China-Britain Business Council and UK Trade & Investment have identified the latest business opportunities for UK companies across various sectors.
This is a fairly long list so make sure you don’t miss out and see if there are any of interest to you and your specific sector.
Please click here for the full listing.
As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.
Saul Humphrey is current Managing Director at one of the Norfolk Chamber’s longest standing members: RG Carter Ltd.
Saul’s question to the Chancellor was:
“The industry I work in is construction and as you know construction makes up 8% of GDP and accounts for about 10% of all employment. The benefit of investment in construction is however not only immediate, but also much long-term with economic and social benefits for all.
In truth my industry’s embryonic economic recovery is largely quite London centric and dominated by the house building sector following the Governments introduction of the “Help to Buy” mortgage guarantee Scheme.
Unfortunately proposal infrastructure investment in High Speed 2 is also not expected to have any benefit to the Norfolk population. It also appears the Green Deal has also not yet really caught the public imagination and even proposed capital investment for Sizewell ‘C’ will be controversial to say the least.
I am delighted that we are seeing improvements to the A11 and hopefully future investment in the NDR. Proposed improvements to the train line from Norwich to London and support for the growing science and research community at NRP is also very welcome.
What more can we all do together for the benefit of Norfolk and indeed the East of England to help accelerate the economic recovery, help achieve our carbon reduction commitment and, in doing so, help our country to grow its economy in a sustainable manner?”
Find on the attached document the written response from George Osborne.
Tiger Eye are delighted to announce that Norfolk and Waveney Mind has been selected as the organisation’s charity of the year for 2022.
Following a staff vote, Norfolk and Waveney Mind was selected for its vital work in the local community, providing advice and support for those experiencing problems related to mental health. Norwich-based IT specialists Tiger Eye are passionate about supporting positive work-place mental health and wellbeing and have received a number of awards and accreditations for their internal wellbeing scheme. The organisation hopes to make a difference to the lives of people within Norfolk and Waveney by supporting the charity with their vital work.
Whilst part of the Mind network, Norfolk and Waveney Mind are an independent charity who raise their own funds. Tiger Eye will fundraise for the local mental health charity throughout the calendar year through a number of events and activities and look forward to generating crucial funds for the cause where possible.
Julie Wilson, Admin Services Director at Tiger Eye, added: “As a business, we aim to create an environment where staff feel able to talk openly about mental health, encouraging positive mental health through the appointment of our mental health champions team, as well as the delivery of awareness training and workshops. It is no surprise that Norfolk and Waveney Mind was chosen as our charity of the year, as the business’s values are shared by our staff, and we are all looking forward to supporting this charity over the coming months.’
Norfolk and Waveney Mind support those within the community with their mental health and wellbeing from prevention support to crisis support. The charity offers an extensive range of mental health services, along with associated training, advice, and information, working to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, support people in recovery, and champion better services for all.
To learn more about Norfolk and Waveney Mind click here.
To learn more about Tiger Eye click here.
Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP West Norfolk Skills Survey
As we head into 2014, the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP (GCGP) is busy making plans for the future and they need your help. Looking ahead, the Government has determined that the GCGP LEP will have strategic influence over public funded training, as well as the ability to direct European Funds to where they are needed most for the West Norfolk local area and for our local businesses. This is where they need your help.
With increased influence and the ability to help shape the training available to local people the GCGP want to find out what you, as a local business in West Norfolk, need to help your company succeed in the future. Your views are also vital to help secure future funding for the GCGP LEP area. They have launched an online survey to find out more about your current and future skills and training needs to help them ensure that what is delivered locally meets your requirements.
The survey should take no more than ten minutes to complete and they would really appreciate your input. Complete the online survey here.
The GCGP would appreciate your support by completing the Skills Survey and also letting your contacts know about both of these projects where appropriate.
As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.
Ian Hetherington is Fuel Terminal Manager of Asco UK Ltd in Great Yarmouth. Asco have been members of the Chamber for 10 months having joined in March of 2013
Ian’s question to the Chancellor was:
“According to reports this month the big six energy firms received almost £900 million last year through consumer subsidies. This was worth £200 million more than the electricity produced by on and off shore wind farms. Onshore farms receive approximately 50% of their income through subsidies and with offshore wind farms; it’s about twice the value of electricity produced. With this in mind, can the Chancellor say with any certainty that electricity generated by wind farms will at some stage become self-sufficient and affordable, thereby removing the need for consumer subsidies (and also government subsidies) and if so, how will this affect investment in future wind farm construction projects? i.e. will we see it decline?”
Find on the attached document the written response from the Department of Energy & Climate Change.
As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.
