We were delighted to be tasked with redesigning the Norwich Housing Society website, a not-for-profit organisation which provides affordable housing for older people.
Our brief was bring the website up to date, make it easier to use, more accessible and attractive. Bigfork developed many new features for the new website including a search filter to help visitors quickly find suitable housing and an easy to manage document library for providing resources.
We’re constantly growing at Netmatters, our most recent example being our merging with Gapton Computers. This move represents the creation of one of the region’s largest full-service technology agencies.
We thought we’d mark our most recent expansion by purchasing a new building. This space has been renovated so it links seamlessly to our business premises. Take a quick look to see how it went. There are certainly some moments worth pausing on!
If you’re looking to expand to new premises or update your current workspace, we can handle it from start to finish. You can have your office installed and decorated and then get your IT equipment and software migrated over by us. We’ll work promptly and professionally, so your business is up and running as quickly as possible.
We believe in focusing on the new, an attitude that has proven successful when helping our clients succeed. Here are just some of the other ways we help our clients make new starts for their long-term goals:
Wireless and Paperless Offices – Embracing new digital channels makes sure everyone can get up to speed regardless of location.
Voice Activated Technology – With 2018 seeing an increase in voice-search and voice-activated products, communication will be cutting-edge and efficient like never before.
Broadband and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Systems – Streamlining communications with cloud-based solutions, and supplying a fast, consistent internet supply.
Remote and Onsite IT Support – Remaining proactive in identifying threats and vulnerabilities, so your business can focus on what’s important.
One thing that links all of these services is flexibility. We want reliance on physical premises and hardware to be a thing of the past. If you want to future-proof your business and embrace all things digital, make Netmatters your first port of call.
Whether you need help moving your office, require fast and friendly IT support or want to overhaul your business communication platforms, contact Netmatters today on 01603 704020 or fill out our contact form here.
Ashton KCJ Solicitors has announced that it will be supporting three local charities through a charity of the year partnership. From April 2013, the firm will be supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, Magpas and Norwich based Nelson’s Journey.
Each year, staff at the firm vote for the charities they wish to support. The firm aims to raise at least £10,000 during the year through activities such as dress down days, cake sales and by staff taking part in sporting events.
The firm has already exceeded its fundraising target for its current charities: EACH, Big C and Headway. The funds have been raised by staff taking part in a 125 mile bike ride, a sky dive, Santa Runs, Hats for Headway and much more.
Edward O’Rourke, CEO at Ashton KCJ, says: “We are delighted to be supporting three new charities this year, each of which provide vital services and support in the local communities where we live and work”.
Sue Bailey, Associate and Chair of Ashton KCJ’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, added: “We recognise that the current climate is making fundraising for charities more and more difficult. We will be mobilising our staff to get involved in as many fundraising activities as possible throughout the year.”
An exciting and entirely unique opportunity has arisen for a skilled and experienced professional to join the Active Norfolk team and be a part of a national pilot with Sport England that champion’s physical activity in a whole-system approach to improve the lives of older people in Norfolk.
As part of the senior team both within Active Norfolk and Sport England, you will be part of a wider cohort of 8 similar posts across England that is piloting a new way of working founded on the principles of co-production, co-ownership and accountability.
The main purpose of this role is:
• To build high level relationships between Sport England nationally and local delivery (via County Sports Partnerships like Active Norfolk), thereby strengthening the connections within the system at national and local level, informing decision making at all levels. (relationships)
• To develop a deep understanding of local and national insight relevant to the role and ensure it’s used to inform national policy and programmes and local delivery, identifying challenges, opportunities and learning both nationally and locally to maximise engagement in sport and physical activity. (understanding and insight)
• To create additional leadership and influence within Sport England and the CSP area, contributing to system change within the sector and the wider system. (leadership)
• To facilitate new behaviours and ways of working within Sport England and CSPs, as well as between Sport England and CSPs, by modelling these behaviours and supporting colleagues to adopt and implement in their own work. (behaviours)
This is a two-year fixed term contract until September 2020, with an excellent remunerative package.
Closing date for applications is Wednesday 20 June, 2018.
Business Networking and Marketing Ideas at Fakenham Racecourse
Saving money is important to small businesses and how to avoid costly marketing and advertising mistakes vitally important.
