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5-STAR TOURISM
SECTOR FEATURE & INTERVIEW WITH TOBY ASHWORTH, PROPRIETOR OF THE NARE HOTEL
SEEDS OF GROWTH
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF CORNWALL
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FEATURES 10 FOLK2FOLK CORNISH LENDER COMES OF AGE
12 CEO INTERVIEW
ISSUE 145
INSIDE REGULARS
PROPRIETOR OF THE NARE HOTEL TOBY ASHWORTH
17 TOURISM LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD
26 PYSCHOLOGY ASSOCIATES CARING FOR YOUR WELLBEING
28 GROWTH PROGRAMME HOW BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM EUROPEAN FUNDING
33 START-UPS DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, 2020 WAS A RECORD YEAR FOR NEW BUSINESSES IN CORNWALL
4 INCOMING RECRUITING THROUGH LOCKDOWN
6 BUSINESS NEWS FISHING INDUSTRY IN CRISIS?
39 ON THE MOVE LATEST APPOINTMENTS
40 CREATIVE & DIGITAL NEW ARTS CIC FORMED
41 FOOD & DRINK NEW NAME FOR ICE CREAM COMPANY
42 TOURISM NEWS
43 CHAMBER NEWS LATEST FROM CORNWALL CHAMBER
44 EDUCATION & TRAINING NEWS LAUNCHPAD COLLABORATION
45 FSB FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES
46 JUST A THOUGHT LIFE COACH TINA MCGRATH
48 THE LAST WORD WEBMATE’S GARY HALL
SPA AWARD FOR HEADLAND
PHOTO: THE HEADLAND’S NEW AQUA CLUB SEE PAGE 42 FOR FULL STORY BUSINESS CORNWALL | 1
MARCH 2021
CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION
businesscornwall.co.uk
MARCH 2021 | ISSUE 145 | £3.95
5-STAR TOURISM SECTOR FEATURE & INTERVIEW WITH TOBY ASHWORTH, PROPRIETOR OF THE NARE HOTEL
SEEDS OF GROWTH
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF CORNWALL
03
03 9 772514
842001
9 772514
842001
ON THE COVER
TOBY ASHWORTH, PROPRIETOR OF THE NARE HOTEL, SEE PAGE 12 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk
WELCOME CLEAR SKIES?
This month we focus on one of Cornwall’s largest and most important business sectors – tourism. We speak to Toby Ashworth, the proprietor of The Nare, whose family have a long and proud history of running luxury hotels in Cornwall. Toby gives us his views on how the sector has managed its way through the pandemic and his ideas on how tourism in Cornwall should move forward, very much banging the drum for quality over quantity. We take a look at Cornwall’s latest luxury hotel, Bodmin Jail, which had been due to open up last month but whose plans, for obvious reasons, have been put on ice. We also catch up with Visit Cornwall chief Malcolm Bell, who has rarely been busier as Cornwall gears up to host the G7 summit at the Carbis Bay Hotel this June.
PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Carter caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS PFA Research, Toby Weller DESIGN Ade Taylor design@businesscornwall.co.uk
That is, of course, assuming everything will be allowed to go ahead as planned. Speaking to those in the tourist sector, there is a clear optimism that we are in line for a good summer, but just when they will be allowed to open up is somewhat less certain, despite the roll out of the vaccine.
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At the time of speaking to Toby and Malcolm at the end of January, Easter was looking “50-50”, but even in the intervening two weeks from then to writing this column, those odds have lengthened somewhat.
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.
By the time you read this, there should be far clearer picture. But be it April, May, or even June, the anticipation is that the nation’s holiday plans will centre on the UK, with Cornwall in pole position.
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BY EDITOR NICK EYRIEY
ISSUE 145
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INCOMING
THE CONVERSATION
DAVID MCGUIRE
Radix Communications It has been tough, but we’re grateful to have nicer problems than many other Cornish businesses.
The big question What have the challenges been with staff recruitment and training during the pandemic? Join the conversation @biz_cornwall
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We’re lucky to have had plenty of work; the world’s B2B tech industry doesn’t seem to be slowing down. So the fact we managed to recruit two great team members during the pandemic has been really important. But we’re also acutely aware what a strange experience it must be for them, integrating with a team and becoming part of our culture without meeting face to face. In part, we’ve addressed this by opening the office for a limited number of people, when the rules allow. We’ve also introduced new channels like Slack for informal office chat, and we’re making more use of video calling so people aren’t so isolated. And we’re in the process of creating a more structured approach to training and development – potentially, we might take advantage of the fact so many of our industry’s events have gone digital, to access national and international opportunities that weren’t there before.
NATALIE HAMMOND Idenna Creative
There’s nothing like a crisis to focus the mind! Recruiting during a pandemic is not something we’re experienced in but as we have been doing since March last year, we adapt and overcome. Recruitment is something we take very seriously at Idenna, not because we like to make interviews as awkward as possible for candidates, but because our team is everything and our
HAPPY HOLIDAYS As we all wait for news about the economy restarting again, Toby Pool, a partner and head of the Leisure and Tourism sector at leading South West law firm, Stephens Scown LLP, reports on the industry’s feeling of optimism for the future. The multi-discipline team at Stephens Scown supports many different businesses in the industry from holiday parks, hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions. For more information about how we can support your business, contact solicitors@stephens-scown.co.uk
4 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
THE CONVERSATION
hard-earned culture needs to be protected at all costs. Not being able to meet our interviewees in-person presents its challenges, but that personal connection can still be achieved thanks to virtual interviews and a careful recruitment process. Idenna’s successful candidates are asked to submit a ‘task’ to a tight deadline and if selected, are then invited to a two-stage virtual interview with the team. It’s inherent in our culture to be agile and adaptive, and coronavirus is making sure we’re living up to that. Translating your skills and personality through a virtual interview is challenging but we’ve been inspired by our candidates who have embraced the new recruitment reality. Likewise, telling our story and communicating our values has been a real focus for us during interviews, making sure we showcase Idenna in the most compelling way by minimising the barriers in virtual technology.
KIM CONCHIE
Cornwall Chamber Cornwall Chamber has had to recruit several new members of staff during the pandemic… It has been a challenge to which we’ve had no choice but to adapt and interview mainly by phone although between lockdowns we did stage second interviews socially distanced in our boardroom at which it is still much easier to get an idea of a candidate’s enthusiasm and personality. To integrate them in addition to online induction training our HR agency ran a two-hour get to know your colleagues session for all of us which was brilliant. Obviously, we couldn’t have a Christmas party which is normally the
With all the challenges faced by Cornwall’s tourism sector recently, we were delighted to support the Cornwall Tourism Awards as sponsor of the Holiday Park of the Year Award, with the winners due to be revealed online on February 25. It was great to be able to catch up with them virtually at the beginning of February and I was heartened by the sense of optimism from the finalists. Most of the hospitality businesses are reporting a rise in bookings and some only have a few available for the summer season. Many are re-arranged holidays that had to be put on hold due to lockdown restrictions, but others are also due to continued staycation demand.
occasion for bonding but we had an office drop-in day for everybody to collect their Made in Cornwall hamper which helped a bit. Two key factors for me are ongoing interaction to check people’s health, home workstation and Wi-Fi is suitable; and most importantly of all making sure my leadership is so precise around KPIs and strategic needs of the business so that everybody knows what we’re doing. I have found it quite stretching to manage changes of strategic direction – but I’m getting there.
ANDREW DAVENPORT
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The first lockdown was very different to the current one because we all worked from home as the lockdown was more extreme than November or now. Ben our apprentice was initially furloughed as we did not have the demand of work to sustain us all working, this did work to his advantage as he could use the time to train and work on his apprenticeship. During this time we were also able to use Zoom and Teams to stay in contact with Ben’s mentor. I made a point of checking in with Ben while he was on furlough and when he was working from home for the benefit of his mental health, it can be hard working in isolation for a long period of time and as we have great team vibe in the office we all found working remotely was just not the same. He returned from furlough after two months as the workload increased dramatically, on the job training was carried out over Teams screen sharing to bring him up to date with anything new.
Again due to everything Covid-19 brought with it, many people will opt to holiday closer to home until things settle; which is fantastic news for local businesses and our local economy. As this is written, we eagerly await an update later this month from the Government on plans for the easing of current restrictions. During a breakout room at the Cornwall Tourism Awards finalists’ event, businesses spoke about innovation and the ways they have adapted during this time and improving the facilities and offering to their customers. All holiday parks have adapted their sites and put safety measures in place to protect both
visitors and staff in a Covid-secure way. So, as the vaccine roll out continues apace, we look forward with great optimism and hope for an excellent summer season and beyond, just so long as the restrictions are gradually lifted to enable the sector to re-open legally. Wishing the very best of luck to all the awards entrants, you are all heroes!
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 5
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FISHING INDUSTRY IN CRISIS
Cornwall Council has joined fishing industry leaders in calling on the Government to address a growing crisis in the sector due to complicated new export rules, a lack of clarity about fishing quotas, and an increase in red tape. Post-Brexit export arrangements have meant a dramatic increase in the amount of paperwork needed before Cornish seafood can be exported into the EU. Fishing industry leaders say these new regulations are costing more money and causing shipments to be delayed or even cancelled, putting significant pressure on an already struggling sector. These changes are affecting all aspects of Cornwall’s fishing industry but are being felt most acutely by our shellfish producers. Cornwall Council cabinet member for economy, Tim Dwelly, said: “The challenges faced by Cornwall’s fishing industry are
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deeply concerning. The current deal with the EU has left the sector with limited gains but mounting red tape and costs. “That’s why I’m calling on the Government to step in now and provide additional support. The fishing industry plays a vital role in our economy in Cornwall and immediate action is needed to secure its long-term future.” According to the latest figures from the Maritime Management Organisation, the value of fish landed in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in 2019 was £47.5 million. Newlyn was the largest port, with landings of £32.1 million, equal to 67.6% of the total. Mevagissey accounted for £2.7 million, and Looe £2 million. Within the overall catch figures, the value of molluscs such as scallops landed in Cornwall in 2019 was £3.6 million or 7.6% of total landings.
ARE YOU GETTING THE INTERNET SPEEDS YOU’RE PAYING FOR? You will be able to search the Internet and find adverts promising many speeds for your connection, but how do you know how much you need and if you’re getting what you’re paying for? Wildanet’s chief technology officer Paddy Paddison explains all.
6 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
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Marine-i research expertise has enabled Morek Engineering to create innovative software to streamline the development of ‘seafastening’ designs for the offshore renewables market. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i aims to help the marine tech sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and innovation. Morek Engineering is a specialist offshore operations and technical service provider, with significant expertise in seafastening design for offshore renewable energy projects. MD, Bob Colclough, explained: “Seafastening involves detailed engineering
As a business based in an office, workshop or from home you will have, at some point, been frustrated by the speed your Internet service provider (ISP) is offering. Not all of us will know what the exact number of megabits per second (Mbps) we should be getting is; but we will know very quickly when we’re not getting what we anticipated. Much like the water in our homes, we don’t all know that we should be getting 0.7Bar, but if that tap is dribbling, we’ll soon be onto the water company to complain that it is not as expected. There are a number of ways to test your Internet speed, but first you will need to make sure you’re testing the speed your
design to make sure that components are safely secured to the deck of a ship for offshore operations. In this market, loads are becoming larger, heavier and more difficult to handle. We identified an opportunity to create an innovative software tool that will allow our engineers to optimise seafastening designs quickly and accurately.” Professor Lars Johanning, project director for Marine-I, added: “The rapid development of floating offshore wind is creating new opportunities that require clever new solutions from the supply chain. Morek Engineering is a great example of the innovation that is putting Cornwall and the south west at the forefront of this global industry.”
ISP is supplying and not any problems you’re having with your internal WiFi.
cannot provide that speed then you can negotiate to change service provider.
The best way to do that is to plug your computer directly into your router and go to a site like www.speedtest.net, or www.fast.com. The speed shown will be what your Internet service provider is supplying. Using WiFi to do this test can show up a bottleneck within your internal system and you may end up looking at the limited speed your WiFi is offering (a topic we’ll cover in a future article).
