Last Friday saw the celebration dinner for the King’s Lynn Mayor’s Business Awards at the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn. The sell-out event saw many amazing local businesses scoop a range of awards, including: Small Business of the Year; Apprentice/Trainee of the Year; Customer Care; Independent Retailer; Business Innovation; Business Person of the Year and the Mayor’s Business of the Year.
Congratulations to all the deserved winners and particular congratulations for Michael Baldwin, owner of the Bank House Hotel and our President of West Norfolk Chamber, who was awarded Business Person of the Year!
The invasion by Russia of Ukraine is an appalling act of aggression with terrible loss of life and displacement of potentially the largest number of people in Europe since World War II. We understand that people across the Chamber Network and member companies will be sickened and upset by the consequences being witnessed each day.
The situation for businesses who operated in, or with clients or customers, in Russia and Belarus, is moving quickly. All UK, EU and most of wider European airspace is closed to Russian flights. Major shipping lines including Maersk are not taking containers either to or from Russia. Russia-linked ships will not be allowed access to UK ports. Many Russian banks are excluded from the Swift payments system. Further sanctions were announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday morning on economic activity underpinned by the Russian Central Bank.
Please see our Q&A on trade and the war in Ukraine available here.
Please see our updated holding statement on Ukraine available here
While it remains a moral and commercial decision for UK companies on what actions to take under any contracts with Russian (or Belarussian) customers or suppliers covering goods and services not under sanctions, it will become more difficult for any trade to be conducted within hours much less days.
We are pressing the UK government to produce guidance to UK business in terms of the War in Ukraine. For now, some of you have spoken with us about review of contracts which some member companies have conducted, in particular about any force majeure clauses which may cover war conditions, to cover non-performance of contractual terms while the force majeure conditions apply.
We are supporting the leadership of the British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce who are now in London. We have asked them for guidance on appropriate aid routes that we may wish to support as a Network. Further details will be shared shortly.
Thirsty fundraisers are being encouraged to put the kettle on and raise vital funds for charity.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is organising its very first Big Tea Break – a chance for the public to brew-up, relax and spend quality time together.
They idea is that they make a donation and all funds go to EACH, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Community Fundraising Manager Tina Burdett said: “We’re asking our supporters to pop the kettle on, share a cuppa with family, friends and colleagues and join us for our very first Big Tea Break.
“It’s a chance for people to take a well-earned breather, while helping EACH, and we’re encouraging people to host their own get-togethers between Saturday, 25th March and Friday, 31st March.
“Please spread the word and for more information, including how to register an event and download a fundraising pack, check our website.”
The idea for the fundraiser ties in with the wellbeing and support services offered by EACH, which has three hospices – The Nook, near Norwich, The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge.
“One of our key messages is that we help families create memories together,” added Tina.
“Now we want to encourage our supporters to take a break and make memories with family, friends and colleagues.
“By sharing a cuppa, they can enjoy some time together while helping the families we support make their own special memories.”
Supporters are being encouraged to snap, tag and share their photos using the hashtag #BigTeaBreak and they can donate £3 by texting BIGTEABREAK to 70085.
Texts will cost the donation amount plus one message at your standard network message rate.
Our first Platform to Share of 2021 is taking place on Thursday 11th February, 9-10am! Join us virtually as we explore handy tips and tricks on the Office Suite of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Outlook alone has an estimated 400 million users. But there is a range of simple commands and functions that most are unaware of. This won’t be your basic ‘how-to’, but a look at how you can save time and get creative using the application’s best tools.
UK Manufacturing output in June 2015 was up 0.2% on the month and up 0.5% on the year
Total UK Industrial production in June 2015 was -0.4% on the month and up 1.5% on the year
Commenting on the index of production figures for June 2015, published yesterday by the ONS, Caroline Williams,CEO of Norfolk Chamber said:
“Although UK manufacturing output returned to modest growth in June, after declining in May, the sector’s overall performance remains mediocre. Year on year growth is below 1% and the level of manufacturing output is still almost 5% below its pre-recession peak in the first quarter of 2008.
However locally the last BCC Quarterly Economic Survey showed that the Norfolk results for Q2, whilst mixed, showed signs of cautious growth. Particularly, Norfolk’s manufacturing export sales and orders were stronger and higher than the national results and it was encouraging to see several of Norfolk QES balances positively ‘bucking the national trend. However concerns over the EU are still causing some uncertainty within the Norfolk business community and the impact of the reduced oil prices is being felt locally.”
Also commenting on the index of production figures for June 2015, David Kern, Chief Economist of the British Chambers of Commerce,said:
“The manufacturing sector is up against a number of headwinds, including difficult global circumstances. While there have been modest improvements in the Eurozone, which will help exporters in coming months, progress will be difficult because of the recent strength of the sterling against the euro. Any premature action on interest rates is likely to make these problems worse.
“The UK economy will remain dependent on its dynamic and competitive services sector but manufacturing remains a vital sector for exports, innovation and productivity. The government must reinforce its efforts to encourage manufacturing firms to explore international export markets, particularly beyond the European Union.
Book your meeting with our Genix business adviser. Free, impartial and confidential we’re here for established small business owners as well as for start ups.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber once again had the ear of the Prime Minister David Cameron when he visited Norfolk today. The round table meeting was set up by Chloe Smith MP, whilst he was visiting KLM to hear about their apprenticeship academy, on the day he launched the Government’s consultation on the apprenticeship levy.
Mr Cameron was interested to hear about the successful development of Norwich4Jobs . This initiative works with Norwich businesses to assist in meeting its target of cutting Norwich youth unemployment by 50% and is now working on Phase 2. Norfolk Chamber sits on the steering group, chaired by Chloe Smith MP with many Chamber members involved in giving Norfolk’s young people employment.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “It was a great opportunity to be able to speak directly to the Prime Minister on issues relating to Norfolk’s young people that we feel so passionate about, including bridging the gap between education and business.”
