CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION
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MISSING PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
CEO INTERVIEW STEPHENS SCOWN MANAGING PARTNER RICHARD BAKER
BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TOOLKIT 2024
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DEC 23 / JAN 24
FEATURES 10 CEO INTERVIEW WE MEET STEPHENS SCOWN MANAGING PARTNER, RICHARD BAKER
16 BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TOP TIPS AND ADVICE TO HELP GET YOUR BUSINESS AHEAD IN 2024
28 WORKSPACE SPACE2WORK REDRUTH – THE PARK
30 ZEITGEIST THE WORLD TODAY IN NUMBERS
32 CHRISTMAS WISHLIST LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS
ISSUE 173
INSIDE REGULARS 4 INCOMING NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
38 FOOD & DRINK NEW TIPPLE FROM TARQUIN’S
6 BUSINESS NEWS
39 ON THE MOVE
MITCHELL & WEBBER AT NUMBER 10
APPOINTMENTS NEWS
34 CREATIVE & DIGITAL CORNWALL MUSEUMS PARTNERSHIP CLOSES
35 CHAMBER NEWS KIM CONCHIE COLUMN
36 EDUCATION & TRAINING NEWS EXPERT STATUS FOR COLLEGE
37 TOURISM NEWS
40 JUST A THOUGHT JON HURRELL, CEO OF THE CORNWALL MANUFACTURING GROUP
42 CONNECTED NETWORKING IN PICTURES
46 EVENTS DIARY THINGS TO COME
48 THE LAST WORD CHEF BEN AMBRIDGE
RECORD CRUISE NUMBERS
PHOTO: WILDWORKS’ I AM KEVIN (PHOTO: IAN KINGSNORTH) SEE PAGE 34 FOR MORE
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 1
DEC 23 / JAN 24
ISSUE 173 CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION
businesscornwall.co.uk
DEC 2023 / JAN 2024 | ISSUE 173 | £3.95
MISSING M ISSING PIECE OF OF PIECE THE PUZZLE P U Z ZLE THE
CEO INTERVIEW STEPHENS SCOWN MANAGING PARTNER RICHARD BAKER
BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TOOLKIT 2024
sales
ON THE COVER BUSINESS ESSENTIALS – SEE PAGE 16
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Carter caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Rachel Koerner rachel@businesscornwall.co.uk DESIGN Ade Taylor design@businesscornwall.co.uk PRINT Printed by Stephens and George BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by:
Tonick Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road, Redruth TR15 3PL Tel: 01209 718688
WELCOME
BY EDITOR NICK EYRIEY
Time to look forward Welcome to the final issue of 2023. I know, it’s the oldest cliché in the book, but really, where did that year go? I think each and every one of you will have their own different opinions on how the past year has gone. But after many months of high inflation and a cost of living squeeze and last year’s political turmoil, things are maybe beginning to settle down. But with a General Election just around the corner, political upheaval is never far away. You can probably expect, however, that the Government will be looking to be as voter and businessfriendly as possible. Just as I write this, the PM has said taxes can now be cut “in a responsible way”. As I say, the Election is probably less than a year off. In this issue we help you prepare for 2024 with our annual Business Essentials guide, the theme of which will be carried forward in a special Business Cornwall LIVE! event on January 18. And a final call to register your business for our search for the Best Places to Work in Cornwall 2024. The best workers want to work for the best companies, so why not supercharge your recruitment appeal and explain why your business is such a great place in our independent survey. The scheme is completely free to enter, with the successful applicants appearing in a comprehensive profile feature later in the spring. For full details head to www. bestplacestoworkincornwall. com before December 15. From all of us here at Tonick Business Publishing, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk 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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Vertu Land Rover Truro 6 Cornwall Business Park West, Scorrier, Redruth, TR16 5BN 0344 234 6119 vertumotors.com/land-rover Official Fuel Economy and CO2 results for the Range Rover Sport Autobiography 23MY extended-range Plug-In Electric Hybrid range in mpg (1/100km) (weighted combined): 353.1-313.9 (0.8-0.9). CO2 Emissions (weighted combined) 18-20g/km. Equivalent all-eletric range: 70 miles (112 km). The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation with a fully charged battery. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2, fuel economy, energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, enviromental conditions, load, wheel fitment, accessories fitted, actual route and battery condition. Using 50kW rapid DC charger. Charging times will vary dependent on many factors, including: the age, condition, temperature and existing charge or the battery facility used and duration of charge. For more information and to configure your vehicle visit landrover.co.uk. Vertu Land Rover is a trading name of Albert Farnell Limited which is an authorised representative of Bristol Street First Investments Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registration number 00391896. VAT Registration number 902737238. Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.
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What are your professional hopes and ambitions for 2024? What will be the #1 New Year’s resolution for your business?
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XAVIA SMITH HookedOnMedia
We are manifesting 2024 as not just a brilliant year of growth for HookedOnMedia but a year of many new projects. Internationally, we’d like to increase our presence in the USA further. We aim for this time next year to be fully underway with the launch of a new web development and design package, to include user experience campaigns, an archive of HookedOn digital marketing podcasts, and have rolled out several SEO masterclasses for media diploma students at Truro & Penwith College. We are diversifying our offering in 2024, to put a name on it I think 2024 will be our ‘skillshare year’. Our #1 resolution is to nurture individual team members to hone their skills and personal flair. Looking back at 2023, we’ve learned so much about taking a companywide approach to development.
NICHOLA CAIN
Voice Communications My business ambitions for 2024 will continue to be deeply rooted in my passion for both purpose and people. 2023 was a big year for us, with the acquisition of Barefoot Media followed by a lot of work on our own brand and strategy, we have also onboarded some truly amazing new clients to take into 2024. Nurturing and empowering my team has always been one of my favourite parts of my role, however it is even more crucial in times of change so that will be a key focus for me. As a business, our New Year’s resolution is something we have already identified as a key focus; self-promotion. As a PR agency,
we are constantly shouting about and championing our clients but my mission for 2024 will be to look inward, package our services, produce some metrics, and get better at selling ourselves.
RIA WILLIAMS Perfect Sums
Here at Perfect Sums, our professional hopes and ambitions for 2024 remain, to some extent, as they have been in previous years and that is firstly to sustain: to sustain and maintain our valued clients and look after our dedicated staff, who without, none of this would be possible. Secondly, as ever, we’d love nothing more than to build on the momentum from 2023 and inevitably, grow. Our objective to grow, however exciting and enabling, will always drive us on, but will never supersede the ethos of the business to sustain, our hope is that this growth will continue to happen naturally and viably. Our #1 New Year’s resolution is to not only grow from new business, but to develop furthermore from within, we’d like to do even more with the businesses and staff we already have, in terms of developing them and supporting new ventures they may undertake in the next year.
BEN STANSFIELD Cornish Cheese
As we enter 2024 as a business, our #1 aim for next year is to generate as much renewable energy as possible to reduce our carbon footprint and consumption from the grid. This is to help the environmental and commercial sustainability of the
INCOMING
company with the recent cost rises impacting us heavily. Electric has grown to be our third biggest cost behind milk and labour which we can’t avoid when making a handmade cheese so we believe if we can control this cost as much as possible, it will help future proof the business for later years.
BEN HALL
Quick Panda Productions Our #1 goal as an events company is to deliver unique and magical experiences for people that leave a long-lasting impact which also create connections, community, and amazing memories. Our hopes and ambitions for 2024 are to keep evolving this vision, to constantly improve and invent new concepts and ideas that captivate the hearts and minds of anyone that attends our events. Our #1 New Year’s resolution is to aim for greater sustainability and to keep reducing any impact to the environment as much as possible.
MEL CONNELL
Cleaner Seas Group Next year looks incredibly exciting for the Cleaner Seas Group, we’ve just launched our commercial filter alongside our domestic filter earlier in the year. We’re also collaborating with some amazing partners, working on ongoing research and development and we’re growing the team! Alongside that tidal wave of change and progress, our #1 resolution into 2024 remains the same: to keep finding solutions to ocean pollution that make a real difference.
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NEWS IN BRIEF One of the UK’s leading yacht rigging and spar fabrication experts has become the first boating and marine-related business to relocate to Falmouth Harbour’s new Marine Hub. Allspars has added workshops and office units at the Falmouth Harbour Marine Hub in Grove Place to its marine bases in Plymouth and the Solent. ______________________________________ A podcast from a Cornwall-based business consultant has been ranked 4th in the Best Presentation Podcasts 2023 by global podcast monitoring and ranking organisation FeedSpot. Trevor Lee launched the ‘Better Presentations More Sales’ podcast in February 2018 and has broadcast more than 280 episodes. ______________________________________ The Grower, a bareroot hedging and tree nursery business based outside St Agnes, has become the first grower in Cornwall to receive Plant Healthy Certification. ______________________________________ Business coach Tim Hill, MD of ActionCOACH Truro, won an award for ‘Best Client Results in the South West’ at the National ActionCOACH UK conference. ______________________________________ Boardmasters organiser, Vision Nine, has announced that this year’s event raised £115,492 for the Boardmasters Foundation, the largest total of funds raised since the foundation began. ______________________________________ CLEAR, the Cornish charity that supports children and adults harmed by abuse and other emotional trauma, has gained national accreditation for the whole of its counselling and therapy services from the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
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CORNISH ‘CHAMPIONS’ AT NUMBER 10
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has been the subject of extensive trials led by industry bodies OFTEC and UKIFDA and supported by fuel distributor Mitchell & Webber, which was the first UK company to convert an oilfired boiler to trial HVO in Scorrier in 2020.
Local business directors John and Robert Weedon have been hailed as “local champions” for their pioneering renewable fuel heating trials and employment of young apprenticeships, at a special reception held at Number 10 Downing Street.
Since this landmark moment, Mitchell & Webber has been converting oil-fired appliances across Cornwall to test the fuel’s effectiveness and gather data, particularly in Kehelland where Europe’s largest HVO trial was initiated.
The brothers were nominated by George Eustice MP, former Environment Secretary and representative for the Camborne and Redruth constituency, for the work they have done through their Cornwall-based fuel distribution business Mitchell & Webber in support of the UKIFDA/OFTEC Future Ready Fuels Campaign.
Robert Weedon said: “We were delighted to have been awarded this unique opportunity to visit Number 10, share our insights with advisors and highlight the need for a change to renewable fuel. It was especially good as we even had the opportunity to discuss Kehelland and renewable fuels with the PM’s political advisor.”
MITCHELL & WEBBER DIRECTORS AND BROTHERS JOHN AND ROBERT WEEDON
IN PATENTS, WORDS STILL MATTER By Frederick Noble, British and European Patent Attorney at Albright IP. A patent protects an invention. What invention? The invention set out in the claims. The claims come at the end of the patent and according to the law, “the extent of the protection… shall be determined by the claims”.
6 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
If only it were that simple… that quotation was from Article 69 of the European Patent Convention. But wait – there is also a Protocol on the Interpretation of Article 69. The Protocol tells you two things that Article 69
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Thousands of Cornish companies are now classed as being in ‘significant’ economic distress, according to the latest figures from Begbies Traynor’s ‘Red Flag Alert’, which monitors the financial health of UK companies. Rising interest rates, debt, subdued consumer confidence, high energy costs, and wider economic uncertainty are putting considerable financial pressure on businesses across the region, with 1,661 at risk of economic failure. This represents a quarterly increase of 23.8%, and an annual rise of 19.8%.
RED FLAG FOR CORNISH BUSINESSES hotspots, with the professional services and health and education sectors seeing annual increases of 69.7% and 61.8% respectively in the number of companies in significant financial distress. Nationally, the latest Red Flag Alert research for Q3 2023 recorded 478,176 businesses in significant distress, up 8.7% on the prior quarter, with almost 40,000 classed as being in ‘critical financial distress’.
The figures also highlighted particular sector
Commenting on the figures, Scott Kippax,
LEADERSHIP CHANGE
Paul Crocker has been elected to the role of chief executive officer, while Scott Bentley, who is based at the accountancy firm’s Truro office, becomes chief operations officer. Both have been part of the firm’s management structure for some time, serving on both the firm’s executive committee and management board.