Unlike other Internet service providers, Wildanet provides guaranteed speeds, meaning the speed you pay for is the speed you get. We already cover a large area of Cornwall and are continuing to expand our network considerably over the next two years. Check out our website for more details www.wildanet.com
If you’re having a consistently slow connection check with your ISP as they will have a minimum speed that they should be offering you. If they BUSINESS CORNWALL | 7
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INVESTING IN INNOVATION
A new platform has been launched to help businesses in Cornwall invest in digital innovation. The Innovation Studio - created through the Acceleration Through Innovation 2 (ATI2) programme -has been built by design agency Vitamin Cornwall. The platform will assist SMEs in tackling some of their challenges by accessing fully-funded technology to work through
accredited tools and resources, knowledge exchange and webinars. As the platform continues to develop, businesses will be able to use the tools to work remotely in their home environment or with their teams, allowing each business to create their own personal profile to capture their journey and log their progress. ATI2 programme manager, Jo Hancock, explained: “It was really important to us
when designing the studio that businesses felt that their experience on the platform was tailored to suit their specific business. “In order to do this, we created multiple pathways which support different aspects of the innovation journey. By investing in a digital platform, ATI2 is now able to share the latest resources and tools specifically designed to help businesses innovate, grow and become more sustainable; it’s hugely exciting for businesses in Cornwall.”
“EXCITING” LITHIUM RESULTS A 13-tonne bulk sample of hard rock being analysed by British Lithium at its Cornwallbased metallurgical laboratory is showing better than expected results. The company aims to extract lithium carbonate from the mica in granite and analysis of the sample represents the latest stage in progressing towards full-scale production in 3-5 years’ time. The sample was excavated by British Lithium Limited (BLL) geologists at the location near St Austell where the company has been drilling over the last two years. Initial testing was undertaken by locally based mining consultancy Wardell Armstrong and more detailed work is now taking place in the company’s laboratory. “The results are indicating a higher grade of lithium than anticipated which is very exciting,” said BLL’s CEO Andrew Smith. “No other company in the world is currently producing lithium from mica and, given the increasing demand for batteries as
8 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
the UK moves towards more sustainable technology, the work we are doing promises to have a significant impact on the local and national economy.” Further good news was reported, meanwhile, by Cornish Lithium Ltd, that lithium carbonate, which can be used in electric car batteries, has successfully been produced from mines in Cornwall and Scotland.
The announcement was made by the Faraday Battery Challenge-funded project, Li4UK, a consortium comprising Wardell Armstrong International Limited, The Natural History Museum and Cornish Lithium. It is the first time that lithium carbonate has been produced from UK sources and, Cornish Lithium says, could have a significant impact on the Cornish economy.
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TOWNS DEAL FUND WITH GOVERNMENT Cornwall Council has submitted a £100 million funding request in response to the Government’s Towns Deal Fund call for new and ambitious regeneration projects for Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro. As announced in September 2019, Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro were among the 100 towns invited by the Government to put forward a Town Investment Plan and each seek up to £25 million funding for transformation projects that would boost the local economy and open up new opportunities for Cornwall’s residents.
The south west industrial market is well placed for 2021, after resilient demand amid difficult and uncertain conditions last year. Miller Commercial’s commercial agency team says it experienced an “exceptionally busy” January with the primary focus having been on the industrial sector. With active requirements for both large and small units focussed along the A30 corridor, commercial agency surveyor, Thomas Hewitt, says the company is working hard to fulfil the pent-up demand of the past 12 months with limited stock available. He said: “The continued lack of supply of good quality, modern industrial space has driven rents on and we are seeing this reflected in increased freehold prices too. “Requirement levels are still strong which bodes well for the coming year despite the restrictions. Although the bulk of activity is at the sub 3,000 sq ft end of the market, we have seen a significant increase in
The towns were chosen due to a number of factors linked to their economic and social position and related investment opportunities. Since the announcement, Cornwall Council has been working closely with the four Town Deal boards and the Local Enterprise Partnership to develop “an ambitious, yet realistic vision”. Mark Duddridge, chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Town Deals are a cornerstone of the Government’s promise to iron out the UK’s lopsided economy. “The LEP has helped shape all four Cornish bids and what connects them is a golden thread of ambition. Our towns will always be centres of commerce, community and culture, but they are having to adapt to a changing world, accelerated by the pandemic. These deals respond to that change in a positive and dynamic way. We are totally behind all four submissions and urge Government to give them their full support.”
STRONG INDUSTRIAL DEMAND requirements above 10,000 sq ft from both national logistic companies and local companies who have seen exponential growth during 2020 as demand for online shopping jumped, reacting to lockdowns and limited access to high street shop.”
NEWS IN BRIEF Organic skincare company, Inlight Beauty, has expanded into new larger premises. After 14 years sharing Roskilly’s base, the beauty brand has now moved into its own HQ on the Water-ma-Trout estate in Helston. The new premises are more than double in size and include a showroom as well as a viewing platform into the production area. ___________________________ Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) has launched the CHSW Business Club. Several businesses based in Cornwall have kickstarted the club by becoming founding members, including Smarter Changes, Polymermedics, Circular and Co, WatsonMarlow Ltd, Phoneta and Kinetic Energy. The CHSW Business Club has been set up with the aim of recruiting 100 businesses in 2021, each paying £300 for their membership. chsw.org.uk/businessclub ___________________________ Launceston-based electrochemical material manufacturer PV3 Technologies has been acquired by large multinational, Technical Fibre Products Ltd (TFP), a subsidiary of James Cropper PLC, a leading advanced nonwovens manufacturer. Following the acquisition, PV3 will be called TEP Hydrogen Products. Financial terms were not disclosed. ___________________________ Annual agricultural events, the Stithians Show and the Camborne Show, which were both due to be held in July, have both been cancelled due to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. ___________________________ Business consultant Trevor Lee is marking his 60th birthday by running the Classic Quarter ultramarathon this May in aid of charity. His ‘44@60’ challenge is looking to raise £100 for each of the 44 miles he (hopefully) runs. trevorleemedia.co.uk ___________________________ D3 architects of Truro was recognised for keeping its customers happy when it won an award from the home design website Houzz. The firm, run by a “highly delighted” Simon Longworth-Riggs, received the Best of Houzz Award for service.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 9
FINANCE
FOCUS
Cornish lender
comes of age
From humble beginnings to national lender for British small business, Roy Warren FOLK2FOLK managing director, tells the coming-of-age tale of this successful Cornish business.
Cornwall has always been a hotbed of original thought and innovation. So when the county and the country was still reeling from the global financial crisis, when funding for small businesses was drying up and anyone with savings was only receiving a rock-bottom level of interest, it was only a matter of time before an idea was conceived to help local people. That idea was that ‘good folks’ could help other ‘good folks’ by lending them their money. The thinking behind it, was that people would do this in fair exchange for a good rate of interest, and if it was all secured against the visible assets of land or property. This local money exchange was started in Launceston and was aptly named FOLK2FOLK. Three years later it became a regulated Peer to Peer (P2P) lender, fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Motivated by a desire to help other financially disenfranchised local communities,
10 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
FOLK2FOLK expanded out from its base in Cornwall to spearhead a Local Lending Movement across the nation. We saw that typically, businesses in large conurbations had much easier access to finance, but what of the business owner in the more sparsely populated and rural regions of our country? We want to help level the playing field when it comes to availability of finance.
COMING OF AGE
think of us as a south-west P2P lender for farmers. But now as we celebrate our eighth birthday, FOLK2FOLK has come of age and emerged as a national Marketplace lender for British businesses. And, though our origins will always be rural, we are here to help business owners from all sectors, not only farmers. Our evolution away from P2P to becoming a Marketplace Lender (MPL) is a significant step, and has resulted from the addition of institutional investors to our community of investors. A P2P platform only accepts investment from individuals (retail investors), while a Marketplace Lender (MPL) is a platform which accepts both retail and institutional investment, and as a result has to undergo rigourous due dilligence by the instutions whether they be local authorities, pension funds or other.
We want to help level the playing field when it comes to availability of finance
The 2020 pandemic created a national pause, and we like many other businesses took the opportunity to reflect and consider our future. It’s fair to say 2020 was a surprising year in many ways. We achieved profitability for the first time; became accredited by the British Business Bank to deliver CBILS; reached a milestone lending total of £400 million; and we experienced headline grabbing levels of liquidity in our secondary market. But most importantly, our customers remained loyal and we continued to serve business owners and investors throughout the pandemic. By taking the time to look at ourselves with fresh eyes - at what we do and why we do it - we realised just how far our business has come. Most people who know FOLK2FOLK
PUTTING HUMANITY BACK INTO FINANCE
While we have evolved to include institutional funds, our approach is very much still human. Over the years we’ve seen changing
FINANCE
customer expectations of financial services, and these were brought into sharp focus by our collective lockdown experience. How easy or hard was it for you to speak to a person? Business owners and investors alike are seeking out financial services they can trust, with whom they have rapport, and where interests are aligned. For us, it was vitally important that during the pandemic we did not lose sight of the essential value of the ‘human factor’ in all our interactions. What people will remember, is those financial services who stayed fair; those who provided good service; those who didn’t fail to support their customers; and those who were honest and human in their communications. We know that while accessing finance is important, business-owners are looking for more than just money. They are looking for funding relationships that are the right fit for their needs; finance providers who can believe in their business vision and who see the humans behind the business. Similarly, when it comes to investing their money, investors will only consider investment opportunities from platforms, and people, they trust. Perhaps because we originated from a small market-town, we’ve always been about people. It’s in our name. And it’s how we believe finance should be. But sadly, financial services has become increasingly data driven, digitised, abstract, and disconnected from
humanity. In many instances, technology has created distance with customers, replacing human interaction with a ‘computer says no’, cookie-cutter approach and decision-making algorithms. In our view, technology should facilitate a faster experience by replacing inefficient processes, but not become a barrier to relationships. Our customers, borrowers and investors alike, can see and feel that we genuinely have their interests at heart; they know we want to see them succeed, grow and prosper. But going beyond that, we’re always delighted to see the happy by-product of borrowing and lending. This is usually in the form of job creation or bolstering local supply chains as it facilitiates the movement of money through local economies. We even coined a special term, FOLKOMONICS™, to describe this human impact of finance.
HELPING BUSINESSES IN CORNWALL AND BEYOND
Today we are a proud Cornish business celebrating our eighth birthday and though we serve customers nationally, we’re still headquartered in Launceston. Via our lending platform, our investors have injected more than £400 million into hundreds of businesses, with the majority of that in Cornwall. From coast-to-coast, we’ve helped business across the spectrum of industries: from a hotel restaurant near Launceston to a
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large-scale property development in Truro to a picture framing business in Bodmin. We play a support role for Cornish businesses and want to be the go-to finance provider to help them grow, diversify or adapt following Covid-19. And to fund all this, we want to ensure our loans offer an attractive investment opportunity for people and institutions who have money to invest and want to make the most of it. If you think we can help you on either front, then talk to us, we’re always ready for a chat: 01566 773296.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Borrowers: Loans are available for almost any business purpose from £100,000 and must be secured against land or property. Your land or property against which the loan is secured could be at risk if you don’t make payments. Investors: Minimum investment amount is £20,000 and typical interest rate you will receive is 6.5% p.a. paid monthly, you can earn this tax-free via FOLK2FOLK’s Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA). Your capital is at risk when you invest into a Marketplace loan and is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). FOLK2FOLK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 720867). www.folk2folk.com
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 11
TOBY
ASHWORTH
We catch up with one of Cornwall’s most successful hoteliers, Toby Ashworth, proprietor of the 5-star Nare Hotel. Toby gives us his thoughts on where the tourism sector is going in Cornwall, how it has managed through the pandemic and the impact this summer’s G7 summit could have. 12 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
TOBY Your message for tourism in Cornwall is very much quality over quantity Quality is more important that quantity, which is the nub. They call it bums in beds. Looking back into the history of tourism in Cornwall, during the war my grandmother (Bettye Gray) hosted some of the soldiers recuperating from the front line. When the war was over, these soldiers brought back their families after they were demobbed, hence why Newquay was the place to be because it had the RAF and the messes and St Mawgan. Business boomed after the war. My grandmother used to say it was easier to let a bedroom than it was to fall off a log.
Sell the destination first and then the quality of the proposition of the hotel
But going into the 1980s, cheap flights abroad and holidays in the sun became accessible to everyone in the UK. That’s when Cornwall and all seaside resorts in the UK suffered. The successful ones saw themselves through it and reinvented. My grandmother’s solution? Pick up the whole lot and move your business to the south coast, downsize from the 90-bedroom hotel, half the number to 40, increase the quality and treble the price. And that is the fundamental lesson that Cornwall needs to learn and put into its business plan for tourism. And in order to do that, it also needs to incorporate an international-focussed tourism business plan. My famous quote is do people in Birmingham know where Cornwall is? Well, of course they do, but not in Birmingham Alabama.
