Thrill-seekers will once again have the opportunity to scale new heights for charity as East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) offers fundraisers a rare opportunity to abseil down one of Norwich’s tallest buildings.
EACH has launched a charity abseil event which will see participants descend 150ft down the Norfolk Tower. It’s one of the city’s tallest buildings offering participants breath-taking views across the whole of Norwich.
The abseil is very kindly supported by MAHB landlords of the Norfolk Tower, who have again offered EACH the use of the building free of charge.
The event, once again being managed by the Norfolk Army Cadet Force, will take place at The Norfolk Tower, Surrey Street, Norwich on Sunday April 14 between 10am and 4pm. It costs £25 to register and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. Only 60 places are available and are expected to be taken quickly so wewould urge anyone interested intaking partto sign up as soon as possible.
One of Larking Gowen’s core values, ‘Passion for our people’, is the driving force behind the Larking Gowen Leadership Development Programme, which saw participants graduate on Wednesday 20 June. The 18-month programme was designed by Partner and head of the Training Committee, Steven Rudd, working with an external coach, to move selected employees on to the next stages of their careers. He believes this people-centred approach has a direct impact on the business, in improving client service as well as recruitment and retention, where there is strong competition for the best candidates. “Our business thrives with well-trained, motivated and driven teams,” says Steven Rudd. “‘Passion for our people’ makes sure we achieve this in a balanced way. We focus on all aspects of wellbeing, and that includes identifying and growing the potential of our employees. I’d like to congratulate our thirteen participants for rising to the challenge of implementing new ways of thinking, and for their dedication. We look forward to seeing their careers develop with us.”
Ashley Smith, who started the course whilst a Manager and was appointed to Partner at the firm earlier this year, says the scheme has helped develop his confidence. “I see myself as a leader for the first time,” he says. “The knowledge I’ve gained supports my new role as partner and the strategic thinking I need, helping to shape the future of the firm. It’s easy to concentrate on technical training because that’s what we deliver on a day-to-day basis, but the chance to focus on personal and career development is a distinct advantage, which sets Larking Gowen apart.”
“Over the past 18 months we’ve gained the insight we need to become the leaders of the future. Through self-study, working with the external coach and an internal mentor, we were challenged to analyse our social interactions, to identify our strengths and areas to work on,” he explains.
“Most of us at Larking Gowen trained as accountants,” adds Steven Rudd. “This programme addresses the additional skills needed to run the business. It’s helped participants see opportunities, and to think differently to gain a competitive edge and make the firm a better place.”
Jon Woolston, Managing Partner, is delighted by the results he has seen. “The world, business and people expectations are changing faster now than ever. We need a management team that are not afraid to look forward and are able to help their clients and teams with the necessary skills to make sure our service continues to be relevant. The added confidence and knowledge this programme has delivered, sets the participants apart.”
As a full-service digital marketing Agency, you can trust us, when we say we know which way to go with your business’ digital marketing. Whilst we understand that there are many routes to take, whether it’s sticking with the paid, PPC and Paid Social, or taking a bit more of a longer journey into organic search and social, we can help you work out which is the best option for your business. As the saying goes, one shoe doesn’t fit all.
In this case, we’re going to be discussing the dream team which is SEO and Organic Social Media. As this match has been a real hit for one of our clients, Garden Room Designs who we have been working closely with for over a year now showcasing their orangery extension expertise and stunning building style to the top of the SERPs and Social. Their SEO and basic organic social media has seen some great results from, now it’s time to see how far we can progress them in their niche.
At this point, you might be thinking, well, organic social media and organic search aren’t as connected as paid social and paid search, so how does this work so well? But, that’s where we’re here to tell you that there’s still quite a correlation which you will discover if you give it a bit of TLC.
Social’s Effect on Search
When considering your social media strategy for a positive effect on search, it’s important to take into consideration the user or audience intent alongside the specific social media platform that you’re using. Depending on if you are using the O.G platforms, (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X) or the “newer” platforms such as Snapchat or TikTok, there are more advantageous ways to incorporate your organic social with SEO.
