Business Cornwall Feb 17

CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION businesscornwall.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2017 / ISSUE 107 / £4.25

UNDER 30 - CORNWALL’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG BUSINESS TALENT

FINANCE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

THIS MONTH SPONSORED BY

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TEST DRIVE AN AWARD WINNING ŠKODA

Truscotts ŠKODA

Carrs ŠKODA

01326 573001

01726 213051

93 Meneage Street, Helston TR13 8RE

Š

www.truscottsskoda.co.uk

Lodge Way, Indian Queens, Cornwall TR9 6TF www.helstongarages.co.uk/skoda

Official fuel consumption for the ŠKODA range in mpg (litres/100km): Urban 31.4 (9.0) to 72.4 (3.9); Extra Urban 45.6 (6.2) to 88.3 (3.2); Combined 39.2 (7.2) to 80.7 (3.5). CO2 emissions for the ŠKODA range are 164 to 90 g/km. Standard EU test figures are for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

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11 – 30 UNDER 30 D I S C OV E R C O R N WA L L’ S YO U N G B U S I N E S S S TA R S

18 - venue guide W E S H O W YO U RO U N D C O R N WA L L’ S I N N OVAT I O N C E N T R E S

20 – FINANCE & FUNDING B U S I N E S S H E A LT H C H E C K F O R 2 0 1 7

28 - GROWTH PROGRAMME DELIVERING ECONOMIC S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y F O R C O R N WA L L

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incoming Latest business opinion

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business news Training Awards winners

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BUSINESS TRAVELLER From Newquay to New York

36

on the move Lawyer becomes Harbour Commissioner

37

out of county Spiral on TV

38

tourism Upgrade to Skybus fleet

39

CREATIVE & IT AGENCIES MERGE

40

FSB

44

Latest news from the FSB

42

JUST A THOUGHT

New Renault Zoe EV

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Guest columnist, Kim Conchie

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EVENTS DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

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test drive CONNECTED Pictorial events roundup

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THE LAST WORD Unlocking Potential’s Becky Polson

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Hill caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS PFA Research and Kim Conchie DESIGN design@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS CORNWALL is published 10 times a year by: Tonick Business Publishing Pool Innovation Centre Trevenson Road Redruth TR15 3PL Tel: 01209 718688

ON THE COVER Maddi Tiscoe, Wild West Comms CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION businesscornwall.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2017 / ISSUE 107 / £4.25

brightest young business people

FINANCE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

THIS MONTH SPONSORED BY

Business Cornwall magazine is a patron of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

Business Cornwall magazine is proud to be media partner of the FSB

This month we feature some of the Duchy’s

UNDER 30 - CORNWALL’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG BUSINESS TALENT

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ver the past ten and a half years, Business Cornwall magazine has evolved into a respected and authoritative publication, but today we have risen the bar to a new level.

More features, more interviews, more business information. Over the coming months we will be striving to deliver a truly definitive guide to the business landscape in Cornwall.

Inside the magazine this month we feature some of the Duchy’s brightest young business people in the inaugural Cornwall’s 30 under 30. The standard of applications received was truly outstanding and humbles many of us who were, perhaps, a shade the wrong side of 30 to enter themselves.

The European-funded Growth Programme is two-years old now. We look back at what has been achieved so far and focus on the various projects open to businesses. We also ask what Brexit means for the future of the programme.

And on page 20, we take a closer look at finance and funding in general and have advice from some of Cornwall’s leading experts to help prepare your business for the future.

We hope you enjoy the new look Business Cornwall magazine.

Drop us a line, and tell us what you think.

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EDITOR BUSINESS CORNWALL

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.

Get cracking with a business loan from Folk2Folk

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01566 773296 www.folk2folk.com

25/01/2017 08:50:44

Choose independence Choose to start a business Choose The business start-up experts

www.outsetcornwall.co.uk info@outsetcornwall.co.uk 01209 311063 Funded by

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Alison Bick Alison Bick Design

Delivered by

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A year to look forward to?

Join the conversation @businesscornwall

/businesscornwall

businesscornwall.co.uk

here may come a time, once you’ve made networking an integral part of your business development strategy, when you’ll want to be more than just another face in the networking crowd.

I’m often asked about how you step your networking activity up a level.

One of the easiest ways to extend your reach and get yourself out in front of an entirely new group of people is, quite simply, to travel. This can mean a number of things. Geographically: attending similar events, say local business

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THE CONVERSATION

We have gone into the first quarter in an optimistic mode and my main hope is that this continues. My fear is that as we are still in a period of uncertainty, plans born of such optimism may wane and hold back growth. Growth or consolidation will be a very individual decision. For example, some may be encouraged by Brexit to accelerate plans to expand into new markets outside the EU but others who rely on trade closer to home may be more concerned about operating costs, regulation and where their customers are going to come from so they may just be in a more protective mood.

Another hope, therefore, is that greater stability with a good deal for British business is

forged swiftly to unlock optimism to move into action and fruition.

The main challenges for Cornwall specifically are always around connectivity, infrastructure, finance and skills. We have so many very small firms working with scant resource and on small margins so any hikes in operating costs and people with less money to spend will be sure to have an instant telling effect on our economy.

We’re going into 2017 full of vigour with a number of projects coming to launch in the early part of 2017 which we hope will fuel further potential.

Weirdly, since Brexit we have won a major European University against tough European competition, the only concern we have is with the Euro now stronger than the Pound we have to be very mindful of how we cost projects to ensure they deliver the right fee against creatives delivered.

We’re cautiously optimistic for 2017. It will be a year of uncertainty which is a challenge. The pharmaceutical industry will be significantly impacted by a hard Brexit. We’re watching closely and working with relevant industry bodies to ensure we are prepared. For Cornish businesses the key challenge is likely to be access to skills.

networking breakfasts, in a different part of Cornwall or making a concerted effort to go out of county to network, on a regular basis.

My business, The Samphire Club, is looking to extend its reach with events in London, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth in 2017.

Another way is looking beyond your niche or sector at the bigger picture or a complementary sector, and meeting a whole new range of contacts. For example, I recently introduced a connection of mine, an online estate agent, to a potential new market when I suggested he attended the monthly Truro Construction and Property Forum organised

by Samphire Club partner, Ward Williams Associates.

Increasing your business profile at events

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can take you in a number of directions.

Whether you’re looking for a way to promote your start-up or are an established business wanting to increase its reach, sponsoring an award is a great way of building credibility and recognition.

And then of course, as well as travelling and sponsoring, there’s speaking. To confirm (if that’s needed!) that all my suggestions are tried, tested and proven to work by yours truly, I started this year with a speaking engagement at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s First Friday breakfast.

Presenting is a skill that everyone involved in business should seek to cultivate. It’s a great way of building your personal brand, sharing your knowledge, getting noticed and building

INCOMING

Our hopes are that the predictions for the tourism industry having another good year are right and sales increase further on last year. Fears are that people leave booking until last minute for good discounts and then something changes in the economic climate which encourages them to then book abroad instead. Brexit has definitely already affected our plans, it’s encouraged us to bring forward all investment we had planned over the next five years into the next two years to try and capitalise on the so far beneficial effect it has had on the tourism industry both from abroad and domestically.

There will be a lot of challenges for Cornwall this coming year, but mostly they should be beneficial. The challenge we anticipate everyone facing is how to make the most of the opportunity Brexit has presented and persuading people, despite all the adversity, Cornwall is a great destination to escape it all.

My hope is that businesses make the distinction between their audience and their actual customers in 2017. My fear is that businesses will try and evolve, without a clear understanding of who their actual customers, really are. I think 2017 will be consolidation. Lots happened in 2016, dust is still settling. I think if businesses can get the right fundamentals and right people in place for 2018, they will have spent 2017 wisely. Brexit will slow confidence, which will slow decision making. So yes, Brexit will have an effect.

confidence. Get started by putting yourself forward for speaking gigs at events that you regularly attend, making the most of a friendly crowd, and then move on to sector-wide events and beyond.

One Samphire Club member, Tanya Mann Rennick, has seen her speaking engagements take her from small beginnings to No 10 and the European Parliament!

Speaking or presenting at an event or conference is networking “one to many”.

For the duration, you have the attention of everyone in the room. Use your time wisely; as the ladies at Valuable Content in Bristol say: “help don't sell, talk don't yell, show don't tell.”

Wise words that should resonate across all your networking activity.

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cornwallchamber.co.uk

England rugby union star and proud Cornishman, Jack Nowell, launched a new ale in collaboration with St Austell Brewery to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution charity.

Cousin Jack, a traditional English Pale Ale, was crafted on St Austell’s Small Batch by Nowell alongside the company’s brewing team and launched last month to coincide with the Six Nations Rugby Union Championships.

The brewery will be donating 5p to the RNLI charity for every pint of Cousin Jack sold.

A traditional English Pale Ale,

was crafted on St Austell’s Small Batch by Nowell alongside the company’s brewing team

Pendennis Shipyard and the Eden Project were among the top winners at last month’s Excellence in Business Training Awards.

Some 180 business people gathered at The Headland Hotel in Newquay to recognise exceptional training and development in organisations across the region.

The Eden Project returned home with a brace of awards - the Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Medium/ Large (51+ employees) Award as well as the Training Programme of the Year Award.

Pendennis Shipyard, meanwhile, was recognised for Outstanding Commitment to

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Training Large (150+ employees).

Further winners included Truro Tractors, which won the Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Small (1-50 employees, and Wesley Ashwell from The Globe Restaurant with Room in Fowey, who won Apprentice of the Year.

