Business Cornwall Sep 21 by Business Cornwall

CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION

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SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 150 | £3.95

FUTURE SKILLS

THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE TODAY

SUSTAINABLE CORNWALL

ADOPTING GREENER PROCESSES

BUSINESS SHOW LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBER 7

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T A A C TEAM

DE SAHARA

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ER 2022 B M E V O 3–8 N

SEPTEMBER 2021

INSIDE FEATURES 10 TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SKILLS HUB, WE ASK IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE OF WORKING?

22 GROWTH PROGRAMME HOW THE ACCESS TO FINANCE PROGRAMME IS TAKING BUSINESSES TO THE NEXT LEVEL

26 PROPERTY PROFILE A GOOD TIME TO INVEST?

30 SUSTAINABLE CORNWALL

ISSUE 150

REGULARS 4 INCOMING WHAT KEY SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO DEVELOP?

6 BUSINESS NEWS WORK STARTS ON CREATIVE CLUSTER

43 ON THE MOVE MOVERS & SHAKERS

44 CREATIVE & DIGITAL CIPR AWARDS SHORTLIST

45 FOOD & DRINK A RUM DO

46 TOURISM NEWS EXCITING TIMES FOR KERNOW TRAVEL COMPANY

47 FSB FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES

48 EDUCATION & TRAINING NEWS STUDENT VILLAGE ‘WORLD FIRST’

49 CHAMBER NEWS CHAMBER CEO KIM CONCHIE

52 EVENTS DIARY NETWORKING IS BACK!

54 JUST A THOUGHT FRUGI CEO SARAH CLARK

56 THE LAST WORD FERITECH MD, ROB FERRIS

PROTECTING THE PLANET – FROM B CORPS TO LOW CARBON HOUSING – PLUS OUR EV GUIDE

50 CORNWALL BUSINESS SHOW B2B SHOW BACK WITH A BANG

PHOTO: TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE – FITTING THE PIECES TOGETHER SEE PAGE 10 FOR FULL STORY BUSINESS CORNWALL | 1

SEPTEMBER 2021

CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION

businesscornwall.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 150 | £3.95

FUTURE SKILLS

THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE TODAY

SUSTAINABLE CORNWALL

ADOPTING GREENER PROCESSES

BUSINESS SHOW LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBER 7

09 9 772514

842001

9 772514

842001

ON THE COVER TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE SEE PAGE 10

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Carter caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS PFA Research, Toby Weller DESIGN Ade Taylor design@businesscornwall.co.uk

WELCOME

BY EDITOR NICK EYRIEY

ISSUE 150

The workforce of the future As many business owners will tell you, you are only as good as the people you employ. And in today’s world, it has never been more important to have the right skills at your disposal. Historically, Cornwall has suffered from poor productivity, with skills, or lack of, often cited as one of the barriers to growth. And with the commercial world changing, the skills needed in the modern workplace are evolving further. Building the workforce for tomorrow is one of the big debates currently raging in the Cornish business world and is the main theme in this issue. In partnership with the Skills Hub, we look at the key points in building the Cornish workforce of the future and investigate what should be done. As we are told, “with the world constantly changing, workplaces and employees must demonstrate both adaptability and the want to actively learn in order to succeed”.

PRINT Printed in Cornwall by Deltor BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by: Tonick Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road Redruth TR15 3PL Tel: 01209 718688

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk 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.

Sustainability is another vital ingredient in the skills mix and keeping on the theme of people, planet and prosperity, in this issue we also take a look at this important subject and how a growing number of businesses are becoming catalysts for change through the growing B Corp movement.

Business Cornwall Magazine is proud to be associated with

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INCOMING

THE CONVERSATION

SAMUELE ARMONDI Thought Quarter

The big question If your future business-self from 2030 visited you today, what would be the key skills and knowledge they would tell you to develop within yourself and your workforce to help your business thrive? Join the conversation @biz_cornwall

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I would tell my future self to focus on understanding the fundamentals of how a successful business operates – steady stream of new business, sustainable operations, engaged people, and clients who advocate for you. The world around has changed a lot in the past 18 months, and will change a lot more in the next few years. Relentless focus on the basics will help leaders and teams thrive in a changing world.

JEN KEYWOOD ATI2

I always ask the businesses we work with what advice they would give to anyone thinking about pursuing a new business idea. They always say something along the lines of “just go for it” and “don’t stand still”. I think when we look back, we regret the things we don’t do. We regret not trying. Failure is fine as long as we learn from it. So being brave in business, less risk adverse, continuing to pursue your ideas and constantly adapting are all skills needed for 2030.

NIKKI FORWARD Ocean Group

Skills of resilience, flexibility and adaptability, which we learnt in 2020 as a result of a global pandemic, will continue to be important throughout the next decade. We will see a continued speed of change and increase in automation of manual tasks, which will shift the focus to skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and analysis. The importance of IT skills, in both technology and data, including how we use that data, will all be key to business success.

TOP 5 BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES OF FAST RELIABLE INTERNET

By Paddy Paddison, chief technology officer at Wildanet In many parts of the UK, it’s taken as a given that fast, reliable broadband will be available for businesses but that’s still not the case in Cornwall. Every day we’re talking to firms who have been putting-up with poor internet connections for too long and are now looking for a solution. The pandemic caused an instant rethink for many as the capability of their service was quickly

4 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

found out. But there are many reasons why businesses might take the leap and upgrade; new IT system, software or data-hungry apps; different working practices; customer demands. So, as we all like lists, here’s my Top 5 business benefits of having the sort of fast, reliable internet Wildanet is already rolling out to businesses across the county.

THE CONVERSATION

JAMES WILLIAMS

TREVOR LEE

Digital literacy across functions.

That keeping up with customers will be key to success. Customers are increasingly thinking ahead of businesses when it comes to innovation of products and services, simplicity of processes, efficiency of interaction, speed of response etc.

Celtic & Co

Digital experts now have the ability to respond in the moment/real time to digital campaigns, knowing how to harness what the numbers are saying and translate this into action is crucial to improve customer experience. Being agile has never been more important over last 18 months. Deeply understanding and responding to the ever-changing customer needs; increasing demand for ethical and sustainable products, shift towards casual and loungewear styles, and increase in mobile usage across devices. Creative freedom against the backdrop of more tasks being automated. Arguably the most important skill in digital age. People doing what computers can’t! Tapping into and embracing individual’s entrepreneurial spirit.

AMY TAYLOR

PKF Francis Clark With increasing digitalisation, the real question is what will set humans apart from machines in the future?

Trevor Lee Media

EMMA ROBERTS Sekoya

Emotional Intelligence: The one thing the last 18 months has taught us is the need to be tuned into what is happening around us in terms of our surroundings and people’s feelings. Being skilled in this area is key to navigating situations successfully.

Digitalisation means that we’ll have more and more information and sometimes ‘fake news’ at our fingertips so it’s vital that we’re able to think critically for ourselves and use data to determine the right actions to take to address trends and issues.

Learn and Develop: As chance is a constant then there is a need to adapt and respond to the changes, this means moving your own skill set and that of your team and actively learn to keep ahead of developments in the field.

3. Flexible working: Good internet connectivity gives you options for remote working, virtual meetings and a whole lot less travelling. But don’t forget, its not just about your office connection, your staff need good speeds too.

with all UK & Mobile calls included £7.50 /channel

Thought Flexibility: Being able to think about multiple things at the same time will be key to effective decision making and ensuring that all the balls are kept juggling.

We believe it’s about relationships and the foundation of great relationships is having self-awareness, empathy with others and the ability to really listen.

2. Get into the Cloud: The days when a suitcase-sized server in the office was a musthave are gone and it’s now possible for you and your staff to be working entirely on the most up-to-date cloud-based apps and data storage.

SIP Trunks

In the future, being emotionally intelligent will ensure that we can create a positive atmosphere and a work place either physically or remotely that will by dynamic and achieve the desired results.

Innovative Thinking: The only constant as we move into the future will be change, this will mean that the keep moving forward and be ahead of the trend is to be innovative and find ways to reinvent systems and create new ways of doing things.

1. Superfast data transfers: The obvious benefit but a gamechanger no less for businesses looking for instant downloads, uploads and especially if working with large graphics or video files.

INCOMING

4. Cloud backup: We’ve spoken with a business that lost years of work due to a server failure which also lost the local backup too. Thankfully they had a nightly cloud-based backup which recovered all their work. Are you sitting comfortably? Have you got the broadband connectivity to do this? 5. Future-proofing your business: Don’t get left behind as the rest of the business world enjoys greater bandwith and maximises this with ever-more data-hungry apps and files your poor broadband and the soon-to-be-retired copper phoneline network simply can’t handle.

Wildanet is the Cornish broadband provider bringing superfast and superreliable broadband to communities and businesses throughout Cornwall. It has a range of options including discounted home connections for staff if your business is connected via Wildanet’s network. Call 0800 0699906 to find out how Wildanet’s broadband can help your business.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 5

CORNWALL

BUSINESS NEWS

STATES BECKONS FOR MUGGI An entrepreneur from Cornwall has secured a five-figure finance package from HSBC UK to help expand his business into the US market. Muggi, which manufactures sustainable drink carrying trays, was established in 2011 by David Trotter. He came up with the idea when he needed a solution to the problem

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of keeping multiple drinks from spilling on choppy seas. Today, the product is also used to make carrying drinks easier for the elderly and for people with disabilities. Trotter will use the funding to fulfil an order of 16,400 Muggi from American television network QVC. He said: “It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m delighted that my product will start to gain exposure in the US.”

MAKING ITS MARK Cornish contract furniture brand, MARK Product, is building a new HQ and production factory. The new facility, which is being built on the site of a former tin mine near Wendron, will also house the offices of MARK’s sister interior design company, Hart Miller Design. “This is a major milestone in the development of our company,” said cofounder John Miller. “We have outgrown our current premises

and they do not meet the high sustainability standards we have set ourselves.” Fellow co-founder, Anna Hart, added: “Having designed the building in-house enables us to create a space that is just right for our business now and for future growth.

Stephens Scown private client partners Phil Reed and Graham Murdoch retained their Band 1 status, while Charisse Crawford, partner and head of the inheritance and trust disputes team, has also risen to Band 1, after being listed in the guide for the first time in 2019. 6 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

The facility offers hot desks, printing facilities and can be used for occasional client meetings or to make collaborative connections with other users. Businesses are also able to make an appointment to speak to an IKE-accredited business innovation advisor, who are able to offer business advice and guidance on a variety of areas of innovation. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council, the Pop-up Innovation Centre forms part of the business outreach services offered by Acceleration Through Innovation 2 (ATI2), a £3.4 million business support programme led by the University of Plymouth.

“Some practical things to do with the way we make furniture, but also how we wanted it to work and feel for our team.” The company plans to move in by the end of the year.

The pop-up will be open through to December 24.

DRY DOCK FUTURE SECURED

Local law firms have been recognised for their private wealth expertise.

The guide lists Coodes as a Band 1 firm, the highest possible ranking, and names partner Richard Pollock as a Band 1 ‘notable practitioner’. This is the fifth consecutive year that the firm has been ranked in the guide.

The Hayle Pop-up Innovation Centre has officially opened to the business community at the Plantation Store.

ATI2 programme manager Jo Hancock said: “The Pop-up Innovation Centre aims to support those business owners and entrepreneurs who are on their innovation journey, who are growing their businesses or have perhaps started a business during Covid.”

LAW FIRMS SHOW THEIR WORTH Stephens Scown and Coodes are the only firms in Cornwall to be ranked for private wealth law in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide.

POP IN FOR BUSINESS HELP

The future of Penzance Dry Dock has been secured after being bought by a local engineering firm. The dry dock had been leased and operated by Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, but in January it announced its intention to concentrate on its core transport business and confirmed it would not renew. Linked Solutions SW Ltd has now bought the entire shareholding of the operating company and pledged to maintain the dry docking facility for leisure and commercial vessels.

Peter de Savary, chairman of Penzance Maritime Holdings Limited, said: “I am delighted that Linked Solutions SW Limited are now operating the Penzance Dry Dock Shipyard under a new lease agreement with our company, Penzance Maritime Holdings Limited. “The shipyard and dry dock, which have been in my family ownership since 1996, had operated initially under our direct management and subsequently, since 2009, under the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. “We, as the owning family, are pleased that the shipyard will continue to operate and to employ and train the skilled staff in the business.”

BUSINESS NEWS

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NEWS IN BRIEF

IT’S FRUGI TIME Frugi was finally presented with its two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise last month.

Clark, co-founders Lucy and Kurt Jewson and all Frugi staff at its Helston HQ.

The children’s clothing company was awarded the accolades – for Sustainable Development and International Trade - last year, but due to Covid had to wait until now to formally receive them.

Lucy Jewson said: “Better late than never! We are delighted to be able to formally accept such a prestigious award.

Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho, presented the awards to CEO Sarah

“The business is growing at a phenomenal rate both nationally and internationally, which just indicates the global demand for welldesigned organic and ethical clothing.”

PRODUCTIVE AT HOME?

has changed business practices, and to what extent those changes may become permanent.

Three-quarters of businesses that have introduced more home working because of the pandemic say their staff are just as productive or even more productive compared to being in the workplace full time.

Less time commuting, a reduction in travel expenses and savings on workplace costs like utilities and supplies were all cited as benefits of homeworking, together with a wider potential pool for recruitment.

Just 22% of businesses surveyed by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub thought workers were less productive, whereas twice that number – 44% – felt their employees were just as productive when working from home.

But the downsides of homeworking included less team cohesion, less ability to manage staff performance, fewer opportunities for training and development, and increased human resources (HR) issues.

The survey was conducted by the Growth Hub among businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to gauge how coronavirus

And the jury is out on whether home working is a good or bad thing for creativity, with 22% saying home working teams were less creative, and 20% saying they were more creative.

LET’S GET NAKED Australia. Having been impressed by how clean and plastic free the beaches were, Harvey noticed a stark difference when visiting Asia, where many of the rivers were blocked up with plastic debris. Cornish refill shop, Let’s Get Naked, has received a £25k Start Up Loan via SWIG Finance. The funding has been used to fit and stock the shop in the White Hart Shopping Arcade, Launceston. Leading the business is entrepreneur Jade Harvey, who was inspired to start her own plastic-free journey while she was living in 8 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Back in the UK, Harvey wanted to minimise the plastics she was using, but the nearest refill shop was still 20 miles away and so she decided to start her own refill shop. Start Up Loans business manager, Nicki Kimberley, added: “Even the smallest lifestyle changes could help contribute to positive climate action, and Let’s Get Naked is helping many like-minded people begin their plastic-free journey.”