Andrew Sherwood is Human Resources Director at Bernard Matthews who are not only one of the Norfolk Chamber’s Gold Patrons but is one of Norfolk’s biggest known brands.
Andrew’s question to the Chancellor was:
“The Prime Minister has recently announced a review of ‘Green Energy Taxes’ following the recent increases in energy prices by the major energy companies. This will bring a significant level of uncertainty to investors and developers alike, supporting the green energy agenda. Green Energy taxes make up a 9% of the average dual fuel bill and support the government’s commitment to carbon reduction and renewable energy.
Can the government give the commitment to provide certainty with green energy taxes moving forward to provide the confidence to allow investments to continue to be made in this sector?”
Find on the attached document the written response from the HM Treasury.
People across west Norfolk are being asked to join in this year’s Love West Norfolk Day which is focused on the theme of ‘celebrating and protecting our beautiful west Norfolk environment’.
Taking place on 14th February, the fifth Love West Norfolk Day will provide an opportunity to highlight the natural beauty of west Norfolk, as well as some of the ways that individuals and organisations can protect the environment. And, the Love West Norfolk logo has gone green for this year to mark the theme.
One way in which people can get involved in west Norfolk’s special day is through a photography competition that is launching today (Friday 21st January). People are being invited to share their images of beautiful west Norfolk scenery to win one of three prizes and all of the images submitted will also be published on Love West Norfolk’s social media throughout Love West Norfolk Day. People can enter the competition through the website: Love West Norfolk
In addition, competitions for west Norfolk schools are set to take place with junior and secondary pupils invited to come up with ideas to protect the environment, and infants asked to draw a picture of a beautiful west Norfolk place. There will be prizes for the children, and the winning entries will be published after Love West Norfolk Day.
On the day itself, people can also join in by taking ‘one step’ towards protecting their local environment, such as by picking up one piece of litter. And, anyone wishing to organise a community litter pick on Love West Norfolk day can – subject to availability – access Love West Norfolk litter pick kits from the borough council.
It is be hoped that once again social media will be filled with the #lovewestnorfolk hashtag on Love West Norfolk day as people join in the celebration and share pictures and comments. Organisers are keen to hear from both individuals and organisations who also may wish to highlight some of the work that they are doing to protect the environment in west Norfolk.
A Love West Norfolk day engagement pack will be available online from 1st February with all the ways that people can join in with this year’s Love West Norfolk Day.
James Bagge, Love West Norfolk Ambassador said: “Love West Norfolk Day gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate our wonderful part of the world, and this year, we’re focusing on the beautiful natural environment which is in abundance here.
“As well as celebrating this environment, we felt it was also important to consider how we can protect it, and the difference we can all make, which is timely coming after last autumn’s COP26.
“As always, what makes Love West Norfolk Day so successful is the many, many people who get involved by adding their voices to our special celebration. I would ask people to please, once again, join us on 14th February and let’s highlight this very special area.”
The Love West Norfolk campaign is organised by the West Norfolk Strategy Group which includes the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Freebridge Community Housing, the QEH, the College of West Anglia, King’s Lynn Police, Norfolk County Council, and Community Action Norfolk. The campaign is also working with partners Discover King’s Lynn and Visit West Norfolk.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the day, including getting involved, can visit Love West Norfolk and follow the Love West Norfolk social media channels: Twitter @LoveWestNorfolk Facebook: @LoveWestNorfolk Instagram: love_west_norfolk and LinkedIn: Love West Norfolk.
We are delighted to be partnering with local mental health charity, Norfolk and Waveney Mind as our official charity for 2022.
The need to support ourselves, colleagues, family and friends couldn’t be more-important, with up to 84% of people thought to experience a mental health problem at some point during their lifetime
The partnership will see Fosters organise and volunteer at fundraising events, and help raise public awareness of the importance of mental health and the work of the local charity.
Ashley Bunn, Director of Strategy and Development at Norfolk and Waveney Mind, explained the importance of their work: “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.”
Fosters’ Chief Executive Chris Brown, added: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind have for years undertaken great work in our community and the need for their services has never been higher. When our staff nominated Mind to be our Charity of the Year, the commitment and enthusiasm to get involved in such an important issue was huge. It means alongside our fundraising efforts, we can be involved in some of their important and engaging activities throughout 2022.”
To learn more about the charity and its work, please visit their website.
For more information about Fosters’ events and work in the community, please visit our Community page.
These special themed days are hosted throughout 2023 by Delia and Chef Alex Mackay. Your day includes coffee and cake on arrival, followed by a live cookery demonstration from Alex. This is followed by a three-course lunch and a tutored wine tasting with our wine expert Jason Banner from Peter Graham Wines. Delia and Alex will be happy to sign books, both old and new.
