Lincoln-based Terry Peachman’s team have been named one of ten runners-up awarded for their forward-thinking proactive service.
Terry, who has been operating as a TaxAssist Accountant since 2002 and looks after more than 550 clients from his two offices in Lincolnshire was thrilled to be recognised in this global contest.
“It is fantastic that our practice has been recognised on the global stage.
Our entire business now revolves around QuickBooks, having decided two years ago to embrace new technology and adopt it as our primary choice of software.
We have seen a complete transformation in our practice, which is why I decided to enter the contest.
“We have found that cloud technology has enabled us to offer enhanced business support and advice that delivers better value for money for our clients, as well as time savings and greater efficiencies in terms of staffing in the practice.
Our client numbers are consistently increasing, and by getting clients using QuickBooks as early as possible, we will ensure we are ahead of the game for the staging dates of ‘Making Tax Digital’.
“Another bonus to using QuickBooks has been the increased appeal to millennials. Not only have we seen an increase in younger clients, but the practice has benefitted when it comes to staff recruitment, helping us to attract and retain a younger workforce.”
Group Commercial Director, Daren Moore, said: “Technology is integral to the future of accountancy and, because TaxAssist Accountants is a market leading network, we have embraced and championed a comprehensive software estate, of which QuickBooks forms a key part.
“Congratulations to Terry, who has been an early adopter and exponent of all the benefits cloud technology offers, and is now, along with his clients, reaping the benefits.”
Now in its fourth year, the Firm of the Future contest invited bookkeeping, full-service accounting and tax firms in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and, for the first time, India, to showcase how they see the value of the cloud, serve as a trusted advisor to their clients, and grow their practice with modern marketing techniques.
Ariege Misherghi, global leader of Intuit’s Accountant Segment, Small Business and Self-Employed Group, said: “Each firm’s submission clearly highlighted both how they embrace new technologies and ideas, and just as important, that they recognize that this is what will drive their firm and clients forward to greater success.”
We’ve been up to all sorts over the last few weeks. Our bar is open – Adnams are kindly helping us with the finishing drinkable touches this week and Andrew and Dan are working on a small snacks menu to compliment our cocktails – and dreams … The handmade gold Cellar table in our private dining space for 12 is in and looking proud, we’ve soundproofed the chef’s table room so you can watch the chefs squirrelling away – without the language! We’ve launched spa treatments – for residents and this week for locals too as we open our dedicated beauty room. We’ve also launched a brand new website. Take a peek here … www.thedialhouse.org.uk
This month we’re ready to announce our calendar line up of new demonstration events and also launch the Dial House Christmas Hampers featuring all our local super suppliers.
The Dial House Christmas Hampers have landed! The Dial House Deluxe hamper will be on sale from October onwards and features treats from our local suppliers in a Dial House wicker hamper – the perfect local gift for loved ones.
Our Dial House Grand Hamper can be ordered this month until the last week of November and can be collected from us in a carefully packed apple crate on the mornings of 22nd or 23rd December and will feature the same treats as the Deluxe hamper plus key players for the perfect Norfolk Christmas – including a beautiful free-range turkey, local cheese, Norfolk cider, award-winning sausages and a smoked gammon for Boxing day PLUS an optional upgrade of a black winter truffle – all provided by our favourite suppliers at The Dial House and Farmyard, and including our own Christmas pudding. Keep an eye on our social media for the full list of suppliers. If you love local then you won’t want to miss this.
Get your diaries out: We’re launching a series of Dial House demo events. . .
Monday 8thOctober
Dahlia masterclass with Jo from Constance Rose florist. Half a day including coffee and biscuits and a two-course seasonal lunch. Walk away with a new found expertise and your own beautiful display in a container provided by our retail arm Objects. 10 am – 14.30. £90 a ticket.
Wednesday 17thOctober
Christmas pudding workshop with Exec Chef Andrew Jones. Half a day including coffee and biscuits and a two-course seasonal lunch. Walk away with a load of expert tips from the kitchen and your own delicious handmade pud. 10 am – 14.30. £60 a ticket.
Wednesday 21st November
Clever canapés class with Exec chef Andrew Jones. Half a day including coffee and biscuits and a two-course seasonal lunch. Walk away with party prep expertise from Andrew and your own delicious handmade canape selection. 10 am – 14.30. £60 a ticket.
Friday 7th December
Christmas wreath masterclass with Jo from Constance Rose. Half a day including coffee and biscuits and a two-course seasonal lunch. Walk away with a very cool new skill and your own huge door wreath. 10 am – 14.30. £110 a ticket.