“I was able to highlight the need to ensure that whilst meeting increased numbers of apprenticeships, quality is maintained. In addition there is a need for the reputation of apprenticeships to be increased within schools and amongst parents, as well as businesses.”
“Another topic that I discussed with Mr Cameron, was the need to provide within schools the link of core GCSE curriculum subjects, such as Maths, English and Science to the world of work so that our young people can really understand why they are so important, which he agreed with.”
Other topicsdiscussed, were the proposed New Anglia Youth Pledge and the work being carried out by JobcentrePlus to support those Norfolkyoung people who find the job market particularly challenging.
Caroline Williams CEO added: “Norfolk Chamber and its members are determined to ensure that our young people are given the very best opportunity to develop into the quality employees of the future we all want to achieve.”
This session features a couple of short presentations followed by a facilitated discussion – we are joined by Stuart Haysman [MOISH] talking about Health and Safety for SME’s while Peter Lawrence considers the related topic of Employee Well-being from an SME perspective.
The session is facilitated by Rod Lee of Human Capital Department.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere made a special visit to Great Yarmouth on 25th March to see the fantastic progress being made on the town’s Third River Crossing which is on course to open one year from now.
The minister was joined at Great Yarmouth by a delegation of senior leaders from Norfolk to view the construction first-hand and learn about the massive economic boost the project will bring to the wider region.
Chris Sargisson, CEO of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, says “Such a positive day both getting to see infrastructure investment actually happening and on such an impressive scale but also learning how inclusive this project has become to the local communities. For example, 70% of employees are local, as is 1/3 of the supply chain, and that 50 + of the businesses involved are from Great Yarmouth”
The minister was shown how the new Great Yarmouth crossing will link the enterprise zone at the port to the A47, reduce congestion across the town, improve journey times and connect previously cut off local communities with new walking and cycling routes.
Since construction on Norfolk County Council’s key infrastructure project began, lead contractor BAM Farrans Joint Venture estimate over £8 million has already been spent directly within the local economy and over 50 full time positions have been provided to local people.
Cllr Graham Plant, deputy leader of both Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk’s cabinet member for economic growth says: “I am delighted we have had the opportunity to show the minister the fantastic progress being made on this highly significant project for our region, that means so much to the people of Great Yarmouth”.
Roads minister Baroness Vere said: “The benefits already being felt will continue to grow our local economy for generations to come and the opportunity to directly highlight to government the need for good local infrastructure across Norfolk is most welcome”.
“It was fantastic to visit Great Yarmouth’s Third River Crossing to see work progressing on this important project. Our £98.09 million funding will provide a significant boost to Norfolk’s local economy, and this new link will be indispensable to the local community when it is completed – improving journey times and reliability and maximising investment to the area.”
Whilst on site the minister was introduced to some of the young people who have directly benefited from the project, such as Reece Ryan, who has successfully gained full time employment after completing the government’s Kickstart programme.
Reece said: “Kick Start has been an excellent scheme to support me getting back to work on such an exciting project in my hometown of Great Yarmouth. I have now completed the six month Kick Start process and this week started a fulltime position with BAM Farrans Joint Venture. I am very grateful to all involved and look forward to developing my career in the construction industry.”
The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing which will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river is expected to open in Spring 2023.
Digital Surgery are excited to be offering their next webinar focusing on how to draw insights from your data!
About this Event
For the next Digital Surgery webinar, we will be joined by Chris Pont, CEO at IJYI as he explores the tools you can use to automate and present your KPIs, and in return save time, reduce human error and focus effort.
Second speaker to be announced soon!
Presentations will last approx 15 minutes, with a short Q&A after.
To keep up to date with all our news, events and guest announcements head over to LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and give us a follow at Digital Surgery.
It’s sadly no secret that financial worries are on the rise. Lowering the utility and petrol price hikes, inflation or other costs of living isn’t something many of us have a say in.
However, the good news is as employers there are plenty of things, we can be doing to help to help our employees and support positive financial wellbeing.
We all know that money issues can have an overwhelming impact on our mental, physical and emotional health, because of course, it isn’t just about how we look after our finances, but how we can manage them and feel.
Here are top financial wellbeing tips for employers to support employees:
Explore cost-effective support. Obviously, it’s not always feasible, however investigate what support you can provide at low/no cost to yourself. For example, more home-based working to reduce petrol costs or a food hamper at Christmas.
Provide wellbeing sessions. For example, yoga, fitness classes, step challenges or Pilates to employees in the office or at home, to help employees cut or cancel gym costs.
Money -specific benefits: There are lots of benefits out there which support the financial health of employees, for example Health Cash Care plans. These platforms allow access to discounts on weekly shops and gym memberships, to money back from opticians’ appointments.
Offer regular wellness check ins. This promotes a culture where employees can discuss their money worries openly, without fear that it’s a ‘taboo’ conversation.
Provide professional financial education resources. Providing your employees with professional financial advice on money matters as part of your benefits package, i.e. by offering them access to a financial advisor.
Salary sacrifice schemes. Salary sacrifice schemes that allow employees to pay for things through their company payroll to reduce the amount of tax paid can help them to save money. Generally pension contributions are paid this way but can also include payments for transport such as company cars, bikes, and bus passes, and even mobile phones, gym passes and health and dental care.
Communication is King: Communicate what financial benefits you offer to your employees making sure that the information provided is up-to-date and relevant. No matter how good the financial wellbeing support is that you have in place, if it is not well communicated and understood then it’s likely that it will be overlooked by employees.