Are you making a positive impact on the environment? The Clean & Green Awards is your opportunity to showcase your sustainability efforts and be recognized for driving change in East Anglia.
We’re looking for individuals, businesses, and organizations who are leading the way in sustainability, whether through energy innovation, circular economy practices, biodiversity protection, or reducing carbon emissions.
Categories include: 🌱 Energy Innovation Award 🌍 Circular & Recycling Award 🏢 Sustainable Workplace of the Year 💚 Net Zero Award 🌿 Biodiversity Protection Award 💡 Educational Trailblazer Award 🔥 Game Changer Award 🙌 Community Champion of the Year
+ many more….
This is your chance to celebrate your achievements and inspire others to take action for a greener, more sustainable future.
👉 Submit your entry today at and join the movement for positive change.
Norwich Airport appoints Richard Pace as Managing Director.
Norwich Airport has announced the appointment of Richard Pace as Managing Director. Richard brings 25 years of aviation industry experience to the post having joined Norwich Airport from the RAF as an air traffic controller in 1995.
Most recently Richard has held the position of General Manager at the airport, from April 2015, overseeing the introduction of a range of new services including the first scheduled sunshine flights from Norwich for nine years.
Commenting on his appointment, Richard said: “This is an exciting time to be taking charge of the business and driving the next stage of our growth strategy,
“Our focus is all about connectivity for so a priority is to grow our links with international hub airports and increase the range of leisure destinations to give customers even more choice and flexibility from closer to home.
“We will also be looking at ways we can further enhance the customer experience at Norwich evidenced by customer surveys, and we want to maximise the opportunities created by the completion of the new Northern Distributor Road in early 2018, which will make access to the airport even easier for many people.”
Richard said he would also focus on growing the Norwich Connects business network, through which the airport is working with the business community to evidence demand for new services. During his time at Norwich Richard’s experience has spanned all aspects of airport operations. He held a variety of technical roles, including air traffic control examiner, before being appointed General Manager Air Traffic Services in 2007.
He became Operations Director in 2009, managing a raft of upgrade projects including the installation of a new radar system, navigating two airspace change proposals and the construction of hangars, aprons, and taxiways. More recently Richard has been involved in the launch of new routes to Malaga, Alicante, Exeter, Gran Canaria, Paphos, Rhodes and Chambery.
We are thrilled to be working with the exciting team at Chanty, on the redesign of their already successful website. Chanty is a team communication and team collaboration platform which allows users to collaborate seamlessly.
A viable alternative to Slack and other well-known collaboration apps and platforms, Chanty have been making some exciting moves over the last few months. Having produced a range of useful and informative resources, including their productivity and work-life balance calculators, Chanty are now taking their website to new levels.
What We Are Working on With Chanty
We have been working on the Chanty website for a few months and have been improving their search engine optimisation (SEO) and user engagements through a variety of means and methods, all of which are starting to slowly take effect, having a positive effect on the rankings and engagement of users on the Chanty website.
Website Crawling – First and foremost, we have been working on making sure that the ‘crawling factors’ of the website, i.e., the technical SEO ranking factors are up to date and fully optimised. This has included taking care of, fixing and optimising elements of the website, including:
Meta titles and meta descriptions
Page titles and headings
Response codes
Website architecture
Online PR Opportunities – A fundamental part of any SEO campaign and project are the online PR opportunities that any brand and website can garner. Thus, we have been working hard to get Chanty’s brand, messaging and name out to the relevant masses online, to ensure their brand gets the wide exposure it requires and deserves.
Website Content – Another key tenet of a successful SEO campaign is the content that lives and sits on any given website. In the case of Chanty, this has meant working with their fabulous copywriting and content team to ensure that all content, from blogs to core page content and all in between, allowing more good content to rank and get found as necessary by Google and other search engines.