And this is going to be the difference with the G7 summit putting Cornwall on the map. I’ve been going over to America for the last 15 years doing a sales trip every year, meeting travel agents from right across the US. Do people know where Cornwall is? No, it’s not four tube stops outside London, it’s four hours outside London. My presentation starts with a hundred slides around the beauty of Cornwall and it just sells it to them. And then maybe a few slides at the end of the Nare. But sell the destination first. That’s the absolute lesson I’ve learned. My presentation was grabbed by the president of one of the biggest travel agent corporations in America as an example of how presentations should be made to travel agents to sell the destination first and then the quality of the proposition of the hotel. This wonderful thing that Cornwall has - stunning coastline, harbours, churches, historic houses. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. And it is this sort of thing we need to put into an international marketing plan. Have international guests been increasing? For the Nare? Yes. It’s been hard work; I’ve used several techniques to help make it happen. For instance, we have our Range Rover and chauffeur service, because that’s the most reliable way of getting someone landing on the red eye at Heathrow down to Cornwall. Soft feather pillow in the back and they’re eating crab sandwiches and drinking Chablis at lunchtime. But if you land at 8am at Heathrow and check into London, is your room going to be ready? No. You have to wait to 4’o clock, and the one thing you want is to crash out and catch up on your sleep.
ASHWORTH
And that is what I’ve been begging and calling for Cornwall tourism and also the LEP to recognise as well. The LEP have bemoaned the agri-food industry have lost 70% of their customers during lockdown. Hold on a minute, what do you mean, they’re in tourism customers. Do you mean you depend on tourism? At the time, tourism was sitting on 100% of its customers locked out. We all depend on farming and fishing. And also on tourism. It’s interactive and we’re all a business family in Cornwall. Do you think tourism sometimes gets overlooked as a business sector? I do. And bear in mind it doesn’t have a proper seat on the LEP board. Eden’s one was tokenism and I don’t count Eden as tourism, it’s on a different agenda altogether. The trouble is that tourism has done quite well on its own and there’s an argument to say that as a sector, it has it worked out. In 1990, my grandmother and the Nare was the only 4-star hotel in Cornwall. Now there are 14 or 15 in the county, and a couple of 5-star hotels, ourselves and The Headland. Recognising quality pays and my call would be Cornwall needs to concentrate on quality not quantity. And that is one of the biggest nubs of the ecological argument, the environment and protecting the county.
Toby Ashworth BUSINESS CORNWALL | 13
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ASHWORTH busy fools. But by and large it is happening. There are good quality camp sites. Good quality B&Bs. There are upscale ones and they can charge appropriately. Short term investment for a longerterm gain?
We won’t protect it if we let too many people in and the footfall tramples over everything. To have quality, you don’t need to be uneconomic to do it. In fact, it’s better economically to have fewer people in and charge more. If you think in every pocket driving down the A30 there’s one £20 note. If you halve the number of cars but put three £20 notes. Do the maths whichever way you like. And my grandmother and myself when I took over the Nare had that strategy and have been aiming at quality, quality, quality. That’s why we’re about to launch one of the largest sea view hotel suites in Britain. That’s our strategy, to put four large suites in, opposed to 12 or 15 bedrooms. It’s not about getting the numbers. There is a big misnomer that tourism is low wage, low skill, summer season industry. That’s no longer the case. Look at successful businesses like Watergate, Headland, Bedruthan, Scarlet, Carbis Bay. Look at these businesses. They are employing proper jobs, skill sets, they might be soft skill sets, not rocket scientists, but of course the tourism sector affects more people in Cornwall in employment than any other sector including the public sector which is number two. Isn’t it a difficult argument to make, quality over quantity, to the sector as a whole when there are so many B&Bs, guesthouses, campsites and so on? But they don’t have to be cheap. If they improve their quality, they do less work of churning and being
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It’s all about long-term gain. Tourism is about long term. And I think the county would be more comfortable with it in the summer months, because of the environment we’re protecting. Having a car park three times bigger than it needs to be, three times as many cars coming down the A30. Do we want that? If we’re really going to look after the environment, we’re going to have what I call is a ‘tourism plan’ that recognises this quality rather than quantity. I really want to put on the agenda that the ecology of Cornwall and environment is affected by tourism and tourism needs to do it well. The big conundrum about international tourism, about flying everywhere, if people are going to fly they need quality time, quality spend and be able to give back to the environment, or rather not take or disturb that environment. We want to share the beauty of the world but we must try not to leave so many footprints in the sand.
Will the whole tourist sector benefit from the G7 summit? Could it lead to overcrowding? That’s the challenge. I’m not sure how far the ripples will go in those days of June across Cornwall. I guess it will be very busy around Carbis Bay and in Falmouth with the media centre. Newquay will probably have some accommodation for some of it. But on the south coast, the message we have to get out is that Cornwall isn’t going to be greatly affected because they’re on the other coast and there will be large parts of Cornwall completely unaffected. It’s not as if we are welcoming millions for an eclipse! There are ten countries plus their entourage. Yes, it will be locally busy. My fear is that people will stay away during those June days thinking it will be chaos, but of course it won’t be. I think it is really important that Cornwall showcases the other lovely parts of Cornwall and not just Carbis Bay. For me, it’s a great opportunity. I’ve been going on for years saying this is where Cornwall is on the map, but there has really been no other proactive overseas marketing. I think we need to change that and if this is the trigger that makes people start looking at Cornwall. It’s an opportunity, a great opportunity.
We’ve got to recognise international tourism and where it’s going
But we’ve got to recognise international tourism and where it’s going. So, I think the G7 summit is going to be great for tourism if we can think about it with a proper tourism business plan. I’m not saying it has to be the Toby Ashworth plan of international marketing, but it needs to recognise there’s a whole sector of marketing that they’re missing out on. Cornwall has done very well on national tourism, it’s been top of the pops for a decade or so. And that’s great, but if you want to have a greater spend per head, which is what we should really be striving for, you may need an international market.
People will now know where Cornwall is. If we can get some great shots of it onto the world stage, that is a springboard. But it is only a springboard. You have got to deliver quality after that.
Not meaning to sound too glib, but how important will it be that the sun is shining while the world is watching G7 on their TVs? Good hospitality is hinged around looking after people. Yes, there are all sorts of ingredients needed for a great holiday or location stay, but warmth of hospitality often comes out far higher than sunshine. We don’t depend on sunshine. It’s obviously nice when it is shining, an added bonus, but we don’t depend on the weather. And the environment. You can’t take away the lovely coastline and beaches which even in the winter still have an attraction, even when the sun’s not shining.
TOBY Obviously not at the moment, but has business been improving in the shoulder and off seasons? That’s something we specialised in from the early 90s in broadening. We are no longer just a summer season business. Our high season plateau of occupancy starts in early in March through to the end of November. That’s the trick again of a quality business, quality tourism, working on the shoulder months. We have the Great Gardens of Cornwall, I set up the Cornwall Spring Story to set the date of when spring starts in Cornwall. We have very high occupancy in March. Last year we had to turn away 80% occupancy in November when we had to shut. Going back to quality over quantity. I guess the pandemic must have brought about a rationalisation in the industry with many establishments closing? Yes, of course, it is very sad people losing jobs and things. A lot of businesses have relooked at quality. During the lockdown I’ve probably looked at things more closely, to make improvements. One of the greatest positives to emerge is appreciating our team and our team have appreciated us as a business. I’m really proud. Perversely, 2020 was a success because we didn’t lose one member of staff through redundancy. That was one of my goals to keep the team. It’s also forced management across the whole business to really look at things and ensure we are doing things in the best way. Loads of little gains, too numerous to say. For instance, in May I changed our accounts programme. Because invoices weren’t coming in, it was the best time to do it. We’ve improved our ability to calculate cash flow and have more real time information. During lockdown, it’s good to be able to innovate and re-look at what you’re doing and have the chance to make changes you wanted to make but previously didn’t have the time. I think I’m busier now when we’re closed than when we’re open! When the hotel is up and running all the great team look after the guests and I have to keep my fingers out of the spokes. Now it’s stopped, quick change the wheel! It’s been tough for everybody, but it’s what can
ASHWORTH
you make out of a tough situation. Adversity is the mother of invention. From a business point of view, it doesn’t matter if the product is widgets or guests, if the conveyor belt stops you’ve got to use that opportunity to the best advantage. How difficult has it been to plan ahead, not knowing when lockdown would be lifted? The challenge has been, for example, things like the dining room air conditioning. Do I take it off, have I got a couple of months to repair the ceiling and redecorate, or have I only got a few weeks before we can reopen? Yes, there are challenges, but bring it on! Over Christmas, one day you were open, the next you were closed That was difficult. In March before the first lockdown we had a waiting list of three times our occupancy for Christmas. By the time we got to Christmas, only 50% were able to come. New Year’s Eve all our guests had arrived the day before in time for the New Year’s Eve programme and we had to send them all home after breakfast on New Year’s Eve. We’d been doing calculations on profitability and asking ourselves was it worth staying open, should we stay open for January if we could. We were of the opinion to try and keep going because it keeps morale going for staff. As soon as we can make a few steps forward we will and we will be a stronger business as soon as we can reopen and the prognosis looking forward is good for tourism in Cornwall.
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We want to share the beauty of the world but we must try not to leave so many footprints in the sand
Any idea when that will be? That’s anyone’s guess. We have three plans ready and waiting. A very optimistic one for the beginning of March, but we’re very prepared for the beginning of April, Easter, and there’s a plan that it might not be before May or whatever. You just can’t predict, but that’s the great thing about being in business and being ready for anything that comes at you. Financially we’ve covered ourselves. The key thing is to keep all our team ready to go. It is a bit like keeping an athlete on the start line and asking him to walk around again because there’s been a delayed start. And that is frustrating. So communication to staff off on furlough is key, keeping them informed of what is going on and letting them understand where the business is and to be ready. Because as soon as the start gun goes, you have to be ready. Do you feel the Government has done enough to look after you? Yes. If you are in business, the crucial call was back in March last year when they announced furlough. An absolute game changer. They recognised if you have a lockdown, the April pay date was a crucial, crucial date. They must have worked their socks 16 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
off to get a programme to do the claims system online on that Monday. It didn’t crash, it worked first time, the payment came through in a few days and it would have saved thousands of jobs. There would have been businesses who absolutely depended on having that grant. I personally think the Government have had very difficult decisions; I think they have made some good calls. Obviously it’s going to be what you make of it coming out of the system. It’s easy for the Chancellor to say I’ll give everybody 80% furlough, but we’ve got to pay for it later. But let’s trade our way out of it. And the clarion call is when we’re out of it, buy British. Stay in British hotels. Rather than put their credit cards on foreign holidays, if people stayed and spent on Britain, the churn for the Chancellor would be far greater. And you’d be helping everybody, Not just the front line staff, but the businesses behind it, the suppliers, the food agri-businesses. There’s good old Cornish saying, if the hoteliers have a good summer, the builders have a better winter. And we’ve been busy building. I’ve had three projects on the go. The new suites are ready to go. We’re also building a new staff accommodation block in Tregony. That had to go on ice last March, but we’ve restarted that. 19 apartments. That’s our depot where we have our deliveries and laundry. One of the challenges for tourism is looking after the coastline. Do we need a seaview laundry? A seaview depot? Do we need trucks coming down the last lanes? No, they stop at Tregony and we then use an electric shuttle to collect supplies. This is the sort of
environmental, grown up thinking that needs to be. Plus I’m an engineer, so I really enjoy this time putting in engineering things. We’ve got water-cooled fridge plants for example, which preheat the water to your shower. All these sort of things that go on behind the scenes. Is this type of attention to detail one of the key things in running a 5-star hotel? Absolutely. Second guessing what your guests need, providing it before they ask for it, being ready if they do ask for something you haven’t thought of, but do it with charm. And I think that’s what we’ve got. There are a lot of 5-star hotels in the world, but I get some very well-travelled guests who say this is where I want to be. It’s not trying to be pretentious, it’s the warmth of hospitality and Cornwall has got that. That is what I hope will come out of the G7. There’s a warmth of hospitality in Cornwall. And that’s a vital ingredient. You talk about sunshine, yes that’s important, but I can tell you I would rather have warmth of hospitality.
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It has been an undeniably tough year for the tourism industry, but Visit Cornwall chief Malcolm Bell remains sanguine.
