At a time of economic uncertainty, which we currently have, the sudden change of a CEO of a major Norwich employer such as Aviva can cause concern. Andrew Moss will be seen as a loss to Aviva as he had been responsible for the successful integration of 40 brands into the single Aviva brand as well as doing much to reduce costs within the organisation, including the sale of RAC. He was well known in Norwich and this change is likely to cause concern to Norwich employees.
However, Aviva have moved swiftly so as to not give time for speculations or uncertainty and Mr McFarlane has a good reputation as CEO at ANZ and for making the improvement in shareholder value at Standard Chartered. Mr McFarlane was also involved in the recent organisation structure changes so this is unlikely to be changed. Aviva has a strong brand, dedicated people many of them employed in Norwich, and a solid business foundation and so I am sure they will be able to recover quickly from this situation and continue to move forward.
Coming on the back of Lotus being in the news, reconfirms how important it is that the Chamber continues to work closely with our national brand business members to ensure as a business community we do all we can to support them.
Norfolk businesses are expressing ‘guarded optimism’, so the news that the UK economy contracted in the first quarter – thereby heralding a technical recession is unexpected. Norfolk businesses are advising of strong exports and plans to create more jobs. Read the latest comments on Norfolk business from Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber on the Channel 4 Jobs Report blog.
LP’s mediation-1st and employmentor teams are to run a three day Certificate in Internal Mediation course, accredited by OCN Eastern Region. This commercially focused course has been designed for senior executives and HR professionals.
Learn essential skills to resolve workplace conflict, improve internal relationships and avoid costly disputes.
The Trainers
Martin Plowman
Already cited as “the best Mediator in East Anglia” by the independent guide, the Legal 500, Martin is now ranked the number 1 mediator in the UK by the independent National Mediator Database League Table. With twenty seven years’ experience in employment litigation and over 500 mediations to fall back on, together with a successful record of courses delivered to HR professionals, lawyers, and even to the Court Service, Martin is the ideal course leader for any workplace mediation course. He is described as “first class; knowledgeable and commercial and I cannot recommend him highly enough”.
Paula Lawn
Paula is a leading Employment Lawyer who over the years has become increasingly conscious that the vast majority of issues she deals with on a daily basis, for both employers and employees, could have been dealt with more effectively and without recourse to lawyers. Paula is able to provide a rare insight into where and how the use of mediation to resolve workplace conflicts sits within both a commercial and legal framework. Paula is a Partner at Leathes Prior Solicitors and specialist within employmentor, a unique fixed-fee annual service providing online and telephone Employment Law support to SMEs.
Places for this course are strictly limited to 12 people to ensure individual attention and tuition can be given. To reserve your place please contact Mandy Hanby on 01603 281128 or mandy@mediation-1st.co.uk
Sumo Salad (www.sumosalad.com), an Australian fresh and healthy salad bar chain, has recently launched its first franchise in the UK. The outlet was opened in Norwich by Mike Dodd (centre). Advised by Ed Savory (right), an Associate in Leathes Prior’s Franchising team, and Mark Noakes (left), Managing Director of Morgan Woods, Sumo Salad has been trading for a few weeks and, assisted by the beautiful weather we are enjoying (!), seems to be going from strength to strength.
Ed Savory: “Advising franchisees is a key part of Leathes Prior’s offering of a full legal service in the franchising industry. Working with Mike was a pleasure due to his considerable commercial experience and rational approach to the obstacles that we had to overcome. It is always hard when advising the first franchisee but then again there does tend to be more room for negotiation with the franchisor. Advising alongside Mark was a joy. Mark is highly communicative and provides sensible commerical accountancy advice showing a willingness to think outside the box. It is one of the perks of the job to then be able to visit the outlet, see a new business and, in this case, enjoy a delicious salad. I wish Mike every success.”
