Christmas at the Castle
We’re excited to unveil the most prestigious event in Norfolk’s festive calendar, so if you’ve been waiting for a reason to dust off your dinner jacket and celebrate Christmas in truly memorable style, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Mark your advent calendars – Christmas as the Castle, an exclusive black-tie evening within the historic Norwich Castle Keep, is taking place on Friday, 5th December. With special guest speaker, Rory Bremner.
One of Europe’s most spectacular 12th-century buildings, this architectural icon in the Norwich skyline has just completed a £27.5 million restoration, and for one special night, it’s being reserved entirely for our members and the wider business community to experience its magnificence as few ever will.
You’ll step into the same great halls where royalty once celebrated Christmas back in 1121. You’ll dine by the glow of a central fire pit in the magnificent Royal Palace Banqueting Hall. You’ll enjoy a refined three-course banquet, live string musicians, and a special performance by renowned satirist Rory Bremner. And you’ll do it all surrounded by business leaders, peers, and friends, in a setting of immense historical significance that most people will never experience.
Places are strictly limited. You can either book an individual seat or a table, or you have the option to book an entire table so you can enjoy this experience with your colleagues, clients, and friends.
Members – £100 per head or £1000 for a table
Non-members – £150 per head or £1500 for a table
Please click the hyperlink below to book your places. This will take you to a booking form to input your details:
After a fantastic first Co.Spark session that left attendees buzzing with ideas and inspiration, we’re back this January for another energising morning of collaboration, creativity, and practical business insight.
Co.Spark brings together business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from across Norfolk in a unique mastermind-style format. Each session offers the chance to share challenges, gain honest feedback, and discover fresh perspectives that can help move your business forward.
Here’s what attendees said about our first event:
“A great way to meet like-minded business owners and get genuine, practical advice.” Joe Cain
“Exceptional insight and supportive feedback… it’s rare to find such genuine, collaborative learning in a networking environment.” Kathy Ennis
“A wisdom bath. Really helpful, in-the-room advice from people who know business.” Patrick Hussey
Whether you’re a Bright Spark (emerging entrepreneur) or a Co.Spark mentor (seasoned business leader), this is your space to share, learn and grow together.
Join us this January to ignite your ideas, strengthen your strategy, and connect with the people who’ll help you make it happen.
Places are limited: Book early to secure your spot!
,Join us in Kings Lynn for a session of networking. Agenda 08:00 – Event Start and Networking 09:00 – Welcome by Norfolk Chambers of Commerce 09:30 – Networking 10:00 – Event Close Speaker TBC
Who is it for? Anyone is welcome at this event, and it is open to both members and non-members. Refreshments We will be providing a selection of coffee/tea/water and squash. Please inform us of any dietary requirements upon booking. Cancellation policy If you have booked tickets for this event and can no longer attend, please notify us at hello@norfolkchambers.co.uk.
,Image: British Chamber of Commerce
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) continues to develop, creating new compliance requirements for UK businesses. This session will cover the latest policy updates, reporting obligations, and their impact on exporters – particularly those in carbon-intensive sectors. Whether you’re supplying EU importers directly or through UK supply chains, staying on top of EU CBAM is essential.
Speakers:
Mitch Perks, Deputy Director of Trade Services, British Chambers of Commerce
Emmanuel, Head of Training and Consultancy, ChamberCustoms
Valeria Vigilante, Europe, East Asia, and Digital Trade Lead, Business and Trade
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, British Chambers of Commerce
Image: British Chambers of Commerce
Special procedures such as customs warehousing and inward processing can deliver significant savings – but they are often underused. This session will explore how these procedures work in practice, what compliance involves, and how UK businesses can reduce duty liability while improving trade efficiency. Case studies and expert guidance will show how to unlock the benefits.
Speakers:
Mitch Perks, Deputy Director of Trade Services, British Chambers of Commerce
Emmanuel Gianquitto, Head of Training and Consultancy, ChamberCustoms
Marika Majewska, Customs Development Executive, ChamberCustoms
Image: British Chamber of Commerce
With multiple substantial US tariff changes this year – from the removal of the de minimis exemption to amended steel and aluminium duties – the tariff landscape is more uncertain than ever. This session will guide UK exporters through classification and origin essentials, explain the documentation required, and highlight recent developments affecting trade. Through real-world examples and expert insight, we’ll help you manage risk and simplify export operations to the US.
Speakers:
Emmanuel, Head of Consultancy and Training, ChamberCustoms
Paul Wrighting, Documentation Trade Training & Compliance Manager, British Chambers of Commerce
Brian Staples, President, Trade Facilitation Services
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, British Chambers of Commerce
Image: British Chambers of Commerce
This practical session goes beyond theory, drawing on ChamberCustom’s first-hand experience of supporting businesses through customs audits. We’ll share lessons learned from the field, explain what auditors focus on, and show how businesses can spot and fix compliance gaps before they become issues.
By the end of the session, you will have a clearer understanding of how to conduct effective internal reviews, how to avoid the common pitfalls we see during audits, and how to embed a culture of compliance across your organisation. The session is ideal for businesses that want to reduce risk, strengthen their customs processes, and feel fully prepared when the auditors arrive.