BIG Productivity has approved grant funding of over £38k for marine engineering company Feritech Global, contributing towards its ambitious growth plans. The grant is to be used towards the purchase of a new JCB telescopic handler. ____________________ Cornwall Air Ambulance was called out to over 500 incidents in the first six months of the year. In the period from January 1 until June 30, critical care paramedics were tasked to 280 trauma incidents, which included 85 road traffic collisions, 85 falls and 14 equestrian- related emergencies. Crews responded to 232 medical incidents, including 135 cardiac-related emergencies. ____________________ Pendennis Shipyard was named Apprentice Employer of Year at the FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards. The Falmouth-based business received the accolade in the small employer category. ____________________ Cornish clothing brand Celtic & Co has made its second £10k charity donation within 12 months. Initially supporting Newquay Foodbank in December, the company has now chosen another charity close to its hearts, Young Lives vs Cancer, formerly known as CLIC Sargent. ____________________ The St Austell Bay Economic Forum has launched a new website to showcase the St Austell area for residents and visitors alike. staustell.co.uk curator and St Austell Print Company MD, Peter Moody, said: “We hope that St Austell’s new website will help our community to safely reconnect, foster positive experiences and support the local economy.” ____________________ The pioneering Eden Geothermal energy project is now more than halfway towards its target depth of 4.5 kilometres. Drilling into the granite at the home of the worldfamous biomes near St Austell began in mid-May and is said to be “making great progress”. The company has also been greatly encouraged by the temperatures being recorded as drilling goes deeper and due to the high-heat producing granite and underlaying, they are confident that when 4.5 kilometres is reached the heat will be in the range of 170-190 degrees.

Discover world-class advanced manufacturing services – right here in Cornwall

Our new £3m manufacturing centre near Falmouth will be the only facility in the South West to provide such a comprehensive range of design and production services on one site. • A complete end-to-end service, all delivered under one roof –enabling streamlined quality control and faster turnaround of projects • Product design, machining, fabrication, electronic, electrical, embedded software, 3D printing and hydraulics • Bespoke solutions, including small batches and even one-off units for testing • Precision machined parts up to large diameter turning • Fabricated assemblies from a few kilos up to over 100 tons • Also offers single discipline subcontract work, eg machining, fabrication, 3D printing • Fully ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certified

Get in touch to find out how Feritech can help your business, bringing your ideas to life.

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WORKFORCE

TOMORROW’S

The right skills for

tomorrow In today’s competitive marketplace, it has never been more important that businesses in Cornwall are equipped with the skills to succeed. The Skills Hub outlines the key considerations for building the workforce of tomorrow.

With the Coronavirus pandemic leaving no corner of the business world untouched, the world over is now being greeted by a new set of challenges. From challenge comes opportunity, however, an opportunity in which the work context can benefit from a tremendous reset. This reset will include the disruption of organisational lethargy, changing perspectives on what is essential for progress, and touch points on areas such as connectivity, sustainability, inclusivity and sound mental health. Where previously we might have planned five to ten years ahead, the past

10 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

18-months have shown us that there is an unpredictability to what may play out over the coming five to ten months. So how do we plan for the future, when the future remains so uncertain? There is a need and desire for business to be innovative and agile, creating opportunities even when such conditions might not seem favourable on face value. In addition, there is also an appetite that exists for redesigning economies and social systems to ensure that they meet the needs of people and the planet.

where we may be faced with a new range of ethical dilemmas. While juggling the combining of man and machine will be a major part of future business strategy, a business that also has its people and the planet at the forefront of its future thinking will prosper best.

How can we link people and planet with prosperity?

As the future of work rapidly evolves and organisations integrate people, technology, alternative workforces and new ways of working, leaders are wrestling with an increasing range of ethical challenges. These challenges are especially pronounced at the intersection between humans and technology, but it is not just technology

In 2020, Deloitte’s Global Human Trends report found that 85% of respondents were cognisant to the role that ethical challenges will play in future workforces. However, only one-quarter of respondents said they had a policy in place to manage these. The same report found that over 50% of respondents placed managing ethics at the top of their priority list when building their workforce of the future, with two-thirds saying that if effective ethics management was yet to be in place it would be actioned within the next three to five years.

TOMORROW’S

WORKFORCE

So where does this leave us, and business in Cornwall? It could be easy to look at this and say to yourself ‘this won’t be of concern to me’, but the Skills Hub believes that it would be well worth re-thinking this. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly prides itself on its close-knit business community, alongside its passion for sustainability and protecting the planet. So how can we link people and planet with prosperity, and what are the key touch points for building the Cornish workforce of the future? Let’s take a look…

A CULTURE OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT In talking about future workforces, we need to ensure that our workplaces and workspaces are built to promote and encourage staff development and skill building. New skilling, up-skilling, pre-skilling, re-skilling, levelling up; call it what you will but a culture that pushes its people to continually learn new things will be one that thrives in future ways of working.

All employees should be provided with the motivation, the opportunity and the means to explore and supplement their existing expertise. Building a workplace culture that is part of a larger ecosystem that allows individuals to be on a constant path to bettering themselves will see them being resilient for whatever the new economy throws at them, and us.

A culture that pushes its people to continually learn new things will be one that thrives in future ways of working

For anyone who has watched the highly popular BBC programme Line of Duty, you would be wellversed with these three words: motive, opportunity and means. They are the categorical trinity that has become either an expressed or subliminal convention in narratives that present the sleuth at work, but the same can apply to catching bent coppers as it can to building a thriving workforce in the years to come. So long as we tweak motive for motivation, of course.

It won’t just be your traditional or more ‘harder’ skills that will be needed, either. With so many people working remotely either full-time, or within a hybrid capacity that mixes the office with home, softer skills development that encourage empathy, creativity and emotional intelligence will help people effectively adapt to their new reality.

With the world constantly changing, workplaces and employees must

demonstrate both adaptability and the want to actively learn in order to succeed.

INCLUSIVITY While ensuring our workplaces and workspaces foster a culture that promotes the development of a team’s skills, this same environment must also be one that is inclusive to all. We need to ensure the environment a business creates is one in which all staff are permitted to be their true and whole selves within the workplace. This will be an environment in which your team is enabled to make a positive contribution to your business, and beyond. Equal representation in leadership, equitable recruiting, a system that challenges your assumptions about the knowledge, skills, attributes, and experiences required for a role; these are just a selection of things to consider when building an inclusive workforce that is fit for the future. On top of this, and with so many teams now working remotely, people are now connecting in a multitude of ways. You cannot effectively advocate for someone without understanding what they are facing, so take a moment each day or each week to ask how your team is doing. Ensure that as many voices (and faces) as possible are included in your Zoom or Teams meetings. And, should the opportunity arise, create time for connection as a substitute for in-person, impromptu engagement – the water cooler moments - as a sense of inclusion is strongly linked with increased employee engagement. Whether working remotely, with a mix of office and home, or if you’re back to how things were pre-pandemic, there is no doubt that inclusion matters.

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 11

TOMORROW’S

WORKFORCE

SUSTAINABILITY

TECHNOLOGY

With the UK Government among many nations furthering their green agenda to align with the Paris Agreement, the concept of sustainability will continue to drive the development of the circular economy and the creation of more green jobs.

The fourth industrial revolution is not only radically changing the way in which we live and work, it continues to re-define and challenge what it means to be human. These challenges are especially pronounced at the intersection between humans and technology, where the ethics agenda is ever-changing when it comes to the impact that technology has on both our workforces and society at large.

Businesses of the future will be defined not just by the way they treat their employees and customers, nor will success solely be measured by financial value. A re-definition of business success will include societal impact and environmental sustainability, placing people and the planet at the heart of future prosperity. The power of the individual is now evident, as employees push their employers to demand change that better aligns with their personal values. Millennials and those of Generation Z are some of the most passionate in terms of sustainability and social good. And, with both generations set to become the majority of both workers and consumers in the future, businesses must quickly understand and adapt their attitudes towards sustainability. Global climate policy is changing at a rapid rate, with these changes to be felt by business both large and small. After all, small businesses make up 99.3% of the UK’s business population. What can you do today to prepare yourself for a sustainable future tomorrow? It’s simple, really, stay ahead of the game and start making changes now.

The conventional thinking when it comes to the future of working is that improvements in technology will make jobs obsolete. However, according to Harvard Business Review’s project on Managing the Future of Work, this proved to be a misconception. Respondents to a survey conducted by the project in 2018 felt that automation and artificial intelligence could help their future working environment, rather than hinder. In fact, respondents were far more concerned about their jobs being taken by freelancers or temporary workers and the furthering of the gig economy than a robot or supercomputer.

As technology becomes more embedded into our everyday work, the design and use of this technology needs to be assessed for both fairness and equality. Business will need to consider the ethical implications that the increasing use of technology and automation will have on their workforce moving forward. At present there is a considerable amount of grey that lies around questions concerning who should be responsible for the actions and decisions made by machines. As we face both the increasing use of technology and the range of ethical challenges that sit alongside this, business needs to ensure it is making considered yet bold choices.

Does your workplace foster a culture of new learning and skills development?

When asked why they had a positive outlook with regard to advances in technology, respondents said they looked forward to the prospect of better wages and the thought of more interesting and more meaningful jobs.

According to Deloitte, these choices need to be framed in a language that sees business owners shifting their thinking from ‘could we’ to ‘how should we’ when approaching new ethical questions.

By considering the broader implications on how to integrate teams, people and technology, businesses will need to further their strategic thinking on the impact that technology will continue to have on both their workforce and their businesses future prosperity. Are you and your business prepared for the future of working? Is sustainability front of mind for how your business operates? What policies do you have in place to balance the ethical implications of increasing uses of technology? Does your workplace foster a culture of new learning and skills development? Continue the conversation and join the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub to discuss how to build your workforce for tomorrow at a special event later this month. Featuring a keynote address from future working specialist, Dr Paul Redmond, as well as key figures from the business, innovation and skills sectors in Cornwall, the Skills Hub will provide you with the skills you need for your future way of working. It all takes place on Tuesday, September 28 with full event details on the following page. Contact the Skills Hub; the independent and impartial specialist when it comes to all things skills, training and development. We can equip you and your team with the skills needed to ensure that you’re ready to tackle whatever comes next. Call us on 01209 708660.

12 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

FUTURE FOCUS

MAIN EVENT

BUILDING THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW 28 September / 9.30am-2pm

St Austell Conference Centre and Streamed Live Online With the Coronavirus pandemic leaving no corner of the business world untouched, the world over is now being greeted by a new set of challenges. Join the Skills Hub to discuss, debate, and map out how you can best build your workforce for tomorrow.

WEBINAR

CREATING A PURPOSE DRIVEN BUSINESS WITH THE GLOBAL GOALS: A guide to increasing trust, reputation and revenue by using sustainability frameworks

29 September / 10am-11am Facilitator: Mark Roberts, Conscious Creatives

WEBINAR

CYBER CRIME AWARENESS: Protecting you and your business for the future

30 September / 10am-11am Facilitators: Grahame Mace and Laura Cowie, Devon and Cornwall Police Digital Capabilities Unit

WEBINAR

ACCESSING THE RIGHT SKILLS FOR TOMORROW 1 October / 10am-11am Facilitators: Bethany Allen, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub

Full details and to book: www.ciosskillshub.com

TOMORROW’S

WORKFORCE

Putting employers

first

The largest college group in the region is responding to the needs of the workforce with a host of new apprenticeships. CCB Training, part of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), has announced six new apprenticeships designed to help boost the workforce that local employers are crying out for. TCCG, which boasts ten campuses across Devon and Cornwall, is also the first in the country to run the master’s degree apprenticeship in ecology which will be taught in partnership with The Eden Project.

Martin, says: “We’re incredibly proud to be the largest apprenticeship and training provider in the region.

A valuable and rewarding education route for apprentices whilst giving employers access to a skilled workforce

Construction plant operations, crop technician, early year’s educator, supporting teaching and learning and hospitality team member also make up the new suite of apprenticeships that businesses as well as apprentices can benefit from, starting from September. Head of apprenticeships and business engagement at CCB Training, Lorna

“This enables us to give a valuable and rewarding education route for apprentices whilst giving employers access to a skilled workforce.” In addition to the new apprenticeships, the college has also announced a partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and Cornish haulage company Conway Bailey Training to form a bespoke Haulage Sector-based Work Academy.

The academy will see local unemployed people given the chance to take an intensive six-week training programme, culminating in them sitting a test to become a qualified HGV driver and help fill a huge shortage in the sector.

Meanwhile, as ‘The Career College’, The Cornwall College Group offer every fulltime student an opportunity to have work experience in a professional environment. “Work Experience, and Industry Placements are a great way to nurture young people and add value to your business,” explains Jenna Gazzard, skills for business manager at CCB Training. “Employers have also used work experience and industry placements to see how a particular individual might work in their business prior to them starting an apprenticeship with them. “Our experienced team of Industry Placement and Work Experience Coordinators will help you find the right learner for your business, and work with you and their course tutor to develop, monitor and review SMART objectives for that learner to ensure they make an impact in your business. “If you want to help address the current skills shortage in your industry and inspire tomorrow workforce get in touch with us.

“We rely heavily on work experience students to keep us running on a daily basis. Their support frees up our time to focus on business activities. Industry Placement students are really conscientious and this last year, respectful to follow all Covid-19 restrictions, including regular testing to keep our team safe. They’re invaluable!” Hannah Jenkins, senior animal carer at Maria’s Animal Shelter

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TOMORROW’S

WORKFORCE

SKILLS FOR CORNWALL Skills for Cornwall is part of the Business Clusters Project, part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). The project focuses on the development of skills, training programmes and qualifications in sectors identified as priorities by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. “A fantastic opportunity not to be missed,” is how Lorna Martin, head of apprenticeships and external engagement at CCB Training, described the project. “There are two parts to the Skills for Cornwall project. Firstly, £3k funding through the Apprenticeship Development Fund. This funding is aimed at businesses that take on a new or existing staff member onto an apprenticeship in either motor vehicle (light & heavy), bricklaying, healthcare, property maintenance or construction plant operations.

additional to the existing Government’s grants and incentives, which means you could benefit from up to £7k. “Secondly, we are looking for further insight from various sectors including agriculture, rural, health, technology, engineering and construction - through a series of free networking events with key industry speakers. “This insight will enable us to develop new apprenticeships or foundation degrees to meet businesses future needs.” To get involved in Skills for Cornwall contact CCB Training on 0800 731 7594, email hello@ccbtraining.co.uk or visit www.ccbtraining.co.uk/skills-for-cornwall/

“In return we ask for feedback on ways to develop the apprenticeship. This funding is

Q&A with head of apprenticeships and external engagement at CCB Training, Lorna Martin What role do you think apprentices and apprenticeships play in the Cornish economy? A vital one! With an aging workforce and demographic in the area, and historically many people leaving the county to secure work, apprenticeships are a key route in retaining our skilled workforce in the county. They will be essential as we work towards a prosperous covid recovery and establish the workforce for a successful long-term future.

