Proeon are pleased and proud to receive a Highly Commended Award in the closely contested Business Growth category. Cllr Lisa Neal presented the award to Proeon’s Directors at our Hethel Engineering Centre facilities. Thank you to South Norfolk Council for running another very successful cohort of their Business Awards in 2020 despite the current pandemic situation.
“Proeon is delighted to have received this award as recognition of the hard work and dedication that the team here have given in what has so far been a challenging year. Focusing on our clients and projects we have maintained our plan for the business and we are so far succeeding in moving the company onto the next chapter where we will continue to develop our team and broaden our skills here in South Norfolk”
Proeon were commended for demonstrated an excellent performance, providing engineering solutions for a variety of business sectors including Utility, Gas Turbines, Oil & Gas #BSNBizAwards.
Sarah West, managing director of Full Mix Marketing, delivered an insightful keynote address to Friday’s packed Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) East of England Conference on Business-to-Business Marketing.
The popular day-long event, held at Norwich Cathedral’s Hostry on 27th April, is now in its third year. It attracted over 70 delegates from as far away as London and Nottingham, all keen to gather and share hints and tips on successfully marketing their businesses to other companies.
The day was led by the keynote address from Sarah, a CIM Chartered Marketer and founder of the growing Norwich-based agency. Sarah’s presentation focused on the different considerations when marketing to businesses and the lessons she has learnt delivering powerful promotions for her B2B clients.
“It was such an honour to be asked to present” says Sarah. “With a changing economy, evolving forms of media and ever more savvy businesses, it’s important the marketing community come together to share information. We’re making a real name for the East as a hub for B2B expertise.”
The event featured a packed agenda of talks and workshops from experts from across the East and South East, including Norfolk’s 101 Smart Media, Luminous PR and Armstrong Design. Sarah was chosen to share her experience working both within businesses and as the founder of a successful marketing agency.
Sarah has just celebrated ten years as a CIM Chartered Marketer. “Achieving my Chartered status was an important milestone. Clients rightly expect strong skills and results, so they need assurance we know what we’re talking about” says Sarah. “There’s always new developments, so it’s vital that marketers demonstrate professional leadership and keep learning.”
Series 2 launches with a real treat – a behind the curtains look at Thursford, famous for its Christmas Spectacular show, weddings and more. A favourite of locals, tourists, and celebrities alike!
Looking back on March 2020, brothers Charlie (General Manager) and George (Project and Marketing Manager) Cushing were positive and thinking, “Thank goodness the pandemic isn’t happening at Christmas!” Cut to December 2020, and they’ve had to plan and orchestrate a completely new, and equally thrilling, theatre-esque experience for their loyal fan-base.
They have a fascinating story to tell. They set out on a journey where they could continue to support other local businesses by minimising the knock-on effect that cancelling their annual event would have on the local economy, and the team of professional performers they hire. The arts have been hit massively by lockdown, and they were determined to provide much needed opportunities where they could.
They also reflect on the history of Thursford, and how it started with steam engines and broken down fairground rides; what life on furlough was like, whilst keeping future plans in mind; the lessons they have learned about communication, keeping the ‘family feel’ to the business, playing to peoples strengths; and how to diversify quickly! Whilst they are planning for the worst, and hoping for the best for 2021, their youthful energy and fresh ideas are infectious, providing a much-needed jolt of hope for the future of the arts, and tourism in Norfolk.
If you are enjoying Tourism Business Chat, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss out on upcoming episodes! Series 2 is shaping up to be a game changer, with Hanks Deli, Adnams, Wivenhoe House Hotel and more, coming soon!
We’re switching to Plain Not Speaking for two days this week as we go silent for Mind.
Being a PR agency, speaking is a massive part of our day to day lives. But for two days this week, silence will descend at Plain Speaking PR.
Plain Speaking PR is all about communication: building relationships, reputations and helping businesses, individuals, organisations and charities to succeed. But this week we will be taking part in a sponsored silence and it is for a very good cause.
