I rarely organise public workshops but as newly arrived in Norwich, I would like to invite you to see me in action and gain the tools to activate your confidence.
As a coach for the past four years, I worked for Google, GoCardless and Amazon but also accelerators such as Seedcamp and, also successfully trained entrepreneurs to pitch on Dragons Den and win the Royal Pitch At Palace. Register here
The event is free but donations are welcome to support the dance classes I give to unaccompanied refugees under 18. I started this dance project last year with Play For Progress, The Refugee Council and Young Roots.
If not for you, please spread the love.
Pass on the details below and/or the flyer.
Any questions let me know and I am looking forward to meeting you in March!
An appeal has been launched to urge businesses and communities across Norfolk to help secure supplies of Personal Protective Equipment for workers in vital services.
Councils and organisations across the county, including Norfolk Chambers, are backing the drive to ensure stocks of PPE are available in the coming weeks and months.
Whilst the Government has significantly increased deliveries of PPE into Norfolk – local businesses can still play an important role.
With many small businesses currently closed, any PPE equipment such as masks, disposable gloves, aprons, eye googles, overshoes and hand sanitising gel can be used for the front line staff who are caring for our most vulnerable residents and keeping our vital services operating.
A number of firms have already come forward to offer PPE stock, or to use their facilities and staff to produce the items which are required.
Trevor Holden, Head of the Tactical Coordination Group, that is overseeing the delivery of the multi-agency response across Norfolk, said:
“The Government has supplied a significant amount of PPE in recent days. While we welcome this, we must also take local action to ensure we continue to have stocks to cover the wide range of front line staff that require it to keep our essential services running in these unprecedented times.
“PPE comes in a variety of types, for different uses, so we would ask that any business that has PPE that it would like to offer to contact New Anglia LEP on the details below.”
Over recent weeks, technicians at the University of East Anglia have been making up to 170 litres of hand sanitiser gel a day and Norwich-based gin distillery Bullards is also producing sanitising gel. Loddon engineering company Panel Graphic has recently started using its production line which usually produces display enhancement windows to make face visors for front line workers.
Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
“Our team has already spoken to dozens of companies, large and small, which have capacity and capability to produce equipment or stock which they no longer require. It has been great to see the business community come together in this way and I’ve no doubt that our local firms will continue to do all they can to support this appeal.
“We understand that this is a very challenging time for many businesses and their staff. The New Anglia Growth Hub can offer free business support, including information about the new Government grants and schemes, to any business in Norfolk or Suffolk as well as advice on how your business can help produce PPE.”
Results from the third BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the majority of businesses responding to the survey have now furloughed a proportion of their workforce, and are awaiting funds from the Government’s Job Retention Scheme to enable them to pay staff.
66% of survey respondents have furloughed staff in anticipation of scheme going live
More than half of firms (59%) have three months cash in reserve or less
2% of firms surveyed had successfully accessed CBILS and 15% of those surveyed are now receiving grants
The leading business organisation’s weekly tracker poll, which serves as a barometer of the pandemic’s impact on businesses and the effectiveness of government support measures, received 701 responses, including those from Norfolk, and is the largest independent survey of its kind in the UK. The third tranche of polling was conducted from 8-10 April.
Businesses furloughing employees
Last week’s tracker found that 71% of respondents said they intended to furlough staff at some point. This week, the tracker confirms that 66 per cent of firms had now furloughed a proportion of their staff in anticipation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme going live and making payments. 31% said they have furloughed between 75% to 100% of their workforce.
Last week HMRC confirmed the scheme would be open to applications during the week of 20 April, leaving only a short time for funds to start to reach cash-strapped businesses before April’s payroll is processed.
Cash flow concerns
Business’ cash flow, an important indicator of overall economic health, remains an urgent concern with more than half of firms reporting cash in reserve of three months or less. The percentage of firms reporting less than a month’s worth of cash in reserve (17%) and 1 to 3 months’ cash in reserve (36%) has remained broadly unchanged week-to-week, but remains concerningly high.
The percentage of firms reporting no cash in reserve remained at 6% compared to last week, as did the proportion of firms with 12 months’ cash in reserve (also 6%).
Access to government support schemes
The slow start in firms successfully accessing government support schemes has continued. 2% of respondents reported they had successfully accessed the CBILS this week (double last week’s 1% figure),with 9% of respondents unsuccessful. Of those who were unsuccessful, slow or no response from lenders was cited as the main reason. This suggests firms could still be having difficulty accessing the support through banks, despite the announcements on 2nd April designed to simplify and speed up the CBILS process.