Why should local businesses consider hiring an apprentice? How is TCCG responding to the needs of local employers?

What workforce trends have you noticed recently in your role?

We are actively working with employers across the south west by establishing their staffing needs, supporting them to access government incentives and funding, identifying skills gaps and working with them to deliver existing or develop new programmes and apprenticeships.

The lack of skilled workers in many areas is driving up demand for apprenticeships to future proof their skills requirements. Employers are considering their long-term skills requirements and future workforce planning or succession planning.

We have also established Employer Advisory Boards where we bring together local employers with our expert curriculum staff to identify these gaps and keep our programmes relevant to them.

We find companies are increasingly interested in ensuring they work towards the green agenda and are working with us to ensure our apprenticeships develop with their sector requirements.

An apprentice can immeasurably aid a businesses’ future planning by developing individuals to meet their specific needs. They allow you to keep local skills in the county, succession plan effectively, continue the development of fresh ideas and means their training is relevant to the environment they are working in. Government grants such as the current £3k (minimum) available to firms that hire a new apprentice of any age before September 30, along with the £1k incentive when you take on an apprentice aged 16-18 – are also very attractive for many.

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TOMORROW’S

WORKFORCE

Skills for the future The Employment and Skills Board is helping match modern businesses with tomorrow’s skills today. The climate emergency is now impossible to ignore. The United Nations has warned about a “code red for humanity” unless we urgently decarbonise our economy. This will require new technologies, new ways of working, and crucially new skills, some of which aren’t even invented yet. Cornwall Council declared a climate emergency on 22 January 2019 and is committed to facilitating the reduction of Cornwall’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030. To achieve this, the Council is supporting the development of new technologies, such as floating wind power, lithium mining, electric car batteries and geothermal energy. These emerging sectors require a steady stream of local skilled people. But despite higher level skills growing in Cornwall at twice the national level, a pre-pandemic survey found that four in ten employers had difficulty filling roles in the

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preceding 12 months, with a lack of even basic skills cited as a major factor. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Employment and Skills Board (ESB), set up and run by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), is addressing this mismatch between the supply and demand for employment and skills at a local level.

By shaping and influencing local skills training to make sure employers across Cornwall and Scilly can get the skills they need, the Board aims to boost the local economy for the long term whilst also responding quickly to current employment and skills challenges.

Addressing the mismatch between the supply and demand for employment and skills at a local level

It brings together local businesses, education and training providers, public sector employers and the voluntary and community sector to address current and future skills needs at a strategic level, to deliver the ten-year Employment and Skills Strategy that was published in March this year.

Brexit and the pandemic have impacted on migrant labour, which three years ago accounted for more than 21,000 jobs in Cornwall or 8.6% of the working population. Many of those workers have returned home, leaving gaps across a range of industries, from hospitality to social care, and prompting debate about working conditions and fair pay. As the furlough scheme is wound down, we

TOMORROW’S

Truro and Penwith College’s £7 million Valency building opened in July and is part of the South West Institute of Technology. It will help put Cornwall at the forefront of digital and engineering education from age 16 through to master’s level qualifications and is home to the College’s Cornwall Space and Aerospace Technology Training team.

to identify skills issues and opportunities in different parts of the economy, working with the Skills Hub.

New initiatives are already having an impact. The Green Jobs Task and Finish group set up by the ESB is supporting Cornwall’s transition to a net zero economy and delivering environmental growth and a green recovery. Having recently helped inform a funding bid for a new green skills centre focusing on renewable technology including electric vehicles, floating offshore wind, and air and ground source heat pumps, the group will focus on employment and skills as part of an action plan to help deliver Cornwall’s 2030 target.

Skills are the bedrock of economies and communities. The collective experience and knowledge of the workforce is vital for economic prosperity and in tackling social exclusion and disadvantage. For Cornwall, skills are also at the heart of responding to the climate crisis. Cornwall is once again becoming a hotbed of innovation, and through the work of the ESB, we want to see future solutions to global problems created right here.

Create opportunities for local people with better skills, better wages and a better quality of life

can expect some businesses to downsize, with remaining employees expected to take on more diverse roles by learning new skills. The ESB was reconstituted last year to better respond to the threats and opportunities posed by the pandemic, and to focus on the LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy priorities. Frances Brennan, chair of the ESB, says: “Cornwall has an ambition to drive the green industrial revolution in the race to net zero and that will require new skills, whether it’s with floating offshore windfarms, geothermal energy, analysing data from space or pioneering low-impact agriculture. “At the same time, we can help deal with some of the immediate employment and skills demands and labour shortages posed by the pandemic and look at how we can fully utilise the talent pool we have available. I am passionate that we need to be fully inclusive and give people of all ages a chance.

WORKFORCE

Channelling significant European investment in skills and employment support, the ESB is also working closely with other skills-led projects including the Careers Hub, the Skills Hub, Cornwall Apprenticeships, the People Hub, and the Digital Skills Partnership.

Businesses looking to develop their workforce now and into the future should contact the Skills Hub, part funded by the LEP, for a free skills review with their expert and impartial team, who can find the training and development opportunities that are right for you. Call 01209 708660 or visit www.cioskillshub.com

This month, the ESB will be surveying local employers about barriers to recruitment and skills shortages in Cornwall and will be running of a number of sector focus groups,

“We’re getting the building blocks in place for that now so that we can create opportunities for local people with better skills, better wages and a better quality of life.” The alignment between supply and demand is already evident with continued investment in education and training facilities across Cornwall which have been informed and shaped by the ESB. In March next year, a new £6.3 million STEM and Health Skills Centre will open in Bodmin, backed by £3.78 million from the LEP via the Government’s Local Growth Fund. It will tackle a decline in STEM subject learning locally and address nursing and care staff shortages.

IMAGE SOURCE: BRITISH LITHIUM

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TOMORROW’S

WORKFORCE

Through continued investment in infrastructure, qualifications and the futures of Cornwall’s young people, Ofsted Outstanding Truro and Penwith College is at the heart of transforming Cornwall’s vision of a sustainable, future-focused workforce into reality. Partnership working is central to the success. The college works closely and collaboratively with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, Cornwall Council, Chamber of Commerce and Cornwall’s key industry and sector leads to ensure the shared vision is delivered. As Cornwall stands on the brink of such an exciting 21st Century period in its transformation, Truro and Penwith College is perfectly positioned to capture the energy of this moment and help our young people bask in its glow.

College investing in the

future of Cornwall Technical Engineering In March, Truro and Penwith College opened the Valency building at its Truro campus as Cornwall’s only partner in the South West Institute of Technology (SWIOT). The £7 million investment has more than 1,200 square metres of space over two floors playing host to facilities matching the best in

the UK for training students from across the region in technical subjects. The SWIOT is one of only ten new Institutes of Technology (IOTs) planned by Government nationally to equip the British workforce with required skills across key sectors. SWIOT consists of five major FE colleges in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset working in collaboration with the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth, delivering higher technical skills across the region.

The Valency building features state-of-the-art electronic and digital laboratories, engineering workshops, specialist welding facilities, a variety of industry-standard, computercontrolled (CNC) machinery and shared learning spaces. Qualifications include higher-level Certificates, Diplomas and brand-new Higher-Level Apprenticeships, all drawing on expertise from a group of ‘anchor employers’ and key regional and Cornwall-based businesses with investment from the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) for the Heart of the South West and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Much of this provision will include additional qualifications and training that reflect Cornwall’s growing need for these skills that underpin the aerospace, space, creative, energy, marine and mining sectors highlighted in the Local Enterprise Partnership’s ’10 Opportunities’ publication. These sectors are also going to be crucial to post-Covid-19 economic recovery whilst simultaneously facilitating the ‘clean and inclusive’ growth demanded in the draft Local Industrial Strategy due to their capacity to expedite the smart use of remote technology and to improve renewable energy use and manufacturing techniques.

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TOMORROW’S

million of the costs after successfully bidding for funds through the Government’s Getting Building Fund. The centre will offer engineering, manufacturing and digital skills for the aerospace, space, creative, energy and mining sectors, in line with the LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy.

Space Sector In space, the college is delivering on a collaboration that will provide training for a range of exciting careers in the sector with the launch of an innovative Space Technology Training project.

It will also provide a range of locally-delivered nursing and care apprenticeships up to and including registered nurse, extending the College’s current work with the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) to other health providers across the county. The facilities will exploit the latest technology in simulation training suites and replicate this in Truro also.

Unique to the south west, the project is run in partnership with the University of Exeter as part of the Meeting Smart Specialisation Business Needs through Higher Level Skills (SSHLS) project, which is part-funded by the European Social Fund. The project team officially started on May 4 and will provide the opportunity for experts in space and satellite technology, engineering, physics and astronomy to work with employers in Cornwall in identifying appropriate training to help boost their development and the development of the sector as a whole. Guided by experts in the sector based at the University of Leicester, the Open University, and in Cornwall at Goonhilly Earth Station, Spaceport Cornwall and Aerospace Cornwall, based on information from businesses, the team will develop a suite of courses that will provide graduates and non-graduate staff within the sector with the education and training needed to support new and existing businesses linked to the space industry. Heading up the team as space technology training project manager is Heidi Thiemann, an experienced space sector educationalist who has worked in the space skills domain for over five years.

Over 80 Nursing Associate RCHT trainees – a new role created by the NHS to bridge the gap between a healthcare assistant and a registered nurse – are currently following their two-year apprenticeship at the college which includes a foundation degree qualification awarded by the University of Greenwich. This allows learners to study a programme from one of the leading nursing universities in the UK without leaving Cornwall, and fulfilling the need for more nurses on the frontline of Cornwall’s NHS. From September the college will extend its apprenticeship and degree provision to include the full registered nurse qualification and degree, helping to provide local training, careers and a sustainable workforce in Cornwall.

WORKFORCE

learning facilities at its campuses in Truro and Penzance which reflect the needs of the industry and employers. The college’s Construction and Health and Science departments are recipients of this investment with new construction areas and state-of-the-art science laboratories to be developed. Truro and Penwith College is one of seven colleges in the south west which have been awarded the Department for Education (DfE) investment to ensure young people studying pioneering T Level qualifications have access to the cutting-edge facilities and equipment they need to get ahead. In Health and Science, two large laboratories with experimental and technician areas will be created with space to deliver theory and laboratory work across the disciplines. These will provide excellent progression routes for those wishing to study nursing-related courses and apprenticeships including degree level locally in Truro and the new Steam and Health Centre in Bodmin.

Truro and Penwith College is the first nonuniversity provider to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) list of approved education providers.

The college is investing in a new STEM and Health Skills Centre that aims to transform learning opportunities for young people in Cornwall and equip them with the industryrelevant skills they need to succeed.

In construction, the investment will fund the building of a new construction trades area at Truro College, to recognise the growing importance of this sector in the local economy. In 2020 the college saw a large increase in students entering its construction trades provision and this growth is forecast to continue.

The £6.3 million STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and Health Skills Centre in Bodmin is planned for completion next March. It is supported by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which is meeting £3.78

As well as new construction and carpentry bays for students to practise their skills, additional industry-ready construction tools and equipment will be installed, ensuring students are as career ready as possible after completing their course.

Nursing

STEM and Construction Truro and Penwith College has been awarded a share of £48.5 million to invest in new

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WORKFORCE

Singing

for the world Prompted by Cornwall’s hosting of the G7 summit back in June, a choir from Truro School played its part in inspiring children worldwide. Sing2G7 is an international children’s engagement programme which grew out of the suggestion ‘imagine if we could put children’s voices at the heart of G7 and make the summit relevant to their young lives’. Co-founded by Chris Gray, director of music at Truro Cathedral, and Esmé Page, founder of Cornwall Hugs, the project involved close partnerships between Truro Cathedral, Truro School and Cornwall Music Service Trust as well as, Cornwall Council, The Diocese of Truro, Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station and Future Leaders Network. At the centre of the initiative was a song, ‘Gee Seven’, written for the

project by Tim Rice, patron of Truro Cathedral Choir, with music by Peter Hobbs, arranged by Joseph Wicks. Through the song and its moving You Tube video, the 35 choristers, who are educated at Truro School, inspired children worldwide to unite and ‘sing to G7’ urging them to take full responsibility for the rest of the world. Over 27,000 children signed up to sing the song in 31 countries, from Australia to Mexico, Portugal to Poland, South Africa to Canada and USA. Over 300 UK schools took part, from Bristol to Birmingham, Thurrock to Newcastle.

Sarah Patterson, head of Truro School Prep, says: “I am really excited that schools in Britain, Europe and across the planet have had the perfect opportunity to connect and encourage children to consider issues such as leadership, sustainability, and what it really means to be global citizens.” Moved by the Covid vulnerability of fellow singers in poorer countries, the choristers began a Crowdfunder and pledged all royalties from their Gee Seven single to Unicef’s VaccinAid appeal. The project raised £8,434, enabling UNICEF to provide over 10,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Phenomenal ambassadors for Cornwall

In addition, Truro School teachers created a comprehensive cross-curricular primary school education pack on G7 themes with further conservation and leadership modules by Kensa Heat Pumps, South West Water and Sing2G7 volunteer, Vicky Garner. Nearly 250 schools downloaded modules, representing over 100,000 pupils.

‘I can’t quite believe that by singing a song we have enabled 10,000 people to be vaccinated. It’s amazing. Thank you so much everyone.’’ says Hhad Chorister Jacob, 13. Sing2G7’s VaccinAid appeal attracted support from far and wide, including from the original Poldark actor, Robin Ellis and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Donations came from individuals and corporations such as the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. Steven Waugh, interim executive director at the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), says: “UNICEF UK is greatly inspired by the dedication and passion of the Truro Cathedral Choristers. Their aim of reaching out and uniting children all over the world with their voices while also supporting VaccinAid is something we are incredibly proud to be a part of.” Esmé Page, co-founder of Sing2G7 and founder of Cornwall Hugs, adds: “Truro Cathedral’s choristers have been phenomenal ambassadors for Cornwall, both in leading Sing2G7 and their VaccinAid fundraising. Cornish businesses have been right behind them, helping them to make a difference, be they partners such as Truro School and CMST, sponsors like Kensa and South West Water, or our wonderful pro bono film crew led by Chris Yacoubian.”

