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APRIL 2018
ISSUE 119
INSIDE FEATURES
22 – BIG2
36 ON THE MOVE
INVESTMENT FUND DRAWS TO A CLOSE
9 – CORNWALL BUSINESS FAIR
24 – COMPANY PROFILE
CENTREPIECE EVENT TO THIS YEAR’S CORNWALL BUSINESS WEEK (APRIL 16-20)
REBRAND FOR CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY FIRM RRL
NEW APPOINTMENTS
37 FSB FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES
26 – BUSINESS GROWTH
38 TOURISM HELICOPTER UPDATE
14 – CORNWALL BUSINESS AWARDS
NEW HOME FOR COCKWELLS CLASSIC BOATBUILDING
39 EDUCATION
ALL IS SET FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
28 – CORNWALL AIRPORT NEWQUAY
16 – CEO INTERVIEW
WHAT AIRPORT’S SUCCESS MEANS TO LOCAL BUSINESS
IN CONVERSATION WITH CORNWALL CHAMBER CEO, KIM CONCHIE
21 – INNOCENT ADVENTURE CORNISH BUSINESSES VISIT ‘FRUIT TOWERS’
AWARD FOR KINGDOM & SPARROW
41 JUST A THOUGHT
HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR PREMISES FOR BUSINESS GROWTH?
REGULARS
RESTAURANT ‘NO SHOWS’
6 BUSINESS NEWS
WelcomeContents_Apr18.indd 3
40 CREATIVE & IT
29 – COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
4 INCOMING
PHOTO: GOONHILLY INVESTMENT, SEE P6
APPRENTICESHIP GAMES
SPACE ACTION PLAN
LEAP’S MATT HOCKING
42 TEST DRIVE RENAULT TRAFIC VAN
44 EVENTS DIARY
DATES TO COME
46 CONNECTED
DATES GONE
48 THE LAST WORD
BOBBY VANDERPLANK FROM DALES
23/03/2018 10:48
APRIL 2018
ISSUE 119
WELCOME EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Hill caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS PFA Research, Matt Hocking DESIGN Hutch Agency - hutchagency.co.uk Printed in Cornwall by Deltor BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by: Tonick Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road Redruth TR15 3PL Tel: 01209 718688 SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk
ON THE COVER KIM CONCHIE CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION businesscornwall.co.uk
APRIL 2018 / ISSUE 119 / £3.95
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WORK PLACE SURVEY RESULTS
COCKWELLS
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The busiest few days on the networking calendar take place this month – Cornwall Business Week. If you think, rather like Christmas, that this year’s Business Week seems to have come around quicker than ever, this time you would actually be right. Traditionally set in May, this year’s Business Week events have moved to the week beginning April 16. All the fun kicks off at the Headland Hotel on Tuesday, April 17, with a special event hosted by the Skills Hub – Get Skills Cornwall. The ever-popular Finance in Cornwall event has this year moved to the Wednesday and is being held alongside the Cornwall Business Fair, while the celebrations will be rounded off in traditional style at St Mellion International with the Cornwall Business Awards. With plans gathering pace for such initiatives as a space industry in Cornwall, we could be on the cusp of some exciting times for the Duchy, and this Business Week issue provides the perfect chance to reflect on some of these opportunities. We catch up with Chamber chief executive Kim Conchie, who gives us his thoughts on where Cornwall stands. Also this month we focus on the commercial property sector in Cornwall and present the findings of PFA Research’s recent survey into business premises.
With plans gathering pace for such initiatives as a space industry in
Cornwall, we could be on the cusp of some exciting times for the Duchy
CHAMBER CHIEF EXECUTIVE KIM CONCHIE
9 772514
Focus on Cornwall
22/03/2018 11:48
Business Cornwall magazine is proud to be a business partner of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
EDITOR BUSINESS CORNWALL Business Cornwall magazine is proud to be media partner of the FSB
Registered under the Data Protection Act All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in an electronic retrieval system or transmitted without the written permission of the publisher. Stringent efforts have been made by Business Cornwall magazine to ensure accuracy. However, due principally to the fact that data cannot always be verified, it is possible that some errors or omissions may occur. Business Cornwall magazine can not accept responsibility for such errors or omissions. Business Cornwall magazine accepts no responsibility for comments made by interviewees that may offend.
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INCOMING
THE CONVERSATION
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The big question Do you have, or are you considering, a policy to deal with people who book a table in your restaurant but don’t turn up? Is this a growing problem? How damaging are ‘no shows’ and what can be done to address this growing problem? Join the conversation @biz_cornwall
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Stephens Scown is not afraid to do things other law firms have not tried before. It is the first large law firm in the UK to introduce employee ownership, giving all of its employees an equal share in its profits. Christian Wilson explains why other SMEs may benefit from taking the same approach
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THE CONVERSATION
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NICK OSBORNE
The Lookout Restaurant & Lounge at Retallack
BEN QUINN
Woodfired Canteen
No policy at present. We do get no shows or very last minute cancellations. We are an events company so this has a very specific impact in terms of menu writing and quantities of produce. Our view is that life happens! Sometimes people get mixed up with dates, sick kids, forget etc. I would like to believe that there is always a good reason and that it doesn’t automatically indicate a selfish mindset.
BEN TUNNICLIFFE
The Tolcarne
It is a growing problem, I think quite often visitors to Cornwall in the summer will book multiple restaurants and then decide on the night which one they are actually going to go to, possibly depending on where they are at the end of the day. As a restaurateur in the far west of Cornwall we see this year on year and when one attempts to implement a deposit policy it is frowned upon by the customer. It’s not so much wasted food but lost revenue, as invariably we will have turned away other potential customers on the strength of bookings we have. What I don’t understand is that if you have every intention of honouring your reservation, where is the problem in leaving a deposit? It is a constant cause of frustration amongst hospitality providers I know locally. Our industry (especially locally) survives on low margins and lost revenue makes the whole job that little bit harder to sustain.
J
ohn Lewis is the most famous employee owned business, but an increasing number of SMEs are taking this approach too – in fact employee owned companies now deliver 4% of annual GDP. According to the Employee Ownership Association, employee owned businesses achieve higher productivity, greater levels of innovation and are more resilient to economic turbulence. They also have more engaged and more fulfilled workforces. Its research shows that customers are more likely to trust and
While we haven’t found it to be a growing problem, ‘no shows’ do happen from time to time. It doesn’t tend to result in us wasting food (the only time would be if we had received a specific dietary request in advance), but it is lost revenue in the sense of not being able to sell that table to a genuine reservation. We try to combat this by taking a deposit at the time of booking for groups or ‘high spend’ reservations which, in our experience, significantly increases the likelihood of attendance.
KATIE SANDOW
Fifteen Cornwall
We have in the past taken non-refundable deposits from bookings for groups of six or more but we are keen to remove all possible barriers for our customers so this policy is now discretionary. Our focus is more on reducing no-shows by making it easier for people to cancel or amend their booking. Instead of having to call us they can now cancel via text message and will soon be able to cancel or amend from their booking confirmation email. When people understand the impact of not showing up on our apprentices and our charity, they tend not to do it again!
RUPERT BRENDON
Falcon Hotel
‘No shows’ are not yet a problem in our bar or restaurant to consider a credit card charge to secure a reservation. Some of our function organisers can be lax about confirming final numbers and we insist they pay if there are ‘no shows’ and they have not cancelled within a specified time prior to the event.
purchase from employee owned businesses. Our experience at Stephens Scown has been an increase in staff morale and productivity – and a real sense that we are all in this together. Just one sign of staff engagement is appearing for four consecutive years in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list. Employee ownership is not for every business, but as growing part of the UK economy, any well advised business owner should at least be aware of it and what it might achieve for their company. Stephens Scown is unique in the legal sector for having embraced the move to employee ownership and is advising other businesses who
INCOMING
BEN YOUNG
The Alverton & The Greenbank
At both hotels and also at our Working Boat Pub we occasionally loose out due to reservations simply not showing up. Obviously this is very frustrating, and we do our utmost to ensure this is avoided by confirming the booking the day prior via email or phone. We’re reluctant to introduce any policy that could be deemed as a barrier to our customers, we are here to provide the best of customer service experiences and one that commences with terms and conditions is not conducive to this and worse still it risks setting the wrong tone. As a caveat I would say that this is what works for us, I have no doubt other businesses may be forced into having a policy.
BEN HARMER
Penrose Kitchen
We have started using EBR, an online booking system which we use to store data from customers upon booking. As of yet we have not put in place a deposit but we shall soon. However, one of the benefits of using EBR is we get an email or telephone number when taking booking so when a no show happens we either email or call and if they try to book again, it flags up. ‘No shows’ can be damaging and soul destroying. No shows mean we have to waste fresh produce and incur extra wages with no income coming into the business. It would be quite nice for Cornwall Tourism and Council officials and MPs to show support and impose a fine at the discretion of the business for no shows. Perhaps chef heavyweights like Nathan, Paul and Rick can start a no show campaign for Kernow to help us all.
are starting out on the employee ownership journey. Is it time you thought what it could mean for your business? Christian Wilson is partner and head of the corporate team in Cornwall at Stephens Scown LLP. Contact Christian on 01872 265100, solicitors@stephens-scown.co.uk or via www.stephens-scown.co.uk
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CORNWALL
BUSINESS NEWS
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TO BOLDLY GO…
Ambitious plans to put Cornwall at the heart of the fast-growing space industry and create thousands of new jobs have been unveiled. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has published a Space Action Plan outlining how Cornwall can play a leading role in the global space economy. It sets a goal of achieving 1,000 space technology jobs by 2025, and doubling that by 2030. It claims a further 8,000 jobs could be created in related industries ‘downstream’ using space-derived data to create new products and services. By harnessing existing assets like Cornwall Airport Newquay, Goonhilly Earth Station, digital connectivity and higher education expertise, the LEP believes that the space sector in Cornwall could be worth more than £1 billion by 2030, which is over 10% of the current economy. By 2030, the global space economy is projected to be worth £400 billion annually, and the UK has set a target of securing 10% of this activity through its own Space Growth Action Plan.
Tim Bagshaw, head of operations at the LEP, said: “There is a tremendous opportunity to make Cornwall synonymous with the global space economy, whether that’s harnessing space data for the creation of new businesses, or launching hardware and people into orbit.” Meanwhile, Goonhilly Earth Station is being upgraded to communicate with deep space missions to the Moon and Mars thanks to an £8.4 million investment from the LEP It will be the first time the UK has had the capability to communicate directly with deep-space missions, and makes Goonhilly the world’s first commercial deep-space communications station. The LEP’s investment has come from the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund, and will be made via the European Space Agency
(ESA). Once the upgrade work is complete, Goonhilly will have the ability to track and control forthcoming robotic and human missions to the Moon and Mars, making a significant technical and economic contribution to European efforts in global space exploration. Goonhilly CEO, Ian Jones, added: “The team here at Goonhilly, along with colleagues at the LEP, ESA and the UK Space Agency, have been working incredibly hard to achieve this fantastic outcome. We now look forward to getting on with the upgrade work which will bring a new expansion of the company.” LEP chief executive, Sandra Rothwell, said the funding would help create an economy “fit for the 21st century”.
JOBS COULD BE CREATED IN RELATED INDUSTRIES
£8.4m INVESTMENT FROM THE LEP
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BUSINESS NEWS
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NEWS IN BRIEF Bishop Fleming has leapt 16 places up the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For list after being ranked 26th in 2018 - the highest professional services firm in the south west. Law firm, Stephens Scown, appears at 33rd in the list, while engineering consultancy Hydrock, which has an office in Camborne, is ranked 40th.
St Austell has been announced as the latest location to welcome a Popup Innovation Centre following the success of ones hosted in Bodmin and Launceston. The new Pop-up Innovation Centre will open for business from April 10 at St Austell Business Park and will operate until the end of July, offering businesses the opportunity to network, attend workshops, use hot desks and have access to one-to-one business support.
Truro-based construction consultancy, WWA , has gone electric to replace its entire fleet of company cars with BMW i3s. “WWA is really paving the way for other businesses to switch to electric,” said senior partner, Andy Snapes.
Cornish outdoor clothing brand, Finisterre, has followed in the footsteps of design agency, Leap, to become only the second company in Cornwall to achieve certified B Corp status. B Corp is a global non-profit movement promoting “a force for good” to solve social or environmental problems.
F
our entrepreneurial University of Exeter Cornwall graduates with a passion for the natural world have started a wildlife film production company, MuddyDuck. Billy Heaney, Russell Barnett, Hattie Lavender and Robbie Phillips all completed their Zoology undergraduate degrees at the university’s Penryn Campus, with Billy and Robbie staying on for further study. The crew met whilst filming on the studentled online programme NatureWatch, which showcases the amazing wildlife that can be found in and around Cornwall. The incredible experience they gained in filming Naturewatch made them realise that not only did they want
REBRAND FOR DCBC The Devon & Cornwall Business Council (DCBC) has rebranded as the South West Business Council (SWBC). Building on the success of the industry-backed ‘Great South West’ initiative, SWBC says it will continue to work on behalf of the region to encourage business connections within the south west, while building its wider profile. A number of new strategic alliances with organisations across the West Midlands, London and south east of the UK, and in Europe, will
be announced shortly, in addition to a new partnership with Business Forum South West. SWBC chief executive, Dr Robin Daniels, said: “As business people and innovators, we see that new opportunities are forged through partnerships that span cities and regions, sectors and markets. This is our mission: to create new opportunities for organisations of all sizes and from all sectors across the region and, as a region, to take our products and services to global markets.”