Our managing director Pippa and our senior account director Hannah are taking part in a 24 hour sponsored silence for Norfolk and Waveney Mind because access to mental health support is vital. Without charities such as Norfolk & Waveney Mind, so many people would not make it; or have to live with a truly unbearable amount of anxiety, fear, depression and unhappiness. We think that’s simply not on.
So, on Tuesday 20th April Pippa will be completely quiet and on Thursday 22nd April Hannah will take a turn to zip it.
If you know us, you will already know how much we like to talk. This will be no easy task. But we hope that that by challenging ourselves to stay silent for 24 hours (and that means keeping quiet on all forms of communication, social media, text messages, WhatsApp, emails, the lot!), it will help others struggling with mental health to find their voice and seek help.
Remember, it is ok to not be ok. It is ok to seek help. It is ok to speak out.
Please do not suffer in silence. Organisations just like Norfolk and Waveney Mind are here for you.
Norfolk and Waveney Mind are busier than ever. 60% of adults and young people who did not experience poor mental health before the pandemic are now experiencing mental health issues. We want to help Norfolk and Waveney Mind to be there for as many people as they can.
Leading independent insurance brokers and financial planners, Alan Boswell Group has given £50,000 towards a Big C funded cancer research project being undertaken at the Norwich Research Park in Norfolk. This is in addition to the group raising £15,000, in 2017, for the Norfolk and Waveney based charity.
Dr Dan Brewer will work with Professor Colin Cooper to research and discover new sub-types of cancer. Understanding these sub-types of the disease is important to help predict survival, inform treatment options and suggest new drug treatment strategies to improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C, said “We are extremely grateful to the board of directors at Alan Boswell Group for their commitment and partnership in this significant cancer research project, which will benefit those affected by cancer locally and far beyond. It is a fantastic example of a corporate organisation pledging their involvement and financial backing to help accelerate the progress of cancer research and enhance our understanding to better prevent and treat the disease. We would welcome approaches from any other organisations interested in this area of support.”
Group Executive Chairman Alan Boswell, comments: “Everyone has a story about somebody close to them who has been affected by this disease. We’re extremely proud to help support the amazing research undertaken right here in East Anglia.”
Big C has a long-standing partnership with Alan Boswell Group, which has seen the company raise nearly £100,000 over the past 20 years for those locally affected by cancer.
To learn more about the work Big C does to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney, please visit www.big-c.co.uk
As the nation continues on the road out of lockdown, Great Yarmouth Borough Council is distributing further grants to support businesses in the borough.
This phase (phase 4) of Additional Restrictions Grant scheme (ARG) is to support businesses in the hospitality, non-essential retail and garage/MOT sectors only. Seasonal businesses are excluded from this phase.
Hospitality businesses that applied for the ARG phase 3 do not need to reapply; Council Officers will be emailing all those eligible to confirm an automatic payment will be made. If you believe your business is no longer eligible, you are asked to email discretionarygrants@great-yarmouth.gov.uk as soon as possible.
for the link to the online form, information and support about the grants, eligibility criteria and further business advice. For advice relating to the grants, call 0808 196 2240.
One-off payments are available under this scheme in five categories:
Grants of £7,500 are available to business rated hospitality venues such as hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes with seating inside or elsewhere on the premises (excludes pavement seating only) and nightclubs
Grants of £3,750 are available to non-business rated hospitality venues such as hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes with seating inside or elsewhere on the premises (excludes pavement seating only) and nightclubs
Grants of £4,000 are available to non-business rated non-essential retail with fixed ongoing building costs, such as rent, a commercial mortgage or a lease
Grants of £7,500 are available to business rated independent garages offering repair and/or MOT services, which can evidence a loss of income of at least 25% in the last year. Documents to support evidence of this loss will be required
Grants of up to £4,000 are available to market traders, with more information on eligibility available on the website
Paul Whittingham from Ashtons Legal has helped PBD Biotech to secure £2.3m in funding for World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) validation of its rapid, accurate TB test.
Actiphage®, is a rapid, accurate test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) that would enable farmers to effectively remove this devastating disease from their herds. PBD Biotech has secured a £2.3m investment to take Actiphage through to validation by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Full validation will enable international adoption of this novel, patented, diagnostic for mycobacterial diseases, which include human tuberculosis and Johne’s Disease.