Delia, Alex and other specialists will also take part in a Q&A session and after that tea is served and there will be a goody bag to take home as a memento of your day.
Our Food and Wine workshops are the perfect gift for anyone who loves food and wine and would like to learn more.
Find out more here
Accountancy training firm, First Intuition, reveals a host of virtual events and resources ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, to give students and businesses the opportunity to learn more about accountancy apprenticeships.
First Intuition reveals its programme of apprenticeship-related events and resources to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Between Monday 7th– Friday 11th February, the accountancy training firm will be hosting a number of virtual events and Q&A opportunities, as well as publishing testimonials and a podcast. These events and resources will be useful for employers, young adults, parents, and school and college teachers who want to understand the way that apprenticeship programmes operate in the accountancy and finance sector, and to hear first-hand from those who use the programmes. The events and resources are free and available to anyone.
It is hard to overstate the transformational impact that apprenticeships have had on the way that entry-level accountancy trainees are recruited, onboarded and supported towards their qualification. In just five years, First Intuition’s proportion of learners who are apprentices has increased from 5% to 85%. This covers accountancy students working in practice, for businesses in industry, and in public sector organisations such as the NHS.
First Intuition is committed to educating businesses and students about the benefits of apprenticeships in accountancy to ensure all trainees and employers have the best chance at prospering. That is why First Intuition centres across the country have organised a comprehensive programme of apprenticeship-related resources that has something for everyone. Some of the resources released during National Apprenticeship Week include:
For employers:
· Virtual Event: The Value Apprentices can bring to a Business – Employers will have the opportunity to hear from Triple Bottom Line, a business that recently made the switch to using apprentice
· Virtual Event: Building Your Talent – For businesses using apprenticeships to learn what they can do to ensure their apprentices are utilised to their full potential
· Apprenticeship Case Study: Greene King – Managers at Greene King answer questions about why they decided to move to the apprenticeship programme and their experience working with apprentices
For students:
· Student Event: Career Guidance and Interview Tips from a Recruiter – Students can hear career guidance and top tips from a recruiter at Goldhawk Associates
· Student Webinar: Ask a Graduated Apprentice – Hosts will be joined by a panel of recently graduated apprentices as they discuss their experiences, what it is like being an apprentice, and life after graduating
· Testimonial: Current Apprentice – Students currently studying on an apprenticeship programme share what it is like to be an apprentice and why they choose this route of education
· Testimonial: Graduated Apprentice – A fully qualified accountant who recently completed an apprenticeship share their experience on the programme and life after qualifying
· Student Podcast: Life after Graduating as an Apprentice – Hear a graduated apprentice speak about their experience of life as a qualified accountant
Find First Intuition’s full itinerary of events and resources for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 here: https://www.firstintuition.co.uk/apprenticeships/#national-apprenticeship-week-2022.
These will add to the wide selection of resources about accountancy apprenticeships already available on the First Intuition website. Including information on accountancy apprenticeship programmes, incentives, apprenticeship testimonials, and the programme’s First Intuition offer.
First Intuition pride itself on delivering the best accounting apprenticeship programmes possible. Working with hundreds of employers to support them in the introduction and delivery of their apprenticeship programmes, along with supporting apprentices to give them the tools to build their future and ensure they get the most from their apprenticeship. You can find more information about the accountancy apprenticeship programmes First Intuition offer here.
As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.
Sally-Ann Forsyth is the Chief Executive at Norwich Research Partners who have been members only a short time having joined the Chamber in June of 2013.
Sally Ann’s question to the Chancellor was:
“Norwich Research Park is a concentrated science cluster comprising the complete innovation supply chain from fundamental research to clinical trials all within a 1km radius. The aim is to encourage the translation of this world class UK research in to world class innovations for the Global Market.
On site we are building a thriving science and innovation community that supports the establishment of new companies, nurtures SMEs and aims to attract inward investment to drive economic growth in the region. What role does the Chancellor see for Norwich Research Park in supporting the commercialisation of UK leading science to generate growing companies and how will the Government help it to achieve this?”
Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Business Innovation & Skills.
As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.
TaxAssist Direct Ltd are based in Norwich and have been members of the Chamber for just under a year now. Karl Sandall is the Chief Executive at TaxAssist Direct Ltd.
Karl’s question to the Chancellor was:
“We have heard that the British bankers Association are working with the banks to set up a team of Business Mentors who will help small business owners raise finance. Are Government aware of and in support of this initiative and what else are they doing to support small businesses in obtaining lending from the banks?”
Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education.