CORNISH LEADERS IN EXPORT Two Cornish companies have been named to a league table of Britain’s fastest-growing SME exporters. The fourth annual Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s small and medium-sized private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. In 64th place, with £2.9 million of international sales (£8.6 million total), is
Launceston-based teddy bear wholesaler, Charlie Bears. Export sales grew 52% last year for the business, which exports half a million teddy bears a year to 37 countries worldwide. Giftware wholesaler, Puckator, saw export sales lift 39% to £9.1 million (£14.8 million total) and is ranked in 92nd place. The business is based in Liskeard, but also has offices in Turin, Valencia and Xiamen.
to continue filming together, but that they wanted to create their own business. Making the most of their environment, the Muddyduck crew have been getting stuck into work over the past few months, completing a film for the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust for use in upcoming education seminars about the use of photo ID in identifying individual seals in research. MuddyDuck has also just completed four short films for the National Trust Mid-Cornwall Ranger Team on their butterfly conservation work. One of these can be found online as part of the MuddyDuck online series ‘Life in Cornwall’. It has also been working with Natural
England, documenting their work on the preservation of butterfly habitats, which is set to conclude soon. The team are now looking to expand their capability by utilising the University of Exeter’s Think, Try, Do scheme to secure 4K cameras and editing equipment to improve the quality of their footage, which they hope to make the most of on their next project documenting turtle conservation in Cyprus. Check them out on: Instagram @muddyduckuk Facebook @Muddy Duck Productions Twitter @muddyduckuk
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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CORNWALL
BUSINESS NEWS
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CORNISH SUCCESS AT BRITS A small Cornish company shone at last month’s Brit Awards. Porthtowan-based fashion designer Katy Nicholson and her business, Wildcard Silks, create luxury silk scarves and accessories for men and women and were talent spotted and selected by Universal Music to be presented as a special gift to each of the award winners. Each of the Brits Award winners, including Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and The Foo Fighters, were given one of Wildcard’s signature sugar skull designs, inspired by Nicholson’s road trip along Route 66. She said: “Being approached by The Brit Awards is a real honour for any brand but as a new and up and coming label, it is very exciting to be offered this opportunity and global exposure.”
SAPC PRESSES FORWARD
St Austell Printing Company (SAPC) has kickstarted a £1 million investment programme with a new state-of-the-art press which offers increased efficiency, capacity and a range of new product options. The family-run company has unveiled a Ryobi Mitsubishi (RGMT) Series SRA1 offset press, becoming the first printing company in the south west to embrace new LED-UV drying technology. The 27-tonne press was shipped directly from Japan and installed over four weeks at the company’s factory on the outskirts of St Austell. The new press joins a fleet of lithographic and digital presses which manufacture products for
8
prominent clients including The Eden Project, St Austell Brewery, Surfers Against Sewage, Whistlefish Galleries and hundreds of clients nationally. Print manager, Steve Mattey, said: “Our print team are currently being trained on the machine and they are really excited about what it can do and the outstanding results.” The new press was manufactured in Japan by RMGT, where Mattey together with MD, Peter Moody, were invited to fly out and watch the final stages of its construction. The press was part-funded with a grant from the BIG2 Project, funded by the ERDF as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
Being approached by The Brit Awards is a real honour for any brand but as a new and up and coming label, it is very exciting
FORECAST BUSTING A new business support programme in Cornwall has been delivering some instant results. After only six months of delivery, Oxford Innovation’s ERDF-funded Access2Finance programme has helped businesses in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly raise £2 million in funding, five times more than the forecast target. Furthermore, the business coaching specialist has also announced that in eight years of working with growing businesses in the Duchy, it has helped clients to create over 2,750 new highvalue jobs. Andrew Finley, project director of Access2Finance for Oxford Innovation, commented: “This is a fantastic result for the project team and our clients in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It clearly demonstrates the market demand for our services and is testament to the fact that, despite the uncertainty of Brexit, ambitious local businesses continue to invest for the growth of their own future as well as that of Cornwall.”
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CORNWALL BUSINESS
FAIR
SHINING We preview the Cornwall Business Fair on April 18, which forms the centrepiece of this year’s Cornwall Business Week
ollowing three successful years at Eden, Cornwall Business Fair returns with a new location, new running order and new date, ensuring an even broader mix of exhibitors and increased footfall. Cornwall Chamber of Commerce asked its members to suggest the perfect exhibition venue in Cornwall and believes Truro School, overlooking the city centre, comes pretty close. The Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre will host the main exhibition space for over 100 exhibitors in a purpose built shell scheme. This will include the Business Support Zone, which will be home to a number of support organisations
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BUSINESS FAIR
including the likes of Outset, Growth & Skills Hub, Oxford Innovation and Unlocking Potential. A ticketed breakfast and late afternoon event will be held in the school’s old sports hall, leaving visitors with an uninterrupted five hours to attend the exhibition, hear from some insightful speakers and make those all important business connections. The chamber was able to secure this new venue by taking advantage of the school’s extended Easter holiday break, which falls within term time for other state schools in Cornwall. Chamber chief executive, Kim Conchie, said: “Like business in Cornwall, at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce we like to keep things fresh and vibrant so felt it was time to make a few changes to Cornwall Business Fair 2018. I’m confident the revised format will create a real buzz that will appeal to visitors and exhibitors alike.” The day will kick off with
Like business in Cornwall, at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce we like to keep things fresh and vibrant so felt it was time to make a few changes to Cornwall Business Fair 2018
FINANCE IN CORNWALL Finance in Cornwall has for long been a mainstay of Cornwall Business Week and this year will be held alongside the Business Fair at Truro School. Organised by PKF Francis Clark, the change of venue and date is to facilitate a closer interaction with the Business Fair. This format for this year’s event has also been tweaked, into shorter sessions to give attendees flexibility to visit both events during the day. There will be a wide range of presentations, from sources of grant, debt and equity funding, as well as from business support agencies in the region. The presentations will short and snappy, giving the delegates a basis for an assessment of which funding stream/funder matches their requirements. The sessions will also be targeted depending on your business needs. This event is designed to showcase the range of funding and business support available to start ups in Cornwall and will feature a number of short, sharp presentations covering a range of topics from funding and business support through to cloud accounting, business structures and basic tax. Both events are free to attend, but places are limited and advance booking is essential. For more details, visit www.pkf-francisclark.co.uk
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PROFILE ON:
ACCELERATION THROUGH INNOVATION (ATI) Stand no 34 Cornwall Business Fair 2018 cceleration Through Innovation (ATI) is a £3 million ERDF project which delivers smart and beneficial ideas whilst providing high-quality, intensive support to businesses that are ready to innovate. Through a first class programme which encourages and supports business acceleration, ATI helps businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to bring forward new to market or new to firm innovations which drive growth and productivity.
THROUGH ATI, BUSINESSES CAN ACCESS A BROAD RANGE OF HIGH-VALUE SUPPORT INCLUDING:
• 1:1 Business advice from Certified IKE Innovation Professionals • Academic Research bespoke to the business area • Innovation Masterclasses which support organisational growth, culture and productivity • Opportunities to attend expert workshops and networking events • Grant funding to support new Innovation Projects
Led by the University of Plymouth and in collaboration with Cornwall Innovation, ATI drives a culture of innovation, supporting businesses who are looking to adopt innovative processes. Working with recognized innovation specialists and IKE certified professionals, ATI inspires new ways of thinking to move a business forward.
COME AND SPEAK TO US AT THE BUSINESS FAIR 2018 STAND NO: 34 01209 705 166 ati@plymouth.ac.uk www.aticornwallinnovation.co.uk
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CORNWALL BUSINESS
FAIR
PROFILE ON:
TFA TRUSTED FINANCIAL ADVICE PROFILE ON:
ISIGHTCORNWALL
Stand no 93 Cornwall Business Fair 2018
s one of the oldest charities in Cornwall, we are proud of our heritage of supporting people with visual impairments to lead active and independent lives. We offer practical advice about technology, equipment and visual aids that make daily living and working easier.
WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE
We work with local businesses to ensure that your visually impaired customers can access your services and communications. We can also support you to become a more confident and inclusive employer by providing advice and training on sight loss support, as well as offering you the chance to see inclusive employment in action by visiting our charity and meeting our staff.
THE BENEFIT OF OUR CHARITY TO BUSINESSES
1 in 5 people will live with sight loss during their lifetime
We offer practical advice about technology, equipment and visual aids that make daily living and working easier
so by choosing to work with iSightCornwall, you will be helping to make a real difference the lives of local people.
COME AND SPEAK TO US AT THE BUSINESS FAIR 2018 STAND NO: 93
Or if you would like to talk to one of our team before this contact us: 01872 261110 ctheobald@isightcornwall.org.uk www.isightcornwall.org.uk
Stand No 25 Cornwall Business Fair 2018 Financial Planning is essential for business success. • Have you insured for the loss of key people within your business? • Are you using Directors Pensions effectively for tax and succession planning? • Have you considered Shareholder or Partnership protection? • Are you compliant with auto or re-enrolment? • Are you providing the most cost-effective employee benefits package?
WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE:
As experts in providing financial advice for businesses, TFA are the ideal people to guide you through planning appropriately for your business. As business owners, managers and employees we all have our own financial planning requirements and our goal is to get the most for your money, creating a brighter future for you and your loved ones. Our independent financial advisers will advise you on estate planning, investments, pensions, mortgages and protection for you and your family members. They will work with you to suggest unbiased recommendations you can trust.
COME AND SPEAK TO US AT THE BUSINESS FAIR 2018 STAND NO: 25
Or if you would like to talk to one of our advisers before this contact us TFA 0800 138 2199 enquiries@tomfrench.co.uk #TrustedFinancialAdvice www.tomfrench.co.uk /tfaadvisers @tfaadvisers /tfa trusted financial advice
TFA is a trading style of Tom French & Associates Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – FRN 185513
trusted financial advice
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EXHIBITORS AT CORNWALL BUSINESS FAIR 2018 INCLUDE: 34 Acceleration Through Innovation 95 Advanced Imaging Systems Ltd (AISYS) 79 Aerohub 84 Bewley & Ware 2 Bibby Financial Services 62 Bishop Fleming 86 Brewin Dolphin 78 Business Cornwall 8 Business Regulatory Support Service 35 Business Support Zone 36 Business Support Zone 47 Business Support Zone 48 Business Support Zone 50 BusinessMan ERP 77 CCB Business Training Solutions 63 CF Systems Ltd 64 CF Systems Ltd 85 Chamber Innovation Investment Network 87 CHICKS 5 Children's Hospice South West 98 Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Programme 99 Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Programme 15 Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust 76 Cornwall Airport Newquay 58 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership 22 Cornwall Careers Offer (CIoS EAN and Cornwall EBP) 16 Cornwall Chamber of Commerce 69 Cornwall Community Foundation 67 Cornwall Local Energy Market 68 Cornwall Local Energy Market 73 Cornwall Manufacturers Group 80 Cornwall New Energy 3 Department of Work & Pensions 96 DJ in Cornwall 72 Dufort Associates Ltd. 1 Eden Project Events 19 EG4B - Environmental Growth for Business 26 EG4B - Environmental Growth for Business 53 Ehealth Productivity and Innovation in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 24 Export 4 Growth 74 Falmouth Business School Falmouth University 54 Fernbank Advertising Ltd 44 Focus Technology Europe Ltd 55 Freedomsat 57 Game Changer 61 Headforwards 66 Headforwards 71 Helford River Children’s
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Sailing Trust 30 HookedOnMedia 13 Imerys Minerals Ltd (in partnership with Eco-Bos) 14 Imerys Minerals Ltd (in partnership with Eco-Bos) 59 Imprimus 93 iSight Cornwall 17 ITEC 28 ITEC 56 Jobline Staffing 100 Lloyds Bank Business Banking 81 Made in Cornwall Scheme 89 Matrix ER/HR Limited 41 Microtest Home & Business 31 Murrell Associates Limited 83 Newham and the Port of Truro 33 Nijhuis Industries 27 Ocean BMW and Mini 37 Penventon Park Hotel 46 Penventon Park Hotel 10 Perran3D 18 PFA Research Ltd 21 Piran Technologies Ltd 42 Pirate FM 7 PLUSS 38 PSP Insurance & Financial Solutions Ltd 91 ROC Wellbeing part of United Response 9 Roselyon at Churchtown 32 Royal Cornwall Museum 75 RRL 49 Santander 12 Sapience HR 51 Sapience HR 52 Sapience HR 29 School for Social Entrepreneurs 65 Smart Innovation 88 Springer Marketing Services Ltd 70 SSG Training and Consultancy 43 St Austell Printing Company 4 St Petroc's Society 45 Stockdale Group 90 SWIG Finance 25 TFA - Trusted Financial Advice 97 The VoIP People 11 The Wave Project Charity 103 TouchByte Ltd 92 Towergate Insurance 60 Trinity Mirror South West 20 Truro & Penwith College Business 6 Truro High School for Girls 102 Truro School 40 University of Exeter 82 Warrens Bakery 39 Wheal Jane Group 94 Wildanet 101 Zamu 23 ZLC Energy Limited
a special ticket only Chamber Big Breakfast event in the Old Sports Hall, before the exhibition gets underway in the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre at 10am. In addition to the trade show, there will also be a number of seminars on the ‘Lightning Stage’, which this year will be in a dedicated room, with a full stage and lectern. The stage is being run in partnership with the Europeanfunded Export for Growth programme and will be compered by the sound setup provider for the day, Jamie – DJ in Cornwall – Reed. The schedule offers a selection of short seminars, across a wide range of subjects from GDPR through to social media. One particularly interesting presentation, given the current political climate, will see Sergei Averin from the British Chamber of Commerce in Russia discussing Russian business opportunities. The day will be concluded by a special Pasty & Pint event for exhibitors, featuring entertainment from Pirate FM’s Johnny Cowling. For further details of Cornwall Business Fair including a full speaker lineup, visit cornwallbusinessfair.co.uk
BUSINESS FAIR AGENDA 8:00am – 10:00am Chamber BIG Breakfast in the Old Sports Hall 10:00am – 3:30pm Main exhibition, Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre 3:30pm – 4:15pm High Tea in the Old Sports Hall 4:15pm – 5:15pm Pasty & Pint with Johnny Cowling in the Old Sports Hall
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CORNWALL BUSINESS
FAIR
PROFILE ON:
ITEC SMARTER WORKING
Stand no 17/28 Cornwall Business Fair 2018
PROFILE ON:
TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE
Stand no 20 Cornwall Business Fair 2018
ruro and Penwith College Business is the professional training arm of Truro and Penwith College. Based at Haven House Conference and Training Centre in Truro’s city centre we work with employers across Cornwall to provide Apprenticeships, professional qualifications and bespoke training packages. Training can be delivered in our purpose built training and conference facilities or your workplace and all of our tutors and business development advisors are specialists in their sector, with first hand industry experience in a wide range of areas.
WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE
You might be surprised about the range of training we offer and the impact of our advice and guidance. We don’t just offer training courses, we work in partnership with employers to understand their business goals and challenges, and design bespoke training packages that deliver results.
COME AND SPEAK TO US AT THE BUSINESS FAIR 2018 STAND NO: 20
Truro and Penwith College Business contact details: 01872 242711 business@truro-penwith.ac.uk Or find us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
ITEC is your local business technology expert. For over 30 years, we’ve been delivering the latest technology solutions to help businesses work smarter. Today, we power 3,800 businesses and organisations throughout Cornwall and beyond with the latest workplace technology solutions including Managed Print, Unified Communications, Document Workflow, IT Infrastructure and IT Support. Whatever business you’re in, ITEC is your local trusted supplier for business technology.
With ITEC, the latest business technology is closer than you think. Together, we work smarter
SMARTER WORKING
Productive employees, happy customers, stress-free IT. No matter how big or small your business is, or where you are in your digital transformation journey, there is a Smarter Working solution for you.
SWING BY STAND 17/28 FOR A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE AND TO TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO SMARTER WORKING. GET IN TOUCH WITH US:
ITEC Group enquiries@itecgroup.co.uk 01209 703 998
We don’t just offer training courses, we work in partnership with employers to deliver results
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CELEBRATING Business VIPs from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will be converging on St Mellion International this month, for what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Cornwall Business Week
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he Cornwall Business Awards, now in their thirteenth year, recognise some of the most inspirational and successful companies in Cornwall. The shortlist has been revealed and features 31 businesses from Bude to the Isles of Scilly, covering a diverse range of sectors. Helston-based specialist staircase company, Spiral UK, and Teagle Machinery Ltd near Truro, lead the line-up having been shortlisted in four categories each. Together with the other businesses, they will discover who has won at a glittering ceremony on April 19, featuring guest speaker Gregg Wallace from TV’s MasterChef. Gregg will share tales of his business success and he said: “I look forward to
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learning more about Cornwall’s burgeoning business scene. On my visits to the county I’m always impressed by the quality and variety of businesses, and their products, not just in the food and hospitality sector but across the board”. The awards are organised and hosted by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth and Skills Hub, a signposting service that helps businesses grow by finding tailored support or developing their teams through training and staff development. And according to operations director, Stu Anderson, the standard of entries is higher than ever: “It may sound clichéd, but the judging has been extremely tough, we have been blown away by the quality of entries,” he said. “Our expert panel of over 30 judges have reviewed, deliberated and scored the entries
The shortlist has been revealed and features 31 businesses from Bude to the Isles of Scillly, covering a diverse range of sectors
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CORNWALL BUSINESS
and as a result of this rigorous process the awards really mean something - they are a true mark of excellence. Whether businesses take home the gong or not, they can pride themselves on being among the best businesses in Cornwall.” Jacky Swain from Commercial Estates Group was one of the judges faced with the difficult task. On judging the Most Creative Use of Design category, she said: “It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Reading through the applications makes me so proud of the Cornish business community.” Barbara Sharples, former MD of Body Shop International, echoed the sentiment: “It is a great pleasure and privilege to be part of the Cornwall Business Awards,” she said. “Every entry was excellent; they could all be winners.” Other judges from across the public and private sector included Mark Duddridge, chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership; Beth Mayman, operations director for St Austell Print Company and Wayne Hewitt, plant manager of Pall Corporation.
AWARDS
THE FINALISTS YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Truro & Penwith College Jesse Wilson from Jubel Ltd Sam Karkeek from WAX Aiden Hicks from Westward Farm
Sponsored by University of Exeter, Cornwall Clothes Doctor Leap Teagle Machinery Ltd
Sponsored by Outset Cornwall Everest Media Ltd research-i LTD WAX
Sponsored by Business Cornwall Eight Wire Latitude50 National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Sponsored by the Eden Project Active Plus Coastline Housing iSightCornwall
Sponsored by Transform Composite Integration Ltd Spiral UK Ward Williams Associates
Sponsored by St Austell Brewery 20/20 Projects Ltd The Cornish Food Box Company Ltd The Headland Hotel and Spa
Sponsored by St Austell Printing Company Microtest South West Laundry Ltd Teagle Machinery Ltd
Sponsored by Cornwall College Business Radix Communications Spiral UK South West Laundry Ltd
Sponsored by Pall Corporation BJ Sherriff Celtic & Co. Ltd Teagle Machinery Ltd.
Sponsored by Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership CIS (UK) Ltd Spiral UK Teagle Machinery Ltd.
Sponsored by CORSERV Duchy Defibrillators Microtest Touchbyte Ltd
BEST NEW BUSINESS IN CORNWALL
BEST THIRD SECTOR BUSINESS
CUSTOMER FOCUS
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
MOST CREATIVE USE OF DESIGN
Sponsored by Commercial Estates Group Flexi-Hex Sanders Studios Triangular Pixels
EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL MARKETING
MOST DYNAMIC GROWTH BUSINESS
BEST FAMILY BUSINESS
BEST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
BUSINESS INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Unlocking Potential Andrew Holland (Spiral UK) Wayne Retallack (South West Laundry) Jeremy Sneller (TouchByte Ltd)
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INTERVIEW
KIM CONCHIE
Conchie As Cornwall gears up to celebrate the various Business Week events, we catch up with a man who has his finger on the business pulse probably more than most - Cornwall Chamber chief executive Kim Conchie PHOTOS BY TOBY WELLER
How is Cornwall doing from a business and economic sense? It’s strange isn’t it, because on one hand you have Brexit and all the uncertainty that it’s bringing, and on the other there is a lot of optimism and enthusiasm here about the future. But there are some specific things about Brexit happening now as we speak. For example, immigrant workers who some of our big sectors are dependent on here - agriculture, care sector, hospitality - they’re not coming back to Cornwall in the numbers they once did. In places like Poland, their domestic economy has picked up so there are better jobs there. Secondly, the pound to Euro means that if they’re paid in pounds here, it’s not as valuable as it used to be and the whole Brexit message that we’ve given some of them has just made them feel they’re not so welcome here. So they’ll go and find work elsewhere. So that’s Brexit affecting some sectors. Another sector is universities and not being invited to collaborate on international research projects for example, because people in European universities aren’t so sure where their funding is going to come from, whether people will be able to move freely back and forth, this
sort of thing. Having said all those negatives, there’s a huge feeling, an up swell of enthusiasm and optimism in Cornwall itself about the new opportunities we’ve got here. The space conference I attended recently for example, which plays into the history we’ve had with Marconi and the Telegraph Museum, Telstar from nearly 40, 50 years ago. It feels like that’s a natural industry for Cornwall and I feel that some of the other sectors that we’re looking at like mining, renewable energy, they also feel like things that Cornwall could have a role to play in. So there’s immense enthusiasm and optimism around some of those sectors. I suppose the truth is that future has always been a bit uncertain and ‘twas forever thus, Brexit just brings it into sharper relief. Cornwall is dominated by micro businesses, are those type of businesses less worried by Brexit than some of the bigger players? Only 9.8% of those small businesses export, so there are not that many worried about that. And some see a week pound, particularly those in the tourism sector, as an opportunity to get more people in as holidays in Britain are
cheaper, and Visit Cornwall continues to do a great job positioning Cornwall as a place to come on holiday. Some of those businesses that are exporting, I don’t think are planning longterm strategically enough if the worst were to happen. For example, some of our precision manufacturing businesses making various components. If barriers are put into their business with Italy or Spain, those economies could quite easily develop those widget manufacturing businesses themselves. So I think there’s some which do need to worry a little bit about whether those export markets will still be as freely available. Do you think Brexit has sent a negative message to the rest of Europe, that Britain is almost ‘closed’? I think there’s a danger it gives that message. When the rest of the world is internationalising, Britain looks like it’s somehow putting some barriers up and nobody’s quite sure what those barriers look like yet, whether they’re specifically trade barriers or whether they’re sort of racial barriers or something, I’m not quite sure what image that’s giving to people.
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THE WISH
LIST
But the Dutch and the Germans are coming here on holiday more than ever before. Those who come here still love Cornwall for its distinct reasons and I think we’ve got to play up those as positives. You’ve said in the past the south west needs to have a voice in the discussions about Brexit. Is that the south west as a whole or can Cornwall have a voice? Is it big enough to have its own voice? In some markets it is, in some markets it isn’t. I’d hate for what we’ve achieved in our food and drink industry over the past 15 years, for instance, to be watered down by being part of some amorphous south west, but on the other hand if we’re talking about aerospace components on the international stage, Cornwall wouldn’t be significant enough to play on its own. So we are supporting the ‘Great South West’ economic region which will never be as powerful as a Midlands Engine or Northern Powerhouse, but at least it would be a grouping for when we did need to speak with one voice on transport infrastructure, on communications, on export markets and so on. And the chambers of commerce are leading that, so I’m forming a South West Chambers of Commerce, which will be Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and then Business West which operates Bristol, Gloucester and Wiltshire chambers and Dorset and Poole will be occasional members. But one thing I am certain, if it’s called south west, it’s definitely got Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in it. Does it make your job more challenging when Cornwall has so many micro businesses and not more larger entities? You haven’t got the scale and you could say it’s like herding cats sometimes! Because you have something like 27,000 VAT registered businesses and an estimated 35,000 micros and sole traders spread from the Isles of Scilly to Morwenstow. It’s a big geographical spread, so that is difficult. However, that also gives us some agility and nimbleness. We don’t have in Cornwall anymore the kind of issue like a steel works in Scunthorpe closing down with 20,000 people being laid off in one stroke. We haven’t got that sort of hit potentially. In certain ways, Cornwall is looking like what a 21st century economy has got to look like a few large businesses, lots of nimble and small businesses in the supply chain; competitive but collaborative when needed. And men and women equal in the workplace, flexible working, digitally enabled, working from home. I think that less formal workplace does play to Cornwall’s strengths and so therefore I think it’s an exciting time. I knew roughly what it looked like before I took the job, so I can’t complain
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The Dutch and the Germans are coming here on holiday more than ever before. Those who come here still love Cornwall for its distinct reasons and I think we’ve got to play up those as positives That’s six years now. How much has changed since you’ve been chief exec? I hope that the Chamber of Commerce has done its bit to galvanize people. It feels more educated with more well-lit business routes now in Cornwall than six years ago. I think there is more ambition now. Would you say the 21st century business map in Cornwall has become more clearly defined, with agritech, healthtec et cetera? Yes, and even if a business is in design they will now see themselves as having a creative role in agritech, or spacetech or mining or whatever. So I think we are clustering around some sectors now which are more meaningful. Take the plans for a space industry, for example. There are some big ambitions there, some big numbers if it comes off with the amount of money and jobs it will deliver. But a lot of ifs. Lots of ifs. Those are all best guess, in a positive spin and a good positive state of mind. But I am less fussy about numbers of jobs; at the moment unemployment in Cornwall per se is very low, but while for people in work, wages are still 16% less than the national average. So what I would like to see is better paid jobs created and brains retained here through our FE colleges and schools or brought here by our universities, so a brain gain begins to happen in Cornwall rather than the brain drain that happened in the 20th century.
And industries like aerospace can help that. It will come but we’re unlikely to suddenly have an aeroplane manufacturer or an offshore turbine manufacturer come to Cornwall just now. It will be smaller and parts of the supply chain. I can’t see it could be one business which is suddenly going to set up their HQ in Cornwall and employ ten thousand people. I just don’t see that. It’ll be clusters of small businesses with well paid jobs. Aerohub has been quite slow in attracting businesses? It has but it’s what timescale you feel is acceptable on these sort of things and that’s why sometimes public sector funding is needed. Because if the burn is so slow that return on investment wouldn’t have been viable for private funds, you have got to get public sector funding. So I’d say things like Wave Hub and Aerohub are only achievable with, in our case, good EU funding, but longterm slow burn. And the payback still on both of those projects is not certain by any means, but I think it’s right that Cornwall is exploring those options. The LEP was disappointed with the Growth Deal funding it received from Government, and with European funding soon set to stop, are you confident Cornwall will receive the right levels of support? I’m a bit ‘unconfident’ about it. I think the Government’s spending an awful lot on HS2, Cross Rail and one or two other major
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INTERVIEW
infrastructure projects. And research was done by PWC in 2014 which suggested that places more than 50 miles away from the route of HS2 were going to be negatively economically impacted because business would cluster around that spine of HS2. And there’s nowhere further away in England from HS2 than Cornwall. What I feel is shameful is that the Government, in a first world country and leading democracy, a G7 power, is prepared to leave parts of the country in relative poverty. It just doesn’t seem right. If they contribute £100 billion to the setting up of a spaceport, for example, the private sector would then pick up after that and would match it in all sorts of ways. And actually, in bottom line terms, if the Government put in a hundred billion now, they wouldn’t have to keep doing these little bits of stuff here and there because we the private sector would cluster around that and take it on from there. So I am worried; it’s called the Shared Prosperity Fund and by the name of it you’d think it is going to be shared prosperity, but I still feel they’ll do it in the south east; Manchester now has this other new vanity project which is a train from Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and which will cost billions and billions and not do anything for Cornwall at all. Do you think Cornwall is still perceived by Whitehall as just a holiday destination? Very much so. I was talking to somebody this morning who was in Whitehall yesterday
and although they all know where Cornwall is, they’ve all been here on holiday, they don’t know what we do! They don’t know what these sectors are yet, and we have a lot of noise to make before they understand what we’re trying to achieve. It’s a challenge. There’s no magic wand to solve it. It’s constant messages going to central Government. And civil servants can’t remember more than three or four things. So I’m a bit worried that some of those LEP 10 Opportunities, one’s called ‘Digital’. Sorry, but no one’s going to remember when you leave the room that Cornwall is strong on digital, because everywhere is strong on digital. I read an article the other day that digital knowledge should be as easy as breathing for SMEs. Every SME in the world needs to be digitally enabled and digitally knowledgeable. So that’s not a specialism for Cornwall in my opinion. So ones like that can be dropped and we need to make sure that what Whitehall Mandarins do remember about Cornwall are things like geothermal energy, space, creative maybe. You must talk to the local MPs around here, what do they say? They are remarkably unprepared to sit down as a gang of six to shout about Cornwall. It’s extremely disappointing. I have had an email from one of them and I’ve had a conversation with another who does not want to speak to businesses outside of their constituency. What I wanted to do was not have a haranguing match, but get the six MPs and some business leaders and have a discussion about
KIM CONCHIE
where Cornwall positions itself. And I know the LEP meets our MPs and our Lords, but I would just like to see them evidencing that in Cornwall at some sort of summit. Steve Double’s worked very hard on the Aerohub and that sort of thing in Newquay, Sarah Newton is now Minister for the Disabled and we’re leading the way in Cornwall on this inclusivity agenda which is getting people with mental illness or physical disability back into the workplace, George Eustice is a Minister at Defra; so they’re all strong in their own right but collectively, for Cornwall, I don’t think they’re as strong as they should be. Are you happy with the way the LEP is performing? They’ve done some very good work and Sandra Rothwell is stepping down after six very good years. I think she’s brought it to a point now where we really are on the cusp of something quite exciting for Cornwall. What I don’t understand, the LEPs were set up when the Government did away with regional development agencies to be the eyes and ears of central Government and the route to funding from central Government to the regions. And now the LEP are paid for by Cornwall Council and based in New County Hall. And I’m concerned that if money is coming from central Government to help the business community of Cornwall, which could mean all sorts of things post Brexit, if it comes into Cornwall Council they’re going to use it for projects which they think are appropriate and it won’t even see its way to the business community.