This month’s GENIX Coffee Means Business networking event is to be held on Tuesday 19th June. It will provide businesses with the opportunity to network in an informal and friendly setting and to gain an insight into how to put together a marketing plan.
Rob Davies of One on One Communications will share his top ten tips of what should be included when writing a marketing brief.
Coffee Means Business will be held at the Prince of Wales Stand at Fakenham Racecourse and business guests will have a fantastic view of the track whilst enjoying tea, coffee and networking.
Leanne Castle of MENTA commented, “We are pleased to welcome businesses from any sector, whether they’re home based or a larger concern employing staff. That’s one of the great things about these monthly events, you always meet a great cross section and variety of businesses. It’s a great way of mixing with and meeting new contacts.”
The event starts at 9.30am and finishes at 11.30am, there is free parking on site and the cost is just £5, payable on arrival.
There will be a free business card raffle for a bottle of wine chosen and supplied by TFW Fine Wines.
Twenty of the region’s entrepreneurial business leaders joined Price Bailey’s business strategy team for the third meeting of PB Entrepreneurs at the Top of the City, Norwich City Football Club, last week.
The group has formed to meet each quarter, offering strategic insight and peer review to important clients and contacts of the firm who are looking to grow and improve their businesses.
“It’s a natural add-on to our chartered accountancy practice” says firm’s head of strategy and development, and lead business coach Nick Mayhew. “In getting to know our client’s businesses inside out from a financial perspective, we are also in a really good position to help them to build on their strengths and meet wider business challenges. PB Entrepreneurs offers a forum to support that”. PB Entrepreneurs Clubs are already established in London and Cambridge. “There are so many dynamic businesses, and business leaders in Norwich that we are really pleased to be able to extend the club to this area”.
The theme of the afternoon was growth – learning from the examples of high-growth companies including Zappos and SpaceX, as well as high-growth clients. Attendees worked through their own plans, before wrapping up with an hour focussed on the business growth plans of one particular member. Dr Vince Forté, the subject of the specific case study, said “It was such a privilege to be able to present our business case and receive so much valuable advice – all those top business brains working for me!”.
The group meets next in Norwich on 11th June, to discuss ‘Winning Strategies’.
NORWICH, Monday 11th February 2013 – Airport supports local scout group Norwich International Airport had pleasure in providing 2nd Hellesdon Scout group with 60 hi-visibility vests for the Beavers and Cubs. The vests will enable the young children to enjoy a range of activities and visits safely.
Jean Grimbly, Beaver Scout Leader for 2nd Hellesdon Scout Group said “We are delighted that Norwich International has been able to support us to ensure the road safety of our young Beavers and Cubs. The vests are paramount to ensuring the road safety of sixty children aged 6 to 10 years of age. It will also ensure that our Beavers and Cubs can safely gain their hikes away badge and will work with our sections for them to gain their safety badge”
Emma Grimbly, Assistant Scout Leader for 2nd Hellesdon Scout Group said “I am grateful to the Norwich International Airport for the support we have received. What started out by me as simply being a plea to local organizations and businesses has been welcomed with support and partnership from the marketing team at Norwich International. I am overwhelmed that they have been willing to provide these hi-visibility vests something that I saw our group was in desperate need for. Now thanks to Norwich International Airport we have the resources to keep our young people safe on all activities throughout the year regardless of how light it is outside in the evenings when we run our activities”
Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International Airport said “As an airport we are committed to work with and contribute to the local community and we were very pleased to be able to help the scout group with funding this project”
Mrs J and her partner wanted to buy their council property under the Right to Buy scheme.
The adviser they went to last year realised that the second applicant had a couple of CCJs (County Court Judgements) so approached a specialist lender.
Their application was declined due to perceived rent arrears.
Jayne explained our approach: “Due to the low amount they wanted to borrow in relation to the property value, and their income, and the fact the rent was up-to-date along with all CCJs being satisfied, I researched options with mainstream lenders.
“I submitted a decision in principle with a lender, which although declined, I appealed as it was only just outside their advertised lending criteria. The appeal was successful!
“Getting their mortgage with a mainstream lender has meant an interest rate of 4.30% fixed for 2 years. When they were originally looking it was 7.14% fixed for 2 years!
Let’s just say the client are very happy with the outcome.”