PKF Francis Clark has announced a transition to new leadership in preparation for the retirement of managing partner Andrew Richards next year.
Managing partner since 2016, Richards will retire at the end of March after 37 years with the firm. During his seven years at the helm, PKF Francis Clark has grown from around 400
partner at Begbies Traynor in Cornwall, said: “This latest data highlights how the debt storm, which has been brewing for years, but had been held off by several measures to provide breathing space for companies, is likely to break. Businesses that had loaded up on debt at rock-bottom rates and were only able to cling on during the pandemic thanks to Government support, must now deal with a financial reality check as higher interest rates hit working capital for the foreseeable future.”
people to more than 900 today, with turnover more than doubling to over £60 million. Bentley said: “It’s an exciting time for the firm, which Andrew has led to a very strong position. Embracing new technology and leveraging this to continue delivering outstanding services and solutions to clients will be a key priority. At the same time, we will continue to invest in and develop our people, providing great career opportunities here in the south west.”
PAUL CROCKER, ANDREW RICHARDS AND SCOTT BENTLEY
doesn’t mean and then says that you have to take “due account” of an “equivalent”. Understood? The so-called doctrine of equivalents then has caused a lot of patent lawyers a lot of head scratching over the past six years. After a Supreme Court decision in 2017 firmly established the doctrine of equivalents in UK law, I remember wondering how I was going to be able to persuade anyone to pay a supposedly skilled patent attorney to draft their patent specification for them when the Supreme Court had basically said “don’t worry, if you put something in your claim that you end up regretting, we’ll just find it infringed on the doctrine of equivalents as
long as the defendant is doing more or less a similar thing”. A recent case though shows that words do still matter. It was about jump starters for cars, and the claim of the patent required a power FET. The alleged infringement used a relay instead. In the context, those are just two ways of achieving the same thing. They have their own pros and cons but those were beside the point. They achieved the same result in the same way. But the court ended up holding the patentee to the wording of their claim. The judge seems to have thought that it would have been so easy to use broader language, but the patentee didn’t. This was
not a clever workaround they couldn’t have anticipated – relays were even mentioned in the specification. The patentee could have done anything, but they drafted a narrow claim and they were held to it. So, words still matter, and hopefully you will be convinced that you still need to get a patent attorney to draft your claim with care.
Albright IP, Pool Innovation Centre, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3PL fnoble@albright-ip.co.uk +44 (0)1209 316161 BUSINESS CORNWALL | 7
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RRL ON ROAD TO ZERO RRL has begun its journey to become a Net Zero accountancy practice, as part of an overall sustainability strategy.
KING’S AWARD FOR CORNISH CHARITIES Two Cornish charities have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. DISC Newquay and Pegasus – Men’s Wellbeing Centre have received the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE. DISC Newquay helps over 3,000 people in Newquay and the surrounding area by supplying and distributing fresh, homecooked meals. Led by volunteers, the Drop in and Share Centre (DISC) tackles some of the many issues affecting those living in one of the most deprived areas of Cornwall. Pegasus – Men’s Wellbeing Centre provides
a counselling service from its base in Redruth to help men overcome life’s challenges, build resilience, and achieve emotional wellbeing. Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, said: “I am really delighted to be able to congratulate these two charities on winning The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. In different ways they are both doing brilliant work in giving support to people at really difficult times in their lives and they do so with great compassion, understanding and energy. They are fine examples of Cornwall’s community spirit, compassion and desire to help and I hope will inspire others.” Representatives of DISC and Pegasus will receive the award crystal and certificate from Colonel Bolitho over the next few months. In addition, two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
RRL has signed up to the Net Zero Accountancy Initiative and will work with climate action platform Net Zero Now to calculate its greenhouse gas emissions as the first step on this journey. RRL partner, Steve Maggs, said: “We’re delighted to begin our journey to becoming a Net Zero business. We know our staff, customers and the local community want to see us take action on climate change and understanding the sources of our emissions is the first step.”
WHEN TWO BECOME ONE Two leading businesses in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries are being brought together under a single umbrella. APCL Group Ltd has been established to operate as an umbrella organisation for A&P Group and Cammell Laird. Ship repair and project management specialist A&P Australia and UK-based Neway Industrial Services will also be brought under the APCL banner.
DISC (TOP PICTURE) AND PEGASUS (BOTTOM PICTURE)
Cornish Metals is using equipment supplied by Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) in its newly-opened water treatment plant at South Crofty tin mine. South Crofty ceased producing tin in 1998 but Cornish Metals is working to reopen it, aiming to reinstate production by 2026. However, before it can begin extracting tin, it must dewater the flooded mine and treat eight million cubic metres of contaminated water so that it meets standards set by
the Environment Agency. Cornish Metals expects the dewatering of South Crofty to take 18 months. South Crofty project manager, Steven Kingstone, said: “We are lucky in Cornwall to have a number of suppliers such as Watson-Marlow, producing high quality equipment that we can utilise in the reconstruction of South Crofty mine. “This highlights the importance that we place on buying local where we can, which ensures that the reopening of South Crofty benefits the local population and economy as much as possible.”
KEEPING IT CORNISH 8 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
The move will enable APCL Group to develop an ‘all of one’ company approach to certain major contracts and will further the group’s ambition of becoming a ‘Tier One’ business. With locations in the north east, Falmouth, north west and Australia, APCL says it will become a “true global entity” and reinforce its standing on the international stage. Ownership of each company has not changed, and the shareholders will remain the same. David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group Ltd, said: “Each individual company will retain its proud heritage, identity and history, but being part of APCL Group will enable them all to work more closely together and develop synergies for the benefit of both the company and the customer.”
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WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2024? VERITY SLATER, SUSTAINABILITY PARTNER IN THE EMPLOYMENT TEAM AT B CORP CERTIFIED STEPHENS SCOWN LLP, SHARES WHAT BUSINESSES SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR IN THE COMING YEAR. WORKERS’ RIGHTS The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 is bringing flexible working in as a ‘day one’ right, requiring the employer to consult with the employee if considering rejecting a request, and reducing the period an employer must respond to a request from three months to two. It will also grant employees new or extended rights to time off work, new ways of working, or additional protection for family friendly/flexible work. The National Living Wage will increase to at least £11 per hour from April 2024. The Living Wage Foundation rate has also increased to £12 per hour. DIGITAL & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The draft Data Protection and Digital Information Bill clarifies aspects of existing legislation,
including the definition of personal data, when you can refuse a subject access request, or what activities can be done under the lawful basis of legitimate interests. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (DMCC) proposes to ‘strengthen’ the enforcement of consumer protection law, elevating the consequences of infringement to financially unprecedented levels.
REAL ESTATE Developers in England will be required to deliver 10% ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ (BNG) from January 2024 onwards when building new housing, industrial, or commercial developments (major applications). Smaller sites (minor applications) will have to comply from April 2024.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION & REGULATORY
GOVERNANCE
Litigation continues to be challenging and expensive, especially with the new regime of fixed costs recovery in claims below £100,000.
Companies House will become the “gatekeeper” of information with new powers to verify existing and newly submitted information and crosscheck this against the records of other public sector bodies.
From a regulatory perspective, 2024 will be the year where the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continues to focus on occupational health and disease.
Companies will continue to place greater emphasis on their green credentials, planting ESG at the heart of their strategy.
CONTACT VERITY AND STEPHENS SCOWN’S SPECIALIST TEAMS WWW.STEPHENS-SCOWN.CO.UK OR ON 01872 265100 BUSINESS CORNWALL | 9
RICHARD
BAKER
10 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
RICHARD
BAKER
Richard Baker Stephens Scown is a solicitors’ practice which is “proud to do things differently”. In 2016 it become the first large law firm to become employee owned and then more recently joined the growing band of B Corporations in Cornwall. We meet managing partner, Richard Baker, who explains why it is good to stand out from the crowd.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 11
RICHARD
BAKER
Can we begin by talking about your earlier career. You’ve been with Stephens Scown for more than 30 years, I understand, since qualifying? Yes, this year I am celebrating my 30th year at Stephens Scown. Having qualified in 1992 at Bond Pearce (now Womble Bond Dickinson), I joined Stephens Scown’s Exeter office in 1993 under the leadership of Roger Keast. Now 30 years may seem a very long time for some, especially our younger members of the firm starting out in their careers, however Stephens Scown has a great tradition of long service. At our recent firm away day, we had the honour to recognise five of our people celebrating 35+ years’ service, with many others also celebrating 30+, 25+ and 20+ years’ service.
in the region’s tourism sector, launching Stephens Scown’s Holiday Parks’ team in answer to demands from our landowner clients to support their diversification plans, which have formed from a combination of economic need and opportunity from the rise in popularity for the UK staycation.
Playing a dominant role in Cornwall’s legal services marketplace
I made partner in 2000 and moved to our Truro office in 2008 to support the growth of our operation there.
Where does your particular expertise lie? I qualified into and have spent most of my career as a real estate solicitor. Before becoming managing partner, I specialised in the rural and mining & minerals sectors and dealt predominately with complex property deals, development and diversification for my clients. I have also represented members 12 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
I was promoted to the firm’s management board in 2013 and championed the growth and success of our Truro office for six years, where I am still based, before becoming managing partner in 2019.
How do you balance your time between working on the business and working in the business? ie, between leading the strategic direction of company and doing client work? Although I no longer advise any clients directly, I still maintain an active presence in my areas of specialism, namely the rural and mining and minerals sectors. It is important as a managing partner to still keep an ear to the ground and understand what challenges are facing clients to ensure we stay at the top of our game in delivering above and beyond for our clients. This is also an area that was a strong focus for me when trying to navigate the challenges of the Covid pandemic and various lockdowns.
How would you describe the legal sector in Cornwall at the moment? Is it a very mature market? Are there typically fewer firms, with the smaller ones being merged into the larger ones? As a firm that grew out of the needs of the mining and minerals industry in Cornwall and having grown through a number of strategic acquisitions along the way, I would say we are one of a handful of larger law firms in the county, playing a dominant role in Cornwall’s legal services marketplace. There are also a high number of high street firms and we work with some of them to service the need for more niche areas of the law, such as intellectual property and data protection. We are committed to delivering a high level of service to our clients and are fully committed to our local communities, with extensive local knowledge of the challenges facing our clients whether in business or their personal lives. I believe we are also one of the few larger law firms to be focusing on maintaining our regional focus rather than looking to the bright lights of bigger cities for our growth strategy.
We enjoy an enviable culture in the way we work
The appointment of Alex Mackie as our chief operating officer has enabled me to take a step back from certain aspects of day-today business management to really focus on developing our strategy and our people.
What are the greatest challenges facing the sector at the moment and how are you responding to them?
I would say that the ongoing issues relating to economic pressures and recruitment remain consistent challenges facing the legal sector, as in many other sectors. To deal with these very real issues, our focus has remained firmly on maintaining outstanding levels of client service and ensuring high levels of employee engagement and experience, which are two of the most important pillars in our business strategy.
RICHARD
BAKER
In terms of ensuring consistent improvements to the level of service we offer our clients, with our people going above and beyond to support their needs, we recruited a new senior client manager, Alistair Tudor. Since joining, he has set up a new enquiries team, which offers a triage service for new enquiries coming into the firm, helping our clients to get the support they need quicker and from the right legal advisor. He has also reviewed the way we monitor client satisfaction rates and gaining valuable feedback to ensure the client experience is at the heart of everything we do.
We make the most of our first-class professional referrer networks to help our clients
In addition, last year we carried out an extensive employee value proposition project, which gathered employee feedback from across the firm from every level of seniority, from apprentices to board members. This has culminated in establishing a strong employee value proposition based around what it means to work for Stephens Scown. It has already proven very successful in attracting new talent to the firm, from our trainee and apprenticeships right through to partner level.
