East Anglia’s fastest growing accountancy firm, Aston Shaw has continued its expansion strategy with the acquisition of well established Norwich based competitor, Roger Hopkins – as of Friday 1st May 2015.
The deal has been backed by Owner, Roger Hopkins who handpicked Aston Shaw to take over their clients in his retirement, stating that the firms “share the same ethos” and “commitment to increase client profits”. Roger Hopkins Chartered Accountants was established in 1980 and has grown to become one of Norwich’s most reputable small accountancy practices, with a portfolio of over 300 clients. The incorporation of Roger Hopkins will see the 6 existing staff members retained by Aston Shaw and the existing office will remain at 18 Princes Street, Norwich.
Mark Noakes, Director, Aston Shaw commented: “Roger Hopkins Chartered Accountants is a highly regarded and well respected firm in the city. There was a huge amount of competition to secure the deal and we are thrilled that Roger selected Aston Shaw to carry on building the firm he created. We want to ensure a sense of continuity for clients and so Roger will continue to work alongside us on a consultancy basis”.
Roger Hopkins, Owner, commented: “My decision to allow Roger Hopkins Chartered Accountants to become Aston Shaw was made with my clients and staff as my priority. I am impressed with the approach Aston Shaw take in regards to growth, client care and level of service – something that is unique for a practice of its size. I wanted to have a guarantee that both my staff and clients would receive the same level of care and attention that we have maintained over the years, and I look forward to offering my help throughout the transition.”
Since the merger with Morgan Woods in August 2014, Aston Shaw has gone from strength to strength. Last year, the firm recruited 17 apprentices and made a number of appointments in the senior ranks of the company – this year, with the acquisition of Roger Hopkins and more developments planned for 2015, the firm is on track to continue on the same upward trend.
London, 12 May 2015 – Novagraaf announced today that leading intellectual property (IP) professional Eric Siecker had joined its UK operations as Managing Director, Patents. Formerly, Corporate Counsel at the Caterpillar Inc group of companies, Siecker brings considerable experience in all aspects of IP law and practice to the Novagraaf team, with a particular focus on patents, know-how, confidential information, IP agreements and design rights.
Eric Siecker joins Novagraaf after 15 years at Caterpillar Inc, where he was previously Corporate Counsel and head of IP for Europe, Africa, Middle East & CIS. His appointment supports and strengthens Novagraaf’s strategic ambitions, as CEO Lutgarde Liezenberg explains:
“Our clients need the support of an IP consultancy that understands their business drivers and is able to tailor advice accordingly. Eric’s background in-house at Caterpillar enables him to fulfil that brief. His experience ensures that he brings a commercial and interactive focus to his work with businesses of all sizes, helping them to create business value through effective global patent and IP management.”
Commenting on his appointment, Eric adds: “I am delighted to be taking over leadership of Novagraaf’s UK patent practice. My experience client-side at an industry-leading global corporation gives me crucial insight into the needs and concerns of modern businesses, and their IP and legal departments. I look forward to working with clients to maximise the potential of their IP assets and to contribute to the further development of Novagraaf patent practice in the international market.”
About Eric Siecker Eric is a registered European Patent Attorney, a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and a registered Trademark Attorney (UK). He holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Machinery Engineering & Manufacturing from Cranfield University, and in IP Law & Management from Queen Mary, University of London.
Eric is experienced across a broad range of technologies and has particularly deep technological expertise in all aspects related to construction and agricultural machinery, mining equipment, marine propulsion, diesel and gas engines and associated power systems. In addition, he has extensive experience in all aspects of patent management and practice, such as: proactive management of complex IP portfolios around high value products; IP strategy; large-scale patent clearance projects; freedom-to-operate and validity opinions; IP agreements; and EP opposition and appeal proceedings. He is also experienced in performing due diligence evaluations to support M&A and licensing opportunities.
Eric joined Novagraaf in April 2015, and leads the Novagraaf Patent Business in the UK.