A year to
remember,
forget
a year to
“My grandfather was in the First World War and always said look on the bright side of life,” says Malcolm Bell, CEO of Visit Cornwall. “Just think if we’d been here now and there was no vaccine. You have to put it into perspective, we could have been in a lot worse position. Everyone is being quite pragmatic and positive.” Despite starting 2021 in lockdown, there are still reasons to be, if not cheerful, then at least optimistic for the tourism industry. The vaccine roll out is set to lead to a bumper summer, while the unlikely January news of the G7 summit set to land in Carbis Bay has
The G7 is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Cornwall to the world
brought about a huge opportunity. Then there’s the Tall Ships race returning to Falmouth and in September the Grand Depart of the rescheduled Tour of Britain cycle race. Pandemic permitting, this is set to be a busy and high-profile summer.
Bell knew about the G7 summit coming to Cornwall for a number of weeks before it was announced but was sworn to secrecy by
the powers that be. But he is clearly excited by the prospect of Cornwall being beamed into front rooms right across the world. For four days in June, the world’s eyes will be on Cornwall and it’s not often you can say that. Bell says he’s particularly thrilled that the summit is being held at such a stunning location. “Normally these kind of things are held on a golf course,” he says. “The only thing I remember about the Nato conference at Celtic Manor was that it was on a golf course with tanks on it! It didn’t actually make you want to rush to Wales!” Instead, the backdrop will be azure waters of St Ives Bay. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 17
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“The economic benefit is more about the exposure of Cornwall in international markets. Whenever you bring overseas people over who don’t know Cornwall, they are completely wowed by the coastline we’ve got and the beaches we’ve got. Their impression of Britain is often one of piers and kiss me quick hats by the seaside.”
There will be opportunities for radio, TV and probably a lot of print
Jonathan Cummins, chair of the Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions, is also delighted at the G7 prospect. He says: “The G7 is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Cornwall to the world and I’m delighted that some of our members are involved; the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth will be hosting members of the world’s media.” There are concerns in some quarters with the numbers the G7 circus is set to bring. “The first thing you have got to get in your mind is that it’s only a four-day event,” says Bell. “And it ain’t the eclipse all over again! “Normally we would have a three-day event going on at that time of year anyway, Royal Cornwall, and we manage. There will 18 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
be disruption around Carbis Bay, but the rest of Cornwall will be operating normally.”
Cummins agrees. “A few days disruption to very limited parts of the county and the potential of protest will be far outweighed by publicity that we will benefit our economy for years to come. After the year we’ve had with the pandemic and the uncertainties around the Brexit trade deal this is a real positive for 2021. We will continue
to work closely with our partners to ensure that our member attractions maximise on the opportunities available.” Visit Cornwall is currently laying the groundwork to help maximise the G7 opportunity long term, inviting the world’s travel media and the travel trade down to Cornwall ahead of time. “There will be opportunities for radio, TV and probably a lot of print,” says Bell. “If you can imagine the equivalent of opening up the Sunday Times in Washington on the G7 and then in the travel section there’s a whole thing on Cornwall and the south west. G7 is likely to stoke interest across the world.
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“For instance we had Japanese trade enquiries before Christmas and we’ve had more since G7. They realise G7 provides free publicity to them promoting their holidays to Cornwalll. We are projecting 5% growth in the main markets.” However, while the long-term prospects for visitors from longhaul destinations is looking promising, with uncertainty on what travel restrictions may still be in place, visitors this summer are far more likely to be from closer to home.
There have been calls for a formal tourism strategy to be published in Cornwall, that recognises the importance of quality over quantity
“We anticipate a slow return this autumn,” says Bell. “But I don’t think we’ll see much before September. There will be a lot of pent-up demand for 2022 but we don’t see the longhaul market opening up until April next year in any sort of volumes.” When the pandemic first struck 12 months ago, tourism in Cornwall came to an abrupt, shuddering stop. When it was allowed to open back up again in July, business was good and business was busy. However, it didn’t make up for much of the damage that had already been done.
lenders don’t start insisting on getting their money back straight away. “It’s no good asking people to start paying tax back immediately in April when they haven’t earned any money. Lots of the bookings from April and May were bounced from last year, so there’s no deposits from there.
“People won’t have good cash positions until at least September. It is that old saying, turnover is vanity, profit sanity and cash is king. And that is writ large in the sector and it needs the chance to trade out. All I ask Government is don’t be stupid and let good businesses go under now, because you won’t get your money back. The reason why most people come to a repayment plan is if you don’t, you won’t get any of it.” Financial concerns are also at the forefront of Zoe Curnow’s mind, executive director at The Minack. During the pandemic, The
“The business grants linked to rateable value and particularly the CJRS payments have helped us significantly,” she says. “Without the CJRS scheme we would not have been able to support and retain many of the staff team. We did not qualify for the Cultural Recovery Grant scheme, but this scheme has helped support a large number of other Cornish cultural organisations which is great for our sector.” Cummins says the pandemic has been “incredibly hard” for the Duchy’s tourist attractions. He likens it’s like being hit by three winters in a row, which is devastating for a seasonal industry, despite some attractions reporting their busiest ever months last August and September. “Attractions large and small have needed to undertake cost saving exercises and sadly a number of member attractions have had to make redundancies,” he says. “Some have needed to raise funds online to keep going.”
“That’s always been our mantra and has fared us well through the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. We are aiming to be fully open again for this Easter but ready for all eventualities!” The centre has used the lockdown to expand its activities to include climbing, watersports, coasteering and archery.
“Basically the industry is, in a way, on life support. I know people say it was busy in the summer. Yes, I’ll pay you two weeks work for a month, you tell me you’re rich at the end of that month! That’s basically what happened. We lost 44% of business turnover.”
And fingers crossed, Eleanor thinks BF Adventure and Cornwall can look forward to a good summer: G7 certainly will put the Duchy in the spotlight: “What an opportunity! While we won’t see the international visitors this year it’s a real chance to build our profile and to get on their ‘must visit’ list for future years.
Despite all the challenges, not that many businesses in the tourism sector seem to have gone under. But this is because, says Bell, they are being kept afloat by Government support packages.
Bell says it is important that once the pandemic is over, the treasury and other
Minack benefited from Government support for just the second time in its 89-year history.
“Plan for the worst, hope for the best,” say Eleanor Devenish, marketing and events manager at charity BF Adventure, which specialises in outdoor activities.
“Yes, it was busy in the summer, but it wasn’t busy in the spring,” says Bell. “It was curtailed very short in November. Some hotels had 80% occupancy booked in November. Christmas was lost, New Year lost, half-term has been lost, and we could easily lose Easter.
Furlough, business rates, VAT holidays, loan schemes have all helped operators keep their heads above water, but at the same time a lot of debt has been taken on, which could take years for many to pay off.
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LOOKING AHEAD
“Yes, we are still seen as a Covid-safe destination with incredible scenery, coastline and a wide array of outdoor activities and with Cornwall saturating the TV travel and lifestyle programming at the moment our UK profile has never been higher. 2021 will be the ultimate year of staycation – watch out here come the masses!”
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and challenge has proven so important this year within the Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions. Regularly bringing together leaders from 36 of Cornwall’s leading attractions will no doubt continue to prove valuable in the months and years to come and I think we will come out of the pandemic a stronger organisation better able to promote the quality attractions that Cornwall offers.” Of course, not all attractions are the same and some have been affected worse than others. For instance, zoos and wildlife facilities still had to feed and care for the animals when the doors were closed.
With Easter just around the corner, at the time of writing it was widely considered no better than 50-50 whether the sector would be allowed to open for that holiday. It has, however, to be in a state of readiness. “In the short term by getting plans as ‘button ready’ as possible for when we receive a date
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for opening, whether that’s bringing people off of furlough, recruiting, or further adapting our visitor experiences for a socially distanced world - the Government has promised a gradual plan for opening the economy, that roadmap is now key,” Cummins says.
And the Minack Theatre, despite being outdoors, has still struggled under the social distancing constraints. Curnow explains: “We operated in a financially viable way after opening in July, but as our numbers were restricted by the social distancing requirements, we could not generate our usual level of surplus for July to September, let alone claw back any of the lost surplus from April to June. October was the only month where we generated more surplus than in previous years.”
“Working together to provide support, ideas
But looking forward to the season ahead,
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there is optimism that Cornwall’s tourism businesses will have a very good summer. It will likely be too early for many to consider foreign holidays, and Cornwall is often considered the next closest thing. Malcolm Bell says: “The good news is the multigenerational families. I think a lot of grandparents will be paying for holidays. People have money after being locked up, and grandparents in particular have been denied access to memory times with the grandchildren, so I think we will also see length of stay go up.” While tourism makes an essential contribution to Cornwall’s economy, during the peak summer months it can sometimes prove a little contentious with locals as fears of ‘over tourism’ grow.
numbers and therefore maintain the quality of the visitor experience.” There is obviously finite bed stock, and once hotels and B&Bs are full, they’re full. But this doesn’t take into account the growing number of unregistered Airbnbs, people renting out their homes for a couple of months, or people staying with friends and camping in gardens.
Pandemic permitting, this is set to be a busy and highprofile summer
“I am concerned about the impact of too many visitors at peak times,” admits Curnow. “We need to work together and with Visit Cornwall as an industry to manage our visitor
“That does add to the volumes,” says Bell. “I’m not having a go at the people who do it, but the people of Cornwall have to understand. There is a limit in the commercial stock and after that we’re full. But it’s almost limitless after that if you’re not careful. So, there is a worry about over tourism but I’m not so sure there’s much that can be done in the present system, which is why we’re asking for compulsory registration of all accommodation.” There have been calls for a formal tourism
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strategy to be published in Cornwall, that recognises the importance of quality over quantity (see CEO Interview, p12). “We’re writing a tourism strategy at the moment, which will come out in April,” says Bell. “Tourism should improve, it is about value not volume. And that’s right across the range. We want premium priced campsites, premium priced B&Bs as well as hotels. No one would ask Catherine Mead or Bob Lindo to sell their Yarg or Camel Valley wine cheap. We want to be a premium destination.” The strategy will also look at how the tourism sector can help improve the quality of life of local people, how it can help regenerate areas and sustainability. “Developing tourism isn’t about more of what we’ve got. It’s about building on the strengths of what we’ve got and developing it in a way that delivers for Cornwall.”
dventures
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GO STRAIGHT TO JAIL!
sustainable jobs in Bodmin and, as much as possible goods and services will be sourced locally, a further over 2,700 jobs will be created in the supply chain across Cornwall.
The Bodmin Jail Hotel boosts tourism with jobs creation and hospitality academy. Cornwall’s newest - and oldest - boutique hotel of its kind, The Bodmin Jail Hotel, is set to open its doors as soon as restrictions allow. As well as being the largest hospitality investment south of Bristol since the Eden Project, the hotly-anticipated hotel is placing great emphasis on giving back to the region and Cornwall’s community at large. Nestled in the heart of Cornwall and transformed from a former jail of historic significance dating back to 1774, the luxury 4-star hotel is the result of a £60 million visionary project by Mallino Developments Limited and has taken over three years to complete. The project has created 144 new 22 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
During lockdown when many hospitality businesses were sadly furloughing staff, The Bodmin Jail Hotel was undertaking a recruitment drive, pulling together a team of highly skilled and talented professionals and filling positions in all areas of the business, from food and beverage to reception and HR.
70 bedrooms – each with their own unique story to tell - have been created by combining three cells and, from weathered stone walls to jail cell doors, retain many of their original features. For guests who would like to explore the heritage of the building, there will also be historical tours of the hotel available.
The project has created 144 new sustainable jobs in Bodmin
As well as a vast glass ceiling which floods the central hall space with light and showcases the history of the building, the new hotel is also home to the innovative Chapel Restaurant which combines gothic elegance with experiential theatre to create a unique dining experience with Cornish food and drink at its heart.
In addition to this, over the next five years, a Hospitality Academy will launch on the hotel grounds, offering 400 hospitality apprentices the chance to train in an industry that is so important to Cornwall. The tourism industry supports up to 25% of all jobs in the county and The Bodmin Jail Hotel wants to be at the fore in supporting individuals who which to pursue a career in the industry. In a year that has been particularly hard for the tourism industry and services sector, the opening of the hotel and its Hospitality Academy shines a ray of hope as the industry recovers post-covid and builds back stronger than ever before.
