, an £8m investment by Cornwall Council, and £4.25m from central gover nment.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

training & skills

NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

marine sector

marine news

New lease of life for old power station

ON THE UP: On the water with the new limo built in Mylor.

New superyacht: Cockwells unveils 9.5m tender to meet growing demand

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Let us know what you think of Commerce Cornwall on Twitter: Find us at @CommerceKernow or use the hashtag #commercecornwall

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NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

Academy 1851: Brewery serves up opportunities

Training & Skills in association with

RIGHT: Neil Curnow changing a barrel during the cellar training course at St Austell Brewery training centre. Picture by Tom Last

St Austell Brewery has opened a new training centre to meet the challenges of recruiting staff in the hospitality industry. Mike Smallcombe reports

“

By giving staff the very best training available, they grow along with the business

working in pubs, hotels, restaurants and bars across the region to take advantage of the expertise, knowledge and experience we have accrued over the years,” Jackie Scarfe, people

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/commercecornwall

“

We are all very proud of the craftsmanship and dedication which is helping to put our yard and Cornwall on the map

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

training & skills

NEW BUSINESS | OPINION | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS

www.COMMERCECORNWALL.co.uk

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20, 2016

diary dates for Cornwall

submissions: Send you business diary event

JANUARY 28

MARCH 1, 2, 3

‘Ask More – Sell More’ at Pool Innovation Centre: If you need to grow sales but don’t like the idea of selling or if you are a sales person looking to enhance your sales skills, this highly interactive, fast-paced masterclass is for you. It’s for a maximum of eight people at Pool Innovation Centre on Thursday, January 28th between 9.30am and 1pm. Places cost £87+vat. To book simply call Trevor Lee on 07785 390717 or e-mail trevor@trevorleemedia.co.uk China Digital Workshop: China Digital Workshop brought to you by the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the China-Britain Business Council. The workshop, designed to help Cornish companies reach Chinese consumers and businesses via online channels, runs from 9am to 1pm at the St Austell Conference Centre at the St Austell Business Park.

FEBRUARY 2 Cornwall Lender’s Forum at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce Offices: Meeting of senior management from Cornwall’s banks, as well as other lenders and associated organisations attend quarterly meetings. If you would like to join this group, contact Katie Wild to request an invitation.

FEBRUARY 5 St Austell Bay Chamber of Commerce Crunchy Breakfast: The fourth Crunchy

Breakfast will be held at Wheal Martyn on February 5th from 8am to 9.30am. The guest speaker for the event will be Malcolm Bell, chief executive of VisitCornwall, who will be informing us about the new VisitCornwall that is being run by the private sector.

"Coach-on-Tap" workshops: The Truro Chamber of Commerce is holding three days of helpful ‘Coach-on-Tap’ Workshops at Miners & Mechanics Institute, Vicarage Road, St Agnes. The workshops will cover presentations, handling difficult conversations, effective networking and building your personal and business brand. For more information please contact Kathy Morris at kmm.morris@gmail.com or call 07775 667708.

property. The seminar, which is open to owners of holiday properties regardless of the agency they are with, will offer advice on how to boost a property’s appeal with potential bookers. The morning session, which takes place at Nancarrow Farm, will feature a range of professional guest speakers. These include renowned interior designer Lindsey Richards from Linterior Design and upcycling expert Caroline Coad, who will demystify the art of upcycling with some tricks for refreshing fixtures and fittings. As well, Suzanne Dexter, Classic Cottages’s property manager for South West Cornwall, will share her top 10 tips for running a successful holiday property and there will be plenty of time for a Q&A before lunch. Spaces on the half-day session, which starts at 10am and finishes with homemade Nancarrow lunch at 12.30pm, must be booked in advance. Tickets are a nominal £3 per person or £5 per couple. To secure your place call 01326 555 550.

FEBRUARY 10

FEBRUARY 18

BIG February lunch: Cornwall Chamber of Commerce BIG February lunch event at Budock Vean Hotel from noon to 2pm. Great networking with over 50 businesses. £25.20 including VAT for members of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.