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TOMORROW’S ACCOUNTANTS Unique apprenticeship programme offered by leading Cornish accountancy firm Bishop Fleming. Top 30 professional services firm, Bishop Fleming, is one of only three accountancy firms who are an accredited and approved apprenticeship provider. Last year, the firm, which delivers accounting, tax and advisory services to business and individuals took the leap into

becoming a provider, offering a bespoke programme that gives learners access to real clients and businesses. The unique apprenticeship programme, known as ‘Launch Pad’ enrols school leavers directly onto a Level 7 apprenticeship. All trainees pursue qualifications from the Institution of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The firm has proudly gained a new status as ‘Partner in Learning’ with the ICAEW. The firm, which has seen continued growth for the past ten years, developed its own curriculum which gives a structured rotational programme. Leoni Sterling, corporate and business services associate, who has undertaken her apprenticeship with Bishop Fleming, says: “I’ve got great colleagues and managers around me, when I first started, I was appointed a buddy who I would work with daily, and they helped me gain the skills I needed. Everyone has been so helpful in developing my career.”

After taking on 45 trainees, its record number of school leavers and graduates last September, the firm is preparing for its next cohort due to start this month, another record intake of 62. Anna Averis, people director for Bishop Fleming, said: “Becoming an approved provider demonstrates our continued growth and commitment to our people, in creating the most rewarding working environment. We have had a fantastic first year as an apprenticeship provider and are looking forward to our next cohort joining us in September. We look forward to supporting those wanting to pursue a career in accountancy.” The firm recruits from a diverse education background, including with degrees in science, health, music and languages. For further information on our apprenticeship programme or if you are interested in joining Bishop Fleming, please contact Ally Allington on 01872 247066 or at aallington@bishopfleming.co.uk Details of our current vacancies can be found at www.bishopfleming.co.uk/careers

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GROWTH

PROGRAMME

Knowledge

sharing

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GROWTH

PROGRAMME

We look at how the Access to Finance programme has helped to take Cornish businesses to the next level. “Hugely important for Cornwall as we exit Covid-19 and build a new economy.” That’s how Mark Duddridge, chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP described the Access to Finance programme, which has helped more than 2,300 businesses in the county raise over £34 million since launching in 2017. The programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Oxford Innovation, offers support for SMEs that are seeking funding. Rather than simply focusing on the process of raising finance, however, the team’s approach is very much based on education before intervention with a focus on knowledge sharing. “The incredible performance of the programme in supporting client businesses to raise over £34 million is proof of the effectiveness of our methodologies and the skill of our team,”

says Andrew Finley, Access to Finance’s project director. “However, A2F has delivered a much richer package of support than simply raising funding. “Early-stage businesses have been shown how to develop their own financial forecasts, giving them a clear understanding of essential financial planning that will be of benefit to them throughout their business lives. The Oxford Innovation forecasting model demystifies spreadsheets and provides clients with a robust toolkit for managing the process on their own.”

Jeremy Sneller, managing director of facial recognition software company Touchbyte, is clear on the effect engaging with the programme has had on the growth of the business: “The value added by Access to Finance has been superb, because it has helped transition us to a very solid position where we’re looking to grow exponentially and take on more people.” With more than £34 million raised and a set of clients clearly delighted with their experience, it would be easy for the Access to Finance team to dwell on what it has achieved so far. The team’s focus, however, is firmly on what’s next – with an evolving offering that looks to make a real difference to businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The help from the A2F team was exactly what we needed at the right time

The positive impact of this wider approach for Access to Finance clients is clear when hearing them speak about their experiences. “The help from the A2F team was exactly what we needed at the right time,” says Toby Budd, founder and director at WorkFloat, which produces self-propelled maritime platforms that can ‘fold up’ for easy transport. “I am great at ideas but not great at stuff like detailed budgets and cashflow. Access to Finance helped me put together an incredibly detailed and clever spreadsheet that no doubt gave our investors confidence and helped to give transparency to the financial side of the business.” As well as helping early-stage businesses get up to speed, the Access to Finance team has also spent significant time supporting more established clients with a tailored offering. “Mature businesses have refined their core financial KPIs, giving management teams a thorough understanding of the financial drivers for their business,” says Andrew. “Beyond supporting their funding raises, these skills will ensure that margins are maximised and businesses remain in tight control of their business finances in the future.”

“The most exciting development is the launch of the Oxford Innovation online learning platform,” says Andrew. “This interactive digital environment takes peer group cohorts through a modular learning and mentoring curriculum that includes both video content and live facilitators. End of module assessments check for understanding and provide delegates with confirmatory evidence of their understanding of each module. “The interactive peer to peer environment facilitates shared learning experiences and builds communities of like-minded businesses. Developed during the lockdown, the platform represents an innovative new approach to business support that has applications across a wide range of topics.” To learn more about Access to Finance and how it could help your business, visit www.a2fcornwall.co.uk

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FOR SALE

Waterside Cornwall Old Coach Road, Lanivet, Bodmin PL30 5JJ Guide price: £6.5 million On the instructions of the administrators at Smith and Williamson LLP

• Established trading lodge park • Freehold and associated long leasholds for sale • Facilities including reception, pool, restaurant, bar, function room & gym • 60 lodges with planning for 118 more • Parkland and lakes extending to a total of approximately 96 acres • Rising turnover under management • Access to all of Cornwall • Huge potential For further information, please contact: Peter Heather FRICS pgh@miller-commercial.co.uk 07771 594343

The business property specialists

www.miller-commercial.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

PROPERTY

PROFILE

Property - a good time to invest? Acorn Property Group is one of the UK’s leading housebuilders and bespoke developers. With over 25 years’ experience, Acorn builds beautifully designed homes and places to work. With offices in London, Cornwall, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter, Acorn has completed numerous developments creating houses, apartments, and commercial premises across the country. It committed pipeline sites provide more than 2,000 homes with a total value of over £1.1 billion that will be delivered over the next 3 – 4 years.

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PROPERTY Acorn’s ‘Different by Design’ ethos can be seen throughout all of its developments; most of the schemes involving the regeneration of brownfield sites and replacing and converting redundant buildings to create homes. It develops a wide variety of sites; urban, rural, brownfield, greenfield and conversions including many listed buildings. Following Acorn’s strict ethos, its experienced and imaginative management, construction, and sales teams have enabled it to become one of the country’s most successful property developers and partners.

Acorn Property Invest Acorn has a longstanding commitment to the south west, specifically Cornwall, having worked on projects in Falmouth, St Ives and Padstow among others. In addition to the planned pipeline of new projects, Acorn continues its focus on sustainability and community engagement for all residents locally, further highlighted by their recent launch of Acorn Green initiative.

It’s no surprise property continues to defy the odds and remains an asset you can rely on. While the last four years have been difficult, average house prices have risen by almost a quarter – proof that investing in bricks and mortar can lay the foundations for a secure, long-term income. It was because of this that the group launched Acorn Property Invest early last year, created to introduce investors to various schemes throughout the UK,

PROFILE

allowing them to diversify their portfolio and buy into a different aspect of the property market. What truly makes Acorn Property Invest stand out is its unique 25-year track record of excellence across the United Kingdom. The ups and downs of buyto-let are high. While landlords have a couple of tax breaks, they also face strict health and safety rules, maintenance requirements, and rogue tenants. When some investors hear the words property investment, they picture a labour-intensive process fraught with potential headaches. But of course – there are other ways. This is why savvy investors who are looking for a hands-off, hassle-free foothold in property are turning to Acorn and their range of diverse equity investments.

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ADVERTORIAL

PROPERTY

PROFILE

Hands Free Landlord

Cornwall

Falmouth

Kyla Campbell, head of residential developments at Acorn Property Group, comments on the buy-to-let market

There are many reasons why Cornwall is a good place to invest in property. The attractiveness of Cornwall cannot be disputed, as the stunning coastline, picturesque villages and towns, excellent food scene and variety of outdoor pursuits are visible to residents, tourists, and investors alike. Cornwall also is an important area for tourism, and the demand for accommodation continues to grow as they attract more people to visit.

It’s because of its recent success coupled with the strengths Cornwall has recently presented that Acorn is able to launch an exciting new investment opportunity on a scheme in a prime location at the old Marks and Spencer’s in central Falmouth. The waterfront development offers direct access to the water, with a view of historic St Mawes just across the bay. Each home is set to be finished to a luxurious specification and will benefit from allocated parking, boat storage and private outdoor space.

What do you think the greatest risk to landlords are? I think the greatest risk to landlords is bad tenants. I don’t think I can emphasise enough the amount of research, checks, guarantees, deposits you need to make and take because a bad tenant can wipe out a year’s income in the blink of an eye and a terrible tenant could literally just destroy your investment. Have you noticed any changes in the approach investors take? We have seen a more professional approach to the property investments than previously. We’re finding that landlords are more prepared to speculate to accumulate – they’re maintaining their properties to a much higher standard to minimise voids and retain decent tenants. How has the Pandemic effected the property market? Obviously, there’s a lot of talk about change of lifestyle brought about by the pandemic, which is undoubtedly true, but I think it’s more than that. Quite simply there’s not enough homes in the right areas or the right quality – demand continues to outpace supply. Ever since Brexit the property market has been quite frozen, and I just think there’s a huge backlog of demand that’s been underestimated.

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The recent events have left Acorn in a wellpositioned place to grow in this particular region of the UK. Recent trends, known as the ‘Urban Flight’, have seen many people move out of big cities and into coastal/rural areas, boosting the property market in Cornwall - Acorn has been perfectly placed to capitalise on this change in popular demand. Property values in less densely populated area have risen much faster in rural areas than in urban hubs and cities, the Resolution Foundation [1] has said.

The opportunity which launched this month, allows sophisticated and high net worth individuals to invest in a Redeemable Share for as little as £5k, offering the chance to share in Acorns profits by investing directly into its exciting new product. These Redeemable Shares have been structured with the investor’s security in mind, so offer a good rate of return regardless of profitability.

PROPERTY

Falmouth is one of the major conurbations in Cornwall with some of the most compelling opportunities for investment. It features numerous restaurants, bars, galleries, museums and high street shopping as well as three marinas, multiple chandleries and a thriving sailing and water sport fraternity. It truly is a great place to invest in property, be it the high population, increasing demand for accommodation, or even the tourist numbers on the rise post lockdown; there’s a reason for almost any investor to be interested.

PROFILE

Conclusion If you are interested in this new investment opportunity and would like to find out more please email investor.services@acornpg.org visit www.acornpropertyinvest.com or call Acorn on 0203 858 9881.

Only open to high net worth and sophisticated investors. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Capital at Risk. Acorn Property Invest is a trading style of SeedTribe. SeedTribe is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Firm Reference Number is 695526 Source [1]: https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/ publications/housing-outlook-q2-2021/

BUSINESS CORNWALL | 29

SUSTAINABLE

CORNWALL

Gamechangers Sustainability and the climate change agenda has never been more important or brought into sharper focus.

Over the next 13 pages, we take a look at some of the initiatives and businesses looking to play their part in reducing their carbon footprint and operating in a more sustainable manner. Where there is challenge there is opportunity and the low carbon agenda also presents a canvas for businesses to become more efficient, and more profitable.

Because profit doesn’t need to be a dirty word, as thousands of businesses worldwide are showing with the inspirational efforts through the growing B Corp movement. We also examine the role the built environment plays in climate change, and take a look at some the latest electric vehicles.

Information Classification: CONTROLLED

NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES UNTIL 31 OCTOBER Any business, community organisations, school and charity based in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly can apply or be nominated in one of the following categories: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Growing Greener: Sustainable Food & Farming Carbon Neutral Circular Economy Environmental Growth

See our website for more information and book your place at our award ceremony on Friday 3rd December.

Don’t delay, apply or nominate today! CORNWALLSUSTAINABILITYAWARDS.ORG

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SUSTAINABLE

British Lithium aims to achieve the best environmental performance of any lithium producer in the world.

Going for

green

Based near St Austell, the highly experienced British Lithium team has signed up to the International Finance Corporation’s sustainability framework and is making significant progress in developing an innovative production process greener than any that has gone before.

In accordance with the Government’s green industrial plan, all UK car manufacturing will have converted to electric vehicles by 2030. Lithium carbonate is a key component in the batteries required to power them and, with an expected production rate of 20,000 tonnes per year, British Lithium is poised to meet around one third of the UK’s annual lithium demand. With a key role in helping secure a greener future for the UK, chief executive Andrew Smith says it’s vitally important that producing the lithium is done in a sustainable way too. “Protecting our environment is at the heart of everything we’re doing,” he explains. “From creating an open pit design in a disused quarry to co-locating our mining and refinery to minimise haulage distances, we are constantly looking at making our unique project as eco-friendly as possible.” The company is extracting lithium from the mica in granite – an ore body that is close to

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Protecting our environment is at the heart of everything we’re doing

surface and therefore has a significantly lower stripping ratio than other hard rock deposits, meaning much less waste is generated. Three patents are currently pending for the metallurgical chemical and acid free process being developed and Innovate UK has helped fund a unique on-site laboratory, the groundbreaking research taking place there and a nearby pilot plant that will become operational by the end of this year. “It’s important to eliminate scale-up risk by producing lithium in real-world conditions at pilot scale,” says Andrew. “The plant will allow us to collect accurate data on any waste products and emissions, test the energy and water balances and prove our process route. We can also produce sufficient quantities of battery grade lithium to achieve potential customer acceptance and buy-in. “Pilot scale production represents a key milestone, because, while battery and electric vehicle makers are keen to diversify supply, they are very concerned about their carbon footprint. Aiming to produce the world’s greenest lithium gives us a huge advantage but we need to prove what we are saying.” Local solar and wind generated electricity will be used to power the plant and, by siting

lithium production in the UK, lengthy supply chains from China, Australia and South America, can be avoided. “We have signed up to the International Finance Corporation’s sustainability framework and are committed to being the best of the best when it comes to environmental and social responsibility,” says Andrew. “As well as ring-fencing a budget to return our project site to far better condition than it is now, we will be making a considerable contribution to the Cornish economy in terms of well-paid jobs and supplier spend over several decades at least. “Our thermal treatment process is done at much lower temperatures than those required for spodumene-based methods and we’re researching how to do this using green energy. Our principal reagent is lime, rather than acid, and it will be recycled using our patented technology. “Lithium carbonate is vital in forging a greener future for us all and mining it sustainably has to be a priority. “At British Lithium we want to make a difference. We want to be the best.”

