Sarah Jones looks forward to looking after your corporate acccommodation and event requirements here at The Brook Hotel.
Sarah joined the hotel on Monday 8th April to help bring the hotel forward and make sure you are all thinking of the Brook Hotel for all of your accommodation and event requirements in the future.
If you would like any details or would like to speak to Sarah why not contact her today by email to sales@brookhotel.co.uk or on 07436162697.
Gareth Stone also joined the Hotel 6 months ago as General Manager, Gareth has already made lots of changes to bring the hotel standards to a high level and our event suites and bedrooms up too… Gareth looks forward to meeting you next time you use the hotel!
Great Yarmouth-based international energy services company Proserv has officially launched a global research and development (R&D) hub in Norway to design innovative subsea controls and communications technologies.
This new group strengthens Proserv’s rapidly evolving international infrastructure in support of its subsea production systems business which includes facilities in the UK providing subsea systems test and assembly in Aberdeenshire and subsea controls systems design & manufacture in Norfolk.
This state-of-the-art R&D facility at Trondheim, Norway, represents a significant investment for the company and features an advanced electronics workshop spanning 500 sq m², a technology showroom for demonstrations and 1100 sq m² of office space for 50 new offices.
Chief executive officer at Proserv, David Lamont, said: “The R&D facility represents another major milestone in Proserv’s exceptional growth story. The centre will serve as a global hub for all of our subsea communications & controls R&D activities, which are at the core of our business, and where we will develop fit-for-purpose systems and solutions that are reliable, efficient and delivered in an ingeniously simple way for clients around the world.
“As Norway’s capital of technology, Trondheim was a natural fit for our R&D hub. It is home to The Norwegian University of Science and Technology and SINTEF, the largest independent research institute in Scandinavia, plus there is a large presence of energy companies based in the city.
“New technology is the life-blood of Proserv and through the work of our talented engineering team in Trondheim, we aim to expand the Group’s R&D capabilities. Some of the most exciting developments we are currently involved with are in the subsea controls and communications market and we see demand for these products and services growing significantly.
“In line with Proserv’s R&D plans, we are continually recruiting talented people to support our order pipeline and expanding technology portfolio, further reinforcing our commitment to growth and prosperity globally.”
The County Mayor of Trondheim, Tore Sandvik, who joined representatives of Norway’s business and energy community to mark the launch of Proserv’s facility, said: “It is of immense value to the city of Trondheim that companies like Proserv choose to place their global research centre here. Large investments like this create new opportunities for our technical community here in Trondheim, and demonstrate that Norway really is at the forefront of new technological innovations globally.”
Proserv is recognised for its innovations. The Trondheim team developed Proserv’s Seahawk™ in-situ video surveillance system, a ground-breaking technology for environmental monitoring including retrofit on brownfield subsea installations.
The technology can be installed on a subsea Christmas tree or manifold to provide visual monitoring of potential leakages. High-quality video is taken by the camera which uses image analysis to detect gas leakages. It can provide an automatic warning through the customer’s SCADA system and alerts the operations team to use the Seahawk™ to focus in on the area of concern without the need of subsea intervention. The Seahawk™ was developed as a permanent alternative to the costly and time-consuming method of deploying remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) subsea for the monitoring of assets offshore.
Proserv, which is headquartered in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, is a leading global provider of production technology services to the energy industry. The company operates worldwide from 30 sites in six geographical regions namely North UK & Africa, South UK & Europe, Scandinavia, the Americas, Middle East & North Africa and the Far East & Australia and currently employs over 1,700 people globally.
A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. In the UK, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability, but many strokes are preventable, and fast action can dramatically improve outcomes. Knowing the signs and understanding what to do can quite literally save a life.
