Business Action | February / March 2019

usiness
ACTION
north enterprise
devon
growth
innovation
news & views
Where are your customers?
163,000 North Devon residents on this map
Wellbeing in the workplace
Keep your people happy and productive
Who’s in the hot seat?
10 questions for award-winning glamping owner
BBxpo 2019 even bigger
North Devon’s business show grows
Satellite image courtesy of Google Earth
business-action.co.uk | February / March 2019 | @businessactionm

We offer a wide range of
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advanced levels, as well as higher and
degree levels, helping you to build a
skilled and enthusiastic workforce.
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AND MANY MORE...
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or 01884 235206 | www.petroc.ac.uk
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the first issue of
Business Action, the independent
North Devon-based
business magazine.
As our cover photo shows
(right), North Devon is a
large, remote area with some
163,000 people spread out
over 800 square miles –
compare that with the 260,000
population of Plymouth
squeezed into 33 square miles.
Where are the towns and the
people? Most is luscious green
and that is its charm and, for
businesses, also its challenge.
A commercial cloud
With no central focus, North
Devon has the potential to
be a distributed business
network – a commercial
cloud – but only if businesses
connect with each other.
Business Action aims to
connect businesses by channelling
news and information,
and through events and
initiatives. We bring you news
and views from across these
800 square miles, from new
and established businesses,
from large and small, from
those operating locally and
those exporting across the
globe, and from organisations
supporting business.
Who are Business Action?
The magazine is produced by
Need it Find it, a partnership
formed to produce a regular
advertising leaflet in Bideford.
The concept was created by
Alan Williams, who established
will writing practice
Wills at Home in 2008, and
WELCOME
BBxpo 2019
developed by experienced
writer and business journalist
Robert Zarywacz, who
manages communications
partnership Zarywacz.
Following the leaflet’s
success, Alan suggested
holding a business exhibition
in Bideford and Robert
developed this into the first,
successful Bideford Business
Expo (BBxpo) in October
2018. From this, it became
clear to both that North
Devon needed a dedicated
business news channel and
Business Action, previously
produced ad hoc for the
NDBA networking group, has
been reborn as a fully independent
business magazine.
Strong businesses in 2019
This first issue appears when
businesses must support each
other more than ever with so
much uncertainty and change
in the air. However, Business
Action believes the innovation,
resilience and tenacity
of North Devon businesses
will enable them to succeed
whatever challenges they face.
BBxpo returns to the Devon Hall, Bideford College bigger and
better on Thursday 24 October 2019 with the capacity for 50+
exhibition stands plus networking buffet and workshops.
Stand space is available at the 2018 rates, enabling businesses
of all sizes and sectors to exhibit from just £75 – see
page 18 for details or book your space now at bbxpo.uk
NORTH DEVON ENTERPRISE DAY
North Devon Enterprise Day on Thursday 24 October 2019
provides a focus for all businesses to develop, improve and
expand and to support other businesses through events and
other activities. Every business can take part and we will be
compiling an online ‘enterprise wave’ – see page 18 for details
or visit business-action.co.uk
Cover image and image above of North Devon courtesy of Google Earth
business
ACTION
CONTENTS
College nationwide ranking success................................................. 2
Finance firm’s investment fund increases...................................... 2
Best beach loos in England...................................................................... 3
New investor for travel tech firm............................................................ 4
Food supplier achieves global standard.......................................... 4
Sign Maker exhibits across the country........................................... 5
Office printer firm starts 2019 with new showroom................. 6
Marketing wizardry leads to more than signs.............................. 6
Start recycling your waste polystyrene............................................ 7
Workplace stress.............................................................................................. 8
High performance in the workplace.................................................... 9
Protect your business from cyber crime......................................... 10
Getting connected is key to success................................................. 10
Boosting your restaurant sales.............................................................. 11
Can Brexit transform businesses into exporters?.................... 12
Free workplace needs assessment..................................................... 13
In the hot seat: Bella Given....................................................................... 14
People...................................................................................................................... 15
All change at Bideford heating firm..................................................... 16
North Devon Networking Lunches....................................................... 16
Business listings.............................................................................................. 16
Motorised machine to sift beach plastic.......................................... 17
Business on the move.................................................................................. 17
BBxpo 2019.......................................................................................................... 18
North Devon Enterprise Day..................................................................... 18
EDITORIAL
Robert Zarywacz
Editor, Designer & Publisher
t: 07971 176044
e: robertz@business-action.co.uk
@robertz
business-action.co.uk
Vol 1 Issue 1 – Feb/Mar 2019 – distribution 2,000 across North Devon
ADVERTISING
Alan Williams
Advertising & Publisher
t: 07970 671192
e: alan@business-action.co.uk
© Need it Find it 2019. All information in this magazine is published in good faith.
Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, Need it Find it.
Readers are strongly recommended to seek advice from an appropriate professional
before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine and to check full
terms and conditions of any products or services promoted in advertisements.
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 1

NEWS
NORTH DEVON HAS
BEST COLLEGE IN UK
North Devon wealth manager
and independent financial
advisers Philip J Milton
& Company Plc has been
appointed to manage a
further £55 million on behalf
of more than 1,600 new
individual investors.
Approached to help
The firm did not seek out the
opportunity, but was contacted
for its connections,
stability, trust and reputation
following the suspension of
the fund’s previous Londonbased
investment manager
by the Financial Conduct
Authority in December.
Managing director Philip
Petroc has been rated first out of 183 UK Further Education colleges
by education industry magazine FE Week
Toasting success: (from left) FE Week publisher Shane Mann, Petroc
principal Diane Dimond, Petroc vice principal Bill Blythe and FE Week
editor Nick Linford
Skills are one of the top
concerns for North Devon
businesses and the area has
received a massive boost
after Petroc was named top
Further Education college out
of 183 colleges in the UK in
FE Week’s annual NICDEX
league table.
NICDEX rates colleges in
four categories – learner satisfaction,
employer satisfaction,
16-to-18 positive progression
and adults into employment
– with a maximum potential
score of 40. Scores are based
on official criteria published
by the Department for
Education.
Petroc scored 93.8% for
employer satisfaction, 92%
for 16-to-18 positive progression,
56% for adult progression
into work and 81% for
learner satisfaction. Petroc’s
overall score of 36 placed it
two points above the second
place colleges and knocked
previous winner Exeter
College off the top spot.
Diane Dimond, principal
and CEO, said: “We’re
absolutely delighted to be top
of this highly-regarded league
table, improving on last year’s
second place.
“My thanks go to all of our
amazing staff and hardworking
students, as well as
employers and partners in
the area who work so closely
with us.
“At Petroc, success at
Milton commented: “Earlier
in the year, we achieved a
record £150 million under
our discretionary management,
where clients entrust
us with the daily decisions
for the management of
their capital with us. This is
something of which we were
immensely proud, albeit
Brexit-related volatility has
made this task challenging.
“This addition will take
total funds under our
management to over £200
million, which is a wonderful
achievement. This is also an
incredibly positive endorsement
of our services in that
the decision of the fund’s
every level is promoted as a
positive driver for continuing
in education and gaining
employment and every year
our students go on to the best
universities in the country,
higher and degree apprenticeships
as well as skilled careers.
“We pride ourselves on our
strong links with employers,
ensuring our learners have
great work opportunities
trustees and administrators
to appoint us reflects the
firm’s prowess, competence
and capabilities, as well as
our integrity and longevity.”
Philip J Milton &
Company will manage the
extra, segregated funds
without providing financial
advice at this stage and its
existing systems are fully
capable of managing the
increase in its work load.
“This really is wonderful
news for the firm,” added
Philip. “Our existing discretionary
investment clients
will also benefit as this gives
us improved economies of
scale and new investment
available to them, and I truly
believe this is why we have
such success with student
progression into employment.
We work closely with
organisations across a wide
range of sectors, and value
their feedback to shape our
curriculum and ensure we’re
meeting the needs of our
communities. The fact that
over 93% of employers would
recommend us as a training
provider is fantastic and
makes me extremely proud.”
Devon as a county scored
highly with City College
Plymouth, Exeter College and
South Devon College also
achieving top 12 positions.
Investment in Petroc’s
services will continue after
the announcement that it has
secured £1.2 million from the
European Regional Development
Fund to create a Centre
of Technology and Innovation
Excellence at its North Devon
campus in Barnstaple.
■■Details 01271 345291 or
petroc.ac.uk
Financial advisers to manage a further £55 million
opportunities for further
possible diversity and
support to existing holdings.
“We shall also be viewed as
a bigger ‘player’ in the market
at large, giving us the opportunity
of being propelled into
a new level of operation.”
Future expansion
Philip believes it will support
expansion of the firm’s
services and 30-strong team
and boost the North Devon
economy. He says it shows the
area is establishing the gravitas
to attract such confidence
from across the country.
■■Details 01271 344300 or
miltonpj.net
2 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