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Electric carguide

Range anxiety, what range anxiety? Electric Vehicles (EVs) are now propelling us further than ever before and now almost all manufacturers offer an electric or hybrid option. After hefty investment in the tech, there are now so many great vehicles to choose from. So with 2030 looming, get browsing the vast array of lightning struck models and make that all important switch. Here are six EVs available to order today, from Cornwall-based dealerships.

Audi Q4 e-tron This compact electric SUV is a surprisingly spacious and pioneering drive designed by Audi. The e-tron is part of Audi’s fully electric range meaning that unlike petrol or diesel-powered engines, you can drive CO2-free and its battery can be re-charged in several ways. Cost from: £40,750 Local dealer: Truro Audi 01872 520801 · helstongarges.co.uk

Mazda MX-30 Launched at the end of 2020, the Mazda MX-30 has been named the Favourite Electric Car in the 2021 Driving Electric.com awards. The MX-30 boasts contemporary design and effortless style, this electric SUV honours Mazda’s heritage, launching with their 100th Anniversary Limited Edition, including cork cockpit detailing alongside modern features such as suicide door. Although the range isn’t as high as some other EVs (124 miles), the MX-30 comes with a free Newmotion Wall Box charger, making any concerns about at-home-charging disappear. You’re looking at running cost of about pay 4p per mile, 1% BIK and a cleaner, more refined drive, making it the perfect choice for your new company car. Cost from: £26,045 Local dealer: Vospers Mazda Truro 01872 309237 · Vospers.com

Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford’s first all-electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E is available with two battery options which are both available in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive versions. The Standard Range (75 kWh) battery is capable of up to 279 miles of all-electric driving range while the Extended Range (99 kWh) battery can deliver up to 379 miles on a single charge. Both deliver a smooth silent acceleration, with a 0-62mph in as little as 3.7 seconds (GT model). With an impressive array of connected state-of-the-art technologies designed to provide a driving experience that’s centred around you. From intelligent parking technologies, hands-free tailgate, wireless phone charging, and a series of advanced safety systems. Ford have replaced the door handles with an elegant streamlined E-Latch system – approach the vehicle and press a button (or enter your pin code) on the door pillar to enter. Cost from: £41,330 32 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Local dealer: Vospers Ford Truro 01872 309232 · Vospers.com

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Renault Zoe (EV) The Renault ZOE is a master of electrification. It’s powered by Renault’s newest Z.E.50 battery, which offers a WLTP range of up to 245-miles on a single charge with Rapid Charging capability. At a 50KW charging point, the ZOE can get a 90-mile range boost in 30 minutes. There are drive modes to help you make the most of the ZOE’s electric powertrain, including ‘B mode’ which activates regenerative braking. Inside, the new ZOE has been given an overhaul with a massive 9.3” touchscreen on GT Line models and eco leather seats which are heated. LED headlights, a digital dash display and cruise control are standard. Cost from: £32,495 Local dealer: Dales Renault 01209 821133 (Scorrier) · 01872 511600 (Summercourt) www.dalescornwall.co.uk

Fiat 500e The New 500, the first fully electric Fiat, has received the top 5-star rating in the Green NCAP tests. It is the first car to achieve top marks in all the tests in 2021 and the only one to receive the maximum score of 10/10 in the Energy Efficiency Index. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Turin, the New 500 is the first model in Fiat history to be fully electric and 100% Made in Italy from the outset. A benchmark in range and charging speed, the New 500 can run up to 199 miles (WLTP cycle) with its 42-kWh lithium-ion batteries. Using an 85-kW fast charger, it takes just five minutes to charge up enough to travel 30 miles. To charge the battery to 80% takes 35 minutes. Cost from: £20,495 Local dealer: Vospers Fiat Truro 01872 309235 · Vospers.com

Nissan Leaf The Nissan Leaf is the 100% electric family car. With a range up to 239 miles, charging that’s faster and easier than ever, and innovative tools designed to help stretch your miles and your battery, there’s never been a better time to go electric. As exhilarating to look at as it is to drive, LEAF features sharp lines, a dynamic front end featuring a unique multidimensional translucent blue grille, and a signature floating roof. Cost from: £25,995 Local dealer: West End Motors Bodmin 01208 261111 westendmotorsbodmin.co.uk

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Our Sustainable

future

Ensuring a sustainable future for all is really important to the Corserv Group. We recognise that, across the many services we provide to Cornwall, we have a leading role to play. By facilitating positive organisational change, we can help Cornwall to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’ ahead of the UK Government’s 2050 target. This will give us our best chance of keeping global warming below the critical +1.5°C ‘tipping point’ threshold for ecosystems, human health and well-being. Working closely with Cornwall Council, we have identified, investigated and pursued key opportunities for energy efficiency and emission reduction across our businesses. Here are some of the initiatives we’ve been working on:

SUSTAINABLE VEHICLE FLEET

Cormac has over 1,000 vehicles and is aiming to have a 100% Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) fleet by 2030 alongside investigating alternative fuel types to keep the vehicles running sustainably. We have partnered with a small Cornish company called Bennamann to test Bio-methane (renewable and zero carbon fuel) from dairy farm slurry. Methane is normally a harmful greenhouse gas but can be captured before entering the atmosphere and used as a powerful fuel instead. Our innovative trial may have been the first of its kind in the country, helping to demonstrate that there are viable sustainable energy options for large construction vehicles and equipment that are traditionally

powered by fossil fuels. The £1.58 million pilot will see Bennamann collect and upgrade the biogas produced at the farms, before delivering it to Cormac to fuel a fleet of 77 converted road maintenance trucks. Each bio-methane vehicle will save roughly six tonnes of carbon per year.

WHOLE HOUSE RETROFIT

Cornwall Housing is currently working closely with Cornwall Council to deliver a whole house retrofit project. This project will significantly improve the energy efficiency of 83 properties through insulation, heat recovery and solar installations. The overall aim of this £4.2 million project is to reduce property emissions, heat loss and running costs for residents. We hope this ground-breaking scheme will be the first step in wider plans to retrofit improvements on many more buildings that have a low energy efficiency rating.

The Corserv Group explains the key role it is playing in Cornwall’s quest to become carbon neutral. The improved and enriched green spaces include planting wildflower meadows, trees, orchards, pollinator-friendly flower beds, setting up bug hotels and creating ponds.

WARM MIX ASPHALT

As Cornwall begins its journey to a green recovery, it has never been more important for the construction industry to adopt more sustainable ways of working. Castle Quarry, managed by Cormac on behalf of Cornwall Council, is embracing a new low energy approach to producing the materials used to build and repair Cornwall’s roads. Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is produced and applied at a temperature up to 50 °C lower than an equivalent traditional Hot Mix Asphalt, therefore consuming less energy to manufacture and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Help Cornwall to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’ ahead of the UK Government’s 2050 target

BIODIVERSITY

Cormac won recognition for its Green Infrastructure for Growth (GI4G) project by leading the way for environmental net gain and working with local communities to rethink green spaces. The GI4G project has seen 30 wildlife and pollinator-friendly areas in public spaces in seven towns across Cornwall improved so that they are of greater benefit to people and wildlife.

Producing this new sustainable material should not compromise on the performance and lifespan of road surfaces. The lower temperature also has the added benefit of enabling maintenance teams to open roads sooner, minimising disruption to traffic. The advantage of reduced energy in production means that fuel consumption and its associated costs and carbon emissions can be minimised. It is estimated that producing (WMA) will save at least 169 tonnes of CO2e per year. This is comparable to the average annual emissions of 20 UK citizens. To find out more about how the Corserv Group is committed to ensuring a sustainable future for many generations to come, visit our website: Corservltd.co.uk

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CORNWALL

With the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference starting in Glasgow in just a few weeks’ time, the role of the built environment in mitigating climate change will be high on the agenda.

At home with

sustainability

In the UK, the built environment accounts for around 40% of our carbon footprint so the design, construction and the way homes and buildings are used has a huge role to play in tackling the climate emergency. Cornwall wants to be net zero carbon by 2030, a full 20 years ahead of the rest of the UK. The county’s newest developer, Treveth, is an example of a Cornish company taking a lead in the sector and employing a mouldbreaking approach to designing out carbon from its developments. Treveth has more than 600 low-carbon homes in the pipeline in the next three years and has already completely moved away from fossil fuel heating as one of the first steps in a clear roadmap to achieving net zero on its future homes and commercial projects by 2030. Cornish for ‘Homestead’, Treveth has been created by Cornwall Council with a clear mission to create new open market homes (both to rent and buy), sustainable communities and commercial developments, all of which benefit people who live and work in Cornwall.

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It is an innovative model designed to tackle specific issues in the local property market but in going about its business, Treveth has also set out to take a lead in advancing low carbon design and technologies, tackling fuel poverty and setting an example in its own backyard of encouraging sustainable living.

We are ambitious when it comes to tackling whole-life carbon

At the heart of its plans is a design and sustainability manual of bespoke modern, but distinctively Cornish, homes suited to the local climate. The early move away from fossil fuel heating means Treveth’s homes already meet key targets within the 2025 Future Homes Standard; fabric performance and upgraded insulation in its homes is ahead of current building regulations; and features such as solar PV and sustainable heat sources, including air source heat pumps, contribute to an overall

low energy strategy and lower running costs for residents. Greg Slater, Treveth’s head of design, says the long-term interest Treveth will retain in its developments and its maxim of ‘Profit with Purpose’, rather than a business model geared only at the bottom line, allows him and his team to take a completely different approach in designing out carbon. “We take the environment we build in seriously,” he says. “We’re responding unequivocally to the climate emergency declared by Cornwall Council and we are also proud to be pursuing the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. “That means we are going beyond just looking at heating and insulation. We are ambitious when it comes to tackling whole-life carbon and we are developing a strategy that embraces the design and development of innovative methods of construction, on- and off-site renewables and the use of energy storage systems.”

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Meeting the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has developed the 2030 Climate Challenge to help architects and developers take a stepped approach towards reaching net zero by 2030 by reducing operational energy, embodied carbon and water consumption in buildings. Treveth’s use of solar roof panels, air source heat pumps, LED lighting and upgraded roof and wall insulation means its homes already meet RIBA’s 2030 target for operational carbon emissions and it is ahead of guidelines for reducing water consumption. But embodied carbon also needs to be considered to achieve net zero. This is the CO2 emitted in producing materials, such as the energy used to forge steel or in transporting materials to the building site.

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Treveth has had two of its home designs assessed for embodied carbon and these are broadly meeting the targets for 2030 already, which is almost 10 years ahead of target. This assessment is now being peer reviewed to help inform Cornwall Council’s Climate Emergency Development Plan Document to encourage better local development that uses less energy.

Sustainability extends beyond low energy and all future Treveth schemes will include 10% biodiversity net gain as a minimum including new tree planting, and more sustainable transport links. Treveth’s latest 100-home scheme at Bodmin includes a new cycle path connecting with the neighbouring cycle network, bus route and bus stop, and communal electric vehicle charging points.

Measures to reduce embodied carbon can include using sustainably sourced timber, recycled steel, more recycled materials in concrete foundations and the use of more locally sourced materials where possible.

Sustainable communities are at the heart of Treveth’s ethos, creating mixed-tenure developments with renewable three-year tenancies as standard to encourage people to put down roots. All of Treveth’s homes are aimed at people with local links.

Treveth is also looking at the feasibility of potentially establishing a localised energy supply company, and a smart energy strategy, using its own renewable energy assets to provide district-wide heat and power, with a long-term ambition to cut energy costs for tenants.

www.treveth.co.uk

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Green gold Six golden examples of Cornish sustainability specialists...

CORSERV CLEANING SERVICES The Corserv Group is committed to sustainable solutions to improve the lives of people in Cornwall. Our cleaning services bring together innovative products, sourced through local suppliers, with expert industry knowledge developed over 20 years. We provide sustainable cleaning services and solutions for multiple Cornish businesses, including schools, gyms and hotels, as well as public transport, offices and factories. We offer innovative products such as Stabilised Aquaeous Ozone (SAO) which breaks down grease and dirt, as well as sanitising surfaces, protecting against bacteria and viruses. A sustainable solution, SAO is chemical free and harmless to people and the environment. We also offer 24hour sanitisation units, reducing the need for multiple products and multiple applications, suitable for either cleaning or for hand sanitising. If you would like to find out more about how your business can benefit from a sustainable cleaning solution, please get in touch:

contactus@corservltd.co.uk

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ACORN PROPERTY GROUP Since our establishment in 1995, we have carved out our position as specialists in bespoke medium-sized, award-winning residentialled developments. We pride ourselves on being ‘different by design’, putting creativity and our sustainable vision; Acorn Green, at the forefront of every development to ensure that our residents get the very best from a modern home, in areas where the need for quality new homes outstrips supply across the south west of England, London and South Wales. The launch of Acorn Green represents our unique holistic approach to carbon reduction as well as our commitment to creating inspiring new communities whilst respecting and protecting our environment. Each Acorn scheme is individually and intelligently designed and built to the highest quality creating an environment where residents and nature can grow and flourish long after we complete our role in the building of the scheme.

01637 876000 acornpropertygroup.org

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FRESH POINT

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GRIPSURE

We are FreshPoint, an independent fresh produce wholesaler, supplying hospitality venues across the south west. We are a small family run firm employing three generations who are constantly reviewing ways to improve our sustainability. From purchasing to deliveries, we are committed to making all aspects more environmentally friendly. In order to reduce food miles, our primary purchasing strategy focusses on seasonal produce, including locally sourced Cornish produce when it’s available. We recycle our inward packaging and keep our onward packaging of fresh produce as plastic free as possible. With a widespread customer base, transport is a critical business element, we operate zero emission electric vans for deliveries to local customers and are actively engaged in expanding this option to include all routes. We can all play our part in ensuring the continuation of sustainable food production, we believe passionately that good food shouldn’t cost the earth.

Cornwall-based Gripsure manufactures non-slip decking using sustainable timber, which is certified under the industry flagship standards of FSC and PEFC. The firm, which has supplied decking to the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and Center Parcs, also uses materials such as bamboo, Accoya and Kebony, which are more sustainable than hardwoods. Throughout 2021, Gripsure has pledged to plant a native tree at a nearby Cornish farm for every online order. Through its support for Cornwall charity the Field to Forest Foundation, the company is aiming to plant 1,000 trees, helping to establish a beautiful new woodland. Through continuous improvement, Gripsure is also working towards the ISO 14001 environmental certification. MD Mike Nicholson said: “As a company that works with timber, we take our commitment to the environment very seriously indeed. Whether they are buying decking for a commercial project or for their own back garden, our customers are increasingly interested in our environmental ethos.”

