We’re heading into July full speed ahead – and here’s just a glimpse of the momentum: 🚐 A new van is being ordered to support our growing fleet and expanding operations. 👋 We’re excited to welcome a new instructor starting on Monday – fully equipped and ready to hit the ground running. They’re looking forward to meeting the team and our fantastic customers! 🛠️ Craig has been out and about delivering expert consultancy – always keeping safety at the heart of everything we do. 🤝 We’re proud to have welcomed 3 brand new customers this week – great to have you onboard! 📅 July is virtually fully booked, and we’re now taking bookings well into the next few months. 🚀 Time really does fly when you work for Shield – and we wouldn’t have it any other way. ☎️ Get in touch if you are interested in health & safety training or consultancy for your business.
It’s been another fast-paced and rewarding week – here’s what we’ve been up to:
👋 We were delighted to welcome Katie Norwood from the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to our Norwich office – great to connect and share what Shield is all about. Thanks for visiting, Katie!
📍 Craig has been out on-site with customers delivering IOSH Managing Safely training, as well as offering tailored health & safety consultancy and advice.
🎉 A big shoutout to our newest team member, Kian, who has just completed his first full week delivering novice forklift training – off to a flying start!
🚐 Our instructors have been delivering training across East Anglia – from forklifts to first aid and everything in between. Did you spot a Shield Health & Safety van on the road this week?
📅 We’ve welcomed 2 new customers, had plenty of bookings, and we’ve just launched new IOSH Open Course dates, along with Open Emergency First Aid at Work sessions – ideal for individuals or smaller teams.
Lots happening – and we’re loving every minute of it!
This was the question we explored on Tuesday 20th January at the Maid’s Head Hotel, there was a buzz around the room as Dean Pierpoint, Skills Director at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce provided an explanation, using the employers voice gathered from our survey, into the complex skills system that has been developed and why a brokerage system could help businesses to navigate and help to simplify the system. Katy Dorman, Apprenticeship Strategy Manager for Apprenticeships Norfolk, followed up and explained how a brokerage system has brought success to Apprenticeships Norfolk.
Employers and training providers were made to earn their breakfast as roundtable discussions got underway. Engaging conversations were had throughout the room as 3 key questions were put forward and the 3 top answers:
What part of the brokerage service would make the biggest positive difference to your organisation?
Single point of contact & visibility of the service
Signposting and awareness of opportunities
Full-service knowledge e.g. grants, funding, sharing of knowledge and understanding of terminology
What barriers or challenges should the brokerage solve first to be genuinely useful for employers?
Lack of connectivity – available providers, flexibility, support
Understanding what the business really needs – more focus on upskilling
Collaboration between training providers
What does success look like for you if brokerage becomes fully operational?
People in learning, in the correct courses, with the correct output
A simple to navigate, understandable skills system
Focussed brokerage for specific industries – supported through the whole process
Employers are clear that brokerage only adds value if it simplifies an otherwise fragmented system. Guidance and support through the system are the biggest challenges that need to be addressed and a hub of individuals that understand what’s best for businesses and able to assign the best provision to the business. Ultimately the goal of brokerage would be to put people on appropriate courses for the individual and the business.
Hi everyone! I’m Charles, founder ofBudease, and I’m excited to join the Norfolk Chambers community!
Budease exists to help small businesses simplify what’s slowing them down, build what’s missing, and scale what’s working. I work directly with founders and business owners to take the pressure off day-to-day operations, get clear on growth strategy and put better systems in place so you can run a business that’s actually built to grow.
Whether it’s clarifying your offer, streamlining how things run behind the scenes, or finally sorting that CRM that’s been on your to-do list for months, I roll up my sleeves and get stuck in. No fluff. No jargon. Just practical, business-first support designed to get results.
I’ve recently moved to Norwich and joined the Chambers to connect with like-minded businesses, support others where I can and build something meaningful locally. If you’re ever feeling stuck in the weeds of your business or want a fresh perspective on how to grow, I’d love to chat, even just over a coffee.
You can learn more atbudease.co.ukor drop me a message directly on 07795184328. Always happy to hear from fellow members.
Thursday 12th June was a proud and exciting day for Warren, as our HR Director, Estee Ross was invited to attend the Apprenticeships Ambassador Network Celebration at the prestigious House of Lords in London.
The event, which had been postponed from 2024 due to the general election, finally took place on a beautiful sunny day in the capital. It was a fitting setting to recognise the ongoing efforts of organisations like Warren that are actively promoting apprenticeships across Norfolk and beyond.
Estee said: “It was such a special moment to be at the House of Lords – what a fantastic building! It’s actually much bigger than I imagined. I felt truly honoured to be there, representing Warren and all the work we’ve done to support apprenticeships in our region.”
Estee was invited by The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, who unfortunately had to send her apologies on the day, as she was required in the House of Commons. Nonetheless, the event was a great success, with guests from across the apprenticeship community coming together to share ideas and celebrate progress.
Estee was also able to catch up with Lisa Peter from Norfolk Apprenticeships, whose support has been invaluable over the past few years – especially in helping Warren benefit from Levy sharing arrangements with larger employers to support the cost of training.
One exciting announcement from the day was the confirmed date for the next National Apprenticeship Week: 9th–15th February 2026 – a key date for the diary as Warren continues to champion skills development and opportunity through apprenticeships.