There’s also a bistro, an alfresco dining area and The Chapel Champagne and Gin Bar which was once the Governor’s Office and now offers over 108 gins from around the world. Additionally, with a space for up to 300 people, The Bodmin Jail Hotel will be the biggest wedding, conference, meetings and events venue in Cornwall. A spa and glamping facility is also in the pipeline for later this year.
The sympathetic restoration blends heritage and luxury, celebrating the intrinsic role that the building has played in Cornwall’s past, whilst looking to the future for the county. The
Rajesh Joshi, resort CEO for The Bodmin Jail Hotel, says: “The opening of The Bodmin Jail Hotel is a proud moment for Cornwall, in honouring the county’s illustrious past as well
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“Over 90% of the former jail is now within the hotel and its grounds; this is luxury accommodation in a truly unique venue there is nowhere else quite like it.”
launch during a global pandemic hasn’t been without its challenges. We have encountered unavoidable delays to the building works and our planned opening date of February 12 was squashed, but after a tremendous effort from suppliers, contractors and the team we are back on track. The hotel looks incredible and we cannot wait to welcome our first guests as soon as we are able.”
Rajesh continues: “Undoubtably, transforming the building and preparing the hotel for
The hotel has every right to be optimistic with bookings booming and 90% occupancy
as celebrating tourism in the area. Through painstaking restoration and preservation, we are returning a national heritage asset to its former glory and creating a cultural showpiece that will attract guests from across the world.
FEATURE
for July and August. As part of a separate £9.7 million investment, the world-class Bodmin Jail Attraction – which is located on the same site in the heart of Cornwall but is operated independently to the hotel – opened last October featuring a brand-new Dark Walk experience.
The Bodmin Jail Hotel will be the biggest wedding, conference, meetings and events venue in Cornwall
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While the past year has been an anxious time for business owners, the financial impact of the pandemic has so far been mitigated by a variety of support schemes. Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans have helped many to survive, and the Job Retention Scheme has helped to avert mass redundancies.
IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO BASICS Tom Roach, head of leisure and tourism at PKF Francis Clark, gives his views on the sector’s prospects. For Cornwall’s tourism sector, the past year has been one of feast or famine. Many businesses enjoyed a busy summer and autumn, but sadly this was flanked by coronavirus lockdowns of unknown duration.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and business rates holiday have helped owners of smaller businesses. In my experience, Cornwall Council has also been doing a good job of getting grants to eligible businesses. For larger tourism and hospitality businesses, the real saving grace has been the VAT reduction from 20% to 5%, which boosted profit margins when demand was high.
My advice to businesses now is to get back to basics. List your outgoings and debts. Forecast your cashflows and overlay those legacy issues of deferred tax, loans and unpaid creditors. Work out what your repayment plans are and how you are going to juggle it all.
The main thing businesses are crying out for is clarity about when they can reopen
Now with the vaccine rollout progressing and signs of another staycation boom, the outlook for this summer and beyond is very promising. And even before it’s happened, the G7 summit coming to Carbis Bay has showcased our county to a global audience of potential visitors when international travel resumes.
Although there’s light at the end of the tunnel, this March looks set to be the crunch point. It’s always the low point for cash as businesses emerge from winter. This year they have effectively been through three winters in a row, and now have more debt and deferred taxes to pay.
Accommodation providers have been reporting a surge in enquiries, but the main thing businesses are crying out for is clarity about when they can reopen.
Larger hotels have generally had the headroom to borrow against their properties to get through the crisis. There’s a bigger question mark over whether smaller
24 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
businesses will be able to afford to repay their Bounce Back Loans. It’s likely that the VAT reduction will need to be extended beyond the end of March or repayment of those loans will have to be spread over a longer period.
For businesses with lower asset bases, the first question to ask is can you afford to continue? If not, it’s time to seek professional help. The sad truth is that some business owners would be better off calling it a day and going to work for someone else. Perhaps it is worth continuing to trade but you need to refinance. And if you have staff on furlough, keep in touch to make sure they plan to come back when you reopen.
As the sector emerges from hibernation, our Share a Smile campaign will once again be encouraging local people to recommend their favourite leisure and tourism businesses on social media to help showcase what the region has to offer. It will undoubtedly take time for businesses to recover from the coronavirus hangover, but the future still looks bright for Cornish tourism.
Pantone 5395
Pantone 5435
HEALTH
& WELLBEING
a helping hand
Saltash-based Psychology Associates is a multidisciplinary practice of clinical psychologists and wellbeing practitioners experienced in helping businesses and organisations increase wellbeing in the workplace and how to get the most out of their teams. 26 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
HEALTH &
The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have hit individuals hard. Businesses especially have had to face increasing challenges around supporting employees’ wellbeing and mental health throughout these tumultuous times. It’s a delicate balance for organisations to ensure they invest in appropriate support of employees’ mental health while operating a successful and profitable business. According to Mind, most senior members are not even sure where to begin with supporting their team members with their wellbeing. How are they to know what works and what doesn’t? How do they choose the right investment that promotes their team’s wellbeing and ensures business success? Research in mental health tells us that 1 in 7 employees experience mental health difficulties in the workplace. It’s also known that nearly 13% of sickness days throughout UK businesses are attributed to mental health conditions. These statistics are alarming, but sadly not surprising. Importantly, these figures are from research conducted pre-pandemic. Talking with the people around us; clients, colleagues and professionals, we hear anecdotally that the pandemic has negatively affected our mental health and wellbeing even further. This is not surprising given the expectation for employees to work mainly from home while often providing childcare and home schooling, lacking social interaction and experiencing the sadness of loss and bereavement. There is also increasing evidence to suggest that those who have suffered serious health conditions, as a result of Covid are more likely to experience mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety. Since its foundation in Cornwall in 2000, Psychology Associates (a multidisciplinary practice of clinicians including psychologists and therapists) has endeavoured to support its own team members’ wellbeing. They have the advantage of being skilled and knowledgeable in the promotion of positive wellbeing and how to prevent more serious mental health conditions from developing. They also know that supporting team members’ wellbeing leads to better outcomes for individuals, which is positive for any organisation. So, what can businesses do to support their employees to help provide a healthier, safe and efficient environment throughout these hard times? The team at Psychology Associates have developed expert knowledge through additional clinical experience about what works for businesses in developing healthier, safer and more productive working environments. Notably, an important initial
recommendation is to begin by equipping senior team members to have meaningful and confident conversations with colleagues about mental health and wellbeing. Having safe conversations about mental health provides a good starting point to reduce stigma and move towards acceptance and genuine support. Feeling heard in a non-judgemental way allows employees to be honest at an earlier stage of feeling unwell. This allows faster and more targeted help to be sought by the employee, which leads to better outcomes overall. Developing a working environment where emotional wellbeing is considered important and mental health difficulties can be discussed within a safe setting, allows the employees to feel valued, skilled and ultimately more motivated. Talking to a colleague about their mental health is not always easy and managers can feel out of their depth. Working alongside businesses and organisations, the practice often hears from managers questions like: ‘What happens if I say the wrong thing? What happens if I make it worse?’ ‘Where do I start?’. Specialist professionals in mental health know that managers equipped with the tools to talk confidently and sensitively with colleagues about wellbeing is an important foundation to achieving greater resilience across the team.
Nearly 13% of sickness days throughout UK businesses are attributed to mental health conditions
Confident and safe discussions about mental health with team members are catalysts to positive outcomes throughout the workplace. They can lead to better work-life balance, less stress and worry and increased feelings of being understood and valued. From experience, psychologists have noticed that feeling listened to has a significant and positive effect on wellbeing. These conversations don’t have to be outcome driven, as noted by Psychology Associates’ clinical director Dr Kerry Davison. “Helping managers to develop their skills in how to open up these conversations can have a great impact,” she says. “Reassuring managers that listening is important and taking the pressure off them to solve
WELLBEING
the problem immediately is very helpful.” According to Mind, 56% of employers said they would like to do more to improve staff wellbeing but don’t feel they have the right training or guidance to do so internally. Psychology Associates is experiencing a recent surge in interest from businesses for training and workshops focussing on Mental Health and Well-being. One of the most popular courses is ‘Mental Health Awareness for Team Members’, which can be tailored to each individual organisation’s ethos, culture and business purpose. Some of its main objectives are: increasing awareness and understanding of mental health difficulties, how mental health difficulties (such as anxiety, stress and depression) present themselves in the workplace, how (as a manager) can we address and support mental health difficulties with a colleague and how we can look after ourselves to prevent them from arising. Feedback from professionals who have attended includes: ‘Really important discussions - simple awareness is so useful’ and ‘I enjoyed it and will be able to confidently use the strategies in the workplace’. Supporting colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing during these times has never been so fundamental. Businesses flourish when they invest in creating supportive and mental healthaware environments (as evidenced by Public Health England). Getting that balance of supporting mental wellbeing across a team whilst flourishing as a business is both possible and crucial during these times. If you would like to discuss with a senior psychologist how Psychology Associates can support you and your team, they would love to hear from you. Psychology Associates can provide a wide range of support services to you and your colleagues – this can include return to work support and advice for individual colleagues, therapeutic support, assessments and training. For more information on Psychology Associates and its services to businesses, visit www.psychologyassociates.org.uk
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 27
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
Helping
Cornwall grow From providing a single point of access for business support and boosting digital connectivity, to developing high quality workspaces and investing in research and innovation projects – new and existing businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are continuing to benefit from European funding. Launched in 2014, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme has so far invested £326 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in projects that develop new products and services, grow businesses and create jobs.
The Growth Hub: helping businesses grow at every stage. Part-funded through the Growth Programme, the Growth Hub has helped thousands of businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (CIOS) find the right guidance and support to work smarter, develop and grow. The Penryn based Letter Box Hamper company, which sends beautifully wrapped hampers containing luxury produce in letterbox sized packages to customers around the world, is one of the many local businesses which has been taking full advantage of this expert funded support.
28 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
After initially receiving help from the Growth Hub Connector team three years ago to set up and launch his new business, Letter Box director Jonathan Wingfield is working once again with the team on plans to expand the premises and increase the company’s overseas exports and business customers. “Even when you are lucky enough to have access to fantastic products, starting your own business from scratch is not easy,” says Jonathan. “We are very grateful for the support we have received from the Growth Hub team. 95% of our business is now outside of Cornwall with customers from Scotland to Australia and Hong Kong, and we are keen to expand into other parts of the world.”
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
What is the Growth Programme?
Launched in 2014, the Growth Programme is the European economic regeneration programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; it has a value of over €600 million and consists of two funds:
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), worth €438m • European Social Fund (ESF) worth €166m
Why does Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly receive these funds? Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly qualified for funding because its economic performance had been below 75% of the European Union average when the programme was originally developed.
What is the investment to date? £326m ERDF funding has been invested in 92 projects to support:
· Business competitiveness · Environment · Research and innovation · Climate change adaptation and low carbon economy · Workspaces · Digital connectivity · Sustainable transport
£95m ESF funding has been invested in 53 projects to support:
· Access to employment for jobseekers and inactive people · Access to employment for 15-25 year olds · Social inclusion · Skills development and lifelong learning
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 29
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
Investing in Innovation, Research and Development Another company successfully capitalising on the EU funding available in Cornwall, is Morek Engineering. Morek (maritime in Cornish) was set up 18 months ago by naval architect Bob Colclough, following support from ERDF funded programmes PROPEL Cornwall and Tevi, as well as the Growth Hub. Now providing specialist technical consultancy services to deliver offshore wind, wave and tidal projects across the world, Morek is working with partners to create new opportunities in the south west for the fast-growing floating offshore wind market. Backed by ERDF funding from the research and innovation Marine-i programme, Morek is currently developing new specialist software to safely transport the huge equipment needed for installing offshore wind turbines by sea. “Support from these organisations has played a key part in our development and growth,” says Bob. “Many new companies don’t realise this support is available or how important it is to develop their business.”
Strengthening connectivity to drive competitiveness Bude-based Norton Barton Artisan Food Village, one of the first Food Enterprise Zones in Cornwall and the only artisan village in the UK, had been struggling with slow internet speeds and unreliable connections, making it difficult to develop new online markets and grow its business. Early last year, thanks to support from
30 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
the Superfast Cornwall project, the food village was connected to full fibre superfast broadband – much to the relief and delight of owners Richard and Fionagh Harding. “Superfast broadband has revolutionised our business, opening up new opportunities and enabling us to turn our ambitious vision into reality,” says Richard. “Without a superfast connection, I think there was a real danger that the enterprise could have stagnated. Now we are able to move ahead with confidence and plan for future growth.”
