At First Class First Aid, I’m passionate about equipping people with the skills and confidence to step in and make a difference when it matters most. That’s why we’re excited to announce that we’re now offering Mental Health First Aid training, helping people to recognise the signs of poor mental health and offer meaningful support, just like I already do with physical first aid.
I’ve teamed up with the brilliant team at Transpire Training, who specialise in delivering accredited Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA) courses. Through this partnership, we’re now able to offer a two-day Mental Health First Aid training course to individuals and workplaces across Norfolk and beyond.
We don’t know about you but we at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce are certainly big fans of the chocolate that Gnaw creates, so were absolutely delighted to have Matt Legon, Managing Director, with us for the morning.
Matt gave a very relaxed and engaging presentation (used in the loosest sense of the word) to eighty delegates at our Norwich Business Breakfast last Thursday. He and his wife started the business in Norwich in 2011 after realising there was a very real gap in the market for lovingly crafted chocolate with a fun side! The room certainly enjoyed hearing all about the ups and downs, one of the ups being winning the British Chambers of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2018. Matt attributes much of their success to having a great product and facing the fear that many small business shy away from… exporting.
An anticipated 80% of Gnaw’s turnover for this year will come from export markets, which really highlighted to the room that doing the scary and sometimes more difficult thing is absolutely worth it. Plus, it means that Matt gets to travel around, something he loves to do! It was genuinely lovely to hear how Matt speaks about his team and the fact that he appreciates the company would be a very different place without them.
We certainly left feeling as though we were ready to tackle the world and take those scary steps others are too afraid to take. We’re sure you’ll agree that Gnaw has struck the right balance of keeping its Gnaw-folk identity while not being afraid to take on big markets, something to really be proud of.
Our featured charity for the morning was Nansa, an absolutely fantastic local charity that focuses on providing “there for life” support to people with a range of disabilities across Norfolk. The charity has been going for over 60 years and their new Chief Executive, Tom Garrod, really welcomes all types of support so if you’d like to know more definitely get in touch at fundraising@nansa.org.uk.
The Virgin Money Norwich Lounge is delighted to open its doors for the day to offer you somewhere different to work. Thursday 6 June is National Coworking Day – a day designed to encourage like-minded entrepreneurs and SMEs to get together.
We’ll also give you a 6 day pass to come back another time so you can experience our Lounges again.
Coworking is proven to facilitate connection, collaboration, and innovation. National Coworking Day is a collaborative doors open day of coworking spaces across the UK, allowing companies and individuals to experience this for free across the country.
You can find out more and book your space in our Norwich Lounge by popping in or calling us on 01603-610538 – we look forward to seeing you then!
Norwich: National Coworking Day 2019 6 June @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Free
The Norwich Society celebrates Norwich’s unique character and beauty, helps preserve its heritage and contributes to shaping its future. We are seeking to develop closer links with businesses in Norwich in order to better inform our strategic thinking on the city’s future. Business and commerce has given the city its heritage and unique character – together we can work to leave a richer inheritance for future generations. We are seeking views on our Business Membership Scheme and how we can better engage with local businesses. Our questionnaire should only take a few minutes and we would really value your participation. https://forms.gle/asfXqU8DAjcCD73g6 For more information about our activities check out our website www.thenorwichsociety.org.uk
The College of West Anglia has secured ESF funding of £2.8m to develop a bold package of measures to encourage people, who are already in employment, to improve their skills.
The college is working in partnership with 5 other colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk to deliver a wide range of innovative training and support which will help employers in the New Anglia LEP area, in a bid to boost the economy. Employees working for companies that employ less than 250 staff will be the main beneficiaries, and the training will be targeted particularly at young adults, aged 19 and over.
As Susie Massen, Head of Work Based learning and Project Manager at the College, explains:
‘The concern is that currently too many workers lack skills at the right level to respond to anticipated labour market changes. This funding offers an exciting opportunity for the College and its partners to address this problem and it will benefit workers in Norfolk and Suffolk. Our focus is predominantly on younger members of the workforce and our aim is to develop their skills so that they can contribute more to the economy, and advance their career prospects. The consortium’s emphasis will be on improving skills in areas that will ensure the best future business growth. We will be developing new, innovative training and support solutions so that as many people as possible can benefit.’
The consortium consists of 5 other partners from across the Norfolk and Suffolk who will be involved in delivering the training and support.