Best beach loos in England
North Devon might have the
best natural attractions in the
country, but that’s not enough
for visitors these days: they
want the best facilities too.
Putsborough Sands is
demonstrating how the area’s
businesses are investing in
high quality facilities after
receiving the Loo of the Year
2018 award for Best Loo
within 50 metres of a shoreline
in England.
Rob and Sarah Tucker,
owners of Putsborough
Sands, are investing their
own funds to provide the best
possible visitor experience.
“We rebuilt the toilet block
at Putsborough in the winter
of 2015/16 and reopened
it for Easter 2016 to great
acclaim,” says Rob. “I don’t
think anyone ever expected
us to do the job quite so
well. We spent more than
£250,000, installing solid
Idigbo doors, great tiling and
expensive china.”
Rob and Sarah made the
investment because they
Toilets make a big impression on visitors and, with local authorities
closing more public conveniences, the private sector has to work
twice as hard to maintain North Devon’s high standards. Putsborough
Sands has received recognition in the 2018 Loo of the Year Awards
as providing the best loo within 50 metres of a shoreline in England
wanted visitors to enjoy the
same high quality experience
they would have in a restaurant
or hotel.
The Loo of the Year Award
examines many different
criteria including signage and
communication, decor and
maintenance, fixtures and
fittings, cleanliness, hygiene
equipment, air quality, extras,
security, access, baby changing
facilities and overall management
care. Their aim, since
their inception in 1987, is to
encourage and promote the
highest standards in ‘awayfrom-home’
washrooms. They
are now the accepted industry
standard and facilities are
judged by unannounced visits
during the year.
Rob continues: “The Loo of
the Year Award people came
to have a look and, up until
now, we have been awarded
the top Platinum award,
which really pleased us. This
was an acknowledgement of
the great job we had done and
that the toilets were really first
class. The Platinum award
was, I believe, just for attainment
of a great standard.
“This year we were nominated
for an individual award
in a national category as well
and we can now claim to have
the best toilets in England
within 50 metres of a beach.
We are a market sector leader
– something we are very
proud of.”
Rob adds that the standard
of toilets included in this
year’s awards was exceptionally
high.
Putsborough Sands car
park, shop and toilets are
open all year round for visitors
to the beach.
■■Details 01271 890231 or
putsborough.com
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 3

New investor for
travel tech firm
NEWS
ECI Partners, a UK growthfocused
private equity firm,
has purchased Phoenix Equity
Partners’ stake in Bidefordbased
Travel Chapter, which
markets more than 5,000
properties across the UK
through holidaycottages.co.uk
and other web sites.
Phoenix Equity Partners’
sale delivers a return of 3.6
x investment cost and a 62%
internal rate of return (IRR)
for investors in Phoenix’s
2016 Fund. Financial terms
have not been disclosed.
Established in 1989, Travel
Chapter has developed a
leading, technology-driven,
marketing platform for
holiday lettings in the UK,
which features many sophisticated
marketing capabilities
and a highly rated customer
service model.
Business expansion
Phoenix partnered with
Travel Chapter’s chief executive
officer, Jamie Morris, in
2016 to support the expansion
of the business through
a combination of organic
and acquisitive growth. Since
then, 20 acquisitions were
completed, the number of
properties under management
and the number
of employees more than
doubled, and profits increased
threefold. Jamie will continue
to lead the business through
the next stage of its growth.
Will Skinner, partner
at Phoenix, said: “We’re
delighted to have been part of
the Travel Chapter story. It’s a
terrific example of how we can
partner with a talented team
and use our capital to rapidly
and materially grow a business
together. We wish the team
and the new investors every
success in the years to come.”
Jamie Morris, chief executive
officer of Travel Chapter,
said: “Phoenix have been
fantastic partners over the last
few years and I would like to
thank them for their support
and experience, which have
proven invaluable. I look
forward to working with
ECI over the coming years
as we continue to grow the
business.”
George Moss, partner at
ECI Partners, added: “We
are delighted to partner with
Jamie and his team at Travel
Chapter. Given our prior
strong experience and 20-year
track record in the sector,
we’re excited about working
with them over the next phase
of the business’ growth. Travel
Chapter has a strong, resilient
business model and some
exciting opportunities ahead.”
Future plans
Travel Chapter has grown its
team from 47 in 2012 and
now employs more than 260
people across the UK – most
of them based at its Bideford
HQ – with this number set to
exceed 320 in 2019.
Team responsibilities range
from reservations to customer
services, property account
managers, new business,
finance, marketing and technical.
The company values
its people highly and actively
encourages training, personal
growth and development of
all of its team members.
The company started at
Bideford Quay, then moved
to Northam before opening
its purpose-built headquarters,
Travel Chapter House
on Gammaton Road, East the
Water in 2017. A large extension
is being built during
2019 to house the growing
team and growth plans.
Travel Chapter’s offices
across the UK include Bristol,
Newcastle, Norfolk, the
Lake District, Harrogate. Its
regional property account
managers and new business
managers stretch across
the country from the tip of
Southern Cornwall to the
Highlands of Scotland.
■■Details 01237 426287 or
travelchapter.com
Kelly Williams, sales and marketing director, Savona Foodservice
Food supplier achieves
highest global standard
Savona Foodservice, which
acquired Ilfracombe Wholesale
Grocers, has been
awarded BRC AA standard
in Storage and Distribution
at both its Ilfracombe and
Oxford depots.
AA is the highest
possible score awarded by
the scheme, which aims to
maintain product integrity
during storage and distribution.
BRC Global Standards
currently operate in 130
countries and BRC auditors
are known to be experienced,
well-practised and welltrained,
so achieving top
score is a big achievement for
the company.
“AA standard isn’t just
another accreditation,”
commented Mike Morgan,
director and general
manager at Savona’s Oxford
depot, “it is an external
recognition of the investment
that we have made to
achieve the highest possible
quality assurances.”
Kelly Williams, sales and
marketing director, based in
Ilfracombe, added: “We’ve
always known that our
company is built on quality
and accreditation at the
highest levels simply gives us
third party verification and
allows us to share this with
prospective customers.”
Since 2016, Savona has
doubled cold store capacity
at Ilfracombe, developed
a state-of-the-art freezer
extension at Oxford and
won multiple contracts.
Savona continues to invest
in improving its services
and is preparing to launch
its pioneering online
ordering platform, which
uses Artificial Intelligence
programmed specifically
for the food sector, to offer
customers a sophisticated yet
quick and easy service.
Visit Savona Foodservice
South West’s Annual
Catering Exhibition 2019
at Exeter Racecourse, 10am
to 4pm, on Tuesday 26
February.
■■Details 01271 862569 or
savonasouthwest.co.uk
4 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

