The 8 February 2001?s Cornishman announced that Mike Hicks would be retiring from the Steamship Company’s head office. In place of Mr Hicks, John Banfield will be taking over. Objective One money has been made available from the European Union and the Steamship Company is intending to put in a bid for a grant for a new ship. They renovated the ‘Scillonian III? in the winter of 1998, but see the opportunity to buy a newer, nicer ship. It is guessed they will ask for a grant of ?15 mn, in addition to ?5 mn put up by the Steamship Company so that they can buy a new ship. The new ships name is suggested to be “Scillonian IV”. Along with both of these changes, they are changing the structure of the head offices, keeping the Cheif Executive on the mainland. It is unknown whether the restructuring of the offices lead to Mr Hicks’ retirement, or as a result of. Nothing is entirely sure at this time.