You must deal with many Cornish businesses and witness their challenges first hand. How would you describe the solicitor/client relationship? Do clients typically only speak to you when there is a legal issue that needs addressing, or do people increasingly ask for general business advice and guidance? Undoubtedly there are clients that come to us with a particular problem that needs solving, be that on a business or personal basis. We will always deal with any client matter in an
empathetic and proactive way, solving problems and creating opportunities, which often leads to developing a more established, long-lasting client relationship. When clients entrust their faith in us as their trusted advisor, we can often help with more than just their legal issues. We make the most of our first-class professional referrer networks to help our clients, enabling them to be proactive and navigate problems, so maintaining a dialogue with them is really important. Our corporate, employment and commercial dispute resolution teams are particularly trusted by a range of business owners to support them with their growth aspirations, solving their problems and seizing opportunities. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 13
RICHARD
BAKER
Two of the things that appear to stand Stephens Scown out from many firms is the fact that it is employee owned and, more recently, a B Corporation. How did these things first come about and, talking about them separately, why are they so important? We are proud to say we do things differently at Stephens Scown. We enjoy an enviable culture in the way we work, the commitment each of our people shows to our clients and the support we have for our colleagues. One of the biggest challenges facing today’s businesses is the need to engage, motivate and reward staff, while at the same time driving business performance. Recognising the value to be gained from moving
14 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
to an employee ownership model, it was a natural progression and means to empower our people. In May 2016, Stephens Scown became the UK’s first large law firm to become employee owned. As well as a positive reaction from employees our employee ownership has also been welcomed by our clients, who receive better service from happy and motivated staff. It has also helped us to differentiate ourselves from other law firms in a competitive recruitment market.
commitment to also being a force for good in wider society. We are proud to be leaders in this field in our sector with only a handful of other law firms being a B Corp, and being the first in our community in the south west. We hope many others will follow in our footsteps. With the backdrop of global challenges to tackle and the ongoing threat to our environment, it is vital that we showcase just how we are making a difference and that we are part of a much bigger movement, proving there is a better way to do business.
The UK’s first large law firm to become employee owned
Achieving our B Corp Certification has been another of those game changing moments, when we have been able to embed our culture and ethos of balancing people, planet and profit into our business model. Having built a dynamic and innovative business dedicated to delivering for clients and providing a rewarding and supportive workplace, gaining our B Corp certification underlines our long-term
What does the future hold for Richard Baker and Stephens Scown?
I am very excited for my future at Stephens Scown and for the future success of the firm. Having taken up the position of managing partner less than a year before having to deal with a global pandemic, and all the challenges presented by a series of lockdowns and economic upheaval, I know that we can tackle anything together.
RICHARD
BAKER
We have established a forward-thinking, growth-minded strategic board and are in the process of rolling out an ambitious strategy, with the right people in place to ensure we move forward with purpose. Our long-term goal of becoming a Top 100 firm starts with becoming the south west’s leading regional law firm, growing profitably whilst remaining true to our culture and values. Our foundation in Cornwall will always be the bedrock of our success, and as we continue to expand our presence in Devon and now Somerset too, we look forward to supporting many more businesses in achieving their dreams and aspirations and helping individuals through some of life’s toughest challenges and out the other side to a life fulfilled.
When you’re not at work, how do you like to relax? We are so lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing countryside and coastline. I take great joy from a long walk in the countryside, being with my family, cooking and gardening.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 15
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ESSENTIALS
Business
2024
essentials
Over the next few pages, we introduce some specialist advice and tips to help your business grow in 2024...
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BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS
SOFTWARE
AN ASSET FOR GROWTH In an age where more products than ever have software, software’s role has transcended mere functionality. It has become the backbone of product development across various industries. Redruth-based Bluefruit Software highlights why software should be considered an asset rather than an expense. When it comes to the perspective you adopt in your financial planning, how you treat software development could define your success for 2024 and beyond. ASSET VERSUS EXPENSE: A STRATEGIC STANCE During product development, classing software as an expense leads to a view of money spent without return, much like printer ink—it serves its immediate purpose, and then it’s gone. Conversely, treating software as an asset implies an enduring value, akin to the printer itself, which keeps its worth and could be sold in the future. This approach encourages you to envision software as a capital investment that appreciates over time and contributes to your company’s growth and valuation. THE LIFESPAN OF SOFTWARE: AN INVESTMENT PERSPECTIVE Software quality is not a cost to be minimised but an investment to be optimised. By considering software as an asset, you can spread the initial investment over its lifecycle, leading to a lower cost
per unit over time. Bluefruit Software sees this as “capitalising”. An apt analogy is Sir Terry Pratchett’s “Boot theory”: a more expensive pair of boots last longer, and therefore represent better overall value, than cheaper ones that need frequent replacement. Similarly, quality software may involve a higher upfront cost but delivers a superior long-term return on investment.
THE TANGIBLE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN SOFTWARE ASSETS Bluefruit Software sees the following advantages of capitalising on software development: • Competitive edge: Viewing software as an asset fosters strategic thinking for long-term market relevance, allowing for differentiation and competitive advantage. • Enhanced quality: Investment in quality software leads to robust features, reliability, usability, and maintainability, minimising technical debt and enhancing the user experience. • Reduced risk: A greater focus on testing and quality practices results in a product with fewer defects and lower operational risks. • Increased productivity: Incorporating advanced software tools and automation heightens productivity, conserving time and resources.
• Financial clarity: On the balance sheet, an asset provides a clearer financial picture, aiding in informed decision-making and demonstrating value to stakeholders. NAVIGATING THROUGH THE SOFTWARE LIFECYCLE Adapting your software lifecycle is crucial, and Bluefruit Software has seen an effective three-stage model among clients: 1. Research stage: R&D costs are expensed during the initial phase as there are no immediate economic benefits. 2. Development stage: As a viable product emerges, expenditure transitions into an intangible asset, reflecting its potential market value. 3. Released product stage: With the product on the market, costs are amortised, spreading the initial investment across its useful life. REFRAMING YOUR SOFTWARE STRATEGY FOR 2024 Looking forward to 2024, it’s time to reassess: is your software an asset that propels your business forward or an expense that drains resources? By capitalising on software development, companies position themselves for growth and reflect a savvy understanding of software’s integral role in product development. Bluefruit Software is ideally positioned to guide businesses through this strategic shift. Aligning with Bluefruit means partnering with a team that sees the bigger picture, ensuring your software investment contributes to your company’s enduring innovation and success.
For further insights into how software can become an asset for your business, contact Bluefruit Software. www.bluefruit.co.uk | 0333 577 7111 | info@bluefruit.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 17
BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO BRAND PROTECTION Truro-based IP specialist N. J. Akers & Co provides some practical guidance for business owners on the importance of taking proactive steps to protect their Intellectual Property, and in particular their brand assets. It is very likely that your business relies on one or more brand assets, such as names and logos to identify and distinguish it from competitors. If utilised effectively, these brand assets will carry with them and reinforce the goodwill and reputation of your business. The good repute of a business is often accrued through significant investment, for example in developing and providing innovative and high-quality goods and services and through the implementation of successful marketing strategies.
if and where protection is required, to ask how it would impact your business if a third party were to use an identical or confusingly similar brand in a particular country or region. While dealing with infringers can be frustrating and costly enough, there are some bad actors who will seek to exploit gaps in your IP protection without having any intention of using these assets themselves. For example, it is not uncommon in some countries for so-called ‘trade mark squatters’ to register the brand names and logos of UK businesses, in anticipation of those businesses entering their market. A business may then find that, upon trying to register its IP rights in a new market, someone else has already done so.
Save your business money and protect it
Businesses at all stages need to be mindful that competitors can and will seek to capitalise on these investments by copying or otherwise taking advantage of poorly protected brand assets. Protecting these assets, for example by registering your names and logos as trade marks, will not only make them much easier to defend, but will also deter would-be infringers, thus preventing disputes altogether. This will ultimately save your business money and protect it from reputational damage and erosion of its goodwill. It is therefore important to take proactive steps to protect your brand in every commercially relevant country or region. This should be done as early as possible and reviewed regularly to ensure your brand protection is up to date and fit for purpose. It is helpful, when considering
Trade mark squatters can not only frustrate your efforts to protect and use your own rights, but in the worst case scenario can demand significant sums of money to relinquish the trade mark to you. It is therefore important when protecting your IP rights to consider which countries, if not major markets now, may be of commercial interest as your business grows, and to secure your rights in these regions as soon as is practicably possible. In addition to registering your IP rights, it is also important to consider acquiring related
01872 266810 | www.njakers.com 18 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
assets such as domain names, which may be essential to the successful exploitation of those rights in relevant markets. For example, you might consider registering your domain name in a variety of generic top level domains, such as .com and .net domains. This will prevent so called ‘cyber squatters’ from acquiring these domain names and attempting to sell them back to your business at a vastly inflated price. Our team at N. J. Akers & Co. can help you with both the identification and protection of your IP rights. From brand and design protection to patenting new technologies, we are well placed to help you develop, maintain, and exploit a robust IP portfolio. Should you find that your business has been targeted by trade mark or cyber squatters, we also have experience in successfully cancelling trade marks registered in bad faith, both in the UK and overseas, and in settling domain name disputes on favourable terms for our clients. Please contact us by phone or email, if you would like to know more. N. J. Akers & Co is a firm of chartered patent and trade mark attorneys established in Cornwall for over 20 years. The firm represents clients throughout the south west, the wider UK, Europe, North America, and Asia, and assists clients with all of their IP needs, from obtaining and enforcing patents, designs, and trade marks, to resolving copyright and domain name disputes.
BUSINESS PAYROLL
ESSENTIALS
CONFERENCING
5 ELEMENTS FOR CONFERENCE SUCCESS ARE YOU CLAIMING ALL YOU ARE ENTITLED TO? There have been some major changes in payroll legislation over the past ten years and there are still employers that are not claiming everything they are entitled to. When we take on new clients, we do an initial payroll audit and sometimes find this is still the case. Payroll is an often-overlooked function of the business, but if you don’t have a skilled payroll professional, it could be costly for both the employer and their employees. Two examples EMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE Most employers are eligible to claim up to £5k per year to reduce their National Insurance liability. The allowance is deducted from your Employer’s NI liability each month, until the £5k is used up. There are a few exceptions, including large employers with over £100k combined employee & employer NI liability for the year. For connected companies, the allowance can only be claimed for one company and the total NI figure across the group must be less than £100k. If in doubt, speak to your accountant or payroll specialist. It is worth mentioning that if this allowance has not been claimed, it can be backdated by up to 4 years. Over the past few years, we have claimed back thousands of pounds in unclaimed allowances for some of our clients. TAX RELIEF ON PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS Employees that are enrolled into a workplace pension scheme are entitled to 20% tax relief on their employee contributions. However, if this has not been set up correctly, employees could be losing out. If in any doubt, check with your pension or payroll provider to make sure that the pension scheme is either set up as ‘tax relief at source’ or a ‘Net pay arrangement’ scheme. ABOUT CORNWALL PAYROLL We are an experienced team of Payroll professionals based in Truro. We offer a friendly, cost-effective service to all sectors of business across Cornwall. We hold CIPP accreditation after passing their Payroll Assurance Scheme once again.
For more information on our services, please contact:
01872 306412 | tim@cornwallpayroll.co.uk
A successful and memorable conference requires diligent planning. Kelly Tait, manager at St Austell Conference Centre, shares essential tips that turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary conference. • TECHNOLOGY
The backbone of any successful conference has got to be cutting-edge technology. Any venue must be equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and seamless connectivity. All of our rooms feature all you need at no extra cost. Plus, we know that things don’t always go to plan when it comes to technology, so we make sure that a reliable support team is on standby.
• SUSTAINABILITY
In an era of environmental consciousness, hosting a sustainable conference is not just a trend but a responsibility. Anyone who knows us, knows that our eco-commitment goes above and beyond. We have an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating - the world’s leading sustainability assessment for buildings. By harvesting water, housing a grass topped roof and using solar panels we’re fusing efficiency, ecology and excellence to bring you a conference facility that stands out.
• COMFORT
Comfortable attendees are engaged attendees. We opt for ergonomic furniture, natural light and ensure the seating arrangements promote interaction and attentiveness. And we have to mention the best part of any conference… the food! Lunch and regular breaks offer time for networking and engaging conversations, and our quality, local catering is an essential part of that.
• ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY
A truly successful conference is one that is accessible to all. At St Austell Conference Centre, our rooms are accessible to individuals with various needs, and we do our very best to make any extra adjustments where necessary. While we have rooms for up to 100 delegates, our breakout rooms can be made available for informal sessions, as well as our garden areas for fresh air and fresh thinking. We also offer designated parking for conference attendees.
• A FRIENDLY TEAM
Feeling looked after before and throughout your conference has to be part of the deal. Our specialist team is always ready to go the extra mile to make your day flow seamlessly – we take care of everything behind the scenes, so you can focus on what’s important.
www.staustellconferencecentre.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 19
BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS TAX
PARTY SEASON! RRL tax partner, Steve Maggs, looks for clues on future tax policy from the recent political party conferences. The October conferences gave a partial insight into current thinking and are important considering they are probably the last one’s before the next general election. The state of the public finances suggests that the next Government is going to find it difficult to do anything radical regarding tax - hamstrung between not being able to significantly reduce tax rates, but also knowing that tax rates are already high by historic standards in the UK. Unusually (I say that, given the minuscule percentage of the tax take it represents), inheritance tax seems to be high on the agenda. Labour suggest that they will abolish business property relief - which would be significant for many business owners - we are (and have been for a few years now) advising many clients on crystallising the relief where assets currently qualify. The Conservatives seem to be toying with dangling the carrot of abolishing the tax (albeit nothing was said at their conference) – two very different tales! Labour have ruled out a wealth tax and have ruled out equalising income tax and capital gains tax rates. Other announced proposals appear more emotive than impactful - including, abolishment of the VAT exemption of private school fees, and abolishment of the non-domicile status. The Conservative Party appears split between those that want to radically reduce tax rates, and those that want the status quo. Different mini-conferences within the party’s conference run by the different factions highlighted these deep rooted divisions. This may be why their conference was very light on any tax proposals. We will be watching carefully over the next 12 months, and particularly look forward to the manifesto pledges of all of the parties. Watch this space.
Truro 01872 276116 | Penzance 01736 339322 post@rrlcornwall.co.uk | www.rrlcornwall.co.uk 20 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS
HUMAN RESOURCES
TALENT SPOTTERS The decision to work with a recruitment agency is not just about filling a current vacancy, says group head of TalentTide, Tamsin Pond. It’s about investing in the growth and sustainability of the business. In today’s fiercely competitive business environment, SMEs face the formidable challenge of attracting and retaining top-tier talent. This is where a partnership with a recruitment agency can prove to be an invaluable asset. Not only does it streamline the hiring process, but it also enhances the quality of recruitment, ultimately impacting the business’s growth and success. The core benefit of working with a recruitment agency lies in the access it provides to a wider pool of candidates.
to secure talent that not only meets the technical requirements but also aligns with the company’s culture and values. This local insight is particularly beneficial for businesses new to the region or looking to expand their operations.
into salary benchmarks, employment trends, profiling and skillset analyses. This information is critical for organisations to remain competitive in attracting talent, particularly in sectors where the war for talent is most intense.
The recruitment process is time-consuming and complex, often requiring resources that organisations may not have in abundance, TalentTide offers a streamlined approach, handling everything from crafting job descriptions to conducting preliminary interviews. This allows business owners and managers to focus on their core operations, confident in the knowledge that the recruitment process is in expert hands.
Furthermore, our approach is not transactional but relational. We understand that successful recruitment is about building partnerships, not just filling vacancies. Our professional yet personable style fosters trust and confidence, encouraging open communication and ensuring that the recruitment solutions we provide are tailor-made for each business’s specific needs.
Understanding the nuances of the job market in Cornwall
TalentTide leverages its expansive network and in-depth knowledge of specialist sectors to tap into a rich reservoir of skilled professionals. This network is not limited to active job seekers but also includes passive candidates who may not be scouring job boards but are open to compelling opportunities. For SMEs, this access is a game-changer, as it means not settling for the best of who’s available, but truly finding the best fit for the company. Moreover, the expertise of TalentTide extends to understanding the nuances of the job market in Cornwall. We are adept at navigating the local employment landscape, which is pivotal for organisations aiming
Another significant advantage is the risk mitigation that comes with using a recruitment agency. TalentTide offers guarantees on their placements, ensuring that if a candidate does not work out within a certain period, we will endeavour to find a replacement at no additional cost. This provides a layer of financial protection and peace of mind for SMEs that cannot afford the setbacks of a poor hire.
For organisations (whatever the size), the decision to work with a recruitment agency like TalentTide is not just about filling a current vacancy. It’s about investing in the growth and sustainability of the business. The expertise, networks, local insights, and time-saving benefits make us an indispensable partner for businesses looking to navigate the complex terrain of talent acquisition.
In addition to the direct recruitment services, TalentTide also serves as a consultancy, offering valuable insights
01872 322891 | talent-tide.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 21
BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS
CHARITY
SEE THE DIFFERENCE. BE THE DIFFERENCE. It’s important to find the right charity partner for your business. By teaming up with a charity not only are you supporting a good cause and your local community, but you can also create new opportunities for your business through increased publicity and reputational gains. iSightCornwall is a local independent charity that has been supporting blind and partially sighted people in Cornwall for over 165 years. No other charity does what we do in Cornwall. However, a recent surge in demand for our services means that we need your help more than ever.
One business already making the difference is Old Chapel Cellars in Truro. After reading about iSightCornwall’s work helping people with sight loss, co-owners Jamie and Louisa found themselves thinking about what it must feel like to lose your sight.
We’re a lifeline to people living with sight loss. We provide practical solutions to help people live independently and offer emotional support when they need it most. Sight loss is something that can happen to any of us and is far more common than many people think.
Louisa explained: “In our business we rely on our senses to tell us about the different wines, but what would happen if one of those senses were taken away? This was something that really resonated with us and is why we chose iSightCornwall to be our charity of the year.”
Demand for our services has gone up by 30%
Demand for our services has gone up by 30% since the covid pandemic meaning that around 80 more people a month are contacting us for support. And as we are funded almost entirely by donations, we are calling on local businesses to ‘be the difference’ and help us to meet this huge increase in demand for our services.
There are many ways you can support our work from one-off fundraising events to longer term sponsorship or charity of the year collaborations.
The team from the independent wine merchants held a special event in August to mark the start of their fundraising activities. Guests were given a number of wines to taste throughout the evening whilst wearing blindfolds to see how their perceptions were altered when they couldn’t rely on their sight for clues. Old Chapel Cellars are donating the profits from the ticket sales of this event, and others in the run up to Christmas, to iSightCornwall.
01872 261110 | www.isightcornwall.org.uk 22 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
A collaboration with iSightCornwall is not just about what you can do for us. By working together, we can help you grow your reputation and increase your customer base. Our bespoke visual awareness training will show you how to best engage and communicate with your visually impaired customers and our accessibility audits will show you the reasonable adjustments you could make to help improve the overall customer experience. We also have a large client base to communicate with and we are always happy to share good news stories about local businesses who are making the difference. By supporting iSightCornwall, not only will you be helping us to deliver out vital services, but you will also be communicating a strong message about accessibility, allowing you to reach new customers and grow your business. So this year, why not join the growing number of businesses that are helping to ensure that the legacy of Cornwall’s oldest charity lives on.
BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA
ESSENTIALS
CAN’T SPEAK PRINT? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! While print remains an essential part of the marketing mix, the process can be confusing at times. St Austell Printing Company’s production manager, Kevin Brokenshire, talks us through from start to finish.
THREE STEPS TO SOCIAL MEDIA HEAVEN Social media moves at lightning speed. With scrolling culture, potential clients can swipe past in seconds. So how do you stay ahead? Corker Media founder, Shane Solomon, reveals all. • BE REGULAR
Corker Media helps clients with their social media output. We focus around three key aspects. Regularity, Consistency and Brand. In order to stay relevant, you have to post on a regular basis. Only talking when you have something new to say just doesn’t cut the mustard. People need to be constantly reminded you exist. So, at a minimum, weekly posts needs to be hitting your social platforms to show customers you’re still awake.
• BE CONSISTENT
Generating new posts on a weekly basis is not only hard, it’s massively time consuming. There are multiple formats, platforms and messages that need to be catered for. So, make things more manageable. Create content categories that target a specific goal or message. These might be testimonial posts to show your business has credibility, Quick Tips to demonstrate your expertise or short demonstrations to highlight key features.
• BE ON BRAND
Another key aspect is to keep your posts on brand. This means you want to keep your posts within the same tone of voice, using consistent fonts and colours and within your brand guidelines. This is mainly for association. Your posts will be amongst the torrent of other companies and people all striving for your customers attention. By having a consistent look and feel, you are able to define your posts against others. Knowing your demographic, what platforms they use and the types of content they react to are vitally important. And don’t forget, as much as likes, follows and shares are a fantastic metric. they are not the be all and end all.
From your CMYK to your RGB, your pre-press to your finishing, the journey from a digital concept to high-quality print is an intricate process. However, understanding the stages and terminology can help to make sure your print is on point and serving its purpose. • PRE-PRESS In printing, the pre-press stage is where all the groundwork is laid for a successful print project. Following the design process, where the design is typically prepared in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop, it is saved as a hi resolution PDF ready for print. The print ready PDF is then passed to the pre-press team, who will check the images have the correct format and resolution, fonts are all included, etc etc. Print-ready proof: Before committing to a full print run, a print ready proof is created for your approval as a PDF electronic file, but a physical proof can also be supplied. • PRINTING At SAPC we produce print on litho presses, digital print machines and large format printers. Litho printing is the traditional method and involves digitally imaging your design onto an aluminium plate, with a separate plate required for each colour. Known for its high quality results, it’s ideal for brochures, books and catalogues. Digital printing is very versatile and suitable for smaller print quantities. It does not require plates and so little set up is required. Large format printing is typically used for A2 size or larger, such as posters, display boards, roller banners, architects plans. • FINISHING And so to the final product! We produce a range of finishing processes in house such as binding and folding, foiling, die cutting, spot UV and embossing or debossing. To find out more see our Can’t Speak Print leaflet or take a look at our website.
As much as print advertising, networking and other offline marketing, social media is brand awareness. If people can’t see you, then they won’t know you exist.
corkermedia.co.uk
sapc.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 23
BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS
LEGAL
5 TOP EMPLOYMENT TIPS FOR SMES The process of setting up your business can be overwhelming, as well as the long list of requirements you have to adhere to before even starting to employ people. Ivelina White, paralegal at Coodes Solicitors, shares her top five tips to help guide new employers through this. 1. REGISTER AS AN EMPLOYER AND SET UP PAYROLL When you start employing staff, you need to register with the HMRC (not more than two months before you start paying people). You can run payroll by yourself or engage the services of a payroll bureau or an accountant. If you choose to do this yourself, make sure you choose the appropriate payroll software and follow HMRC’s guidance. 2. GET EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE As soon as you become an employer, it’s mandatory to get employers’ liability insurance. The policy must be obtained from an authorised insurer and provide cover for at least £5 million. 3. REGISTER WITH THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS OFFICE (ICO) Under the Data Protection Act 2018, organisations processing personal information are required to pay a data protection fee unless they are exempt. If you are in any doubt about whether you need to register with the ICO and pay the fee, you can easily check by using the registration self-assessment tool on the ICO’s website. 4. GET YOUR DOCUMENTS RIGHT Make sure you have employment contracts, policies and handbooks drafted
so that you and your employees know where everyone stands. The employment contract must contain a written Statement of Employment Particulars which should include basic information such as job title, duration of employment, salary, notice periods, etc. It’s recommended that you check the Government’s website when drafting your contracts. Make sure that you understand the National Minimum Wage, National Living Wage and check your responsibility for workplace pensions. Many businesses use employment policies as tools for achieving compliance with legal requirements and creating a secure workplace environment. There are only three employment policies required by law: • Health and safety policy • Disciplinary and dismissal policy; and • Grievance policy. There are many more policies which could be implemented to suit your needs. These could be included in an employee/ staff handbook which is a great way to set out the employer’s policies, procedures and rules and also outline what is expected of you as, an employer, and of your employees.
5. STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE CURRENT LEGISLATION Employment law is dynamic and everchanging and complying with all the legal requirements could be challenging. You should regularly check if you are compliant and update your employment documents accordingly. Furthermore, making sure that your documents reflect the needs of your employees will guarantee not only a legally compliant but also a fair and efficient working place. In the long run, this could significantly reduce the risk of legal disputes. BONUS TIP: If you’re struggling with preparing your legal documents, do not hesitate to contact an employment lawyer who can provide advice and assist with drafting. The employment team at Coodes is available for any questions that you might have. We appreciate that sometimes, even if your paperwork is compliant and up-to-date, disputes can arise and we’re here to help and guide you in what can be a lengthy and challenging process.
Having all necessary legal documents in place is a strong foundation for building a secure, productive and enjoyable working environment which would benefit everyone involved.
You can contact Ivelina at 01872 246237 or ivelina.white@coodes.co.uk 24 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
BUSINESS
ESSENTIALS
SEO
7 STEPS TO SEO HEAVEN In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) remains a linchpin for online success. Marwick Marketing’s CEO, Chris Thomson, shares seven key areas to focus on in 2024. 1. NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL NOISE
The digital space is becoming increasingly crowded, with a myriad of websites vying for your customers’ attention. In this cacophony of information, SEO serves as a beacon, guiding users to relevant content. In 2024, standing out in the digital realm requires a keen understanding of how search engines interpret and rank content.
2. USER EXPERIENCE
User experience has emerged as a pivotal factor in search engine rankings. In 2024, search engines are not just evaluating content based on keywords; they are analysing how users interact with websites. Factors such as page loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and overall website usability significantly influence search rankings.
3. THE RISE OF VOICE SEARCH
The proliferation of voice-activated devices has given rise to the prominence of voice search. With virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa becoming ubiquitous, optimising content for voice search has become imperative. In 2024, SEO strategies must evolve to consider the nuances of spoken queries, natural language processing, and the intent behind voice searches.
4. MOBILE-FIRST The dominance of mobile devices in online
interactions has led search engines to adopt a mobile-first indexing approach. Google, for instance, prioritises the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking. In 2024, SEO efforts must be tailored to cater to the mobile user, ensuring that websites are not only responsive but also optimised for mobile search.
7. THE ROLE OF AI
5. CONTENT QUALITY AND RELEVANCE The adage ‘Content is King’ remains true in 2024, but with a nuanced twist. Search engines are not just looking for content; they are looking for high-quality, relevant, and authoritative content. As algorithms become more sophisticated, the focus has shifted from keyword stuffing to delivering valuable information that meets user intent. SEO strategies must now emphasise creating content that resonates with the target audience.
6. LOCAL SEO
Local SEO has become an indispensable facet of digital marketing, especially for businesses with physical locations. With search engines delivering personalised results based on user location and preferences, local SEO ensures that businesses appear in relevant searches. In 2024, businesses must optimise their online presence for local searches, including Google My Business profiles, local citations, and location-specific content.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the SEO landscape. Search engines leverage machine learning algorithms to understand user behaviour, interpret content, and refine search results. In 2024, staying ahead in SEO requires an understanding of how AI impacts search algorithms. SEO professionals need to adapt their strategies to align with the evolving capabilities of AI. CONCLUSION
In the dynamic digital ecosystem of 2024, SEO stands as a critical determinant of online success. Navigating the complexities of search engine algorithms, user experience, voice search, mobile-first indexing, and AI integration demands a holistic and adaptive approach to SEO. FREE VIDEO SEO AUDIT
Marwick Marketing is offering companies a free video audit of their website. Please contact us to get a fresh perspective of your businesses website performance.
01637 226 229 | www.marwickmarketing.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 25
Growth Hub
Connecting y u to
Business
The Growth Hub is your connection to the world of free business support. From starting a business and cashflow forecasting to carbon reduction and innovation, there is a helping hand from business experts to make it happen.
Established in 2016, Growth Hub has taken more than 5,000 business enquiries and directly supported over 3,000 businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. In addition to signposting to regional and national support, the Growth Hub is now the access point for eight new support programmes funded through the Good Growth Programme. Access To Finance+ supports businesses, from pre-start to mature organisations, to improve their financial management skills and raise finance from a wide range of appropriate sources including grant funding, debt, commercial mortgages, equity and crowdfunding. Breakthrough is designed to help new businesses to overcome common obstacles and lay strong foundations for future growth. Support will help to build capability and knowledge across a range of
areas, to build confidence to take the business to the next level. Digitisation for Manufacturers (D4M) offers a high-quality blend of diagnostics, digital application design, implementation and impact evaluation, all planned to boost productivity, enhance profit margins and act as a pathway to greater use of digital monitoring systems within manufacturing environments. Evolve Futures can help future-proof a social enterprise, develop an innovative new product or ensure that strategies and skills are in place to make businesses investment ready. The team brings together a wide range of skills and realworld business experience, to offer support from idea, to launch, to long-term sustainable growth built on best practice.
Green Futures Solutions will support organisations to understand their environmental impact and accelerate their journey to Net Zero. Sustainability experts can help with understanding impact and Carbon Footprint and creating custom Carbon Reduction Plans to map a route to reducing emissions, with access to market leading software to monitor impact. Infocus supports established businesses to achieve their ambitions and reach new heights. Businesses are provided with a clear and detailed analysis and understanding of what stage they are at, then supported to confirm strategic direction and develop clear plans to ensure sustainability and growth in the long term. STRIDE is designed to support businesses who have the potential to commercially exploit new ideas and
ADVERTORIAL
Support technology, to scale and grow their business. From intellectual property and R&D tax credits to gamechanging scale-up endeavours – businesses are supported on their journey to make innovative processes and commercially viable products and services a reality. Talent Match helps businesses with recruitment, growing or retaining their team. Help is available to support good recruitment strategies and practices through regular workshops, as well as one-toone coaching and support. Includes workforce planning, budgeting, skills mapping, recruitment processes, legal compliance and induction. The Growth Hub and related business support projects are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. The aim is to realise the potential of businesses in the region and to make the economy more resilient, more equal and more prosperous.
www.ciosgrowthhub.com
If you are interested in finding out more about free business support get in touch. - Kirsty Miles-Musgrave, Growth Hub
WORKSPACE
ADVERTORIAL
A workspace to be
proud of
Are you looking for a stylish, contemporary and modern workspace where you can conduct your business? Space2Work Redruth - The Park, has a range of new premises that offer a bright and airy feel and a setting where you will be proud to host customers and suppliers.
28 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
ADVERTORIAL
Space2Work Redruth – The Park is located at Cornwall Business Park West, in Scorrier with 13 units from 1,500sqft to 2,350sqft, which are available to let now, featuring pre-installed mezzanine levels maximising your space and reducing your upfront costs. Designed and built for small business, workspaces feature high quality materials, contemporary design, sustainable technologies, premium signage and are available in two fit out levels to suit the nature of your business. Superfast FTTP broadband is also available, all you have to do is choose your provider. The award-winning Space2Work brand has stylish high-quality spaces that include electric vehicle charging points, Solar PV panels, an on-site property manager, plenty of parking as well as many other sustainable features. Space2Work is also dedicated to helping the local environment by installing bird and bat boxes, as well as insect hotels to help the local wildlife thrive and minimise the development’s effect on the environment.
Space2Work Redruth – The Park has two finishes available to tenants. LIGHT If you’re looking for a simplistic space then Light is right for you. These high-quality, cost-effective workspaces are designed for warehouse or typical light industrial use. Features of the Light workspace include: • 6m eaves height • 5m roller shutter doors • Power-floated concrete floors • 3-phase power supply • 100 amp phase board • Unisex accessible toilet • Contemporary high gloss kitchenette
WORKSPACE
trade counter and are looking for a studio or showroom space to showcase your business. Premium workspaces have a set of features creating the perfect contemporary and modern atmosphere. These features include: • Resin floors to reception and mezzanine • Glass balustrade and premium chrome handrails • Finished mezzanine ceiling with recessed LED lighting • Extended high gloss kitchenette with LED lighting and glass splashback • Red edge detail to power floated concrete floor area.
• Mezzanine level with balustrade. PREMIUM The Premium workspaces are perfect if you have a more customer-facing requirement,
For more details and to enquire about a workspace with Space 2 Work, go to s2w-redruth.uk/thepark
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 29
ZEITGEIST
Zeitgeist HIGH INFIDELITY
most stressful years in business – citing the cost-of-living crisis and energy crisis as key factors.
Late nights at the office, long work trips, boozy office parties - roughly 85% of affairs begin in the workplace, with one in five employees confessing to being unfaithful with a colleague.
According to the new research from NatWest, generating new business (37%), rising operational costs (32%) and balancing work and personal life (32%) top the list of pressure points in 2023 for British business owners.
85
%
77% of business leaders admit to regularly losing sleep in their role and over a third of business leaders often find themselves working beyond normal working hours, with 34% having to take work calls on the weekend.
And now ‘experts’ at RANT Casino have surveyed 3,800 individuals across the UK OF AFFAIRS BEGIN IN THE to reveal the WORKPLACE industries serving as hotbeds for workplace affairs where infidelity thrives.
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THE UK’S NIGHTLIFE CAPITAL
And apologies to those of you working in sales, but according to the findings, your profession is the most philanderous with 14.5% having confessed to being unfaithful. Those naughty teachers come second (11.7%) while at the other end of the spectrum are those upstanding business, consulting and management types (0.1%) and scientists (0.1%).
Many surveys tend to reinforce what we already know, but occasionally you get one that raises the eyebrow a fraction higher than normal.
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77% LOSING SLEEP As we head towards 2024, new research has revealed that business owners in the UK are under more pressure than ever before, with three in five (59%) saying they found 2023 one of their
30 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
59
According to a study from online casino – luck.com – the best night out in the UK is not to be had in traditional metropolitan hotspots like London, Manchester or even Bristol, but…Truro!
%
The research analysed data on the number of bars and clubs, the number of pubs, the average cost of a pint, the average cost of a takeaway and safety scores for walking alone at night to determine the top cities for partygoers in the UK.
OF BUSINESS OWNERS FOUND 2023 ONE OF THEIR MOST STRESSFUL YEARS
And Truro came out on top, pipping Lichfield, Wrexham, Salisbury and Durham. The study
reports the average cost of a pint is only £4 and there are 196 pubs per 100,000 people to choose from (really? – ed). According to people who have visited Truro, the city also has a safety score of 70.35/100 for walking alone at night, the highest score in the UK. ....................................................................
RETAIL CRIME
New research into the impact of crime on UK retailers from commercial insurer NFU Mutual, has found that shopkeepers are facing unprecedented levels of crime. In the last six months, just over eight in ten (83%) have experienced crime and more than a quarter experienced violence against themselves, their staff and even their customers.
83
%
The new research reveals over two thirds of OF SHOPKEEPERS HAVE retailers say EXPERIENCED CRIME IN THE crime has LAST SIX MONTHS worsened in 2023, with 19% considering leaving physical retail due to the crime epidemic and 15% contemplating leaving the retail sector altogether. ....................................................................
TIME TO GO FREELANCE?
Nearly one in four employees are considering switching from full-time employment to become contractors or freelancers, new research from Workwell & IPSE shows.
ZEITGEIST
Business Cornwall investigates the wider opinion and mood across the UK...
24
%
Key findings include 24% of employees would consider OF EMPLOYEES WOULD making the CONSIDER WORKING FOR THEMSELVES move to working for themselves with nearly two fifths of them saying they could switch within the next 12 months. The survey also questioned people already working as contractors, freelancers and those running their own businesses to find out why they had made the move. It found the key motivation was to have more flexibility over how, when and where they work. Around 55% surveyed cited that as their reason for making the move while 45% said they wanted to be their own boss.
Kingdom, reveals that communications and media students can get the most lie-ins, having 11 hours of independent study each week. Next best lie-in friendly courses are geographical and environmental studies, followed by historical, philosophical and religious studies.