01637 876336 www.freshpointsouthwest.co.uk

NAKED SOLAR

01726 844616 www.gripsure.co.uk

LOCAL NATURE PARTNERSHIP

Naked Solar work with both homeowners and businesses across the South West to make an informed choice when choosing solar panel systems. Their honest approach to all things solar has led them to be multi award winners on a local and national scale. Whether you’re looking for solar and a battery to power your home or are a business owner looking to reduce your energy bills, Naked Solar can help you navigate your options to ensure you find the best package to suit your needs. “Helping to save the planet is at the core of everything we do. As well as installing solar for our customers, the company operates in a sustainable way, such as replacing our old diesel vehicles with Electric Vehicles, which are of course, run from solar power.”

01637 697009 nakedsolar.co.uk

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership is a collaboration of local partners working together for nature recovery – aiming for 30% of our land and seas to be well-managed for nature by 2030. Our Environmental Growth Strategy provides a long-term framework for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to not just conserve, but to grow nature. This is about not just protecting nature but also enhancing it – ensuring that there is more of it, and that it is bigger, better, more diverse and more joined up. Our 10 pillars are: • Nature Recovery, Regeneration & Reintroductions • Marine Health

• Natural Climate Solutions

• Access to Nature & Active Travel

• Clean Air

• Clean Water

• Waste & Resources

• Sustainable Food

• Economic & Social Wellbeing

• Governance, Leadership & Community Everyone can help to support nature’s recovery – from individuals, to community groups and businesses.

naturecios.org.uk

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A movement

for change

As the sustainability agenda becomes ever more important, an increasing number of businesses are playing their part to balance profit with purpose. A relatively new type of organisation, B Corporation is global movement of companies using businesses as a force for good to solve social or environmental problems. Businesses that want to achieve B Corp certification must achieve the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. And while it isn’t a dirty word to make a profit, 40 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

profits are used to make a positive impact. Since establishing in the US in 2006, the movement has steadily grown across the world. Today there are something like 3,500 B Corps across the world in 70 countries. Initially it was a slow burn in the UK, with the first B Corps cropping up here in 2015. The first adopter in Cornwall in early 2016 was design agency Leap and we had to wait another couple of years before they were joined in the Duchy by outdoor clothing brand Finisterre.

with 14 of them in Cornwall from such diverse backgrounds as construction consultancies like WWA to coffee roasters like Origin Coffee.

A passion for sustainable working practices and protecting the world they live in

Today, there are more than 400 companies in Britain that have become certified B Corp,

While the types of businesses that are becoming B Corps come from a wide range of backgrounds, they have one thing in common – a passion for sustainable working practices and protecting the world they live in.

Typically before joining B Corp, these businesses had been operating in ‘ethical’ fashion but B Corp certification has given them the ability to further channel their beliefs and a benchmark to aspire to.

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One such Cornwall-based B Corp is digital marketing company, Solve Web Media. Director Laurence Harmer explains: “I travelled for 15 years, experiencing many different people, jobs, cultures and adventures. Along the way I learnt what you put out into the world will pay back in ways you can’t imagine. I found that I could use my web design and SEO business as a tool for good. I’m proving that a business can be good for the planet and people whilst being financially sustainable and profitable. We were doing good anyway, however it was great to find a badge that recognised our ethos.”

in many ways. At Solve we all care about our clients, community, people and the positive impact we make in many ways. B Corp gives us a platform to communicate this.” Like many locally, Laurence was inspired by the ‘father’ of B Corps in Cornwall, Leap founder Matt Hocking.

We are doing our bit to help inspire change and be the change

The process to becoming a certified B Corp can take time, nearly two years in Solve’s instance, but Laurence says it was well worth the journey. “The key benefit for me is that we are doing our bit to help inspire change and be the change,” he says. “It’s very rewarding to know that our work helps make a positive impact

“I was initially inspired by Matt Hocking who stated ‘a creative has the power to create change’. Since that moment, I have brought the topic of ethics into all initial discovery sessions with new clients. I ask if they can be ethical and sustainable? In most cases they can with simple changes. Some will entirely sculpt their business around ethics. We are seeing a rising trend in businesses for good.”

But while it is about business doing good, it is also good for business. “If you present two products/services at a similar price and one is better for people and the planet I’d like to say most people will go for the ethical choice,” says Laurence. “Soon being sustainable will not be an option. Change is happening, join the tribe and make a real difference.”

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Cornwall’s B Corp brigade • Water Skills Academy

• Voice Communications • Finisterre

• Fluid Branding • Green & Blue • Gydeline • Leap

• Made for Life Organics Ltd • Made Open

• Origin Coffee • Resonance • Solve

• Wild West Communications • WWA

MAKING ITS VOICE HEARD MD, Nichola Cain, explains why Voice Communications became a B-Corp. Voice Communications is a purpose driven B-Corp full service marketing agency based in Cornwall and Essex. We are a team of industry experts delivering PR, marketing and digital services which make a difference. We inspire businesses and organisations to think differently about how they work and communicate. We partner with businesses and organisations to amplify their message, engage with their audiences and highlight their purpose. We began our B-Corp journey back in September 2019 and became officially B-Corp certified in April 2020. Voice has always valued the triple bottom line, people, planet and profit, which is why starting on our B-Corp journey felt like a natural fit for us. Our B-Corp certification demonstrates how we meet the highest standards when it comes to looking after our team, supporting our clients and communities and safeguarding our planet.

We act as brand guardians for our clients and our B-Corp accreditation has helped us to demonstrate this, as it is our mission to think differently, act positively and make a difference. We are proud to have joined a community of other like-minded businesses and individuals and to have joined a growing community of B-Corp businesses in Cornwall. We enjoy being able to learn from others and B-Corp has allowed us to connect with amazing individuals and organisations. Over the past year since we became accredited, we have enjoyed sharing our B-Corp experience with organisations, helping and mentoring others to start their own journey to accreditation. Becoming B-Corp certified has allowed us to attract more businesses that share our values and vision as well as new team members that embody our values. We have also been able

to work with other like-minded agencies and develop new connections through B-Corp. As a business it has always been important to us that we continue to stay true to ourselves and our values and B-Corp allows us to benchmark and demonstrate this within a framework. Over the past year since we became accredited, we have enjoyed sharing our B-Corp experience with others, helping and mentoring them to start their own journey to accreditation.

voicecommunications.co.uk

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Sustainable growth for a brighter

future

Innovative partnership focuses the way forward. Growth, and growth alone, might once have been the Holy Grail for businesses. These days, however, it’s too one-dimensional a concept to resonate in a multi-faceted landscape with more than one bottom line. As businesses measure progress against multiple benchmarks (seek sustainable growth, in other words), so demand grows for support which simplifies and enables it. Business support provider Unlocking Potential in partnership with The University of Exeter, through the Future Focus programme, has been ahead of this curve for years, and more recently deepened its commitment to this way of thinking by collaborating with The University of Exeter’s Business School, based on the University’s Penryn Campus.

WILL BOEX Flexi-Hex – in the UK and Europe, with further patents pending in the US, China, and Australia.

help it to continue the sustainable growth of its business (the factory stays in Newquay).

They have also developed four drinkspackaging products which tick all the robustness boxes but are as stylish and Instagramable as they are strong.

Karl Headleand, head of operations, says: “Keeping everyone under one roof helps to maintain the team and family ethos we have built over the last 30 years.”

Dr Ruth Cherrington, Future Focus business research impact fellow at the University of Exeter, says:

Co-founder Nick Whitworth adds: “It’s important that we stay true to our roots in everything we do. It was a natural decision to stay in the area and we were delighted to find the right place for the next chapter of Celtic & Co. so close to home.”

“We have been working with [Flexi-Hex] … to help understand the carbon footprint of one of its main products: the ‘Mini Sleeve’ is a patented paper based protective packaging product designed to protect bottles in transit for the ecommerce market. The study highlighted opportunities … to work with their supply chain to reduce the impact of hotspots, helping them to make clearer decisions for the business.”

Helping to make clearer decisions for the business

Aimed at ambitious, established Cornish businesses, Future Focus helps them make informed, sustainable decisions around challenges associated with rapid growth, for example, sourcing, relocation and expansion.

Porthleven’s Flexi-Hex is one such company. Brothers Sam and Will Boex launched the business three years ago with the aim of designing eco-friendly packaging which would remove the need for using single-use plastics in transit. Will says: “We’re surfers, so we started off thinking about the surfing market and set up designing a product that was paper-based and could protect expensive surfboards.” The brothers’ creativity and drive resulted in an innovative, high-compression-resistant, honeycomb-shaped sleeve made using biodegradable paper which can be recycled and composted. They have patented this design – If you are an established business interested in developing its sustainability, get in touch with the Future Focus team at unlocking-potential.co.uk 42 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Will adds: “With support from Future Focus, we completed a lifecycle assessment for our products. It is important to us that we have clarity on where the materials that make up our products come from, what our carbon footprint is and, importantly, how we go about offsetting that.” Celtic & Co is another business to have benefitted from a long-term relationship with the University and Unlocking Potential, although the growth-associated challenges it has faced have been very different. Celtic & Co is an online and mail order retailer of ethically sourced, natural and sustainable premium knitwear, footwear, outerwear and homewares. Its successes meant it needed new premises. The refurbished former Crantock Bakery building at Indian Queens was ideal, combining increased warehouse space with a modern office, both of which

Given its business, it was the University of Exeter Future Focus events centred on sustainable manufacturing and natural dyeing which was of special interest. And although the workshop content was as relevant as had been hoped, as is often the case, it found its peers as inspiring as the content, even online. Co-founder Kath Whitworth says: “It’s a great way to listen to other business owners and occasionally connect directly with them … [They] … make you step back from the dayto-day panic of getting through the pandemic and look at where you wanted to take the business forward. [It’s] always very inspiring listening to other business owners.” Future Focus lead, Becks Polson, has been supporting businesses through the programme, and feels the tide turning within Cornish businesses. “I’ve been working with business in Cornwall for many years and have seen quite a shift in that time. Interest in embedding sustainability at the heart of business might have once looked a bit niche and an optional extra. Now we see businesses who think and act this way by default, and we as a support resource are more than happy to nurture and encourage this shift.”

PEOPLE

ON THE MOVE

NEW ROLE FOR ALISON Penzance-based charity Trelya has appointed Alison Elvey to the newly-created role of finance and administration director. Trelya helps children, young people and families from deprived backgrounds break the cycle of social exclusion. Elvey will be responsible for managing the day-to-day financial administration, grant administration, HR as well as marketing, web site and social media.

Sharon Rich, Trelya’s executive director, said: “I would like to welcome Alison to the Trelya team. Alison brings extensive experience of working with a wide variety of organisations and a strong mix of marketing and administrations skills and will play a vital role in enabling us to deliver our business plan.”

HOOKED ON MEDIA Digital marketing specialist HookedOnMedia has appointed a new account manager. Alistair Chatterley, who was formerly a business development manager at Google, will divide his time between HookedOnMedia’s Truro base and its newly-opened office in Nottingham.

LAW FIRM EXPANDS INTO CORNWALL The Family Law Company is extending its regional presence with the appointment of a new Cornwall-based director. Lucy Theobald joins the firm to support its strategy to build on its reputation in the south west. While the firm has clients in the county, until now it hasn’t had a full-time presence in Cornwall. The Family Law Company is considering options for opening a Cornwall office in the future. Director of business development, Rachel Buckley, said: “This is the start of something really exciting. We’re delighted to welcome Lucy to the team and to be able to provide our services further afield.”

Previously part of Foot Anstey’s real estate team, Williams brings with him a wealth of market facing experience, particularly

Cornwall College Group has appointed David Boyer as its new director of external engagement and chair of the Senior Executives’ Forum (SEF). Boyer, who has over 20 years’ of experience delivering apprenticeship and work-based training programmes, will be responsible for strengthening the relationship the college has with local and regional employers.

He said: “I am thrilled to join HookedOnMedia now and open another chapter of supporting local and national businesses.”

MILLER MOVES Miller Commercial has appointed Giles Barton as new senior commercial property manager. Barton has extensive experience in the commercial property management sector, most recently with QinetiQ and prior to that with Cushman & Wakefield (formerly DTZ), working with clients at all levels including the likes of British Airways, Royal Mail and G4S. Meanwhile, Jonny Bright has moved over from the property management team to Miller Commercial’s business transfer team as a commercial surveyor.

NEW MURRELL ASSOCIATE Niche commercial law firm Murrell Associates has appointed David Williams to its growing partnership.

MEET DAVID BOYER

HEAD OF LITIGATION Cornish law firm Hine Downing has welcomed civil dispute specialist Angelo Micciche as new head of litigation. Micciche is an experienced solicitor with more than 20 years’ practice in litigation within the public sector and legal firms in Cornwall and Devon, including Kerrier District Council, Coodes and GA Solicitors.

in private equity backed M&A and leisure sector asset management.

He is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Contested Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

Senior partner, Hugh Murrell, commented: “We are thrilled that David has joined our team. He not only adds invaluable support to our corporate team but also bolsters our real estate capability at a time when businesses and markets adapt to a post-pandemic arena.”

Since qualifying in 1999, Micciche has gained significant experience in a wide range of litigation, with additional specialisms is in disputed probate, wills, inheritances and trusts; he also holds the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 43

CREATIVE

AND DIGITAL

SPONSORED BY

BORN IN THE USA

client base from its headquarters in Portland, Oregon, supplying its transient load testing product LoadSlammer to technology providers such as AMD and Xilinx.

An American company has opened an office in Cornwall as it looks to grow its business in Europe.

Head of UK operations, Rob Misselbrook, said: “Cornwall offers us an alternative way to access the European technology market without relocating to the City. We’re paying almost a quarter of what we would for office space in places like London and Oxford, and the high quality of living in the region is helping us attract some great talent.”

Progranalog, a leading provider of power testing solutions, has moved into the Tremough Innovation Centre. ProGrAnalog already serves a diverse global

SOFTWARE FIRM INVESTMENT Bodmin-based hotel software firm, Caterbook, has secured £100k of equity investment from the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF), as part of a larger £200k funding round. The investment will help the business expand its sales and marketing functions to accelerate growth. Over the next three years, six new jobs will be created within the company to strengthen the sales and customer support teams. The business will also seek to appoint a chief operating officer. Caterbook was founded in 2005 by Chris and Sally Noon, both of whom have significant experience within the hospitality industry. Having had to use multiple, often non-integrated systems within the sector, they embarked on creating a single, allencompassing solution for hotels and other accommodation providers. The resulting cloud-based property management service (PMS) automates many of the repetitive tasks that hotels face daily and links to many EPOS systems and booking platforms.