We all know some platforms are easier to drive organic traffic to than others. Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are driven by more visual elements, so it can be harder to understand the impact it is having on organic search. This may be due to the correlation between links utilised by users and ways of directing traffic to websites embedded within the sites are more difficult than the other social media platforms.
However, when we look at Facebook and Twitter/X, these are the social media platforms that are more accustomed to driving traffic to the websites that have URLs included in the copy of the post itself. So that being said, it should come as no surprise when there are links associated with Facebook or Twitter/X posts that show up in search engine page results.
Search’s Effect on Social
You might all be thinking, does SEO actually impact Socials? Well, it does indeed have an effect on organic social media and the reach you receive. Think about it in a basic sense, the more a business takes care in implementing technical, off-page, and on-page SEO tactics on their website’s pages, the more they can expect to see increases in the site’s search traffic, sessions, and visibility to new session users and in turn, potential social icon clicks.
However, the biggest piece of the search engine and social marriage that sees it all come together is the usability of organic social media posts populating search engine results pages. As Twitter/X and other social media platforms rank highly on Google, more posts show up. Especially if there are social media posts with website links in them. This means there’s a greater possibility that users who are searching will end up on a website. We believe this is because social media posts, especially those with trending topics or high user intent, show up in the SERPs for those specific users.
Search and Social
So, not only will enhancing your social media help to gain engagement on social media platforms but, especially if there are posts that have interesting insights or researched data points, there is a higher likelihood that those posts will populate on the SERPs too. Nice!
For some expert advice on your business’ organic presence, or to discuss some of the other paid options out there, contact a member of our team today and we’ll talk you through some of the work we do for our lovely clients.
19th June 2018 – Four Norfolk directors scooped highly commended prizes at The Institute of Director’s annual East of England Director of the Year Awards, held on Friday 15th June at The Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket. The awards celebrate the exemplary leaders who are doing great work across the East of England, rewarding individuals who display professionalism, diligence and creativity to inspire employees.
The Norfolk directors recognised were: • Ian Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Start-Rite (Norwich), won Highly Commended Innovation Director of the Year • Sarah West, Managing Director of Full Mix Marketing (Norwich), won New Director of the Year • Chris Cliffe, Director of CJC Procurement Limited (Norwich) won Highly Commended New Director of the Year • Andrew Brammer, Managing Director of PSS (Norfolk) won Global Director of the Year. Ian, Sarah, Chris and Andrew were presented with their awards by Stephen Martin (IoD Director General) and David Sales (Chairman, IoD East of England). Stephen Martin, this year’s guest of honour, is an authoritative voice of UK business in the media and engages with senior figures from across government, politics and Whitehall, to represent business interests. He commented: “Today has been a fantastic event celebrating the best in British business here in the East of England and it was amazing to see so many inspirational stories of directors and the great impact they have not just in their own company but in the communities in which they are operating. It was a very successful event with many worthy winners and I wish them all continued success in their businesses.”
David Sales, regional IoD Chairman for East of England and host of the awards commented: “Every year these awards get more competitive, meaning the judging process is ever more challenging and exciting! The East of England is home to many of the UK’s most innovative, vibrant and successful organisations – led by some of our best directors. This year’s winners are exceptional role models for our fabulous region.” Simone Robinson, Head of Regional Relationships, IoD East of England commented on the winners: “All of the winners are singularly tenacious, driven, innovative and successful, and all of them share the desire to promote good governance, deliver strong and collaborative leadership, a consideration for corporate social responsibility, and a recognition of the role the team plays in the businesses achievements.”
About IoD Awards – Stephen Martin, Director General, Institute of Directors Our awards seek to shine a light on directors who have enhanced and driven their businesses forward. The contenders come from different organisations but all share similarities in leadership, expertise and personal dedication. During this critical period of political change, we will need to see ingenuity and tenacity displayed by professional leaders. The vibrancy and diversity of the businesses here gives me cause to be hopeful of the strength of British industries. Over the coming years the IoD will continue to provide the necessary support and guidance to members, while seeking to put the business perspective to government as Brexit negotiations take place.
Abate Pest Management has recently secured a service agreement with Montagu Evans LLP to manage proactive pest control at their St Crispins House site in Norwich.