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KIM CONCHIE
INTERVIEW
One thing I don’t think is looked at creatively enough is town centres
Does the LEP get blurred with the role of Cornwall Development Company? Even the people in the know can’t understand why there’s an economic development unit in Cornwall Council, a LEP and the Cornwall Development Company. What does one bit do that the others don’t do? So I think it is quite hard to unpick why they need three structures with three different overheads to do economic development. Do you feel the LEP has become more public sector led in recent times? I think the executives have always been public sector employees. The board is meant to be private sector business led and there are some very good people out there on the board. But I think they’re not immersed in LEP activity as much as the executive are, so it does tend towards public sector thinking and it’s in its slowness of execution.
all regions, but somehow it was interpreted differently. Many chambers of commerce across the country have a problem with the LEP, but I feel we get on very well with ours. They contract the Chamber of Commerce to do the connectivity with the business sector rather than try to pretend they’ve got the connectivity themselves. Largely we support them wholeheartedly and also as a critical friend when they come up with things like these 10 Opportunities, and we’re out there supporting that fully.
Is this typical to all LEPs across the country? LEPs differ incredibly. There are 39 of them across the country; some based in chambers of commerce, some are based in council offices. The Liverpool and Merseyside LEP is a membership organisation. So they’re all weirdly different.
The 10 Opportunities document is a great read and the future would appear to be very, very bright. But in reality, isn’t it about executing these ideas? At the space conference there were 100 high calibre people there. If each of these opportunities had a conference, a rallying point if you like, that would be quite encouraging. As I’ve said, the only one I’m dubious about is ‘digital’. I just don’t see that as a sector. If you’re a digital business, okay you’re a digital business serving the mining industry, or a digital business serving lots of industries, or a website business. But certainly you’re not going to win any supporters at Whitehall by going in and saying “Cornwall’s good for digital businesses”. Yeah? So’s everywhere else is.
But I guess they must have all started, more or less, as the same concept. Have they just been allowed to sort of ‘dehomogenise’? I think they were started on a wing and a prayer from central Government. They weren’t billed as replacement for the RDAs, but they were. One was closed down, and the other opened up. The brief must have been the same to
What about environment technologies and stuff like that? That should be called ‘environment’ and maybe separate from energy and agri-food; there should be perhaps ‘environment’ as something that Cornwall is leading on. The other argument is replace it with construction. The argument for not having
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construction in there is that it’s not something that Cornwall has something different to offer, but actually that’s not quite true because some of the modular housing builders come into Cornwall because they know we need 50,000 new dwellings by 2030. So there’s a big market here for modular housing. Housing is a big problem in Cornwall, but it’s a big problem whichever way whichever end of the spectrum you come at. We look around at beautiful Cornwall and people don’t want 50,000 homes spoiling our green hills or clifftops. One thing I don’t think is looked at creatively enough is town centres. I don’t think that Mary Portas went nearly far enough on reimagining what town centres should look like and there’s loads of dwelling places or potential dwelling places in town centres. There’s only a few bits of legislation which need changing to make landlords think about creating flats above shops which are ideal for first time buyers and affordable homes. It would create a real buzz in some of our dying town centres and let’s face it, Internet shopping and out of town shopping centres are not going to go away. Alright, you’ve got experiential high streets like St Ives and Falmouth, where there are craft shops and people like to browse and mooch along, have coffee as they go. But in terms of places like Fore Street in Redruth, when I was young it was one of the major shopping streets of Cornwall, but there’s nothing there. And Redruth is a good example of what happens in the modern era when a town turns itself out of itself, because you have four industrial estate around Redruth with hundreds of companies employing thousands of people, and none of us go into Redruth for as much as a pasty.
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AN INNOCENT Cornish business leaders inspired by Future Focus Lab trip to Fruit Towers group of Cornish business leaders had a fruitful trip to London when they visited Innocent headquarters as part of Unlocking Potential’s Future Focus Lab. The trip to ‘Fruit Towers’ was the culmination of a series of Brand, Culture and Communications Labs which local business leaders have participated in over the last few months. Dan Germain, head of brand at Innocent, was the keynote speaker at a Future Focus Event in Cornwall in September. He hosted the visit and provided a fascinating insight into the processes and culture of the recently awarded ‘Top 3 of the 2018 Sunday Times Top 100 companies to work for’. Upon entering Fruit Towers it became apparent how the company has gained such a renowned reputation, with a help yourself smoothie fridge, baby photos of employees on the wall, games tables, a banana telephone and even a naughty step, it’s far from a conventional office environment. The group spent several hours with the Innocent team, where they heard from the sustainability manager and people team about their founding principles and how they developed their culture. On the way to London, eight businesses took part in the first ever Lab on a train, which was facilitated by Future Focus innovation coach, Angelo Spencer-Smith. Lucy Jewson, MD of Frugi, attended the Labs and trip to London. She said: “Altogether it was mind-blowing, we got loads of ideas and little nuggets that we can bring back and potentially implement or give a Frugi-twist to. I’d really recommend that any other business in Cornwall comes along to the Future Focus Labs, because they do really open your mind. “We can get into an isolated hole in Cornwall and probably don’t get out as much as we
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should, so this has really opened our brains lots more to what is going on at the cutting edge. And that can only be good; it keeps business keener and smarter going forward.” On the second day there was a visit to the Museum of Brand and Packaging, where Trevor Hardy from Future Laboratory gave an inspiring talk about future trends and how technology is changing consumer behaviour. Daniel Gradwell, MD of Kingdom and Sparrow, said it was worth taking time away from the business to participate in the Lab trip to London. He said: “I’ve got some really fresh ideas to take back to Cornwall. Future Focus Events are a really great way to meet like-minded business leaders in Cornwall and it’s a great opportunity to talk to other people who are going through similar experiences to what I’m going through.” The Future Focus programme is a great way for business leaders to connect and develop through three elements – inspirational speaker events, labs to promote fresh thinking and faster growth, and resources to activate change. At each stage, business leaders will work with collaborative peer networks and with expert facilitators to develop and implement a bespoke innovation plan to grow, adapt and evolve for long-term business success. Allyson Glover, programme director at Unlocking Potential, said: “Our Future Focus programme is a way for business leaders to step away from the everyday and do some forwardthinking to future proof their business. “The trip to London really provided food for thought for all the business leaders who came along. The Labs are a great way for business leaders to connect with each other and there were some brilliant conversations taking place.” If you are a business leader who is looking to innovate and accelerate growth in your business, you can find out more about Future Focus Events and Labs by visiting www.unlocking-potential. co.uk/existing-business/future-focus or emailing hello@unlocking-potential.co.uk.
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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED BIG 2, a £3.6 million ERDF investment fund in Cornish businesses comes to a close
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he Business Investment for Growth Fund (BIG 2) has successfully come to a close. The fund, which has been investing in ambitious businesses across Cornwall since it started in 2016, has benefitted from a £3.6 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and additional contributions from the companies involved, to generate an overall investment in the Cornish Economy that is set to exceed £8 million by the end of this year. The results show a significant success for
the programme. The fund has been distributed to a wide variety of business sectors, business sizes and geographic locations across Cornwall. Over 170 businesses in total will benefit from the fund, some of those being completely new to applying for this type of funding within Cornwall. It is expected that the programme will also hit its job creation target of over 300 jobs created in the 3 year project lifespan. Programme manager, Anna Staevska, explains: “We are delighted that we have had such a positive impact into the economic and business future of Cornwall. The diversity of
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BUSINESS
businesses this time around has been a key step forward. We have worked with partners across Cornwall to simplify the application process and help businesses apply for funding. This collaborative approach has seen increased quality of applications and has allowed new businesses to be involved for the first time. Over the years we met great local businesses with innovative products and ambitious plans and we are very proud that we were able to help them grow.” The programme’s objectives ensure that the fund goes to businesses that can attract customers and income from outside of Cornwall and many are exporting worldwide. The fund has enabled businesses to buy start-up essentials, through to large scale manufacturing equipment. For many businesses the fund has enabled the development of new products and services, accelerated growth and opened up imaginative project opportunities. Lucy Cox, one of the founders of Halto, recently seen on BBC TV’s Dragons’ Den, says: “When we found out we were going to appear on Dragons’ Den we knew we needed to make the most of the opportunity in terms of our PR strategy in the build up to the airing and afterwards. To achieve this we wanted to work with a marketing agency to ensure we covered as many bases as possible. “By accessing funding from BIG2 we were able to double our marketing budget, allowing us to have a comprehensive strategy covering all elements of social media, print, radio and TV coverage, as well as an ongoing strategy for B2B and B2C engagement. The BIG2 grant has meant we have had an incredible start to the year with new retailers stocking Halto and nationwide coverage, as well as a comprehensive strategy moving forwards.” The fund has been able to help businesses dealing with some of today’s high profile issues in the environment. Fishy Filaments’ aim is to provide a win-win solution to the fishing community. Owner Ian Falconer explains: “Fishy Filaments is an awardwinning Cornish start-up working on the cutting edge of sustainability technology, locally recycling used fishing nets into high value consumables for the rapidly growing 3D printing sector. “As the first company of its type globally and with public opinion changing on plastics recycling FFL’s issue, it was not whether a market exists for its products but how best to take advantage of our innovations and reach a global stage. “With limited independent funds, the investment from BIG2 has allowed us to
start bigger and aim higher by freeing capital that would otherwise be tied up in asset purchases. In turn this has allowed us to invest in the people who can turn the business plan into a reality and help Fishy Filaments be part of a new tide of sustainable businesses rising in Cornwall.” The BIG 2 fund team has been out across Cornwall meeting businesses and applications have come in from a wide geographic spread. The accessibility of the fund has been key facilitated by a team on the road, events, marketing and partnerships and a simple application process through our website has allowed the fund to be visible to those that needed the assistance. Anna Staevska continues: “Being a friendly and approachable fund has, and remains, very important to us. We wanted to show businesses that grant funding is an opportunity and not a bureaucratic burden. We are a small team and by collaborating with other local stakeholders we have managed to provide a timely and personal service. We would like to thank all those that
The fund has been able to help businesses dealing with some of today’s high profile issues in the environment
INVESTMENT
have helped to spread the word and helped businesses with their applications. The world is moving to a more collaborative way of working and we are proud that has worked for us and the businesses.” Other key results achieved from the fund have been the introduction of new products and services within the businesses themselves some of which have also been new to the market. Additionally, increases in productivity, financial understanding of planning and growth plans are also an organic result of the funding. Softer impacts from the fund have seen an increase in confidence to grow businesses and a growth in the personal roles of those within the business allowing them to work at an enhanced level of planning and to become better leaders. The programme is now in consultation to unlock more funds for Cornwall up to 2021 and news will be released once more detail has been agreed. The team is hoping to continue building upon the strengths of the BIG2 project, whilst also offering a more targeted and innovative approach towards enhancing the capabilities of local SMEs to raise productivity, collaboration and competitiveness regionally and nationally. For more information on the BIG 2 Fund visit www.businessinvestmentforgrowth.co.uk
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COMPANY
PROFILE
SEEING THE Nick Skerratt is one of five partners leading chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser RRL. He explains where the firm has come from and where it is going
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e are one of Cornwall’s leading Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers. Formerly Robinson Reed Layton, we have significant experience in advising small and large businesses throughout Cornwall. As an independent Cornish firm, we understand what it is like to grow a business in the county. We celebrate our heritage. It gives us a unique insight into the challenges that many of our clients face, and means that we are able to identify opportunities that some of our competitors may not consider. Driven by
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COMPANY
a vision for the future, last year we made the decision to rebrand the firm, relaunching as RRL at the start of 2018. The aim of the rebrand was to address our positioning and align it with our ambitions for the firm. Working with a local marketing and creative agency, we unpacked the values that underpin our culture and service, identifying our people and our ‘bigger picture’ approach as the two assets that set us apart from our competitors. We take a holistic approach to addressing our clients’ needs, looking at a business from every angle to identify opportunities and challenges. Our partners take an extremely proactive role with clients, and are on hand to share knowledge and expertise with the wider team at all stages of a project. Our aim is to understand each business from the inside out, to add value wherever possible, and our multi-skilled team enables us to do just that. Our services range from high-level tax advisory, business accounts, grants, pensions and business consultancy, through to audit, pensions and probate. The next step was taking our values and applying them to our visual identity and tone of voice. Replacing Robinson Reed Layton with
the bolder, punchier RRL was just the start. We wanted to convey the dynamism, confidence and expertise that drives our business, replacing the previous logo with a bolder, brighter more modern execution. From new office signage to the development of a new website, we are bringing our new brand to life wherever possible. What was the driving force behind the rebrand? The last of the three founding partners retired in 2015, making way for the five partners who now lead RRL. The change in leadership signalled a significant change for the firm and paved the way to the more contemporary brand of 2018. To find out more about RRL and how we can help add value to your business visit www.rrlcornwall.co.uk RRL’s Penzance office is due to open in Spring 2018.
