Holkham Studios will be the venue for the next Coffee Means Business networking event on Tuesday 15th May, organised by GENIX, the business support specialists. Leanne Castle of GENIX said, “We’re pleased to have been invited to host Coffee Means Business at Holkham Studios during May. As well as the opportunity to network over coffee in a lovely environment there will be a tour of international jewellery business, Monica Vinader Ltd, along with the opportunity to view the award winning serviced offices available at Holkham.” “We always receive very positive comments on the friendliness and easy format of the mornings as they’re the ideal place to make new business connections.” James Bracey, General Manager – Land and Property at Holkham, commented, “Making new contacts and gaining recommendations are an important part of building a business and networking is a great way of achieving this. I’m looking forward to showing delegates our purpose built, serviced office spaces, with fantastic broadband too.” North Norfolk District Council commissioned GENIX in 2016 to organise and host Coffee Means Business in the North Norfolk area. They could see a need for a regular networking opportunity for businesses which didn’t involve expensive membership fees. For more details regarding Coffee Means Business go to www.genix.org.uk or call 0800 096 3013.
NORWICH, Tuesday 5th February 2013 – NORWICH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMES FIRST IN THOMSON SURVEY
Norwich International Airport is delighted to have been voted one of the best in the UK by Thomson passengers who completed the Thomson Customer Service Questionnaire during 2012. The questionnaire covers the helpfulness of the Check-in staff, service received at the Customer Services Desk and the overall UK departure airport experience. Norwich International achieved equal first place out of seventeen airports served by Thomson across the UK. Gary Blake, Customer Services Manager commented “Our aim is to be the airport of choice for friendliness and great customer service and these results indicate that we are achieving our goals. Our customer services team work extremely hard to maintain high levels of service and I am delighted that this has been recognised by our Thomson passengers and very much hope that our objective, to ensure our passenger’s journey through our airport is a pleasurable experience is enjoyed by all.” 2013 is forecast to be a busy summer for Norwich International Airport with Thomson holiday flight capacity up 113% year on year with additions such as Tenerife, Tunisia and Turkey. -End-
Norwich International Airport’s popular travel show returns to the airport terminal building on Saturday 19th January from 9am to 3pm with free entry and free parking for all visitors in the short stay car park.
The event, now in its fourth year, is a great way to start planning for your 2013 holiday and offers local holidaymakers the perfect opportunity to meet and talk with tour operators and airlines flying from Norwich International and to pick up brochures including Fly Norwich 2013 which is being launched at the event.
Over 30 tour operator, airline and business stands including local hotels, and flying schools will be on hand throughout the day to chat, offer first-hand destination and product advice on their Norwich departures.
There are also great opportunities to save money with exclusive offers and fantastic booking incentives available on the day including 5% off and free Norwich airport parking for all holidays booked.
Plus, the chance to win fabulous prizes in the Grand Draw being held at 2.30pm with the main prize a fabulous holiday for 2 to Lake Garda, other prizes in the draw include; short break to Isle of Man, return flights to Aberdeen, holiday vouchers, flying lessons and much more.
Additional free to enter competitions will be taking place throughout the day with many more great prizes to be won.
A must visit event for all your travel needs from Norwich International!
Leathes Prior Solicitors is delighted to announce the promotion of two key members of staff. Tej Thakkar and Sabina Haag have both been promoted to Associate level. Tej joined Leathes Prior in 2011 as a paralegal, and started his training contract with us in 2012. He qualified as a Solicitor in 2014, working ever since in our specialist Regulatory & Defence Team (which sits as part of our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team) supporting Partner Tim Cary. Sabina joined Leathes Prior as a trainee solicitor in 2011, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2013. She also sits as part of our Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team, working closely alongside Partner Darren Bowen, specialising in Wills and probate disputes, as well as commercial property disputes. Leathes Prior is particularly proud to see another two of our trainees retained and progressed through the firm, bringing the total to 11 of our current Associates and Partners that started off their careers as trainees with the firm. Partner and Head of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team Mike Barlow said: “I am delighted to congratulate Tej and Sabina on their well-deserved promotions. Their contribution to the growth of the team since joining the firm has been invaluable and their expertise and professionalism is a credit to them and greatly appreciated by the firm’s clients. I am sure that they will both have long and successful careers with the firm.”
Spire Solicitors LLP are pleased to announce the promotion of Susan Ward and Ejike Ndaji, to Partner.
Susan joined the firm in 2016 and has been instrumental in forming the foundations of the New Build team. Susan holds 35 years of legal expertise and specialises in all areas of property related matters, including residential sales and purchases, re-mortgages, land acquisitions, new build conveyancing, Help to Buy Schemes and mortgage security work.