Umberleigh-based The Sign
Maker has built up a large
customer base across the
world via its web site, but,
with constant changes to
algorithms and online practices,
finds staying at the top
of the search engine rankings
a growing challenge.
“Until now we’ve relied on
the internet totally and felt
we had to try something else,”
explains managing director
Kate Price.
When Devon County
Council announced its
2018 Business Promotion
Grant scheme, the company
obtained a grant to support
its first ever attendance at
a trade show: the Family
Attraction Expo at the NEC,
Birmingham last November.
“There’s no point in just
printing banners, we need to
show people what we make,”
continues Kate. “We started
preparing the stand in August
and had to get it all together
so thought we would try it
out at Bideford Business Expo
in October.”
After planning to exhibit
at one exhibition, the Sign
Maker ended up exhibiting
locally in Bideford, regionally
at the South West Business
Expo in Exeter and nationally
at the Family Attraction Expo
at the NEC.
As its name suggests, the
Sign Maker specialises in
NEWS
Sign Maker exhibits
across the country
Giving clear signs: (from left) sales specialist Debbie Stevens with
managing director Kate Price on The Sign Maker exhibition stand
high quality, bespoke signs
and memorials. Its products
range from made-to-order
wooden signs to stone, slate,
granite and marble signs
as well as painted signs,
house name plates, engraved
plaques, safety signs plus a lot
more. All signs are designed
and manufactured by skilled
carpenters, engravers and
painters as well as by CNC
equipment and sand blasting
at the company’s Umberleigh
workshop. Its customers
range from individuals
wanting a single sign for their
house to businesses requiring
commercial signage.
The aim of attending the
Family Attraction Expo was
to build relationships with
visitor attractions requiring
multiple signs, although
Kate said they also met many
farmers looking to diversify.
She added that the response
from visitors was good with
one asking “why is all the
good stuff made in Devon?”
The exhibitions have
started to generate orders
and also provided many new
contacts for the future.
After this first taste of trade
shows, Kate is looking forward
to exhibiting at further events,
including agricultural shows:
“We’ve got to do it again to
create an impression.”
■■Details 01769 561355 /
561314 or sign-maker.net
Visit ideaengine.co.uk to see all the
brands that we have brought to life
online, in print, outdoors and in a
whole host of other ways.
North Devon Counselling
Kelly Smith
Individual Counselling for
Children, Adults and Young People
and
Supervision for those
who work in Counselling
and support professions
ideaengine.co.uk
01271 324594 or 07974306711
The Therapy Shed, Pilton ~ 07872 501606
ksmith@northdevoncounselling.co.uk
Web, Brand, Advertising, Design, Literature
Advertise here from just £25
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 5

Office printer firm
starts 2019 with
new showroom
Clarity Copiers North Devon
got off to a flying start for
2019 with a move into new
premises on Barnstaple’s
Roundswell Business Park.
Account manager Paul
O’Brien says having a local
office is absolutely essential
as customers demand good
local service: “Customers tell
us that is what they want.
They can come to a local
showroom and see equipment
demonstrated before they buy
rather than having to trust a
web site.”
The new premises
comprise a showroom,
where customers can make
appointments for equipment
demonstrations, as well
as workshop facilities for
servicing equipment.
“The new showroom has
a wider range of demonstration
equipment and a
greater quantity of spares
and consumables, so we
can improve service levels,”
continues Paul.
The new showroom also
offers on-site parking for
customers, making it more
convenient to visit.
Clarity Copiers, which
specialises in supplying multifunctional
printing devices to
Nice logo
But what do you
actually do?
satisfy customers’ combined
printing, scanning and photocopying
requirements, was
established in Devon in 1977
by managing director Leo
T. Whittington and service
director John Eldridge. The
company focuses on continuity,
in its relationships
with customers, suppliers
and employees. In North
Devon, service manager
Perry Scibilia has been with
Clarity since 1993, while
Paul O’Brien joined in 1995.
It is an authorised supplier
for brands including Ricoh,
Olivetti, OKI, Kyocera and
Océ Large Format Copiers,
although its primary supplier
is Sharp Electronics (UK)
Ltd and Clarity has supplied
Sharp print devices in Devon
for 38 years.
Clarity has some 20,000
customers across the UK
with 3,500 customers in
Devon. Paul says that after
a very strong performance
last quarter, brisk business
has produced a flying start
to 2019 for Clarity Copiers
North Devon in its new home.
■■Details 01271 374061 or
claritynorthdevon.co.uk
NEWS
Marketing wizardry
leads to more than signs
Wizard Signs & Print, which
started in 1997 in Bideford
Pannier Market purely as a
sign shop, is launching its
marketing services in 2019.
Now run by Wez Morris
and Amanda Carter at
Clovelly Road Industrial
Estate, Wizard has added
many new services since
2016, including canvas and
wallpaper printing, vehicle
wrapping, stationery and a
full workwear range as well
as all types of printed media
and bespoke splash backs.
In 2018, Wizard Design
& Media was introduced to
offer a full branding service,
including web design,
logo creation and visual
merchandising.
New marketing services
this year include social
media marketing and
training, web site audit,
including required legal
documents and GDPR, and
positive content creation.
Wez and Amanda have
considerable experience in
design, signage and print,
and lead all projects personally.
Wez has years of handson
experience in the signage
Nice photo
But what’s
the price?
and display industry, while
Amanda’s career has given
her experience in design and
visual merchandising.
They are supported by
a team of two installers, a
marketing and web designer
and a skilled production
team, all on hand to create a
customer’s brand and bring
their ideas to life.
Wizard works with
all types of business and
clients include Rockpool
Cafe, Westward Ho!, PWR
Electrics, Bradley Roofing
and Atlantic Bathrooms,
Bedrooms & Kitchens.
Wez says: “People don’t
know we are not just a sign
company and that with our
vast range of products we can
put their brand on anything.
“We enjoy being creative
and taking a client’s ideas
and creating a full brand
and watching their business
grow. The best part is
seeing the client’s satisfaction
when they pick up a finished
project developed from their
idea and visualised on a
printed proof.”
■■Details 01237 476100 or
wizardsignsltd.co.uk
DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE A NEWS STORY?
Business Action aims to
cover business news across
North Devon and we’re
always looking for interesting
stories from businesses.
We welcome press releases,
but prefer to talk to people,
conduct interviews and,
where we can, visit businesses
to obtain real insight.
You don’t have to be an
established, big success to
make the news – we’re very
interested in those starting
out small.
We’re also approachable –
pick up the phone and call us.
■■Call Robert Zarywacz on
07971 176044 or email
news@business-action.co.uk
Nice video
But how do I
buy one?
A word is worth a thousand pictures
We write choice words for your business at pressme.co.uk
6 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

Further investment by North
Devon waste management
experts SWM has enabled it
to offer a polystyrene recycling
service, following the
company’s acquisition of a
Bergmann EPS Compactor.
The compactor can recycle
clean, white polystyrene by
breaking it up in a hopper
using screw technology, then
forcing it through a channel to
create compacted solid blocks.
The blocks are more efficient
to transport and can be fed
back into the supply chain,
reducing litter and keeping
more materials out of landfill.
Recycled into products
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
is 100% recyclable and thousands
of tonnes of polystyrene
are recycled every year in the
UK and turned into beach
huts, picnic benches, picture
frames and other products.
However, the market for
recycled styrofoam is diminishing
and many recycling
companies no longer accept
polystyrene waste.
NEWS
Start recycling your
waste polystyrene
Environmental damage
This service is especially
relevant to businesses as
polystyrene is a popular
packaging material due to
its effective insulating and
protective qualities.
However, polystyrene is
large and bulky – composed
of up to 98% air – and can
take up significant space in
waste bins, filling them up
more rapidly and requiring
them to be emptied more
often. Waste polystyrene is
easily blown around, causing
environmental nuisance in
surrounding areas. It is very
slow to biodegrade and can
be damaging if consumed by
wildlife. Traditional disposal
can be both financially and
environmentally expensive.
Polystyrene recycling is the
latest in SWM’s comprehensive
range of waste services.
The company offers a free
waste audit to businesses to
identify potential efficiencies
and cost savings.
■■Details 01769 574266 or
swmrecycling.co.uk
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@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 7