Raoul Humphreys, acting CEO of The Cornwall College Group, opened the evening and congratulated all nominees on their success. “The standard of nominations this year was exceptional,” he said. “The winners deserve particular praise for being recognised as the best in their category.

It’s been a wonderful night of entertainment and celebrations and I’ve been humbled to be part of it.”

Other winners: The Park Cornwall (Outstanding Commitment to Training Small), Blue Flame (Cornwall) Ltd (Outstanding Commitment to Training Medium), Karen Oldham-Waring Sunflower Training & Consultancy (Individual Champion to Staff Development), George Autie - Fugro Geo-Services Ltd (Individual Achievement), and Chloe George Trevalsa Court Hotel (Young Apprentice of the Year).

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cornwallchamber.co.uk

Merlin Cinemas is looking to open a four-screen cinema in Bodmin after signing an agreement to purchase Bodmin Public Rooms. The Penzancebased company currently operates 15 cinemas across the UK, mostly in Devon and Cornwall, but also as far afield as Thurso in the north of Scotland. Director, Geoff Greaves, said: “Cinema-going in the UK has experienced a huge renaissance over recent years and we believe that Bodmin deserves a good cinema.”

Indian Queens-based water treatment business, Hydra Group, has been acquired by German company, Eliquo Water. Under the terms of the deal, the selling shareholders will continue to run the business for the new owners, which has been renamed Eliquo Hydrok.

Ethical children’s clothing brand, Frugi, has been included on The Sunday Times ‘Ones to Watch’ list as part of its annual Virgin Fast Track 100 table. The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s 100 private companies with the fastestgrowing sales over the last three years, with the ‘Ones to Watch’ a top ten whose growth falls just short of the main league table. In the last three years, sales at Frugi have doubled.

UX is about how people use websites. Your site needs to be enjoyable to use, helpful, informative and fulfil the user’s needs.

Somehow, this often goes wrong.

A UX review will examine your site in depth, first as a human using its pages as one of your customers might, and then using data, delving into analytics and heatmapping results to see exactly where people end up, and most importantly, where visitors drop off.

Have a look at your website…

• Is it technologically sound – does everything work as expected? Heatmapping often shows clicks on elements that are not in fact clickable and could be.

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The established view in the legal sector is that the ‘best’ firms and ‘best’ legal work happens in London – but we are very happy to prove that is not the case! Our firm has changed a lot over the last few years. The starting point was taking a look at what we did well – and importantly – where we could improve. Our staff have come up with brilliant ideas from an iPhone App to help client’s keep up to date, to reusable coffee cups to cut down our waste.

We are also the first law firm of our size to introduce an employee ownership scheme – based on the John Lewis model, which

gives all eligible members of staff an equal share of our profits – regardless of their role or seniority.

It was this approach which was noticed by the British Legal Awards judges who said: “The winning firm caught the eye of the judges for its investment in its local community, the establishment of an employee ownership trust and its ability to handle some big deals.”

"This firm provides a model for the successful regional firm of the future," said one judge. Now that is something for Cornwall to feel very proud of.

To contact Stephens Scown, please call 01872 265100, email solicitors@stephens-scown.co.uk or visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk

• Can you cut down on distractions? What gets in the way of the user completing the goal for their visit?

• Can you reduce friction? Are there areas users find tough, e.g. long forms, complex payment info to complete, too many choices.

• Is the user finding relevant content? Both search engines and humans want to find what they are looking for quickly, and will give up if they do not.

• Is the site intuitive? It might seem like a good idea to try out new design tricks (horizontal scrolling anyone?) but do users know how to deal with them?

Estimates of the value of investment vary from a return of £2 to £100 for every £1 spent on UX improvements (Forrester Research) – so you’ll quickly make back the cost of doing the review.

To find out how your digital marketing could bring in more money, sign up for Electric Dialogue’s Drop in Clinic on February 23. Details are at eddigitalmarketingclinic.eventbrite.co.uk

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sapc.co.uk

One of Cornwall’s leading breweries has teamed with a renowned local wine maker to produce a limited release Pilsner beer.

Sharp’s Brewery got together with Camel Valley to produce Camel Valley Pilsner, with production limited to 1000 bottles.

The Pilsner was brewed at Sharp’s Brewery, then fermented for two weeks using traditional Pilsner yeast, before being aged on a bed of Saaz leaf hops for 40 days.

Once the beer was in prime condition, it was then transported to Camel Valley Vineyards where head wine maker, Sam Lindo, and his team bottled the Pilsner into traditional Champagne-style bottles and reseeded it with

their sparkling Brut yeast.

The beer was then aged for six weeks in the bottle resulting in a final “with a crisp, clean bitterness and the lemony fruit aroma from the Saaz hop”.

Sharp’s head brewer, Andrew Madden, said: “Camel Valley Pilsner is an idea that we have had for a while…we’re all so excited about the final product.”

Lindo added: “Collaborating with Sharp's Brewery to produce this very special Camel Valley Pilsner has been a wonderful and fascinating experience and I’ve learnt a lot about the different philosophical approach between the winemaker and brewer.”

The fifth annual Cornwall Business Show is set to take place next month.

The event on Thursday, March 16, is once again being held at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge.

More than 120 companies will be represented at the show, and upwards of 1,000 visitors are expected.

Show organiser, Andrew Weaver, said: “Cornwall Business Show is a great opportunity both for new businesses to help establish themselves in the market, and for companies who want to get out there and find themselves new customers.”

In addition to the seminars, popular features of the show include its regular speed-networking sessions, its Connection Wall, and the Meet the Expert facility.

For more details, visit cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk

The West Cornwall Pasty Co has been sold to Ginsters’ parent company for an undisclosed sum.

Investment fund Enact bought West Cornwall Pasty Co out of administration in April 2014, and has since quadrupled profitability and undertaken a major overhaul of the brand.

It has now sold the business to Samworth Brothers, realising, it says, a 5.5x return for investors.

Samworth’s chief financial officer, Richard Armitage, commented: “We are delighted to be able to bring the West Cornwall Pasty Co into the Samworth Brothers family of companies.

“We are able to offer many opportunities for the future growth of the business and an exciting future for our new colleagues. Enact has done a great job of nurturing the business since 2014 and we are confident of being

“We are able to offer many

opportunities for the future growth of the business "

able to continue their good work.”

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staustellbusinesspark.co.uk

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, was in Cornwall recently, discussing the Devolution Deal and the area’s post Brexit plans for the future.

During his visit, he also toured the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Cornwall Airport Newquay and signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Cornwall Council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

John Pollard, Leader of Cornwall Council, said “We know that he is keen to understand the distinct aspects of life and work here and we were delighted to explain the schemes and opportunities that are available through our work with our partners and the implementation of our Devolution Deal.”

Javid added: “Devolving power to where it belongs – in the hands of local people who know their area best – is a key part of our plan to create an economy that works for everyone.

“From the Enterprise Zone at Newquay to the devolution deal for the Duchy, I’ve been impressed by the energy across Cornwall and the drive to make sure these locally-led efforts succeed."

A new estate agency has opened for business in Falmouth.

Specialising in residential sales and lettings, Harding & Wakefield offers “real local expertise and a tailored service to suit individual requirements”.

The new venture has been set up by Samuel Harding and Ben Wakefield, who have a breadth of industry experience between them including roles in an international financial company, property project management and residential estate agency within London and the south west.

Wakefield said: “Our ethos is simple - we find the best way to tailor our service to each of our clients' individual needs. We're very much looking forward to the year ahead and welcoming people to Harding & Wakefield.”

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If you run a local business or organisation and you want to expand your operations, or if you want to start a new business, LEADER funding may be able to help.

Businesses in any sector can apply provided the project will enable growth in Cornwall’s economy. The fund is open to businesses, farm diversification projects, and projects to increase farm or forestry productivity, improve animal welfare, support tourism, provide rural services or support culture and heritage activity.

The scheme supports growth through funding mainly capital items although limited revenue costs can also be supported.

Applicant organisations must be located in an eligible Local Action Group area (LAG). There are four LAGs covering Cornwall but Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn and Saltash are excluded.

LEADER has supported 21 projects in Cornwall in 2016 to a total grant value of around £527k.

Projects funded are in the leisure industry, food processing, increasing livestock and arable

farm productivity and tourism and cultural infrastructure. These projects are delivering improvements in productivity, increased sales and additional employment thus providing a wider benefit to the economy of Cornwall. A further 80 projects are in the process of applying for grant but more projects are needed.

Visit www.localactioncornwall.co.uk to download the relevant LAG area Applicant Handbook for full details or contact: Liz Gilbert, West Cornwall LAG, 07973 813803 Josyanne Thatcher, Coast to Coast LAG, 07484 010458 Jon Teague, Atlantic & Moor LAG, 07484 010456 Caroline Hanlan, South & East Cornwall LAG, 07484 011512

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Plans have been revealed to explore and potentially develop lithium contained in underground hot spring brines in Cornwall.

The presence of lithium in hot spring brines in Cornwall has been known since the mid1800s, but this was regarded as a curiosity, given there was no developed market for the metal at that time.

WBW Solicitors have announced the merger with Launceston-based Peters Langsford Davies.

The managing partner of WBW Solicitors, Steve Bulman, said: “Both WBW Solicitors and Peters Langsford Davies act for clients throughout Devon and Cornwall. The additional office in Launceston will allow the merged practice to offer an increased level of service and expertise, particularly to our current and future agricultural clients, those seeking advice in respect of Wills, tax planning and other financial related issues, and businesses looking for employment and commercial advice.