Back in 2021, the team behind Connected Innovation secured the Create Growth Programme from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport supporting potentially high-growth creative industries businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
This programme is made up of two parts: locked-off Innovate UK funding calls for all creative industries sub-sectors and funding to local areas (extended for 2025/26) for investment readiness cohorts delivered across our geography by the Creative East delivery team at UEA (so far, cohorts have been delivered in Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge and Peterborough with 2025/26 cohorts in planning phase).
The latest locked-off Innovate UK funding competitions for all creative industries sub-sectors (listed at the bottom) have now opened (from 31st March), closing on 29th May 2025. These are made up of:
A live briefing session for Creative Industries businesses will be held on Thursday 3rd April at 10:00 AM. Register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom (this will be recorded).
For Creative Industries businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk, we encourage them to sign up to the Innovation Grant Mentoring Project which can provide them with free bid writing and grant mentoring support – so please do send them to laura.hill@norfolk.gov.uk.
DCMS have listed following sub-sectors for Creative Industries:
– Advertising and Marketing – Architecture – Crafts – Design and designer fashion – Film, TV, radio and photography – Museums, galleries and libraries – Music, performing and visual arts – Publishing. – IT, software and computer services (includes video games)
In the case of Prest v Prest the Husband a successful oil tycoon was estimated to be worth circa £37.5 million. The couple were married for 18 years and had 4 teenage children. They had lived a comfortable lifestyle throughout the marriage with the Husband drawing from his business what he needed as and when he needed it. Unsurprisingly, when it came to the divorce the husband was not very accommodating to the wife’s request for a settlement proportional to his wealth.
The husband was ordered to pay a settlement of £17.5 million to the wife . This was based upon 11 properties held by the companies being transferred to the wife. The judge ruled that he regarded the Husband as entitled to these properties as they fell within his control to be transferred in this way.
This outcome was appealed by the companies and two commercial judges held on the facts of the case the previous Judge had been wrong in concluding the husband was beneficially entitled to the properties. Company law makes it clear that a company is a legal entity is independent of the shareholders. Ownership of the company by the husband did not justify the piercing of the corporate veil to remove assets, even in Divorce! The Courts did recognise a distinction between an asset held by the company on trust or on behalf of a nominated third party .Such as in Prest case the former matrimonial home was held in a trust for the husband and this asset could be transferred to the wife.
The matter has now been further appealed by the wife and the judgement from the Supreme court is expected anytime now.
In the absence of a successful appeal there is a real issue here for wives whose husbands lock up their property assets within the companies they own and run. A company could be a safer vehicle to use for a husband than a pre or post nuptial agreement. The law appears to give a director/shareholder a wall behind to hide or preserve wealth and prevents access through the company wall by arguing that “fairness” shall apply.
Cynically wives need to be warned at the start of their union and husbands will make use of the potential protection a company can offer to them. We await seeing what the Supreme Court decides but this might herald a new age of divorce law. London may well lose it’s title as the wife’s divorce capital of the world if savvy director spouses start to place their property assets within the companies they run.
For more information please contact Ginny Colman a senior associate in the family and matrimonial team of leading East of England law firm Birketts based in Norwich atginny-colman@birketts.co.uk
Ginny undertakes all aspects of family work specialising in high net worth financial cases involving pension and company issues. She also advises on cohabitation disputes and children issues. Ginny has four years experience as a collaborative lawyer giving her clients the choice to resolve their difficulties in a non-contentious manner.
Steeles Law is celebrating the launch of a brand new service. The firm has appointed human resources specialist Sarah Turner to head Education HR, an HR support service designed especially for schools. The service is the first of its kind to be delivered by a solicitors’ firm in Norfolk.
Education HR is a bespoke service aimed at schools, academies and other educational institutions. It builds on the success of Steeles Law’s commercial services which have assisted a growing number of local schools in the academy conversion process. The service includes unlimited telephone/email support; providing advice on topics such as redundancy, disciplinary procedures, grievance, discrimination complaints, maternity advice and absence management. Based on their needs, clients will pay a fixed fee each month.