Montagu Evans LLP is a partnership of chartered surveyors and property consultants involved in the UK’s largest commercial, residential and mixed-use property development projects.
Abate Pest Management will manage St Crispins House for the prevention of pests by carrying out 8 routine visits per year. The service will also cover any ad-hoc call outs to treat other pests such as wasps or ants if required.
Jon Blake, Managing Director of Abate Pest Management said: “we are delighted to implement a full-service pest programme at St Crispins House on behalf of Montagu Evans LLP. We work with many property companies located throughout the United Kingdom for routine pest management and special project work including bird control and woodworm treatment. We look forward to developing a long-lasting relationship with the firm.”
Abate Pest Management is based near Wymondham and services commercial and domestic clients throughout the Eastern region for rodents, insects, birds, woodworm and specialist cleans. Abate offers commercial businesses free site surveys with recommendations and costs.
Norfolk’s world-class data centre has partnered with disaster recovery specialists to launch an easily accessible data backup service for businesses of all sizes.
The stand-alone service provides a simple way for any organisation to create a fully encrypted backup of their data. Should their IT be subject to an attack or failure, their data can be quickly recovered and restored. With a 6,000% increase in ransomware attacks since 2015, the new service is expected to prove highly popular.
“This is an important development for MIGSOLV” says David Manning, MIGSOLV’s Managing Director. “As well as housing physical servers and IT, we can now provide a simple way for every organisation to take advantage of our facilities and protection.”
The new cloud-based service utilises hardware housed in MIGSOLV’s data centre and managed by Blocz IO. A 256-bit encrypted copy of an organisation’s data is taken from their existing IT and, in the event of a cyber or physical attack, it can be quickly recovered and thus restore the organisation to business-as-usual.
“This is a great way for smaller businesses to feel safe and secure.” adds David. “They have the reassurance of a full disaster recovery backup, with peace-of-mind they know exactly where and how their data is being protected.”
As well as businesses looking for an easy way to backup their data, the service is expected to appeal to organisations with an existing backup looking for an additional line of defence. Best-practice guidelines now recommend organisations hold three copies of all sensitive or critical data, stored in different locations. In particular, it will help companies address new GDPR legislation by providing evidence of UK data sovereignty and protection.
Think Mobile Media is delighted to be working with Break and the GoGoGorillas project coming to Norwich Summer 2013.
We will be providing the trail app, custom QR codes (which will be visible on all the sculpture bases), and their mobile optimised website. Watch out for the app launch and NFC ‘tap’ technology too!
Come and see us at 2013 Opportunities and win a free QR Code.
To celebrate we are offering all Chamber Members the chance to win a free QR code Simply Scan the QR Code for details.Come and see us at Opportunites 2013
Typically, larger businesses nowadays have their own Security specialists (separate from IT), but medium sized businesses don’t, and that’s where we typically help by creating and guiding security strategy, and working with IT and other teams to secure the business and reduce risk.
We’ve also been trying to find a way that to help smaller businesses on a limited budget improve their Cyber Security.
Cyber Security for Smaller Businesses
Think your business is too small to be a target?
42%of micro/small businesses identified at least one breach or attack in the last 12 months (Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2018, DCMS)
CyberScale are excited be launching The CyberScale Academy and our Cyber Security Foundation programme – a 6-month programme designed to help small businesses improve their Cyber Security and reduce risks through a combination of structured regular workshops, step-by-step plans, along with support and guidance from our Cyber Security specialists. Key benefits include:
Cyber Security explained in plain English
12 hours of workshops over the course of the programme
Individual action plan to make your business more secure
Effectively balance Security & Productivity
Understand and comply with standards & regulations e.g. GDPR
Dedicated time to work on your Cyber Security
Cost effective approach for smaller businesses
Preparation for Cyber Essentials
Early Access for Norfolk Chamber Members
From 8am Thursday 28th June until 8am Monday, 2nd July ONLY, members of the Norfolk Business Network group can find full details and sign up at www.cyberscale.co.uk/academy-csf before places go on general release, using the following referral code:
0002-NFKCHB
Places on programme are limited to a maximum of 12 on each of the two alternative schedules we’ll be running from August 2018 – January 2019. To take advantage of the pre-release places, you’ll need to sign up before Monday with the referral code above.
