General

Exciting news in the Norfolk Business calendar arrived last week, with the EDP revealing the finalists for their elven categories. The shortlist has now been expanded to four companies per category, which is a great chance to showcase the talented business community in our county. It is fantastic to see so many of our Norfolk Chamber members in the finalist lists. We wish them all the best for the next stage of the award selections.  Skills of Tomorrow, sponsored by Lotus

• KakeCo Ltd
• Netmatters 
• The College of West Anglia 
• The Kinetic Science Foundation

Best Employer, sponsored by Pure and Birketts

• Flagship Group
• Holden Group
• Morgan Sindall
• The Maids Head Hotel

Investing in Future Growth, sponsored by JDC Corporate Finance

• David Utting Engineering
• Black Swann International
• Gnaw Chocolate
• Panel Graphic

Director of the Year, sponsored by Dipples

• Jan Hytch, Arnold Keys
• John Dye, JD Cooling Systems
• Rosie Kefford, Rosie’s Hair, Beauty and Make-Up Studios
• Steve Earl, Panel Graphic

Small Business, sponsored by Cozens-Hardy

• CIM Signs & Graphics Limited
• Deepdale Backpackers & Camping
• Indigo Swan
• Just Financial Planning

Environment and Sustainability, sponsored by Lovell

• Barnwell Printing
• Cornerstone (East Anglia)
• Rosedale Funeral Home
• The RedCat Partnership

Breaking Boundaries, sponsored by Lovewell Blake

• FXhome
• Panel Graphic
• PBD Biotech
• PlantGrow

Large Business, sponsored by City College Norwich

• JD Cooling Group
• Mills & Reeve
• Natures Menu Ltd
• Neilsen Brandbank

Tech Innovator, sponsored by Computer Service Centre

• Anticipatory Health Limited (Train As One)
• Developing Experts
• Liftshare
• SNAP Account

Customer Care, sponsored by Greater Anglia

• Cornerstone (East Anglia)
• FXhome
• NorseCare
• One Traveller

Knowledge Pioneer, sponsored by UEA

• Chadwicks
• Hethel Innovation
• Developing Experts
• PBD Biotech

The second North Norfolk Business Awards are now open for entries – and businesses across the district are being encouraged to put themselves forward to win one of the prestigious titles.

The 2019 awards (#NNBA19) are being organised and hosted by North Norfolk District Council. The 2018 awards, which were held back in February, saw scores of entries, and it is expected that the competition will be even stronger this time.

Following feedback, the number of categories has been increased to eight with the introduction of a Small Business award. It means that businesses of all sizes and in all sectors should be able to find a suitable category to enter. The awards are free to enter.

Sponsors of the awards include Eastlaw, the Fakenham & Wells Times, Menta, New Anglia LEP, the North Norfolk News and Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

Judging will take place early in 2019. Once the shortlists have been drawn up, the awards night will be held at Gresham’s School, Holt, in February, where the eight winners will be unveiled.  The awards night will again be hosted by Chris Sargisson, chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.

Commenting on the awards, Chris Sargisson, CEO of Norfolk Chamber said: “I am delighted to be asked to host the Norfolk Norfolk Business Awards once again.  This is a great opportunity to celebrate business success in our region and I would encourage as many businesses as possible to enter and showcase their talents.”

Cllr John Lee, Leader of North Norfolk District Council and Leader of the Conservative Group at NNDC, said: “Our inaugural Business Awards were a huge success and they were greatly appreciated by the local business community.  It gives us the opportunity to reward local businesses for the hard work that they put into making North Norfolk a thriving, diverse and great place to do business.”

Cllr Sarah Butikofer, Leader of the Lib Dem Group at NNDC, said: “Local businesses and entrepreneurs contribute significantly to the vitality and viability of the communities we serve, bringing both economic benefits and employment to the area.  I am delighted we are able to recognise these contributions with these awards.”

Cllr John Rest, Leader of the Independent Group at NNDC, said: “This event is a marvellous opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurial skills of traders in this district and to reward them for the very valuable contribution that they make to the community and tourism.”