15% of respondents said they had successfully accessed grants for small businesses, a rise of 7% on the previous week. 12% of respondents said they were unsuccessful in accessing these grants. The overwhelming majority of those who were unsuccessful reported they did not meet the criteria.
Commenting on the results, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:
“Businesses on the frontline need cash to start flowing from support schemes fast. With April’s payday coming up, we are fast approaching a crunch point, and both the furlough scheme and CBILS facilities need to be accelerated.
“While we’ve seen a high number of firms furloughing staff in anticipation of the Job Retention Scheme coming online, it is still unclear whether they will start receiving funds before their payroll date, which could exacerbate the cash crisis many businesses are facing.
“It is essential that the Job Retention Scheme makes payments to businesses as soon as possible. Any delay could mean more livelihoods under threat, more business failures, and more hardship in our communities.”
We would be delighted if you are able to join us for our next CPD seminar:
Investing in the New World Order
Towards a better understanding of investment risks and rewards after the financial crisis
Wednesday 16th April 8.15am or 12.15pm
Henderson Business Centre, Norwich
The crisis of 2007/8 laid bare fundamental shortcomings in the assumptions underlying much of the world’s financial systems. Investors found themselves faced with new and unfamiliar risks that demanded a more considered and better researched response. This seminar looks at investment theory in the light of the financial crisis and, by offering greater insight into where genuine value can be added, suggests ways investors can better evaluate the balance between risk and return.
The session will be of interest to investors and their advisers. Each seminar will qualify for 1.5hours of SRA accredited CPD
We expect each session to last around an hour and a half with a further 30 minutes for questions and discussion. A light lunch or breakfast will be available. The seminar is free of charge but places are limited.
For more information and to register visit www.chadwicks.co.uk or call me on 01603 251687.
Virgin Atlantic Little Red and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have launched an exciting partnership offering members of the Accredited Chamber Network the opportunity to join a high profile trade mission to Mumbai, India.
Virgin Atlantic are running a mission to Mumbai, India between 7th – 10th October 2014 and are offering free return flights for five competition winners to join them. The BCC has agreed to partner with Virgin Atlantic on this initiative and as such the competition is only open to members of the Accredited Chamber Network.
The competition is free to enter and simply involves answering a few short questions about your export activity and why you would want to join a trade mission to Mumbai.
For full details and to enter the competition please go the Export Britain website
Have an idea but not sure if it’s a social enterprise or a business?
Perhaps you just want to find out what a social enterprise is?
If so, our Start a Social Enterprise event is for you. On Wednesday 9th July, in The Curve, The Forum, Norfolk Business Library will be hosting a day of free talks and workshops from a range of speakers with a wealth of experience.
9.15 – Arrival and Introductions
10.00 – Robert Ashton (The Barefoot Entrepreneur) – 10 things experts never tell you when you start a social enterprise.
11.30 – Erika Watson (Greenwell Consulting) – The Big Idea
1.30 – Anne Francis (Carnival Consulting) – How to ensure your social enterprise is inclusive
3.00 – Keith Bendell (The Guild) – Understanding and starting a social enterprise
4.00 – Will Farnell (Accountant)
Book onto the talks that interest you, or the whole day. Call 01603 774740 for more information.
As part of the Norfolk Chamber’s theme for 2014, ‘Look at Norfolk, See Success’, we are assisting the EDP in West Norfolk to collate positive news stories about thriving businesses in West Norfolk and need West Norfolk Chamber members’ help to provide the best news stories.
The EDP will shortly be commencing a weekly business supplement for West Norfolk based businesses and will be looking to launch the first edition of the supplement within the next few weeks.
They are looking for news stories involving local West Norfolk businesses, particularly positive ones highlighting businesses who are looking to expand and grow; who have new orders or new contracts; who are recruiting new staff; or are launching new products. They will also be looking to feature business events, such as networking breakfasts, lunches or dinners, and any community based projects, with business involvement etc.
The business supplement will be issued each Wednesday and articles must be submitted no later than the Friday beforehand to be included.
How do I submit my article?
The article should be no more than 300 to 400 words (the editor may contact you if he needs more detail).
Where possible, a photo should accompany your article. It should be submitted as a high resolution JPEG (of at least 1MB in file size).
If you are not sure whether your news story would be considered, you could email an outline to the above email addresses, and should it be of interest, the EDP will call you back to follow it up (don’t forget to include your contact details).
Want maximum coverage?
For maximum coverage, as well as sending your news article for inclusion in the EDP business supplement, you can also upload news articles and events to the Chamber website. We will then use our social media channels to highlight your news and raise your profile still further.