Page Designs – Page design and user experience (UX) is an important part of SEO and thus, we have been working with the design and development teams at Chanty to ensure all new page designs are reflective of best SEO practices as well as user experience practices.
Paul has competed in two of the most competitive industries in the world: elite sport, and performance psychology. Paul played professional football at Premier League level, for both Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City FC. He realised though, early on in his career, that whilst he knew he wanted to play football, he also had a time limit on his career. This realisation sparked a career in his other passion—psychology.
Paul is now a qualified psychologist; published author of ‘The Stupid Footballer is Dead’; and motivational speaker. He works worldwide, with companies such as Microsoft and Aviva, on performance psychology, the power of our beliefs, and how they form and get in the way of our success in business.
Paul chats to James and Mark about the ‘growth mindset’ that’s needed in business. They discuss how improvement and progression only come from a certain type of mindset, and hinges on how you approach a situation, and then deal with it.
They talk in depth about the power of beliefs. If we all spent time unpacking our beliefs, we’d realise just how many negative ones we have, and how much they get in our way! Paul also gives fascinating insight into what it takes mentally to play at the highest level of the beautiful game, and the imposter syndrome that can come with it, and how he came to realise that his Belfast accent was not a barrier after all!
If you are enjoying the series, we would really appreciate it if you could follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or wherever else you get your podcasts!
If you have feedback, questions or think you might be a great guest on the podcast, please get in touch! Email the team at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk
Top tips:
Tip 1 – Belief systems and reaching goals skip to 38:30
Tip 2 – Internal and external locus of control skip to 41:00
Tip 3 – Identity – transitioning from footballer to business psychologist skip to 38:30
When the deadline for registering to vote in the UK EU referendum approached there were issues with the online registration system. It stopped working due to the high numbers of people trying to register all at once. The system failed to scale and fell over. By scale, I mean that the hardware was no longer powerful enough to service all of the requests made of the software it was running and it was unable to become more powerful.
There are two main ways to scale computer hardware, vertically and horizontally. Most software can scale vertically, regardless of how it’s designed. To scale horizontally special design considerations must be taken into account.
Vertical Scaling Imagine you’ve got 1000 people to move from point A to point B 10 miles away and a car which can hold 5 people and travels at an average speed of 60 miles an hour. That means it takes 10 minutes to get the car once from point A to point B. Ignoring the return journey and including the driver in the number of people moved, it would take 200 trips, at 10 minutes each, which is 33 hours. That’s pretty slow.
If we use the same car, but with a more powerful engine which can travel at an average speed of 120 miles an hour, it now takes 5 minutes to get the car once from point A to point B and a total time of 16.5 hours. That’s already a good improvement.
If you use 4 minibuses the time comes down to 1 hour. If we continue to increase the number of minibuses we can bring the time down significantly.
This is an example of vertical scaling. By increasing the processing power (engine) and the memory (number of people the vehicle can hold) in a computer we can increase how quickly it responds to users. However, you can only increase processing power and memory to a point. There is a threshold where it becomes impractical to scale further and another where it is no longer cost effective.
Horizontal Scaling Imagine you’ve got the same 1000 people to move from point A to point B and two minibuses which hold 20 people each and travel at an average speed of 120 miles an hour. Both minibuses take 5 minutes to get one from point A to point B. Ignoring the return journey and including the driver in the number of people moved, it would take 25 trips, at 5 minutes each, which is 2 hours.
If you use 4 minibuses the time comes down to 1 hour. If we continue to increase the number of minibuses we can bring the time down significantly.
This is an example of horizontal scaling. By increasing the number of computers which are working together in parallel we can increase how quickly the overall system responds to users.
To welcome in the Spring Equinox, an occasion that symbolises balance, growth and fresh beginnings – I felt it was the perfect day to announce the launch of Equinoxed Accounting Ltd!
For us both, this new venture is not only a huge milestone of our own – but it’s a reflection of our passion for supporting businesses and individuals as they navigate their own financial and growth milestones.