Susan commented: “Spire Solicitors LLP is a dynamic and thriving practice and I’m pleased to be welcomed as Partner to continue the growth of the business from its initial foundations”.
Ejike trained with Overburys (Spire Solicitors LLP forerunner) and qualified as a Solicitor in 2013. Ejike is based in the Wymondham Office and specialises in all areas of Private Client law including Will drafting, Administration of Estates, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work and Estate Planning. Ejike is also head of the firm’s Charities and Social Enterprise team and is a member of the Charity Law Association which is at the forefront of the developments in charity law and practice.
Ejike commented: “Having seen Spire Solicitors LLP grow from its formation in 2013 and having been involved in one of the founding firms, it is truly a fantastic honour to be recognised with the recent promotion to Partner. I look forward to many more years working with my colleagues to continue the growth of the firm, as well as continuing our exceptional level of service to clients”.
Commenting on the promotions, Lisa Edwards, Member & HR Director commented: “The Members and I would like to congratulate Susan and Ejike. The appointment to Partner is testament to their dedication, loyalty and hard work and we wish them every success in their new roles.”
Spire Solicitors LLP now employs over 160 members of staff and has been increasing its recruitment portfolio over the last few months. Since 2018, Spire has welcomed Howard Bailey, Sally Yaxley, Katharine Chatters, Nisha Jandu & Melissa Richards as new staff to firm, as well as promoted Rebecca Johnstone & Emma Trick to Associate and Craig Ward to Senior Associate.
Omar Park Homes, the UK’s leading manufacturer of park homes, appointed Bigfork and Naked Marketing to improve their website. The companies worked together to produce a brand new website with an appealing, response driven design. Navigation has been improved so visitors to the website can easily find home details, images and floorplans and order brochures. The new website has a comprehensive and easy to use content management system allowing the Omar team to update their website inhouse.
The next stage is to increase relevant traffic to the website through an online marketing campaign including email marketing, search engine optimisation and Google Adwords.
KLM UK Engineering visited Catton Grove STEM Club earlier this week and presented the team with ‘Supported By KLM UK Engineering’ racing overalls and goodie bags to go with their already amazing go kart. The team are taking the go kart apart and learning to build it from scratch while improving aerodynamics, the steering column and engine performance. KLM UK Engineering will be offering engineering knowledge to assist the children develop their STEM skills during this project – regular updates will follow with their progress.
Freebridge seek Board member for new development company
Freebridge Community Housing are looking to recruit a Board member for their new subsidiary development company, Bridgegate Homes.
Bridgegate Homes has been set up by Freebridge in order to develop and acquire new homes in and around West Norfolk - with plans to build 150 properties each year, with 40 of those being for sale on the open market.
The Board of this new company will be made up of the Freebridge Board Chairman, two non-executive Freebridge Board members and the Freebridge Director of Finance and Resources. It is also anticipated that the person being recruited will be appointed as Chairman of Bridgegate Homes.
Tony Hall said “This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience at a senior level in the commercial house-building sector. We’re looking for an individual who can provide strategic thinking,clear direction and good quality leadership to the Board of Bridgegate Homes.
Application packs for the role are available on Freebridge’s website at https://www.freebridge.org.uk/Work-for-us.html or by telephoning 01553 667792.
If anyone has questions or wishes to discuss the opportunity further they can contact Freebridge’s Company Secretary Angus MacQueen on 01553 667754 or e-mail angus.macqueen@freebridge.org.uk
An issue that has recently received increased coverage in the press and on social media is the incidence of vans being broken into for the contents they’re carrying, rather than the vehicles themselves. Thieves appear to be targeting in particular tools, equipment and goods, the presumption being that they’re easily disposed of and aren’t readily traced or recognised as stolen property by innocent purchasers.
Vulnerabilities
The majority of the thefts appear to be taking place when vehicles are parked away from their home locations; hotel car parks are prime sites for many of the incidents we’re currently dealing with. Methods of entry are often violent as there is no interest in preserving the appearance of the vehicle being targeted, panels have been ripped, rear doors levered open, as the goal is the theft of the contents.
Precautions / Prevention
Prevention of these incidents is not straightforward, obvious factors like comprehensive vehicle security and alarms are essential, but the accidental triggering of such precautions has negated them as a guaranteed form of security. Parking in a well-lit secure car park or locked compound, monitored by CCTV, will minimise the likelihood of a theft being attempted. If feasible the removal of the high value items is also advisable, particularly if you believe you may be vulnerable to an incident of this nature.
