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From red to green to black – advisory team helps Cornish firms reduce waste.
22.07.09
“The recession has exposed areas of complacency and really driven-home the importance of sound environmental management for small businesses right across Cornwall,” says Sally Sandford, one of the dedicated team of special Environmental Business Advisers now available through the Convergence Programme at Business Link.
“When economic pressures hit profit margins, business managers had to look at ways of keeping a tight rein on overheads and to take steps to eliminate waste at all levels and in all areas of their business to avoid sliding into the red. This has not only strengthened the operational performance of individual firms – it has also prompted a fundamental shift in attitudes right across the county, with more and more businesses taking real ownership of their environmental responsibilities.”
To help businesses understand where and how they can address costly shortcomings in their waste and resource management, Business Link has formed a team of specialist Environmental Business Advisers for Cornish firms within its Convergence Programme. The team of seven Advisers provide both on-line and face-to-face guidance for any small and medium-sized business that is looking to adopt more carbon-efficient ‘greener’ practices and save money in the process.
With extensive experience in environmental, energy and waste management, the field advisers provide free and impartial advice. They are:
Martin Woods – A former Environmental Consultant at practices in Essex and Yorkshire, Martin spent seven years as an industrial environmental manager looking after energy, waste and wastewater management as well as legal compliance and running accredited Environmental, Quality and Health and Safety Management systems. Earlier in his career he was also responsible for developing an automated utility metering strategy at the University of Bradford.
Nicola Turvey – Having graduated at the University of Exeter with an MSc in Climate Change and Risk Management, Nicola was formerly Climate Change Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council and undertook volunteer work at Caput Insulae, a dedicated eco-centre in Croatia.
Brendon Westacott – With an MSc in Environmental Management and seven years experience in environmental consultancy, Brendon is a qualified ISO14001 auditor and a trained Energy Performance certificate assessor. He is also an Associate Member of the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Sally Sandford – Formerly Environmental Manager at St Austell Brewery, Sally specialises in energy and water management within the hospitality sector and has a British Safety Council Diploma in Environmental Management. Her work has included regular participation within the Resource Efficiency Group in Cornwall as well as Envirowise, and she is an Associate Member of IEMA.
The team of field advisors are supported by Online Business Advisers, Anita Baigent and Nina Skubala, and Project Officer, Britta Pearson Roselle.
Martin Woods continues: “Every member of the team is absolutely committed to helping the county’s business community move forward from a position of strength by keeping their carbon footprint as small as possible, eliminating the heavy financial burden of waste and maximising the commercial and tendering advantages of sound environmental management. Awareness of the benefits of such practices has never been more evident, but we’re now providing business managers with practical ways to put best practice into operational reality to ensure businesses not only stay in the black within the current economic climate, but also prosper in the months and years ahead.”
Mark Yeoman, Deputy Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Resource efficiency, sustainable waste management and low carbon technologies are vital ingredients for using the environment as an economic driver. Congratulations to Business Link in their pro-active, environmentally smart support for business. This integration of carbon savings alongside business savings complements other ERDF Convergence investments such as the Wave Hub.”
Visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest to find out more about current legislation and environmental policies.
For further information:
Ron Dyson
01308 485707
David Wilford
01672 564529 / 07790 774284
Editor's notes:
Business Link
Business Link is a Government funded service to help people start, run and grow businesses. The service provides free information, advice and support through a combination of a local telephone enquiry service, an extensive regional website, www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest and experienced business advisers. It is the primary single ‘access point’ to link businesses to the local and national business support network
The Business Link service is delivered by Peninsula Enterprise throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon and Somerset, and has supported well over 43,000 people starting or running businesses in the region over the past year, achieving a satisfaction rating that approaches 90% and is continuing to climb.
For more information, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest, or call 0845 600 9966
