Profit & Delight Studio has completed a presentation project that epitomises the unique opportunities Norfolk offers for contemporary developments based on its 1000-year heritage.
Principal Arthur Meek led the process to help The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham reshape their approach to a major international fundraising campaign to establish a presence in the heart of Little Walsingham, and expand their nearby spiritual retreat and formation center in Dereham.
Little Walsingham has been “England’s Nazareth” – its premier pilgrimage destination – for over 1000 years. Renowned across Europe, it attracted royalty and commoners alike until its suppression during the Reformation. Today it remains a significant destination for pilgrimage and tourism, drawing 350,000 visitors annually to Norfolk.
The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham, established in 2004, transforms thousands of lives each year through an authentic spiritual accompaniment practice, rooted in tradition, that includes group and hermitage retreats. Demand has grown along with its reputation. The Mission Hub development and Formation House expansion will boost retreat attendance from 132 to 500-1,000 young people annually, and double its capacity for hermitage retreatants to 150+.
The dual-site expansion helps strengthen Walsingham’s position as England’s premier spiritual center. The campaign has already attracted more than 440 donors who have contributed over £540,000. Members of COWL head to the US in the coming weeks with materials developed by Norwich-based Profit & Delight Studio.
Arthur Meek of Profit & Delight Studio notes: “Norfolk’s wind creates opportunities for energy infrastructure developments, and our thousand-year spiritual heritage creates unique development opportunities that are recognised by different kinds of investors!”
If you’re developing places and spaces that make Norfolk an even better place to live – get in touch with Arthur at Profit & Delight Studio. He’ll help you get to the heart of your story, in your voice for the stakeholders that matter to you.
If you’re self-employed (or thinking of starting), one of the key questions is: should I stay as a sole trader or incorporate as a limited company? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some common signs that it might be time to consider making the switch.
Below are the pros and cons of each, and the key factors to watch out for.
What’s the difference?
As a sole trader, you and your business are legally the same. You report your profits on your personal Self Assessment tax return, pay income tax and National Insurance, and you take full responsibility (and risk) for any debts or liabilities the business runs.
A limited company (Ltd) is a separate legal entity. The company itself owns its assets, enters into contracts, and takes on liabilities. As a director/shareholder, you can pay yourself via salary and/or dividends, and your personal liability is limited in most circumstances.
When might switching make sense?
Here are some of the main factors to consider when deciding whether to remain a sole trader or move to a limited company structure:
1. Tax efficiency
Limited companies pay Corporation Tax on their profits, which is often lower than higher-rate income tax.
As a director/shareholder, you can take a small salary (within your personal allowance) and then take additional income via dividends, which can be taxed more efficiently.
But, this tax advantage tends to materialise once profits rise to a certain level; for smaller businesses, the extra admin costs might outweigh the savings.
2. Liability protection
As a sole trader, you are personally liable for all business debts. That means personal assets (like your home, savings) could be at risk if things go wrong.
Incorporating gives you limited liability, meaning your personal exposure is typically only up to the amount invested in the company (or the unpaid portion of share capital), although directors still have duties and potential personal risk in certain situations (e.g. wrongful trading).
3. Growth, investment & credibility
If you’re planning to grow, bring on investors or partners, or sell/share ownership of the business, a limited company structure tends to be more suitable: you can issue shares, accept investment more easily, and transfer ownership more cleanly.
Some clients or suppliers may view a limited company as more ‘professional’ or credible.
Also, a limited company can continue even if the ownership changes (e.g. you sell it or step away), whereas a sole trader business is more tied to the individual.
4. Administrative burden & costs
Operating as a limited company comes with more compliance: registering at Companies House, filing annual accounts, filing a confirmation statement, a company tax return, maintaining more detailed records, and possibly needing a business bank account and more formal bookkeeping.
There’s also potential cost in accountancy fees, filing costs, and perhaps formation fees (though forming a company in the UK is relatively inexpensive).
If your income is modest or your expenses minimal, the administrative overhead may not be worth it.
5. Cashflow & profits retention flexibility
A limited company allows you to leave profits in the business as retained earnings. You don’t have to draw them out immediately, which can help with reinvestment or smoother cash flow.
Dividends do not incur National Insurance contributions, which can make taking income more tax-efficient.
On the flip side, extracting money from a limited company in a tax-efficient way requires planning (salary vs dividend vs retained earnings) and sometimes more careful bookkeeping and advice.
When might now be the right time to switch?
Here are a few practical signs that suggest incorporation may be worth considering:
Your trading profit is consistently high (for example, above £35–40K, and rising). Once you cross a certain profit threshold, the tax savings from corporation tax & dividends can outweigh the extra cost and admin.