JMS Grouphas had the great pleasure of working with Roys for over 30 years -we have an entry in our ancient invoice bookfor a radio commercial produced for them back in 1984! So it’s great that our two brands continue to work together well into the 21st Century. Our most recent campaign has been promoting the fashion labels that Roys department stores sell – big names including Superdry, Clarks, Joules and Laura Ashley. A 10 seconds 3D animated TV commercial was produced for broadcast on ITV1 Anglia for the May Bank Holiday to drive customers to the Wroxham store and create awareness of the brand during half term.
Cozens-Hardy LLP is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the 2015 Norwich Food & Drink Festival.
This two-day festival celebration of food and drink will be held in Chapelfield Gardens over the weekend of 12th and 13th September and is set to be the flagship event for the newly re-branded Norfolk Food & Drink Ltd. The gardens will be turned into a food and drink village featuring a producers’ marquee, City Farm, Feast on the Street, a cookery demonstration theatre, live music and street entertainers. An undoubted highlight will be the Battle of the Bangers on Sunday.
The firm is also pleased to confirm that it is continuing its sponsorship of the hugely popular Moveable Feast event in aid of Parkinson’s UK.
Jane Anderson, Senior Partner:
“As a significant supporter of the food and drink industry in Norfolk we welcome the opportunity to support the Norwich Food & Drink Festival and to extend our sponsorship of the ever popular Moveable Feast to a fifth year. As a local firm of solicitors, we are proud to have looked after generations of farming families and this is a terrific way for us to help showcase our region’s valuable food and drink industry to people in the county and further afield.”
Sarah de Chair, Chair of the Board of Norfolk Food & Drink Ltd:
“Norfolk Food & Drink is absolutely delighted to welcome Cozens-Hardy solicitors back as sponsors once again this year – and we are particularly thrilled that they will be sponsoring our reinvigorated Norwich Food & Drink Festival. We anticipate that this event will attract around 20,000 people over the two days and it’s thanks to Cozens-Hardy’s support that we are able to deliver such a terrific event to the people of Norwich and Norfolk.”
Further details about the Norwich Food & Drink Festival weekend can be found at www.norfolkfoodanddrink.com.
Further information about the unique dining experience that is Lloyd Addison’s Moveable Feast, in aid of Parkinson’s UK, can be found at www.moveablefeastnorwich.org.
– Ends –
For further information please contact:
Clare Haylett ph: 07764 270570 and clare@clarehaylett.net
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Richard, Dax, Luke & Connor attended the National ACR & Heat Pump awards ceremony on March 6th in Manchester at the Midland Hotel.
We won Air Source Project of the Year for a retrofit air source heat pump installation in a riverside townhouse in Norwich and Heat Pump Installer of the Year 2025.
R A Brown Heating Services have been awarded national Heat Pump Installer of the Year, 5 years out of the last 7 years, the other 2 years we were runner up, receiving highly commended accolade from the judges. We have to admit to being very proud of this successful track record and want thank the whole team for all their efforts.
We are thrilled to be continually recognised for our work. The recognition of Heat Pump Installer of the Year, recognises more than just our work installing heat pumps, it also includes our work in the heat pump industry supporting apprenticeships and colleges in Norfolk & Suffolk and also being a voice in National discussions to champion the industry and heat pumps to achieve carbon reduction.
If you would like to discuss installing a heat pump, then give us a call on 01603 898904.
As of today, 26 May 2015, law is in force which prevents employers who utilise zero-hours contracts from having exclusivity clauses in those contracts, or enforcing such clauses if they are already included in the contracts. Employers will no longer be able to enforce any clause or provision in a zero-hours contract which:
It is important to stress that in spite of all the hype and media attention that they attract, zero-hours contracts are still legal. They can be a useful tool for employers, in particular those who require a flexible or seasonal workforce. What is clear, however, is that what employers can do under a zero-hours contract is changing; further laws and regulations on the use of zero-hours contracts are expected later this year. The Government had discussed introducing legislation to create a new protection from detriment for zero-hours contract workers who take jobs under other contracts, however as yet no such legislation has been brought into force.
In addition to the new changes for zero-hours contracts, the maximum financial penalty that can be imposed on employers who fail to pay their employees the national minimum wage has increased. The penalty imposed can now be calculated on a per worker basis (rather than on a per employer notice basis) up to a maximum of £20,000.