“The merged practice will also be able to offer other services to our Cornish clients including personal injury, clinical negligence, dispute resolution and criminal prosecution work.

“This is an exciting development for WBW Solicitors. The firm looks forward to growing the practice and providing a full service offering to all of its clients throughout

New technology now offers the potential to extract lithium from these hot spring brines and to supply product to the rapidly-growing battery market for electric cars and for power storage.

Cornish Lithium has entered into definitive mineral rights agreements with Strongbow Exploration and Mineral Exploration Limited, and has signed a Heads of Agreement with Tregothnan Estates, to carry out exploration for, and development of, lithium in hot spring brines within the majority of the mineral rights held by

these entities.

Rights secured by Cornish Lithium will allow the company to undertake what it believes to be the largest, single, unified mineral exploration programme in Cornwall’s history.

It believes it could lead to the creation of a new lithium production industry in Cornwall.

Cornish Lithium CEO, Jeremy Wrathall, said: “We are delighted to have signed agreements with Strongbow Exploration, Mineral Exploration Limited and Tregothnan Estates to explore for, and to commercially develop, lithium contained in hot spring brines.

“The rights secured cover the key areas of interest based on historic recordings of lithium in such springs, allowing us to further investigate these occurrences and to identify potential sites for commercial extraction facilities.”

Professor Kip Jeffrey, head of Camborne School of Mines, added: “Although this project is still at an early stage it is very exciting news.”

"the merged practice will

also be able to offer other

services to our Cornish clients"

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the region.

“WBW Solicitors were fortunate to find in Peters Langsford Davies likeminded people with the want to provide exceptional client care, personal service and quality assurance. Both WBW Solicitors and staff of Peters Langsford Davies believe both firms will be even stronger together.”

For further information please contact: WBW Solicitors incorporating Peters Langsford Davies Westgate, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 9AD Tel: 01566 772451

www.wbw.co.uk

24/01/2017 09:59:28

hen we started our search for 30 of Cornwall’s most promising entrepreneurs in partnership with our colleagues at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, The Hub, Avanti Communications and Cornwall College, we had no idea at the shear depth and scale of business talent we have here in the Duchy.

The list, which is in no particular order, perfectly reflects the diversity of the business landscape in Cornwall and what is particularly refreshing about the list is the amount of female entrepreneurs included, with exactly half of those on the list being women.

Judges were delighted with the standard entries. Lucy Edge, director of satellite operations at Avanti Communications, said: “What a pleasure it has been for us to select the inaugural Cornwall 30 under 30 winners.

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“We were astounded by the volume, quality, diversity and calibre of the nominations which made our judging a challenging task.”

Chamber chief executive, Kim Conchie, said: “I really enjoy the judging process for any awards - it is always uplifting to read about success stories in Cornwall. The 30 Under 30 process, a first, was particularly cheering as we discussed the next generation of leaders and people adding real value to the Duchy.

“Congratulations to all 30 of you. It was a hard choice from the large number of great people doing tremendous things here.”

And Hub committee member, Amy Weeks, added: “The Hub is delighted to support this year’s 30 under 30, celebrating the innovative, passionate and talented individuals who are making such a positive contribution to the Cornish business landscape.

So, enjoy reading through the following pages and make a note of some of the names. Because we firmly believe, you’ll be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

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MAKE NEW CONTACTS • MEET SUPPLIERS • GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Coming Soon

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THE PLACE TO B2B Pre-registration Now Open

PENZANCE 22 FEBRUARY LAUNCESTON 24 FEBRUARY Join us for free business workshops and book a free business review.

Look out for our pop-up venues across the town

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T 01209 708660 | www.ciosgrowthhub.com/ontheroad

For more info cornwallbusinessshow.co.uk

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24/01/2017 10:48:10

CORNWALL INNOVATION

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund

For further Convergence information please contact: Programme Pool Innovation Centre 01209 714676 / picevents@Plymouth.co.uk Tremough Innovation Centre 01326 330066 / ticevents@Plymouth.co.uk Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre 01872 330030 / hwicevents@Plymouth.co.uk

Innovation at work Fresh, modern conference, meeting and events spaces situated alongside award-winning businesses; the three Innovation Centres in Cornwall are a great place for any business to hold meetings, conferences, launch new products and hold events.

Offering dynamic office space and tailored business support for businesses looking to innovate and grow, the Innovation Centres provide innovation, incubation and acceleration space in a vibrant collective community.

• Three great locations in Cornwall • A wide variety of meeting rooms and event spaces to accommodate from 1 to 110 people • All rooms with natural daylight offering contemporary business space to support the most informal or formal gathering • Flexible configurations for galleries, networking and exhibitions as well as traditional meeting layouts • A dedicated and welcoming event management team to support your needs

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• • • • • • • •

State of the art technology and connectivity Secure LAN fibre connection for presenters Free Wi-fi for delegates Fresh and delicious locally-sourced catering options A range of informal breakout areas Fantastic accessible locations with excellent transport links In-house catering to meet your requirements Modern purpose-built buildings with good access for those with mobility issues

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• Situated within easy distance of the A30 with a nominated Conference and Events reception located on the ground floor which provides every delegate with a point of support.

• Our Trevithick Suite has a flexible pillar-less conference space that can host up to 90 delegates – there’s also an adjacent breakout area for refreshments.

• You can choose from a further six well equipped meeting and conference rooms that are perfect for a wide variety of events.

Telephone conferencing Bespoke delegate name badges Laptop hire Lectern hire Presentation pointer Plasma screen Flip chart

• This Innovation Centre is most connected to the eco, enviro, media and creative sectors.

• The Sennen Suite on the ground floor comfortably accommodates 100 delegates and has a private space for refreshments at the rear.

• The three well-equipped boardrooms all benefit from natural daylight and our Helford Suite also has a meadow view terrace that’s ideal for outdoor refreshment breaks during the warm summer months.

• The Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre is one of the county’s preferred exhibition, conference and events spaces.

Located next to the Royal Cornwall Hospital site, it’s serviced by the local Park and Ride scheme and has great public transport links.

• Three-storey central atrium has breathtaking floor to ceiling windows that make the most of the beautiful countryside views.

• The Perranporth Suite is on the lower ground floor, with natural daylight, air conditioning and built in AV. This area is configured to create a dedicated flexible conference space that has its own breakout area – perfect for

Photocopying and printing Hearing Induction Loops

stakeholder and collaborative partnership events as well as presentations for up to 100.

• There are a further six meeting rooms and other events space to support all your event needs, from small seminars through to more complex events and workshops requiring a variety of space and layout.

Delivered by Plymouth University on behalf of Cornwall Council

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund Convergence Programme

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he start of a new year is always a time to reflect, albeit only a moment in time in the business calendar. Here, in collaboration with market research firm PFA Research, and as part of our annual finance and funding focus, we take a sideways look at some of the more interesting facts and figures concerning the state of business finances, confidence and performance, both locally and against the national context.

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24/01/2017 10:12:59

If in doubt, seek professional advice.

Bishop Fleming offer a free initial grant consultation and funding search.

Contact Ewan McClymont, Director Grant Services – 01872-275651 or email emcclymont@bishopfleming. co.uk. Further details at www. bishopfleming.co.uk .

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spare capacity should encourage companies to invest and expand capacity, however, the proportion aspiring to grow has fallen to 53% (down from 60% in Q4 2015 and its high of 65% in Q2 2015).

The same trends were seen for profitability, with negative balances of between -7% and -3% of firms reporting growth in gross profits each quarter of 2016. The report shows that investment intentions ‘remain subdued’ with a net balance of 17% intending to increase capital investment over the next quarter – notably up from over 11% for the previous quarter, however still significantly down on the peak of 32% seen in Q2 of 2015.

Those reporting operational costs increased throughout 2016 to a new net balance of 57%, the highest for three years. There are many causes of changing costs, with the proportion citing ‘inputs’ having increased over the year from 22% to 31% and those citing ‘fuel’ increased from 12% to 19%. The most notable drops are ‘labour’ (the greatest cause of changing costs) falling from 45% to 41% and ‘rent’, from over 20% to 16%. However, in response to the biggest change in business costs, the FSB report states: “The inflationary environment for both consumers and businesses is set for a drastic change over the coming months, as the weakness of sterling translates into a significant increase in the price of imported goods and services. About three in ten (28%) small businesses this quarter state that the exchange rate is a main cause of cost inflation, up from just 5.4% at the end of 2015.”

As small businesses continue to rebound, through 2015 and the first half of 2016 saw a quarter on quarter decline in the number of company insolvencies in the UK. However, the latest data available from National Statistics estimates an increase for Q3 2016 (3,633 up from 3,593 a year before).

The inflationary environment for both consumers and businesses is set for a drastic

change over the coming months

George Scott and Paul Raglan (MD) from Mining Searches UK. Mining Searches UK received an investment of £25,000 from BIG2 in August 2016.

Last year the availability and affordability of finance was reported by the FSB survey as on the up. The latest report this year reports the level of successful credit applications declining, albeit they’re now at the same level as this time last year, having seen success rates at a high 70% through 2016 (for the 14% of firms that apply).

The report of credit availability and affordability worsening for small businesses in the final quarter of 2016 aligns with reports of declining perceptions of credit affordability and availability, which in turn aligns with the decline in aspirations for growth, a subdued climate for investment intentions and the inflationary environment overall.