PROFILE
THE PARTNERS Stephen Gainey FCA
Stephen is our longest standing partner and resident VAT specialist, supervising the firm’s management and accounting software functions.
Steve Maggs CTA
Steve is our resident tax specialist. A chartered tax adviser, he brings over a decade of experience in the tax profession to the firm. On the rebrand: “This is a very exciting time for RRL. The external brand is now a true representation of our ethos and approach. It’s so much more than a change in logo for us, it’s allencompassing and goes to the very core of the firm.” What makes RRL unique: “Our advisory capabilities is what makes us unique in Cornwall. Combined with our independence and medium-size, it enables us to provide a ‘bigger picture’ consultancy, that matches our clients’ needs – whatever they might be.”
Simon Reed ACA
Simon specialises in limited accounts and audits, working with small, medium and large businesses as well as charities.
Nick Skerratt FCA CTA
A proud Cornishman, Nick is an experienced chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. He was the first chartered accountant to be licensed to undertake probate work by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Cornwall, and brings a wealth of tax knowledge to the firm. On the rebrand: “I feel extremely proud to work for RRL and to be part of the group of partners driving forward our vision for a modern firm that’s focussed on delivering added value for our clients. It’s fantastic that our brand is now an accurate representation of this vision.”
Mark Williams FCA DChA
Mark leads RRL’s charities and not-forprofit team, working with a large number of Cornwall’s best-known charities and social enterprises. In recognition of his experience in the sector, Mark has attained the prestigious Diploma in Charity Accounting issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
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PROGRAMME
GROWTH
CONTEMPORARY An investment of more than £1.1M will empower this internationallyacclaimed company in Mylor Bridge to expand and innovate n outdated collection of sheds has been demolished at the heart of the creekside village of Mylor Bridge to make way for a purpose-built, low environmental impact HQ for multi-award-winning, global brand, Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd, which
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is at the technological forefront of specialist marine manufacture in Cornwall. Following record-breaking sales of its custombuilt motor launches and luxury superyacht tenders in recent years, this redevelopment is designed to provide a solid platform for innovation in the development of new products and services, and stimulate the long-term growth of the business.
It will also enable the company to exploit potential market opportunities for high quality, advanced engineered craft and compete at the very highest level both in the UK and internationally. This 21-week project represents an overall investment of more than £1.1 million, including £491,825 from the European Regional Development Fund. It will culminate in a single
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1,058 sqm modern, accessible, solar-powered workspace that will enable office staff and all the trades to work together to provide both new build and refit customers with a seamless service to superyacht industry standards at an affordable price. It will not only enhance working conditions and facilities for the Cockwells team, but also enable the company to train up to 10% of its employees to NVQ4 level and create ten highly skilled FTE jobs during the next four years. The overarching aim of this investment in infrastructure and training, together with the introduction of Lean Processing to maximise efficiency, is to increase productivity by up to 50% and exports by 100%. It is also about creating a sustainable model for the future through which traditional skills that are unique to wooden boat building, known only to a small and decreasing number of experts of progressing age, are shared with the next generation of boat builders through Cockwells’ apprenticeship scheme. “Combining the artisan craftsmanship of the shipwright with the latest technological innovations, manufacturing processes and materials is what sets us apart in the highly competitive marine sector and this development will elevate the company to a higher plane,” explains founder & MD, Dave Cockwell. “You can have all the modern machinery in the world but unless you know how to use it, you will not achieve a quality product. At Cockwells, our highly skilled boat builders are
as proficient with a chisel in their hands as they are at operating a CNC machine, so we combine techniques, materials and processes that improve the speed of the build without ever compromising on quality. To be able to do this in a contemporary, fit-for-purpose workspace will enable us to compete for business even more efficiently as well as create more beautiful
PROGRAMME
company’s energy consumption. The building, which will be completed by September, will also incorporate 250sqm of office accommodation as well as a lift, evacuation chair and hearing loops for full accessibility. Bodmin-based Brady Construction Services has been appointed as lead contractor.
This 21-week project represents an overall investment of more than £1.1 million, including £491,825 from the European Regional Development Fund For further information about Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding Ltd, visit cockwells.co.uk bespoke boats.” The new HQ is being constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards, which will ensure its adherence to stringent, best practice, environmental performance through design, specification, construction and operation. Full insulation, the adoption of renewable sources of power such as photovoltaic solar panels for generating electricity and a solar thermal system for heating will improve its environmental impact by reducing the
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CORNWALL
AIRPORT
With the news that 2017 was Cornwall Airport Newquay’s best ever year in terms of passenger numbers and more new routes being recently announced, we wanted to talk to a Cornwall business owner to understand what the success of the airport really means to businesses in Cornwall
A
lan George, 37, director of St Austellbased Gala Hospitality, tells Business Cornwall about the benefits of using the Airport to both himself and his business.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND THE BACKGROUND OF GALA HOSPITALITY
I fell in love with Cornwall at an early age from family holidays and decided to move here after holidaying with my wife. Eight years on, we have a wonderful five-year-old son and have made some amazing friends in this brilliant county. Gala Events has been running for almost 11 years now and has gradually grown during that time. We employ six people from our office in St Austell and two in Birmingham. In terms of the type of events that Gala run, we have run boxing hospitality for several of the recent big fights such as Haye v Bellew, Groves v Eubank and Brook v Spence. We have facilities at some of the UK’s big sporting venues, such as Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Cheltenham Race Festival. We also put on sporting lunches and dinners with some of the biggest sporting names, such as Stuart Broad, Lewis Moody, Michael Owen, Alastair Cook and even did an event with David Walliams last year!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN USING THE AIRPORT?
I have used the airport since I moved down almost eight years ago and it is super to have seen it grow in terms of passenger numbers, facilities and routes during this time, which is a
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real credit to Al Titterington and his team, who have done an amazing job.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE THE AIRPORT AND WHERE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF FLYING TO THE MOST OFTEN?
We have been doing an increased amount of business in London during this time and the airport really provides me a lifeline to get to London in a comfortable and relaxing manner.
HOW DO YOU USE THE AIRPORT FOR BUSINESS?
It is mainly for my own personal transportation, but we run a couple of events in Truro every year and have flown in sports stars such as Mike Tindall, John Barnes, Michael Vaughn and Dominc Cork.
HOW HAS THE AIRPORT POSITIVELY IMPACTED ON YOUR BUSINESS DAY TO DAY AND HAS IT HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON LIFE WORK BALANCE?
It is such a relaxing way to travel. The airport allows me to get into London for 9.30am, having done some work on my laptop and feeling fresh and ready to start meetings. It also gives me more time in London to get more meetings and do a trip in a day. If I was travelling on the train, it would reduce the number of meetings I was having or mean that I’d stay over. It is fantastic to see the airport numbers increasing year on year and great to see things like the improved wi-fi and increased car parking
machines, which have cut queues considerably when returning to the airport.
WOULD NOT HAVING THE AIRPORT LOCALLY IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS AT ALL?
Yes, it would more mean my trips to London would have less meetings and mean increased accommodation costs for me. I also feel fresher and more productive having travelled by air, rather than train. Gala will next be running a Truro World Cup Football Big Screen event at Truro RFC on Thursday June 28. The event will include Big Screen Coverage of England’s crucial Football World Cup match against Belgium & Q&A with former England stars Phil Thompson and Terry Butcher. The event is hosted by Adam Leventhal (Sky Sports) and includes a three-course meal & analysis from Thompson and Butcher. For further details visit www.galahospitality.co.uk
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COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY
How important are your premises for business growth, asks PFA Research director, Robert Rush ccording to the Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2016 commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), 86% of SME employers operate from a single site. Over a quarter (27%) of SME employers have a main work premises that is also their home or the home of the business’s owner (though this rises to 31% amongst micro-businesses employing under 10 people), and that appears to be growing having increased three percentage points since BEIS’s 2015 survey. Segmented by sector, 44% of those in construction and the primary industries (ie extraction of raw materials, including fishing, farming and mining activities) worked from a domestic address, as did 40% in information/ communication, 34% in professional/scientific, and 32% in administrative services. Compared to 2015, those in construction (up eight percentage points) and professional/ scientific (up seven) were more likely to have domestic work premises. Conversely, those in primary industries (down nine) were less likely to work from a domestic site in 2016. Respondents to the BEIS survey were asked which issues, if any, represented major obstacles to the success of their business. While a range of issues feature more prominently than premises, still for 15% the availability/cost of suitable premises
represented a major obstacle. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) runs its Small Business Index on a quarterly basis. Its 2017 Q4 analysis reports that small business confidence fell into negative territory for only the second time in five years and to a level not seen since the aftermath of EU referendum. 73% report rise in the costs of doing business (with operating expenditure at the highest in five years), albeit mostly as a result of rising labour costs (reported by 40% of those experiencing increased costs). Increased costs across the board puts business sustainability (let alone growth) at risk. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the report also states that the proportion of small business owners likely to sell, close or downsize their business is at an all-time record high of 14.6% (or about 1 in 7), breaking the previous record set in the previous quarter. Whilst this may represent more challenging times ahead for commercial property owners, conversely it presents opportunity for property agents and those businesses who say the availability/cost of suitable premises is an obstacle to their future success.
Although the FSB reports a decline in business confidence generally, confidence among small manufacturers improved in Q4, and FSB’s analysts suggest that the industry will make a positive contribution to overall economic growth in Q4. However, there was a steep decline in confidence among construction firms. The FSB survey results chime with findings from the Q4 2017 RICS UK Commercial Property Market Survey. It reports that its headline occupier demand gauge registered a net balance of +2% in Q4, compared with +5% previously, signaling a broadly flat trend in all-property tenant demand. At the sector level, demand for industrial space continued to rise, but was broadly unchanged for office space, whereas in the retail segment demand fell for the third consecutive quarter, with the net balance of -22% being the poorest return since 2011. Further, although changes in supply and demand have appeared more or less steady in the office sector over recent quarters, the value of landlord incentive packages (eg rent free periods, renovations, and earlier breakout on leasing) has now risen in six straight reports.
Over a quarter (27%) of SME employers have a main work premises that is also their home or the home of the business’s owner
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COMMERCIAL
PFA SURVEY
PROPERTY
80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
PFA Research first took a look at the local commercial property landscape three years ago, investigating whether the needs for commercial property in Cornwall are being met, for both now and in the future. We have revisited the questions in 2018, including a more whimsical look at what business owners say they love about their premises - as well as their gripes. Over a quarter say premises are not fit for future needs. 88% of businesses surveyed say that their current premises are suitable for their business needs now, but 29% say they are not suitable for their future needs. Those in offices were more likely than those in industrial or retail space to say their premises are not fit for their future needs. The main reasons given for premises not being suitable for the future include: • Too small (67%) • Wanting premises with capacity/option to grow (67%) • Wanting their own dedicated premises (27%) • Needing better transport links (27%) • Wanting to be better located near customers/suppliers (7%)
WHERE WOULD YOU GO FOR HELP IN FINDING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY?
73% 48%
38% 8%
PERSONAL / BUSINESS CONTACTS
AN ESTATE AGENT WITH A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ARM
CONTACT THE BUSINESS LOCATION DIRECTLY
Qualified commercial property consultants are important, but personal networks give the inside track... About three quarters feel they have personal or business contacts who would help them to identify suitable premises. About half (48%) say they would go to an estate agent with a commercial property arm for help, and 38% would make direct contact with the business location.
INTERNET SEARCH
13% OTHER
88% of businesses surveyed say that their current premises are suitable for their business needs now
MURRELL BUYING AND SELLING
Murrell Associates’ chartered legal executive, Caroline Daly, has some timely advice Buying and selling a property can be a legal minefield. From preparing contracts and transfers to ensuring there are no nasty surprises lying in wait, it’s imperative you have strong legal team on hand to help you through the process with clarity, guidance and accessible advice. Here’s how we’ll help you...
BUYING
We’ll investigate the property and advise you on a range of key points including: • whether title to the property contains restrictions limiting your use of the property, or if others have rights to cross your land; and • whether the replies to property enquiries by the seller, or the enquiries of utility providers and the local authority, reveal any issues.
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SELLING
We’ll prepare the contract and transfer, collate title information and replies to enquiries, and send this pack to the buyer’s solicitor. We’ll also respond to any additional enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitor. If the property is leasehold, we’ll also liaise with the landlord’s solicitor to obtain permission to sell the lease.
BUYING & SELLING
For both buying and selling, we’ll negotiate and agree a contract and, either a transfer or a lease, depending on whether you’re buying a property or taking a lease. Once the documentation is agreed, we’ll liaise with you to sign the documentation and collect the purchase monies. When both parties are ready to proceed, we’ll
exchange contracts (i.e. the point at which the purchase becomes binding) and complete (the point at which you actually buy the property). www.murrellassociates.co.uk
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COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY
A CAPITAL IDEA!
PKF Francis Clark partner, Daniel Sladen, discusses capital allowances
T
he taxation of company-owned property became less generous in the last Budget when Philip Hammond announced that indexation allowance (relief asset values increasing through inflation) was being frozen from January 2018. Indexation allowance for individuals was withdrawn in 2008 after being frozen in 1998 so indexation for corporates could suffer the same fate, meaning larger chargeable gains when properties are sold. This makes it more important to maximise the use of other reliefs and discuss plans for properties that have been held for long periods where the indexation allowance at stake could be substantial. Whereas indexation allowance is not obtained until disposal, there is another relief that continues to be neglected and can be accessed whilst owning commercial property.