Actiphage, has been described as “having the potential to be a game changer in tackling bTB,” by Professor the Lord Trees, head judge for the British Veterinary Association Innovation Award 2021. “Actiphage was a worthy winner,” he said.
The funding has come from a consortium led by fund managers Mercia and the Foresight Group, which were both investing from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund; the University of Nottingham; the government’s Future Fund; and private investors including farmers and veterinary practices.
Mark Hammond, CEO of PBD Biotech, says: “It has been shown on-farm that when Actiphage is used within a disease management strategy it is possible to eliminate bTB from a herd and maintain a disease-free status. There is a significant international unmet need for a diagnostic for bTB and Johne’s Disease; with this funding we will be able to commission the trials needed to fully validate the test and capture this market.”
Actiphage’s use in England and Wales is currently approved by APHA as an unvalidated test for use only in a chronic bTB breakdown. OIE validation would enable Actiphage to be used in parallel with the existing skin test, offering farmers and their vets a method of managing and eliminating the disease for the first time, therefore allowing a OneHealth approach to the eradication of bTB
Ashtons Legal, partner Paul Whittingham said: “I am delighted to have been supporting Mark and the team at PBD Biotech in securing investor funds to progress their TB testing programme. This is an exciting time for all involved and I really look forward to seeing their product come to market after all the hard work which they have done.”
The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
In this latest conversation, Chris chats to Geoff Bligh, a co-owner of Hanks Deli, Suffolk’s popular vegan supermarket. Where many hospitality businesses faced struggles and closures during lockdown, Hanks Deli pivoted and expanded, meeting a demand that shocked even them!
The success of Hanks, and their expansion into a supermarket, take-away and pub means, for them, veganism is good for business! It’s a new reality for how we produce and consume food, and could be the key to the future of hospitality.
Geoff worked in the City for many years, before following his passion. His frustration at the lack of dining choices for vegans, resulted in opening the first shop and café in 2019. The ‘soft’ opening was anything but, and he chats to Chris about how they coped with demand, and with having to expand quickly, within their first year of opening. They opened Suffolk’s first fully vegan pub a mere eight weeks before the first coronavirus lockdown. Despite being forced to close, they remained positive and looked at other opportunities to meet the demand in the changing customer landscape, which doesn’t include just vegans.
Two take-away outlets ; which includes being part of Felixstowe’s recent Beach Street sea front renovation project; and a shop expansion soon followed, and their switch to shop deliveries during lockdown, which has been a key to their success during the past year.
Geoff talks openly about the worries lockdown initially brought around safeguarding jobs; the changes in customer behavior; and how re-opening the pub with restrictions was not initially a money maker, but important for brand awareness. He touches on how Brexit will impact their imports, many of which are still specialist, but how he has seen a change in the availability of products within the UK, as veganism continues to rise in popularity. As he says, if MacDonald’s are on board, it’s no longer a ‘fad’.
This drive, and approach to his business model makes for a must-listen episode.
You can learn more about Hanks Deli here. See what The Beach Street project at Felixstowe offers here.
Festo was initially founded in 1925 and has grown from manufacturing wood-cutting tools, most notably the first portable petrol chainsaw, to developing pneumatics and industrial products.
Over the years as Festo grew, it diversified into the automation and manufacturing industry and is now a market leader in electrical and pneumatics drive and control technologies. Along the way, Festo has acquired many new locations, employees and product ranges as they develop their offering.
Currently, Festo employs around 20,100 people across the globe with an annual turnover of over 3.1 billion euros. The business is still family owned, and their independent financial status allows the company to follow their path and commit to long-term projects.
Festo’s philosophies are focused on industrial education, resource conservation and contributing to the overall quality of life.
Parker Hydraulics and Pneumatics Ltd are proud to have one of the longest distributor relationships with Festo in the UK. The partnership goes back to the early 1990’s and within this time a wealth of knowledge has been accumulated ensuring a level of technical support can be offered that is unrivalled. Parker Hydraulics has been awarded with Festo official partner.