WELLBEING HEADER
Workplace stress:
Prevention is better than cure
Statistics show that between
December 2017 and 2018
15.4 million days at work
were lost due to ill health, and
that the vast majority of this
was linked to stress, depression
and / or anxiety, with
an average of 25.8 days per
person over 18 years old.
Mental health is now
talked and written about
more than ever before. We
have an increased awareness
and empathy towards it, so
how can it be that so many
people are still unable to
maintain their working lives
healthily? And what can we
do about it?
As a professional counsellor,
I have to attend regular
clinical supervision sessions,
where I off-load to another
professional counsellor /
supervisor. This happens once
a month and is a completely
confidential space where I can
explore any blocks I may feel I
have within my work, but also
to talk about how I am, how
I am managing my workload,
my work / life balance and my
own health – essentially it is
‘counselling for counsellors’
and, most importantly, it is
an absolutely, non-negotiable
aspect of the Ethical Framework
for counsellors: I cannot
practise without it.
So, what’s stopping
supervision being on offer to
everyone within the workplace?
I am not suggesting
everyone would want it, but
what about having it on offer
for those who do?
Now, I know many
employers include supervision
within line-management
roles, but this just isn’t the
same. An employee is not
going to admit to their linemanager,
or possibly anyone
within their place of work,
that they are struggling. I am
talking here about external,
completely confidential
Professional counsellor and supervisor Kelly Smith suggests that
confidential discussion with an external supervisor is an effective
approach to reducing stress at work
supervision, provided by a
professional supervisor who
can listen, with empathy and
without judgement, offer
support and understanding,
and help to explore strategies
to reduce stress, while
still managing to continue
working.
The hormone, cortisol, is
released during stressful situations
to provide the body with
increased glucose in order to
produce more energy to fight
or flee a stressor. This reaction
happens within the reptilian
part of our brain, the amygdala,
and is a life-saver if we
actually need it. The problem
here is that we rarely actually
need it for what it was originally
intended, therefore the
Practical tips on managing stress
➤➤Track your stressors – keep a diary for a
week or two to identify which situations
cause most stress and how you respond
to them
➤➤Develop healthy responses
➤➤Establish boundaries
➤➤Take time to recharge
➤➤Take breaks within the working day
➤➤Eat well
➤➤Keep hydrated
➤➤Practice mindfulness
➤➤Get some support
➤➤Talk – to a family member or friend, or
access professional support
excess energy now presents as
stress and anxiety, and never
increases productivity.
In the short term, it slows
our sensory processing and
functional skills, such as
memory, while in the long
term increased cortisol levels
lead to raised blood-sugar
levels and potentially a whole
range of physical and mental
ill-health issues.
Studies show that stress is
a factor in an ever-increasing
number of health problems
and whatever we can do to
reduce this must be regarded
with a sense of priority.
A significant, beneficial
factor in attending supervision
for me is merely taking
the time for myself – time to
reflect and, sometimes, just
to breathe. We all lead busy
lives and it can be very easy to
get on a treadmill that we feel
we have no control over and
no idea how to slow down or
get off. The faster we run, the
more cortisol we produce and
the more stressed we feel.
Having someone reflect
this back to us can help us to
really see this and to possibly
recognise that we are running
at a pace that isn’t sustainable.
Sometimes we need permission
to slow down before we
fall down.
It is my goal that talking
therapies, in any form, be it
supervision for work or counselling
for our personal lives,
become as commonplace as
going to the gym, eating well
or having a massage – just a
very ‘normal’ aspect of maintaining
a healthy lifestyle, and
employers could have a huge
impact by offering this, and,
of course, by accessing this
themselves. I am talking about
getting everyone talking,
before stress takes hold.
■■Details 07872 501606 or
facebook.com/
KellysmithMBACP
8 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

WELLBEING
HIGH PERFORMANCE
IN THE WORKPLACE
The missing connection
Mental health and diagnosable
issues feature a lot in the
media at the moment. There
is considerable evidence that
mental ill-health has huge
impacts on the economy due
to absenteeism of employees,
lack of motivation, poor timekeeping
and low productivity.
Understanding where our
mental health comes from
has immeasurable impacts.
According to Dare2BU, a
team of four North Devon
women who aim to make
the area the most mentally
healthy place in which to live
and work, a state of wellbeing
offers limitless potential, effective
and efficient work, and
clearer decision making.
They add that even those
who run a small business,
whether it’s a ‘one-man band’
or just one or two employees,
would be remiss to overlook
the greatest untapped
resource available – the innate
mental health, wisdom and
capacity for insight within all
human beings.
How many people suffer?
It is estimated that one in four
people suffer with a mental
health problem, every year.
Do you see people around
you who appear to be OK?
Successful, happy and getting
on with things?
A larger portion of people
who appear to be OK on the
surface are carrying on despite
their inner turmoil. Many
may not be diagnosed with
issues; however, their state of
mind isn’t clear and as a result
their personal lives and work
performance suffer.
Reaping rewards
Dare2BU says we cannot
determine who will struggle
with their mental health, but
we can understand where
A two-day conference at Caddsdown, Bideford on 14 & 15 March
focuses on the missing connection between high performance in the
workplace and understanding mental health. Hosted by Dare2BU, it
aims to make North Devon the most mentally healthy place in which
to live and work
The Dare2BU team: (from left) Lucy, Julie, Bec and Debra
clarity and wellbeing come
from. A clear mind will have
us feeling happier, healthier
and less stressed.
But how do we clear our
minds? Understanding how
our minds work and where
our experience comes from
starts to clear our minds. Life
becomes easier and lighter.
Common sense tells us that
this state of mind supports
problem solving and stronger
team working and helps
produce better results.
Two-day conference
All this will be covered during
Dare2BU’s two-day ‘High
Performance in the Workplace’
conference at Caddsdown
Business Centre, Bideford on
14 & 15 March 2019.
Over the two days,
Dare2BU will share a
simple but profound understanding
that points people
to a healthier state of mind.
Creating a space for all
employees to see their own
wellbeing brings limitless
potential to the workforce.
They will discuss how this
understanding is the solution
to all business problems: staff
engagement, conflict resolution,
making money and
much more. The impact of
looking after staff wellbeing is
phenomenal.
Is the mental health and
wellbeing of you and your
employees on your To-Do list?
Perhaps it’s time that it is.
Target audience
This event is aimed at every
business and organisation,
large or small, looking to
increase income, reduce stress
and / or resolve employee
issues. HR managers, directors,
small business owners,
managers, leaders and
employees can benefit from
this event, both in and out of
the workplace.
Dare2BU team and aims
The Dare2BU team all live and
work in North Devon. Each
member – Debra, Lucy, Bec
and Julie – has seen incredible
changes in their own life and
is passionate about sharing
this understanding across
North Devon.
What they will be sharing
during the conference has
been shared with many
top companies around the
globe in America, China and
Canada.
This has enabled them to
achieve previously unimaginable
results, doubling
business earnings, solving
long-standing and seemingly
unsolvable problems, and
uncovering and avoiding fatal
business flaws.
Dare2BU wants North
Devon businesses to tap into
the understanding of the
mind that they will be sharing
to see for themselves how
they can be more successful
and find the insights needed
to sustain success in a world
that is changing at an everaccelerating
rate.
The event
Throughout the two days
there will seminar-style talks,
question and answer sessions,
networking over coffee breaks
and an opportunity to win a
Dare2BU ‘Workplace’ package
worth £2,000+.
All of this will be underpinned
by lots of fun too,
because we have all seen the
benefit of having a lot of fun
and a relaxing time.
■■For more details and to reserve
places at the Dare2BU
High Performance in the
Workplace conference, visit
dare2bu.co.uk
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 9