Combining both our experience and values, our approach is to provide each client with modern, transparent and supportive tailored accountancy and business services that align with their evolving needs.
If you’d like to learn more about the services we offer, feel free to get in touch!
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is challenging local businesses and organisations to make as much money as they can from an initial stake of just £50.
The challenge is sponsored by local company ML Financial Associates, who have offices in both Wymondham and Northampton, and who took part in the scheme in 2014 winning the challenge by raising the most amount of money.
Businesses and community groups across Norfolk are being encouraged to sign up to the £50 Challenge which will see them handed a £50 note by the charity. Participants will then be given a 12 week period to invest the money in fundraising initiatives to generate the highest possible amount for EACH.
ML Financial Associates, the proud winners of the 2014/15 Challenge raised an impressive £2362.29 for the charity, decided to back this years’ event by sponsoring the challenge and encouraging other businesses, organisations and community groups across the county to take part and try to break their record.
Simon Lister, Director, ML Financial Associates, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the EACH £50 Challenge in Norfolk. We took part previously and thoroughly enjoyed it! This challenge really resonates with us and our business is very much aligned to this scheme as we look to operate on similar principles ie we look to make our clients’ money grow and this is what the £50 Challenge is all about – making a modest amount of money grow into something much more considerable!
As previous winners we’d like to challenge businesses across Norfolk to beat our amount raised, have fun in doing so like we did at ML and help a fantastic charity raise lots of money at the same time.”
ML Financial Associates already supports EACH, having joined the nook business network in August 2015 and pledging to raise £10,000 across the length of the appeal. The nook appeal aims to raise £10 million to transform children’s palliative care across Norfolk including building a new hospice called the nook.
EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia and supports their families. For both families accessing care, and those who have been bereaved, EACH is a lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time.
Carol Plunkett, EACH Norfolk fundraising Manager, said: “We’re really excited about the launch of our £50 Challenge and would like to say a big thank you to ML Financial Associates for supporting the event. It’s great to have them on board and we are so grateful for their continued support. Not only will the challenge raise much-needed funds to support the work of EACH, but it’ll also be great fun for all those taking part.
“We’re looking forward to hearing about the many weird and wonderful ways participants will use their £50 and hope it inspires healthy competition between local businesses and colleagues to raise as much money as possible.”
All the funds raised through the £50 Challenge will go towards the vital care and support EACH provides to families when they need it most – the more money raised, the bigger the difference it will make.
The £50 can be invested in any legal and safe fundraising initiatives and is a great way to have fun, challenge yourself, inspire creativity and a great opportunity to build up team spirit. As part of the initiative, a minimum of £50 has to be raised within the agreed time or the initial £50 returned to the charity.
For more information on the EACH and to sign up for the £50 challenge please contact the Norfolk Fundraising Team on 01953 666767 or email norfolk@each.org.uk.
Congratulations to our Ecology Team Leader, Dr Charlotte Sanderson, for qualifying as a Registered Consultant for the Great Crested Newt Low Impact Class Licence. The GCN Low Impact Class Licence follows on from the Bat Low Impact Class Licence which Charlotte also qualified for (read article); this means that Charlotte was recognised by Natural England as being technically capable to take on licensing work with less rigorous regulation.
Natural England have reduced the paperwork for the licence application process considerably for Sites where this licence would be appropriate, limiting the licencing burden on themselves, and subsequent delays to developments, such that Sites can be registered under the licence in 15 days or less. The GCN Low Impact Class Licence will cover temporary and low impact works affecting terrestrial habitats and small sections of wet ditches on linear schemes, and will facilitate the removal of areas of permanent terrestrial habitat, the extent of which will be dictated by the proximity to GCN breeding ponds.
Natural England invited applicants to become GCN Registered Consultants earlier this year, allowing a select number of consultant ecologists take steps towards taking on work with less regulation. The rigorous criteria for potential Registered Consultants set by Natural England involved demonstrating experience of working on a range of great crested newt mitigation licence projects, as well as demonstrating a thorough understanding of the licensing process.
