Commenting on the PM’s decision to seek a General Election on June 8th, Caroline Williams, CEO of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:
“The Norfolk business community will understandably be concerned that attention will inevitably shift from the economy and the intricacies of leaving the EU to a potential election campaign. Firms want to see our local MPs give reassurance that the key challenges facing the economy will be front and centre throughout any election period.”
The Planning & Local Growth Survey aims to understand business’ experience of the planning system, and the impact of planning decisions on your organisation.
At present, the fieldwork period is underway and Chamber members are already be being contacted directly by the British Chambers of Commerce for their feedback.
Norfolk Chamber would like to hear from as many local businesses as possible. We want you to share your thoughts on the current planning system, both positive and negative – the survey can be completed online – have your say now.
Responses must be received by close of play on Friday 28 April 2017.
“We seek a talented and experienced senior-level Paid Marketing Specialist to join our dynamic team at Pivotal. In this crucial role, you will lead, innovate, and expand our paid marketing strategies across diverse platforms. As one of our Senior Paid Marketing Consultants, you will drive strategic initiatives, mentor team members, and ensure the successful execution of paid advertising campaigns that deliver outstanding results for our clients.
Working with a diverse range of clients, from SMEs to blue-chip companies across various industries, the successful candidate will be adaptable and eager to work in a fast-paced environment. If you have years of experience within paid media and digital marketing and are looking for an exciting new challenge, this role could be for you.”
In our FIRST EVER episode, ‘Celebrating the synergy between Physical & Mental Wellness’, we are talking to Harriet Drewry, a personal trainer and massage therapist who shares her own personal traumas and how she uses fitness and well-being to build her resilience. In 2018, she faced the heartbreaking loss of her younger brother to suicide, and in sharing her story, she hopes to offer solace and support to others who find themselves in similar circumstances.
Containers full of British goods are on their way to China after the departure of the first UK to China export train from DP World London Gateway.
The train will make the 7500 mile, three-week-long journey, from South Essex to Yiwu in the Zhejiang province in eastern China. Products on board include soft drinks, vitamins, pharmaceuticals and baby products.
Container operator OneTwoThree Logistics is overseeing the transportation and booking of cargo for the UK/China rail freight trains, in conjunction with Yiwu Timex Industrial Investment Co, which is running the service with China Railway Container.
The inaugural export train departed for Asia just under three months after the first ever import train from China arrived in the UK. The service is part of China’s One Belt, One Road programme – reviving the ancient Silk Road trading routes to the west.
The train service is cheaper and less restrictive than air freight and faster than going by sea.
Greg Hands, Minister of State in the Department for International Trade (DIT), said: “This shows the huge global demand for quality UK goods and is a great step for DP World’s £1.5 billion London Gateway Port as it also welcomes its first regular container ships from Asia.”
Xubin Feng, Chairman of Yiwu Timex Industrial Investment Co, said that this was just the start of a regular direct service between the UK and China. Expressing his faith in the UK as an export nation, he said that rail provides an excellent alternative for moving large volumes of goods over long distances faster.
Walking With The Wounded lights beacons atop UK’s four highest peaks and Normandy beaches in commemoration of 80th Anniversary of D-Day
Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), a leading Armed Forces charity, recently played a pivotal role in commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6th, 2024. Four dedicated teams representing WWTW ascended four of the UK’s highest peaks to light beacons, symbolizing remembrance and honouring the sacrifices of all those who served during the historic D-Day campaign.
Selected as the chosen charity for this momentous occasion, the charity lit beacons atop Scafell Pike (England), Mount Snowdon (Wales), Ben Nevis (Scotland), and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland). Each team, comprised of 8 to 12 individuals, including WWTW staff members, volunteers, and supporters from Sunbelt Rentals, carried a beacon to be lit in memory of the courageous Armed Forces personnel who fought during ‘Operation Overlord’ in 1944. The beacons were lit between 9:15pm to 9:45pm, marking a solemn tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
Tony Hulton, CEO of WWTW, stated, “Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) is honoured to stand alongside the nation in remembering the bravery and sacrifice of our Armed Forces personnel during ‘Operation Overlord.’ This significant anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role played by our servicemen and women in shaping history. It is our privilege to pay tribute to their courage and resilience.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) to help airlines and cargo handlers work together more effectively while improving safety and efficiency in air cargo operations across the world.
The Manual’s table of contents, and details of how it can be purchased, can be found at www.iata.org.
Developed in consultation with air carriers and cargo handlers, and based on industry best practices, the Cargo-iQ Master Operating Plan (MOP) and international regulations and standards, the ICHM is the first complete set of standards covering the operational activities of all stakeholders in the cargo handling supply chain.
Glyn Hughes, Global Head of Cargo at IATA, said: “Cargo operations are performed at thousands of airports, by hundreds of handlers. With that number of parties involved, ensuring that global standards and best practices are being observed at all times is a constant challenge.”
The ICHM is a single reference source that will help promote global consistency and harmonisation of cargo handling procedures, he went on, thereby facilitating the movement of goods safely, securely and efficiently while contributing to a reduction in air freight logistic costs.
IATA has calculated that the ICHM brings together 90% of the information that is common to individual carrier cargo handling manuals. The manual develops and completes this information, Mr Hughes explained, bringing it up to current IATA standards.