In recent years, cyber and
data attacks have emerged as
one of the most significant
threats facing organisations
of all sizes. The internet and
other network operations
have created risks that were
unheard of less than a decade
ago. When cyber and data
attacks (such as data beaches
and hacks) occur, they can
result in devastating damage,
such as business disruptions,
revenue loss, legal fees and
forensic analysis and customer
or employee notifications.
It is important to
remember that no organisation
is immune to the impact
of cyber and data crime. As a
result, cyber and data liability
insurance has become an
essential component to any
risk management programme.
Existing insurance policies
such as commercial combined,
management liability or
professional indemnity insurance
may provide very limited
elements of cover against
cyber and data risks. However,
businesses should consider
purchasing cyber and data
insurance, particularly if they:
Starting a business is always
a challenge and the transition
from a military career to
the commercial sector adds
even more challenge. Adam
Yates, previously a Lance
Corporal in the Royal Engineers
at Chivenor, decided
to take on both challenges
when he left the service at
the end of 2018.
Initially looking to set up
➤➤hold sensitive customer
details such as names
and addresses or banking
information
➤➤rely heavily on IT systems
and websites to conduct
their business
➤➤process payment card
information as a matter of
course.
Is your business at risk?
Economic crime continues to
be a major concern not only
for large firms, but for businesses
and organisations of all
sizes, across all regions and
his own business, support
from army colleague Stuart
Chadwick, who had already
set up his own company, led
Adam to joining him. Now
Adam represents SC Datacomms
Ltd in North Devon,
networking and meeting
potential clients.
SC Datacomms provides a
range of cabling and infrastructure
services for all sizes
of businesses from small
offices to large corporations.
These include structured
data, voice and telephone
cabling; optical fibre cabling,
from full survey to installation;
and full CCTV and
IP CCTV services, from
planning and installation to
maintenance, fault finding
and system updates.
Adam developed his
skills while in the Army,
completing standard and
TECHNOLOGY
Protect your
business from
cyber crime
Cyber crime, data breaches and online attacks are becoming a daily
occurrence for businesses. How do you protect your business?
Business Action asked Robin Glover of Towergate Bideford what
types of insurance are available to limit businesses’ exposure
in virtually every sector. One
in three organisations reports
being hit by economic crime,
with both developed and
emerging markets affected.
The five most consistently
reported types of economic
crime are asset misappropriation,
bribery and corruption,
procurement fraud and
accounting fraud – with electronic
crime now in second
place in 2016 in terms of
frequency, having increased
steadily since 2011.
The General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR)
advanced apprenticeships
in telecommunications and
achieving qualifications
in copper and fibre optic
cabling, including installation
and testing. He has
worked on a number of SC
Datacomms projects across
the South West for national
retailers, warehouses, schools
and other organisations.
Born in Annan in
Scotland, Adam’s military
service brought him to
North Devon in 2014 for two
years, returning after a stint
in Cambridgeshire. After
marrying, Adam and his
Barnstaple-born wife Sharna,
and now their two-year-old
son, have made their home
in North Devon. Adam
describes the area as similarly
quiet to his home town
in Scotland and a good place
in which to bring up their
took effect in May 2018 and
replaced the Data Protection
Act 1974 and sees a step
change in the responsibilities
and duties around keeping
data safely. GDPR has been
introduced to unify data laws
around Europe.
The implications are
significant and reinforce the
need for proper cyber and
data cover which includes
cover for breach costs
including notification costs
to affected individuals, which
could be very high.
Assessing cyber risk
Today, more than ever, it is
obvious that businesses need
to do everything in their
power to limit their exposure
to these risks and mitigate the
cost of damages likely to be
caused by electronic crime in
the future.
To help with this, Towergate
provides a free online
cyber risk assessment test at
towergateinsurancebrokerscyber.co.uk
■■Details 01237 429978 or
towergate.com/locations/
bideford
Getting connected is key to success
son: “There are not many
places where you have four
or five beaches. It’s nice and
quiet, but you’ve got everything
you need nearby.”
Now Adam is looking
to build relationships with
North Devon businesses,
whether they need one or
two data points for a new
computer or a wifi network
across a whole building.
■■Details 07399 580743 or
scdatacomms.co.uk
ADVERTISE
Advertise in Business Action
from just £25 per issue to
reach business customers
across North Devon.
See our advertising rate
card at business-action.co.uk
for full details.
■■Call Alan Williams on
07970 671192 or email
ads@business-action.co.uk
10 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

HOSPITALITY
Boosting your restaurant sales
Valentines aside, January and
February are typically quiet
months for most cafes and
restaurants, yet when used for
smart reflection and planning,
they can greatly influence
your reputation, footfall
and profit in the year ahead.
Promotional plans
Identify key dates that suit
footfall-boosting initiatives,
then creatively plug the gaps.
Keep promotions true to your
brand personality and values,
create a secret formula for
recycling events to maximise
efficiency, and stay focused
on the original purpose (new
audience, earlier footfall,
alternative menu, reduced
margins etc). Working
smarter, not harder, is key.
Menu reviews
Cleverly crafted menus
feature discreet upsells and
links, whilst using psychology
and design tricks, to guide the
Sara-Jane Williams of specialist hospitality advisers BrandLanterns
encourages smart planning and creativity during the quiet months
customer to your most efficient
and profitable choices.
Your menu puts a piece of
your brand in their hands,
so give thought to styling,
messages and engagement
opportunities too, and launch
a new menu ahead of Easter.
Experience factor
A popular BrandLanterns
workshop topic, this modernday
craving is set to continue.
Ask how your venue delivers
an experience, beyond the
food and service. What tactics
keep you memorable? What
stands you apart? There are
many ways to do this, so push
beyond the obvious.
Get social, be you
Love it or hate it, customers
are shaping your brand
without your permission,
primarily through reviews
and social media. Face the
fear, start engaging and keep
it down-to-earth: customers
are appreciating ‘the human
touch’ more than ever!
Be realistic
Beyond the excited buzz of
creative ideas and smart tips,
we hear you curse as you face
more on the to-do list. Even
superheroes need a wingman,
and with our specialist
experience, creativity and
affordability, we’re here to be
just that.
Book your free consultation
and let’s get planning for an
amazing year ahead.
■■Details 01271 372620 or
brandlanterns.co.uk
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@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 11