Mark Noakes: “Fresh food and fresh ideas I think best describes Mike’s business and way of thinking. From day one of this project I have had no doubt that Mike would make a success of Sumo Salad. His sound judgement, enthusiasm for his product and ability to get things done has made it a pleasure advising him alongside Ed. Sumo Salad is a welcome addition of healthy food to my working lunches. I expect that many customers will enjoy the experience of having another leading franchise brand in our city. I look forward to working with Mike and Ed in the future and long may Sumo Salad be on the menu!”
Mike Dodd: “Without the specialist and professional advice I received from both Mark and Ed I would not have been able to get my Sumo Salad franchise off the ground. I owe enormous gratitude to them – not only in respect of their initial advice but also in respect of their ongoing support and, importantly, their continuing interest in my business. It is refreshing to work with advisers who are modern in their approach and take genuine care.”
As commented in our article found under ‘News’ I feel that the Government could have been bolder in its Queen’s speech content.
However the area that gets me most aerated is the constant tinkering or should I say meddling with employment law. What may be possible to cope with from a larger business point of view is a nightmare for smaller businesses.
The plans for more flexible parental leave will allow women who want to return to work earlier after having a baby to do so, by transferring some of their maternity-leave entitlement to the baby’s father.
Ministers have chosen to ignore the fact a complex new system of shared parental leave brings massive complexities and huge uncertainty for employers. At a time when Norfolk businesses are trying to cope with a very challenging economic situation they are hit with these proposals.
While most businesspeople identify with the idea of gender-neutral parental leave, they’ve warned time and again that the government’s proposals are unwieldy, difficult to understand, and fraught with potential complications.
Businesses may now be exposed to endless appeals, legal challenges and grievances. The government has promised to cut red tape, but continues to tinker with employment legislation, bringing uncertainty and costs to businesses. If shared parental leave is introduced the government must ensure that the possible patterns that can be requested are limited to reduce complexity.
• 40% of exporters saw an increase in export sales over the last three months
The fourth DHL/BCC Trade Confidence Index, a measure of the UK’s exporting health, reveals that exporters in the UK have seen increases in exporting activity over the first quarter of the year, with many businesses expecting the trend to continue in Q2 2012.
The index, which draws upon a survey of over a thousand exporters and an analysis of export documentation (required of all UK companies exporting goods outside the EU), shows that export orders and sales have increased over the last quarter. Trade documentation data for UK goods exports in Q1 2012 shows an almost eight percent increase (7.7%) on the same quarter last year, demonstrating that growth in export goods continued.
When asked about export activity over the last three months, 40% of businesses said they had seen an increase in export sales. When asked with regards to expected export activity, 39% reported an increase in export orders for the next quarter. The survey series shows that many exporters found last year challenging, with high input prices for oil and other commodities hammering many firms. However, the survey for the first quarter of this year shows that the price pressures are easing, and this combined with lower inflation could make it an easier year for many exporters.
The balance of firms reporting increases in export sales (over the last three months) and export orders (for the next three months) rose to levels last seen in Q4 2010. While it would be too rash to draw the conclusion that the UK economy is now firmly on the path to recovery, the data is encouraging, and shows that many exporters are more confident in 2012 than they were the previous year.
Commenting on the results of the index, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“At the end of 2011, there was a huge amount of uncertainty surrounding the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and its impact on UK firms. But the beginning of 2012 saw some semblance of calm retuning which has translated into greater confidence and activity among UK exporters. Export orders and sales have risen strongly in Q1, and documentation returns are the highest on record. While it is too early to say this represents the start of a strong recovery, it’s fair to say that it is a reason to be optimistic – in particular contrast to some of the most recent economic data.
“Exports are vital to the rebalancing of the UK economy, which is why it’s crucial that we support firms looking to trade internationally. We must maintain the UK’s position as a strong trading nation. So making sure our business owners and exporters of the future are well-equipped with the right skills is key. Only by looking at international trade from every possible angle now will we have the building blocks for a vibrant exporting community in the future.”
Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK and Ireland said:
“Despite the amount of flux in trading confidence and activity over the past year, this report indicates that there is light at the end of the tunnel for UK exporters. Both export sales and orders have strengthened within the first quarter of 2012, an increase after four consecutive quarters of decline.
“We have seen an increased demand for British exports to countries outside the Eurozone, with our greatest volumes going respectively to the USA and China. We are also seeing an increase in trade to the booming BRIC nations, including Brazil which has recently overtaken the UK to become the sixth largest economy in the world*.
“Yet more needs to be done. British businesses that are looking to export for the first time need our help, and we in turn must be prepared to support them navigating the complexities of new markets; from local nuances to complicated customs or shipping regulations.”
The 1987 Convention on a common transit procedure establishes the measures facilitating the movement of goods between the EU and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
The rules are effectively identical to those of the Community transit system, the procedure used for customs transit operations between the EU Member States themselves, as well as Andorra and San Marino.
It is planned that the Convention on a common transit procedure (as well as the Convention of 20 May 1987 on the simplification of formalities in trade of goods) will be extended to include Croatia and Turkey.
The European Commission has adopted two proposals with regard to the position to be adopted by the Union in the EU-EFTA Joint Committee, when these matters are debated.
As both countries have however fulfilled the legal, structural and information technology requirements, which are pre-conditions for accession, and as the Joint Committee has effectively invited them to apply, these are merely formalities.
Both countries can be expected to be taking part in the common transit procedure with effect from 1 July 2012.
Iconic companies including Mars, McLaren, Airbus, The Royal Mint and Sunseeker are among those selected to take part in a national exhibition, which showcases the very best of British manufacturing.
Beating competition from hundreds of UK companies, they will join around 40 others at the Make it in Great Britain exhibition, which will take place at the Science Museum during the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the dynamic, advanced and innovative industry that exists in the UK today, and will feature British manufacturing feats including the manufacturing journey of a Mars bar; ‘from bean to bar’, and a lightweight on-demand transport system, which has been piloted at Heathrow Terminal 5. Other Make it in Great Britain exhibition highlights will include a macro camera black box showing telescopic, planetary and earth images from E2V.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said:
“Manufacturing accounts for 8 per cent of total UK employment and well over half of export goods, yet current perceptions of the industry are out of date and do not reflect that reality. We have selected a really exciting mix of exhibits, from the manufacture of MRI magnets by Siemens, to the secrets behind McLaren’s winning team.
“I hope that as many people as possible visit the exhibition and see all of the great examples of British design and manufacturing – it will be spectacular.”
Mark Cropper, Chairman of James Cropper plc, and a member of the exhibition judging panel, said:
“The Make it in Great Britain exhibition will be a fantastic display of manufacturing prowess, telling stories from around the UK; ranging from a Sunseeker luxury motor yacht to a multi-award-winning laser ophthalmoscope – developed by a company called Optos – that allows an optician to take a 200 degree scan of a patient’s retina when a normal eye examination would only allow around 30 degrees. This is truly groundbreaking and manufactured right here in the UK.”
Juergen Maier, Managing Director, Siemens Industry Sector UK, which will be exhibiting said:
“We’re delighted that Siemens has been selected to be part of the Make it in Great Britain exhibition. It’s a real honour to be part of such a prestigious event at the iconic Science Museum. Alongside the other exhibitors, we’re committed to showing the world that British manufacturing is a dynamic sector offering great career and investment opportunities.”
Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum commented:
“We’re incredibly excited to be hosting the Make it in Great Britain exhibition this summer. The Science Museum and its world leading collections demonstrate some of the greatest engineering achievements of the last 200 years. We hope that as many people as possible visit the exhibition, and see at first-hand how innovation in British manufacturing is still thriving today.”
The exhibition is the culmination of the Make it in Great Britain campaign; an initiative launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills last year which aims to challenge outdated opinions of the UK manufacturing industry, worth approximately £130bn to the UK economy each year and employing 2.5 million people.