Originally set up in 2011 with ERDF funding, and, more recently, supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), Superfast Cornwall has played a vital role in boosting digital connectivity and improving the productivity of local businesses. By investing in phase 3 of Superfast Cornwall, the Growth Programme has contributed to the coverage of 30+Mbps superfast broadband to 95% of premises, with around 40% of all premises benefiting from a future-proofed full fibre solution.
GROWTH
New high-quality workspaces to boost growth and fuel ambitions Finding the right workspace to set up a new business or expand an existing one is hugely important for small and medium sized enterprises. To meet business needs and support growth across Cornwall, over £26 million ERDF funding is being invested in developing high quality and fit for purpose workspaces. To support their expansion plans, pioneering Cornish energy company Bennamann moved into a new office and workshop space in Sector 2, the flagship gateway development at the Aerohub Business Park near Newquay, which was supported by £4.3 million funding from ERDF. Established in 2011 by two local entrepreneurs, Bennamann is putting Cornwall at the centre of a local clean energy revolution thanks to its ground-breaking work in developing a new ‘green’ fuel from organic waste materials such as cow manure and grass cuttings. Working with a range of partners and local farmers, the company is developing and commercialising the use of new technologies to turn organic waste from farms into biomethane, a zero-carbon fuel that can be used to power lorries and tractors, heat households and businesses, provide hot water and even charge electric vehicles.
PROGRAMME
After successfully securing a grant from ERDF, Bennamann is also working on an exciting £1.22 million research and development project which is looking at maximising the use of on-site renewable energy resources to establish an independent energy farm in Cornwall. “We are very proud to be a Cornish company that has the potential to radically change the global energy market and look forward to putting Cornwall at the forefront of this pioneering renewable energy innovation,” says Chris Mann, Bennamann chairman and co-founder. “Without the funding from the ERDF it simply would not have happened, it could not have come at a better time for the county and us.” Part of the Growth Programme’s investment in workspaces also supports Cornwall’s growing creative and digital sector, with £1.4 million ERDF funding allocated the construction of 21 new studios as part of the final stage of the Percy Williams building expansion at Krowji. In November 2020, Charlotte Higgins and Emily Sorrell became one of the first tenants to move into the new Phase 2 workspace at the Krowji creative hub in Redruth. Former design students at Falmouth University, the duo set up creative community platform Doorstep in 2018.
After working hard on projects aimed at building meaningful connections between students and local creatives, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meant they had to change their face-to-face model of engagement to connecting individuals and groups digitally. During the past few months they have been working with the ERDF funded Cultivator business development programme and other partners on a digital takeover of the Cornwall Design Forum. The six-month project is due to end this month with The Anatomy of Design, a free online festival. As a recent graduate business Doorstep’s new studio workspace has been part-funded by Cultivator. “After two years in operation it felt like a real milestone to move into a beautiful workspace that isn’t also a café, library, university or kitchen,” says Emily.
As part of the Brexit deal it was agreed that existing EU funded programmes such as the €600 million Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme would be completed. This means that projects which support economic growth in the region will continue to receive EU funding via the Growth Programme up until 2023. For further information about the Growth Programme and how to access this support via the Growth Hub please visit www.cornwallislesofscillygrowthprogramme.org.uk
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 31
Relax
We’ve Got IT Covered As customer expectations rise, businesses depend on reliable technology to deliver goods and services. Keeping your technology healthy, reliable, resilient, secure and with a plan for the future is key to driving growth and success. Partnering with Focus can help you achieve these goals, and more.
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START UPs
CORNWALL
Despite of, or maybe because of, more new businesses have been formed in Cornwall during the pandemic than ever before. We look at the latest numbers and discover how a support programme from Unlocking Potential has been helping early stage and start-ups thrive.
Making Breakthrough the
According to latest figures, the number of new businesses established in Cornwall increased during 2020 – hitting a new record high for the third year in a row. Despite the considerable economic challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, 2,951 new companies were registered in the Duchy compared to 2,948 during 2019. This brings the total number of registered companies in Cornwall to 23,804, up from 23,037 at the end of 2019, which equates to 3.3% growth. The statistics are taken from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations using data from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics. John Korchak, operations director at Inform Direct, said: “It is excellent news to see that Cornwall has achieved a record year for new company formations during
2020 despite the unprecedented uncertainties brought by Covid-19. “Many of the new company formations are in the retail sector, with a large number of new businesses set up to sell goods online or locally, thereby taking advantage of customers’ changing shopping habits. “Secondly, the effect of the pandemic and national lockdowns means that sadly some existing businesses have folded and employees made redundant, and we see many of those people setting up new ventures on their own as an alternative way to earn a living.” Alongside Cornwall’s achievement, the UK as a whole saw a recordbreaking 780,766 new businesses formed, compared to 690,763 in 2019. The overall number of UK companies also continued to grow to 4,837,426, an 8.2% increase on the total of 4,471,008 at the end of 2019. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 33
START UPs
CORNWALL The circumstances in which new and young businesses find themselves are as varied as businesses themselves. They might have grown quicker than expected, have a niggling feeling they’ve become distracted, or worry about continuing to meet demand. Perhaps they just need a place to test their ideas and get objective feedback. These are the kinds of dilemmas with which Unlocking Potential’s Breakthrough programme can help. For example, Michael Kleinman had been an estate agent for 30 years, working hard and doing things in the usual way which, in estate agency, meant acting for sellers and landlords. But having identified what he thought was a gap in the market he decided to back his hunch.
He started Cornwall Property Consultancy with the aim of representing buyers and tenants instead (a more common concept abroad than domestically, although seemingly part of a growing trend here now). The business got off the ground during 2020’s spring lockdown which, while seemingly a tough time to launch a business, actually suited Michael’s, as he knew his services would be in demand among those unable to travel to view properties themselves. Getting the basics out of the way was no problem. Michael sorted himself out a website and a social media profile but then contacted Breakthrough for help in figuring out how to take things to the next level. The online Breakthrough webinars he attended were on business 34 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
development and digital marketing, both of which he found extremely useful when it came to understanding his customers’ needs and upgrading his social media presence. He was also assigned his own business development manager, Sarah O’Dwyer, which he says “has been invaluable, knowing there is someone to help me steer the business in the right direction”. The business began well and has progressed even more strongly; not least because as the pandemic worsened greater numbers sought to relocate to Cornwall. All of which means that Michael’s now planning to employ someone to handle the lettings side of the business, freeing him up to cope with high demand for sales.
Michael describes Breakthrough as “constructive, challenging and guiding” and is in no doubt as to the impact in helping him make a success of his still fledgling business: “I would highly recommend to any business that you can never do enough planning, particularly in the early stages, and it is a major benefit to have someone like Breakthrough taking an impartial close look at the details,” he says. This object and intensive analysis is a hallmark of Breakthrough, as well as its facilitated, one-to-one approach. Glitches and niggles are often part of a young company’s life; Breakthrough’s aim is to help business owners to stand back, reassess, then feel the same excitement they felt when their idea first caught alight.
START UPs
Another new company that has benefitted from the programme is Hard Pressed Cornwall, which produces cold-pressed oils. Founder Jack Baines says he discovered Breakthrough in the early, research and development stages of the business. The initial two-day workshop helped him to establish and refine a business plan, address finances, solidify aims and goals, as well as shape the company ethos. Jack continued to receive support from the programme in the form of signposting to grant and funding services, and through a personal one-to-one business development manager, Kathryn Timmins. The combined impact of the programme and Kathryn influence helped Jack to gain financial confidence through careful budgeting; it also pointed him towards expert advice which helped increase manufacturing output. This in turn meant lower production costs which meant its products became more accessible and competitive. Lower costs also meant Hard Pressed Cornwall products were a viable proposition in shops, rather than only selling in markets; Breakthrough also streamlined its e-commerce approach and facilitated a move online. Despite the move away from market trading, the business still relied on it for steady income. So when spring 2020’s lockdown was announced, huge uncertainty loomed. Jack’s BDM, Kathryn, was among the first to get in touch, and she was reassuring, letting him know what he might be entitled to, and
CORNWALL
helping him to see lockdown as a potential opportunity. So much so that, thanks to Breakthrough, Hard Pressed Cornwall says it did more than just survive the pandemic, it actually increased brand awareness and exposure, increased its online and wholesale trading, and increased profits in 2020. Part of this was due to a moment during the summer of 2020 when, following a conversation with BDM Kathryn, the business looked into contributing to the community while raising its profile. The calculated risk they took was to collaborate with a local farm to plant an experimental sunflower crop. The project was a huge success, providing environmental benefit, community benefit through charitable fundraising, plenty of social media exposure, and a new product line. Jack says: “You are unlikely to be perfect at every element of your business, so identify and accept your weaknesses and ask for help when you need to. Cornwall has the highest percentage of self-employed people in the UK. The entrepreneurial spirit is high, and our community is strong. In my experience, your strongest support will come from other producers and businesses around you. Breakthrough was a fantastic platform in which to make contact with like-minded individuals and businesses.” Meanwhile, the business plans to continue to move the company into the wholesale market, increase output, productivity, and production capabilities, and maintain its firm footing in the buoyant Cornish food and drink industry.
Information on this infographic has been prepared by Inform Direct based on data provided by Companies House and the Office for National Statistics. | © Inform Direct 2021 | www.informdirect.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 35
BUSINESS
SUPPORT
Trade without travel
Cornwall Trade and Investment is launching a virtual export support programme to help local businesses make the most of global opportunities.
36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
BUSINESS
Cornwall Trade and Investment (CTI), a European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council funded Programme, works to attract and support overseas businesses to establish a base in Cornwall. The support also extends to local businesses looking to export their products and/or services to the rest of the UK, Europe and internationally. Over the years, CTI has helped Cornish businesses access new markets by organising and supporting attendance at key international trade shows. The global pandemic has put a pause on these trade missions – but there are some exciting new opportunities in their place. CTI has created the ‘Trade without Travel’ programme to help businesses connect with and export to national and international markets, even when physical travel isn’t possible. In collaboration with OCO Global – CTI’s trade services partner – the team is planning to run a series of virtual trade missions to specific target markets, with the aim of supporting the growth of businesses in key sectors.
The workshops will also be a chance for businesses to connect with potential buyers, customers, and decision makers. • Stage 2: Market Penetration – Following the Virtual Trade Workshop, one-to-one support will be provided to businesses to help them gain traction in the target market. This will include marketing support, customer identification, and further industry introductions and referrals. • Stage 3: Post Workshop Support: CTI will seek to continually support businesses that have attended the virtual trade missions by facilitating introductions and identifying business opportunities on an ongoing basis.
We hope to be able to provide the right level of targeted support to help businesses in Cornwall export successfully
WHAT DOES THE TRADE WITHOUT
TRAVEL PROGRAMME INVOLVE?
Each virtual mission will comprise of the following stages: • Stage 1: Virtual Trade Workshop: The workshops, usually spread over two days, will cover key considerations for entering the chosen export market, such as import requirements and specific market insights.
CTI director Nicola Lloyd offers an expert perspective on the trade missions: She says: “The virtual trade missions offer a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to showcase their incredible products and services across the globe. We will endeavour to engage with as many key organisations as possible to ensure Cornwall’s business community can reap the benefits when engaging with new markets. From helping to identify new customers, to introducing businesses to potential buyers, we hope to be able to provide the right level of targeted support to help businesses in Cornwall export successfully.”
SUPPORT
for the first time, want to expand their reach in their current export market, or enter new export markets. The support is fully funded and will be at no cost to the qualifying businesses taking part. HOW CAN BUSINESSES
FIND OUT MORE?
Business can get in touch with the CTI team directly to discuss their trade aspirations, and find out more about the trade missions in the pipeline. To engage in a virtual trade mission, applicants will be required to complete an expression of interest form which will capture details about the business and their trade intentions. The team will then assess each expression of interest on a case-bycase basis.
All Virtual Trade Missions will be advertised on the CTI website and across social media channels ahead of the event taking place. To find out more visit www.cornwallti.com
WHO IS THE SERVICE FOR? CTI wants to engage with ambitious SMEs in Cornwall who are either looking to export
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 37
Is your business finding it hard to make decisions and create change in a mental health aware way?
Is it difficult to assess when somebody is fit to work when suffering with stress or mental health issues?
Are you concerned about the reputation of your company with regards to mental health difficulties?
Are you losing staff due to stress and mental health issues? Are you concerned about the well-being of your team?