Speakers:
Marika Majewska, Customs Development Executive, ChamberCustoms
Mitch Perks, Deputy Director of Trade Services, British Chambers of Commerce
Emmanuel Gianquitto, Head of Consultancy and Training, ChamberCustoms
Image: British Chamber of Commerce
Discover how UK businesses can maximise the benefits of Free Trade Agreements, with a spotlight on the CPTPP and the principles of cumulation. Using real-world examples, we’ll explain how rules of origin apply and what traders must do to qualify for preferential tariffs. This session is ideal for exporters seeking to unlock new opportunities in global markets.
Speakers:
Emmanuel Gianquitto, Head of Consultancy and Training, ChamberCustoms
Paul Wrighting, Documentation Trade Training & Compliance Manager, British Chambers of Commerce
Olivia Herford, CPTPP Utilisation Lead, Department for Business and Trade
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, British Chambers of Commerce
Be HubHappy at our Festive Friday Breakfast Gathering!
Join us for a special festive-themed networking breakfast as we celebrate everything Norfolk Chambers has achieved in 2025 and toast to the year ahead!
A Festive Start to Your Friday
Kick off your morning surrounded by fellow business professionals in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy festive breakfast treats, freshly brewed bean-to-cup coffee, and our seasonal special: a festive cinnamon spiced latte – the perfect warming drink to get the season started.
Whether you’re a loyal member or joining us for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with new contacts, catch up with familiar faces, and expand your professional network in a relaxed setting in the heart of Norwich City Centre.
Raising a Coffee Cup to 2025 – and Beyond
Nova Fairbank, our Chief Executive, will be raising a coffee cup to toast all we’ve achieved together in 2025 and share an exciting look ahead to what’s being planned for the Norfolk Chambers and our members in 2026. This is your chance to hear directly from the top about the opportunities coming your way.
Thank you to our official Hub Club Sponsors
We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Naked Marketing for their continued support as the official sponsor of our Hub Club events. Without Naked in our corner, these successful networking gatherings simply wouldn’t happen. We’re delighted to be working alongside them again next year – bringing more networking, more bacon, and more coffee to Norfolk’s business community.
What to Expect
- Festive Christmas breakfast treats and pastries
- Fresh bean-to-cup coffee and festive cinnamon-spiced lattes
- Meaningful conversations with Norfolk’s business community
- A chance to explore the Norfolk Chambers Business Hub if you’ve never been before
- Direct access to the Norfolk Chambers team to discuss membership, events, and local business issues
- A warm, inclusive atmosphere where professionals come to connect, and stay for the bacon
Perfect for: Existing members reconnecting, non-members wanting to experience what we’re all about, business owners seeking new contacts, and anyone who believes that great business happens over great conversations, especially when there’s good coffee involved!
Extend Your Morning – Members remember, co-working desks are included as part of Norfolk Chambers membership
Why rush off after breakfast? As a member, your desk access is included with your membership at no extra cost. Stick around and make a full morning of it – catch up on emails, take client calls, or continue those conversations you’ve just started.
We look forward to seeing you for this special festive gathering!
The Big Debate 2026 – Devolution, Decisions and a new Direction for Norfolk
The Big Debate returns for 2026! This year, we’re tackling one of the most transformative changes our region has seen in decades…
Join us at The Forum, Norwich, for a BBC Question Time–style debate where business leaders, MPs, and Mayoral candidates are being invited to discuss what devolution really means for Norfolk and Suffolk, and, more importantly, for the businesses that drive our local economy.
This is your opportunity to be part of the conversation that will shape the future of our region!
The Big Debate theme – Devolution and the Future of Norfolk Business
This year’s overarching theme focuses on devolution and the creation of a new Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas of Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council.
So, what does this mean? Devolution gives our region more control over key powers and funding previously managed by Westminster. It will allow local leaders to make decisions on transport, housing, skills, infrastructure, and economic investment. The thinking is that these decisions that are better informed by local priorities and opportunities. But will this be the reality?
For businesses, devolution offers exciting opportunities to shape a more responsive, regionally driven economy, but success will depend on how effectively we seize the moment.
– More targeted funding for growth and innovation, creating the chance to invest in what really matters to our local economy, though we’ll need clear, transparent processes to ensure funding reaches the right projects quickly and fairly.
– Skills and training programmes aligned with local workforce needs, giving us the opportunity to develop talent pipelines that truly reflect local demand, while ensuring collaboration across counties and sectors remains strong.
– Improved infrastructure planning across Norfolk and Suffolk, allowing us to design transport and digital connectivity around regional priorities, but requiring joined-up delivery and sustained investment to turn plans into progress.
– A stronger regional voice on national issues, helping Norfolk and Suffolk champion their strengths more effectively, while ensuring that voice represents the full diversity of our business community.
What’s New for The Big Debate 2026
We are currently finalising the following invites to make up our debating panel:
– Mayoral Candidates from across the political spectrum.
– MPs and council leaders representing Norfolk and Suffolk.
– Business leaders and sector experts driving growth and innovation in our region.
And this year, we’ll explore three distinct debate topics, each linked to the opportunities and challenges devolution presents for business.
What to expect
We are still fine tuning the debate topics, but you can expect engaging debate and direct dialogue with key decision-makers.
Be part of the conversation that will shape the economic and political future of Norfolk and Suffolk, and connect with other business leaders, policymakers, and influencers who care about the region’s future.
The Big Debate 2026 is your chance to be part of something historic. Spaces are limited, so book now to secure your place at the heart of the conversation.