The full list of categories is Agriculture, Horticulture & Countryside; Business Growth; Environment; Innovation; New Business; Small Business; Tourism & Hospitality; and Young People & Skills.

To enter, please visit www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/nnba. You have until 06 January 2019 to submit your entry. 

Member States in the EU’s Council have authorised the signature and conclusion of the trade and investment agreements between the Union and Singapore.

Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said: “I am very pleased that Member States have given their formal backing to these agreements, paving the way for their signature on 19 October.”

Opening new opportunities for European producers, farmers, service providers and investors is a key priority for the Commission, she went on.

These deals do that, and more, the Commissioner insisted, given that Singapore is an important gateway to the whole Asia-Pacific area.

The agreements also promote sustainable development, as they include ambitious commitments on the protection of the environment and labour rights and uphold the right to regulate.

They are, Commissioner Malmström said, another example of the EU’s determination to work with like-minded countries to uphold rules-based international trade.

The Council decision follows the proposal made in April of this year by the European Commission. EU and Singapore leaders will now sign the agreements during the current Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

After signature, the European Parliament will vote on the agreements. Once it gives its approval (expected to be a formality), the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to enter into force in 2019, before the end of the current mandate of the European Commission.

The EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement will only enter into force following its ratification at EU Member State level.

The discussion at the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council meeting last night centred around their forthcoming meeting with the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Cabinet on Wednesday 13 March 2013. The Great Yarmouth Chamber Council is keen to strengthen communications with the Borough Council Cabinet. They wish to highlight the need for both the Cabinet and local businesses to support young people and motivate the next generation of workers and also to understand the needs of the supply chain to help support future economic growth in Great Yarmouth.

John Morse, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said “It is important that we maximise our efforts in providing plentiful opportunities to motivate, recruit, train and deploy succeeding generations across a wide variety of business sectors. Both the Chamber Council and the Cabinet have identified the skills challenge as a major initiative and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work together in order to have a coordinated response.”

• BCC convenes a meeting with DEXEU Secretary Dominic Raab and seven Northern European Chambers of Commerce
• The group collectively represents regions and nations that cover 70% of UK-EU trade – around £344bn in 2016
• Recent research by BCC shows a fifth of businesses will move part or all of their business to the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit

At a meeting today (Thursday) with Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, the British Chambers of Commerce and six Northern European Chambers of Commerce come together to urge negotiators to avoid a messy, no-deal Brexit – which would see UK firms cut investment and move part of their business to the EU.

In a landmark meeting, the seven Chambers – based in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium – come together to discuss progress in the negotiations, including the transition period – and Brexit preparedness.

The Chambers of Commerce urge negotiators to avoid any disruption to tight customs procedures, that risk damaging supply chains and queues at border check points. This is crucial to maintaining frictionless trade that businesses on both sides currently enjoy.

The group of Chambers, connected by wide-reaching networks and transport links, warn that firms are already scaling back on recruitment, investment, and expansion projects – and that negotiators in the UK and EU must ensure a transition period that helps firms prevent a further slump in investment and recruitment.

Time is short, and the BCC will urge negotiators to keep at negotiations rather than accept a no-deal.

Ahead of the meeting, Hannah Essex, Co-Executive Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“We are grateful to the Brexit Secretary for taking the time to listen to the concerns of business communities that represent 70% of UK-EU trade.

“We have come together with our European counterparts to stress that a no-deal Brexit would not only impact upon UK business, but would also undermine European firms, supply chains and customs links between the UK and Europe.

“Businesses in the UK are paying attention to the progress in negotiations, but need clarity rather than political posturing if they are to get answers to the practical questions they have. The BCC Risk Register shows that there remains a high degree of uncertainty for businesses. A transition period is essential to help those firms who are pausing on investment decisions.

“Time is running out. We and our European colleagues urge the negotiators on both sides to act urgently and decisively to get a comprehensive deal done.”