You want to reinvest profits back into the business rather than draw them all out.
You’re hiring employees or subcontractors, or starting to take on more risk or contracts with liabilities, limited liability provides extra protection.
You’re planning to grow, bring in partners/investors, or you might want to sell the business down the line.
Your clients or suppliers expect or prefer dealing with a limited company (for credibility, contracts, or procurement reasons).
You’re becoming more comfortable with bookkeeping / administrative work (or are willing to pay for bookkeeping/accounting support).
What to watch out for
Incorporating too early can actually reduce your net income if administrative costs and accounting fees eat into the tax benefit.
Directors must take care to follow their legal obligations e.g. filing deadlines with Companies House, maintaining proper records, and ensuring timely Corporation Tax registrations and payments.
If you’re not drawing a lot of profit, or if your business is very simple (low cost, one-person, low risk), staying as a sole trader may remain the most hassle-free and cost-effective route.
There can also be additional scrutiny (for example, on dividends or salary splits), so you’ll want to ensure your accounting is clean and above board.
If you’re just starting out, or your profits are modest and stable, the simplicity of being a sole trader can be very appealing: minimal paperwork, low cost, and full control.
But as your business grows, takes on risk, hires people, or you want more tax efficiency and flexibility, switching to a limited company is definitely worth considering. The decision really comes down to a trade-off between additional admin cost vs potential tax and liability benefits.
Jennison Accounting can help you model the numbers for your particular business. We can run a side-by-side comparison of your current sole trader profit, projected growth, and estimated tax/admin costs to see when the break-even point is.
Hi, I’m Will! I’m a freelance web developer who helps small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups build and maintain a strong online presence. I specialise in creating modern, SEO-friendly websites that look great and rank well in search.
I work with modern frameworks and libraries including React, Node.js, and Next.js, as well as popular platforms such as WordPress and Shopify, allowing me to tailor the approach to your needs. I also have a background in e-commerce and digital marketing, giving me insight into how your website can attract the right customers and support your wider marketing goals.
Whether you need a brand new website, help with maintaining or improving your current one, or advice on growing your business through digital marketing—get in touch! I’d love to see how I can help.
RINCE2® 7th courses will commence from January 2024.
The PRINCE2® Practitioner Course prepares participants for the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner examinations. Attention will be given to practical participation in a case study encompassing the most essential elements of a PRINCE2 project. Participants will explore the relationship between the Business Case and the project and develop specific PRINCE2 products during the course. Some pre-workshop study is expected of the candidates’ prior to attending the course. The course is accredited with AXELOS® through PeopleCert and based on the 7th Edition PRINCE2 manual.
This is a 4.5 day course (Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 9am – 1pm)
29 September
30 September
1 October
2 October
3 October
Following the completion of the course you will be able to:
Apply the PRINCE2 principle in context
Apply and tailor relevant aspects of PRINCE2 themes in context
Apply and tailor relevant aspects of PRINCE2 processes in context
PRINCE2 7 addresses changes in the project management sector and adapts to evolving working practices and technologies.
All our courses are delivered by highly experienced and approved trainers with many years experience in the delivery of PRINCE2 courses and the implementation of the methodology into organisations. All the courses will require some evening study (approx 1-2 hours per evening) and some pre-read material will be expected to have been read prior to attending the courses.
This accredited course is delivered in association with Insights, an Accredited Training Organisation.
PRINCE2® 7th courses will commence from January 2024.
The PRINCE2® Foundation Course covers the whole of the syllabus of PRINCE2 Foundation Level and prepares participants for the PRINCE2 Foundation examination. The course is accredited through AXELOS® with PeopleCert and is based on the 7th Edition PRINCE2 manual.
This is a 3 day course (9:00am – 5:00pm)
1 December
2 December
3 December
Following the completion of the course you will be able to:
Understand key concepts relating to projects and PRINCE2
Understand how PRINCE2 principles underpin the PRINCE2 method
Understand the PRINCE2 themes and how they are applied throughout the project
Understand the PRINCE2 processes and how they are carried out throughout the project
PRINCE2 7 addresses changes in the project management sector and adapts to evolving working practices and technologies.
All our courses are delivered by highly experienced and approved trainers with many years experience in the delivery of PRINCE2 courses and the implementation of the methodology into organisations. All the courses will require some evening study (approx 1-2 hours per evening) and some pre-read material will be expected to have been read prior to attending the courses.
This accredited course is delivered in association with Insights, an Accredited Training Organisation.
PRINCE2® 7th courses will commence from January 2024.
