You can find expert advice for some of the biggest decisions in life at Newham

Wednesday 14th March, 2018

For the big decisions in life – from investing in a rental property to comprehensive insurance or drawing up the blueprint for your own home, knowledgeable, skilled and honest advice is a vital. Newham and the Port of Truro is home to a range of firms able to offer expert guidance when you need it most.

South West insurance company Cornish Mutual has employees based across the region, with its headquarters in Newham. With Members across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the company has a proud history in the local area.

The firm was created by a group of visionary Cornish farmers in 1903 who wanted a better way of insuring their farms and decided that they could achieve this by taking a cooperative approach. The company has grown and evolved since then but remains true to its founding principles of fairness, honesty and transparency.

Being a mutual organisation, the company is owned by its customers – who Cornish Mutual refer to as Members. The company is the only general mutual insurer headquartered in the South West and was also the first mutual insurance company in the UK to gain Chartered Insurer status.

Cornish Mutual Finance and Operations Director, Peter Beaumont, was previously Chair of the Newham BID. He said: “The Newham BID has always been very supportive of Cornish Mutual and is helping us build connections with our neighbouring businesses. Having a BID Manager that looks out for businesses and lobbies on our behalf is particularly useful.

"Cornish Mutual is committed to being an active member of our communities. We’re one of the biggest companies based at Newham, so for us, being involved with the BID is all about forging stronger links with local businesses and helping to make a difference. With more people now discovering the many diverse businesses based at Newham, we would encourage anyone who wants to find out more about Cornish Mutual to drop into our offices – we always offer a warm welcome."

Property consultancy

Vickery Holman is one of the most respected property consultancies in the South West, covering a range of specialisms including Business Rates, Building Surveying, Party Wall Disputes, Valuation, Property Management and Agency.

The company has offices in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth as well as Newham, enabling staff to offer their expertise across the region.

Vickery Holman has been based in offices at Newham Quay since 1990 when the company advised Norcross to develop the site.

"Their response was 'if it’s such a good idea you occupy one," said Alan Treloar, Director.   

"And we realised the benefits of being based here. The office space was new, it had parking and a river view."

The company is a keen supporter of the local community and is also a sponsor of the ROC 5K charity race, which is due to take place in Truro this summer.

And the busy property consultancy firm has recently welcomed new staff to its Newham base.

"We have taken on four new members of the Truro office team since this time last year and promoted two people within the existing team to more senior roles," Alan added.

"On top of this, Stephen Maycock within our General Practice team passed his professional assessment in the summer and has become a Chartered Surveyor."

Build Your Own

If you are dreaming big and want to create your own individual place to call home, then visit CSA Architects.

A RIBA Chartered Practice, the company offers full architectural services from feasibility studies and concepts through to planning, technical design, construction and completion. The CSA team works on a number of different projects from private homes and residential developments to commercial and leisure schemes.

Relocating from Falmouth to Truro in 2006, the company believes the central location makes it easy to service building projects across the whole county. And there are other benefits, as Susan Kinver, CSA Director alongside Louisa Meek and Dan Meek, explains.

"Newham is slightly out of town so it is easier to access and provides convenient parking for our staff and clients alike, we also enjoy rural views from our office," she said.

"Additionally, the proximity to the Newham trade depots is useful, as we can direct our clients to visit them after our meetings."

Potential clients can be sure to enjoy excellent design quality and friendly customer service with CSA. Specialising in ‘client specific, site specific’ design, every property is designed to meet the client’s requirements and not supplied from a standard template - or standard thinking.

"We are focused on delivering a tailored design that is appropriate for the site and location and most importantly works for the client," said Susan who added that the community-minded company is also a drop off point for Cornwall Christmas Boxes and a cake sale venue for cancer charity Macmillan. "The whole team lives in Cornwall, so understands the natural environment and the practicality of living within it. Each director can stay involved in their projects to maintain the strong CSA passion for liveable, quality and site-appropriate design."

Rental potential

Owning and managing various residential properties, commercial properties and leisure parks, the majority of which are in Cornwall, Cher Varya Group has been based at the riverside business district for four years.

The company’s previous developments include eco-friendly holiday accommodation at Porthtowan and conversion of a series of offices to nine apartments in Clevedon, North Somerset.

Cher Varya Group is also based at Newham alongside its separate company, Kerdene Ltd, which owns St Merryn Park, near Padstow.

"Whether you’re looking for rental potential, a quiet retreat, a holiday for all the family, or a base from which to explore Cornwall, we sell quality park homes designed to your requirements for a fraction of the cost of a holiday cottage," said Chloe Hartridge, Marketing Manager.