What a difference a year makes. The first quarter statistics for 2017 will be fascinating, a good six months after the EU Referendum result and Prime Minister May’s speech on 17th January. By which time we might just have an inkling of the way things are going to go, whether any blips in the latest trend lines are just that or turn out to be early signs of more challenging times ahead.

• • • •

Innovative products and services Strong competitive advantage in your markets National and/or international customer base Plans to create new skilled jobs

Apply for: • Funding for business development projects • Investments between £2.5k and £75k

How healthy is your business? Need more research to back up your investment plans?

Call PFA Research on 01326 375705 or visit www.pfa-research.com

Telephone: 01872 322372 Email: big@cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk www.businessinvestmentforgrowth.co.uk

European Union European Regional Development Fund

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To deal with the revolving door aspect of the current grant regime, I suggest that if you have a transformational project you need grant funding for: • Map out the project (narrative and details of expenditure etc.); funding requirements and the outputs (jobs etc.) now.

• Contact Growth Hub (or us) on whether there is a grant that ‘fits’ now or is in the pipeline e.g. we understand that there is likely to be a further European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Call for workspace.

• Have at least a draft ‘business plan’ and integrated projections ready to update as these documents are key to a successful application.

• Before you commit time to an application, read the guidance notes and make use of any Technical Assistance available.

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23/01/2017 14:16:25

BIG o far, the programme has approved circa £500k of investment for Cornwall-based businesses, which is set to create 111 new jobs.

Business Investment for Growth 2 (BIG 2) aims to support 200 co-funded projects, creating 360 jobs by the time the programme finishes. The level of investment ranges from £2.5k up to a maximum of £75k with the average investment expected to be around £25k.

So far, the programme has approved over 25 projects, and the BIG 2 team have developed a pipeline of applications which, if approved, could support a further 72 projects with a total of £1 million of investment.

Programme manager, Brent Treloar said: “The team at CDC is working extremely hard to help Cornish businesses take advantage of this EU funded opportunity and although the application processes are rigorous, we are very

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pleased to have enabled some very high quality projects, driving both growth and job creation for Cornwall.

“In particular, we are currently targeting businesses in north and east Cornwall, so we can be sure we are reaching all corners of the county with our support.”

One of the businesses to have benefited from BIG 2 is In Safe Hands Training, based in Indian Queens, offering highly specialist courses in first aid, health and safety and first response emergency care.

Thanks to investment from BIG 2, the company has been able to expand its premises to develop real life, innovative simulation training spaces.

The space has meant more than one training session can take place at one time, doubling capacity for participants taking courses with In Safe Hands. This unique facility will attract business from rescue and emergency services from across the UK.

Business owner Tim Puffer said: “Our new training space has proved really popular with clients, and as a result we are ahead of our sales target - so we’re already achieving growth following this investment.

“Expanding our premises and developing the simulation training space was always part of our ambition , but the funding from BIG 2 has helped it happen much quicker - which has led to faster growth ahead of our projections.”

Applications are via the website and interested parties can read more and download the initial expression of interest at: www.cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk/big2

23/01/2017 14:19:06

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nd therein lies the challenge – one of Cornwall’s greatest assets can also be its greatest weakness, especially when it comes to local businesses and entrepreneurs. National connections from Cornwall Airport Newquay have seen a great improvement in 2016, but whether it’s getting to international meetings or accessing new markets for their products, it can sometimes be a struggle for Cornish businesses to keep connected to the wider world.

With new flight connections from Cornwall Airport Newquay though, the great wide world is more accessible than ever - particularly that USA shaped part of it that is now so much easier to get to with the fantastic transatlantic connections that have been made available via Dublin Airport with Aer Lingus.

The principal advantage of choosing this route is that it enables passengers to preclear US Customs & Immigration en route at Dublin, allowing fast and easy access to the East Coast of the US. For anyone who’s made the trip across the Atlantic, the reality of arriving in the US only to queue for hours just to get though immigration will be all too familiar.

Thankfully, with the introduction of a US customs point at Dublin Airport, travelling to America just became a whole lot easier!

The purpose built facility is situated on the ground floor of Dublin’s Terminal 2 building and is specifically to allow US bound passengers to undertake all US immigration, customs and agriculture inspections at Dublin Airport, prior to their departure. The facility is operated by US

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personnel and Dublin is one of only a handful of airports outside North America that offers a US preclearance facility. The advantage of using this system is that having cleared US customs, passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic arrivals, allowing them to avoid those hefty immigration queues, pick up their bags and go about their business without delay.

based businesses. Whether your destination is the bustling behemoth of Toronto in Canada; the bright lights of Chicago; the learned and venerable establishments of Boston; the “insurance capital of the world” Hartford (Connecticut) or the grand international airport and business hub that is New York City, is entirely up to you…

Fill in your US Customs form (available in multiple locations around the airport) and make your way to the US preclearance area.

Complete TSA security screening (this is the American security screening standard).

Self-process using one of the 18 self– service kiosks. These are available to US citizens and ESTA* passengers.

- Scan your passport - Have your photo taken - ESTA passengers: scan your fingerprints - Approval receipt is issued Present your approval receipt and passport to a US preclearance officer for a brief inspection.

Using the preclearance facility is an efficient use of the often wasted connection time, potentially saving passengers a whopping two hours of queueing at their arrival destination and thus bringing the mighty US of A and their consumers that little bit closer for Cornish

*Passengers who plan to travel to the US are required to apply for travel authorisation online prior to travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

23/01/2017 14:20:47

he Growth Programme is a mix of European Regional Development Funding, European Social Funding and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Collectively the programme is worth more than €600m with investments split across infrastructure, workspace, research and development, business growth, skills and agri-food sectors. Running until 2020, it is contributing to the EU ambition to deliver smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Why do Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly receive European funding?

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is the only area in England which has the status “Less Developed Region”. This is recognition of the low economic base in relation to the EU average and it provides Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with the opportunity to use the local experience and expertise in EU programmes to ensure that the investments achieve maximum lasting benefit and support the people, place and prosperity of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Where are we now?

The beginning of 2017 marks an important milestone in the current round of European investment in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Growth Programme has completed its first two years and there are 54 exciting projects underway that build on the investments that have gone before it through Objective One and Convergence funding.

How do I access the Growth Programme?

The Growth Programme is delivered through a

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series of calls linked to an investment strategy developed by a broad range of partners and stakeholders in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

For potential applicants, there is a dedicated programme facilitation service team that exists to help funding applicants navigate the process and ensure project compliance.

What does the future hold?

Brexit has inevitably created some uncertainty over the future of European funding in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the Council has moved swiftly to gain some assurances.

Julian German, the Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, says: “Cornwall and the Isles of Scillys' leaders from local Government and the Local Enterprise Partnership as well as business leaders and public sector representatives have been lobbying central Government to honour the promises made during the referendum campaigns to continue investing in the area. We have been given reassurance by the Prime Minister that the current Growth Programme will continue and that more of the finances will be released for further investments so applicants should continue to seek funding with confidence.

“Our previous investment programmes have demonstrated growth in GVA which sees us catching up with the rest of the UK and the EU. However, we're not there yet so future programmes are very important. The changes to investment programmes post Brexit will also present opportunities for us. Opportunities to empower local areas to make decisions, join things up better, reduce bureaucracy and drive greater outcomes. I am continuing to lobby for a replacement programme that allows us to take responsibility for its own economic future.

24/01/2017 11:24:13

Penzance's Jubilee Pool will be partially heated through geothermal hot water by as early as 2018 thanks to a £1.4 million European grant.

The innovative project, which will be run by industry specialists Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) working with the local community, is the first of its kind in the country.

The pool has recently undergone a major repair and renovation project following the winter storms in 2014. Whilst the majority of Jubilee Pool will maintain its refreshing temperature, visitors can look forward to enjoying a heated section of the pool.

The £1.4m European Regional Development Fund grant will enable GEL to drill and develop a geothermal well on the site. Private investment has also been secured for this stage of the project. Approximately £500,000 funding still to be found for the final works to the iconic structure. It is hoped that the outstanding balance for this exciting plan will be secured with the support of fans of the project through a fundraising campaign.

Whilst a ground breaking and innovative project like this does have high initial costs, once installed, hot water bills and concerns about fluctuating energy prices will become a thing of the past. In addition, geothermal energy is clean energy and so emissions of greenhouse gases are drastically reduced.

Also, the learning and expertise gained from this project can then be exported elsewhere giving Cornwall the chance to be a leader in geothermal technology and installation.

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It is hoped that this project will allow the pool to be open for a longer season which will improve its sustainability and provide significant economic benefits for the wider community of Penzance.

Ryan Law of Geothermal Engineering Limited says: “This is a very exciting opportunity for us in Cornwall. Jubilee Pool will be the first deep geothermal heat project in the UK for over a quarter of a century. We hope that the project will help to promote both the pool as a destination in itself and deep geothermal energy across Cornwall and beyond. ” Martin Nixon, chair of The Friends of Jubilee Pool, adds: “My brother Charles initially proposed heating a section of the pool with geothermal energy over five years ago, so I'm very excited to see his fantastic idea move closer to reality.

I'm confident it will be hugely popular locally, and that tourists from across the world will flock to Penzance all year round to experience this unique facility. The resulting economic benefits to Penzance should be significant.

“Should the project be delivered successfully and realise its indicated potential – It will help promote the Jubilee Pool and Penzance in a new way, at the forefront of the implementation and use of green technologies.”