‘Capital allowances’ provide relief for expenditure on plant and machinery forming part of commercial buildings. This can represent a large proportion of a building’s cost and relief can be obtained against other taxable income over a number of years. Allowances for plant can also be available when a building is purchased from a third party. The tax administration around these transactions has seen significant change in recent years. It is now a requirement that both seller and buyer must agree how assets are valued for tax purposes. In practical terms this means values must be negotiated prior to exchange of contracts and there is often a conflict between the interests of buyer and seller. There are also special rules to follow where the seller has
failed to claim allowances on the assets or has not been eligible to make a claim. However, even if this has not been done at the time of the sale, it might be possible to make increased claims on property purchases that have completed recently. It’s well worth consulting a capital allowances specialist to assess benefits that could be available. Daniel Sladen is a partner in the Truro office of PKF Francis Clark, specialising in company and business tax. www.pkf-francisclark.co.uk
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES
Steve Maggs is a partner at RRL, an independent firm of chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers. He specialises in tax and gives his view on capital allowances and commercial property When it comes to commercial property, understanding what expenses you can and cannot claim for is a simple way to save your business money. Capital allowances can be a minefield, which leads to many businesses underclaiming or missing out entirely by not claiming at all. Put simply, capital allowances are a tax-efficient way of spreading the cost of certain business assets over several years. This allows you to claim a proportion of the cost from your taxable profits and reduce your tax bill. When it comes to commercial property
sales and purchases, capital allowances are a crucial consideration. Commercial properties are structurally made up of items that qualify for capital allowances and items that don’t. Consequently, a proportion of the purchase price of such properties relates to the value of qualifying fixtures of the property. An important point is whether the capital allowances relating to the qualifying structural items are retained by the vendor, or transferred to the purchaser, which can affect the sale price. Seeking the advice of an experienced chartered tax adviser will ensure that you are
fully informed on the complexities of capital allowances, allowing you to make the best decision for your business. RRL’s team of friendly experts work with businesses large and small across Cornwall, ensuring that you always receive the most relevant advice available. For more information visit www.rrlcornwall.co.uk or call 01872 276116 or 01736 339322.
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COMMERCIAL 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
PROPERTY
COMMERICAL PROPERTY AGENTS USED? 73% 19% ALDER KING
69% 31%
31%
50% 6%
STRATTON CREBER
MILLER COMMERCIAL
40% have actually used a commercial property agent in Cornwall. Miller Commercial and Vickery Holman are most popular amongst respondents: 55% of businesses have moved premises. For a minority 23% it all went exactly to plan. Others, however, experienced a range of problems, most commonly getting their phone and Internet services transferred or new services installed. Problems experienced were: • Transferring telecoms/Internet access (77%) • Disruption to ‘business as usual’ (46%) • Took much longer than expected (14%) • Cost much more than expected (18%) • Moving furniture / equipment etc. (18%) • Staff relocating / changing travel arrangements (9%) The average cost to businesses in moving was around £13,850 (including staff time to make the change).
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
As expected, location still comes top of the list, with 38% of business respondents saying it is the most important thing about choosing
SCOTT BURRIDGE
VICKERY HOLMAN
business premises. Next most popular was the cost and size of premises (both 15%). Good communications, ie broadband speed was ranked more highly (at 13%) than convenience for staff (8%), having similar businesses nearby to network with and good transport links (both at 3%). Overwhelmingly, the thing people love most about where they work from now is the location, being near other businesses, in a town centre or with cracking sea views. Respondents to our survey also talk about convenience, a sense of community and a good commute although “we can cycle to work!” might not appeal to everyone. “It’s creative, collaborative and convenient,” Rachel Picken, Agile PR “Great view of the Bay!” – Ian Harris, Harris Begley Financial Planning “It’s in Cornwall, it’s purpose built.” – Paula Martin, Cornwall Air Ambulance Those working from home enjoy the flexibility,
KIVELLS
6% JEFFERYS
13% OTHERS
comfort and their home views. “I can work when I want and need to without having to travel to the office which means I can be much more responsive. I don’t want to have to travel too far to go to work - walking would be ideal!” – Gill Pipkin, Gill Pipkin Consulting ...and what are the biggest gripes? Infrastructure and communication issues come top of the list – mainly parking, poor bus service and lack of superfast broadband. “Had to give up the struggle to get Superfast after four years and get our own leased line to enable the business to move on” – Paula Martin, Cornwall Air Ambulance. “Nowhere near an adequate amount of parking.” – Anonymous (located in a serviced business centre). “Very few windows and natural light.” Michele Poynter, Mish.
VIEW FROM THE AGENCIES Commenting on the findings of the latest PFA Research survey, Beth Stubbs, a chartered surveyor at Stratton Creber Commercial, expressed her surprise at the figure that 73% of the respondents would seek help in finding commercial property from existing personal or business contacts. “Given the substantial costs and liabilities in taking on a commercial property lease and moving premises, we find this statistic surprising as we would have expected businesses to seek advice primarily from commercial property experts in the first instance,” she said. “The research also found that 77% of businesses who have moved premises
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experienced problems with relocating. Our advice would be that it is essential that commercial property expertise is sought at the earliest opportunity to advise on this process to minimise the plethora of risks, issues and ongoing liabilities in moving premises and occupying commercial property.” Tom Smith, head of commercial agency at Miller Commercial, picked up on the reasons given for premises not being suitable for the future. “This is probably the most important finding in the survey that occupiers find their premises too small or without the ability expand,” he said. “The simple response would be, well why
not move? But the fact is the supply of good quality, well located, fit for purpose office accommodation in the county is greatly under supplied. The various innovation centres are going some way to providing more flexible office accommodation, however, the innovation centres were originally designed for fledgling businesses, establishing themselves before moving to larger more long term accommodation. “There is virtually no office development in the pipeline with the exception of the recently redeveloped John Harvey Foundry in Hayle and a few privately run serviced offices such as those being developed at Trevenson House in Camborne.”
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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Relocate your engineering & advanced manufacturing business to Cornwall - the UK’s most ambitious region. ESAM is a new workspace dedicated to growing advanced manufacturing, engineering and low carbon businesses. Close to the iconic Eden Project and major road and air links, ESAM enables businesses to enhance their productivity and efficiency in a purpose built inspirational environment.
To enquire about space contact Vickery Holman on 01872 245600 or truro@vickeryholman.com For support locating your business in Cornwall visit www.investincornwall.com www.esamcornwall.co.uk
Your Agency Team in Cornwall Whether you’re a business, developer, landlord, tenant or investor, trust us to maximise your property assets: ( ( ( ( (
Retail Industrial Office Business Transfer Development Sites
TRURO
PLYMOUTH
01872 261028
CommercialProperty_Apr18.indd 5
( ( ( ( (
Hotel and Leisure Investment Medical Acquisition Business Relocation
EXETER
www.strattoncrebercommercial.co.uk
Adam Beverley-Jones
Chris Ryland
Steve Matcham
Robin Falle
admin@scctruro.co.uk
StrattonCreber
23/03/2018 10:13
PROPERTY
COMMERCIAL
A PLACE TO THRIVE
If you’re looking for a new home for your company, a place to establish and showcase your brand, St Austell Business Park offers an inspiring and thriving business community in the heart of Cornwall.
A PLACE TO THRIVE If you’re looking for a new home for your company, a place to establish and showcase your brand, St Austell Business Park offers an inspiring and thriving business community in the heart of Cornwall rom flower-lined walkways and aweinspiring panoramas across St Austell Bay, to garden spaces and flexible business units - each and every aspect of St Austell Business Park has been designed to inspire businesses to thrive.
OFFICE SPACE
From the moment you arrive you’ll see our office spaces look and feel different. Starting at 1,000 sq ft, our workshop, studio or office premises are supremely versatile spaces flooded with light, buzzing with opportunity and flexible enough to meet all your business needs. Whatever your business there’s a perfect space waiting for you. Our modern facilities were completed in 2013 and we already have an impressive range of businesses based here, ranging from start-ups to one of Cornwall’s largest law firms and a national building services contractor. Communal areas and an on-site café, pizzeria and bistro help to make the business park a pleasant place to work. A stone’s throw from the Eden Project, with Fowey on one side, and Mevagissey and The Lost Gardens of Heligan on the other, St Austell Business Park is the ideal destination for fresh-thinking companies.
HOT DESKING AND SHARED WORKING SPACE
Our co-working space is ideal for start-ups and small businesses looking for an office with flexible rates, but without long-term commitment. Hot-desking at St Austell Business Park is the perfect solution.
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As there’s no commitment to a lengthy lease you’ll retain your independence whilst attaining the prestige presented by professional premises.
SERVICED OFFICES
With an all-inclusive package, the serviced offices at St Austell Business Park are outstanding and professional spaces set in the heart of our dynamic business community. With flexible terms and the choice to personalise the interior, serviced offices offer a convenient, quick option for any company keen to settle easily into a professional, functional space where you’d be proud to bring clients.
SUSTAINABILITY
With materials chosen to reflect the surrounding environment and breakout spaces, which smoothly transition from indoor to out, we’ve created a space that compliments the landscape without compromising it. Our insulated cedar clad building with a recyclable aluminium roof is finished to a very high standard to meet BREEAM excellent standards. We use renewable energy sources: passive ventilation, solar water heating, rainwater recycling and natural lighting. Accessibility is a key priority. With loading access to the ground floor units, walkways to the upper floors, and disabled access and facilities, we’ve got the details covered, so you can focus on what’s important for your business. We also have plenty of parking available and we are positioned right at the end of the recently-announced £79m link road, which will offer exceptional connectivity to the A30 and beyond.
CONFERENCE CENTRE ON-SITE
St Austell Business Park also boasts a Conference Centre at the heart of the site. Professional, spacious and invigorating, bright open spaces are designed to inspire and create. There’s space to think both inside and out, as natural light brings the outdoors into every room. With a dedicated event team supporting and looking after you every step of the way, keeping your event in safe hands and ensuring your day flows seamlessly. Whether you need a room for 1 hour for a quick meeting, or a series of events throughout the week or month, we have the resource and flexibility to accommodate you. We also offer preferential rates for tenants.
A BUSINESS COMMUNITY
St Austell Business Park is designed to promote an active sense of community among tenants, in the up-and-coming business town of St Austell. This is a fresh space for your business to boom through mutual support and collaborations in this gathering of small businesses. The courtyard frontage and wraparound balconies generate chance meetings With our longstanding active patronage of St Austell Bay and Cornwall Chambers of Commerce, strong connections with the county’s creative industry and St Austell Conference Centre on site, businesses at St Austell Business Park benefit from an enormous footfall of visitors from Cornwall’s business community. To find out more about St Austell Business Park, please contact Beth Mayman on 01726 624200, emailinfo@staustellbusinesspark.co.uk or visit www.staustellbusinesspark.co.uk.
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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The Business Property Specialists across the south-west and beyond
Cornwall’s Most Active Agent seven years in Succession Commercial Agency: 01872 247035 If you are a commercial landlord or tenant we can help you find new premises, organise a let, sale, relocation or lease disposal.
Mike Nightingale:
Thomas Smith:
Thomas Hewitt:
Partner
Head of Commercial Agency
Commercial Surveyor
Graham Timmins: Head of Business Transfer
Beverly Northey: Commercial Surveyor
Paul Collins: Commercial Surveyor
Business Transfer: 01872 247036 Thinking of buying or selling a business? Now is the time - especially for catering businesses, public houses and licensed premises, hotels and bed & breakfasts
Property Management: 01872 247037 Whatever your property and asset management needs our experienced experts can help, particularly as we have within our team an experienced facilities manager and our own accountants.
Nick Maffey:
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Stephen Peckham:
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Valuation: 01872 247038
Investment & Development: 01872 247009
Commercial property and business valuation advice.
Expert acquisition & disposal advice via extensive knowledge & experience.
Andrew Ranson: Head of Valuation Services
Peter Heather: Partner
Susanna Sawle: Senior Valuation Surveyor
Brian Botting: Partner
miller-commercial.co.uk CommercialProperty_Apr18.indd 7
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PEOPLE
ON THE MOVE
SPONSORED BY www.sapiencehr.co.uk
NEW CHAIRMAN AT RODDA’S
SAPIENCE BOOST Sapience HR has appointed a new member to its team. Hannah Ling has joined Sapience as its very own ‘client confidant’ and brings with her nearly ten years’ experience working in operational HR roles. She is an associate member of the CIPD, holds a Level 7 qualification in human resource management and a level 3 qualification in volunteer management.
Cornish clotted cream producer Rodda’s has appointed Neil Kennedy as its new chairman. Kennedy joins the company with a wealth experience in the dairy industry. The former CEO of Milk Link is also a joint shareholder of Crediton Dairy. MD of Rodda’s, Nicholas Rodda, said: “We are delighted to welcome Neil to the business in his new role as chairman. We have a progressive agenda over the next few years. His significant industry experience and understanding of how a family business operates, as well growing and running a larger scale organisation, will add tremendous value to our company.” This appointment takes place after current chairman Alan Brownscombe announced he would be stepping down.
HAYES AT HEADLAND
The Headland Hotel has appointed a new sales and marketing manager. Originally from Launceston, Charlotte Hayes has worked in a number of high profile establishments – including The Dorchester, Cliveden House Hotel and the Hind’s Head in Bray. Prior to her move back to Cornwall, she was group marketing manager of The Vineyard Group, a hotel management company based in Berkshire. “My partner and I always planned to move back to Cornwall,” said Hayes, “but only when the right challenge presented itself. Joining The Headland was the perfect opportunity and I’m delighted to be here.”
RRL TAKES LONG ROAD TO EDEN Chartered accountant and tax advisor RRL has expanded its probate team. Charlotte Eden is a qualified solicitor and brings specialisms in the preparation of wills, power of attorney, probate, and administration of estates to RRL. Probate associate Jessica Long has a wealth of experience having spent her
ONE TO WATCH Bishop Fleming has recruited a rising local star to its Truro office. The accountancy and advisory firm has appointed Ben Rance as an accounts and audit executive. Although he will be advising on audit and accounting issues, he will also have specific
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whole career working within the legal profession. ACILEx qualified, she is awaiting the results for the CILEx exam she recently undertook to become a graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. The pair will be based in RRL’s new Penzance office, when it opens this spring.
responsibility for working with the firm’s charity and academy clients. A chartered certified accountant with over five years’ experience in professional services, last year Rance appeared in the inaugural Cornwall 30 under 30 list, celebrating the top 30 young business people working in Cornwall under the age of 30. He was referred to as “one to watch in the accountancy world” and “a business leader of tomorrow”.