Wednesday 6th February
The perfect date … Chocolate making masterclass with Exec Chef Andrew Jones. Half a day including coffee and biscuits and a two-course seasonal lunch. Walk away with a desirable new skill and your own box of handmade chocolates. 10 am – 14.30. £60 a ticket.
On the first Friday of every month we’d like you to stop and shop with us. We’ll be handing out a glass of prosecco between 4 and 6 pm for all those who fancy a browse of our objects for sale downstairs and also up in the Green Room boutique with Jo. Starting Friday 5th October and ongoing!
Open House Shopping event
Thursday 22nd November
5 pm onwards. To include Christmas shopping, music, Objects, Greenroom clothing boutique, wine tasting with our wine supplier Rob in the cellar, our pastry chef Zoe making festive treats in the aga room and a grand tour of our bedrooms
Our 8 boutique bedrooms now feature complimentary white company products . . .
Book a room directly with us and you’ll receive a complimentary cream tea during your stay as well as the usual handmade biscuits and whiskey or port residents nightcap. When booking dinner in advance you can also take advantage of 3 courses for £25 too. With state of the art sound systems in each room and marble bathrooms with trench showers and roll top baths, can you really afford not to visit?
FARMYARD
Introducing the Farmyard feasting Menu
LONG LIVE BEEF WELLY! We’ve launched our Christmas menu and we’re extremely pleased to say that from 27th November and through all of December we’ll be creating sharing style Beef Wellingtons. It’s been an ambition of mine for a while to feature a few impressive feasting dishes, Henry VIII style, so I’m keen to kick it off with these. ARE YOU GAME? It can’t happen yet because we’re waiting for the first frost to officially kick off game season … but when it does, I’ve got plans for a pheasant Kiev on the menu … Keep a beady eye on social media for the launch.
NEW LOOK LUNCH We’ve relaunched our lunchtime offering this month – it now features special wines by the glass and a regular steak frites appearance. Two courses for £15 and three for £19. Carafe of wine also available. Don’t forget we’re also open for theatre dining from 5.30pm with our new set menu. So, you can have a light supper and be at the Theatre Royal in time for curtain call.
MINT, the employment service for 16-25 year olds run by City College Norwich, has celebrated the achievements of the latest group of young people to complete its Hospitality Pre-Employment Project.
Eight young people recently completed the 12-week course, which combines training in core areas such as food hygiene, work experience with local employers, and support with finding and applying for jobs.
The group all came to MINT with the aim of developing their employability skills and gaining relevant experiences that can help them secure jobs in hospitality and catering.
By the end of the course all eight had greatly enhanced their job prospects through new skills, qualifications and successful work placements in a variety of restaurants and kitchens.
Four have already been successful in securing jobs in hospitality – and MINT’s Job Coaches will continue to provide help and support to those still seeking the right job opportunity.
These latest successful outcomes mean that MINT has helped 17 young people secure jobs within hospitality in the last year alone.
Local hospitality employers have been indispensable to MINT’s success in preparing young people for jobs in the sector.
Zaks, Logans, Costa Coffee (Nelson Hotel), The Norwich Castle Café, Starbucks Riverside (23-5 Degrees), The Norwich Hotel and Norse’s Ellacombe Care Home all provided the young people with invaluable work experience.
Further support for the Hospitality Pre-Employment Project has been provided by Mercure Hotel, Barnham Broom, The Broads Authority, Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Prosper Recruitment, The British Red Cross, The Millennium Library and Intu Chapelfield Shopping Centre.
Chloe Pitman, 19, from North Walsham, said: “The work experience has been helpful. I worked at Logans doing pot wash, serving food, making drinks. We’ve also done cooking competitions, we looked around the Mercure Hotel and Sprowston Manor, we’ve done mock interviews.”
Anderton Chigoneka, 21, from Norwich, commented: “I’ve really enjoyed the course. The mock interviews were the most useful part because it’s given me more confidence in doing job interviews. I’d like to get a Kitchen Porter or Commis Chef job, something in the kitchen. The MINT staff are very nice people, they’ve helped me a lot.”
Rita Allison, 24, from Norwich, added: “This course has helped me to grow my confidence in this sort of industry. It’s been really helpful and really good. MINT’s been really supportive. I’ve gained skills and confidence, a lot of things.”
The team at MINT are always keen to hear from local employers with hospitality vacancies, as well as those able to offer work experience to enthusiastic young people looking to work in the sector.
Come and join us for the second Engaging Norfolk event, following its successful launch on Norfolk Day!