Older workers over 50, especially those with no formal qualifications, will also benefit and be offered the opportunity to retrain and update their skills. In addition local employers that are eligible for funding will receive assistance through a full skills health check. Workers will also have increased access to information, advice and guidance, to allow them to make informed decisions about their career goals and next steps.
Full information on the funding can be found on this factsheet
Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce for the month of May.
Visit their business to explore what they have to offer. Click on a business name below to view the full listing in our Member Directory.
Birdie Fortescue The Birdie Fortescue brand is based on a rich heritage of global inspiration interpreted into a range of textiles and interior accessories designed to suit classic contemporary living.
Clapham & Collinge LLP Clapham & Collinge is a local, leading firm of expert solicitors based in Norfolk. With offices in Norwich, North Walsham and Sheringham we provide a full range of legal services for businesses and individuals.
Motiv8 At Motiv8 Exercise and Fitness our philosophy is to give you a core set of disciplines and values to integrate into your lifestyle so that you can enjoy living stronger and living longer.
Parker Planning Services We are specialist Planning Consultants and Multi-Disciplinary Specialists providing a wide range of planning and specialist services required for planning applications and developments.
REAGIT The Revamped East Anglian Group for Industrial Training
Soul Church “We’re passionate about our city and we want to make a real difference to the people of Norwich. One of our aims is to build a warm, welcoming community where anyone can feel right at home and can access the support they need, whatever it may be.”
Tombland Bookshop Our shop is a fine, 15th century building opposite the Cathedral in the centre of Norwich. We are the largest bookshop of its type in East Anglia with a constantly changing stock of secondhand and antiquarian books on most subjects displayed on two floors, whose price ranges from £1 to over £10,000. We also carry a significant stock of specialist and academic books.
The Norfolk Farmhouse The Norfolk Farmhouse is a large detached Georgian Farmhouse which dates back to the 1800’s and was originally part of The Gunton Estate.
The Tree Academy The Tree Academy are dedicated to the learning, growth and development of people. As a team of specialists with broad industry backgrounds we are catalysts for excellence.
Congratulations to the Norfolk based companies that have been revealed in the Co-operative of the Year Awards 2019 shortlist; Norwich Mustard, AF Group and Norwich City Council.
Now it is over to the members of the public to decide the Co-operative of the Year Awards winners across each of the six categories.
Norwich Mustard is shortlisted for Breakthrough Co-operative of the Year. This award is for co‑ops with a turnover of up to £1 million who are breaking new ground and already achieving great things.
The AF Group has been shortisted for Leading Co-operative of the Year. The AF Group is one of the largest agricultural co-operatives in the UK, with a turnover of over £270 million and a growing 3,500 membership.
Norwich City Council has been shortlisted for the Co-operative Council of the Year. Sponsored by the Co-operative Councils’ Innnovation Network (CCIN) this award recognises best practice as demonstrated by co-operative local authorities, celebrating great work delivered at a local level.
The window for voting is open NOW. The winners will be crowned on Friday 21 June at the Co-op Congress in Manchester.
We are back at Norfolk’s largest two-day county show, which takes place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th June at the Norfolk Showground. Organised by Chamber members the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA), The Royal Norfolk Show offers visitors an unmatched range of activities, displays and experiences. Following a successful return to the show in 2018, we are back and we want you to come and get involved. We’ll be on stand 82 on Third Drive, same location is in 2018 so you can find us easily! We’ll also be bringing back our colourful deckchairs (if the weather is nice!) and some new, pink flags to welcome you to our marquee – you won’t miss us! We have a jam-packed schedule of activities throughout the two days, all of which we encourage visitors to the show to come and take part in. We’re bringing back our networking breakfasts both mornings of the show, as well as extending our popular gin hour to both days at 2pm. We’ve also added some networking games, a Netwalking route around the show to visit our Members and an evening celebration event on the Wednesday night. On top of all of this, we’ll also be working on something really exciting in our marquee that we want you to get involved in – Norfolk’s Voice! Our new digital platform is coming soon and we want you to come create exciting content with us at the show ready for its launch. Tickets for the show must be purchased to attend the show, but once inside you can visit us anytime! If you’re a Chamber member, you can also get 10% off two day and one day adult tickets! Just email us or give us a call on 01603 625977 to get the code. To see our full schedule of activities and what we’ll be up to on stand 82, click here.
Commenting on the announcement that a new nuclear power plant will be built at Hinkley Point in Somerset, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:
“After months of uncertainty, British business will be pleased that negotiations for the UK’s first new nuclear power plant in decades have been successfully concluded. Nuclear power is a critical part of the UK’s future energy infrastructure mix, and will help ensure our businesses have access to secure sources of energy in the years ahead. Businesses in Somerset and beyond will be a vital part of the supply chain opportunities on offer.