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KLM UK Engineering were delighted to support Catton Grove Primary who entered the Region event for the Greenpower goblin racing at Scottow Park, Coltishall. After a gruelling morning of sprint and time trials the Catton Grove cars (called Killa KLM and Catton Groove) began heats for the big final. The first heat ended in controversy with a car bumping Catton Groove off the track taking one of our cars out of the race. However, in another heat Killa KLM took first place and progressed to the semi finals. The semi final was very close but yet again Killa KLM raced its way into the final with an excellent drive from Kye, 9 year old. The final was over 4 laps of the course – Killa KLM had a great start and took the lead early on – Milan, a year 5 student from Catton Grove Primary as well as the team captain led the race from then on and won the final comfortably! The Catton Grove team have learnt everything from the expertise of Glenn Wilkin from KLM UK Engineering who has become a superstar at Catton Grove. Glenn has taught the children about the mechanics and upkeep of the car as well as aerodynamics, friction and all other race winning elements. A great engineering working partnership!
Attleborough based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, has met Mid-Norfolk MP, George Freeman to discuss the enormous opportunities for heating homes across the county and beyond using low carbon renewable energy, which can also substantially reduce energy bills.
The meeting took place at Orchard Close in Watton, an affordable housing scheme built by Flagship Group, where Finn Geotherm has installed an award-winning district heating scheme using ground source heat pump technology. The scheme has cut energy bills for tenants by two-thirds and carbon emissions from heating and hot water by three-quarters.
Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “It was very useful to be able to show George Freeman what can be achieved using heat pump technology. Heat pumps could not only go a long way towards helping the government achieve its Clean Growth Strategy, but also in saving consumers money on their heating bills, particularly in rural areas such as Norfolk where ‘conventional’ heating choices are limited.”
George Freeman MP, said: “Can we reduce household heating costs, reduce carbon and grow our local economy? Yes, and the answer is here in Norfolk. Finn Geotherm is providing a heat exchange system that dramatically reduces household costs. That’s world class innovation, pioneered in Norfolk, creating jobs in Norfolk, and improving the quality of life for all of us here in Norfolk.”
Guy Ransom added: “The dual ogres of fuel poverty and high carbon emissions caused by outdated heating systems remain a huge problem throughout the UK, and particularly for the social housing stock of rural areas such as East Anglia. These problems can however be solved via the use of ground source heat pumps, a tried and tested, highly efficient technology.
“We are calling on the government to grasp the extent to which heat pump systems are a huge part of the solution to solving our fuel poverty and carbon emission problems.”
For information on ground and air source heat pumps and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.
One week to go! In less than a week, the Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition kicks off – and we’re so excited to be part of it!
What to expect?
– Expert marketing insights
– Networking with top local businesses
– Fresh strategies to grow your brand
Where? Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition
When? 26th March 2025
Grab your tickets now!
If you’re attending, make sure to pop by and say hello – we’d love to meet you! Let’s talk all things marketing, growth, and smashing success together.
Entrepreneurs in the county are now able to realise their business dream, thanks to ‘Enterprise Norfolk’, an exciting new support project for business start-ups. The programmeoffers practical help and support to anyone wanting to start new businesses in the county.
Enterprise Norfolk is led by Norfolk County Council with an investment of £400K over 2 years, working with Norfolk’s district, borough and city council partners. The aim is to help local residents realise their business potential and to create 150 new sustainable businesses in each year.
Local councils will be delivering services to residents in their areas. Service and activities available will include: – enterprise awareness events, one-to-one support sessions, enterprise workshops and business surgeries and clubs.
Delivered at a local level, Enterprise Norfolk allows greater coverage and access to individuals living in rural areas. The money will address the ‘full enterprise journey’, with support for existing businesses in the county and well as new ones.
Liz Young from Dereham has previously been supported by Norfolk County Council when she was trying to start up her two businesses Sparrow’s Rest and Steaming ahead which are a respite care business and an ironing company respectively. She said: “Getting business advice and help from the county council was invaluable at the time when I was considering what to do and how I could turn my ideas into reality. It gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to start out on my own and I haven’t looked back.
“The Enterprise Norfolk scheme is a fantastic idea and I would urge anyone who’s thinking about starting up a business to get in touch with the County Council as it certainly worked for me.”