At the launch event, David Macleod OBE introduced the four enablers for successful employee engagement. At this second meeting we will be focusing on ‘Strategic Narrative’, which relates to visible, empowering leadership that provides a strong strategic narrative about the organisation, where it’s come from and where it’s going.
We are incredibly lucky to have two fantastic speakers:
Faran Johnson
Chief Executive, Engage for Success
Faran joined Engage for Success in May 2018 as Managing Director following the newly formed alliance with CIPD. Faran has experience of large-scale cultural transformation in the private and public sectors and in private equity. Faran has worked within multinational complex organisations undergoing significant change – HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Clear Channel Outdoor Holding Inc, Reed Elsevier plc, AXA plc and First Data Corporation.
Chris Sargisson
Chief Executive, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
Successful local entrepreneur, Chris Sargisson was appointed as Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce in June 2017. Chris is a disruptor with over 25 years’ experience within digital start-ups and executive coaching. Launching hugely successful businesses including; its4me plc, an online car insurance broker and House Revolution, one of the UK’s first online estate agencies.
Chris is passionate about ensuring the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has a customer centric culture that can respond positively to changes in the external environment. Chris will share how he is ensuring his team connect to the vision of the organisation and know how the changes he is making will impact them and the part they play in the future of the organisation to ensure they are both engaged and delivering outstanding customer service.
We will also be enjoying a light breakfast giving you the opportunity to network with like-minded Norfolk businesses.
The tide of The Bodyguard has certainly caught our imagination. Over 11 million people watched the concluding episode on Sunday.
Right Angle Corporate have been offering a hugely popular Bodyguard Experience for the past three years; designed by former Scotland Yard detectives to give great authenticity. This immersive experience lasts for three hours and clients can expect this:-
Protecting The Principle – Weapons disarming (Firearms, Knives and sticks). This also supplements the healthy workforce philosophy and you don’t need to be Jackie Chan!
Sharp Shooting – Using simulated firearms (Laser weapons or air weapons). Bodyguards have to be first class shots. Clients will also be shown have weapons are concealed by Bodyguards and how they can be deployed immediately
Surveillance Exercise – Clients will be issued with covert radios and state of the art “bugging” and eavesdropping equipment. There is a threat to the principle and this has to be averted. Clients plan using special force’s briefing system. A suspect has to be followed using covert foot surveillance methods, usually the domain of the police and security services.
Scores are apportioned to each team. The winners receive some Scotland Yard branded items, marking the fact they are now Bodyguards.
Of course we could! This was one project we could really get our teeth into!
Gnaw launched in Norfolk in 2011. Now these premium chocolate bars and treats are available all across the UK and in 23 faraway countries. We devised a video to launch their new Chocolate & Granola Bars – with the focus on the delicious ingredients.
Our colourful concept involved stop motion animation. Fortunately there is a 24 hour McDonalds close to our studio as Emma & Alice found themselves working late into the evening thanks to the painstaking animation process. Basically…
Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot. Make some tiny movements, take a shot… you get the idea!
The shoot required a lot of precision. We even had to slice the orange segments very finely and cover the back in greaseproof paper to ensure no juice leaked on to our specially painted wood backgrounds! Meticulous. But hey the results were worth it!
Oh and Gnaw very kindly let us keep all the leftover chocolate! Yum yum!
If you are looking to promote a product or service with video content, give us a call on 01603 811855, we’d love to work with you!
BUILD SHARE THE SECRETS OF CSR – Congratulations to Jess and Ali from Norwich PR Company, Jet Social for organising tonight’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “Speed Dating” event for businesses and charities at Beluga where BUILD Chief Executive, James Kearns shared experience of working in partnership with business for mutual reward.
Kicking off their ‘better taste, less waste’ campaign signalling a revolution in pet-food packaging, Naturediet unveiled their vibrant environmentally conscious packaging at PATS Telford 2018.
The centre-piece of their PATS presence, we knew the importance of the eco-conscious Tetra Pak containers and partnered with Farrows Design, ensured this formed an integral part of Naturediet’s event from design to build. With advantages in ease of transportation, reduced waste, a lower carbon footprint, smaller CO2 emissions and not least leaving plastic behind, there was plenty to shout…or rather bark about. To draw attention to the big impact of this little package, we created a bespoke big-brother Tetra Pak, proudly welcoming visitors to the show and sign-posting to the array of products waiting on the stand!
Embodying their environmental efforts within the event, we worked closely to reuse and repurpose components of our previous projects with Naturediet to maximum effect. With bold type and rich colouring, the packaging paired brilliantly with the crisp white brick and natural wood tones of the stand. Integrated lighting ensured a consistently bright welcoming space, with bespoke display stands offering up 360° views of the products to visitors. Adapting these displays with custom product holders ensured a snug uniform fit, for maximum impact. Meanwhile clean back-lit branding displayed the Naturediet logo, with their promise of ‘the finest food – naturally’ arguably taking on new meaning with this launch.