A new UK-Israel Trade Working Group aims to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.
Announced in February following a meeting between Prime Ministers Theresa May and Benjamin Netanyahu, the forum has been established not only to promote greater trade and investment, but also to prepare the ground for a post-Brexit trade agreement.
The UK is Israel’s second largest trading partner and its top destination for investment in Europe. More than 300 Israeli companies currently operate in the UK, with 28 having either set up or expanded their businesses since April 2016.
Meanwhile, over 30 British companies operate in Israel, with hundreds more represented there. Overall, bilateral trade between the UK and Israel was worth US$7.5 billion in 2015.
The Working Group’s inaugural meeting in late March 2017 saw officials start work on what the Government described as a smooth transition to the trading relationship as the UK leaves the EU.
Ahead of the meeting, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Eli Cohen, said: “As the UK is Israel’s first export destination in Europe, we see high importance in keeping and enhancing our trade relations when the UK ceases to be a member of the European Union.”
The two sides should, he added, make sure that the business communities in both countries will be able to continue trading with each other by providing them with the necessary trade platforms.
Changes to rules on food imports from non-EU countries could see Israeli farmers able to sell more fresh produce in the UK, while easing restrictions on travel and work permits could make it easier for Israelis to come to the UK.
Exciting news for Olcote Wellbeing! I’ve been teaching at the centres for years, but I have a special affinity to Long Stratton Leisure Centre and even since selling up and moving into Norwich I still continue to teach there. From 1st July I will be bringing my Personal Training and Clinical Personal Training to the fantastic gym and e-gym space at the centre!
It’s a great gym space with first class equipment to really help you reach those fitness goals 💪
It offers:
A fully equipped and up-to-the-minute large gym space
An innovative e-gym suite and body metric analysis assessment
Fully air conditioned
Great changing and showering facilities
A barista cafe space with WI-FI and touchdown desk areas
Free carparking
Oh, and me too! An experienced level 4 Personal Trainer (CIMSPA REGISTERED AND ENDORSED) Clinical Personal Trainer, Core Specialist, Pilates Teacher, Yoga Teacher (36 years practice) , Fitness Instructor, Sports Therapist, Diet and Nutrition advice and Trained Counsellor – Getting you fit from the inside out!!
Worried, about coming to a gym, or where to start? Don’t worry, I specialise in helping you start out on your fitness journey. No barriers, no judging, no bootcamp, just good, safe, experienced advice. I battle two complex and rare health conditions and set my business up years ago to show what you can achieve when health is not on your side.
Gnaw Chocolate are offering all fellow Norfolk Chamber members a Gnawfully good deal on your first corporate order!
Spend £500 and above on their delicious chocolate treats for your loyal clients and lovely staff and receive a FREE Gnawish Hamper! Quote CORPORATEGNAW when placing your first order!
They are also offering you and your staff a 15% discount on your first online order, spread the news around the office and let everyone know to quote STAFFGNAW .
Both promotions will be running until 1st July, 2017!
On Thursday 2nd March over 30 members attended our first John Lewis VIP Beauty Evening. The members arrived and were greeted with a glass of cava and a list of what each beauty counter was offering throughout the night. Once all of the members had arrived we started them off with a networking icebreaker in which they were given a sticker with a famous name on and had to find their famous partner such as Prince William and Kate Middleton. When everyone had found their partner and had some time to network Ruth from John Lewis introduced the evening and explained about their latest offers.
We moved everyone down to the beauty counters to enjoy a bit of pampering. Some of the treatments included GHD demonstrations, Liz Earle hand massages and Channel makeup lessons. Benugo’s restaurant provided more cava and cake throughout the evening and John Lewis provided goody bags for members to take home. Towards the end of the evening we drew a raffle and two people won hampers packed with beauty goodies donated by John Lewis.
A multidisciplinary team from Ashtons Legal have recently assisted leading Suffolk insurance broker, Ryan Insurance (Ryan’s), and their Chairman Tim Ryan in the sale of the business to London-based insurance and risk management business, Seventeen Group.
Ryan Insurance was formed in 1975 and as a UK top 100 broker handles over £12m of both personal and business insurance premiums. They employ over 50 staff at Crane House on Ipswich’s main route into the town, London Road.
Ryan’s will form part of James Hallam, Seventeen Group’s broking subsidiary and will continue to trade under the Ryan’s brand. Tim Ryan will now focus on his other interests with Directors Robin Belsom and Tim Larke remaining to lead the business.
Advising on the sale was Paul Whittingham, Craig Fiddaman and Faye Power from Ashtons’ Corporate and Commercial Team. They were ably assisted by Simon Burnip in Commercial Property and Colin Makin and Emily Dixon from the firm’s Employment Law Team.
Paul Whittingham said: “Ryan Insurance is a well respected Suffolk business which has just moved into its next phase with the sale to Seventeen Group. We really enjoyed working with Tim and his team to help bring this about and wish the business every success in the future.”
Tim Ryan adds: “From the beginning of the sales process, it was important for the shareholders to have good quality advice that helped us understand the contractual elements of the deal. Ashtons put a team together that managed our expectations well and simplified the language so we could make key decisions. All in all, they made the sale a more pleasant and manageable experience.”