Are some team members worried about returning to work after lockdown? Are you worried about the amount of sick leave due to stress and mental health issues?
If you have answered “yes” to any of these please contact us to discuss how we can help you
0300 303 5233
enquiry@psychologyassociates.org.uk
TONICK
BUSINESS PUBLISHING
MAGAZINES PERIODICALS ANNUAL REPORTS EVENT GUIDES NEWSLETTERS
PUBLISHING COPYWRITING PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN & PRINTING DISTRIBUTION
talking tourism 38 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
FIND
01209 718688 | www.tonickbusinesspublishing.co.uk T H E B A L A N C E
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Could some of your managers benefit from increasing their skills in talking with team members about mental health issues?
PEOPLE
ON THE MOVE
NEW CEO AT FRUGI omnichannel businesses at a local, regional, and global level across Europe, USA, and Asia Pacific. For 14 years she worked with Procter and Gamble overseeing its beauty-care businesses and then moved to cycling brand Rapha for five years where she was appointed CMO and then CCO. Latterly she has been CCO of luxury British furniture brand OKA, founded by David Cameron’s mother-in-law, Lady Annabel Astor.
Helston-based organic children’s clothing company Frugi has appointed a new CEO. Sarah Clark took up the reins from Hugo Adams on March 1. She brings a wealth of experience in leading global brands and
Frugi chair Julia Reynolds said: “The board is delighted to be working with such a high calibre individual as Sarah who is joining the business at a time of fast growth. The business has ambitious plans and with Sarah at the helm, we are confident that the business will go from strength to strength.”
REBECCA ON BOARD SWIG Finance has added another new nonexecutive director to its board. Rebecca Pritchard recently completed seven years as UK head of business banking at Triodos.
Newly elect chairperson, Christine Allison, said: “Having Rebecca join SWIG Finance’s board brings highly valuable expertise to the group.
“The combination of her banking experience with Triodos and Chase, together with her knowledge of the responsible finance sector is a rare find. I look forward to working closely with Rebecca over the coming year and beyond.
HYDROK RESTRUCTURE
Saint Columb-based environmental consultancy Eliquo Hydrok has announced details of a management restructure.
CARE LAW Cornwall Care has appointed Derek Law MBE as a trustee – a man nationally honoured for the difference he has made in improving life for older people. Law, who lives in St Agnes, has spent 40 years working in the adult social care sector. Senior roles have included social service directorships at Cornwall Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. He was chair of Coastline Housing Limited for eight years and, whilst leading the social services team in Yorkshire, was awarded an MBE after a government committee declared the area ‘a good place to grow old’. CEO, Anne Thomas, added: “I’m really pleased to welcome him to the team and look forward to the valuable contribution his expertise and enthusiasm will undoubtedly make.” of CSO Screens by offering an increased portfolio of storm water, flow control and flushing technologies.
Dave Armstrong, who had been MD since 2015, has stepped down from the role as a board director to make way for a new joint managing director partnership of Lewis O’Brien (as MD/CEO) and Peter Wroe (as MD/CFO). O’Brien said “Eliquo Hydrok are well into our preparation for the next five years, with plans to continue strategic growth, build on the existing portfolio, introduce new advanced technologies and to continue to provide the innovation and solutions to our clients.”
LEWIS O’BRIEN (MD/CEO)
Armstrong initially joined, what was then Hydrok UK, as a board director in 2007 responsible for sales and engineering with particular expertise in wastewater management solutions. During his tenure, the company expanded on the core business
PETER WROE (MD/CFO) BUSINESS CORNWALL | 39
CREATIVE
AND DIGITAL
and networking events, culminating in the opportunity to showcase their technology to key players in the US, India, and Singapore. One of the selected companies is Penryn-based Entec Nutrition, a developer of sustainable insectbased feed solutions for use in aquaculture and poultry feed. Founder and CEO, Olivia Champion, said: “We hope to gain a sound understanding of India’s prawn and shrimp markets and make some valuable contacts, as well as improving our understanding of the legal requirements for exporting to India.
VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION A number of tech businesses from across Cornwall and the south west have been selected to take part in special virtual overseas trade missions this month. The Department for International Trade (DIT) in partnership with Business West, the DIT’s regional delivery partner in the south west, has chosen 47 companies in the region to take part in the trade missions which get underway on March 8. The new Tech 4 Good South West initiative offers selected companies a series of virtual masterclasses, commercial meetings,
NEW ARTS CIC A new community interest company has been formed to bring together local artists, innovators and creatives in Porthleven. Porthleven Arts will curate a number of projects and a year-round calendar of events including an annual arts festival. The group was inspired by Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company owner, Trevor
“DIT has been extremely helpful, taking the time to understand the position of our business and our needs and have even signposted additional support that we may be eligible for in terms of exploring international markets.” Osborne, who is a director of the new CIC alongside members of the community. He explained: “Porthleven’s vibrant community and its thriving economy is much envied in Cornwall and well beyond. It is underpinned by excellent hospitality and culinary offerings and alongside these, but perhaps less visible, there has long been a very strong artistic contribution.
THE NEXT GENERATION The first cohort of the Creative and Cultural Leadership Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been announced. The initiative is being led by the University of Plymouth and Cultivator, which is one of Creative Kernow’s core programmes which supports the development of the creative sector in Cornwall. Its quest is to discover a new generation of leaders who can promote and demonstrate the value of the creative economy of Cornwall and Scilly. Jane Sutherland, director of the Cultivator programme at Creative Kernow, explained: “We’re excited to be empowering participants to recognise themselves as leaders and realise their potential – and to demonstrate how people can build creative careers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. “Together we can increase recognition of the value and opportunity of the creative sector for the local economy.”
WELLBEING HUB
“Now we have an opportunity to shine a light on the local artistic community and encourage Porthleven to become a regional arts hub.”
DATA FROM SPACE A Cornish interior design studio has just completed a project for the NHS in London.
Cloud data company Cloud Digital has received £100k of funding from AeroSpace Cornwall. The investment will help support the development of Cloud Digital’s Earth Vision project, which aims to make the data transmitted from space more accessible. Using such software could be used for a wide range of applications. For instance, construction businesses would be able to identify areas prone to flooding, which could impact property developments and prices. To ensure secure data transmission, Cloud Digital is planning to create a cybersecurity centre for satellite and space operations from the heart of Cornwall. This will involve 40 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
exploring IoT-like technology deployed in space, alongside examining how to protect and secure infrastructure that provides services to satellite companies. Beginning the process, Cloud Digital has been working with Goonhilly Earth Station, as a strategic partner over the past several months, benefitting from its technical expertise to revolutionise the gathering and application of data transmitted from space. The portal will be developed throughout 2021 to go to market by the end of the year.
Penryn-based Hart Miller Design was tasked with delivering a staff wellbeing hub at St George’s Hospital. The design addressed functional aspects of the space ensuring every material was durable and easy to clean, but never clinical. Instead, co-founder and design director, Anna Hart, said there is a focus on “human interaction, tactile materials and biophilia”. “With a focus on the individual experience, wellbeing and productivity - we have set out to create a radically different experience of a healthcare environment,” she said
FOOD &
VITAL INVESTMENT FOR BREWERY
COCONUTS ORGANIC REBRAND
St Austell Brewery has secured significant working capital from its three lenders – Barclays, HSBC UK, and NatWest – to ensure that it has the capacity to withstand the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and invest strategically for the long-term success of the company. Chief financial officer Colin Stratton said: “We’re delighted to have secured our funding needs for both the short and medium term. As many businesses in the hospitality sector face increasing uncertainty as a result of Covid-19, and the consequences for the wider economy, this funding will enable us to look forward with confidence and underpin our plans for the future progression of the business. “We can now continue to invest in our pubs and ensure that, when we emerge from this third lockdown, they are well positioned to meet the evolving needs of our customers. As a business, it’s vital that we adapt our offering to changes in the market and consumer behaviour, while still ensuring that we consistently deliver a warm welcome and great hospitality. This funding support will enable us to do just that.”
Cornish ice cream maker Coconuts Organic has rebranded as Cecily’s ahead of a major new product development drive for 2021. The Pool Innovation Centre-based company, which recently closed its third equity crowdfunding round early on Seedrs.com due to exceptional demand, has designed its new packs to make more of its Cornish heritage and the fact that it is a femalefounded company. Founder and CEO Cecily Mills said: “We love living here in Cornwall, and very much see it as the spiritual home of ice cream. We’re proud to be taking Cornish ice cream into the 21st century by using sustainable,
Jamaican Yellow chillies for the ginger beer, and we’ve already got a Cornish strawberry grower contributing to the pink lemonade - so it would be wonderful to have a Cornish lemon producer on board.”
LOOKING FOR LEMON-AID Jolly’s Drinks is on the lookout for a Cornish lemon producer for its new lemonade. Saltash-based Jolly’s is expanding its range to include a classic and a pink lemonade, made from local produce. It already has a Cornish strawberry grower on board for the pink lemonade and is now on the hunt for a Cornish lemon grower or producer. Production manager Martin Barnes, who is responsible for crafting Jolly’s flavours, said: “We had such a brilliant time collaborating with Cornish Chillies in Summercourt for the
DRINK
plant-based ingredients combined with the expertise of generations of Cornish ice cream makers to produce the creamiest non-dairy ice cream around.” She added: “We are constantly reminded about the need to cut down on animal products in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it can be so hard to know where to start. Our ice cream makes it super easy for someone to make that switch, because we’re available to buy in the supermarket and online at amainstream price.” The rebrand was due to go live on Ocado on March 1.
the eventual flavour, which is why we use our own springwater.” If you’re a lemon grower or producer and you want your lemons to be a part of Jolly’s lemonade, you can get in touch by emailing Martin Barnes on martin@jollysdrinks.co.uk
Creating a lemonade from local ingredients has been a long-term aim for the team at Jolly’s. Barnes has been developing the flavour, researching and testing to create a blend of sweet, sour and sharpness. “The taste testing process is a real voyage of discovery - people respond to flavours differently at different times of day,” Barnes explained. “Even the water has an effect on
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JAMIE BELSEY
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 41
TOURISM
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
STILL LEAVING STEAMPSHIP GROUP
G7 BOOKING BOOM
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group purser Marcia Still is leaving the iconic Scillonian III passenger ferry 41 years after she first began working onboard the ship. Still initially joined the ship as a stewardess in 1980, returning after two periods of working away, and since 2004 has worked as the Scillonian’s purser, with responsibilities for overseeing staff, accounts, administrative and financial tasks including cargo and passenger manifests, as well as managing guest services. She said: “The people are definitely what I will miss most; the crew feel like family; Pete Crawford, the relief master, and I used to catch the same school bus so we go back a long way. “I’m a sociable person so I’ll miss the inter-
www.visitcornwall.com
action with passengers, as well as with work colleagues to make the operation work, and the satisfaction when it all goes well.” She will be succeeded as ship’s purser by current deputy purser Dan Reynolds, who has worked for the Steamship Group since joining as a seasonal steward in 2009. Stuart Reid, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “Marcia is known and loved by all of our returning customers, as well as the Isles of Scilly community. She will be deeply missed and we are grateful for her many years of service.”
An online booking portal is reporting huge demand for holidays in Cornwall following the G7 summit announcement. World leaders are set to converge on Cornwall in June for the annual conference of G7 nations, and the news and the impact is already being felt according to Iain Londesborough, founder of cornwalldirect.co.uk He said: “Now that Cornwall has been announced as the venue for G7 world conference we have seen bookings soar for later in the year: an increase by approximately 20% from our launch year of 2020.”
HEADLAND MAKES A SPLASH
The Headland’s new Aqua Club scooped a brace of accolades at the recent national UK Pool & Spa Awards.
star Newquay hotel was voted both Health & Wellness Project of the Year as well as Commercial Pool Project of the Year.
The winners were announced during a virtual presentation that attracted over 2,000 on-line votes and votes from judges, before being scrutinised by an independent jury.
The Aqua Club features six pools, a sun terrace with ocean views, and new restaurant named The Deck.
The new £10 million development at the five42 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
The building was designed by Truro-based architect Lilly Lewarne, the complex of
pools by Aqua Platinum, and it combines a 25-metre pool, a hydrotherapy pool and a children’s splash pool in an undercover inside area. Matt Hulme, Dynargh Design, helped with the interiors. “We were delighted the Aqua Club was recognised twice in these prestigious annual awards,” said director and co-owner Carolyn Armstrong.