Make it in Great Britain organisers are still looking for the Make it in Great Britain 30 Under 30 – 30 young rising stars working in manufacturing, aged under 30. The deadline for nominating an outstanding worker has been extended to Friday 20 April.
The exhibition will be open from 24 July to 9 September, and is free to visit. For more information please visit www.bis.gov.uk/makeitingreatbritain
According to the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium, Belgium is the UK’s sixth-largest export market, worth £10 billion a year. The UK is Belgium’s fourth-largest export market with two-way trade worth in the region of £22 billion, of which £2 billion is in services.
Flanders is the northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. The Flanders Investment & Trade Agency describes the region as a “central location, with extensive infrastructure, and mature logistics. Flanders is a key economic region in Europe and a perfect distribution centre from which multinational companies can access all of Europe.”
West Flanders Provincial Council is seeking to assess the demand from UK businesses for a West Flanders International Office: this would provide flexible premises and business support services based in West Flanders. The Office would help UK companies to do business with their counterparts in West Flanders and, from that base, with the wider EU.
The flyer below summarises the range of services likely to be on offer.
Those of you who maybe interested in this opportunity, should complete and return the Demand Assessment no later than 21st May 2012.
The latest report from the World Trade Organization (WTO) offers bad news for exporters, noting that the 2010 “rebound” of 13.8% growth faded badly in 2011 to just 5% and is set to fall again, to 3.7% this year.
WTO economists have attributed the continuing slowdown to the global economy losing momentum due to a number of shocks, including the European sovereign debt crisis.
“More than three years have passed since the trade collapse of 2008-09, but the world economy and trade remain fragile,” WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said. “The further slowing of trade expected in 2012 shows that the downside risks remain high. We are not yet out of the woods.”
The present trade forecast assumes global output growth of 2.1% in 2012 at market exchange rates, down from 2.4% in 2011, based on a consensus of economic forecasters.
However, the WTO warns that there are severe downside risks for growth that could have even greater negative consequences for trade if they came to pass. These include a steeper than expected downturn in Europe, financial contagion related to the sovereign debt crisis, rapidly rising oil prices and geopolitical risks.
Economic prospects have improved in the USA and Japan, as labour market conditions improve in the former and business orders pick up in the latter, but these positives will only partly make up for the earlier negatives.
Meanwhile, the European Union may already be in recession.
The WTO figures rather contradict popular perceptions with regard to developing and developed economies. The report shows that the latter exceeded expectations with export growth of 4.7% in 2011, while developing economies (for the purposes of the analysis this includes the Commonwealth of Independent States) did worse than expected, recording an increase of just 5.4%.
A network of companies fraudulently importing Chinese tube and pipe fittings via several countries in South East Asia, to evade high EU customs duties, has been uncovered.
Investigations carried out by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and authorities in several EU Member States, in co-operation with Indian and Taiwanese customs, led to the recovery of €9 million in customs duties.
Resultant criminal proceedings in Germany and the UK have led to prison sentences for three of the persons involved.
OLAF investigations into the imports were triggered by information from the EU industry concerned and the customs authorities in several Member States. They had noticed changes in the trade pattern, namely away from the primary sources of tube and pipe fittings in China to unknown suppliers in countries not commonly known as producers of that product.
Imports of goods, claimed to be made in Japan, by a German importer attracted the attention of Belgian Customs because the freight was actually loaded in the port of Dalian in China and then routed via Japan to the EU.
Close co-operation between German, Belgian and Dutch customs quickly led to the detection of further fraudulent imports into the EU from India and Taiwan with false commercial documentation of origin.
The two UK offenders were sentenced to a 12-months’ suspended sentence and two years’ imprisonment respectively. A third faces a financial penalty.
An anti-dumping duty rate of 58.6% on certain Chinese tube and pipe fittings of iron or steel was imposed in 1996. The duty was subsequently extended to include imports from Taiwan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines as a result of circumvention practices identified.