The PRINCE2® Foundation Course covers the whole of the syllabus of PRINCE2 Foundation Level and prepares participants for the PRINCE2 Foundation examination. The course is accredited through AXELOS® with PeopleCert and is based on the 7th Edition PRINCE2 manual.
This is a 3 day course (9:00am – 5:00pm)
29 September
30 September
1 October
Following the completion of the course you will be able to:
Understand key concepts relating to projects and PRINCE2
Understand how PRINCE2 principles underpin the PRINCE2 method
Understand the PRINCE2 themes and how they are applied throughout the project
Understand the PRINCE2 processes and how they are carried out throughout the project
PRINCE2 7 addresses changes in the project management sector and adapts to evolving working practices and technologies.
All our courses are delivered by highly experienced and approved trainers with many years experience in the delivery of PRINCE2 courses and the implementation of the methodology into organisations. All the courses will require some evening study (approx 1-2 hours per evening) and some pre-read material will be expected to have been read prior to attending the courses.
This accredited course is delivered in association with Insights, an Accredited Training Organisation.
The Elevate programme is a strengths-based, data-backed model to unleash your authentic leadership style, drive potential and results whilst enhancing a workplace culture that allows women to address systemic challenges and drive transformation.
Connecting your personal values, vision and expertise alongside sustainable leadership strategies, it will cultivate long-term and tangible results for your business and career success.
Elevate is ideal for leaders and aspiring leaders who are driven to enhance their personal and professional growth, skillset and impact in their sector.
This course runs over 5 half day sessions (9:30am – 1:30pm)
Want to understand your company finances, but you aren’t an accountant?
Successful managers need to have a basic understanding of finance and budgets, which in turn will lead to better business decisions. Recent research shows that financial results are the principle concerns for managers in today’s competitive workplace. Surprisingly, only half of all managers have the organisation’s bottom line as a main focus.
By understanding how to read and use financial information on a day-to-day basis will give you the control you need to stay on top of your company finances, ensuring that your business remains profitable and successful.
In July 2025, IEMA became ISEP (The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals).
What is ISEP?
ISEP is the global membership body that sets the standard in sustainability knowledge, skills and practice.
Whether sustainability is at the heart of what you do, an essential element or you just want to support change, ISEP training provides learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a positive impact on business, society and the environment – backed by globally recognised standards, resources and professional networks.
Jarrold Training is proud and excited to be part of this new chapter as we partner with ISEP in equipping sustainability and environmental professionals for the present…and the future.
Why is ISEP important?
Climate change and environmental breakdown are the biggest risks facing business and society. There is urgent need to upskill the global workforce to deliver practical and achievable solutions to the unfolding environmental crisis.
How will the change from IEMA to ISEP affect learners?
The names of ISEP training courses will be slightly different to reflect the new brand, however the content, syllabus and learning outcomes will not change:
IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management (AIEMA) becomes: ISEP Foundation Certificate in Sustainability & Environmental Management (AISEP)
IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management (PIEMA) becomes: ISEP Certificate in Sustainability & Environmental Management (PISEP)
The other main change will be the switch to the new post-nominals/suffix for learners that qualify for membership.
The new ISEP suffixes will undergo a simple transition from IEMA to ISEP, with some variations.
Jarrold Trainingare excited to announce a brand new course offering:
TheISEPCertificate in Sustainability & Environmental Management (PISEP) – scheduled for November 2025!
ISEP(The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals) – formerly known asIEMA– is the global membership and training body which sets the benchmark for sustainability and environmental professionals – transforming the world today for a sustainable future.
No matter what sector you work in, this course will equip you with the required detailed knowledge of environmental / sustainability principles, management tools and skills to effectively implement positive change.
As the only ISEP centre in Norfolk to deliver the course in the classroom, we are delighted to have achieved this course accreditation during such a pivotal time, as ISEP empowers their members to become global innovators and leaders.
Our first cohort begins on 3rd November, and places are already filling for this vital qualification, which is delivered over a three week period.
Keystone Admin delivers admin support. Whether you are self-employed, a new start-up business or have run a business for many years there are always times when you could do with some help and support, or just a second pair of hands.
Keystone Admin offers freelance admin support to businesses and the self-employed based in Norwich, Norfolk
Hey everyone, I have recently joined the Norfolk Chamber and wanted to briefly introduce myself.
I am Zivile, trading as CMZ-HR Independent HR Consultant and Training Provider based in Thetford, Norfolk.
I offer HR consultancy services as well as training/coaching for SMEs and private clients.
Please check my website for upcoming training courses near you (e.g. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training) or book your free initial consultation to discuss how I could support you and/or your business.