We’re thrilled to congratulate
Claire from East Cambridgeshire District Council on successfully passing her
Transport Manager CPC!
Claire joined us this summer for
our CILT-accredited Transport Manager CPC Course, and here’s what she had to
say about the course:
“All CTS staff were very
accommodating and friendly; I was made to feel very welcome. The high pass rate
achieved by CTS learners gave me confidence, and the instructor Steve was
engaging and supportive. It really felt like he wanted us to pass and that
teaching is more than just a job for him.
Although there was a lot to
take in, the small class size was advantageous because we could work at
everyone’s pace and no one got left behind. The offer of extra tuition on
weaker points was a valuable back up, but one that I did not have to take
advantage of.
I am very proud of my
achievement.”
Thanks for your kind words Claire,
and congratulations again! We look forward to welcoming you back for your
Transport Manager Refresher training in the future.
If you’re based in Wisbech or the surrounding
areas and looking to advance your career in transport, logistics, or road
haulage, our Transport Manager CPC course is designed for you.
✅ CILT accredited training course;
an industry-recognised certification that opens career doors ✅
Expert instructors, like Steve, who bring real passion and support to the
classroom ✅
Small group learning which encourages plenty of discussion and ensures no one
gets left behind ✅
High pass rates and a proven track record of learner success ✅
Extra support when you need it with one-to-one help available for tricky topics
✅ Classroom based training at our
training centre in Terrington St John, just outside Wisbech
Our CILT accredited Transport
Manager CPC course in Wisbech is ideal for:
Aspiring transport managers in Cambridgeshire and
Norfolk
Owner-operators looking to meet legal compliance
requirements
Logistics professionals who want to gain formal CPC
qualification
Whether you’re stepping into a new
role, boosting your compliance knowledge, or aiming to take your transport
career to the next level – CTS is here to help you succeed.
Ready to become our next success
story?
Our next Transport Manager CPC course is running on 11 days between the 20th
January and the 9th February 2026, with exams on the 10th
February 2026.
Find out more or book on 01945
880155 or email training@ctservicesltd.co.uk
We are delighted to announce that at the Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2013 we won the ‘Great Business to Business Service Award”
Now in its sixth year the prestigious awards ceremony which took place on 15th March 2013 at The Zest Rooms, Potters Leisure Resort is an evening of high-profile celebration of all that’s outstanding in business and enterprise in the Borough of Great Yarmouth. The awards focus on and recognise the achievements through innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and sheer determination of businesses of all sizes and from every sector.
Commenting on the award, Matt Buck, Head of Customer Experience at OneStream said “We are delighted to have won the Great Business to Business Customer Service Award at Friday night’s Spirit of Enterprise Awards judged by Bateman Groundworks. The awards evening was fantastic – really well organized by enterprise GY with a great venue, excellent food, great entertainment and good networking opportunities too!
“As I have previously said awards are so much more than a decoration for the company mantle-piece! Winning this award is independent approval for the hard work of our business and it’s people; it serves as a marker of what we expect of our organisation, and what others can expect of us; it has further boosted the spirit of the team at OneStream and crucially it will spur us to build on our hard work and achieve more.
“The quality of the judging businesses and fellow finalists across all of the award entries was impressive. For me, the Awards evening really drove home how Great Yarmouth has a great deal to offer and be proud of.”
Leathes Prior’s Senior Partner, Paul Warman, is set to retire as
a Partner after 34 years of service at the firm on Monday 31 March 2025.
Paul joined Leathes Prior in 1991 before becoming a Partner in
1994 and has been a cornerstone in the growth of the firm’s Corporate and
Commercial offering. Specialising in corporate
law himself, in particular the sale and purchase of private companies, MBO’s,
company re-organisations, fundraising and joint ventures, he is well known for acting for
a large number of local businesses, as well as national and international
clients.