“This is a major step towards ensuring nuclear power continues to play a vital role in the UK’s future energy security, but it is only one step. Dithering by successive governments has meant that this vital project, like so many before it, will end up costing the Exchequer and consumers far more than needed.
“Britain must adopt a comprehensive, long-term strategy to guarantee the security of our energy supplies. Only then will we see both certainty for investors and affordable energy for consumers. More politicking will only run the risk of the lights going out. We await such good news about Sizewell C in the future”
Following on from the success of last year’s celebrations, Norfolk Day is back! This year Norfolk Day will be held on Saturday 27th July. With this in mind, and supporting our great county, it is a great opportunity to showcase our brilliant businesses. Several organisations will be celebrating with events being held on Friday, which is an ideal chance to involve your staff, and fit around the working week too.
Last year over sixty of you; our members shared your #15SecBiz, these films were a fantastic insight, and inspiration into the great work being achieved in our county, on a daily basis. So, this year, whatever you are planning, we want to hear about how you and your staff members will be celebrating Norfolk Day this year. Maybe you are planning something big or small to mark this day. Keep us posted so we can support you with the promotion of this and potentially link up other members with you too.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe (COBCOE) announce that they have reached an agreement that will see 24 additional British Chambers across Europe become part of the BCC’s Global Business Network – significantly expanding the leading business organisation’s reach and practical, real-world support for trade between the UK and the Continent.
The agreement means that the BCC Global Business Network now includes 49 British Chambers around the world – doubling the strength of the network in markets worldwide.
The move creates new connections and support for both UK and European businesses, at precisely the time they need them most.
With the nature of the UK’s future relationship with the EU still uncertain, the British Chambers of Commerce and COBCOE have taken a strategic decision to bring their networks together – ensuring that firms have a front door not just in every region and nation of the UK, but in major capitals and commercial centres across the European continent as well.
Thanks to the move – led by BCC President Francis Martin and the COBCOE Board – both UK firms and European firms will be able to harness opportunities for trade and access practical advice, support and connections to keep trading across borders, regardless of political change.
Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“We are delighted to welcome so many new members from across Europe into BCC’s global business network.
“From Manchester to Madrid, Aberdeen to Amsterdam, and Belfast to Bucharest, the British Chamber network will be best-placed to help firms trading across borders in Europe and beyond.
“Our Global Business Network supports two-way international trade and provides practical solutions to trading challenges. Expanding BCC’s membership to include overseas British Chambers across Europe means that we will now be able to assist businesses practical support, advice and connections in almost 50 countries all around the world.
“As we face the challenges and opportunities of Brexit, we can think of no better business response than delivering practical, real-world connections between countries all across Europe and the regions and nations of the UK.”
Garry Parker, Chair of COBCOE, said:
“The fusion of COBCOE members into the BCC’s Global Business Network creates an unrivalled business network with a truly global reach.
“British Chambers of Commerce across Europe have a long and important history, supporting businesses trading across boundaries for many decades, and representing the interests of both British and European businesses.
“This agreement – which was unanimously approved by COBCOE’s membership – will enhance and grow those connections, boosting connectivity between UK and European businesses and creating new opportunities at a time of great political uncertainty.”
Our flagship technology conference makes its return to The Space Norwich this September, but time is running out to get your hands on early bird tickets! Ending on Friday 21 June, the ticket discount applies to tickets for both Norfolk Chambers members and non-members. The conference is open to all businesses who are looking to improve and advance on the ways they use technology in the workplace, as well as learn about upcoming trends and tools. 2019’s conference will bring together over 20 industry experts through panel discussions, keynote speakers and workshops to enhance your knowledge on specialist subjects, following our theme of ‘myth busting’. Every business is adopting new technology, every business is becoming a technology business, but what are the myths and barriers that hinder those transitions? That’s what our guests on stage will be joining us to answer. New speakers are being added to the line-up every week, meaning a wide range of topics will be covered, and your questions will be answered by those with the knowledge. Panel discussions will be brought back this year following their popularity at 2018’s conference, meaning you can ask your questions live to our panels. There will also be a technology themed exhibition at the conference and a networking lunch to follow the main talks. Talking Tech 2019 is sponsored by Breakwater IT and Naked Element. To find out more about the event, see the speaker line-up or book tickets, please click here.