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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NEWS
SPONSORED BY
#FSBCONNECT
www.fsb.org.uk
APPETITE FOR ‘MORE’ The feedback from the FSB Women Cornwall Conference event back at the end of February is still rolling in and has been “just incredible and plentiful” according to development manager for Cornwall, Ann Vandermeulen. “Thank you so much for an absolutely excellent Women’s conference – it was fantastic to be inspired by such wonderful ladies and to meet lots of like-minded, positive and lovely people” and “I would rate the event a 10, if I could go higher I would!” Such comments have really demonstrated that there is a need for business women to get together, learn and be inspired by each other and in turn (and in typical style) help others. So much so that FSB has committed to continue its FSB Women Cornwall group and offer more opportunities later in the year which will include a business skills event in September. So popular was the event that it was full to capacity with a waiting list. Highlights included Helen Walbey (Recycle Scooters, Chair of both FSB Equality and Diversity and FSB Women Taskforce) sharing her morning ‘Wonder Woman’ routine, which now seems to have caught on and Amanda Winwood (Made for Life Organics) and Jill Stein (The Seafood Restaurant) who were outstanding as an insightful and memorable double act. Then followed International Women’s Day,
which also proved very popular with the #100FSBWomen Campaign on social media being hailed one of PR Week’s top ten campaigns of the day, up against the likes of BA and McDonalds. More feedback, real-time comment on the days’ action from attendees and photos can be found on Twitter and a full photo gallery can be found at www.fsb.org.uk/first-voice/regionalvoice. With all of this activity, FSB Women Cornwall has issued a call to action to all of the counties
RAISING GDPR AWARENESS According to latest research, 90% of small firms are still not prepared for new data regulation, with hospitality and arts & entertainment businesses the least prepared for GDPR. The FSB has launched a campaign a GDPR awareness raising campaign, dubbed ‘BeDataReady’ in the run up to the May 25
deadline. A sector breakdown shows that hospitality and arts & entertainment firms are the least prepared. Over half of respondents in these industries have not yet started preparing for the changes. Small businesses in the financial services sector are the most prepared with
LEVEL VAT PLAYING FIELD Responding to the introduction of new rules to encourage online marketplaces to tackle VAT evasion, FSB national chairman Mike Cherry, said: “No business, in any part of the world, should be gaining an unfair advantage in the UK by dodging tax. “The new rules promise to help level the playing field for small UK firms trading online. For too long, those who do the right thing have been allowed to lose out to firms that evade VAT. “Online marketplaces are vital to the success of thousands of small firms – often a natural complement to their high street shops. Like any good market organiser, these websites have a responsibility to ensure all traders are
playing by the rules.” On the VAT threshold consultation announced by the Chancellor at his Spring Statement, Cherry added: “VAT is the most timeconsuming tax for small firms to handle. A small VAT-registered firm spends more than a working week a year complying with the tax on average. That’s time that should be spent running their firms and increasing productivity. “Suddenly dragging more small firms into the VAT regime is not the answer to the ‘thresholditis’ issue – where businesses close to the £85k turnover threshold for registration put the brakes on expansion. It’s good to see that the Chancellor’s two-year freeze on the threshold is still in place.”
business women to join the conversation, to share experience and support each other so please email ann.vandermeulen@fsb.org.uk if you are interested.
82% of respondents having started or completed their GDPR preparations. Roger Tarrant, FSB south west regional chairman, based in Bodmin, said: “FSB is in a unique position to reach small businesses and so we’re going to step up efforts to help and support them get data ready, while continuing to make sure the Government implements the regulation in the fairest way for small firms.”
FSB CONNECT NETWORKING FSB Connect Networking – open to all All events can be found on Eventbrite for easy online booking 19 APR – Are you ready for GDPR? 11am-1pm Heartlands, Pool Expert speaker to answer your questions, networking & lunch – all for just £10.00 Our Next MP Round Table Meetings: Free to attend – raise your issues face to face with your MP 01JUNE – Scott Mann – 1pm – Shire Hall, Bodmin 15JUNE – George Eustice – 12noon – Pool Innovation Centre
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TOURISM
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
TRESCO BLOW FOR STEAMSHIP PLANS
Tresco Estate has confirmed that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s proposed helicopter service will not be able to operate into Tresco. It said that key stakeholders – including Tresco Heliport – were not consulted prior to the recent announcement by the Steamship Group, which announced a new heli-service beginning next month. In a statement, Robert Dorrien-Smith said: “Due to the delays to the Penzance Heliport project, caused by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company’s legal challenges, Tresco Heliport is not scheduled to become fully operational until early 2019, to coincide with the scheduled Penzance service. The safe operation of a heliport is not something that can be conjured up in a matter of months.” Meanwhile, Penzance Heliport Ltd has revealed that its planned service between Scilly and Penzance
will be operated by Sloane Helicopters. Northamptonshire-based Sloane Helicopters has almost 50 years’ experience as one of Europe’s leading helicopter companies, with clients including Air Ambulance charities and the Ministry of Defence. The company was formed in 1969 and remains in the private ownership of founder and chairman David George, who was educated in Penzance. Sloane will provide the AW139 aircraft for the Penzance to Isles of Scilly route and will employ key staff, including pilots. The company will also provide engineering services, in conjunction with helicopter manufacturer Leonardo – formerly AgustaWestland – for whom Sloane has been the UK and Ireland distributor and service centre for over 22 years.
www.visitcornwall.com
TOURISM WEEK SUCCESS Last month’s inaugural International Tourism Week is being proclaimed a great success. The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, in its partnership with Export for Growth, hosted workshops in Falmouth, Penzance and Newquay. Delegates heard how the Export for Growth programme is looking to offer bursary support of £1k to 30 businesses to develop their international marketing through digital enhancement. Applicants were asked to fill out a questionnaire including how they plan to spend the bursary. It is the first time any Government funding has been available specifically for the tourism sector in many years and the chamber said response to the events was “fantastic”.
BERLIN ROUTE ANNOUNCED Cornwall Airport Newquay (CAN) has announced the strengthening of its links to Germany, confirming Eurowings will be adding the airport’s fourth German destination this summer. Beginning on May 5, Lufthansa’s low-cost carrier subsidiary will commence a weekly service from the capital city airport, Berlin Tegel. Enhancing Cornwall’s connections to Europe, Eurowings’ seasonal operation to Germany’s largest city will launch the same day as the carrier’s new route to Stuttgart, adding to its already established service to Düsseldorf and Ryanair’s link to Frankfurt Hahn. Airport MD, Al Titterington, said: “Our inbound leisure routes are particularly popular with German tourists so we’re very happy to announce another connection from this increasingly significant country market.”
ADVERTORIAL
LIGHTNING STRIKES!
Cornwall Business Fair’s refresh boasts a new-look Lightning Stage with high-value snappy seminars offering tip top takeaway in partnership with Export for Growth 38
ollowing the success of its Connected Cornwall event at Healey’s in November, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Export for Growth have partnered to create a new and improved Lightning Stage for this year’s fair. Now in its tenth year, Cornwall Business Fair is keen to shed the perception of Lightning Talks being sales pitches, instead sourcing some of the best presenters they have come across to deliver snappy, 30 minute
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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TRAINING
SPONSORED BY
EDUCATION
www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
FIGHTING FIRE Truro and Penwith College, along with Cornwall Fire, Rescue & Community Safety Service, is supporting local people to get into work by providing apprenticeships to six aspiring firefighters. They are the first operational firefighter Apprenticeships in Cornwall which have been made possible because of the recent changes in national apprenticeship standards. The Apprentice fire fighters will experience working life at community fire stations whilst studying for their course one day a week at Truro and Penwith College. Toni Drew, business development advisor at Truro & Penwith College, said: “We are backing the Government drive to recruit more apprentices to benefit employers like the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service which enables young people across the region to enter a career like no other - which is so competitive to get into.”
PENDENNIS WINS FIRST APPRENTICESHIP GAMES Pendennis secured its place in the history books by winning the inaugural Apprenticeship Games. Held last month at Cornwall College St Austell, businesses and organisations with apprentices battled it out in a range of events that tested their mental, physical and creative skills. Each team took turns at a gaming challenge on a PS4, a University Challenge-style quiz round with mascots and buzzers, a cake decorating challenge, a rowing and cycling stage, a blindfold team-building challenge and a task involving getting tyres across a room without touching the floor. The event for apprentices and their employers across the south west was a welcome and
sessions in a fully branded Lightning Room within the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Hall at Truro School. Each of the sessions have been coordinated to answer business’ needs following Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s members survey at the end of 2017. With sessions covering Doing Business with Russia with the Russian Chamber
fun addition to National Apprenticeship Week, according to The Cornwall College Group principal, Raoul Humphreys. He said: “This is about different businesses and apprentices representing a wealth of vital sectors for the region’s economy coming together to celebrate the thing they all have in common, an understanding of the value of apprenticeships. “Apprenticeships are a great way for people of all ages to earn while they learn, with opportunities to progress to a degree-level qualification. We see so many apprentices develop into outstanding employees, and this event is a great way for employers and apprentices to showcase the skills they’ve developed along their journey.”
Places at the seminars are first come first served and Cornwall Chamber of Commerce advises pre-booking to secure a space
of Commerce; Busting the myths around GDPR by Stephens Scown; Is Organic Social Media Dead? by Nigel Barker; A Beginner’s Guide to eCommerce from Sam Amps Marketing and Web; Is all Marketing Digital? by John Chapple, the stage promises to provide practical advice for those attending the fair to take back to work and see growth happen.
COLLEGE IN UK TEST PROJECT Cornwall College is one of only five further education colleges in the UK testing a Government project aiming to improve relationships between industries and educators. The Teach Too project, funded by the Education Training Foundation and led by the Association of Colleges (AoC), is designed to encourage employers and their staff to work closely with teachers and trainers to help develop curriculum, design training programmes and share delivery.
Places at the seminars are first come first served and Cornwall Chamber of Commerce advises pre-booking to secure a space. The full schedule and bookable links are detailed on this link: http://www. cornwallbusinessfair.co.uk/agenda/
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23/03/2018 10:24
CREATIVE
AND DIGITAL
SPONSORED BY
www.digitalpeninsula.org
SILVER LINING FOR FALMOUTH AGENCY Falmouth-based creative agency Kingdom & Sparrow won a Silver Award for its work on Buttermilk’s rebrand at the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards 2018. Kingdom & Sparrow was the only Cornish agency nominated and was up against some of the UK’s largest, most successful design
agencies working with international brands like Unilever, Mars and Carlsberg. Buttermilk is a family-run Cornish brand, making fudge and confectionery. Kingdom & Sparrow transformed its brand and designed a range of packaging for premium ‘sharing packs’ and gift boxes suitable for supermarkets.
OH SHE SO MEANS BUSINESS Female entrepreneurs made the most of the opportunity to get involved with Facebook’s annual #SheMeansBusiness campaign during the networking launch event in Falmouth on International Women’s Day. The Female Founder Meet-up was hosted by Penryn-based social media marketing agency, Oh So Social, whose founder Katherine George has been selected by Facebook to head up #SheMeansBusiness in Cornwall. The networking morning at The Falmouth Hotel marked the launch of the campaign, which will see George provide free Facebook and Instagram training to female founders across Cornwall. The event saw female entrepreneurs from across the county and from a variety of sectors, from accountancy to property, creative design to marketing, all come together to exchange stories, make connections and discover more about this year’s #SheMeansBusiness campaign. George said: “As one of just 24 Facebookaccredited mentors in the country, I feel honoured to be able to give something back to the business community in Cornwall and help other female start-ups succeed by
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sharing my knowledge. “This event attracted businesswomen from a wide range of industries which sparked lots of interesting conversations and it was great to see so many people benefiting from just this one networking morning. I already can’t wait to host the next one” #SheMeansBusiness was launched last year to celebrate female entrepreneurs and to facilitate Facebook and Instagram training to female founders of start-up businesses across the UK. Last year, the campaign provided training to over 10,000 female entrepreneurs.
MD Daniel Gradwell, said: “We’re so proud to have received this award, especially because it’s all about how our design has proven effective for our client. People’s perception of design talent is changing. You no longer need to be in London or the big cities to be respected for producing innovative brands.”
LOOKING FOR MORE WHITEHATS Falmouth-based digital marketing agency has created a new team specialising in website analytics. While the company has always managed website analytics for its clients as part of its digital marketing campaigns, demand has grown to such an extent that it is now forming a dedicated team. MD, Tom Telford, said: “We have seen a shift in the level of insight people need from their marketing and are very excited to be able to form a dedicated team in Cornwall. “The market has seen greater investment in website measurement, especially using Google Analytics, and we are in a strong position to react to it.” The company is now recruiting for two specialist roles - an analytics implementation specialist and a data analysis & insight specialist.
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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JUST A THOUGHT
This month’s guest columnist is Leap director Matt Hocking
OPINION
TO B CORP, OR NOT TO B CORP? hat is the question that people often ask me – “what is a B Corp?” But it’s a term which businesses are becoming more and more familiar with, bringing together over 130 of us in the UK and over 2,400 worldwide across 50+ countries, 130 industries all with one unifying goal – to redefine success in business. In a nutshell, it’s an independent certification scheme for businesses that do good and have a social and environmental conscience at the very heart of what they do. Having people’s and the planet’s best interest at heart are key ingredients for any B Corper, and go hand in hand with understanding the value of making profit. Since our founding in 2004, we’ve always prided ourselves on being a mission driven business (a common trait in all B Corp businesses) and thrive on using Leap and our creativity as a tool for change for our clients and ourselves, as well as being a model of environmental and social responsibility. Becoming a B Corp for us in January 2016 was really like finding a global community that we had a perfect fit with, a sharing community where we learn, be inspired and be part of being the change we want to see in the world. It’s a community where together we are stronger, a place that allows us to benchmark our businesses and share best practice to ultimately make a difference. We’re helping to grow the community in Cornwall, hosting events with Unlocking Potential, RIO and consulting for businesses from start-ups to muli-million turnover companies, to help measure what matters with B Corps BIA – Business Impact Assessment and I’m a B Champion (they like their Bs), with further B Leader training due in April. We were proud to become Cornwall’s first B Corp business but we are equally thrilled to welcome Cornwall’s newest certified B Corp, Finisterre, the first European surf brand to join our global community. With more leading business in Cornwall and around the UK in the
pipeline, which currently sits around a 1,000 waiting to finalising certification, these are truly exciting times. Embarking on the B Corp journey was a natural decision for us. At Leap, we have always strived to show how design can be a catalyst for environmental and social change on all levels across all sectors, local to global, micro to macro? After all, 80% of environmental impact is determined at the design stage. Leap’s ambition is to transform the way design is perceived and used; driving grass roots change in decision-making, community involvement, production processes and creating meaningful work. For us it’s always been about ‘doing’, and design for change is the way we do it, making a living is what we call it. We practise good designs for good people/ businesses doing good things in its simplest form. Although I like to say that ‘saving the planet one pixel, one letter, one colour at a time’ being the actual tools of our creative trade. I believe all individuals and businesses should be doing the best they can for people and planet and in doing so, profit will naturally come which can then be distributed in however organisations see fit. For Leap, that’s a quarterly profit share for our team, eco-social give back which in 2017 accounted for over 8% of our turnover. Other organisations use the wonderful 1% for the planet and actively work with charitable foundations. All of this leads to business with purpose. And when we get our purpose right, our people (employees), our customers, our communities, even our investors will love us. And love translates to productivity, dedication, loyalty, dedication, openness, unity and ultimately profit. New research from B Corp has revealed that certified B Corps in the UK are growing 28 times faster than the national economic growth of 0.5%. And now you’ve read this, what’s not to love? Why not become a fellow B-Corper yourself? You can find out more at www.bcorporation.net.
