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The Norfolk Mead, which reopened to guests on 4 July, is delighted to have received two industry standard accreditations for their Covid-prevention measures.

Firstly, the Norfolk Broads National Park-based destination venue has been certified as AA ‘Covid-confident’ following an assessment by the AA Hotel and Hospitality Services. The Norfolk Mead successfully passed the AA’s stringent criteria including: – Supplying evidence of a completed risk assessment document. – Providing clear evidence that relevant safety procedures and measures are in place. – Showing that staff training has occurred. – Signing up to the Covid Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required.    Secondly, The Norfolk Mead was one of the first hospitality establishments in the East of England region to sign up for the VisitEngland ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard mark demonstrating that they had quickly made the necessary changes to their day-to-day workings, including social distancing measures and staff training.    James Holliday, Owner of The Norfolk Mead commented: “We are very proud to have received both the AA and VisitEngland accreditations to recognise the measures we have and continue to take to ensure the safety of our guests and staff. We welcome these schemes as an easy way for guests to identify the businesses which are taking the threat of covid-19 seriously, and hope they help provide reassurance and confidence.     “From cold fogging of rooms, through to Perspex screens and staff temperature checks and PPE, we are providing both a safe environment, but also one that continues to deliver our high quality, luxury home from home level of customer service, despite circumstances being slightly different from normal. Our staff are so happy to be back at work, and it is a complete delight to see the Hotel welcoming guests once more. This has been reflected in the joy our guests have shown when coming in for drinks, a meal, or a trip on our boat.    “We also welcome the government scheme offering reduced VAT on hospitality and tourism services and the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme for August. We have reviewed our prices accordingly and will be offering three courses for £36 in our two star AA Rosette-standard restaurant. We will also be delighted to offer the Eat Out scheme in addition to guests once it is up and running … meaning diners can also save 50% of their bill up to £10 per person on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday throughout August.”    The Norfolk Mead are taking bookings for Hotel Rooms, Dine and Stay packages, Lunch, Afternoon Teas, Dinner, Spa Treatments and Day Boat Hire. Call 01603 737 531 or email info@norfolkmead.co.uk

Did you know that nearly half of all care workers leave within a year of starting? Care work can be incredibly challenging – both physically and mentally.

The team at Safepoint have analysed this sector to answer the question: How safe is the health and social care sector?

Read more here.

Can you afford to spend £6500 dealing with the impact of a cyber attack?

According to Techradar that is the average cost of a breach in the UK. Whilst we hear most about hackers targeting big businesses the majority of targets are SME’s. The reason hackers prefer them is because they often don’t have the resource or the know how to adequately protect themselves.

That’s where we come in. To help SME’s from falling victim to cyber crime we are now booking 15 minute no obligation Cyber Surgery calls with one of our Security Consultants. We are happy to answer any Cyber Security questions you have, even if you aren’t sure where to start!

Click the link below to set up your call.

https://labsec.co.uk/cyber-surgery/

TaxAssist Accountants has been shortlisted for the Franchisor of the Year accolade at the bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards, to be held at the Vox, Birmingham, on 30th November.

TaxAssist Accountants is the UK’s largest network of small business specialist accountants, with more than 385 shops and offices servicing 76,000 clients. It is also the UK’s leading tax and accountancy franchise, with previous British Franchise Association (bfa) successes including winning Franchisor of the Year in 2010, as well as Bronze in 2015 and Silver in 2008 and 2009.

It will be competing with five other well-known franchise brands before a judging panel of industry experts and receiving a nomination is an achievement in itself, proving the business works ethically and in the best interests of franchisees and staff.

Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive said: “At a time of such economic and social turmoil, it is very welcome good news to have once again been shortlisted as a finalist for this prestigious award, and very rewarding for the 60 strong Support Team to have their hard work and achievements recognised in this way.

“We received fantastic feedback from our franchisees and their clients on the support provided prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to putting forward a very strong case as to why we should win to the judging panel.”

Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO of the bfa, said: “TaxAssist Accountants has been a long-serving member of the bfa, adhering to an airtight, ethical operation. In 2019, network sales grew by 9%, as did client numbers and recruitment figures as, despite a struggling high street, the business excelled.”

Andrew Brattesani, Head of Franchising, HSBC, said: “TaxAssist’s initial training for new franchisees and ongoing support is rigorous, with other courses available and optional for franchisees and staff, such as the Management Development Diploma, which has had a very good take up.”

If you are interested in joining TaxAssist Accountants, it is holding monthly Virtual Discovery Days where you can spend a day with the team to find out more about the business opportunity and support on offer. Visit the website www.taxassistfranchise.co.uk for more information.