Jubilee Pool will be the first

deep geothermal heat project in the UK for over a quarter of a century

24/01/2017 10:20:37

Oxford Innovation is a name many businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will be familiar with. Supported by ERDF funding, this team of experts has been providing business support for many years helping ambitious start-ups as well as supporting established businesses to grow and succeed. Under the Growth Programme, Oxford Innovation is offering more of this service to help further grow the economy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as well as creating new career opportunities.

Among the long list of businesses that have flourished under the guidance and coaching of Oxford Innovation’s mentors is ISO Spaces. Born out of a desire to change career direction, Ben Treleaven and Gregg Curtis saw an opportunity and went for it. They

looked at shipping containers and said, “we can do something with that, something cool!”

And so they created their very first container conversion which became a pop-up bar in London’s trendy Shoreditch area.

Just a couple of years and many container conversions later that gem of idea has become an award winning local employer. The company offices are situated in Truro whilst the container conversion factory is in a unit in St Austell which gives them 15,000 sq ft of workspace.

Since its launch, ISO Spaces has worked with a variety of clients including Jeep, Kodak, Ted Baker, Caterpillar and Tesco, achieving sales in excess of £1 million. The company is a previous winner of the Oxford Innovationorganised Ignite start-up competition and won the Most Creative Use of Design category at the Cornwall Business Awards.

Shifting from their early conversions creating popups bars and restaurants, ISO Spaces are now turning the empty containers into housing units as part of a social housing development in West London. It’s a diversification that opens

Looking to the future, we’re

aiming to increase production from our factory and increase the workshop space

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another market which provides opportunities for further growth.

Clare Whitney is one of the Oxford Innovation business coaches to have worked with ISO Spaces from its launch and says: “It’s extremely rewarding to see ISO Spaces grow into a business that in such a short period of time has become a shining light for creativity and entrepreneurism in Cornwall.

“Our various inputs have included pre-start business planning, sourcing finance, marketing and establishing a long-term strategic growth plan. As with all of our work, we assign coaches with the right background and relevant experience to each aspect of our client work so ISO Spaces has been a terrific team effort.”

Co-founder, Ben Treleaven, says: “I’m grateful to all of the team at Oxford Innovation who have provided us with invaluable support. Looking to the future, we’re aiming to increase production from our factory and increase the workshop space. We have recruited a senior management team and we want to invest in the training of our staff which will include apprentices.”

The ERDF Growth Programme investment will help more businesses like ISO Spaces to realise their potential helping to change the prosperity and the way we work in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

24/01/2017 10:21:50

Here are a selection of the Growth Programme projects which have been contracted to date.

Delivering Research, Development and Innovation in Marine Technology This project will create a Marine Technology Research, Development and Innovation Hub which will support innovation across four themes: marine energy, marine manufacturing, maritime operations and marine environmental technologies.

It will deliver funding, links to investment channels and wider business support to drive growth, productivity and the exploitation of market opportunities.

ERDF investment: £6,851,462 Extension to Bickland Industrial Park, Falmouth The extension to Bickland Industrial Park addresses the need for more employment space in the Falmouth/Penryn area.

A range of high quality, flexible units will be constructed to meet demand from businesses seeking to expand. The development will also be suitable for businesses seeking grow-on space to move on from the Innovation Centres.

ERDF investment: £3,382,436 A30 Business Park Phase 1 This project will create high quality workspace on a site next to Indian Queens Industrial Estate, close to the A30. Phase 1 will include purchase of the site, installation of services and construction of initial workspace units, paving the way for further development. All units will be built to high environmental sustainability standards and will meet the demand for sustainable, accessible premises.

ERDF investment: £2,688,768 A30 Carland-Chiverton Cross (Development Phase) This is the development phase of a larger construction project to dual 12.5km of the A30 between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross, near Truro. The necessary surveys, traffic assessments, planning, consultation, route options, road design and a strategic environmental assessment will be undertaken to progress the project towards the construction phase.

ERDF investment £8,000,000

Business Investment for Growth 2 (BIG2) BIG2, managed by Cornwall Development Company, is designed to support investments in high growth or potential high growth businesses based in Cornwall. Investments will range from c. £2,500 to £75,000 for projects focusing on improving productivity, innovation, breaking into new markets and developing new products or processes.

ERDF investment £4,387,000 Carluddon Technology Park & Employment Space for Advanced Manufacturing This investment will develop a technology park and advanced manufacturing workspace at Carluddon Technology Park, near St Austell, attracting high value businesses and creating skilled jobs. The first building on the site, Employment Space for Advanced Manufacturing, will have the capacity to provide workspace and business support for advanced manufacturing and environmental businesses.

ERDF investment: £6,237,825 CETO Wave Energy The CETO Wave Energy project aims to build a wave energy converter device at the Wave Hub off the north coast of Cornwall, near Hayle. By developing a 1MW device, connected to the National Grid, the project will advance wave energy technology and demonstrate its commercial viability.

ERDF investment: £9,551,962

Coaching for Growth Coaching for Growth, run by Oxford Innovation, will provide focused support to small and medium sized businesses with high growth potential. Businesses will receive a unique high growth plan and have access to expert coaches and resources to help realise their ambitions for growth.

ERDF investment: £8,801,667

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24/01/2017 11:41:09

Community Led Local Development (CLLD) - Preparatory Support Funding has been put in place to enable Cornwall’s four Local Action Groups (West Cornwall, Coast to Coast, Atlantic and Moor and South and East Cornwall) to produce Local Development Strategies for the most deprived communities in their areas. The strategies outline how European investment could be used to benefit those communities when planned future funding is released.

ERDF: £72,000 (4 x £18,000), ESF: £64,000 (4 x £16,000) Cornish High Value Manufacturing Investment Programme Run by the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service, this project will help manufacturers realise their growth potential.

Businesses will be supported to develop a high growth manufacturing plan - which could involve developing a new product or process, or recruiting and training staff - and grants will be provided for specialist expertise that the company could not otherwise fund.

ERDF investment: £727,900

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub The Growth Hub is a single point of access to the range of support available to businesses. Advisors signpost businesses to the most suitable support enabling them to innovate, invest and grow, both nationally and internationally.

ERDF investment: £2,435,910

Cornwall Business Start-up Cornwall Business Start-up delivers bespoke support to new enterprises in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Run by Oxford Innovation it provides businesses with a start-up plan and access to expert coaches, mentors, training and resources to achieve it.

ERDF investment: £5,890,645 Cornwall New Energy Cornwall New Energy aims to develop the local energy market and ensure that enterprises and communities will benefit from more local ownership and operation of energy generation and supply. The project will support businesses and social enterprises to generate renewable energy, support the development of new low carbon products and services and work to develop or find markets.

ERDF investment £2,657,433 Creating a Culture of Innovation and Collaboration in Marine Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) The project aims to increase local marine businesses’ competitiveness through innovation and collaboration. Marine Innovation Mentors will work with businesses, alongside a grant scheme for procuring specialist services. The project aims to improve efficiency, resource management, productivity and customer focus, supporting businesses’ progression into further innovation.

ERDF investment: £615,058 Cultivator Based in Redruth, Cultivator Business Support will work with businesses in the creative industries — from start-ups to established enterprises — to help them achieve their growth potential. Support will include specialist coaching, mentoring and targeted investment. This project is aligned to Cultivator Skills which will provide advanced skills for businesses in the creative sector. Together, they offer an integrated programme of skills and business development for the creative sector.

ERDF investment: £1,999,116, ESF investment: £998,975 Engagement and Activity for the Unemployed Focusing on those who are most disadvantaged and furthest from the labour market, this project will provide tailored support to address worklessness. Flexible, personalised packages of support will be provided to enhance engagement, work readiness and provide in-work support to ensure employment can be sustained. The project is delivered by Reed in Partnership, Lizard Pathways, Groundwork and St Loyes.

ESF investment: £12,900,000

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24/01/2017 11:42:22

Export for Growth Export for Growth is focused on enhancing businesses’ international trade performance. ‘Export Essentials’ will enable more small and medium sized businesses to export for the first time and ‘Extend Your Global Reach’ will help enterprises to compete in new markets.

ERDF investment: £2,400,000

Family and Community Essential Skills This project focuses on supporting those who are facing in-work poverty to help them progress and increase their pay and working hours, or obtain higher paid jobs and move out of poverty. It will also provide support for people who have recently been made redundant. The project will be delivered by Careers South West.

ESF investment: £540,111 Financial Readiness Project Oxford Innovation’s Financial Readiness Project is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that need support to secure finance. Businesses will be offered workshops on how to make appropriate financial choices, one to one support and will benefit from the development of a financial support network. Specialist support will also be provided to investors in the region.

ERDF investment: £2,984,900 Hall for Cornwall – QuayWorks QuayWorks, a creative hub providing office and meeting space for businesses in the creative sector, will be constructed as part of the redevelopment of Hall for Cornwall. This project will help advance the development of the creative industries and support the sector to contribute to job creation and economic growth.

ERDF investment: £2,090,864 Invest in Cornwall Building on previous projects, Invest in Cornwall will promote positive perceptions of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as a place to do business. This will be done through the Cornwall Brand initiative and by attracting and supporting businesses in certain smart specialisation sectors (marine renewables and aerospace and related advanced engineering). It will also encourage those involved in international business to work together and support existing overseas-owned businesses in Cornwall.