Claims Management
Insurance cover for theft of goods from your vehicle shouldn’t be assumed, and even where cover is stated, there may be restrictions that you need to be aware of. The key factors you should look for are:
Method of entry to the vehicle. Most policies will require the entry to have been ‘forcible and violent’ for the cover to apply
Time of day. Some policies will restrict cover to exclude incidents occurring overnight (typically between 9pm-6am)
Location of the vehicle. Some policies will offer cover providing the vehicle is secured in a locked compound/garage overnight.
Value. Every policy will state the financial limit of your cover. The value of your goods should not exceed your insured limit.
If you’re unfortunate enough to be a victim of one of these incidents and your insurers confirm that you have cover, for what has happened, they’ll almost certainly request an inventory of the stolen items. It will aid the speed with which they deal with your claim, if you provide the age and purchase price of the stolen items. Therefore keeping a track on what items are carried on a specific vehicle is an advantage if you have to present a claim.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to minimise your exposure to this type of incident, park, whether at a home location or away on site, in a well-lit, secure car park or compound and remove valuable items. None of these measures will prevent a determined criminal, but they could discourage them and make the effect to you and your business as minimal as possible. If you would like to discuss anything raised in this article or to assist in a no-obligation review of the insurance cover you have in place, please contact a member of the Hugh J Boswell team on 01603 626155.
Freebridge Community Housing were delighted to unveil a number of new homes at their most recent development in Gayton yesterday.
The development, on the site of the former Rampant Horse public house, sees two 1 bedroom properties and two 2 bedroom properties brought to the village, with new tenants due to move in next month.
The development was given an official opening by Freebridge Community Housing Chief Executive, Tony Hall, who was accompanied by Freebridge Chairman Andy Walder, Director of Assets and Development Alex Dixon and Andrew Mowbray from building firm Smiths of Honingham.
Tony Hall, said: “This new development is a great addition to the village of Gayton, it’s been really good to hear some of the very positive feedback we have received for the work we’ve done bringing these new homes to life.
“At Freebridge we want to support the many rural communities that we have here in West Norfolk, we understand that as well as providing much needed housing for the area, developments like this can also have a very positive impact on keeping rural communities alive and thriving.”
Alex Dixon said: “Projects like these always present us with a number of challenges given that we have to work around the existing framework of the old buildings, however we’re really pleased with what we’ve been able to achieve and think that we’ve ended up with four very special new homes in a great setting, which in turn fit right into the village as a whole.”
Zing Insights have been awarded the research contract for Europe’s biggest trade show event for the retail industry. Zing will be conducting research with visitors at Spring Fair International which runs from during February, using their innovative iPad Research Pods.
David Langrish, Global Head of Brand Marketing at i2i Events Group said “It is important to us that we have real-time data collected during the show to provide our sales team with the insights they need to aid the exhibitor re-booking process. Zing came highly recommended and they have an innovative, flexible way of collecting large amounts of data, fast, during the event and not having to wait until after the show for results.”
Zing director Jo Walther said “Our research pods are the perfect data collection solution for any high footfall area, we’ve used them in retail outlets, in tourist attractions as well as at events to capture customer views at the point of consumption”. We’ve also found significant differences in results captured during an ‘experience’ vs. those captured after using online research methodologies because online samples are self-selecting, results are often much more polarised and extreme, positive and negative, whereas our samples are more reflective of an overall customer perception.”
Zing Insights is an award winning research and insights consultancy run by a team of highly skilled research professionals with over 40 years experience of delivering world class business insights. Zing were highly commended as a finalist for the EDP Business Award – best new business 2012 and are in this year’s EDP Future50.
Norwich International Airport is delighted to announce the launch of Fly Norwich 2013 produced in association with Archant Norfolk.
The brochure highlights more than twenty holiday destinations that can be reached directly from Norwich International including classic favourites such as Corfu and Majorca to Bulgaria and Turkey whose growing popularity has been confirmed with the additional flights to both Dalaman and Bourgas. In addition the airport has also welcomed Tunisia back for 2013 with twice weekly departures and Tenerife has been reinstated as a year round destination.
First issued in 2011 Fly Norwich has gone from strength to strength with more than 110,000 copies printed this year, an increase of over 400% on 2012 along with an additional eight pages of content too.
Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International commented “The airport’s brochure has proved to be hugely popular over the past couple of years and we are delighted that, with the increased holiday options available from the airport this year we have been able to expand the brochure and its distribution to a wider audience. A complete guide to everything available from Norwich, we see this brochure as a ‘must have’ for anyone planning to travel from their local airport in 2013.”