The Chambers attending the meeting today are:

British Chambers of Commerce

German Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Danish Chamber of Commerce

Belgium Chambers of Commerce

French Chambers of Commerce

Flanders Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Wallon Chamber of Commerce

Ahead of the Autumn Budget on Monday, the British Chambers of Commerce is urging the Chancellor to take bold measures to bolster business investment, competitiveness and productivity in the face of Brexit headwinds.

The leading business group, which represents almost 75,000 companies employing six million people across the UK, is warning that a ‘business as usual’ approach to this Budget simply won’t be good enough and would leave business communities ill-equipped to overcome the significant period of change that lies ahead.

At a time of substantial economic uncertainty, a Budget that fails to prioritise investment and productivity would severely undermine the UK’s long-term economic growth.

The BCC is calling for an exceptional ‘Brexit Investment Incentive’ to raise substantially the Annual Investment Allowance to £1m – increasing tax relief for businesses to stimulate investment in plant & machinery, property and staff training, driving growth and productivity.

Adam Marshall, Director General at the BCC, said:

“This Budget is taking place against a backdrop of significant volatility and uncertainty, so a ‘business as usual’ approach from the Chancellor simply won’t cut it. Now is the time to tell business that the government is serious about helping firms navigate Brexit and prepare for change, by incentivising investment and improving conditions in the domestic environment. Bold enticements are needed to crowd in both domestic and international investment at this critical moment This is no time to ‘wait and see’ what tomorrow may bring.”

In its Budget Submission, the BCC focused on targeted, affordable change, which if delivered would drive greater investment in people, property, infrastructure and capital, lifting both UK growth and productivity. The BCC has proposed action in seven key areas:

• An exceptional ‘Brexit Investment Incentive – with the Annual Investment Allowance boosted to £1m to ‘crowd in’ both domestic and international investment – and stem the weakening in business investment in the face of Brexit uncertainty.
• Introduce a Business Rates Investment Incentive – ease the drag effect of this uniquely iniquitous business tax on investment by providing a 12-month delay before rates are increased when an existing property is expanded or improved and also before rates apply to a new build property.
• A commitment to no new taxes or costs on businesses for the remainder of this parliament – giving businesses the headroom to adjust to Brexit and to invest, recruit and grow.
• Deliver real UK-wide reform to the apprenticeship levy and drop SME co-funding for apprenticeships in England – to ensure that the training system works for everyone and eases the UK’s chronic skills shortage.
• Delay the roll-out of Making Tax Digital for all businesses by one year – to provide HMRC and businesses with the headroom to prepare for this major change to the way tax is collected.
• Abandon the uprating of business rates for the next two financial years for all businesses on the high street in town and city centres – to ease the financial burden on struggling businesses as they go through significant structural changes.
• Provide the funding needed to achieve full mobile coverage along transport corridors (road and rail) – a crucial step to improving digital connectivity and productivity for businesses that need to communicate with new and existing customers, suppliers and employees.

In support of the calls from BCC, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance & Public Affairs at Norfolk Chamber said:

 “While uncertainty around Brexit continues to weigh on businesses in Norfolk, many of the challenges and opportunities facing the local economy have nothing to do with leaving the EU. Better productivity, skills and connectivity are all things that the UK government must invest in alongside business, regardless of the eventual Brexit deal. Addressing the broken business rates system and Apprenticeship Levy, Norfolk’s physical and digital connectivity, and the steep cost of doing business would remove many of the domestic barriers to growth. 

“The Chancellor faces difficult decisions at every Budget, but in the current climate more local businesses than ever are being forced to make their own tough choices. We know that many of our members are holding back investment and recruitment decisions in the face of ongoing uncertainty. This Budget is a critical opportunity for the government to provide Norfolk firms with the support and confidence they need to invest and grow right now. Failure to act now will leave the UK and Norfolk economy stuck in its current rut for the foreseeable future.”

Whilst the UK and Europe wrestle with the Brexit negotiations, for the rest of us, it is business as usual, but how Brexit-ready is your business?

The majority of technical notices have been issued by the various government departments for what to do in the event of no-deal , so now you have to work about what your organisation should be preparing for.

To help companies consider what they may need to be prepared for, our Business Brexit Checklist has recently been updated.