Briar Chemicals welcomed a group of Chemistry students from the University of East Anglia who are studying Chemistry to provide an insight into the manufacturing industry.

The 2nd year Chemistry students met with a team of Briar’s Chemists and Chemical Engineers to understand first-hand how the chemistry they learn at University can be applied on an industrial scale.

The visit was arranged by Dr Tharin Blumenschein, Director of Employability at the UEA School of Chemistry, who has been working with Briar Chemicals over the past few years organising various student visits. Dr Blumenschein said: “A group of mostly 2nd year Chemistry students at UEA had a great time learning more about the Chemistry done at Briar. We were able to see reaction vessels up close, and understand the difference in scale between the Chemistry performed in the teaching laboratory and what happens in industrial settings. The weather helped, too, and made the walk between the different buildings very pleasant.”

“We finished the day with an impromptu discussion of the safety risks and precautions involved in Chemistry work.”

The group of UEA students were taken on a tour around the site; visiting the production plants, control rooms and analytical laboratories. Following the tour, they had the opportunity to talk to the team about the career pathways available in the chemical industry.

Briar Chemicals are passionate about providing a platform and sharing their knowledge with aspiring young scientists; to develop skills for a sustainable future.

Tim Green, Site Manager said: “It is our responsibility to develop skills for the future by investing in the next generation and the community in which we operate.”

As part of Briar’s education programme, the company offers work experience, summer placements and a year in industry student placement; helping to build a foundation of knowledge for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Briar has been shortlisted for the UK’s Chemical Industry Associations Reputation Award for recognition of their involvement within the community and will be attending the awards ceremony in June.

The Health and Safety Executive have released their latest annual report on workplace fatalities in the UK. Every year the Safepoint team creates an insightful infographic roundup of these statistics to help create a better understanding of these numbers and how they reflect the current safety climate.

See the infographic roundup here

Coronavirus is still with us

Norfolk County Council have released a new campaign around the correct use of face coverings following the latest Government advice.

View poster for shops to encourage people to wear face coverings inside stores.

New recruits have recently joined the Business Development, in-house Payroll and Tax Consultancy and Finance teams, with two Senior Managers taking on new roles in Compliance and International Development.

While the Norwich-based TaxAssist Accountants Support Centre staff may still be working from home, this has not hindered recruitment, with a number of teams recently bolstering support to the franchise network with new additions and promotions.

Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive Director says: “I am pleased to report that as a result of the exceptional support of our franchisees and their clients, careful financial husbandry and an outstanding technical platform, our business is in a good position, and as such, we can continue to recruit and enhance the support functions within the teams at the Support Centre.

“I would like to congratulate the staff who have been promoted and extend a warm welcome to the new members of the team.”

Kelly Chick, has joined the Business Development Team as Senior Marketing Manager. Kelly has an extensive background, having worked for a brand and marketing agency, and has experience of working with B2B and B2C businesses. Kelly will take responsibility for driving marketing campaigns to increase new business for TaxAssist Accountants franchisees.

The two in-house teams which offer bespoke services for franchisees, continue to go from strength to strength. The Payroll Team has been joined by IPPM-qualified Jo Dye and Marta Dorszewska, a CIPP qualified payroll technician. They join an experienced team of three. Diane Deller, who heads up the Tax Consultancy Team has recently been joined by Claire Ellis. Claire, who is ATT qualified, is an experienced tax practitioner and will further enhance the range of services that the team provides.

The Finance Team has taken on an additional Finance Manager, Erika Torrez Barrientos ACCA who is an experienced management accountant. Erika will focus on management accounting and reporting, as the growth of other Group businesses, including Services, London, USA, and our other growing international operations and UK plans, requires increasingly greater and more complex financial controls and support.

Senior Manager Tim Duffield FCCA has been promoted to Group Senior Compliance Manager. His new role will see him taking on the responsibility for advising and guiding the directors and Senior Management Team with overseas compliance matters and best practice, as the Group continues to develop its international interests. Tim will also continue to support the franchise network with a range of Technical Manager duties.

Richard Chatten-Hague QFP, DipFM has been promoted to Senior Manager, Global Franchise Support & Vice President, Franchise Support. Having held senior roles in both the Franchise Recruitment and Business Development teams, supporting the network in the UK,  Republic of Ireland and Australia, Richard has responsibility for managing global franchise recruitment strategies and providing initial and ongoing training and support to international Master Franchisees,  US Area Representatives and their network of franchisees.

In this article, we explore the concept of workplace wellness, the benefits for business and some of the practical steps you can take to support your team’s wellbeing.

Red the full article here

Please click onto the document to read this week’s market summary.