It took Michael Portillo little more than 10 years to get a seat in the Commons and then rise in power and esteem to a point where he was a favoured leader of his party and possible future PM.
A track record like that suggests to many a privileged friend of the rich and famous with little or no understanding of or care for the ordinary citizen. But since leaving the House a decade ago Michael has endeared himself to many with his obvious respect for solid workmanship and creative energy, as found in our great Victorian Railways, and the daily toil of the working man.
A historian at heart, he has used a victorian railway guide to take millions of viewers on a historical voyage of discovery throughout the UK, Ireland, the USA and Europe.
Listen to his extraordinary story and then feel free to question him about it.
Commenting on the Budget, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance & Public Affairs for Norfolk Chamber said:
“The good news included: boosting of the Annual investment Allowance to £1 million, which will help stem the weakening in business investment, as a result of Brexit uncertainty; a package of support for high streets to adapt, including a reduction by a third in rates for those retailers paying an annual rental of £50,000 or less; and those employers seeking skills improvements will benefit from a 5% reduction in apprenticeship levy.
“However, whilst the Chancellor announced that the era of austerity was coming to an end, overall schemes and incentives specific to our region, in comparison to other UK areas, were in short supply.
“There is still no indication of when the broken business rates system will be overhauled and no specific funding to support full mobile coverage along our key transport corridors which would be a crucial step to improving digital connectivity and productivity for businesses.
“We need the fundamentals fixing, such as the long overdue dualling of the A47, faster more reliable rail, mobile and broadband to enable our innovative and dynamic business community to reach new heights and deliver economic growth and jobs for Norfolk.”
After our last highly successful (if slightly snowy…) event, where we saw 100 young professionals & entrepreneurs gather at the Rooftop Gardens in Norwich, we are delighted to be bringing you another exciting event in Norfolk. These events have continued to receive a massive uptake from the Norfolk business community, and we can’t wait to see both new and familiar faces at GEN-E 5!
For those of you who are new to GEN-E we provide plenty of opportunity to network, as well as hosting a guest speaker who will deliver an engaging presentation on a relevant matter. The guest speaker for this event will be Chris Reeve, Managing Director of Reeve Social Media & Co-Host of the Talk Norwich City Podcast! ????⚽️
Chris is going to be talking about a subject he has never spoken about before, no clues here but we can confirm the title of his talk: Adversity = Success!
We are so excited to be hosting our next Gen-E event on Friday 10th June at the very popular Junkyard Market, where you can expect to find a great atmosphere, great conversation and, of course, a great selection of drinks!
Due to high demand, we will be releasing tickets for this event on a first-come first-served basis on Wednesday 1st June 8:30am. To register your interest, please contact Rose on rose@gen-e-networking.com
Who’s it for?
Young professionals based in Norfolk who are wanting to connect with their local business community.
Agenda
17:30/18:00 – Arrival drinks and networking
18:30 – Welcome and presentation from guest speaker
19:00 – Networking and drinks
20:00 – Close
Cancellation policy
We have a maximum of 100 places on this event. Should you need to cancel your ticket at short notice, we cannot offer a refund however will move your ticket to a future Gen-E event of your choosing. Please notify us if you are no longer able to attend in writing to rose@gen-e-networking.com
Commenting on the announcement that planning permission for EDF’s nuclear power plant in Hinkley Point, Somerset, has been approved, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“British business is clear that nuclear power is a vital ingredient in the UK’s long-term energy mix. Planning approval for Hinkley C is a major step in the search for energy security and a huge opportunity for local businesses in Somerset and beyond.
“While this announcement is positive, Britain’s first new nuclear plant in nearly two decades is not a done deal yet. Planning permission alone does not mean the project will proceed; complex negotiations on energy pricing must also reach a successful conclusion. Whatever the financial deal reached, it must offer value for taxpayers and certainty for business energy users – who need clarity on their costs and on security of supply.
“Planning approval for Hinkley C is only one step in the much-needed upgrade of the UK’s energy infrastructure. It must not be the only step taken – as without a comprehensive UK energy security strategy, our business competitiveness will be seriously diminished.”
Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said:
“This announcement sends a clear message that the UK’s new nuclear build programme is on track. Local businesses are keen to play their part in developing the supply chain for nuclear power, and the Chamber has been at the heart of this effort. Here in Somerset, more than 1,200 companies have taken the necessary steps to ensure that they are ‘Hinkley ready’.”