IDENNA GROWTH be in a position where we were able to take on new members to our amazing team in the middle of a pandemic is something we’re all beyond proud of and incredibly grateful for.” Idenna Creative has continued to grow during the pandemic, recruiting five new team members since the start of the year. The Indian Queens-based full-service creative agency now has 19 employees. Creative director, James Neale, said: “The past 18 months certainly haven’t been without their challenges in many ways, but to

Comprising Launceston Life, Bude Life, the Links Magazines, English Riviera magazine 44 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Robyn Proctor, the first recent addition to the team, was taken on as a creative content copywriter at the beginning of February during lockdown, with Sarah Doney, Idenna’s new account manager, joining the team in early July. As part of the Government Kickstart Scheme for young adults, Idenna has also taken on a junior digital marketer, a production assistant and a researcher over the past few months.

HIGH FIVE AT PR AWARDS? A Cornish creative communications agency has been shortlisted for five awards at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) PRide Awards. Barefoot Media has been shortlisted for Small PR Consultancy of the Year, Best Covid Response campaign, Best Public Sector campaign, and Best Use of Digital and Social Media.

in the Travel, Leisure or Tourism Campaign category, for the launch of its new luxury suites. Wild Card is also shortlisted for the Best Use of Social Digital and Media for its ‘Ginsters Best Enjoyed at Home’ campaign. The award winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on October 6.

Two of the agency’s account managers, Sophie Peters and Hattie Frisby (pictured), have also been shortlisted for Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year. Additionally, The Nare hotel, in collaboration with PR agency Wild Card, is in the running

PUBLISHERS UNITE A group of independent publishers from Devon and Cornwall have come together to form the South West Independent Publishing Alliance.

www.digitalpeninsula.org

and By the Dart Dartmouth magazine, the Alliance says its aim is simple - to celebrate and champion local.

Ellie Mason, director of Launceston Life, said: “As an independent community publisher we understand the true meaning of positive collaboration. We also know how hard our local businesses work for their profits, and

how when reinvested into marketing it is essential that it’s with truly effective and authentic community marketing avenues, like our publications. “That is why we are so delighted to be part of this progressive publishing alliance, to champion those doing what Launceston Life does for our town and parishes in other areas.”

FOOD &

DRINK

A NEW UPBEAT RUM

A recently released cider from Sharp’s Brewery has earned recognition at the International Cider Challenge (ICC). Just months after being rolled out in UK bars and restaurants, Cold River Cider was awarded a silver medal in the New World Cider Category at this year’s event. Judges acknowledged “its light, crisp, and moreish flavour with a refreshing look to match”. Sharp’s Cold River Cider is a collaboration between Sharp’s Brewery’s Cornish team and Aspall Cyder House’s Suffolk team, to create a new premium 4.5% ABV medium-dry apple cider. James Nicholls, marketing controller for Sharp’s Brewery, said: “In Cold River Cider, we have created something truly unique; a crisp and moreish, refreshing medium-dry apple cider, and we’re delighted that this has been recognised by the panel at the International Cider Challenge so soon after our launch.”

SHARP’S SILVER CIDER SUCCESS

CHARITY OF THE YEAR St Austell Brewery’s flagship lager brand, Korev, has announced a new partnership with the Marine Conservation Society. The Marine Conservation Society is a UK charity campaigning for a cleaner ocean. It tackles threats to habitats and species by working closely with communities and businesses, organising beach cleans and shaping government policy. Korev will be supporting the charity’s Great British Beach Clean this month (Sep 17-26)

where hundreds of beach cleans take place nationwide. The Marine Conservation Society logo will also be featuring on the lager’s 100% recyclable cardboard can packs. In addition to the Korev partnership, the Marine Conservation Society has been named ‘Charity of the Year’ by St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust. The trust is funded by contributions from the brewery, as well as donations from customers and fundraising events held at its head offices, depots, and pubs. Since it was launched in 2003, it’s donated over £800k to charities and causes across the region.

ICE CREAM AND BEER! TRELEAVENS MD MARK CRUSCIAK & EDDIE LOFTHOUSE North Cornwall’s Harbour Brewing and Treleavens Luxury Cornish Ice Cream opened three new hospitality venues during the summer. The joint ventures saw the creation of a new open-air bar and restaurant at Watergate Bay, the opening of the St Tudy Inn which has been closed since December, and a new café in Wadebridge.

Harbour Brewing MD Eddie Lofthouse said: “We opened The Atlantic bar and restaurant at Polzeath in 2020, and trading since then has been extremely strong. With this in mind and a little down time in lockdown, we started exploring other opportunities to expand our portfolio. “The new venues are in such great locations, and the Harbour and Treleavens board members agreed that investing in the Cornish hospitality sector was a very positive step.”

A new Cornish independent drinks company has launched a premium spiced rum. 8Track, from Upbeat Spirits, is made from fine Guyana and smooth eight-year-old vintage Barbados rums, and is infused with Seville oranges, vanilla, cloves, ginger and cinnamon. It has already secured a wholesale listing and distribution partnership with St Austell Brewery and established numerous local listings. The company was co-founded by Matt Franks, who is also CEO at Fluid Branding, and former St Austell Brewery marketing director Jeremy Mitchell (pictured), who said: “Having worked in drinks marketing and hospitality for much of my career, I’d always wanted the opportunity to start up a new business and create a brand from scratch. “Events of the last 18 months gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join forces with Matt and to fulfil this ambition through 8Track.” The rum is presented with a bright label design – encapsulating its “good times” philosophy – created by Falmouth design agency Kingdom & Sparrow, with web design and photography provided by The Design Room, in Truro. 8Track uses only lightweight recycled glass bottles and is partnering with Porthlevenbased paper packaging company, FlexiHex, - to offer a sustainable packaging solution that’s plastic free. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 45

TOURISM

NEWS

CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN An independent holiday cottage agency has launched a new eco campaign to help reduce its carbon impact. Forever Cornwall’s partnership with community interest company, Field to Forest (FTF), will see trees planted every year, which will offset almost all of its direct and indirect carbon omissions. The first 600 trees have been planted at Clowance Farm near St Ives Bay, and trees will be planted every year which will ultimately offset all of Forever Cornwall’s carbon impact when they reach maturity. The offsetting scheme is entirely funded by each holiday booked, the cottage owners and from Forever Cornwall itself. Forever Cornwall MD, Phil Gendall, said: “Climate change is the biggest threat to the planet, our natural environment and Cornwall itself, so we’ve put this at the heart of our business.”

SPONSORED BY

www.visitcornwall.com

FLYING HIGH A Cornish travel business has been evolving through the pandemic. Despite the challenging times for the sector, Mark Lawther, owner of the St Austell-based Kernow Travel Company, has taken the opportunity to move to new premises, gain his independent ATOL license and launch a new arm to the business. He said: “Whilst the number of people taking holidays has obviously decreased during the last 18 months, we’ve taken the time to think about what our customers want and need. This has led to the Kernow Travel Company expanding and growing, which is fantastic.” Previously an online only business, the new premises will give holiday makers the chance to talk in person to a highly experienced travel expert. Additionally, the Kernow Travel Company has launched an inbound arm to the

business, providing tailor made package holidays to people wanting to visit Cornwall. Lawther, who has worked in the travel industry for over 20 years with a variety of tour operators and airlines in management positions, has also launched the Kernow Travel Company podcast, working with The Cornwall Channel.

VISITING VENDORS The St Moritz Hotel came up with an innovative solution to address the challenge of staff shortages that hit the hospitality industry in the summer.

FOUR STARS FOR ESPLANADE The Esplanade Hotel in Newquay has been awarded four AA stars following an extensive multi-million-pound refurbishment. The family-run hotel, by Fistral beach, reopened its doors in May with a fresh new look and facilities including its own boutique cinema, a flexible all-day dining offering and adults-only cocktail bar. Operated by Philema Hospitality Management, The Esplanade Hotel used 46 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

the lockdown closure period to undergo an extensive investment programme. Operations director, Laura Cameron, said: “It’s so incredibly rewarding to receive this achievement after such a challenging year for the hotel and our teams. “The lockdown has allowed us to carry out planned improvements that would have ordinarily taken years, so it’s a poignant moment for us.”

Through the peak holiday weeks, the hotel closed its Shorecrest Restaurant on Sundays and Mondays to enable muchneeded rest and recuperation for its chefs and front of house staff. In its place, the St Moritz hosted six independent local food trucks, providing guests the opportunity to experience more of the wonderful foodie delights that Cornwall has to offer. Director of restaurants, Jonathan Dome, said: “The aftermath of Covid has had nationwide, crippling repercussions on the hospitality industry, with staff shortages that have never been encountered before. Only by prioritising the wellbeing of our team can we continue to uphold the expected standards at St Moritz Hotel and maintain the ‘experience’ that our guests love and enjoy.”

NEWS

SPONSORED BY

#FSBCONNECT

BUSINESS SUPPORT REPORT

WORKPLACE TESTING CALL Throughout the Covid pandemic, small businesses sought out and needed support and advice like never before. But how useful was that advice, where did they source it from and what have we learned about how we can improve the sharing of business support and advice through this extraordinary period? These are the questions the FSB sought to investigate with an important new report entitled ‘Open For Business’. FSB spoke to SME business owners from across the UK to find out how support and advice had (or hadn’t) helped them and as you may imagine, we had a real mixed response.

The most encouraging figure was that 84% of those surveyed did actively seek advice and, even better, 45% felt that the advice may well have helped them save their business which is a great testimony to everyone offering help. However, on the downside, businesses with no employees were more frustrated about the support – or lack of it – they could get and there was also quite a lot of confusion about where the find the right sources of reliable information. The report can be downloaded from the fsb.org.uk website.

A BIG THANK YOU! all over the UK and we have already seen businesses from all areas of Cornwall such as Bude, Par, Redruth and Calstock spotlighted.

Thank you to all of you who have supported or shared details of the FSB’s new summer social media campaign to highlight and celebrate our local hospitality, tourist, retail and service businesses. The #MyHiddenGems campaign has been kindly supported by media organisations, councils, LEPs, Growth Hubs and others from

As a reminder, the idea behind the campaign is to encourage people to pick their favourite local businesses, write a few words about them along with a photograph, pop it on Twitter using the hashtag #MyHiddenGems (tagging us at @FSBCornwall) and we can then amplify the recommendations across our other FSB social media channels. Thanks to all those who have supported us so far via social media, internal newsletters and more. The campaign runs until the end of September and it’s not too late to get involved. For more information email: ann.vandermeulen@fsb.org.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!

Rule changes regarding self-isolation will come as a huge relief to small businesses which have lost badlyneeded trade through forced closures or restricted operations following the so called “pinging” of staff. Ann Vandermeulen, development manager for FSB Cornwall, said: “Smaller firms have been especially exposed to ‘pings’. Two or three people having to self-isolate might not be noticed at a big corporation but, for a small business, it often made opening impossible. From hairdressers, to cafes, building sites, convenience stores, and restaurants, all in-person businesses were most likely to be impacted by staff being taken out. Particularly galling when there have been so many potential customers about!” Despite exemptions for certain sectors this was also of little help to smaller firms. Largely due to the complexity of the system and the arbitrary distinctions between sectors deemed ‘essential’, these exemptions didn’t protect the whole supply chain so many have struggled somewhat needlessly, causing immense frustration. Therefore, the relief around easing of selfisolation requirements is huge but there remains a duty of care to keep people safe and operate responsibly. FSB IS urging Government to adopt strategies that protect all smaller businesses that are so vulnerable to staff disruption. For example, a well-functioning testing system is all the more crucial. The FSB says the Government really should reconsider its decision to stop sending free workplace testing kits to small businesses. An even more ambitious vaccination programme, on-site testing and enhanced, well thought out, safety measures are fundamental to a truly sustainable reopening of the economy and FSB will be lobbying for a new, more practical, business friendly approach. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47

EDUCATION

AND TRAINING

SPONSORED BY

STUDENT GIVEN SPORTING CHANCE Two of Cornwall’s top sports clubs are teaming up with a local college to offer training to the next generation of sport analysts. Championship rugby club, Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC have taken a Cornwall College sport student under their wing to offer a placement in analysing the players’ performance.

www.truro-penwith.ac.uk

Joel Pittard, who is studying a level 3 diploma in sports coaching, commented: “It is a really fantastic opportunity to be able to work with such high-level clubs and players in Cornwall.” Pittard worked for the club during pre-season training and will continue throughout the season. Chris Lane, sports performance analyst for the Cornish Pirates, added: “We are really excited to connect up with Cornwall College and support learners with applied highperformance placements within Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC.”

STUDENT VILLAGE PLANS REVAMP INTERNATIONAL SKILLS ACCOLADE A Cornwall-based college tutor has been honoured by a European skills body for making an outstanding contribution to education in the UK. Greg Houghton, curriculum area manager for sport and military at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, was recognised for ‘outstanding contribution to raising standards in skills and training’ by WorldSkills Europe. He commented: “I am honoured to have been recognised in this way. WorldSkills is a fantastic organisation that supports young people across the world through competition-based training, assessment and benchmarking.”

Cornish sustainable property developer Verto has submitted a reserved matters planning application for a “world first” zero carbon student village at Penvose, Falmouth. The student village was approved by Cornwall Council’s planning committee three years ago and has since been upgraded to a zero-carbon proposal which is now before the local planning committees to finalise the detail. Penvose Zero Carbon Student Village will house up to 1,858 students and provide a host of retail and leisure facilities for students and the local community. Andy West, head of land and planning at Verto, claims the facilities will also look to address and improve the rising issue of poor mental health among students. He said: “During the pandemic we have seen reports of an increasing number of students feeling isolated, away from home and friends, often living in below par accommodation. We believe that by creating a village environment with first class accommodation and facilities, we can help foster a new student community and alleviate some of these issues.”

ENTREPRENEURS IN RESIDENCE Falmouth University’s venture studio, Launchpad, has appointed its first Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs). The aim of the EiRs is to inspire, challenge, guide, and advise Launchpad candidates as they work to build and grow their start-ups. The first EIRs have been announced as ex-scientist, advisory board member 48 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Additionally, according to the developer, the site will not only offer high-quality zero carbon student accommodation but will also alleviate strains placed on the local community, including freeing-up of much valued car parking space, as well as housing stock in the towns of Falmouth and Penryn. West believes the development will help the local area in a number of ways. He added: “Student numbers in Falmouth are set to soar over the coming years and this puts huge pressure on housing in Falmouth and Penryn. “The development will host a dedicated student hub for living, studying and socialising, that is both on the edge of the town and near the campus. It will provide purpose-built accommodation to meet the needs of the growing student population, many currently living in HMOs across the town. We believe it will also free up much needed housing for local residents.” and multi-award-winning entrepreneur Dr Salman Malik; Utopy CEO and former Airbnb operations manager Shona Marsh; international trade expert Ben Leonard; independent chair and non-executive director Shimi Shah; and entrepreneur, non-executive director, interim manager, executive coach and mentor Stewart Noakes. Dr Salman Malik said: “Working with driven teams inside a collaborative studio makes this programme exclusive and unique to Falmouth which is what excites me about being a part of this entrepreneurial community.”