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LET SLEEPY STUDENTS LIE IN
Students love a good lie-in and now a useful study has been compiled listing the top eight courses where this is most possible. The index, compiled by ‘sleep experts’ at Bed
BRITAIN’S ‘UN-RETIREES’
New research from iad UK, the self-employed estate agent, reveals that retirees are being forced back into the workplace. The survey reports the cost of living has forced 42% of retirees back into work, with 32% of them working more than 30 hours a week.
When asked what kind of work they’re now doing, the most common answer among the UK’s un-retired over-50s is labouring, with 30% saying they work in positions of either skilled or unskilled labour. 27% are working in retail, including supermarkets; and 16% have taken driving jobs such as parcel delivery. 14% have taken positions in hospitality, 11% are cleaning, and 3% OF RETIREES RETURN TO are earning THE WORKPLACE DUE TO money by COST OF LIVING delivering food.
42
%
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 31
THE WISH
TO PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT HERE, CALL CAROLINE ON 07801 981 667
LIST
HANDMADE CHOCOLATE Handmade in Cornwall, Josh’s Chocolate range has been inspired by a passion for chocolate and the feel-good outdoor Cornish lifestyle. His tempting range includes dark and milk chocolate bars, gigantic buttons and hot chocolate spoons. Smooth, luxuriously tasty and made with the only finest, carefully sourced ingredients.
Wrapped in beautifully illustrated sustainable packaging, each flavour has been thoughtfully crafted to depict cherished moments. A feast for the eyes as well as a treat for the tastebuds, this stunning chocolate collection is ideal for gifting this festive season. joshchocolate.couk
ELLIS WHARTON WINES Award winning B Corp Certified Wine Merchant based in Indian Queens, just off the A30. Your destination for all corporate bespoke hampers and gift boxes! Elevate your gifting experience with our fantastic selection or create your own bespoke gifts. Call 01637838998 or visit our website. ewwines.co.uk
SAY CHEESE! TRIBUTE
Fresh, zesty and full of orange and grapefruit flavours, St Austell’s pale ale, Tribute, is perfect as a gift or served at the Christmas table. Available in bottle and can packs this festive season. www.staustellbreweryshop.co.uk 32 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
Cheese makes the ultimate gift! Send through our website or visit our dairy shop for gift options (TR3 7JQ). www.lynherdairies.co.uk
THE WISH
LIST
WEIRD FISH
Nothing compares to a knitted dress when it comes to Autumn style. Featuring a Scandinavian-inspired design and available in two easy to style colours, this Daphne dress is the perfect accompaniment to a coffee date with friends. Available in sizes 8-22. www.weirdfish.co.uk
wishlist list
Here are a few seasonal suggestions to add into your letter to Santa...
CHRISTMAS CREAM TEA HAMPER
PRIMROSE HERD
If there’s ever a time to splash out on quality locally reared meat, then it’s at Christmas when friends and family gather around the table anticipating the first bite of a meal they’ve been dreaming of for days. Our Christmas family hamper is available to order on 01209 821408 or visit our website… www.primroseherd.co.uk
Savour the season with a Christmas Cream Tea from The Cornish Hamper Store. This delightful collection captures the essence of a Cornish Christmas, right in the comfort of your home. Delight in festive scones, melt-in-yourmouth mince pies, and the finest Cornish Tea. Rodda’s Brandy Cream adds an extra layer of indulgence. An ode to Cornwall’s finest, it makes the perfect gift. Shop now and bring the magic of Cornwall to your holiday table. thecornishhamperstore.co.uk
RODDA’S CORNISH CLOTTED CREAM
The Rodda family have been making their Cornish clotted cream for five generations, and it’s a must have for any Christmas celebrations. Why not try their limited-edition brandy clotted cream which is perfect for the festive season. Rodda’s classic clotted cream is available in supermarkets nationally and Rodda’s brandy clotted cream is available from Morrisons, Waitrose and Ocado. Have the best this Christmas. roddas.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 33
CREATIVE
AND DIGITAL
CORNWALL SET TO SHINE An 18-month celebration of communities across Cornwall and the culture and history of outdoor performance is among the latest projects to be supported by Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme. The project, called We Are Shining, is led by Wildworks, the UK’s leading landscape theatre company. We Are Shining will involve over 70,000 people from the length and breadth of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Every state secondary school in Cornwall has the opportunity to take part, culminating in a series of pop-up events with selected schools in spring and summer 2024. The project’s finale will be a free, large-scale, multi-day Wildworks event across Cornwall, bringing communities and visitors together. As well as the involvement of local communities, the project is a major boost to Cornwall’s creative sector. It will create
The Cornwall Museums Partnership (CMP) has announced that it is set to close. The Krowji-based charity had been undertaking an extensive strategic business and funding review ever since Arts Council England withdrew its conditional offer of National Portfolio Organisation funding at the beginning of the year. In a statement, CMP said the review “…has clearly shown that a secure way for CMP to move to a new operating model does not exist within the current challenging funding climate. The CMP Board has therefore made the difficult decision to commence a phased closure process.” CMP said it is “exploring ways to ensure the continuation and integrity of its exceptional work” and will provide an update as details are confirmed. 34 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
SPONSORED BY
www.digitalpeninsula.org
employment for the equivalent of 20 full time staff and over 100 people will receive training in new skills to produce more yearround outdoor theatre events in the future. We Are Shining is inspired by the journey of Pytheas, the Greek explorer who was the first to circumnavigate and document the British Isles in 320BC. His tale includes the stories of Belerion, ‘The Shining Land’, which is now known as Cornwall. The story will encourage people to think differently about Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s past, present and future. A small band of 30 Cornwall-based artists has already been recruited to work with local communities to explore how they would describe Cornwall, its history, myths and character to a stranger arriving on our shores today. Wildworks’ chief executive, Emma Hogg, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Shared Prosperity Funding to deliver ‘We are Shining’. This project will be for Cornwall, about Cornwall, and made with Cornwall. We want to capture a snapshot of what Cornwall truly is in this moment; the beauty and the reality.”
END OF THE ROAD FOR CMP? It added: “For now, everyone at CMP would like to take this collective opportunity to thank all the museum team members, funders, partners, collaborators, consultants, colleagues, board members, councillors and friends who have been part of CMP’s story to this point. They would also like to thank the current team and the Board for their navigation, leadership, and empathy throughout this unexpected and challenging Transition process.” As part of the phased closure process, the Cornwall Heritage Awards on February 7 will go ahead.
GOONHILLY BUYS US TELEPORTS Goonhilly has formally completed the acquisition of two US-based COMSAT teleports – a key step in its growth strategy across the satellite communications sector. Goonhilly is expanding all communication service offerings from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) right through commercial GEO to lunar and deep space. It says the purchase of the teleports, one on the east coast and one on the west, offers it increased visibility and reach, enabling communication with a greater number of geographically-diverse satellites at any one time. CEO, Ian Jones, explained: “We are delighted with this acquisition, which allows us to enhance our service offerings to all of our ground station clients. “It’s a really exciting collaboration which brings together yet another group of experts who share our vision for further extending exceptional satellite communications with deep space and lunar capabilities. With their extensive experience of handling complex and highly customised network requirements, we are confident that this acquisition will provide real added value for our existing and future customers.” Chris Faletra, CEO of COMSAT, added: “Both Goonhilly and COMSAT have been pivotal in shaping the world of satellite communications for over 60 years and there have been many parallels between our journeys on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s exciting to see what we’ll achieve together.”
CHAMBER
SPONSORED BY
cornwallchamber.co.uk
NEWS
‘TIS THE SEASON…
CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR FESTIVITY, BUT ALSO FOR REFLECTION AND PLANNING AHEAD, SAYS CORNWALL CHAMBER CEO KIM CONCHIE. Here we are again, Christmas and New Year – I just can’t believe it! As I write this, David Cameron has just stepped back into the ring, that’s disorientated me even more! I always enjoy Christmas; I love the parties and the merriment, but I also love the sense of hope and positivity that seems to pepper the business gatherings. I hope you’re feeling hopeful and positive. There are still a few businesses really struggling, and this year’s pub crawls will take a different route, what with many of our well-run establishments closing their doors for good this year.
The message I am getting from our members and business partners, is that although things have improved since the real shock of the pandemic, the year still hasn’t gone back to its usual cycle where businesses can plan the peaks and troughs in a well-established rhythm. It’s currently very difficult to plan. Many people have never run a business in these conditions – high interest rates and everything inflationary – but I’m delighted to see this may be easing a bit in time for Christmas spending. There’s a lot of turbulence which makes it very difficult to look ahead. Your thoughts are most welcome on how 2024 is looking. From a Chamber of Commerce perspective, we will offer as much advice as we can to help you find finance, run your business, invest and recruit. Skills, housing, and rural transport come up time and time again with our Business Partners and we’re continuously working to improve trading conditions for Cornwall. If you have any other issues, do get in touch.
Have you got a business plan which is resilient to unforeseeable peaks and troughs? Have you looked at the productivity of your most valuable asset – your team? Are you protecting their wellbeing? In the modern workplace, the wellbeing of your staff is as important as the amount of widgets they produce per hour. Are they satisfied in their work? Are they healthy? Are they motivated? Would they benefit from more training? Can you extend the time they work with you? Have you done everything you can on other costs to make sure you have efficiencies in your system? Are you missing opportunities? Can improvements be made? This isn’t me ignoring the frenetic day to day you’re probably all embroiled in at the moment, but if do you have a chance to stop over Christmas, or if things get quieter in the weeks before, just take some time out to mull over the small details of your business that have become part of the furniture. Two events not to be missed in January: we have a Connected Lunch at the Fowey Harbour Hotel on Wednesday January 10, and our BIG January breakfast is at The Eden Project, on Thursday January 25. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and here’s to a very prosperous 2024.
Use the festive period (if you have any downtime, that is), to think about how you can better protect your business and consider that across every part of it – big and small.
WORD FROM THE TOP What we’re being told about the business environment by the British Chambers of Commerce: According to the British Chambers, there are clear signs of a cooling off in the labour market, with unemployment remaining static and vacancies trending downwards. However, with wages continuing to outpace inflation and the knock on effect of 14 consecutive interest rate rises being felt, employers are still struggling. The flow of inactive workers back into employment seems to have stalled, which is a concern.
We need a skilled and flexible workforce in every region and sector if we are to have a thriving economy. The UK Government and employers need to address the skills shortages that are holding everyone back by investing, now. Despite inflation easing, firms are still struggling to invest. High interest rates, skills shortages and difficult trading conditions are making things very difficult. The Government needs to create movement on these crucial issues to provide a springboard for business investment and create economic growth.
Email: hello@cornwallchamber.co.uk Call: 01209 216006 Online: www.cornwallchamber.co.uk
WHY JOIN?
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is an independent not-for-profit organisation accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce. We solely exist to represent businesses in Cornwall. Our events provide a platform for businesses to connect, create and make valuable business relationships. Membership to the Chamber starts from as little as £17 +VAT per month and provides you with the tools to promote your business. Get in touch today to have a chat about how we can support you and your business. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 35
EDUCATION
& TRAINING
SPONSORED BY A group of gaming and esports enthusiasts from Falmouth University joined forces to take part in a live gaming fundraiser for BBC Children in Need.
‘EXPERT’ STATUS FOR TRURO COLLEGE The Department for Education (DfE) has selected Truro and Penwith College as Cornwall’s only Expert Apprenticeship Provider in a nationwide list of qualification providers. The selection confirms Truro and Penwith College as delivering the best for apprenticeships in Cornwall after it was one of only five Further Education colleges from across the whole country to receive the status. The college will now join the DfE’s 12-month pilot scheme that aims to positively impact apprenticeship opportunities for young people and increase apprenticeship jobs at SMEs that are prevalent in Cornwall. To achieve Expert status, the college had to demonstrate excellence across a strict range of criteria including top learner achievement rates, an exceptional rating for employer feedback and strong financial health. The mark of excellence status provides Truro and Penwith College with “special flexibilities and permissions” within The Apprenticeship Service (TAS) that make it easier for employers to work in partnership with the college.