Caroline Williams Chief Executive Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is great to see Hinkley C getting planning permission as it brings Sizewell C a step closer to the region. The Chambers have a key role to play in developing their supply chains and we look forward to ensuring that Norfolk businesses are ready to take full advantage of the business opportunities both locally and in Hinkley”
Head out and about for £2 and save money when you travel there by Bus
Whether you travel for your weekly shop, daily commute, time with friends or seeing new places
Any single bus fare will cost a maximum of £2 until the end of March.
With fuel prices still high, and cost of living ever increasing, many are still reconsidering their travel options, and we are urging you to try the bus.
A simple switch to one or two journeys by bus is not only better for the environment but better for your pocket too.
If you travel from Dereham, Watton, Hingham, Wymondham, Stalham, Wroxham into Norwich, you will pay just £2*.
Simply pay the driver for your journey as you board the bus
Travel more often, buy a bundle of 10 single tickets on our Konectbus app.
If you’re not sure if this flat fare is right for your journey, compare some of our other ticketing options available to you here
The £2 Bus Fare Cap Grant runs from Sunday 1st January until Friday 31st March and is supported by the HM Government’s Help for Households scheme. which is designed to support families and help spread the costs of living by offering affordable travel options.
This offer is valid on the following bus routes across our network.
Agrimech Services Ltd Agrimech is a leading UK manufacturer of End of Line Weighing, Bagging and Palletising Systems for a wide range of products.
Synergienet Synergienet offer an all round business support service, whether its finding a way to maximise your sales force or analysing the pro’s and con’s of a new market sector, they have the experience to help make it happen.
Pro Gen Research Pro-Gen-Research provides family history research both to the legal profession to assist in tracing lost beneficiaries and to individuals seeking help with building their family trees.
AKA Consulting With over 20 years experience of driving strategic Supply Chain excellence with strong commercial and project management skills.
Adept Supply Chain Solutions Adept Supply Chain Solutions Ltd (ASCS) is a business management consultancy that helps micro and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) to achieve increased competitive advantage and sustainable year-on-year organic growth through improvements made in supply chain productivity and efficiency.
R W Walpole R W Walpole Ltd is a long established horticultural business propagating a wide variety of soft fruit plants.
Ash Tree Barns A perfect venue a wedding, hen party, holiday, birthday celebration, or corporate event
Scream Blue Murder Scream Blue Murder was formed in 1993, with a mission to deliver great design that communicated with our clients’ audiences.
Quantum Jump Quantum Jump provides Effective, simple and reliable credit control – based in your office, DVA, Debt Verification Audit, sale ledger cleansing (separating the time wasters from the real issues), dispute mediation and resolution, and realisation of inequitable debt.
Nor-Folk Fiona Burrage, the founder of Nor-Folk is an award-winning independent photographer, art director and creative director.
St Edmunds St Eds is a collaborative vocational learning hub providing an alternative learning provision for young people entering Construction, Transport Maintenance, Catering & Hospitality and Hair & Beauty.
Pink Spaghetti Personal Assistant – Virtual Assistant: At work; at home
Fakenham Racecourses Fakenham Racecourse is situated in the beautiful north Norfolk is the perfect choice for corporate events including business seminars, conferences, sales exhibitions, parties and large, open-air events.
Pharos Marine Automatic Power Global leader in customised marine aids to navigation products and remote power solutions for the offshore Oil & Gas industry,
Fancy something different for lunch… join us for our 3rd series of free “Bite Size” Business Seminars which start in January 2017
Developed with Norwich Business School and industry professionals, the “Bite Size” Business Seminars are ideal for researchers, students and entrepreneurs.Each free session is just an hour long and focuses on a specialist subject, providing insights and knowledge from industry experts.
Next session:
Marketing – Understanding Branding: Five Things Not To Do With Nick Ruston & James Church, Robot Mascot
During this talk by Robot Mascot’s Creative Director Nick Ruston, you will
• Discover the most common reasons brands fail
• Be able to identify areas where you can improve your brand
• Find out the Dos and Don’ts of brand strategy
Following Nick Ruston’s talk, he will be joined by Marketing Director James Church for questions from the audience. Robot Mascot is a full service creative agency based in Norwich.
All sessions are free but booking is essential. To book click below
Lunchtime sessions run January – November 2017, other sessions in the series include:
Intellectual Property Friday 27th January , 12 noon to 1pm
Finance Tuesday February 14th 2017, 12 noon to 1pm
Leadership & Management Friday 3rd March 2017, 12 noon to 1pm
Starting a Business Friday 10th March 2017, 12 noon to 1pm
Vattenfall, an offshore wind farm developer has opened their consultation on their latest offshore renewables project – Norfolk Boreas.