Commenting on the impact of Brexit on the Norfolk business community, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance & Public Affairs for Norfolk Chamber said:

“Norfolk businesses are still seeking clarity and need answers to the many outstanding questions on business continuity should there be a no deal scenario.  Yet despite the economic uncertainty many are still forging ahead with their day to day business. 

“Our Business Brexit Checklist gives firms an outline of the areas that they should be being considering. We are keen to hear from Norfolk businesses as to what plans they are making and what their top 5 questions about Brexit would be?  Please let us have your thoughts and questions by email to: nova.fairbank@Norfolkchamber.co.uk

Thursday 25th October got off to a chilly (and dark) start but nonetheless over 50 businesses joined us at Park Farm Hotel for our last South Norfolk breakfast of the year. There was a lovely atmosphere as the room was packed with people talking, the networking activity “What’s your business dating profile” really got a few people laughing. Mark Williams-Cook, Digital Marketing Director of Candour was presenting on “Becoming the first choice with digital“. Mark has been in marketing for over 10 years and recently presented at our Talking Tech conference. He has created successful search campaigns in some of the most competitive digital marketing sectors for global brands and has translated these techniques into strategies SMEs can apply at almost any level. Candour are a creative digital agency whose aim is to help organisations thrive by providing incredible experiences for their customers and users.

If you’re doing a repetitive task on a computer you’re doing it wrong was his overriding message, explaining to delegates how best to set up their websites in order to stay in the forefront of their customers minds. He actively encourages businesses to adopt automation in order to optimise their digital presence. He also highlighted how quickly things move and that a business’s online presence is not limited just to their website but also includes social media, Google itself, and is increasingly including voice recognition hardware such as the Amazon Echo. He encouraged businesses to uncover new ways to encourage people to visit and stay on their website, such as optimising the time it takes for their site to load.

We also had stands from East Coast College and Red Shed Media. Leeway were our feature charity, they provide support to adults, young people and children who are experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk. They are founding members of WAFE (Women’s Aid Federation England) and every year provide specialist support to over 9,000 adults, children and young people.

You can find out more about our speaker and stand holders below: Mark Williams-Cook, Candour East Coast College Red Shed Media  

Commenting on the Budget, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance & Public Affairs for Norfolk Chamber said:

“The good news included: boosting of the Annual investment Allowance to £1 million, which will help stem the weakening in business investment, as a result of Brexit uncertainty; a package of support for high streets to adapt, including a reduction by a third in rates for those retailers paying an annual rental of £50,000 or less; and those employers seeking skills improvements will benefit from a 5% reduction in apprenticeship levy. 

“However, whilst the Chancellor announced that the era of austerity was coming to an end, overall schemes and incentives specific to our region, in comparison to other UK areas, were in short supply.

“There is still no indication of when the broken business rates system will be overhauled and no specific funding to support full mobile coverage along our key transport corridors which would be a crucial step to improving digital connectivity and productivity for businesses. 

“We need the fundamentals fixing, such as the long overdue dualling of the A47, faster more reliable rail, mobile and broadband to enable our innovative and dynamic business community to reach new heights and deliver economic growth and jobs for Norfolk.”

Commenting on the announcement that planning permission for EDF’s nuclear power plant in Hinkley Point, Somerset, has been approved, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“British business is clear that nuclear power is a vital ingredient in the UK’s long-term energy mix. Planning approval for Hinkley C is a major step in the search for energy security and a huge opportunity for local businesses in Somerset and beyond.

“While this announcement is positive, Britain’s first new nuclear plant in nearly two decades is not a done deal yet. Planning permission alone does not mean the project will proceed; complex negotiations on energy pricing must also reach a successful conclusion. Whatever the financial deal reached, it must offer value for taxpayers and certainty for business energy users – who need clarity on their costs and on security of supply.

“Planning approval for Hinkley C is only one step in the much-needed upgrade of the UK’s energy infrastructure. It must not be the only step taken – as without a comprehensive UK energy security strategy, our business competitiveness will be seriously diminished.”

Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said:

“This announcement sends a clear message that the UK’s new nuclear build programme is on track. Local businesses are keen to play their part in developing the supply chain for nuclear power, and the Chamber has been at the heart of this effort. Here in Somerset, more than 1,200 companies have taken the necessary steps to ensure that they are ‘Hinkley ready’.”

Caroline Williams Chief Executive Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is great to see Hinkley C getting planning permission as it brings Sizewell C a step closer to the region. The Chambers have a key role to play in developing their supply chains and we look forward to ensuring that Norfolk businesses are ready to take full advantage of the business opportunities both locally and in Hinkley”

Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce for the month of October.

Visit their business to explore what they have to offer. Click on a business name below to view the full listing in our Member Directory.

Vision Interiors Ltd Interior Specialist based in Congham 

Agrimech Services Ltd Agrimech is a leading UK manufacturer of End of Line Weighing, Bagging and Palletising Systems for a wide range of products.

Synergienet Synergienet offer an all round business support service, whether its finding a way to maximise your sales force or analysing the pro’s and con’s of a new market sector, they have the experience to help make it happen.

Pro Gen Research Pro-Gen-Research provides family history research both to the legal profession to assist in tracing lost beneficiaries and to individuals seeking help with building their family trees.

AKA Consulting With over 20 years experience of driving strategic Supply Chain excellence with strong commercial and project management skills.

Adept Supply Chain Solutions Adept Supply Chain Solutions Ltd (ASCS) is a business management consultancy that helps micro and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) to achieve increased competitive advantage and sustainable year-on-year organic growth through improvements made in supply chain productivity and efficiency.

R W Walpole R W Walpole Ltd is a long established horticultural business propagating a wide variety of soft fruit plants. 

Ash Tree Barns A perfect venue a wedding, hen party, holiday, birthday celebration, or corporate event

Scream Blue Murder Scream Blue Murder was formed in 1993, with a mission to deliver great design that communicated with our clients’ audiences.

Quantum Jump Quantum Jump provides Effective, simple and reliable credit control – based in your office, DVA, Debt Verification Audit, sale ledger cleansing (separating the time wasters from the real issues), dispute mediation and resolution, and realisation of inequitable debt. 

Nor-Folk Fiona Burrage, the founder of Nor-Folk is an award-winning independent photographer, art director and creative director.

St Edmunds St Eds is a collaborative vocational learning hub providing an alternative learning provision for young people entering Construction, Transport Maintenance, Catering & Hospitality and Hair & Beauty.

Pink Spaghetti Personal Assistant – Virtual Assistant: At work; at home

Fakenham Racecourses Fakenham Racecourse is situated in the beautiful north Norfolk is the perfect choice for corporate events including business seminars, conferences, sales exhibitions, parties and large, open-air events.

Pharos Marine Automatic Power Global leader in customised marine aids to navigation products and remote power solutions for the offshore Oil & Gas industry,

Vattenfall, an offshore wind farm developer has opened their consultation on their latest offshore renewables project – Norfolk Boreas. 

They intend to construct an offshore windfarm in the southern North Sea, approximately 73km from the Norfolk coast, covering an area of around 725km2.   The project has a proposed export capacity of 1,800 MW, mirroring the same capacity as their Norfolk Vanguard Project.  Therefore both applicants have to apply for a development consent order.

The consultation opens on Wednesday 07 November 2018 and closes on Sunday 09 December 2018.  This is your opportunity to share your views on the different elements of the project either in person at their consultation events or online.

Six public consultation events will take place along the route of the onshore cables and an event in Norwich. The dates, times and locations are as follows:

Happisburgh                      14 Nov 18            1pm – 7pm

Aylsham                             15 Nov 18            1pm – 7pm

Necton                               16 Nov 18            1pm – 7pm

Norwich                              21 Nov 18            11am – 6.30pm

Dereham                            22 Nov 18            1pm – 7pm

North Walsham                  23 Nov 18            1pm – 7pm

Reepham                           24 Nov 18            10am – 3pm

For more information and full details of the consultation venues and where the project documents can be viewed, click here.