If you are concerned about zero-hours contracts or any other aspect of this article you should first speak with a member of our Employment Team on 01603 281153.
Note: The content of this article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken in any specific circumstance.
On 30 January, a high-level delegation from the Department
for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) visited Norwich Research Park, to
see the cutting edge research and innovation in Engineering Biology that is
being conducted on campus.
The team, led by Dr. Isabel Webb, Deputy Director for
Technology Strategy and Security, visited Norwich Research Park’s BBSRC (Biotechnology
and Biological Sciences Research Council) research institutes – the Quadram
Institute, Earlham Institute and John Innes Centre.
Hosted by Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership,
the campus management company for Norwich Research Park, the delegation initially
met with the directors of the research institutes for a strategic discussion. Roz
highlighted the opportunity for the campus to participate in, and where
appropriate lead, transformative programmes of work that she termed ‘bio-transitions’.
This term describes the work being undertaken by the large
cluster of microbiologists, based on campus, where they are making new
discoveries to tackle climate change, food security and the health of the
nation. This ‘bio-transitions’ work, to create new innovations, will ultimately
support the Government’s growth agenda by creating new high-value jobs and
improve productivity.
The department’s team were given a detailed presentation and
tour of the Earlham Institute’s technologies, where they met Director of the
Earlham Institute, Neil Hall, and the Head of Plant Genomics Anthony Hall. The
DSIT team was particularly interested in the use of the BioFoundry and its
advanced capabilities.
A networking lunch was held where they were introduced to many
of the entrepreneurs who have set up successful companies at Norwich Research
Park including Colorifix, Tropic, Alora and Inspiralis.
Lunch was followed by a series of presentations from the
John Innes Centre, including a progress on the Next Generation
Infrastructure (NGI) project, the work of the Insectary and the work of
Professor Anne Osbourn’s lab on plant natural product biosynthesis.
Next was a visit to the Quadram Institute where they were
hosted by Dr Patricia Hart who explained the ground-breaking research being undertaken
which included several aspects of engineering biology, from environmental
applications to human health and plant biotechnology.
The DSIT visitors were introduced to PhD student Brenda
Mionki who talked about her research into how gene-edited tomatoes could
provide a new way of supplementing vitamin D for individuals lacking this
important vitamin and Dr Rokas Juodeikis, a Quadram Institute Bioscience
Fellow, who is developing novel strategies to improve health and address
nutrient deficiencies using bacterial extracellular vesicle (BEV) engineering.
The visit to the Quadram Institute was concluded by a discussion with Prof Mark
Webber and his team around their use of functional genomics in Engineering
Biology.
At the conclusion of the visit, Roz said, “This was a great opportunity
to showcase the ways in which Norwich Research Park is leading the Engineering Biology
scene in the UK, in terms of the critical mass of activity, the diverse range
of work, the deep-tech nature of the curiosity-driven science and applied
science, and the way in which the campus is supporting new spin-outs and
industry partners to maximise the impact of publicly-funded research which is
creating jobs and generating growth for the economy.
“With further support from our partners, in government, we
will be able to create growth in the economy through ‘bio-transitions’
workstreams which involve all areas of industry and society and which will help
mitigate the impact of climate change, ensure food is nutritious and that
people stay healthier for longer.”
Leathes Prior Solicitors has partnered up with Swardeston Cricket Club to sponsor their growing youth section.
Swardeston can trace its club history back over 150 years and in 2010 were crowned the ECB’s Cockspur T20 national champions after claiming victory under the live Sky cameras at Hampshire’s Rose Bowl ground. The club has also won the East Anglian Premier League title three years running.
Swardeston Cricket Club now fields four adult Saturday teams, two on Sundays and has six junior teams from Under-9 to Under-15. They are also actively growing the girls’ section.
Leathes Prior will join existing Swardeston sponsor The Parson Woodforde. The firm’s Business Development and Marketing Manager Charlotte Disney said: “We are delighted to be able to support Swardeston as youth section sponsor and look forward to supporting the club’s developing role in the local sporting community.”
Under the deal, Swardeston’s youth coaches will wear Leathes Prior branded kit and the firm will explore opportunities via the club’s weekly summer Tuesday night coaching sessions which regularly attract about 90 youngsters.