BREXIT
Can Brexit transform businesses
Many UK industries and
services have been adopting
agile, learning about scrum,
continuous improvement,
lean manufacturing, leadership
and a host of other
disciplines for years.
We tell ourselves we are
agents of change, we can
adapt, that is what we are
good at, yet faced with the
scenario of Brexit it can be
easy to crave certainty and
lose entrepreneurial spirit.
It is also true that some
companies are seizing the
opportunity that Brexit
presents. Do they have more
information than the majority
that are waiting for clarity
on the situation? I think not.
Actually, they are working on
the certainties they recognise
and taking the lead – exactly
what we have been preparing
for over the past few decades.
So, what are these certainties?
Certainty No 1: Heritage,
Experience and Expertise
We in the UK have a great
heritage of trade by meeting
adversity across the globe,
taking the challenge by the
horns and creating dynamic
and rewarding trading
relationships. That heritage
still exists.
Wherever you travel across
the globe, our reputation is
strong and goes before us. We
are renowned for quality, for
creativity, being fair, for doing
what we say we will do.
Our successful companies
define these attributes. Think
of Mulberry, Dyson and Fox’s
to name a few. Our sectors
too are renowned throughout
the world: we are leaders in
aviation, music, financial
services, education and more.
into exporters?
A new Netflix TV series offers a choice of 10 possible endings, but,
depending on who you listen to, Brexit could offer many more: from
plunging the UK into an economic abyss to raising it to the heights
of a western version of Singapore. With uncertainty seeming the
only certainty whatever deal is agreed, thrown out, implemented
or thwarted, Linda Middleton-Jones of International Trade Matters
draws on her 25 years’ experience in international commerce
and representing South West business interests globally to give a
practical view of how North Devon businesses can survive and thrive
Certainty No 2: Friendships
Whatever the nature of the
Brexit arrangement, it is absolutely
clear that right now we
should be reinforcing existing
relationships with our buyers
or suppliers across the globe.
In our brave new world, we
should not underestimate the
value of face-to-face relationships
over and above those we
make on a digital framework.
We know that a mixture
of traditional and digital
marketing methods used to
underpin a growth strategy
is important when based
upon a clear understanding of
customer values and desires.
When we communicate with
customers, we gain an understanding
of their world, vital
to sustaining existing trading
relationships and creating
new ones.
Improving and adapting
to meet customer needs is
fundamental to any successful
product or service and
especially important within
supply chains.
Certainty No 3:
Exporting Skills
Many companies have
become adept at selling or
buying into Europe. Indeed,
it is just the same as selling
to Aberdeen, Plymouth or
Brighton. Easy and uncomplicated,
easing the way to new
buyers across the member
countries.
At the same time a great
many companies also sell
across the globe. They have
gained a great deal of skills in
exporting over the years.
It is certain that we will
have to convert/revert to
exporting to the EU. HMRC
has already given us an
indication of what that will
mean. Current global export /
import level is approximately
90 million transactions per
year. If current trade with
EU remains at the same level,
that figure will jump to 300
million transactions per year.
That is a significant shift in
skills requirement; skills in
exporting that will have to be
learnt ready for Brexit.
Choosing to train your
employees now in the intricacies
of Certificates of Origin,
Incoterms and Tariffs will
mean that your company is
prepared. Admittedly, we
have no visibility of the level
of tariffs but that will soon
become clear. The important
thing is to understand the
fundamentals of exporting;
that is a skill that can be
developed now.
Given our heritage,
experience and expertise; our
recognition that relationships
are important; and that we
need to learn how to export,
is there anything else that we
need to consider?
Certainty No 4:
Innovation Sells
Innovation is key to the future
– either inside or outside
Europe. There is recognition
in the value of innovative
entrepreneurs who are
currently changing the way
and the speed of business.
Global big business is a
like a big oil tanker: it takes
longer to change course, it has
little agility and is slow and
steady. The British Chambers
of Commerce (BCC) have
already recognised the breed
of disruptor as one of the
main USPs of our country.
This ‘breed’ will be the driver
for success and in effect is
synonymous with innovation.
Innovation within the
UK has always been our
competitive advantage, our
USP, in effect. We have great
examples of our creativity
in manufacturing, across
services and through technology.
Given that funding
streams and global alliances
are likely to change, innovation
is more important than
ever. We need to remain
the benchmark country,
building on our reputation for
quality and tradition in the
ever-changing political and
economic scenario.
At International Trade
Matters, we think that
successful companies are agile
in their thinking, leading
innovation within to meet the
challenges that need solving.
Brexit is one such case where
we need to prepare for what
we know will happen and
subsequently harness our
resources to meet uncertainty.
We have the capability
and capacity to guide your
learning either through
accredited courses or by oneto-one
support and guidance.
■■Details 01398 351560 or
internationaltradematters.com
12 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

With employment at record
high levels across North
Devon, and the exit date
for Britain’s departure from
the EU only weeks away,
there has never been a more
important time for businesses
to consider whether
they have the skills needed to
compete in the future.
Colleges and universities
have a range of expertise, but
it isn’t always as accessible
and as relevant to businesses
as it should be. Accessing
the best training can be
particularly challenging for
small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), which
altogether make-up 99.8% of
companies in North Devon
and Torridge. SMEs may
struggle to commit their
employees to more traditional
courses that require
large amounts of time outside
the workplace. This can be
particularly difficult in a large
rural area like North Devon
with a limited road network.
New higher and degree
apprenticeships, which
SKILLS
University offers
free workplace
needs assessment
Take advantage of this opportunity to assess what skills your
business needs to succeed offered by the University of Plymouth
provide work-based training
and a higher education
qualification, go some way
towards addressing these
issues. Not only is the
content of such qualifications
more relevant to businesses
but, to take the example of
the University of Plymouth’s
Chartered Manager degree
apprenticeship, most of the
tutors have considerable
industry experience.
However, learning
providers can only provide
relevant courses for
employees if they understand
what businesses need. Larger
businesses often have more
opportunities to engage with
educational institutions and
large training budgets.
Free needs assessment
To help address this, the University
of Plymouth has been
working with colleges across
Devon, including Petroc, on
a Strategic Employer Engagement
in Devon project
funded by the European
Social Fund. The project
works directly with SMEs
across Devon to boost the
■ ■ To discuss your free workplace needs assessment, contact
Charles Dorr, ESF delivery manager on 01752 583620 or visit
plymouth.ac.uk/research/strategic-employer-engagement
skills of their workforce and
develop higher level vocational
training which is more
responsive to businesses.
The project provides free
Workplace Needs Assessments
for businesses across
the county to help understand
and address their individual
skills needs, as well as
free CPD and taster sessions
on such areas as team leadership
and data analysis.
6 March export event
One example is an event on
‘International Trade after
Brexit’ taking place at Petroc
in Barnstaple on Wednesday
6 March, featuring Kevin
Shakespeare of the Institute
of Export and International
Trade who is a University of
Plymouth lecturer.
By engaging with this
project, businesses in North
Devon will have an opportunity
not only to access free
training but also to have an
influence on how colleges
and universities can support
them in the future.
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Wills: £70 Single / £105 Joint
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 13