An industry battling wastage & the challenge of good environmental practice in fast paced often transient events, we were delighted to play a part in Naturediet’s pioneering campaign as we are further inspired to deliver better events, with less waste.
If you like this story, check out more great content here. Planning your own exhibition or event? From product launches & specialist trade shows to conferences and brand experiences, we want our clients to ‘expect extraordinary’ nothing less.
Get in touch today to see how we can help you achieve your events success!
The Maids Head Hotel was delighted to host the Grand Norwich Duck Race Auction of large painted ducks on Thursday 20 September. We are very pleased to announce that we managed a successful bid to buy Edith, our racing duck, for the hotel.
Masterminded by auctioneer Elliot Symonds, the evening raised £4000 for Break, an inspirational Norfolk based charity which supports young people, children and families in need.
Edith, who raced in the Grand Norwich Duck Race on 26 August, is a tribute to Edith Cavell; this year is the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Edith Cavell monument in Tombland and the opening of the former Edith Cavell Home for District Nurses (now part of the Maids Head).
LazyLawn® seeks landscapers for licence opportunity as company grows
LazyLawn® is searching for business people, landscapers and home improvement firms in various areas to join its growing team, as the UK’s biggest artificial grass brand looks to train exclusive local licensed installers.
After recently being awarded Which? Trusted Trader’ status, LazyLawn® needs professional licensees to add to its professional network of accredited installers. Installing at iconic locations such as Center Parcs, Canary Warf, Liverpool One and Hilton Hotel, LazyLawn® is trusted throughout the UK, and has also installed for many celebrities including Sam Bailey, Amanda Holden, and The Real Housewives of Cheshire’s Ward family.
The increasingly popular brand LazyLawn® supplies over 10,000 gardens with artificial grass in the UK every year, with demand increasing by over 20% in the last 12 months. Offering a comprehensive range of artificial grass, plus new products LazyResin® and LazyBorders™, LazyLawn® is looking for the perfect licensees to take on lucrative areas as it seeks to expand.
Amanda Ford became a LazyLawn® licensee in 2013 with her husband Hayden. Amanda commented: “Becoming a LazyLawn® licensee is the best thing our company has ever done. “We were asked by a customer to install an artificial lawn and we thought this could be a great avenue to explore further. We were blown away by the quality of grass LazyLawn® offered. “Having the LazyLawn® brand, PR team, marketing team and technical people behind us was the support and guidance we needed and within two years we were crowned LazyLawn® Licensee of the year!”
Andy Driver from LazyLawn® said: “Demand for our products is growing extremely fast and we are on the lookout for new members for the team. “This is the ideal opportunity for those wanting to develop an existing landscaping business, with full training and support provided for each appointed licensee. “With the introduction of new products and many awards won, we are excited about adding to the team to offer every area of the UK the LazyLawn® experience.”
The successful licensee will benefit from full training and technical support, preferential prices, the right to use the LazyLawn® name and trade mark, access to marketing materials and much more.
Spire Solicitors LLP is pleased to welcome Protima Sikdar-Wood as Partner at Spire Solicitors LLP, joining the Norwich Commercial Property team.
Protima is an experienced Commercial Property solicitor, with a particular interest in the not for profit sector. Having qualified in 2005, Protima went on to work at Morrisons Solicitors LLP in London where she oversaw the Not for Profit Sector of the Firm.
Protima deals with general commercial property work which includes secured lending, commercial property development transactions and investment portfolios. She works closely with charities and other not-for-profit sectors in connection with their real estate assets and also will be working with the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team dealing with the property aspects of joint ventures and the acquisition and disposal of businesses.
In addition to her legal work at Spire Solicitors LLP, Protima is a Trustee of Emmaus Lambeth, a charity whose mission is to work together to overcome homelessness and exclusion.
Following her appointment, Protima commented: “I am delighted to be joining Spire and to be working in the Norwich office, as part of the Commercial Property team. The firm has shown large growth in the last 5 years and I am confident my skill set and practice interests will be beneficial to the growth strategy, continuing to solidify Spire Solicitors LLP as one of the most recognised law firms in the area.”
James Knight, CEO, commented: “Protima has a wealth of experience alongside an impressive track record in high-value transactions and will be a continued asset to our highly regarded Commercial Property Department, which is now one of the largest specialist teams acting on commercial property matters in Norfolk.”