ERDF investment: £1,698,285 Isles of Scilly Voucher Scheme This scheme, managed by the Council of the Isles of Scilly, will make investments of between £1,000 and £100,000 in small and medium sized enterprises on the islands. It aims to generate long term, sustainable business growth and to create higher value jobs.

ERDF investment: £1,368,652

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24/01/2017 11:43:16

Jubilee Pool Geothermal Heat Project This project will use renewable geothermal energy to heat a section of Jubilee Pool, Penzance’s art deco lido. A geothermal well will be drilled next to the pool making heat available throughout the year. The project will act as a high profile demonstrator for geothermal heat in Cornwall and encourage the roll out of other geothermal projects on a commercial basis.

ERDF investment: £1,423,119 Launchpad Launchpad is a graduate start-up programme run by Falmouth University that aims to give participants the skills to develop a project from inception to sustainable, high growth potential company in just two years. It will support graduates to develop new products and processes in response to market demand, focusing on the digital games and interactive technology sectors.

ERDF investment: £9,834,883 Local Manufacturing Advisory Programme The Local Manufacturing Advisory Programme will support manufacturing businesses improve and grow. The project will offer information, diagnostic and brokerage support to identify growth needs; consultancy support; grant funding for small capital and revenue projects and workshops and seminars to provide businesses with the tools they need to improve their processes. It is delivered by the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service.

ERDF investment : £124,932 Outset Cornwall Outset Cornwall provides tailored support for individuals who want to start their own business or who have recently started up. The project aims to increase the number of business start-ups and help new enterprises survive and grow. Support is delivered through Outset, the Spark programme at Truro & Penwith College and the Engine Room which delivers through Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change, RIO – the Real Ideas Organisation and the School for Social Entrepreneurs.

ERDF investment: £3,360,000 SMARTLINE: Smart technology, linking innovation and needs for eWellbeing in communities The SMARTLINE project will gather and analyse data from participating homes in Cornwall. This research will help identify the requirements and market potential for new eHealth / eWellbeing products and services, stimulate business development, identify skills gaps and create jobs.

ERDF investment: £3,780,374

Skills for Young People This project will provide skills development for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or who are at risk of becoming NEET. Managed by Careers South West and delivered by a range of partners, the project aims to bring young people closer to work or further learning.

ESF investment £1,277,889

St Erth Multi Modal Hub This project will develop the area around St Erth railway station as a transport hub serving West Cornwall. It will connect the railway mainline, A30 trunk road, St Ives park and ride service and the bus network, making public transport more attractive and commercially viable.

ERDF investment: £5,400,000

Superfast Business Superfast Business will enable businesses to better understand and exploit the opportunities offered by superfast broadband that can help them develop new products or services, reach new markets and improve business performance. Support will be provided by experienced advisers, online, face to face, through workshops and through project support.

ERDF investment: £2,984,444

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24/01/2017 11:44:25

Supported Pathways for Progressive Employment – Business Sector Led European Social Fund (ESF) investment is being used to provide support for employees who wish to develop their skills and enhance their career prospects. This project and ‘Supported Pathways for Progressive Employment—Individuals in the Workforce’ will provide a wide range of upskilling opportunities for individuals according to their needs. Both projects will be delivered by Serco.

ESF investment: £2,554,889 Supported Pathways for Progressive Employment – Individuals in the Workforce This project and ‘Supported Pathways for Progressive Employment—Business Sector Led’ will provide support for employees who wish to develop their skills and enhance their career prospects. Delivered by Serco, the projects will deliver a wide range of upskilling opportunities for employees in line with their needs.

ESF investment: £2,554,889 Upskilling the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector The focus of this project is upskilling people working in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The aim is to enable better sustained engagement and relationships to support priority groups towards employability and to identify ways of increasing volunteering for those who can use it as a route back to work or as a method of developing new skills. This project will be delivered by the Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

ESF investment: £730,000 Unlocking Innovation Potential (UIP) UIP will help businesses to grow through innovation. Businesses with the potential to use innovation to grow will be able to develop a tailored Growth through Innovation Plan and have access to experts and resources to achieve their objectives. The project will also host events to inspire businesses to get involved in research, development and innovation; create collaborative networks and run a series of knowledge and exchange projects.

ERDF investment: £3,743,426

Explore Technologies for Business Growth Join other Cornish businesses at our Technology for Growth Workshops. Giving you the opportunity to think strategically about how you can exploit digital technology to grow your business.

LaTesT DaTes BODMIN. . . . . . . . . . Wednesday 8 February Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club sT ausTeLL . . . . . . . Thursday 23 February St Austell Conference Centre

Delivered in a jargon-free, easy to understand way, these fully funded events for small to medium sized eligible businesses are an ideal opportunity to learn about the benefits of digital technology.

sT Ives . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday 28 February Carbis Bay Hotel

To book your place go to: www.sfbcornwall.co.uk/events email: enquiries@sfbcornwall.co.uk or call 0345 600 3936

saLTasH . . . . . . . . . . .Wednesday 29 March China Fleet Country Club

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Registration: 8.45am • Event: 9.00am–1.00pm Bookings are subject to eligibility and will be confirmed once submitted. Due to the funding for this programme, businesses can only attend one workshop throughout the duration of the project. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 15

24/01/2017 11:44:53

www.sapiencehr.co.uk

Cornwall Care has appointed Philip Rees as its new chairman.

He succeeds Dr Alan Stanhope, who is retiring having served the maximum Cornwall Care tenure of ten years as chairman. He first joined the board in 2006.

Rees joined the board of Cornwall Care as a non-executive director in 2013 and took up his new role on January 1.

He has considerable experience at senior level across a range of businesses including a 32-year career with a major construction, housing and property development company. He owns and runs a small holiday complex in north Cornwall.

He commented: “I am honoured to have been appointed by the board to be the next chairman.

We strive every day to improve the lives of the people in our care and I look forward to working closely with our strong executive and non-executive teams to drive forward the vision and values of Cornwall Care.”

A Solicitor from Cornwall, with 37 years’ experience in law, has joined the board of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC).

Following a competitive open recruitment process, Mark Chanter joins the sixstrong board of commissioners, replacing commissioner and chairman, Dave Ellis.

Chanter, who works at Foot Anstey, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Having initially become a Partner at Frank & Caffin,

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he went on to become managing partner at Hancock Caffin and has been a key member of the management board of Foot Anstey since 2007.

Carrie Gilmore, newly-appointed FHC chairman, said: “Mark’s extensive experience in business development and management will add tremendous value and complement the existing board members’ breadth of skills.”

Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has strengthened its marketing team.

Helen Bishop-Stephens has joined the team as marketing account manager to lead a new project promoting an innovative support service for businesses in Cornwall, while Vicki Sutcliffe has been appointed marketing assistant.

Bishop-Stephens was previously interim manager of a £3.4 million capital build project for Harvey’s Foundry Trust while Sutcliffe was a conference & events officer at Falmouth University.

Kate Coetzee, meanwhile, has returned to Cornwall to join the team as international marketing manager and will be in charge of delivering the Export 4 Growth programme. She has previously worked in marketing at VisitEngland and the Campaign for Real Ale.

24/01/2017 10:28:46

cornwallairportnewquay.com

St Austell-based promotional merchandise provider, Fluid Branding, has opened an office in Amsterdam.

MD, Miles Lovegrove, explained: “We identified the need to service our existing clients and grow our portfolio across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

“Where better to do this than Amsterdam, where many companies’ European head offices are located?”

The office will be headed up by sales director, Gert-Jan Sentel, who has 22 years’ experience within the promotional merchandise industry.

He added: “I am very excited about this opportunity for both my current and new clients. I am delighted to join the Fluid Branding team and play a part in the company's next phase of expansion.”

Falmouth University has been presented with an international education prize at a ceremony held in the USA. The university received Silver in the European regional category for best educational project at the Reimagine Education awards in Philadelphia.

It was also named as runner-up in the Presence Learning category for its new postgraduate business incubation programme, Launchpad.

Reimagine Education is about “identifying,

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding has gone into the New Year with a burgeoning order book after securing sales for designs that are destined for locations as diverse as the Far East and the Norfolk Broads. The Mylor-based business unveiled a new model in its popular Duchy Motor Launch series – the Duchy 21 – at the

OutOfCounty_Feb17.indd 3

sharing and celebrating transformative educational initiatives from across the globe”.

Vice chancellor and chief executive of Falmouth University, Professor Anne Carlisle, said: “We’re very proud to have been recognised by such an eminent group of international Higher Education experts for our work on Launchpad.

“To have come second in the European category is a tribute to the innovative and transformative work happening at the university.”

Southampton Boat Show. This was swiftly followed by keen interest in, and multiple requests to sea-trial, the flagship of the series, the Duchy 27.

Later this year, Cockwells plans to launch a high-end family cruiser, the Duchy 35, while plans for the Duchy 25, Duchy 45 and Duchy 60 are all on the drawing board.

A Cornish staircase manufacturer has been featuring on Channel 4’s Grand Designs television programme.

Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud, made specific mention of Spiral UK’s central spiral staircase located in the heart of a property in Jersey, which was nominated for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) House of the Year award, calling it a “helical masterpiece”.

As well as increased national awareness, Helston-based Spiral UK is going into 2017 with a bulging order book after winning over £1 million of new contracts.

MD, Eric Nicholls, said: “Despite the uncertainty following the Brexit vote, we are looking forward to 2017 with a full order book and strong levels of enquiries following the Grand Designs broadcast.”

24/01/2017 10:32:42

www.visitcornwall.com

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company is making a £530k investment in its Skybus fleet of aircraft to include new interiors, enhanced navigation systems and new livery.