CHAMBER
SPONSORED BY
cornwallchamber.co.uk
NEWS
A NEW WAY OF WORKING It seems the world has firmly adjusted to a new way of working and despite being in lockdown, here at the Chamber we are still incredibly busy. Projects are going ahead, training courses are being run, and of course Chamber events are still being organised. Businesses need us now more than ever. Not only due to the chaos that Covid has caused, but also because of the move away from Europe as a result of Brexit, and the red tape that has come with it. The G7 Summit and the need to get prepared for an influx of visitors and attention on the Duchy is also something businesses are seeking our advice on currently. As we write this, we are putting the final touches to our upcoming Bank of England event, this time a panel session focused on green technology and sustainable growth. The G7 Summit is expected to cause a shift change in Cornwall’s international presence, and businesses large and small need to be ready to capitalise on the attention the Duchy will receive.
The Government is running a series of virtual webinars in the run up to G7. As a Chamber we plan to build on these events and give businesses as many opportunities as possible to learn about their role in the global move towards a greener future. If you are a business owner, think about the things you are saying to your staff, clients, contractors and alike. You are extremely influential, and positivity is key to getting the Duchy back on its feet after the pandemic, and into the spotlight with events like G7, in order to attract inward investment. These are tough times indeed, but 2020 saw Cornwall propelled into the spotlight as the UK’s staycation destination, and 2021 will see it welcome world leaders, host the start of the internationally renowned Tall Ships race, and be the Grand Départ location for the UK’s biggest bike race, the Tour of Britain. There is a lot to be excited about – we just need to look forward.
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.
EMPLOYER LED SKILLS PROJECT (ELS) Cornwall Chamber is proud to be a partner in the Employer Led Skills project. The ELS contract offers practical, flexible, and effective accredited, non-accredited and bespoke training to up-skill and re-skill over 3,000 individuals across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The consortium is led by Cornwall Marine Network and supported by Cornwall Council, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Digital Peninsula Network, Truro and Penwith College, Cornwall College Group, Software Cornwall, Dynamo Healthcare and Focus Training Group. The project helps employers to address identified skills gaps across a range of sectors, thanks to the financial support from the European Social Fund. Darren Buckley, network coordinator at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, has been working to develop the skills needs across organisations in Cornwall’s supply chains, growth sectors, in succession planning, low carbon skills solutions, apprenticeships, and geographic clusters.
DARREN BUCKLEY
Additionally, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has the capacity to procure specialist provision where needed through the ELS project, for example in working directly with members of the Made in Cornwall scheme, with co-shareholders Cornwall Council and Visit Cornwall. The Chamber will be able to provide direct skills support, partly funded by the European Social Fund to businesses across Cornwall & Scilly. To find out more visit the ELS page on the cornwallmarine.net website.
Email: hello@cornwallchamber.co.uk Call: 01209 216006 Online: www.cornwallchamber.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 43
EDUCATION
AND TRAINING
SPONSORED BY
www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Truro and Penwith College, the only provider of the new technical T-Level qualification in Cornwall, has been awarded a share of £48.5 million to invest in new, state-of-theart learning facilities at its campuses. The college’s construction and science departments are to be recipients of the investment with new construction areas, plus state-of-the-art science laboratories.
The investment will support the provision of two brand-new T Levels qualifications available at the college from September in construction and health and science. College principal, Martin Tucker, said: “The construction, health and science sectors are key employment areas for the south west region, recognised by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership as
pivotal to the socio-economic regeneration of Cornwall post pandemic. “The college is delighted with this recognition from Government of the importance of these sectors to the future prosperity of Cornwall, and with its continued investment in the vocational T-Level qualification, which our student numbers show is becoming a very popular post-16 choice for young people.”
NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL Cornwall is set to get a new secondary school after the decision was confirmed by the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson. Truro and Penwith Multi Academy Trust’s bid for a new secondary school on the north coast was approved by the Government as part of its Wave 14 Free School programme. The new school, which will provide 1,350 new secondary places, will be located in the St Agnes to Goonhavern area, although the final site is not yet confirmed. Cornwall Council will now work with the trust to bring the project to life. Dr Jenny Blunden OBE, chief executive of the trust, said: “We are delighted to be the trust to lead the development of a new 1116 secondary school in Cornwall. “The new Free School will be built to meet the need for school places in North Cornwall and this is a really exciting day for education in Cornwall. We look forward to delivering outstanding teaching and learning for our students when they join us.”
44 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
LAUNCHPAD COLLABORATION Falmouth University’s ‘venture studio’ Falmouth Launchpad has announced a new partnership with tech community Software Cornwall. Start-ups from Launchpad can use the Software Cornwall members’ directory to create business profiles, enabling them to access all member features including news, training courses, events, jobs boards and community channels as well as complimentary tickets to Software Cornwall networking and Tech Connect events. For Software Cornwall and its members, the partnership facilitates a new generation of ideas, entrepreneurial talent and opportuni-
ties to collaborate and innovate that further bolsters one of the fastest-growing tech clusters in the UK. James Murray, head of the Launchpad Programme, said: “We’re really excited to announce this partnership to help anchor the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cornwall for years to come. “Each year we co-create new market-focussed businesses with our international strategic partners, bringing fantastic talent to Launchpad’s venture studio in Falmouth University. Software Cornwall is a great local ally to connect our candidates and companies to Cornwall’s enterprising ecosystem.”
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
#FSBCONNECT
NEW SPECIALIST TEAM FOR 2021 FSB in Cornwall has gathered a new area team comprised of volunteer area leads and business representative members who are supported by FSB staff and member advisors. The group has also reviewed a strategy for 2021 to ensure that their work reflects the current local difficulties that businesses in the county are facing. With new ideas, experience and specialisms bringing welcome enhancement to the group, this new team are well set to support the business community through an already unsettling year. Edward Chapman, one of two area leads for FSB Cornwall said: “To complement our plans, we have pulled together a strong team to deliver our ambitions and more importantly to support, protect and provide advocacy for our 4,000 members in Cornwall and the business community in general.” Clare Trice, also an area lead for FSB Cornwall said: “As one of the newest members of the group, I joined because of the sheer passion for Cornish business that this team has. We are all pleased to be able lend our knowledge and connections to make life easier for our
small business peers. The FSB’s strength is based on real evidence, from real businesses to create policies that work. That’s where we, as business volunteers, come in and we relish the challenge.”
The team comprises: Area leads: Clare Trice (CTCC Solutions Ltd) and Edward Chapman (Trailrunningman). Volunteer business reps: Craig Carey-Clinch (Rowan Public Affairs), James Ferguson (X-Press Legal Services), Catherine Smith (chartered accountant & tax adviser) and Paul Rogers (business advisor). FSB member advisors: Anita Johnson (area coordinator), Melanie Fielder and Lisa Waters. FSB staff: Ann Vandermeulen (development manager), Vanessa Gale (operational support coordinator).
FIGHTING CYBER CRIME The FSB is pleased to see a new not-forprofit business has been launched by police forces across the south west region which aims to help businesses and charities protect themselves better for free.
local serving police officers and is part of a national network which offers a simple, comprehensible pack of tools and tips on how to get safer and protect yourself and your business from attacks and scams.
Set up in response to growing concerns regarding cyber-crime, the South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) is led by
You can find out about how you can become a member and sign up to this Governmentbacked initiative at www.swcrc.co.uk
FSB Offer for Business Cornwall Magazine Readers at www.fsb.org.uk/join If you want to join FSB after reading this page then please quote BCM30 when you join and save £30!
ONLINE EVENT The FSB is launching its first Online South West Women in Business conference this month. Working with all the FSB teams across the region, it is hosting a fantastic array of speakers, workshops and networking sessions which will run from 10.30am3pm on Friday, March 5. Free to join, you can join in for the whole day or individual sessions with one easy link. International motivational speaker, author and personal development guru, Nigel Risner, will present in his inimitable style How to be a Champion with eight characteristics to survive in these times. In an interactive, fast-paced 42 minutes session you will come out of it with all of the resources you will need to survive in 2021! To see more about Nigel visit www.nigelrisner.com Book via the FSB event calendar website where you will find both events and loads more too. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 45
OPINION
JUST A THOUGHT
Coaches don’t give you the answer but provide a listening and thinking partner to take you on the journey to be the person you’ve always wanted to be, says life coach Tina McGrath.
A LIFE JOURNEY As a coach, 90% of my time with a client is spent listening. It is a safe space for a client to talk openly and freely without interruption and judgement.
Over the last ten years there has been a shift in how coaching is viewed in the business world, even more so now. Previously, if someone suggested that coaching would be good for you or what you need is a coach, you may have felt that you had a problem or maybe you were about to be sacked! Some organisations wrongly use coaching as a performance management tool rather than a personal or business development tool. Those forward thinking organisations and leaders see it affording status and recognising it as an investment, senior executives are now openly talking about the benefits of having a coach. WHAT IS COACHING? Being in a leadership role, running your own business can be lonely. When was the last time you were able to take time and space to talk out loud the thoughts that are spinning around in your head? Wikipedia says: “Coaching is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal”. 46 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
The other 10% is spent asking focussed questions. The type of question will get you thinking deeper, starting to explore solutions to an issue you have been grappling with. One common example is time management and work life balance. A client I was listening to was saying how busy he was and that he didn’t have any time to relax or do “fun” things. So, the question I posed to deepen his thinking and starting him on the path to plan his solution was “When was the last time you said NO to someone?”
goals and achievable action plans. But why coaching outdoors? If there is one thing that we have all been able to do during the last year is to reconnect with nature and realise the benefits of being outdoors. I love the outdoors and have always wanted to combine the outdoor environment with my passion of coaching. Being outdoors and walking leads to the release of the happy drug, endorphin, it changes your mind, your attitude and your mood. Stephanie Blozy, an expert in exercise science says as you walk, your whole body wakes up — especially your mind. Being outdoors improves your overall cognitive functioning. It increases blood flow in your brain.
The only person who can make a true long-lasting change is YOU and that’s where a coach helps
Invariably when we want to make a change in our lives or are waying up a decision we ask our family and friends “what shall I do?” and as you would expect they will be full of advice and tips. The only person who can make a true long-lasting change is you and that’s where a coach helps.
A coach will challenge you, support you and be the person encouraging you to set realistic
My clients tell me holding coaching sessions outdoors increases their creativity, clears their minds and allows them to focus. They feel more relaxed to talk openly and explore their thinking and develop solutions. Sometimes they say coaching in a room is too much like therapy or going to a clinical appointment and they prefer being outdoors.
Feedback I received recently from a client echoes this. “Being in nature and walking side by side took away the formality and gravity of decisions. Being in the woods or by the sea had such a therapeutic value”. Gwren ni kerdhes! (let’s walk!)
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BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47
THE LAST
WORD
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? The computer revolution started when I was about 8 – and since the early Acorn Electron and 086 era, I’ve been hooked. I knew I’d end up working with computers in one way or another for the rest of my life when I discovered the Mac in about 1989.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? I was a graphic designer for essentially the same company I run today! I started there (here) on work experience at 14 years of age and worked here (there) ever since. Looking back, it was the chance to use the most powerful Macs and to nurture my creative side.
WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? Nothing. My Apple Watch and iPhone is all I carry usually.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? “You can relax when you are in your coffin” is what my grandad used to say. Otherwise, probably chilling with Netflix or walking the dog.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? The coastline. It’s where you’ll find me on a sunny Sunday afternoon with my partner and dog, ticking off another five miles or so of the 400 Cornwall has to offer.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? Right now, I’d be happy with anyone being able to come around for dinner! But in a normal world: Steve Jobs and Charles Babbage – two people crazy enough to think they could change the world, and certainly did.
IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Fibre broadband at 1Gbps to every home and business for free! Oh wait, I’d be out of a job….
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE? I think anyone who concentrates on mistakes is doing it all wrong. Mistakes are just slightly less optimal decisions that could have been improved upon under different circumstances, no one’s perfect and you make decisions based on the cards in front of you – no looking back.
WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK? Finding my work experience placement when I was 14. Working for MacAce (as we were called then), and being able to work there evenings, weekends and school holidays, with a free reign to learn Macs, networking, Photoshop etc - as well as earn decent money to fund my tech habit! Being younger, I think I picked up the apps and the OS quicker than the seasoned designers there, so was a decent asset to the company, albeit not the best designer!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? WebMate is on a roll right now with everything going just right. Our services and network is second to none, so I’d like to continue that trajectory and see where it takes us. 48 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
GARY HALL CEO at WebMate