IN THE HEADER HOT SEAT
Bella Given of Longlands
Each issue we put a North Devon business personality in the hot seat and ask them 10 questions. This issue we asked Bella Given, owner of
award-winning luxury glamping accommodation at Longlands, near Combe Martin
1. What was your first job?
My first job was with James
Burrough, owners of Beefeater
Gin. I helped with
the development of a new
drink from concept, flavour,
packaging all the way to
promoting it in the clubs of
Nottingham, complete with
a Brazilian Samba band and
dancers! Gin tasting at 10am
was less enjoyable.
2. What is the best
business advice you’ve
ever received?
Monitor cash flow! It can
be the death of many a small
business, particularly one
with seasonality. Build a
spreadsheet, forecast monthly
income and keep a close track
on monthly expenditure.
3. What do you enjoy most
about business?
People. Meeting, greeting,
networking, supporting. I am
a total affirmation addict so
the wonderful feedback we
get from guests is like oxygen
to me!
4. What technology could
your business never be
without?
The internet. Most of my
bookings are made online
and Facebook is my number
one source of bookings.
5. Describe your
management / business
style
Consultative. I want
everyone who works at Longlands
to love what they do
and where they work. Guests
can sense that this is a happy
place and that all who work
here take real pride in what
they do and what they have
helped create.
6. How do you go about
personal development?
Reading and courses. There
is always something new
to learn. And the world is
ever changing particularly in
terms of technology.
7. Is there anything about
yourself that you want to
change?
Less prone to worry. I worry
about what people think, if
they are warm enough, cool
enough, having fun, having
too much fun, can they work
the wood burner,
This year I am practicing
Mindfulness to help me stay
calm and keep things in
perspective!
8. Social media: yes or no?
Preferred network?
Absolutely! Facebook is my
number one source of bookings.
I am reserving judgement
on Instagram while I
work out how to best leverage
it. Pinterest is next on my list
to play with. I confess that I
am not a fan of Twitter!
9. How do you wind down
when not working?
Gardening! Although it is not
entirely a break from work as
we sell what we grow. I also
love walks on the beach and
in woods and in the Summer
it is hard to drag me out of
the sea and away from my
wooden body board!
10. Do you have a motto or
favourite quotation?
Some people WANT it to
happen, some people WISH it
would happen, others MAKE
it happen.
About Longlands
Longlands is a multi-award
winning luxury glamping
site: the best in Devon and
the SouthWest for the past
three consecutive years and
recognised as one of the Top
3 at the Visit England Tourism
Awards.
We have five Luxurious
Safari Lodges that nestle
into the hillside of a secret
valley, overlooking the North
Devon coast, and on the
western border of Exmoor.
Each lodge is fully equipped,
beautifully furnished and
sleeps up to 6 and 2 dogs.
From firewood to fizz,
coffee to conditioner, lemons
to loo paper: everything to
make a stay as comfortable as
possible is included. Guests
only need to bring clothes, a
toothbrush and food, but we
can provide catering to make
life even easier.
Freshly baked bread
and pastries, scrumptious
suppers and delicious
desserts that can be ordered
the night before, plus a
Larder shop full of delicious
local produce and beautiful
homewares.
Our setting is stunning:
17 acres of beautiful countryside,
including meadows,
ancient woods and streamside
walks, plus a boating
lake complete with rowing
boats and stocked with
rainbow trout. We even have
a hot tub that is set on its
own deck looking out over
the lake and onto the sea and
the setting sun. The Sunset
Hour and Starlight hour are
in high demand!
There is so much to do in
North Devon and on Exmoor
that we have literally filled
a book with adventures for
guests to enjoy.
Many of our guests are
local as we provide an escape
from the modern world
without the need to travel!
■■Details 01271 882004 or
longlandsdevon.co.uk
Looking for independent financial advice?
Call us on 01237 426450
for a free initial consultation
contact@dscottfinancial.co.uk
https://dscottfinancial.co.uk
Right Way HR Services
Safeguard your business
• Advice on all aspects of employment law
• Contracts of employment
• Staff handbook • HR policies
• Letters, templates and documents
Call Richard on 07825 090782
e-mail: richard@rwhrs.com
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
14 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

PEOPLE
Father and son graduate: (from left) Philip Milton and Felix Milton
Ilfracombe harbourmaster Georgina Carlo-Paat – photograph courtesy of
Jim Wileman
Ilfracombe harbourmaster
Georgina Carlo-Paat was
recently awarded the DPC
Magazine ‘Commendation
for Services to the Industry
Award’ at the international
magazine’s 50th anniversary
awards in Amsterdam.
The award was presented
to “highlight an outstanding
individual who has provided
an impactful contribution to
the industry” and celebrated
Georgina’s experience as
the first and only captain of
a dredger in the dredging
sector. Georgina is a qualified
Master Mariner and, certified
to captain any vessel,
was the first to navigate a
4,000-passenger Grand Class
cruise ship to the Antarctic.
After 28 years’ service in
the Merchant Navy, Georgina
now applies her global
experience to the operation
and further development
of Ilfracombe Harbour, the
largest harbour on the North
Devon coast.
Father and son Philip and
Felix Milton of Philip J Milton
& Company Plc recently
attended the Personal
Finance Society graduation
ceremony in London at the
same time, despite earning
their qualifications 23 years
apart: apparently, a first for
the institute.
Philip was one of the first
100 to qualify as a Chartered
Financial Planner but never
attended the graduation
ceremony, so when Felix took
the higher level examinations
and then qualified, to
encourage him to graduate
Philip said he would attend
the same ceremony to make a
weekend of it.
Felix joined the family
firm at 18 and was recently
rated as one of the Top 35
Next Generation Advisers
by Citywire’s New Model
Adviser after becoming one
of the youngest advisers
in the country to achieve
chartered status. He also
volunteers as an Education
Champion for the Personal
Finance Society, teaching
sessions at schools and sixth
form colleges.
Philip J Milton &
Company Plc also featured
in New Model Adviser’s ‘Top
100’ again in 2018. This is a
national review identifying
the UK’s top 100 independent
financial advisers.
Mitch Barclay of recycling
specialist SWM has been
awarded a NEBOSH certificate
in Occupational
Health and Safety. National
Examination Board in Occupational
Safety and Health
(NEBOSH) is the UK-based
examination board providing
vocational qualifications
in health, safety and environmental
practice and management.
NEBOSH qualifications
are globally recognised
and are considered excellent
career pathways for health
and safety professionals.
Managing director Martin
Mogford said “We believe
investment in our people is a
smart choice. By gaining the
NEBOSH award Mitch has
taken an important step in
his development as a health
and safety practitioner whilst
simultaneously helping
maintain and improve the
health, safety and welfare of
our people and those affected
by our operations.”
Gokalp Temizyurek has
joined construction sector
specialist Future Dimensions.
Born in Erzurum, a
mountainous region of
Turkey, Gokalp’s first degree
is in Mechanical Engineering,
while his Master’s degree from
Wolverhampton University
is in Construction Law and
Dispute Resolution. Gokalp’s
experience includes a role as
project control manager for a
PP13 combined cycle power
plant project in Riyadh, in
Saudi Arabia. This included
cost management, contractor
and sub-contractor management,
procurement, quantity
surveying and planning.
Gokalp enjoys living and
working in North Devon
and says: “People in the UK
are very warm and friendly.
Strangers smile at you. This
doesn’t happen in Turkey.”
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 15