James Cross, Natural England’s Chief Executive said, “This landmark saving for our customers is a key milestone on our journey to reduce regulatory burdens and improve real-world impact. We are saving customers time and money, providing a slicker, more efficient process, observing environmental law and achieving great things for nature.
“Our organisational licences are a win-win for large organisations and for the environment, supporting economic progress, whilst ensuring that there is no impact on species conservation.
“The changes to our system have the added bonus of reducing time spent by Natural England staff on advising and processing individual licences, meaning that we can usefully divert those resources elsewhere.”1
Starting salary of £42,500 pro rata with opportunities to earn up to £50,000 (pro rata)
Permanent
18.5hoursweekly
Ipswich
An exciting opportunity to work alongside a dynamic board and management team, for a Community Interest Company who provide diverse services and products, creating opportunities for people to progress in work, learning and life.
The post holder will be the strategic lead for estates, finance and IT, particularly all aspects of financial management and accounting within Realise Futures.
The post requires a commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, insightful and influential leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels. As an executive director, the post holder will provide expert financial and commercial advice to fellow directors as well as the wider management team.
“Realise Futures is committed to safeguarding and promotion the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.”
Following the success of last year’s event, Age UK Norwich is delighted to announce its third annual Charity Golf Day, taking place at the picturesque Wensum Valley Golf Club on Thursday 1st May 2025. This fundraising event is supported by Barclays Bank Norwich and Group 1 Norwich.
This event is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to come together for a day of golf, networking, and supporting a worthy cause. Participants will be greeted with a warm welcome and breakfast upon arrival, followed by an 18-hole shotgun start at 10:00am. After the round, players can enjoy a delicious two-course meal, prize presentations, and fundraising activities.
Wensum Valley Golf Club offers a beautiful and challenging golfing experience for players of all skill levels. The idyllic Norfolk landscape provides a stunning backdrop for the course, making it the perfect setting for a memorable day.
Every swing counts! All proceeds from the day will directly benefit Age UK Norwich, enabling us to continue providing vital support to older people in our community. There are several sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and individuals who would like to support the event. These include hole sponsorships, longest drive sponsorships, and nearest the pin sponsorships.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a casual player, we welcome you to join us for this exciting event. We hope to see you there!
Bigfork were appointed to design the new website for specialist outdoor clothing company, Dannah. The Dannah product range is designed to cope with the harshest mountain environments and the new website design needed to appeal to the adventurous audience. The resulting design is not only bold, with powerful images and strong messages, but also promotes the innovation and unique benefits of Dannah’s high quality clothing range. Finally an online shop has also been added to the website so you can now buy a Dannah jacket and climb a mountain! Take a look at the new Dannah website.
Our Founder, Simon Wingfield (and by extension
Wingfield Consultants), has become a certified partner to Agile Group. Agile
Group are the UK’s largest ILM coaching and mentoring centre. Since 1999, Agile Group has been at the forefront of
transforming lives and careers through professional coaching, mentoring, leadership,
and management training. Recognised as a trusted partner in growth and success,
they offer programmes designed to meet the unique needs of both individuals and
organisations.
Simon
commented: My entire coaching and mentoring accreditation journeys were
with Agile Group. Having now obtained both ILM Level 5 and ILM Level 7
Effective Coaching and Mentoring qualifications (with two wonderful cohorts),
and pivoting Wingfield Consultants to
Consulting | Coaching | Mentoring, now was the time to
accelerate our value proposition to SME clients with a partnership with Agile
Group.
I’m delighted to become a Certified Partner (joining some
other great partners) with an organisation that shares our commitment to
transforming lives and careers. This reciprocal partnership will enhance our
collective models, methods, tools, techniques, and skills to deliver the best
experience and support to our clients’.