They intend to construct an offshore windfarm in the southern North Sea, approximately 73km from the Norfolk coast, covering an area of around 725km2. The project has a proposed export capacity of 1,800 MW, mirroring the same capacity as their Norfolk Vanguard Project. Therefore both applicants have to apply for a development consent order.
The consultation opens on Wednesday 07 November 2018 and closes on Sunday 09 December 2018. This is your opportunity to share your views on the different elements of the project either in person at their consultation events or online.
Six public consultation events will take place along the route of the onshore cables and an event in Norwich. The dates, times and locations are as follows:
The Red Cross’ Gervais Koulombe will talk about the experiences of migrants living here in Norwich, UEA’s Alexandria Innes will discuss her work with the pressure group Citizens UK and New Humanist’s Daniel Trilling will take a wider perspective on the issue.
Format: The Dragon Hall Debates are jointly presented by UEA and Writers’ Centre Norwich. These FREE events are open to everyone, and no prior knowledge is needed. The speakers will talk briefly, and then the audience are invited to ask questions, offer opinions and the discussion opens up.
The results from Quarter 3 revealed that firms in the manufacturing sector were experiencing recruitment difficulties. In the services sector, Norfolk firms reported an increase in domestic and export sales. Meanwhile in the manufacturing sector, the balance of firms reporting an increase in export sales and orders also fell from the last quarter. Uncertainty over future trading conditions is continued to act as a brake on business investment in both the manufacturing and services sectors.
The Chancellor delivered his budget last week and, whilst there was some good news for the high street, overall announcements on schemes and incentives specific to our region, were in short supply.
Is economic uncertainty impacting on your business; have you seen an increase in sales and orders; are you having recruit difficulties; or facing supply chain challenges, it’s more important than ever that as many Norfolk businesses as possible complete the survey.
Now we are in the fourth quarter – how are Norfolk businesses reacting to the current economic climate? Today (Tuesday 06 November 2018) is the first day of the fieldwork period for the Q4 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).
The QES is the largest independent business survey in the UK and is used by both the Bank of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to plan the future of the UK economy. It is also closely watched by the International Monetary Fund.
You can have your say by completing the QES online NOW. It takes less than 3 minutes. The completion deadline for this survey is midnight on Tuesday 27 November 2018. The Q4 results will be published week commencing 02 January 2019.
Key Norfolk findings in the Q3 2018 survey:
Norfolk Manufacturing sector:
The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales remained static at +35, while those reporting improved domestic orders fell from +35 to +30
The balance of firms reporting improved export sales fell six points, from +44to +38, while the balance of those reporting improved export orders fell from +31 to +27
The percentage of firms attempting to recruit fell from 85% to 75%, Of these, 100% reported recruitment difficulties.
The balance of firms increasing investment in plant/machinery remained static, whilst those investing in training rose drastically from +5 to +30
Norfolk Services sector:
The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales fell sharply, from +34 to +17, while those reporting improved domestic orders fell from +28 to +12
The balance of firms reporting improved export sales also fell, from +35 to +14, while those reporting improved export orders fell from +22 to +10
The balance of firms expecting to raise prices over the next three months increased substantially from +19 to +42
The percentage of firms looking to recruit fell from 82% to 73%. Of these, 84% reported difficulties
Take part in our “Flip it for EACH” pancake race this Throve Tuesday!
We’d love you to submit a team from the office, to come & flip a pancake and raise some money for EACH!
The event will be taking place at the Forum, Norwich, where will be joined by Celebrity chefs Richard Hughes and Richard Bainbridge. As well as making pancakes for you to flip, trainee chefs from Norwich City College will be cooking fresh pancakes for everyone to enjoy – more reason to bring the whole office along!
We are accepting teams of 4, with each participant receiving a free chef’s hat & apron – and the opportunity to win a prize for both the winning team & fastest individual!
To join us, please register online at: www.each.org.uk/flip-it(Registration open from 5thJanuary 2017).
We are expecting a media buzz on the day, so be sure to publicise your company logos – or fancy dress!
Any questions get in touch – otherwise we hope to see you there!!
Discover what you need to know before starting a business.
If you’re about to start a new business, you’ll find this half day masterclass invaluable. It will give you the tools you need to take your idea from the drawing board to the real world.
You’ll get expert advice,helpand encouragement in areas such as:
Writing a good business plan Sourcing finance Managing cashflow Meeting your legal obligations Taxation and VAT Marketing
You’ll also get the chance to network with others planning to start a business.