Sarah Turner joins Steeles Law from a national legal firm, where she provided customer-focused HR consultancy services and advice on complex employment matters, mainly to schools and the not-for-profit sector. Sarah’s HR background spans the private, public and voluntary sectors, including experience within the NHS and education environment. “Our new service has been specifically designed to assist schools and, in the longer term, small to medium-sized businesses, helping them to address and resolve day-to-day HR issues”, Sarah explains. “As we are local, we can provide on-site support. Our aim is to initially meet with the client and conduct an audit of areas such as employment contracts and policies, or discuss any specific problem areas or concerns they may have. From there, we can agree a bespoke service agreement that perfectly suits their particular needs.”
Steeles Law will also be developing a similar service for small to medium-sized businesses to complement the work undertaken by the firm’s talented employment law team, which works with employers throughout the region and beyond.
Oliver Brabbins, head of the employment team at Steeles Law, said: “Workplace issues and administration can be hugely time-consuming and worrying for many businesses and educational establishments. We’re here to provide organisations that aren’t large enough to employ a full time HR professional with the peace of mind that comes with having an HR specialist on their team. If our clients face more complicated issues that require the input of a lawyer, we can provide a seamless approach by bringing in a member of our employment law team. The HR support services we are planning to offer really do reassure employers and allow them to get on with what they do best – running their business.”
The launch of Education HR coincides with the relocation of Steeles Law’s head office to Number 2, The Norwich Business Park. The firm is consolidating its two premises at The Norwich Business Park to create a single Norwich base.
“Because two of our private client teams have recently moved to our Diss Office we’re now in the position where all our Norwich staff can be under the same roof,” explains Managing Principal, Stephen Drake. “We’re excited about this move as it will enable us to bring people together more often; sharing ideas and best practice and ensuring we continue to provide our clients with exceptional customer service.”
For all enquiries, Steeles Law’s main phone number will continue to be 01603 598000. For further information on Education HR or Steeles Law’s HR support service for businesses, please contact Sarah Turner.
Patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions in Norfolk are set to get more support following the opening of a new centre.
Officials and supporters from the Norwich and district branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society gathered yesterday for an open day at their new base, which will provide a range of support, treatment and therapy services. The official opening of the £250,000 centre, near Norwich International Airport, follows 12 years of fundraising by volunteers and an extensive search to find larger premises in the Norwich area. The facility replaces the branch’s cramped headquarters in Witard Road and was funded solely on local fundraising and donations. Officials from the MS Society branch hope to double their membership, which currently stands at 400 people from across Norfolk, with the opening of the centre at Iceni Court in Alkmaar Way, which has consulting and therapy rooms as well as educational facilities and a meeting place. Diane Proctor, head of service development at the MS Society branch, said the centre would make a huge difference to patients, particularly when a stair lift is installed and the first floor of the building is fully operational. “It has taken so long and I am absolutely thrilled. “We have built some strong relationships with colleagues at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and colleagues at social services so patients get the best deal,” she said. The venue was officially opened by Jeff Cochius, clinical director of neurology at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with Norwich’s Lord Mayor Ralph Gayton also attending. Dr Cochius said the last 12 years had been a “roller coaster” of emotions for the volunteers and it had been a “monumental task” to get the centre opened. The centre received the support of Norfolk adult social services, MS Society, Norfolk and Waveney NHS, and Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust. For more information, contact the centre on 01603 488561 or email mscentrenorwich@gmail.com.
Special Offer . . . sponsor a corporate duck in the Grand Norwich Duck Race in August for just £80. . . normal price£100.
This is a great opportuity to promote your organisation to over 1,00 people and other corporates. You can provide your banner for thebanks of the River Wensum, outside the Ribs of Beef Public House, and we hvae a strong presence on facebook and twitter where we will aslo promote your involvement.
We provide you with everything you need – you get a large duck to decorate as you wish and acrylic paints – but you just need imagination!