Six of the eight-strong fleet are being fitted with new interiors including all new trim, carpets and soundproofing in time for the start of the busy holiday season at Easter.

Five of the fleet are being entirely repainted, which means stripping the aircraft back to bare metal, while all eight aircraft are being decorated with a new red, white and blue tailfin design.

The Skybus fleet has also been fitted with new satellite landing technology called EGNOS which is like satnav for aircraft and will improve operational resilience during times of poor weather.

The Isles of Scilly is set to benefit from major new investment into its cultural tourism offer after a successful bid by the Islands’ Partnership to Arts Council England’s national Cultural Destinations fund.

The £164k project will be led by the Islands’ Partnership working alongside a local consortium of the islands’ artistic and cultural communities, including the museum and library.

The two-year project, which is set to commence in April, aims to bring to life

News of a three per cent increase in year-onyear visitors to Cornwall in 2016 set a scene of positivity at the first ever Cornwall Tourism Summit, organised by Visit Cornwall.

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Rob Goldsmith, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, said: “This is a major investment by the company in improving passenger comfort and operational resilience.”

The Skybus fleet is made up of four 19-seater

Scilly’s rich and distinctive cultural heritage offer to attract new visitors to the islands.

James Berresford, chairman of the Islands' Partnership, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been successful in our bid to the Cultural Destinations fund. The Isles of Scilly are already one of England's most distinctive destinations.

“This project will provide a fantastic opportunity to build on this and harness the enormous potential of the islands' cultural heritage, bringing our untold stories to life and helping to attract new visitors.”

More than 200 people from across the tourism sector attended the event at the Royal Cornwall Showground Pavilion Centre and heard that 2017 looks set to build on the success story of 2016.

Visit Cornwall’s Malcolm Bell said: “We are going into 2017 in a strong position with some fantastic projects to look forward to.

DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft and four eight-seater BN2 Islander aircraft.

At busy times of the year Skybus operates more than 60 flights a day serving the Isles of Scilly from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter Airports.

Cornish holiday lettings agent, Aspects Holidays, has opened a new office in Bude.

Bude is Aspects’ fifth office location in Cornwall, and will be managed by Nicky Miles. Aspects Holidays’ commercial director, Mandy Stinchcombe, said: “Bude is a fantastic town with so much to offer to holiday makers. With a really great community and bags of enthusiasm for tourism, we couldn’t wait to be a part of it.”

Aspects Holidays markets more than 500 properties throughout Cornwall, with offices in St Ives, Hayle, Penzance, Newquay, and now, Bude.

“I am cautiously optimistic that in the next year (2017) Cornwall will start to feel the much anticipated staycation boom, however we should tread carefully.

“Economically we need interest and mortgage rates to stay low and for job security and confidence to rise. A relaxation in school holiday rules would also be welcome.”

24/01/2017 10:35:32

www.digitalpeninsula.org

Thousands of premises in St Austell will be among the first in the UK to benefit from a new ultrafast broadband technology being developed by Openreach. The company has announced the Cornish town as a pilot location for its new ultrafast technology, known as G.fast, which provides download speeds of up to 330Mbps – more than ten times the UK national average.

A Cornish technology company is tapping into the Duchy’s tech sector to develop a new service to transform the way companies manage compliance, regulations and standards. Gydeline Two of Cornwall’s leading agencies have merged. Creative Edge and Changing Brands have joined forces in a move that combines the talents of two of Cornwall’s most-experienced design studios.

Changing Brands founder, John Lowdon, has been appointed creative director of Creative Edge and brings 18 years of experience to the enlarged team. He previously worked with international, national and local businesses

on brand and digital communications and has introduced one of his existing clients, Avis Budget Group, to the Creative Edge client list, which already includes GE, BT, Openreach, Digital Scotland and Wheelbase Alloys.

Creative Edge director, Melinda Rickett, said: “The merger of our two design consultancies means that Creative Edge is now positioned as one of the largest and most progressive design agencies in Cornwall.”

is led by Mike Saville and Russell Cosway, in collaboration with Redruthbased embedded software specialist, Bluefruit, with the user experience design (UX) being delivered by Trurobased G+CO. The team is further enhanced by DCA PR, illustrator and local artist, Harriet Teagle, and legal and accountancy services also from Cornish companies.

An innovative digital start-up has gone fully live, after several years of meticulous planning and development.

Pixxcell is a free and easy to use storytelling platform, which allows users to create beautiful maps of destinations and journeys around the globe. Founder and CEO, Melissa Mercer, said: “We are thrilled to unveil Pixxcell – which we think of as the world’s first time travelling atlas of human curiosity.”

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Cornwall’s business improvement districts (BID) have been using the winter months to busily update their websites.

The Newquay BID has commissioned a local software firm to develop a project which, it says, will be a “first of its kind”.

Newquay-based software developer, Flowmoco, is creating a new integrated digital system for the town, which will feature a mobile optimised website, and a downloadable mobile app driven by beacon technology; which will allow businesses direct communication with those in town.

Nixon Design has produced a new responsive website - www.lovepenzance. co.uk - for the Penzance BID, “to showcase the local culture, history and businesses that make Penzance unique”.

And St Ives also has a new website, courtesy of local design company, Meor.

The site caters mainly for tourists, although locals will also find the site useful with regular updates on events and places to eat. The website also features a hotel booking function, acting as a one stop shop for all.

24/01/2017 11:59:52

www.fsb.org.uk

Small business confidence has risen in the south west despite increasing operating costs, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)’s latest quarterly Small Business Index (SBI).

The SBI, which reflects how firms expect to perform over the coming quarter, hit +8 across the region in Q4 2016, up from +5 in the preceding three months. This means that more businesses feel confident than feel the opposite. Small business confidence rose to +8.5 for the UK as a whole in Q4.

Almost all (89%) of small firms in the south west expect to remain the same size or expand operations over the next year and a quarter (27%) are looking to increase capital investment. Amid a fall in the value of the pound, more than a third (38%) of exporters surveyed expect to increase overseas sales over the next three months.

Small businesses in the region are facing challenges, however. General economic conditions in the UK are cited as the biggest barrier to growth (26%), with more than one in ten (16%) firms highlighting consumer demand as a threat to their growth aspirations.

Many businesses simply use their membership to trade organisations as a kind of insurance policy, but are you missing a trick? With a little effort you can also really use such associations to develop your skills and really be part of the business crowd.

FSB members are at the heart of everything we do. Alongside the benefits that we offer, did you know that FSB also supports members to form topical task and finish groups on specific key issues? If you have specialisms whereby you would like to be considered to lead or represent FSB on a particular subject then get in touch with development manager Ann Vandermeulen (ann.vandermeulen@fsb. org.uk).

Listening to our members’ requests for a high-quality, monthly networking service, FSB now provides exactly that and businesses can join us at any of our #FSBConnect events around the UK. Even if you are visiting other parts of the country, you can book online via the calendar for any region at www.fsb.org.uk/regions.

Open to all, our local #FSBConnect is on the second Thursday of each month at St Austell Conference Centre. You can book easily via www.fsb.org.uk/cornwall where you will find our events calendar and all local information.

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New research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warns the UK risks failing to meet its climate obligations without the help of small businesses.

FSB’s latest report, ‘The Price of Power: Energising small business in the next UK Carbon Plan’ (available to download at www.fsb.org.uk) shows how with improved incentives and fewer barriers, small firms can be key to closing the carbon gap.

It calls on the Government to produce urgently a new carbon plan which includes a specific strategy on crucial areas such as microgeneration and energy efficiency across the UK’s small business community.

Ann Vandermeulen, development manager

for FSB Cornwall said: “Our research finds that ‘security of supply’ is the biggest energy concern for most small businesses (60%). Nearly nine in 10 (86%) small businesses believe the UK is too reliant on imported energy. Making it easier and more attractive for small firms to contribute to the generation of green energy would both help to meet carbon targets and make the UK more self-sufficient with supplies.”

FSB Energy from the FSB - As a member of the FSB, all your energy needs are covered.

Find out more on this and all FSB member benefits at www.fsb.org.uk/benefits/advice/ fsb-energy or by calling Customer Services on 0808 2020 888

24/01/2017 10:40:55

Entries are now open for the Cornwall Business Awards 2017.

Any business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly can enter one or more of 14 award categories, which include Best New Business and Best Family Business. Around 300 business leaders will attend the spectacular awards dinner at St Mellion International Resort on Thursday May 18 2017, which many regard as the most important business event of the year in Cornwall.

Colin Dennis, chairman of the Cornwall Development Company, which organises the awards in association with Business Cornwall magazine and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: “As these awards enter their 12th year, we continue to be amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of our local business leaders. It is great to be able to show our appreciation for all their hard work and for the vital contribution they make to our local economy.

For a full list of categories and to enter, visit www.cornwallbusinessawards.co.uk.

Entries close March 12.

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24/01/2017 11:56:43

ir Jon Cunliffe, deputy governor of the Bank of England, who joined the Chamber of Commerce’s December Breakfast at The Penventon Hotel, said two memorable things. One being that ‘uncertainty is the new norm’ for business; and secondly that the biggest threat to world stability in 2017 is not Britain invoking Article 50 but Marine Le Pen being elected President of France in May. Your business in Cornwall can’t influence these things and therefore my message to you is, worry about the things you can influence – that is: is your business plan robust; is your team trained and motivated to deliver it; are your customer relationships strong; and does your supply chain still work for you? I know exchange rates affect some of you but make sure your organisation has a plan that can withstand the variances you can’t influence.