CHAMBER

SPONSORED BY

cornwallchamber.co.uk

NEWS

A BALANCING ACT THE WAY WE WORK REQUIRES SOME GIVE AND TAKE ON BOTH SIDES, SAYS CORNWALL CHAMBER CEO KIM CONCHIE

BUSINESS FAIR We’re very excited to have made a firm booking in the diary for our 2022 Business Fair, which will be held on Wednesday March 9 during Cornwall’s Festival of Business. Stands are available to book now and we’d also love to hear from you if you’re interested in hosting a Chamber event in the festival week. naomi@cornwallchamber.co.uk

Summer in Cornwall is frenetic for our hospitality and tourism businesses – especially this year, but for other sectors it offers a short window of time in which to regroup, reflect and revitalise. Now that restrictions have lifted, this short breather has hopefully given businesses the headspace to consider the best working practices moving forward. As we have learned with this pandemic, it’s never as straightforward as restrictions lifting and everything slotting nicely back into place; with every step forward comes a tranche of important business decisions that need to be made. If you offer sick pay, will you pay out each time an un-vaccinated employee has to isolate? Will you bring your whole team back into the office now that they can? Will you start having face-to-face meetings with clients? Will you expect employees to travel internationally? The pandemic forced millions of people to work from home and moved us all into a new virtual age very quickly, but where do we go from here? If Truro’s workforce only comes into the office twice a week to work, the cafes and shops in the city are only going to see 40% of the turnover they did pre-Covid.

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.

However, if all of those people return to working in their Truro office five days a week, the drive to achieve net zero – and specifically Cornwall Council’s Vision 2030 for clean and green growth, will be going in the opposite direction to where it is now. A working lunch meeting supports Cornwall’s economy and our local businesses, but if the meeting could have been conducted virtually, a car journey could have been avoided. It’s not just the economic or environmental impact that we need to consider either; the impact that change could have on an

employee’s mental health is significant. So, we have to find a balance. Employers need to be malleable and respond to employee requests appropriately. Some individuals might want to continue working from home whilst others might be nervous about driving long distances. This is a new situation that requires a bit of give and take on both sides. Customer experience is paramount: many businesses have taken to remote working so seamlessly that they have questioned why they ever paid rent on an office, whilst for others it has been a struggle to manage staff remotely and achieve the same levels of customer satisfaction as before. If you’ve struggled, the advice is to get the staff back in – give your business the best possible chance of thriving now that restrictions have lifted. If the way forward isn’t so obvious, consider easing yourself in gently: bring all employees back into the office for a day a week, or have department days where all staff from one department are in. At the Chamber, we have recently announced ‘Team Tuesdays’ whereby all staff are expected to work in the office on a Tuesday. It feels prudent to make cautious statements about September when, as we write this, Cornwall’s Covid cases are high and thousands of tourists are about to descend on the Duchy. However, the advice we are getting is that trading conditions are stabilising; we don’t have the threat of a new set of circumstances over us, so businesses should be moving forward with positivity and embracing the lifting of restrictions. If you have any questions about how best to manage your business in the current climate, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. hello@cornwallchamber.co.uk

Email: hello@cornwallchamber.co.uk Call: 01209 216006 Online: www.cornwallchamber.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 49

BUSINESS

SHOW

Let the

show begin! As the world slowly returns to a sense of normality, we are all set for one of the mostly hotly anticipated events on the business calendar. The Cornwall Business Show was one of the last major business networking events to take place before lockdown last March, and perhaps fittingly, will be one of the first to be held 18 months later. Organiser Andrew Weaver, fresh from the post lockdown success of the Cornwall Home & Garden Show, is understandably excited at the prospect of a return to face-to-face networking. “Now restrictions have ended networking begins,” he says, “and the Cornwall Businesses Show is well timed and the

perfect place to get back to promoting your business and reengaging with the business community. “It’s been a long time coming and it’s clear from the conversations we are having that people want to get back to doing business face to face. Bringing people together creates real sparks and connections, something only meeting in person can offer.

Cornwall Business Show, Royal Cornwall Showground, Thursday, October 7 This will be the ninth edition of the annual event, and it has steadily grown over the years to become one of the leading business networking events in the whole of the south west, drawing together a wide spectrum of industries and sectors, from small start-ups to large established companies.

People want to get back to doing business face to face

“This year we will need to work together more than ever, and the Cornwall Business Show offers a genuine platform for fortifying the business community and gaining new business.”

This year it is anticipated the Cornwall Business Show will feature 165+ exhibitors and an updated floorplan to accommodate new and returning clients, all under one roof. The new layout will include a range of showrooms suitable for such things as commercial vehicles and office furniture. There will also be a return of the popular Healthy Workplace Zone, which will introduce visitors to mental health and wellbeing expertise, products, guidance, and solutions. Additionally, there will be a free seminar programme taking place through the day, where you will be able to polish up your industry skills, find out about the latest innovations and trends, and look forward to the future of business in Cornwall while listening to insightful keynotes and advice from thought leaders and innovators. And new for this year will be the Masterclass & Elevator Pitch Zone, where businesses can promote themselves or showcase their expertise within a purpose-built suite.

50 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

BUSINESS

And if all the networking sounds like hungry and thirsty work, there will be an artisan café on site offering a range of delicious freshlycooked food.

There are a limited number of special rate stands for start-up businesses, charities and social enterprises. Any businesses wishing to enquire about any last-minute stand

SHOW

availability should contact the organisers now. Meanwhile, attendees can register for free fast-track entry via the website. The Cornwall Business Show is supported by JHAV, Shop Cornish and media partner Business Cornwall magazine.

cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL | 51

UPCOMING

EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

EVENTS 10

SEPTEMBER

VIA FERATTA BUSINESS CHALLENGE BF Adventure, Penryn

Local businesses will compete against each other in fun and inclusive ‘krypton factor style’ challenges, so you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to take part. viaferattacornwall.org.uk

YOUR PARTNERSHIPS OPEN HOUSE Victoria Inn, Roche

This is the original home of Your Partnerships and this is always a great meeting. If you have never experienced an Open House with Your Partnerships at the birth home of Your Partnerships you are missing out. yourpartnerships.co.uk

30 UNDER 30 AWARDS St Ives Harbour Hotel

Presentation of the 30 under 30 Class of 2020/21 Awards cornwallchamber.co.uk

Cape Cornwall Golf Club, St Just

These regular networking events on the fourth Tuesday of the month are open to all and each month we have a different guest speaker giving a short, inspirational talk on an aspect of their business. fsb.org.uk/event-calendar

Atlantic Hotel, Newquay

G7 LEGACY: HOW DO WE ATTRACT INVESTMENT

Every Thursday from 2.30pm join FSB Cornwall for their weekly virtual networking “Cornwall Conversations” via zoom. This is your chance to chat, make new contacts, catch upwith FSB Cornwall and share best practice for an hour each week. fsb.org.uk/event-calendar

Cornwall Chamber Patron, Lord Myners of Truro, will be hosting a panel event with four prominent local business leaders to discuss what Cornwall’s follow up should be and if companies should invest in sustainability to forward Cornwall’s economy. cornwallchamber.co.uk

52 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

Online

BOUNCING BACK WITH ROGER BLACK Leadership conference presented by Truro & Penwith College and ESF Access to Higher Level Skills, featuring keynote speaker, Olympian Roger Black. eventbrite.co.uk

Online

St Austell Conference Centre

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Open to members and non-members. Places are limited to just 30, on a strictly first come, first served basis. yourpartnerships.co.uk

BUILDING THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW Join the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub to discuss, debate, and map out how you can best build your workforce for tomorrow. ciosskillshub.com

YOUR PARTNERSHIPS GOLF NETWORK

FSB CORNWALL CONVERSATIONS Online

CORNWALL CHAMBER BIG BREAKFAST

The Alverton Hotel, Truro

It’s back! The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the beautiful Alverton Hotel, Truro for the first BIG Breakfast networking event in over a year! cornwallchamber.co.uk

For further details of these and more networking events visit businesscornwall.co.uk To publicise your event for free, email news@businesscornwall.co.uk

UPCOMING

KEEPING CONNECTED A few words by Brock from Your Partnerships Cornwall

We at Your Partnerships have loved getting back to face to face events. We have been doing the following: • Netwalking, getting out in nature and spending a couple hours getting to know more about our members and guests in various areas around the UK. • Golfing, we have now had several golf days in Cornwall and Devon and welcoming new members in at each event. Golf is such a natural networking tool. • Breakfast and lunch meetings in Cornwall and Devon. We have had several events both indoors and outdoors and ensuring to follow guidelines of the host venue. We will be adding many more after the summer holidays and in more areas of the UK.

Barnett Photo Studio

It has been great to see people in the real person again. Some of our members we had only met online and it is amazing to see how tall or short some people are and just great to get

EVENTS

some quality time together! Many of our members had forgotten how vital face to face networking is to make those amazing connections. Online has been great to keep the network going, but face to face allows for those deeper and my human conversation. We are reminding all our members that we have to respect that not all members are comfortable to meet face to face yet and may have shielding issues for themselves and/or family or friends. But for those of us that have had the privilege of getting back together, it has been wonderful. All of our online events will continue and we have several online events each day including a Saturday morning event as well. At Your Partnerships we are the network created for the members so that is why it is “Your” Partnerships If you wish to learn more or find events, visit us at yourpartnerships.co.uk

Relax

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OPINION

JUST A THOUGHT

When it comes to protecting the planet, the younger generation can teach us a thing or two, says Frugi CEO Sarah Clark.

WHO’S LEARNING FROM WHO? I recently joined Frugi as CEO, running a wonderful collection of brands with sustainability at their heart, including Frugi organic childrenswear, Totsbots reusable nappies and Bloom & Nora reusable sanitary products. On joining, I had always considered myself reasonably eco-conscious. I’m a cyclist, which is mostly planet-positive and makes me keen to protect the environment that I enjoy. I’m on a proactive journey to have ‘more-meat-free-days’, I do the easy stuff like recycling and turning off lights and appliances, and Covid has at least trained me that I don’t need to constantly travel to get things done. Is it enough, in this the ‘decisive decade’? The EU has dramatically increased its targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. By delivering an 8% emissions reduction every year between 2020 and 2030, we can limit global warming to ‘only’ 1.5 degrees Celsius. Any temperature above two degrees would lead to the disappearance of almost all reefs and increased intensity of extreme weather events. 70% of Earth’s coastlines would experience rising sea-levels, which would result in flooding, beach erosion and salinization of water supplies. At three degrees of warming hundreds of millions of people would be displaced from their homes.

only 50% turned the tap off during toothbrushing and only 58% took reusable bags in for grocery shopping, to name but a few of the surprising statistics. We have an internal mission statement within our group to ‘inspire the next generation of eco-heroes’; we want to provide sustainable clothes and reusable products which enable families and communities to enjoy quality time together, in a way that respects our planet. We also put our money where our mouth is and donate 1% of turnover to brilliant charities and initiatives such as Eco-Schools, which puts sustainability and the outdoors at the very heart of the curriculum.

Inspire the next generation of eco-heroes

With such consequences at stake, it would seem the answer is therefore, no – I’m not doing enough. And I’m not alone. In a survey we conducted of five hundred 35 to 44-year-old females, only 18% regularly used reusable coffee cups, 54 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

However, in the last few months of onboarding onto the business and the brands, I have started to ask myself – who’s learning from who?

Certainly, in my case, I would say it’s the younger generation of my nieces, nephews and godchildren that has inspired me to up my eco-game… Having grown up in the era of ‘the tampon lady’ coming into schools, I had never entertained reusable sanitary until now. My 14-year-old niece, on the other hand, had been the one to proactively request reusables, and she and her friends are open and confident in discussing and using period pants and the like. Thank goodness for their foresight, given that women use on average 11,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime, generating 200,000 tonnes of waste

per annum in UK alone. 2 billion menstrual items are flushed down Britain’s toilets each year, with sewage-related debris making up 9% of beach litter. Our younger generation can also teach us a thing or two in pursuing a vegetarian lifestyle. The UK is certainly a leading light in this area, with 21% of the population vegetarian, compared to 2% in Spain, 5% in the US and France, 12% in Germany. However, within that <25-year-olds are three times more likely to be vegetarian, with females 18-25 years-old the most likely to be vegan. With my generation lagging so woefully behind, you’ll be relieved to hear that we still have a role to play, however. I was traumatised the other week to understand that our children spend less time outside than maximum security prisoners. Whilst our youngsters clearly have a lot of heart for protecting our planet, it seems they should certainly be out there enjoying it more. Whilst Covid has been an incredibly tough period for all of us, we all know how instrumental engaging with nature is for our mental and physical well-being, and a survey by Natural England showed that 46% of working adults were spending more time outside during the pandemic than before. And so perhaps the different generations can learn from each other – we must respect and protect the planet, in this the ‘decisive decade’… but let’s also carve out the quality time to get out there and enjoy it!

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BUSINESS CORNWALL | 55

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WORD

ROB FERRIS MD at Feritech

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? An ice cream seller.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? Geophysicist in Nigeria.

WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS?

A dirty napkin from lunch, a cable tie and a terminal block.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? Attempting to grow giant veg.

IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Next to a conservation park in Uganda. I love it out there. The people are amazing and the landscape is stunning.

IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Preserve our natural environment.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

Having lunch with the King of Bahrain when I was managing a project out there.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? All the moments juggling cashflow and keeping up with the challenge of growing a company at a rate of knots.

56 | BUSINESS CORNWALL

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL?

Fresh Roddas clotted cream for my crunchy nut cornflakes every morning.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM?

Michael McIntyre – he makes me laugh. Bryan Adams – I like his tunes.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST INVENTION EVER?

It’s a draw between the Cornish pasty and cable ties.

WHAT TO YOU BEGRUDGE SPENDING MONEY ON? Anything that I can do myself.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE?

I designed a foldable tablet 25 years ago and wish I persevered with the design.

WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK?

Designing the HTHP electronics systems used in the replacement well monitoring equipment for the Gulf of Mexico.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?

I would like to be making the most of being allowed to travel again as I so miss the varied environments of the natural world.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE ADJECTIVES? Impatient, enthusiastic, tenacious.