Our AMBA accredited MBA will challenge and change the way you think. At UEA you’ll enjoy an altogether different personalised programme that gives you more time to participate and share expertise with your peers, led by a team of internationally recognised research academics at the forefront of research in industry and commerce. Join us, and become an exceptional business leader who stands out from the crowd.
We currently offer two programmes of study. Our full time MBA (12 months) starts in January, with our part time executive programme (27 months) starting in September. The latter is designed to fit around your work schedule and is also offered as a Level 7 Senior Leaders Master’s Apprenticeship. On the evening, those interested in our executive MBA can find out how their company may be able to fund their executive MBA study through the apprenticeship levy.
At Norwich Business School we offer a unique, relevant and highly rewarding programme of study that will progress your career prospects, while giving you an exceptional life experience. In the recent Teaching Excellence Framework, UEA was awarded Gold, with the University also ranked at 15th for student experience (The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017).
Our open evenings are informal events, an outline of the evening is below.
6.00pm – 6.30pm Welcome drinks 6.30pm – 7.00pm Introduction to the MBA programme by Julian Campbell, Executive Part-time MBA Course Leader or Andy Vassallo, Full-time MBA Course Leader 7.00pm – 8.00pm Informal Q&A session and networking – an opportunity to talk to our current students, tutors and alumni.
Whether your organisation or business is large or small, you already employ apprentices or have no idea how it all works, this event will help to unlock the benefits.
The event will cover the following topics:
Apprenticeship funding: What are the costs and what financial support is available?
Levy and non-levy employers: What’s the difference and how does the levy work?
Off-the-job training: What activities meet the 20% requirement?
End-point assessments: What is involved and how are they managed?
Recruitment: How to develop an employer brand to attract people to your business
Develop qualifications: How to be an employer trailblazer
Two case studies will be covered:
How an employer managed their levy
An SME who employs apprentices to ensure future talent needs are met
There will be networking time to discuss your specific needs with local training provider, apprenticeship training agencies and organisations such as Apprenticeships Norfolk Network.
Call 01263 516331 or email: economicgrowth@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Our Norwich Christmas Breakfast has annually been a highlight of the Norfolk Chambers events calendar; finishing the year with a morning of fun and festive networking. On the morning of 5 December, Norfolk Chambers members arrived during sunrise to be greeted by Holiday Inn Norwich North’s fantastic Christmas trees and a room filled with twinkling lights. Getting into the spirit of things, attendees pulled out their best Christmas attire with everything from flashing jumpers, Santa earrings and even a full elf onesie! Morning cuppas were served and networking went into full flow. This year we chose to support Break Charity at the breakfast event. Break support children, young people, and families in four key areas: young people in care and moving on, children and young people with disabilities, families in need of support, and children at risk. We were pleased to be joined by Michael Rooney, Relationship Development Manager for Break as our host for the morning. Michael kicked off the morning by talking about all the amazing things Break do, and how businesses can get involved in such simple ways. For example, simply dropping off items you clear out over Christmas to one of their charity shops helps to make a positive difference. The first networking activity was then introduced which was Christmas anagrams. Each table had to work together to unscramble the anagrams and find the festive words. Breakfast was served shortly after to allow attendees to continue their conversations. Following breakfast it was time to bring back our classic safari move. Each attendee had to pull a card out of an envelope and move to a new table. This was an opportunity to mix up our attendees and get them to make new connections. To break the ice we then had our final networking activity which was a Christmas quiz. We asked attendees on their tables to name the 12 days of Christmas and Santa’s eight reindeer. One table almost had it but ended up getting days 11 and 12 mixed up – which meant another table ended up being crowned the winners. To round the morning off, Michael was tasked with choosing the best Christmas outfit at the breakfast. Despite the tough competition and multiple light up jumpers, our overall winner was David Tuthill of Coleman Opticians in his elf onesie. It was a great morning and a wonderful way to finish off a year of great networking with Norfolk Chambers.
Want to know more about furloughed employees? Watch HMRC’s recorded webinar which provides guidance on the Scheme including information and advice on furloughed workers; scheme eligibility and how to calculate a claim and much more…
A complimentary Tech Industry Breakfast examining how to create and maintain successfulcollaborations between businesses, from informal agreements to establishing joint venturecompanies and licensing. Including practical tips on negotiating and concluding agreementswhich protect your interests.
at The Targetfollow Room, Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL
Speakers: James Tarling, Director, Company Commercial team, Steeles Law
Jim Denmark, Patent Attorney, ip21
Hot drinks and pastries will be served from 7.45am