It’s been a year of change
at infrared heating specialist
Multiheat and Energy
Systems, with a change of
ownership and a new office
and showroom. Long-term
team member Heather
Edwards acquired the business
in 2018 and opened its
new premises on Caddsdown
Industrial Park in Bideford.
The change from employee
to owner has been a leap for
Heather, who enjoys the flexibility
of working for herself.
“When you’re employed,
you don’t think about the
whole of the business,” says
Heather. “I had a reasonable
understanding, but didn’t
have to think about it. When
you run the business, you’ve
got to be able to understand
profit and loss, see what sales
are each month and know
exactly how you’re doing.”
To support the transition,
Heather took advantage of
the Heart of the South West
Growth Hub business support
programme, which offered 20
hours’ free support including
three hours with a business
adviser, two workshops and
help with web site and search
engine optimisation.
Multiheat’s new premises
make it easier for customers to
visit Heather and see infrared
heating panels on display.
“It’s nice to be available
HEATING
All change at Bideford
infrared heating firm
Heather Edwards, owner of Multiheat and Energy Systems of Bideford
so people can call in and it’s
very accessible with its own
car park,” adds Heather, who
also enjoys contact with other
businesses in the building.
Multiheat has expanded
its range of products considerably
since 2007 when
it started selling infrared
HYPNOTHERAPY
Paul Holder
New Life Hypnotherapy
South Molton
t: 01769 574711
w: newlifehypnotherapy.org
Locksmith
MJS Locksmiths
Covering North Devon
t: 07532 139388
w: northdevonlocksmith.co.uk
Removals
HLH Removals
Covering North Devon & UK
t: 07593 234194
e: hlhremovals@yahoo.com
fb page: HLH Removals -
Horshams Light Haulage
BUSINESS LISTINGS
heating panels from just one
manufacturer. Infrared differs
from other forms of heating
by heating people, objects and
rooms directly, working very
efficiently to create a warm
and comfortable environment.
Used extensively in
continental Europe, the UK
has been slower to appreciate
the benefits that infrared
heating brings.
Now Multiheat supplies
products from a number of
different manufacturers. All
products are selected for their
high quality and reliability,
including some produced
in the UK or manufactured
using British steel.
Heather says infrared
panels provide a very effective
heating solution for offices,
factories and warehouses, as
well as in homes and home
offices. As each building is
unique, Multiheat designs a
system that will provide the
best heating coverage while
working most efficiently.
■■Contact 01237 451759 or
bidefordheating.co.uk
Network over lunch
Meet the Business Action
team over a friendly lunch
at monthly North Devon
networking lunches in 2019.
The next lunches are at
midday on Thursdays 7
March and 4 April at Riverbank
Bar & Bistro, Bideford.
There is no fee – just pay
for your food and drinks
and enjoy good conversation
and networking with likeminded
business people.
No selling – no elevator
pitches – everyone is
welcome whether you run an
established business or are
thinking of starting one up.
■■Reserve your place(s) at
business-action.co.uk
Advertise in our business-tobusiness
listings every two
months for £10 per issue –
minimum three issues.
Advertise for the whole
year by taking advantage of
our ‘six listings for the price
of five’ offer.
Choose to include:
business category,
business name, location or
area served, phone number,
web address, email address
and/or address.
■■Call Alan Williams on
07970 671192 or email
ads@business-action.co.uk
16 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk

Motorised machine will sift beach
North Devon’s fantastic
beaches are one of its most
valuable natural assets, but,
like beaches everywhere in
the world, they are polluted
by plastic.
After the success of its
hand-powered trommels,
which sift microplastics and
remove them from sand,
Ilfracombe-based Nurdle
is working on a motorised
version to speed up beach
cleans even more.
Made in North Devon
Nurdle – named after tiny preindustrial
microplastic pellets
which escape into the environment
from manufacturing
plants – was started by Josh
Beech during his final year
Environmental Science BSc.
“Microplastics are the most
ingested form of plastic for
marine life, affecting organisms
as small as plankton and
as large as whales,” says Josh.
Business is taking off for
HLH Removals of Bideford
in 2019. The firm run by
Colin and Amy Horsham has
just won a new commercial
contract with the Forces
Support store in Barnstaple,
while its residential business
is up considerably on the
same time last year.
Colin started Horsham
Light Haulage five years ago,
already having experience in
the industry and wanting to
be his own boss. He started
out with a Renault Master
van, moving individual
items, then built up to bigger
jobs including full removals.
HLH Removals now oper-
plastic faster
A Nurdle trommel sifts microplastic pellets from a North Devon beach
Some 6,600,000,000,000
nurdles are estimated to enter
European seas every year and,
because they look remarkably
like fish eggs and maggots,
many are eaten by wildlife so
can find their way into the
human food chain.
Josh set up Nurdle as a
Business on the move
ates with two Luton vans and
a long wheel base van and
Colin aims to expand the
fleet further in 2019.
HLH Removals also
not-for-profit organisation
with his partner Hope Buck
and together they have sold
15 trommels with many being
operated in North Devon.
Trommels have been sponsored
by local businesses,
including The Hip and Pistol,
Your IT Man, and three by
completes commercial
removals. The firm is fully
insured and offers a comprehensive
service, including
wrapping and packing,
Parkdean Resorts, which
operates the beach at Croyde.
Josh says: “Croyde is one of
the worst beaches for nurdles
that we have ever seen. If we
can build a machine to clean
Croyde, then it can clean any
beach in the world.”
Sponsor Nurdle
Josh and Hope are seeking
businesses to provide sponsorship
to help clean the area’s
beaches and to support the
development of their new
motorised machine, which
they plan to produce in 2019.
Josh says that no one else
in the world is doing what
Nurdle is doing. The couple
work closely with Plastic Free
North Devon and Nurdle’s
hand-powered machines are
used at every PFND beach
clean and will be running
daily throughout the spring
and summer with Parkdean.
■■Details nurdle.org.uk
and disassembling and
assembling office furniture,
and moving computers. Its
services cover the UK with a
recent job taking Colin and
his team to Newcastle.
At the same time as
bringing up their children,
Colin and Amy are working
to establish HLH Removals
as a family firm that is part
of the local community. They
are proud of their record
score of 5 out of 5 from more
than 80 customer reviews on
their Facebook page.
■■Details 07593 234194 or
facebook.com page HLH
Removals - Horshams Light
Haulage
@businessactionm | February / March 2019 | business action 17

BBXPO
North Devon business exhibition
returns bigger and better
BBxpo returns to Devon
Hall, Bideford College bigger
and better on Thursday 24
October 2019 following its
debut last year.
The successful event now
offers up to 50 exhibitor
stands, open to businesses of
every size and sector, with
stand space starting at an
affordable £75.
Devon Hall is a superb,
modern venue offering large
public spaces with up-to-date
facilities and plenty of free
parking. The venue was a key
part of the event’s success
in 2018 and is enabling it to
expand in 2019 to accommodate
more exhibitors.
Event aims
BBXpo’s are to:
➤➤build new and strengthen
existing business relationships
across the area
➤➤create new business
opportunities
➤➤provide business advice
➤➤support business growth
Event promotion
The event will be promoted
widely from now onwards
to attract as many exhibitors
and visitors as possible from
within North Devon and
beyond, using print, media,
social media and video.
Thursday 24 October 2019
is North Devon Enterprise
Day when all businesses can
join together to celebrate the
vibrant local business community,
support each other
and promote the vast range
of products and services
provided in the area.
Shouldn’t we do this every
day? Definitely and North
Devon Enterprise Day aims
to increase co-operation
and support among businesses
all year round so that
all succeed and maintain a
thriving economy.
Organisers (from left) Alan Williams and Robert Zarywacz open BBxpo 2018
Visitors and exhibitors will be able to enjoy the free ‘nibble & network’
lunchtime networking buffet again at BBxpo 2019
North Devon
ENTERPRISE
Day
Who can take part?
Every business can take part.
It’s free and you can do as
little or as much as you want,
#ndevonent
from sharing on social media
– use hashtag #ndevonent –
to providing advice and help
to other businesses.
Visitor attractions
Entry to BBxpo is free to all
business visitors, who are
welcome to:
➤➤view the exhibition
➤➤attend free workshops
➤➤enjoy the free lunchtime
networking buffet to
‘nibble & network’
Exhibitor packages
All exhibitor packages
include:
➤➤exhibition space
➤➤table and chair(s) if
required
➤➤free listing in the event
guide included in Business
Action magazine
and on the event web site
(including web site links)
➤➤free promotional posts on
social media networks
In 2019, BBxpo will also be
celebrating the first North
Devon Enterprise Day – see
details below.
Sponsor opportunities
There are also a number of
opportunities for sponsorship
of BBxpo – call Alan on
07970 671192 for details.
Book your stand now
at bbxpo.uk
ndevon enterprise wave
Join other enterprising businesses
on the online ‘enterprise
wave’, listing businesses
who are researching, investing,
expanding, exporting
and driving enterprise – sign
up at business-action.co.uk
Follow and connect
Connect with @northdevon,
@businessactionm and
@needitfinditnow on Twitter
and other platforms.
■■Visit business-action.co.uk
or email ndevonent@
business-action.co.uk for full
details and to take part.
18 business action | February / March 2019 | business-action.co.uk