HR Masterclass: An employer's guide to workplace discipline: Join the experts and expand your knowledge on this tricky topic. You will come away more confident in your process and in your skills to manage both informal and formal discipline processes effectively. This free masterclass will be held at Carn Brea Hub Club on February 18th. We will begin with coffee and pastries at 9am until 10:30am. Places are limited so book now on the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce website or contact Annah at annah@sapiencehr.co.uk

FEBRUARY 9, 10, 11

FEBRUARY 11 Making your holiday property work harder: Leading South West holiday company Classic Cottages kicks off 2016 with a masterclass in styling your holiday

to sharrison@cornishguardian.co.uk

Expowest Cornwall: Expowest Cornwall is a crucial event on the business and social calendar. If you’re involved in hospitality and food and drink, this is the show for you. Attending gives you the vital advantage of tasting the latest innovations in food and drink, as well as testing and evaluating the products and services on show. The event will showcase products that cover the whole of the hospitality and catering market; from tableware to furniture, catering equipment to business services, coffee to speciality food. There are currently 98 exhibitors registered for the expo, 15 of which are doing it for the first time. The free event takes place at the Royal Cornwall Showground, near Wadebridge. For more visit http://www.expowestcornwall.co.uk/

MARCH 4 The South West Business Growth Conference: Julie Girling, MEP for South West England & Gibraltar, invites you to attend The South West Business Growth Conference at WestPoint Centre, Clyst St Mary, Exeter. The conference is open to all SMEs and micro businesses across the South West. It is free to attend and offers a range of excellent speakers from Get Set for Growth, UKTI, The European Commission and more. It will cover what EU funding is available, how do I export into Europe and beyond, how can social media make a difference to my business and what does the European referendum mean to my business? To secure your free place register

now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ growth-for-the-south-west-businessconference-tickets-19490034217

MARCH 17 Cornwall Business Show: The Cornwall Business Show is the largest, most inclusive business exhibition in Cornwall. The oneday event brings together a wide spectrum of industries and sectors, from small, startup businesses to large, established companies. Taking place between 9.30am and 4pm at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, this year’s show will host over 100 exhibitors and provide a convenient one-stop-shop for individuals and companies to make new contacts, meet suppliers and grow their business. The business-to-business event is supported by media partners the Western Morning News and Pirate FM.

MARCH 24 Making the most of your chamber membership: The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is offering a session to help new and existing members understand what a chamber does. The session covers networking and events, communication channels, the chamber website, news, blog and member messaging, national and international connectivity, exports, Young Cornwall, member-to-member and British Chamber of Commerce discounts and so much more. The free session for members takes place at the chamber offices in Camborne from 9am to 11am.

Next issue of Commerce Cornwall will be published by your Cornish Guardian on February 17

Meet

the Dealer Business Centre Manager James Holder

“It’s been a really exciting time for the West End Motors and we have been able to negotiate some fantastic deals across the Nissan range which is comparable to those offered elsewhere in the UK.”

WEST END MOTORS NISSAN BUSINESS CENTRE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

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issan dealership West End Motors Bodmin is celebrating 12 months of Business and Fleet centre status this month and is continuing to expand its customer base in the South West with an impressive pace. Joining just 60 business centres across the UK from a total of 220 Nissan dealerships, the Launceston Road dealer has developed its new side of the business beyond all expectations,

supplying many small businesses and larger fleet companies over the past 12 months. Trading for well over 54 years, West End Motors specialises in contract hire, light commercial vehicles and electric vehicles for small or large business users, allowing the firm to collated some of the best offers from the Nissan marque and can pass huge savings onto Cornish businesses. West End Motors Business and

Fleet Manager James Holder has relished the opportunity the past year has given. “It’s been a really exciting time for the West End Motors and we have been able to negotiate some fantastic deals across the Nissan range which is comparable to those offered elsewhere in the UK.” he says. “This has enabled us to grow at a rate much faster than expected which means a lot to me as I’ve nurtured the project since the

beginning. We are seeing more and more customers get in touch to see how we can help their business or fleet and we have been able to offer some fantastic cost effective solutions from the Nissan range.” West End Motors Nissan Business Centre is able to offer a huge range of Nissan models from the 100% electric Nissan Leaf to the robust builder favourite, the Nissan Cabstar. They have also welcomed the arrival of the all new NP300

Navara this month. But the Business and Fleet Centre is not just suitable for large business users. “The great thing about the Nissan range is that we truly do have a vehicle to meet everyone’s needs” says James. “For example company car drivers may require a small city car such as the Micra, or the popular crossover Nissan Qashqai and we can ensure the vehicle fits their business as well as their pocket.”

West End Motors’ Business Centre is open at the Launceston Road dealership and is open seven days a week. For more information on how they can help your business or fleet needs, contact James on 01208 261111. You can also email him on jh@westendmotorsbodmin.co.uk or visit www.westend-nissan.co.uk