The title of official Festo partner is a distinction for reliable cooperation with the supplier, highlighting our expert knowledge and experience, knowledge of the Festo product portfolio as well as service and support in the purchasing process and after the purchase of our clients. This is a motivation for continuous development and activity at the highest expert level.
Whether it is simply supply of component parts, where you will find a large range of the Festo ‘Blue Star ‘core products are stocked at the premises in Norwich. Or you are looking for a complete project solution, from inception to completion, Parker’s are the company to turn to.
All completed pneumatic project solutions are supplied with schematic drawings and supporting documentation. Components can be supplied loose or fully assembled onto backplates or into control panel enclosures as required, ready to install onto your machine builds.
As well as our own in-house engineering team there is also full support from Festo’s own product experts, whether this is with traditional pneumatic automation, process automation or electrical automation. Covering a wide range if industry segments including for food processing/packaging, pharmaceutical, agricultural, oil & gas, automotive and more.
We have a large warehouse and workshop facility. As an official Festo Partner, we are able to source and supply both individual and bulk quantities of all products within the range. Our fully equipped workshops are designed for our engineers to build and test assemblies to our customers individual needs.
Our ordering and delivery options are easy and flexible so they can be tailored to suit your individual requirements. We also have a fully stocked trade counter where knowledgeable staff will help you to find the right product for your application. Together with our stocked tradecounter you can purchase direct from our website. To view our range of available Festo products please select from the categories below: FESTO ACTUATORSFESTO AIR PREPARATIONFESTO PNEUMATIC TUBE & FITTINGSFESTO VALVES
Contact us for technical support, product information or a competitive price today!
It was another few days of dog distractions all round, as JMS em’barked’ on its latest shoot with pet product specialists, Beaphar UK. Following a successful video on tick-awareness last September it was time to move on to an even larger project featuring Lactol Puppy Milk. As all dog owners will know, for a puppy to grow into a strong and healthy dog, it is vital they receive all the right nutrients, and Beaphar felt the benefits could best be demonstrated by showing just how much a healthy dog contributes to a happy family. So the storyline centred around the heartwarming tale of a man raising a beagle puppy for six months on Lactol Milk before gifting the grown-up healthy puppy to his mum, whose previous dog had recently passed away. This presented Director Alice Homewood with the challenge of finding three similar looking dogs to portray the same beagle maturing across the video’s six-month timeline. Beagle-casting sessions were a lot of fun (all those furry faces!) and the chosen trio all proved to be stars across the three days of intensive filming. And it seems JMS is getting a bit of a name for taking-on challenges. Children … dogs… bring em on! If you are looking to promote a product or service with video content, give us a call on 01603 811855, we’d love to work with you!
On Thursday 22 April the world celebrates Earth Day. And here at Breakwater IT, we’ve been thinking about this day for a few months now. Because this year, we launched our new Sustainability Policy.
This policy sets out the actions we are taking as well as the support we’ve put in place to cut our impact on the environment. We’ve got a lot to learn and this is only the start of our journey.
Here are some highlights from the policy:
We now plant five trees for every laptop we sell – plus we’ve backdated April’s sales! View our forest.
We donate monthly to carbon offset projects
We’re committed to only using 100% renewable energy providers
We had electric car charging stations put in our office car park in 2018. Since then, 30% of our employees now drive electric or hybrid
We’ve set a target to hold 50% of our client meetings remotely, even post-pandemic
We recycle or dispose of old devices safely and correctly
Plus much more!
Our policy is freely available for you to view. If you’d like to know more, head straight there.
Do you want to join a dynamic and developing charity that has been changing the lives of young people for nearly 50 years?
Why not become a Break Trustee
Break is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee which has been providing a diverse range of specialist residential and community based services for vulnerable children, young people and families across East Anglia for nearly 50 years.
Break is seeking to appoint new Trustees to strengthen the Board and to work with us to achieve our mission to ‘Change Young Lives’ by providing services of the highest quality, working together to create stability and improve opportunities for a better future.
We are looking, in particular, for Trustees with commercial and financial expertise.