Paul stepped into the role of Senior Partner after the
retirement of William Riley in 2022 and is known for his sharp legal mind,
strategic insight, and, in particular, his scarf wearing. Paul has played a
pivotal role in shaping the firm’s direction, mentoring countless colleagues,
and championing the values that define Leathes Prior.
Though Paul is stepping down from his role as Senior Partner, we
are delighted to announce that he will continue with us as a Consultant. In
this capacity, he will share his extensive experience, provide strategic
counsel, and support the development of our next generation of legal talent.
Partner Dan Chapman commented: “Paul’s contributions to
Leathes Prior are immeasurable. His leadership, wisdom, and dedication have
left an indelible mark on our firm. When Paul joined LP in 1991 the firm was
largely a legal aid practice with little or no commercial and corporate
presence – what he has managed to achieve during his tenure is nothing short of
remarkable. He has not just achieved the creation and growth of a leading
Corporate and Commercial Team, but has managed to play a prominent role in the
growth of other related practice areas such as Employment and Commercial
Property too, all of which has left the firm upon his retirement as a Partner
in such a good place. We are incredibly grateful for his service and thrilled
that he will remain part of our team as a Consultant.”
Paul shared his thoughts on this transition: “It has been an
honour to serve as Senior Partner at Leathes Prior. I am deeply proud of what
we have accomplished together and look forward to supporting the firm in my new
role as Consultant. The future of Leathes Prior is bright, and I hope to have
left Leathes Prior in a better place than when I first started.”
Please join us in congratulating Paul on his remarkable career
and wishing him every success in this new chapter. We look forward to
benefiting from your continued insight and guidance Paul.
With Paul retiring, Mike Barlow will become a senior partner at the firm. Mike joined Leathes Prior in 1995 before becoming a
Partner in 2000 and was the firm’s Managing Partner for many years. Mike heads
the firm’s Dispute Resolution Team, specialising in commercial and business disputes.
Mike has extensive experience in acting for clients in complex High Court
cases, commercial arbitrations, adjudications, and mediations.
Looking for a workspace that’s professional yet welcoming, with all the perks you need to stay focused? Then you’ll be interested in theNorfolk Chambers Business Hub – a vibrant coworking and meeting space in the heart of Norwich. Whether you’re a solo business owner, part of a growing team, or just need a change of scenery, we’ve got you covered.
Kami Robinson from Bold Creatures, a member of the Norfolk Chambers, recently spent some time at the hub and loved it… and there’s a video to prove it!
“As a solopreneur, I’m so glad to have this option when I’ve got a big workload. Sometimes, a coffee shop just won’t cut it.”
Check out Kami’s video and take a sneak peek at what makes the hub such a great place to work – Watch on YouTube.
Where you’ll find us
The Business Hub is all about making your workday easier and more enjoyable. Nestled in the beautiful Hardwick House, it’s just a short walk from Norwich Train Station (8 minutes), Rose Lane Car Park (5 minutes), and Castle Quarter Car Park (2 minutes).
Here’s what you’ll find
Comfortable workstationswith monitors, charging points, and plenty of desk space.
Electric rise-and-fall desksfor that perfect ergonomic setup.
Private meeting podswith soundproofing (speak freely, there’sno need to whisper here!).
A boardroomfor up to 20 people, complete with a large flat-screen TV.
Breakout spaceswhen you need a quick catch-up or a little downtime.
High-speed WiFiso you can stay connected.
Free hot drinks(yes, free!) with access to our amazing bean-to-cup coffee machine. Because let’s face it—good coffee makes everything better.
The Norfolk Chambers team is on hand to connect, support, and help you feel right at home.
Why Not Give It a Try?
From last-minute bookings to long-term plans, the Norfolk Chambers Business Hub offers a friendly and flexible space to get things done, with a discounted price for our members.
Whether you’re tackling a big project, hosting a meeting, interviewing job applicants, or just need somewhere quiet to focus, we’re here for you – with great coffee, of course.
Book your space today and discover why the Norfolk Chambers Business Hub is the perfect place to work and meet.
If you have any further questions about the Business Hub, please get in touch at hub@norfolkchambers.co.uk.