Congratulations to Estee on being recognised at such a significant event – and thank you for continuing to fly the flag for apprenticeships and future talent at Warren.
The IOSH Managing Safely course is the industry-standard health and safety qualification designed for managers, team leaders, and supervisors across all sectors. Delivered over three engaging days, this training provides essential knowledge to help delegates confidently manage health and safety responsibilities within their teams. New dates available 3-day course… 29th, 30th September & 01st October.
Certified by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) — the world’s largest health and safety membership organisation — this course combines expert instruction with practical application, ensuring long-lasting impact.
Norwich Airport has reported another successful summer season, with passenger numbers up 5% year-on-year between 1st April and 31st October 2025 to 332,251.
The increase of 15,822 builds on last summer’s exceptional 23% growth and reflects the continued success of new services launched by Ryanair – which began flying from Norwich for the first time in April 2024 with routes to Alicante, Faro and Malta – and other major operators like TUI and KLM.
Ryanair’s arrival proved a major catalyst for growth last year, and demand has remained strong. Entering the winter 2025/26 season, Ryanair’s Malta service has been extended to twice-weekly throughout the winter, joining Alicante, which became a year-round destination last year.
Airport bosses say having two year-round Ryanair routes introduced so soon after the airline’s launch from Norwich is a clear vote of confidence in the airport and the region, as well as a real boost for local passengers seeking greater choice and convenience.
Looking ahead, TUI will continue its summer schedule to Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, the Canaries and Balearic Islands, and KLM continues daily flights to Amsterdam up to four times daily. There is also a regular scheduled service to Aberdeen with Loganair.
Richard Pace, Managing Director of Norwich Airport, said: “We’re delighted to see more growth in passenger numbers this summer, following last year’s exceptional increase with the arrival of Ryanair, and the continued support of all our airline partners. The extension of Malta and Alicante to year-round services is a real boost and we’re already looking ahead to next summer when we anticipate further growth as more people choose to fly local.”
Norwich Airport was recently ranked among the UK’s top airports for passenger experience in a major national survey, performing strongly in areas such as customer service, security and check-in. Passengers praised the airport’s efficient operations, shorter queues and relaxed atmosphere.
Norwich Airport currently serves 19 destinations and directly employs around 250 people. It is part of leading UK regional airport operator Regional & City Airports.
A group of year 10 students from Springwood High School enjoyed a unique behind-the-scenes experience of professional cookery, as part of a takeover event at the Novus restaurant at the King’s Lynn campus.
The students had the chance to step into the roles of trainee chefs and front-of-house staff, learning from current CWA hospitality learners to produce and deliver a full-service dinner to their guests. Over the course of the day, students developed practical skills in food preparation, kitchen organisation, hospitality service and teamwork; all under the guidance of industry-trained lecturers.
Tasks included preparing dishes from scratch and coordinating service between the kitchen and dining room, ensuring guests received a high standard of food and customer care. For many of the students, it was their first experience of working in a professional kitchen environment, and the event gave them valuable insight into the careers and further training opportunities available at the College within hospitality and catering.
College of West Anglia lecturers praised the students’ professionalism and commitment during the takeover, noting the positive attitude and enthusiasm they brought to every task.
The Novus takeover initiative is part of CWA’s wider approach to raising aspirations and giving young people practical insight into career pathways. By opening its professional training restaurant to school partnerships, the College continues to create meaningful opportunities that connect classroom learning with real industry experience, helping local students to build confidence and make informed decisions about their futures.
Try a height-adjustable desk for free – Exclusively for Norfolk businesses
Electric height-adjustable desks are rapidly replacing traditional office setups – and it’s easy to see why.
They reduce prolonged sitting (a leading cause of back-related sick days) and can even give your team a boost in focus and productivity – the research backs this up.
If you’re looking to modernise your workspace and give your staff a healthier way to work, switching to height-adjustable desks is a smart place to start.
And the best part?
If you’re a business owner or manager in Norfolk, you can trial an electric height-adjustable desk for free. We’ll deliver and install it at your workplace, so your team can experience the benefits firsthand, with no commitment.
We’ve been supplying height-adjustable desks to small and medium-sized businesses across the UK for years. In 2025, demand has soared
But we believe you shouldn’t have to commit to a full upgrade without trying it first. That’s why we’re offering Norfolk businesses the chance to trial an electric height-adjustable desk for free. We have a range of frame and tabletop options to suit your space, style, and setup.
👉 Email us at sales@millarwest.co.uk today to arrange your free trial.
The Art Exhibition ‘Sea State’ has recently opened at Wolterton Hall. Featuring original and specially commissioned works by Maggi Hambling, including a very personal collection of paintings created after the death of her partner Tory, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity for all art lovers. The exhibition is free and open every Wednesday to Sunday.
To complement the exhibition, we are also putting on several musical and theatrical events andwe’d like to offer fellow members of the Norfolk Chamber a 20% discount on all tickets. We have two operas; one outside on the southern lawns overlooking the lake, the other as part of a very special opera and dining experience in the Saloon. We also have several theatre productions including an outdoor performance of Macbeth and a fun play called Ladies Day. Details of all the performances and including several excellent dining experiences can be found at wolterton.co.uk/events-arts-and-culture.
Please use the promotion code CHAMBER20 when booking to receive your discount. We hope to see you soon!
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