Swardeston chairman Mark Taylor said: “We are thrilled that Leathes Prior has agreed to become our youth sponsor. The youth section has been growing steadily at the club for a number of years. 2014 saw the formation of a girls section and we are pleased to announce that we will also be running an additional team at Under-13 level this summer.
“We are determined to continue building a club which thrives at the heart of a community and as such we are thrilled that Leathes Prior’s backing has also enabled us to offer discounted coaching in three local schools this season. Swardeston coaches will be working with the pupils at Mulbarton Junior School, Cringleford CE VA Primary School and Avenues Junior School.”
Contact information:
Swardeston CC: Stuart Bartram, Sponsorship and media officer, tel: 07714 126337, email: stuart.bartram@brandexinsight.co.uk
Leathes Prior Solicitors: Charlotte Disney, Business Development and Marketing Manager, tel:01603 281137, email: cdisney@leathesprior.co.uk
Vicki Mitman of Leathes Prior’s Franchising Team has been awarded the first Encouraging Women Into Franchising ‘Young Woman’ award.
The fifth annual Encouraging Women Into Franchising (EWIF) Awards Ceremony was held yesterday at RBS House, Bishopsgate, London. The Awards Ceremony was well attended with approximately 130 supporters, finalists and guests.
A new award has been added this year for young women (those 30 years old or younger) who have made a flying start to their role / career in franchising and who also mentor others and give back to the industry. Vicki is the first winner of the new award. Vicki was also a finalist for the ‘Woman Service Provider of the Year’ award.
Leathes Prior congratulates all the other award winners and finalists. Full details are available on the EWIF website here www.ewif.org/ewif-news/ewif-awards-2015-the-winners
For further information about Leathes Prior’s Franchising Team or Encouraging Women Into Franchising, please contact Vicki on 01603 281185 or vmitman@leathesprior.co.uk
A strong start to 2025 for the Huxley Events team, announcing they are finalists for two awards. The company has been nominated for the South Norfolk & Broadland Business Awards in the category of “South Norfolk Small Business of the Year”, as well as for the Conference News Agency Awards in the “Oil, Gas & Energy Event of the Year 2025” for their standout event, the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) SNS2024 conference, exhibition, and gala dinner.
The South Norfolk & Broadland Business Awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of local businesses within the community. This year’s awards ceremony will take place in March, bringing together the brightest and most innovative organisations in South Norfolk and Broadland. Huxley Events is proud to be recognised among the best small businesses in South Norfolk, showcasing their commitment to amazing events, creativity, strong customer service and community engagement.
The nomination reflects Huxley Events’ relentless drive and dedication to delivering high-caliber events.
In addition to the local accolade, Huxley Events is also a finalist for the Conference News Agency Awards, known for highlighting excellence in the conference and events industry nationally. Their event for EEEGR, SNS2024—has been recognized as the “Oil, Gas & Energy Event of the Year 2025”. This award ceremony will take place in March, and Huxley Events is excited to finalists alongside other major events such as 2024 Shell Eco-Marathon, by Emota.
The SNS2024 event, held earlier this year at the Norfolk Showground, was a landmark celebration of energy, innovation, and collaboration. The conference brought together nearly 1,500 attendees, including industry experts, thought leaders, and stakeholders. With engaging sessions led by 68 speakers and an exhibition featuring 72 exhibitors, the event was a resounding success with Huxley Events working behind the scenes on the full logistical and operational planning for the event. The gala dinner, with more than 350 guests, accompanied the conference and was not only memorable but also showcased the exquisite culinary talents of local chef Alex Firman (Garden Kitchen Catering), earning rave reviews from attendees.
“We are delighted to be recognised for our hard work and dedication in both local and national arenas,” said Lizzy Dring, Managing Director of Huxley Events. “Our team is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that bring people together. Being shortlisted for these awards is a testament to our commitment to these events, and we can’t thank our amazing clients and partners enough for trusting us.”
As Huxley Events gears up for the awards ceremonies next month, they remain focused on their mission to elevate the event experience in the region while contributing positively to the local and national business landscape.