We’re absolutely delighted to announce our latest competition, and it’s perfect for all the theatre lovers out there! To celebrate our continued sponsorship of the wonderful Norwich Theatre for another year, we’ve teamed up to offer a fantastic prize bundle that brings together mystery, family history, and the magic of live performance.
Here’s what you could win:
🌳 £250 Family Tree Research Voucher from Taylor Investigations
🎭 £50 Norwich Theatre Royal Voucher
It’s our way of saying a heartfelt thank you for your support and for sharing in the magic of live theatre with us.
How to enter:
1.Take a selfie with our Taylor Investigations logo on the safety curtain at Norwich Theatre.
2.Tag us on social media.
3.Use the hashtag #selfiewiththesafetycurtain
Once you’ve posted your selfie and tagged us, you’ll be entered into the prize draw.
🗓️ Competition Dates:
Opens: 1st April 2025 (and no, it’s not an April Fools!)
Closes: 9pm on Sunday 26th October 2025
The winner will be chosen at random after the closing date – so don’t miss your chance to get involved.
At Taylor Investigations, we’re passionate about storytelling, curiosity, and uncovering the truth. Partnering with Norwich Theatre allows us to celebrate those values in a creative new way. Whether you’re delving into your roots or enjoying a night at the theatre, we believe everyone deserves a little intrigue and inspiration.
So next time you’re at Norwich Theatre, keep an eye out for our logo on the safety curtain. Your selfie could be your ticket to a brilliant prize!
By entering this giveaway, you are accepting the following terms and conditions. Entries are counted if all listed conditions are met before the closing date stated, no purchase is necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. One winner will receive a £250 Family Tree Research Voucher and a £50 Norwich Theatre Voucher, valid for 12 months only. Travel not included. All additional expenses incurred are the responsibility of the winner. Messages from any account other than Taylor Investigations regarding this giveaway are NOT affiliated with us. Norwich Theatre gift vouchers are non-transferable and non-refundable. Employees of Norwich Theatre and Taylor Investigations are not permitted to enter this giveaway. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the giveaway or these terms and conditions, either in whole or in part, with or without notice. We will not be held liable if delivery of the prize to the selected winner cannot be fulfilled. Meta is not affiliated with this giveaway.
GoGo Gorillas is a fantastic art project which will hit the streets of Norwich at the end of June 2013 – for those who remember Go Elephants in 2008 (yes, it really is that long ago!), a colourful, community of Gorillas will take residence on our streets, in our parks and open spaces for local residents, area visitors and tourists to find.
Our Gorilla has been designed by Gillian Kenny and represents NCFC in vibrant, ‘Zingy’, yellow and green.
Find our Gorilla when the trail launches in June, tweet us your pictures posing with our gorilla @ZingInsights for your chance to win some fab prizes – We’re looking forward to seeing some creative posts!
For the second consecutive year Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure), a leading recruitment consultancy in eastern England, has been shortlisted for the Recruitment Firm of the Year Award at the 2013 FDs’ Excellence Awards.
Nominated by a record-breaking 1,380 chief finance officers, financial directors and other senior financial decision makers within the UK’s finance sector, the Excellence Awards applaud service providers including recruitment firms, auditors, business banks and financial software suppliers.
“We are very proud to again make the shortlist for this prestigious awards category,” said Lynn Walters, Director of Pure. “The nomination means a lot to us because it is based on the opinions of our clients. It is a true reflection of our services and it is great to know that our personal approach is highly valued by the people we work with. And, as a regional recruitment consultancy, we are honoured to be shortlisted alongside big players that operate nationally.”
The shortlisted businesses were judged on a range of criteria including business knowledge, innovation and quality of advice. Over the last year, Pure has continued to build on its reputation as an expert in its field by offering clients guidance and information on a variety of subjects, from recruitment and retention to employee engagement.
Pure has always strived to develop new and relevant initiatives within their region that add value. Recent examples include the Senior Finance Forum – a career development network for finance professionals – and Best Employers, Eastern Region – a survey that identifies and promotes the best employers and encourages employee engagement in the East of England.