Hosted at the University’s new Esports facility, students and staff participated in a number of streamed games and joined a live television broadcast as part of BBC South West’s coverage.
www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
GAMING FOR CHARITY
The UK-wide ‘Game on!’ fundraiser was hosted up by BBC Radio 1’s Vick Hope as well as BBC gaming expert Steffan Powell and the live fundraiser featured on both BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. Esports & Livestreaming senior lecturer, Mark L’Estrange, said: “It’s wonderful to join our contemporaries and fellow enthusiasts across the UK to raise essential
ALL ABOARD Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has joined forces with Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) to train the next generation of boatbuilders through a new City & Guilds Level 3 Boatbuilder Apprenticeship scheme. It is the only one of its kind in the Duchy, as it is offered in the workplace and tailored to business needs. CMN’s boatbuilding programme manager, Amy Stringfellow, said: “As a City & Guilds
funds for Children in Need and celebrate the increasing prominence of Esports and gaming in the UK’s cultural economy.” accredited delivery partner and assessor for the Level 3 Boatbuilding Apprenticeship qualification, we have worked closely with Cockwells’ managers to curate curriculum content that will enable learners to gain skills across production, manufacturing, service and construction.” Cockwells MD, Dave Cockwell, added: “We are proud to be delivering high-quality apprenticeship training in partnership with Cornwall Marine Network and offering fantastic opportunities for enthusiastic individuals to join our highly skilled team of craftsmen and women as apprentice boatbuilders.”
Hayley McKinstry, director of partnerships and apprenticeships, commented: “The college is delighted to be recognised as one of the few Expert Apprenticeship Providers across the UK and I’d like to extend my gratitude and congratulations to the many members of staff, high-achieving apprentices and top employers that have all played their part in making this possible.”
NEW SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE The University of Exeter, Cornwall, has launched a new initiative to expand the interdisciplinary nature of its Masters programmes and help create a “cohesive community” of postgraduate students across its Penryn campus. The Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life 36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. It supports a key aim of the university’s Strategy 2030 to “grow our research, education and partnership activities in Cornwall, aligning our activities with regional priorities and building on our reputation for sustainability”. It will ultimately be situated in a new facility that will adjoin the Environment and
Sustainability Institute (ESI) and be opened in 2025-26. Professor Brendan Godley, chair in conservation science, who leads the initiative, said: “Bringing our programmes and academics together will help students to understand links between the climate and biodiversity crisis, the need for critical minerals, the development of renewable energy solutions, the impact on communities and human health, and new methods of doing business, in ways that are fair for people across the world.”
www.visitcornwall.com
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
NEW AIRLINK Cornwall Airport Newquay has announced details of a new route set to get underway next summer.
A WHICH? CLASSIC HAT-TRICK
TOURISM
From July 23 through to August 28, there will be a weekly service to Guernsey, operated by the airline, Aurigny. “The introduction of these new summer flights with Aurigny is a testament to Cornwall Airport Newquay’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing diverse travel options for our passengers,” said head of commercial, Amy Smith.
Classic Cottages, the largest independent holiday letting agency in the UK, has been labelled as a Which? UK Holiday Cottage Recommended Provider for the third consecutive year. Classic Cottages, which was ranked second out of all holiday cottage companies in the UK, now has over 1,400 properties all over the UK and is soon set to launch in Scotland. Dan Harrison, commercial director at the Hayle-based business, said: “I am delighted that we have been named as a Which? Recommended Provider for the third year running. It is all down to the hard work of our team who go out of their way to provide our guests and holiday cottage owners with the best service and experience possible.”
FALMOUTH CRUISE CONTROL Falmouth Harbour enjoyed a record cruise season this year. The 44 visits - up from 29 in 2022 - saw 11 of the largest ships at anchor in Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads, while a further 33 cruise ships called alongside, berthing at A&P Falmouth’s dock facilities near the centre of town. The 216m cruise ship Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, made four visits to Falmouth during 2023 incorporating passenger turnarounds for the first time – giving Cornish residents the opportunity to join a cruise from their home port without a long drive or flight.
The Budock Vean Hotel has gone on the market with a guide price in excess of £7 million. Property consultancy Knight Frank has been appointed to sell the historic property, which has been occupied since 1538. Located at the head of the Helford River in Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, the estate sits within 46 acres of woodland, with a golf course, indoor heated swimming pool, two tennis courts, and natural health spa including treatment rooms, sauna, and outdoor hot tub. Owner Martin Barlow said: “After 23
END OF AN ERA AT BUDOCK VEAN memorable years, I have decided that it is time for me to bring to a close my family’s 37-year ownership. This is a not a decision that I have come to lightly, but I do believe the time is right for me personally to make this change. “The business is in great shape, with an excellent team who can continue to deliver the very high standards of food and service that has been a hallmark of the hotel.”
Falmouth Harbour CEO, Miles Carden, said: “The popularity of cruise is growing and this year has proven that Falmouth Harbour can accommodate a full range of cruise ships, working closely with Cruise Britain and port partners including A&P Falmouth and with our outstanding Pilotage provision ensuring vessels can berth or anchor safely and on time. “The value to Falmouth and Cornwall is immense: with an estimated per passenger spend of £70, this season alone could be worth in the region of £4-6million.” With the visits to Falmouth Harbour beginning in early April and continuing until the end of October, this cruise traffic has provided a welcome boost to tourism. September was the busiest month with 11 cruise calls in total including a last-minute visit from the 131m luxury cruise ship, Le Champlain, operated by the French line Ponant. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 37
FOOD
& DRINK
ZERO HERO Cornish drinks company Healeys has been recognised for producing the world’s best low alcohol cider. Rattler Zero scooped Gold at this year’s International
Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). With over 800 entries to the ‘Alternative Drinks’ category, Rattler Zero scored 95 points after being blind tasted by a panel of industry judges. Healeys MD, Joe Healey, said: “To get an accolade like this for Rattler Zero, a product that sits in an incredibly competitive market, is testament to our hunger to disrupt and innovate within the industry. “We’ve created a unique fermentation process to produce this 0.5% cider which is under a pending patent – this development is just one example of our commitment to pushing boundaries using pioneering methods.” Family-run seafood business, Ideal Foods, welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, to its head office to formally present the company with its King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Ocean Fish won product of the year at the Marine Stewardship Council’s annual Awards. The Victoria-based wholesaler won the award for its Cornish Hake with Smoked Garlic Butter from its Hook, Line and Sinker range, which is available from Ocado. This is the second year in a row Ocean Fish has won Product of the Year. Last year’s winner was Cornish Sardines with Mediterranean Marinade, also from the Hook Line and Sinker range.
AN IDEAL PRESENTATION
Over the past 15 years, the Liskeard-based company has seen consistent year on year growth and this year announced that turnover had increased to £22.4 million, which equates to 18,396 tonnes of fish sold, 80% of which was exported overseas.
BREWERY PUBS SOLD
MD Tony Horner said: “This has been a fantastic year for Ideal Foods with growth and targets exceeding all expectations. “As an SME, it has given us immense pride to be recognised for our exporting successes and it was a great honour for all
the staff to receive our award from Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall on behalf of His Majesty, The King.”
Red Oak Taverns has completed on the purchase of 17 pubs from St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted estate. The deal includes sites across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset such as The Wellington (St Just), The White Hart (Launceston) and The Four Lords (Par). Red Oak owns 212 pubs, primarily leased and tenanted, which are concentrated in the Midlands, south, north west and south west of England. St Austell Brewery CEO, Kevin Georgel, said: “Unlocking the full potential of our pub estate is a priority for us, as we continue to develop our business for the future. As part of our commitment to ongoing investment and growth, we are continuing to proactively manage our estate, aligned to our refreshed and focused strategy. This means ensuring all our pubs have a strong alignment with our long-term plans and continue to fit our focus in terms of market and consumer positioning.” 38 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
TARQUIN’S LAUNCHES VODKA Southwestern Distillery, the producer of Tarquin’s Gin and Twin Fin Rum, has released a new vodka brand. Connie Glaze Slow Sand Filtered Vodka, created by self-taught Master Distiller Tarquin Leadbetter, is slowly filtered through purified sand sourced from the local coast at the craft distillery near Padstow, which he founded just over ten years ago.
The special process of filtration has been used for centuries in purifying drinking water around the world and, says Leadbetter, lends itself perfectly to the production of Connie Glaze vodka to both purify and capture the essence of the coast. “I’ve always loved the balance of art and science in distilling which makes anything possible,” he said.
ON THE MOVE
A REFINED CFO
held positions since 2015, most recently as VP of finance and operations, northern Europe. Prior to this he was leading auditing teams at PwC in the UK and Australia. MD, James Williams, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tyrone to the Refined Brands team. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of finance, having held key leadership positions at PVH working on brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein as part of the group.
Refined Brands has appointed Tyrone Sarucan as chief financial officer (CFO). Sarucan joins the group, which includes Celtic & Co, Turtles Doves, Kettlewell Colours and Frugi, from PVH where he’s
STEAMSHIP ROLES The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has welcomed a couple of new members to its team. Islander Jeanette Ware has been appointed as the new islands operations manager. A wellknown member of the Scilly community, Ware joined the Steamship Group in March 2016 as operations manager for Island Carriers and helped turn it into a profit-making company. As well as overseeing both Island Carriers at St Mary’s Quay, Ware will provide management support to all the company’s island-based employees. Andrew Fogden, meanwhile, has been
“He will play a key role in the next phase of growth for Refined Brands, expanding its portfolio of British heritage, digital-first brands. We firmly believe that he has the right experience to lead the group’s finance team and will add invaluable strength to the company.”
named to the newly-created role of commercial manager.
Paul Fenton has extensive industry experience having worked with such stations as Cool FM, Downtown Radio in Northern Ireland, Key 103, Metro, Smooth, Heart, Kerrang and BBC Five Live. Rewind MD, Richard Woods, said: “Rewind Radio has seen strong growth in the past two years, but we recognise we need to allow national businesses on to our
JOANNE ELLAWAY (SOLICITOR), ANGELA BRIGGS (CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE), SARAH EVANS (PARTNER)
COODES’ FAMILY VALUES Coodes Solicitors has welcomed two hires to its family law team. Angela Briggs is a chartered legal executive and has joined the team from a well-regarded Plymouth firm. Based at the Launceston office, she specialises in children and domestic abuse disputes and has strong links with local domestic abuse charities. Joanne Ellaway is a solicitor of 16 years. She has been a resident in Cornwall since 2003, and previously worked for Cornwall Council in its legal team for over 12 years including in their children’s team, corporate governance team and commercial team.
Fogden, who recently relocated to Cornwall from Buckinghamshire, will take responsibility for freight services to the Isles of Scilly, a vital part of the year-round lifeline link the Steamship Group provides to the islands. His new role will include looking at freight strategy by reviewing the current operation and working closely with the Steamship team, the community and suppliers. He has previously held management positions for logistic companies in the south east of England and has many years of experience in freight contract negotiations.
NEW DIRECTOR AT REWIND Rewind Radio has appointed a new national sales director to assist its growth plan for 2024.
PEOPLE
airwaves to help us grow to the next level.
“Our principles have not changed. We are focused on local businesses and they will always have the same platform and availability to market their businesses.” Fenton, who joins Rewind Radio this month (Dec), added: “I am delighted to join a fast-growing radio station in Rewind Radio. Having previously worked with Richard, his drive, passion and vision will be exciting to be part of and I look forward to see how this will develop over the coming years.”
MAD ABOUT CAD CAD Architects has expanded its planning consultancy team. Martin Woodley joins the business from Cornwall Council, where he was a principal development officer. He has over 30 years’ experience as a chartered town planner and has specialist expertise in heritage and the historic environment. CAD Architects MD, Mark Dawes, said: “Understanding the planning environment is absolutely pivotal to the work of architects. And yet CAD Architects remains one of the very few chartered architecture practices in the south west who can offer this important service to its clients. I am delighted to see the CAD Planning team expand in this way, which demonstrates how successful their inaugural year has been.” BUSINESS CORNWALL | 39
OPINION
JUST A THOUGHT
40 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
JUST A THOUGHT
OPINION
I didn’t know that was
made in
Cornwall
The Duchy is full of surprises, says Jon Hurrell, CEO of the Cornwall Manufacturing Group. Over the last ten years, I have travelled around the UK in the manufacturing sector working with all kinds of companies in many different industries. Some of the companies are household names that make products we use every day of our lives. More recently I have worked more locally in Cornwall and one of the things which strikes me is the things which are made in the county and no one knows about them. When I attend events in the Duchy, I often get talking to people about the manufacturing sector and one of the most common phrases I hear is “I didn’t know that was made in Cornwall”.
art peristaltic pumps (Watson Marlow), our talented minds have revolutionied industries across the globe.