For us it’s always been about ‘doing’, and design for change is the way we do it, making a living is what we call it
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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TEST DRIVE
RENAULT TRAFIC VAN
RENAULT Business Cornwall’s Morveth Ward has been driving a van this month which offers more lovability than you’d think
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BUSINESS CORNWALL
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very review I do is based on expectation. If I’m testing a premium car at a premium price I expect it to be exceptionally good and if it falls short of this I will be naturally disappointed, even if it is good by lesser standards. This is why the Renault Trafic took me by surprise – my expectations were geared towards it being useful and practical, yet probably a bit dull – it’s a van! When various people were asking me what I will be driving this month, I was responding ‘just a van this month’, now if you were to ask me, I’d say: ‘a Renault Trafic van– it’s great!’. If you think you could do with the practicalities of a van, but are perhaps put-off by the thought of one being a bit cumbersome to live with then think again. The Trafic drives unbelievably well and feels more agile than a lot of cars I drive as well as being totally refined, comfortable and well equipped. For this reason it’s easy to see why so many vans are being used not just as a work vehicle but as a personal / leisure one – you have carlike driving and ample space for surfboards, kayaks, weekend DIY materials and the list
TestDrive_Apr18.indd 3
goes on. Oh, and you can bung a mattress in the back for a weekend off camping. What holds the Renault back in this market is status – certain vans (and one in particular) have a real cult following in this sector and have become a symbol synonymous with surfing and the wider coastal lifestyle. However, the Renault does the same job and should be given a chance here. You can tell Renault are keen to harness this market and have introduced more flair, including the Formula Edition (as tested) which feels less work-like and is a celebration of the vans becoming an official logistics partner of the Renault Sport Racing F1 Team.
From a work point of view the spec is right up there with the best, boasting a payload of up to 1459kg together with a big load volume. The Trafic has been around for a long time and has evolved well over the years. I find it totally straightforward and surprisingly pleasant to live with. Renault describes it as ‘powerful, clever and dynamic’, and while I lean towards hesitancy in calling it powerful, it is certainly capable in that respect and clever and dynamic it most definitely is. Dales Renault, 01209 821133
If you think you could do with the practicalities of a van, but are perhaps put-off by the thought of one being a bit cumbersome to live with then think again
23/03/2018 10:42
EVENTS
APRIL
APRIL EVENTS 5 8 10
CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH
Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth
Enjoy a relaxing networking lunch overlooking the Penryn River and Falmouth Harbour beyond followed by some informative speakers. Cornwallchamber.co.uk/events
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GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP
Cornish Pirates v Richmond
Taking place in the school’s Burrell Theatre, Finance in Cornwall this year is being held alongside Business Fair, featuring a wide range of targeted presentations focused on your business needs. pkf-francisclark.co.uk
Red River Café, Pool
FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB
Falmouth Business Club meets every other Thursday over breakfast, where a lively and welcoming group of business people awaits. Today’s guest speaker is Martin Crump from Evolution. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk
START-UP CORNWALL
19
26
Norway Inn, Perranarworthal
GET SKILLS CORNWALL
Headland Hotel, Newquay
20
HFC NETWORKS CLUB
Hall For Cornwall, Truro
Guest speaker Jules Barton will be talking about the range of business support offered by Unlocking
FALMOUTH BUSINESS CLUB
Falmouth Business Club meets every other Thursday over breakfast, where a lively and welcoming group of business people awaits. Today’s guest speaker is Christine Chaplin. falmouthbusinessclub.co.uk
Join Kernow Business Breakfast at Penventon Park Hotel. Two guest speakers will enlighten the group with their professional development tips. There will also be a 30 second pitch from each guest attending and some serious networking! cornishpartnerships@hotmail.com
The General Data Protection Regulations come into force on May 25 and many small businesses are unaware of how this will impact on their business and what they need to do to become compliant. You will get tips on getting prepared for GDPR and there will also be a tasty lunch. eventbrite.co.uk
Who is Cornwall’s Entrepreneur of the Year? Who is Cornwall’s Best Family Business? Who is Best International Business? Find out the answers to these and more questions at a glittering awards ceremony with guest speaker Gregg Wallace. See p14 for more details. cornwallbusinessawards.co.uk
The Innovation Club is a great opportunity for businesses and partners in Cornwall to network over a complimentary breakfast. The Innovation Club will be taking place at the Old Quay House, Hayle. Guest speaker: Rachel Jones, CEO of Fit ‘N’ Fun Kids eventbrite.co.uk
Penventon Hotel, Redruth
Heartlands, Pool
St Mellion International
ATI INNOVATION CLUB
KERNOW BUSINESS BREAKFAST
#FSBCONNECT
CORNWALL BUSINESS AWARDS
A guest speaker will enlighten the group with their professional development tips, while attendees will also have the opportunity to pitch their businesses and engage in some serious networking. cornishpartnerships@hotmail.com
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Old Quay House, Hayle
This event is designed to showcase the range of funding and business support available to start ups in Cornwall and will be held immediately after Finance in Cornwall pkf-francisclark.co.uk
KERNOW BUSINESS BREAKFAST
Cornwall Business Week will kick off with an injection of skills thanks to Get Skills Cornwall, a new free event to help businesses work smarter and thrive. (See page opposite for more details). ciosskillshub.com/getskillscornwall
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Truro School
Sandy Lodge Hotel, Newquay
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The Cornwall Business Fair brings our dynamic business community together to trade, talk, share knowledge, collaborate and to strengthen our region’s economy. See p9 for full details. cornwallbusinessfair.co.uk
Truro School
HEARTLANDS BUSINESS BREAKFAST
Norway Inn, Perranrworthal
Truro School
FINANCE IN CORNWALL
For a truly memorable occasion, match day hospitality is the perfect way to entertain colleagues and clients alike. Match day hospitality starts at £45+vat per person. robyn.ashurst@cornish-pirates.com
The breakfasts take place at Heartland’s Red River Cafe, starting at 7:30am and finishing by 8:45am. Admission costs £10, which includes a Cornish breakfast sourced from local suppliers. Booking essential zoe.morrison@heartlandscornwall.com
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Potential. Light refreshments including wine, beer, soft drinks, brownies; all the usual favourites. eventbrite.co.uk
CORNWALL BUSINESS FAIR
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GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP
Cornish Pirates v Ealing Trailfinders
For a truly memorable occasion, match day hospitality is the perfect way to entertain colleagues and clients alike. Match day hospitality starts at £45+vat per person. robyn.ashurst@cornish-pirates.com
For further details of these and more events, check out the networking calendar on
businesscornwall.co.uk
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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CORNWALL
ADVERTORIAL
SUPPORTING THROUGH THE EBB AND FLOW
One of the first businesses to move into Pool Innovation Centre six years ago, PSG Cornwall delivers property searches and energy performance certificates for estate agents, landlords and solicitors
Formerly one of the south west’s biggest providers of Home Information Packs (HIPs), the company lost 50% of its profits overnight when the Government dropped HIPs for property sales in 2010. Founders and directors Simon Gill and Uzma Bozai approached Cornwall Innovation when they were faced with the challenge of scaling down the business and working out how to build it back up. The Pool Innovation
Centre team worked with them to ensure the space fitted with PSG’s Cornwall’s changing needs. Six years on and the business is now involved in two-thirds of Cornwall’s property transactions. PSG managing partner, Simon, Gill says: “Pool Innovation Centre provides a great environment for our team and helps us project a professional image to clients. It’s a real melting pot of businesses. When we’re faced with a new challenge our first thought is always, ‘does someone here know about this?’ It’s often just a case of nipping down the corridor to get advice. “We’ve won new clients as a result of being in the Innovation Centre. It’s obviously working– last year was our most successful since we started in 2004.” Cornwall Innovation Centres manager, Matt Harrington, explains: “Business growth doesn’t
generally happen in a straight line: it ebbs and it flows. So businesses need to constantly innovate. Cornwall Innovation supports businesses as they adapt to changing circumstances.” Pool Innovation Centre not only provides office space and meeting and conference facilities, but a host of business support opportunities, including networking events, workshops and mentoring. Pool Innovation Centre is one of three innovation centres run by the University of Plymouth on behalf of Cornwall Council. www.cornwallinnovation.co.uk
GET SKILLS CORNWALL EVENT Cornwall Business Week 2018 will kick off with an injection of skills thanks to Get Skills Cornwall, a new free event to help businesses work smarter and thrive Taking place on April 17 (8am to midday) at the Headland Hotel in Newquay, Get Skills Cornwall is hosted by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub, in partnership with the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. It will bring together a line-up of private sector experts who will inspire, share valuable knowhow and get businesses thinking about how they can boost productivity and effectiveness through training and staff development. There will be practical tips to help businesses maximise the potential of their team, as well as sessions on sales strategy, leadership and digital marketing. Delegates will also hear first-hand the impact that apprenticeships can have on business success and get advice on accessing the funding and support that is available. “Cornwall Business Week is the perfect
opportunity to not only get businesses talking and thinking about skills but also actively benefit from training,” said Josh Hoole, project manager of the Skills Hub. “Get Skills Cornwall promises to be an info packed morning and will offer businesses the chance to find out about the free and impartial skills and training brokerage service that the Skills Hub offers.” Mel Colton-Dyer, chief operating officer of the Cornwall Chamber, added: “We have a fantastic mix of speakers lined up to join us at Get Skills Cornwall. Being private sector businesses themselves they know first-hand
the challenges that businesses face and are experts in their fields so are well-placed to share insight that will be of real value to local businesses. “We want businesses to come away inspired and motivated to invest in skills and staff development.” Get Skills Cornwall is completely free to attend and includes breakfast and valuable networking opportunities.
For more information and to book your place visit, www.ciosskillshub.com/getskillscornwall
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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CONNECTED
CORNWALL
SPONSORED BY
www.cioslep.co.uk
CORNWALL BUSINESS SHOW Businesses from across the Duchy and beyond descended upon the Royal Cornwall Showground for the annual trade exhibition last month
TOP RIGHT: ALEX NICHOLAS (CORNWALL NEW ENERGY) SECOND ROW: ANDREW WEAVER (CORNWALL BUSINESS SHOW) AND JOHN HARVEY (SAMPHIRE CLUB); CAROLINE HILL (BUSINESS CORNWALL); MANDY COSGROVE (SPACEPORT CORNWALL) BOTTOM ROW: IN SAFE HANDS TRAINING; THE SHOW.
SENIOR EXECUTIVES’ FORUM Heartlands in Pool was the venue for the latest Senior Executives’ Forum (SEF) lunch hosted by CCB Training, where guests heard from Toby Parkins, director at Headforwards on the new Fibre Park project 46
TOP RIGHT: MICHAEL DANES (CORBEAU CONSULTING) AND SEAN MCCROHAN (TOTAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS); ALI CARNEGIE (TOTAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS) AND SARA PUGH (EIGHT WIRE) SECOND ROW: SAM LOCKYER (CLASSIC BUILDERS) AND TOBY PARKINS (HEADFORWARDS); ALISON MORDEN-HAWKE (RALPH & CO SOLICITORS)
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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CORNWALL
CONNECTED
FSB WOMEN CORNWALL CONFERENCE The Tresanton Hotel in St Mawes provided the backdrop for the FSB Women Cornwall Conference TOP ROW: NATALIE HADFIELD BESPOKE IT AND RACHEL HAMMOND THE HAMMOND AGENCY ; CLAIRE BOND LANHYDROCK GOLF CLUB HOTEL AND CELIA WILLIAMS TAMAR INN BOTTOM ROW: AMANDA WINWOOD MADE FOR LIFE ORGANICS AND JILL STEIN THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ; JANE HICKS FLUENT SELF AND TRISH STONE TREWINCE ESTATE
#SHEMEANSBUSINESS LAUNCH Cornish female entrepreneurs made the most of the opportunity to get involved with Facebook’s annual #SheMeansBusiness campaign during the networking launch event in Falmouth on International Women’s Day
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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23/03/2018 11:28
THE LAST
WORD
BOBBY VANDERPLANK
What makes Dales Central Motors’ marketing manager tick? WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? Royal Marine. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? General assistant at Carbis Bay
hotel.
WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? My mobile
phone and a set of car keys.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? A good,
long walk. I like to walk for miles.
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE? Canada, out in the
woods.
48
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Leaving newspapers after 24
years to work with Dales.
IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Take the hate out of
people.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? Sea, sand and beautiful scenery
and fresh air.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE? Not spending enough time
with my daughters as they grew up.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? Bear Gyrlls for
his amazing stories and zest for life and Clive Cussler, a master in fiction adventure.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Kenya.
WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK?
Landing my current job.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? What I
am doing now.
BUSINESS CORNWALL
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23/03/2018 10:37
EVENTS
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