The ceremony, taking place at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square on May 9th, will be hosted by ICAEW Chief Executive, Michael Izza, and the CBI’s Director-General, John Cridland. Also with comedian Fred MacAulay as compere, it promises to be a superb, entertaining and inspirational event.
To find out more about Pure’s professional recruitment services, contact Anna Hill, Marketing Manager, on: 01223 209888 or Anna.Hill@prs.uk.com. Or visit www.prs.uk.com.
For more information about the FDs’ Excellence Awards and the full shortlist visit: www.fdsawards.co.uk.
The legal aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (the Act) came into force on 1st April 2013. It makes significant and wide ranging changes to the legal aid scheme and removes legal aid alltogether for most aspects of family law.
Are there any areas of family law which will not be affected?
There will be no change to legal aid for injunction proceedings such as non-molestation orders (which are aimed at preventing a person from using or threatening violence, intimidating, harassing, pestering etc) or occupation orders (which regulate whether a person can live in the family home or aim to prevent a person entering the surrounding area.)
Legal aid will also continue to be available for child abduction cases and also in cases concerning forced marriages. There will also be continued assistance for family mediation and separating couples are encouraged to attempt to resolve issues in that way.
Which areas of family law will be affected?
Most other private family proceedings such as divorce, the financial matters relating to divorce and matters relating to children (such as where a child should live or what contact a child should have with the other parent) will be affected. Initial publicly funded advice will only be available to those people who not only meet the previously existing legal aid criteria but who have also been the victim of domestic violence or, in private children proceedings, where the child is at risk of abuse by the other party.
Simply put, if the domestic violence or child abuse criteria cannot be met then a person will be unable to obtain legal aid in connection with a wide range of family law matters such as those set out above.
What constitutes domestic violence?
The definition of domestic violence within the Act has recently been amended to read as follows: “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (whether psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between individuals who are associated with each other”. Therefore domestic violence is no longer limited to physical violence alone.
How to prove domestic violence or child abuse
In order to qualify for legal aid an applicant must provide evidence of the alleged domestic violence or child abuse by the other party.
The Act sets out a number of ways in which domestic violence or child abuse may be evidenced. The scope of this article is unable to list each of those or address them in detail but they broadly include (but are not limited to) circumstances such as; where the other party has an unspent conviction for a domestic violence or child abuse offence, a police caution within the past 2 years for a domestic violence or child abuse offence, is subject to ongoing criminal proceedings for a domestic violence offence or child abuse offence or has been subject to a non-molestation or other relevant injunction within the previous 2 years.
The Act also enables an applicant for legal aid to prove domestic violence or child abuse where there has not been any police or legal involvement. For instance by providing a letter or report from a health professional setting out certain information, a letter or report by social services in respect of domestic violence or child abuse or by providing a letter or report from a domestic violence support agency confirming that within the past 2 years the application was admitted to a refuge for at least 24 hours.
If you are able to prove that you have suffered from domestic violence you may be eligible for legal aid. If you are unable to do so then you are unlikely to be able to claim legal aid to assist you with your family matters.
Where do the changes leave me?
There is clearly now an issue in that people who are unable to prove that they have suffered domestic violence, or in cases of private children proceedings that the child is at risk of abuse, will be unable to obtain legal aid in connection with their family matters.
Cases involving issues such as divorce, finances and children issues are often very complex and many people will understandably feel that they require assistance in navigating both the procedure and the law. Many people will consider that they would be unable to afford legal advice without the assistance of legal aid. However, there are options which should be explored.
Our family team at Leathes Prior offers free initial consultations with clients at which we can discuss your situation, give some initial advice and talk through your options. We can give an estimate of the likely or possible costs of taking a particular course of action to meet your needs. In certain circumstances we may also be able to agree a fixed fee for work or flexible payment options.