St Austell whilst up the road, St Austell Printing company produce the ever-popular Top Trump cards.
Let me give you some examples of some of the most amazing things which are made here. The business which I run day to day, Sellectronics, manufactures navigation components for low orbit satellites, unmanned submarines and yachts. Components for piloting Jumbo aeroplanes are made every month and we also manufacture sensors for crash test dummies. Hopefully the last two don’t go hand in hand.
Digital sensors for water quality are being made in Bugle by InSitu (Partech), cutting edge water treatment equipment in Indian Queens by Eliquo Hydrok, and components for hydrogen generation in Liskeard at TFP Hydrodgen. This list goes on and on, every industry you can think of has a company in Cornwall making products for it.
Cornwall plays a significant role as a prominent manufacturing hub
People are always surprised to hear that the sector is thriving in the county and manufacturing is not something which is only done in the Midlands. In fact, we have many examples of companies and products which match the Midlands every step of the way. In Cornwall, we have nurtured a community of high-tech companies that design and create extraordinary products. From life-changing IVF treatments (Cooper Surgical) to state-of-the-
Kensa Heat Pumps are at the forefront of the ground source heating revolution as they work with the UK government to create networked heat pumps that produce heat for thousands of houses across the UK. Lesjöfors manufactures suspension coils for Tesla in Redruth and if you walk 100 yards down the road DP Engineering are making components for Formula 1. Polymermedics manufactures vaccine vile lids, they have obviously been very busy since 2020, in
It is so often overlooked that Cornwall plays a significant role as a prominent manufacturing hub for these remarkable products. We combine creativity with precision, crafting products that not only push boundaries but also set new standards for quality. These companies take immense pride in their ability to conceptualize, design, and manufacture revolutionary technologies. The biggest problem is not enough people know about it. So, the next time you get on a plane for your holiday, watch F1 on a Sunday or order a milkshake from a drive though, it is highly likely that you are using or seeing a product which has been made by one of the 1,000 manufacturing businesses in Cornwall. I bet you didn’t know that!
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 41
CONNECTED
ANTHROPY
CORNWALL
The Eden Project was the venue for the three-day Anthropy conference, featuring an eclectic mix of speakers from Dame Darcey Bussell through to Piers Linney and Jay Blades.
42 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
CONNECTED
SHARON PASSMORE (PASSMORE CLEANING), KATE PASSMORE (CORNISH EXPLORERS), JOE TURNBULL (BULL AND WOLF)
CORNWALL
JESSICA RUSH AND COLUM TAYLOR (ST PETROCS)
ST PETROCS
St Petrocs hosted a gathering of its business club at the Pydar Popup in Truro.
CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS (SALT PROJECTS)
AMY-LOUISE CARTMEL (CALLESTICK FARM), ZOEY COTTON (MARWICK) AND NIGEL PONSFORD (PENNON WATER)
JOE HEALEY (HEALEYS)
PETER CHILD (PROSPERITY ENERGY)
CHAMBER LUNCH
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s monthly networking lunch was held at Healeys Cyder Farm.
YOUNG & TALENTED
Wildanet hosted the Young & Talented Cornwall presentation evening for the latest cohort of recipients.
WILDANET CEO HELEN WYLDE AND LORD LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDWARD BOLITHO OBE
PARA T20 LONG JUMPER SAMUEL JOSE
MUSICIAN IMOGEN HAWKINS BUSINESS CORNWALL | 43
CONNECTED
CORNWALL
ANDREW AND HELEN MULHERN (EVENTY MARKETING)
DAVID FITZGERALD
KATE MARSHALL, AMY MARSHALL, DOFF GREEN, ISSY MARSHALL AND LOUISE POLAK
ROGER LAPIN, SUE WILKINS AND TIM OWEN
TIM OWEN
SAMARITANS
The Samaritans of Cornwall celebrated its 50th anniversary by holding a charity ball at the Eden Project.
SAM RABEY, DEPUTY MAYOR OF TRURO
JEFFREY RUCKER, FIONA HARGREAVES, ANDREW HARGREAVES, EDWARD BOLITHO, ALEXANDRA BOLITHO AND CAROLINE RUCKER
KEITH LESLIE AND BISHOP HUGH NELSON 44 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
AUDE LANGSFORD, SIMON LANGSFORD, SUE WILKINS AND CHRIS KALLIS
LOVEDAY HARDING AND JANE PALMER
DARREN HAWKES AND KATHY BEVAN
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
DECEMBER 2023 AND JANUARY 2024
EVENTS DECEMBER 2023
5
amazing achievements of the most sustainable organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
HEARTLANDS BUSINESS BREAKFAST Red River Café, Pool The Heartlands Business Breakfast is held on the first Tuesday of each month, featuring friendly, relaxed networking and good food.
cornwallsustainabilityawards.org
CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST 13 CORNWALL
The Alverton Hotel, Truro The monthly Cornwall Chamber networking breakfast with added festive cheer, featuring the annual Christmas Awards.
heartlandscornwall.com
7
INDEPENDENT CREATIVE NETWORKING The Poly, Falmouth Come and share your news, stories and find potential collaborators for upcoming projects in your favourite Christmas Jumper. eventbrite.co.uk
8 THE PIG DIPPERS
The Pig at Harlyn Bay Net-swimming and breakfast club. Swimming in December brings an invigorating rush as you embrace the chill and revel in the feeling of crisp, wintry waters! cornwallchamber.co.uk
CORNWALL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro Join CSA for its 21st annual award ceremony to celebrate the
cornwallchamber.co.uk
14
PENZANCE BUSINESS BREAKFAST The Exchange, Penzance The Penzance Business Breakfast is an opportunity to meet other local businesses, professionals, gain contacts and establish mutually beneficial relationships. Everyone is welcome! eventbrite.co.uk
PARTNERSHIPS OPEN HOUSE 21 YOUR The Victoria Inn, Roche
This is the original home of Your Partnerships and this is always a great meeting. If you have never experienced an Open House with Your Partnerships at the birth home of Your Partnerships you are missing out. yourpartnerships.co.uk
23 CORNISH PIRATES V HARTPURY Mennaye Field, Penzance
Championship rugby union action as the Pirates entertain Hartpury in round 8 of the league season. Full business hospitality packages available. cornish-pirates.com
JANUARY 2024
10 CORNWALL CHAMBER LUNCH Fowey Harbour Hotel
Cornwall Chamber’s first networking lunch of 2024 is brought to you from the Fowey Harbour Hotel. Members and nonmembers alike welcome. cornwallchamber.co.uk
PARTNERSHIPS OPEN HOUSE 18 YOUR The Victoria Inn, Roche
This is the original home of Your Partnerships and this is always a great meeting. If you have never experienced an Open House with Your Partnerships at the birth home of Your Partnerships you are missing out. yourpartnerships.co.uk
PIRATES V NOTTINGHAM 20 CORNISH
Mennaye Field, Penzance Whether you’re looking to
YOUR PARTNERSHIPS IS CORNWALL’S LARGEST NETWORKING GROUP, WITH MEETINGS UP AND DOWN THE DUCHY Growing a business can be challenging. You want your business to be visible to the right people, so it’s important to know how and where to meet them. Your Partnerships is Cornwall’s largest networking group and its events enable you to connect with other members, gain referrals and build trusting relationships with customers and suppliers.
YOUR PARTNERSHIPS, CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW! 46 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
UPCOMING
EVENTS
For further details of these and more networking events visit businesscornwall.co.uk To publicise your event for free, email news@businesscornwall.co.uk
entertain clients, celebrate a special occasion or host friends and family in style, Cornish Pirates’ hospitality package ensures you get the full match day experience!
FEATURED EVENT
cornish-pirates.com
JANUARY 9
CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST 25 CORNWALL The Eden Project, St Austell
The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you its flagship monthly networking event, which this month comes from the Eden Project. Tickets £28 for Chamber members and £38 for nonmembers. cornwallchamber.co.uk
BUSINESS CORNWALL LIVE! Pool Innovation Centre, Redruth Technology, recruitment, CSR and business support will be among the topics for the first Business Cornwall LIVE! event of 2024. Speakers from a cross-section of Cornish businesses will be sharing their tips and advice to help move your business forward into the new year. All that plus networking over tea and coffee and a pastry. This is a free to attend event but you must secure your ticket in advance on the Eventbrite website. Alternatively contact toni@businesscornwall.co.uk for more details.
eventbrite.co.uk
BUSINESS NETWORKING CLUB 26 HFC
Hall for Cornwall, Truro The Hall for Cornwall is more than a creative hub. Its networking club is an informal regular opportunity for business and freelancers to get together for a chat and a drink in the Playhouse Bar. hallforcornwall.co.uk
30 YOUR PARTNERSHIPS BIG LUNCH The Penventon, Redruth
Kickstart 2024 and join 150 other business leaders at the Penventon as Your Partnerships takes networking to another level. yourpartnerships.co.uk
Saturday, December 23, kick-off: 14.30
Cornish Pirates v Hartpury Saturday, January 20, kick-off: 14.30
For meeting dates (online and in-person), visit our website at... yourpartnerships.co.uk
Cornish Pirates v Nottingham Get the full match day experience with our amazing match day hospitality package. For more information email: liz.mclean@cornish-pirates.com www.cornish-pirates.com BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47
THE LAST
WORD
BEN AMBRIDGE
Owner of The Fox’s Revenge and ONDA restaurants. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?
I had no idea what I wanted to be when I was younger, which is pretty much why I became a chef at 23.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB?
I was a kitchen porter at the Headland Hotel in Newquay.
WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS?
Mobile phone, car keys, restaurant keys, wallet.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX?
I love everything to do with food and drink, whether that’s an evening out with my wife enjoying dinner and a glass of wine, or a long lazy lunch surrounded by family.
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE? Italy, probably Tuscany.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TALENT?
I’m actually pretty good at accents!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW?
Love a bit of Saturday Kitchen (obvs). Game of Thrones is up there as well.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
I’m not a big reader. Mostly I find myself reading or looking through cookbooks for inspiration and foods that are trending.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
Has to be opening my own restaurants, and cooking for some big chef names. Gordon Ramsay and Paul Ainsworth both dined at ONDA in Wadebridge in the first two weeks of opening.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?
Not the worst, but the hardest was probably navigating Covid. We did it. And we did it well but it came with a lot of stresses.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL?
I love Cornwall, all of it. The beaches, scenery, the way of life and the amazing quality produce on our doorsteps.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? I’d really like a little wine bar that serves only small plates. A cool intimate setting where my wife and I could work together. Both lovers of good food and fine wines.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE ADJECTIVES Passionate, driven, hungry. 48 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
NEW Y
E A R’S EV E 2023
T H E O N LY P L A C E T O B E O N N E W Y E A R ’ S E V E DR E S S TO I M PR E S S • M A SQUE R A DE • BL AC K TI E
31
st
december
SILENT DISCO • SECRET GIN LOUNGE CHAMPAGNE & COCKTAIL BAR RED CARPET • BELLS AT MIDNIGHT W W W . Q U I C K PA N D A P R O D U C T I O N S . C O . U K / N Y E
L
DAFT FUNK LIVE • FATBOY TIM
truro
c at h e d r a l
SUPPORTED BY THE GROWTH HUB
BE RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN CORNWALL Business Cornwall is on the hunt for the best companies to work for by launching its 2024 survey and recognition programme. Does your organisation have what it takes to be honoured in the ‘BC Best Places to Work’ listing? To register your company or to find out more visit: www.bestplacestoworkincornwall.com
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: DECEMBER 15 2023
LAST CALL!