Theresa May’s Brexit speech did not offer much clarity because we are entering uncharted waters and your crystal ball is as good as mine.

Will European businesses start to make and deliver things which hitherto they’ve imported from Britain? Will invoking Article 50 enrage our European trading partners? Will Marine Le Pen’s actions cause the collapse of the Eurozone and make Britain seem incredibly prescient? Who knows? So carry on regardless with what you can influence.

There is a large worry nearer home that you can have some impact on. From 2020 Local Authorities, in our case the unitary authority Cornwall Council, will have to rely on Council Tax and Business Rates that they collect. They will retain 100% of this revenue but will receive no further subsidy from central government. This may be fine if the unitary authority is a city with thousands of businesses in close proximity; but in Cornwall & Scilly where we have only some 21,600 VAT registered businesses spread from Morwenstow to St Martins with expensive infrastructure needed to keep them linked, it will

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leave us millions short. Cornwall Council can continue to analyse what they need to deliver and cut budgets accordingly but in my calculation we are going to be some £20 million adrift from current requirements much of which the Council will seek to recover from business rates. What are we to do about it? I am making the case that, although Cornwall’s businesses have been very resilient, we are not in a position to suffer new taxes. A further idea being mooted - and tested in Bath - is a Tourist Tax so that some equitable way of making our visitors – maybe as many as four million in 2017 alone – pay some share of the facilities they enjoy.

That won’t go down well with the hospitality businesses that make up the 28% of Cornwall’s GDP. But we need to work with Cornwall Council as well as lobbying the UK government for fair treatment for SMEs in rural areas to resolve the problem. Your ideas are welcome. Rest assured, I will continue to make the business voice heard.

Talking of central government, Cornwall & Scilly is going to need a very strong and clear strategy to get funds for economic growth from the newly empowered UK legislature.

Under the EU, love it or hate it, there was a formula by which Cornwall & Scilly received funding because we are a ‘less developed region’ in economic terms – so, a needs based assessment. Now our own government is evaluating funding on a far more ‘value for money’ basis. If the criterion were to be ‘the number of people impacted’ and the government wishes to continue to reduce the deficit, then the NHS, education, the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine and a hundred other things are going to beat us to it. We need to devise a plan which shows how we plan to improve working life and productivity in new and exciting industries like renewable energy, e-health, space exploration and so on. And, maybe, we will need to form an economic region with our partners in the three counties across the Tamar. A Pioneering Peninsula perhaps? We can do it but it won’t happen on its own. Your thought always welcome to Business Cornwall or to your Chamber of Commerce.

23/01/2017 14:49:55

For further details of these and more events, check out the networking calendar on

businesscornwall.co.uk

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24/01/2017 10:44:03

Renault ZOE EV

TestDrive_Feb17.indd 2

23/01/2017 14:54:36

’m still on a mission to dispel the notion that electric cars (EVs) are only really suitable for urban life and bumbling around towns and cities. Unless you need a car for regular long computes that bypass any charging points then an EV will most likely cover all of your journey requirements.

Renault is of course also trying to persuade the car buyers’ market that EVs are easy to live with. In their brochure they compare charging an electric to charging a mobile phone – simply put it on charge when you go to sleep.

The Renault Zoe has now leaped forward in terms of range, too, offering a claimed real word figure of between 124 miles (winter conditions) and 186 miles in temperate condition - ample for most of us when you consider the average daily mileage of people in the UK is less than 28 miles (according to the 2016 New Car Buyer Survey).

The Zoe is funky and modern in looks, though endearingly looks inflated, slightly like a hot air balloon, ready for take-off. This is combined with a surprisingly conventional cabin layout - it’s unfussy and isn’t trying too hard. Everything is pleasant and simple to use yet there’s still a decent level of equipment as standard and plenty of options on top.

I can assure you though; the Zoe certainly isn’t full of ’hot air’ (despite its cute, inflated looks) and

has a very clear purpose – to provide an affordable electric car to the mass market.

That doesn’t mean to say that it’s soulless and boring - it’s got a bit of the French flare, especially evident in the drive – it feels the least cumbersome and the most nimble of all the EVs I’ve driven to date. This is party down to the new battery having double the capacity in the same dimensions and located under the floor, giving a good centre of gravity and also leaving all the boot and cabin space uninterrupted. It’s honestly fun to drive with a superb chassis, perhaps unsurprising given Renault’s success in Formula E. So this brings me on to what is the key to the success of the Zoe: affordability. Whilst there are other EVs and hybrids that have a more premium feel, they are often pretty dear to buy. The Zoe is one of the most accessible and rounded propositions of all. If you sift through the information given by Renault (and the asterisks and footnotes) which can be a little confusing, then you basically have to firstly consider the different options of buying the car itself and then the separate options of buying or hiring the batteries. For example the Dynamique Nav R90 ZE 40, as test driven, has a quoted OTR price of £17,845 and then the battery hire is on top of that and goes up incrementally, depending on your annual mileage – up to 10,500 miles per year would mean monthly payments of £89 (sounds quite a lot, but think of the fuel you’d save). You do also have the option to buy the car and battery outright – the same model would then cost a quoted £24,445 OTR. However a Plug in Car Grant is available up to £4.5k towards the total cost.

I keep saying this, but if you’re looking at getting a new car, at least put an EV in the mix for consideration. And the Zoe Z.E.40 is one of the most user-friendly, practical and affordable on offer; perfect for most daily commuting, meetings and chores. And think of the CSR benefits and PR opportunities!

Wheal Rose, Scorrier, Redruth TR16 5BX Tel 01209 821133 Summercourt, Newquay TR8 5YA Tel 01872 511600 www.dalescornwall.co.uk

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23/01/2017 14:54:54

Senior Executives’ Forum

#FSBConnect

Connected_Feb17.indd 2

23/01/2017 14:56:26

Cornwall Law Society AGM

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23/01/2017 14:58:13

The last word

|Sponsored by Contact: Contact: A. A. E. Verona Cocks vcocks@setfords.co.uk | T:01209 01209708 708 651 650 E:E:vcocks@setf ords.co.uk | T: www.setfords.co.uk www.setfords.co.uk

James Collings | Foot Anstey LLP Name | James Collings Company | Foot Anstey LLP Job title | Partner

followed by every single Kardashian in existence.

What did you want to be when you were young? Either an actor or a professional tree climber.

What was your first full time job? I had lots of part time and holiday jobs from around the age of 14, but I suppose my first ‘full time’ job was probably working as a night porter in a hotel in the Canadian Rockies for six months when I was 19.

What do you begrudge spending money on? New tyres for cars.

What is your favourite book? The Solicitors Regulation Authority Handbook obviously!

If you only had £1 left in the entire world, what would you spend it on? I’d love to say something sensible like vegetable seeds, however probably a (very small) cup of coffee.

What is your favourite restaurant? Tabbs in Truro – fantastic food.

What’s the best thing about Cornwall?

That moment when you go around a bend and see a stunning sea view that you’ve not come across before.

How do you like to relax? A nice bike ride when I get the chance.

Champagne or beer? Why can’t I have both?

If you could build a house anywhere in the world where would it be? Probably a ski chalet in Whistler – although the commute to work may well be a bit tricky!

If you could invite any two people for dinner, who would they be and why would you invite them? Tom Kerridge and Barack Obama. Tom Kerridge so he could assist preparing a great meal, and Barack Obama because I have no doubt he’d keep me enthralled for hours with some fascinating tales.

If you could be a superhero, what superpowers would you like to possess?

The power to make my two-year old not wake up at 5am every morning.

Who was your teenage pin up? Phoebe Cates.

Can money buy happiness? Not really, but the challenges of not having any can certainly cause misery.

Most annoying TV personality? What a long list! Bruno Tonioli probably comes out on top, immediately

LastWord_Feb17.indd 2

What has been the worst moment in your career? Probably accidentally slamming a door in the face of the (then) managing partner of the firm whilst I was a trainee solicitor.

What’s in your pockets? Wallet, phone, car keys and fluff.

What is your favourite film? Jaws – it scared the hell out of me when I was young, but I still watch it again and again and enjoy it.

38 The Last Word

What has been the best moment in your career? There have been so many great moments, however I think that the first time I did my own advocacy for a client at an employment tribunal hearing and won was an amazing feeling.

www.businesscornwall.co.uk

What could you not live without?

My Kindle.

What’s the greatest invention ever? The Internet (although one could argue it’s also the worst!)

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

The French Alps.

Describe yourself in three adjectives: Supportive, conscientious, motivated.

Business Cornwall Magazine | December 2016/January 2017

23/01/2017 15:09:37

Go further for less...

The New Renault ZOE

100% Electric | Zero CO2 | 250 mile NEDC range* Now available at Dales Cornwall CO2 whilst driving: 0g/km, MPG: n/a according to NEDC homologation tests. *Homologated range according to NEDC test cycle, for comparison purposes, 250 miles, and may not reflect real life driving results. Range will vary on various factors including driving conditions, driving style, temperature and topography but is likely to be between 124 miles in winter conditions and 186 miles in temperate conditions with the Z.E. 40 battery.

Wheal Rose, Scorrier Redruth TR16 5BX Tel 01209 821133

LastWord_Feb17.indd 3

Summercourt Newquay TR8 5YA Tel 01872 511600

www.dalescornwall.co.uk 24/01/2017 10:51:23

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24/01/2017 10:47:39