Member News

Please join us in giving a suitably raucous Beacon welcome to Nathan McGeary, who’s joined the team as our newest Support Engineer! 🎉

Nathan comes armed with an impressive toolkit: 3CX, Horizon, NEC phone systems (SV8100/9100, for the aficionados), and enough M365, Intune, and Azure know-how to make a lesser mortal weep gently into their Group Policies. From on-prem servers to cloud environments, Macs to iPhones, switches to firewalls — the man knows his way around both the virtual and the very-much-plugged-in.

In short: if it connects, pings, rings, or syncs, Nathan can tame it.

We threw him into the Beacon fire pit (politely, of course) and asked a few critical questions:

💬 What’s your go-to productivity hack or tech tip?
👉 A mouse with a side scroll and programmable shortcuts (yes I am a geek), the productivity increase was incredible.

💬 If you weren’t in IT, what job would you be doing instead?
👉 I’d likely be in a kitchen, I trained as a chef in my younger years and love to make food that makes people smile

💬 If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?
👉 Triple Chocolate Shortbread – because who doesn’t want to be an over sweet Scottish treat

So far, no one’s cried, nothing’s caught fire, and Nathan’s even smiled at a Monday morning — we’re calling that a win.

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If you or a loved one prefers to remain in their home despite the care and support needs they face and going into a care home is NOT an option, Please call us 01553 766806 

We will attend to carry out a free care assessment to assist you decide which type of home care best suits your needs. This is a No Obligation assessment and available across Norfolk

Age UK Norwich is celebrating the resounding success of its Over 50s Night, held on Wednesday 14th August, which sold out well in advance and kept the dance floor buzzing from start to finish. Guests enjoyed a vibrant mix of music, laughter, and community spirit, proving once again that great nights out aren’t just for the young – they’re for the young-at-heart.

The atmosphere was electric, with fantastic vibes carrying through the entire evening. Attendees mingled, danced, and connected in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Many guests commented that it was “the best night out they’ve had in years,” and staff were thrilled to see the event bring so much joy.

A special shout-out goes to DJ Lee, whose brilliant music choices kept the dance floor full and the energy high all night. From classic floor-fillers to singalong favourites, the soundtrack was the heartbeat of the event and a huge part of its success.

One attendee said: “I’ve only recently found out about Age UK Norwich events. Very impressed about the range of activities and thoroughly enjoyed the disco at Mr Postles”

Another Attendee added: “It’s the first time I’ve gone out and not felt lonely”

Social isolation is a real challenge for many older people in Norwich, with loneliness affecting physical and mental wellbeing. Events like the Over 50s Night provide a vital opportunity for people to come together, make new connections, and feel part of an active, supportive community. By creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, Age UK Norwich is helping to tackle isolation one dance, conversation, and shared laugh at a time.

The night also saw a heartwarming return for Mark and Toni, who first met at the Over 50s Night in 2024. The couple came back to celebrate on the eve of their wedding, telling organisers that the event had changed their lives. “We couldn’t think of a better place to spend the night before our big day,” they said. “This is where it all began for us.”

The Over 50s Night continues to be one of Age UK Norwich’s most popular social events, offering a safe, fun, and friendly way for people to enjoy live music, meet new friends, and feel part of a thriving community.

We Hear You – and We Want to Do More!
We’ve listened, and we know you want more organised nights like these. Events like this need support to keep them going – and we’d love to make it happen again. Do you know a business, organisation, or individual who could sponsor the next Over 50s Night? If so, get in touch at comms@ageuknorwich.org.uk and help us keep the music playing and the dance floor full.

Water is a finite resource, yet many businesses remain unaware of the role they play in the UK’s growing water scarcity challenge. The Water Literacy Programme is an accredited course designed to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools to reduce their water impact and drive sustainable change.

Through this interactive training, participants will gain a deeper understanding of water challenges in the UK, learn practical strategies to reduce water consumption, feel empowered to lead your colleagues, support your communities, and influence your industry to consciously adopt a sustainable water-use approach. 

The Water Literacy Programme is funded by Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge, Northumbrian Water, Groundwork East, Waterwise and their partners. More details: 

• The first 2,000 spaces are FREE
• Available in England, Scotland and Wales
• Online or in-person sessions, created by water industry experts
• Courses require 7-8 hours of learning
• Modules driven by scientific research
• Multi-media tools and resources to enrich the learning journey

Book directly onto the courses: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/water-literacy-programme-4015383

As a Norfolk-based insolvency and restructuring firm, we see first-hand how resilient, creative, and hard-working our local business community is. But we also see the pressure many businesses face, whether from rising costs, economic uncertainty, or sector-specific challenges.

At Leading, we believe our role goes beyond insolvency. We’re here to support business resilience, offer practical guidance, and work in partnership with local professionals to help businesses navigate change — whether that means recovery, restructuring, or in some cases, responsible closure.

Here’s how we’re supporting Norfolk businesses through ongoing change, and how we’re proud to be part of the region’s long-term success.

Working in Partnership with Local Professionals

We work in partnership with trusted professionals, from accountants and solicitors to advisers and business support teams, helping them extend their services without the need for a dedicated insolvency function.

By giving their clients direct access to insolvency and restructuring experts, partners can be confident they’re providing a seamless, high-quality service when financial difficulties arise.

Whether a business needs advice, support with restructuring, or a formal liquidation, we ensure the process is handled with professionalism, care, and clarity, keeping both the referrer and their client informed every step of the way.

Supporting Businesses Across Every Stage

Insolvency may sound like an “end-of-the-road” term, but our work can often be about turning things around. We help directors understand their position, weigh their options, and take the right steps forward.

Whether it’s:

Helping a viable business restructure its debts,

Facilitating a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA),

Guiding a director through a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL),

Or simply offering advice before things escalate…

…our goal is always the same: to deliver clarity, reduce stress, and help businesses find a constructive way through.

A Local Firm With a National Standard

As a firm authorised by the ICAEW, and a member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) and R3, we operate to the highest professional standards — but we remain grounded in the Norfolk community.

We’re also proud to be Strategic Partners of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, which allows us to contribute to the wider conversation about local economic recovery, business health, and growth.

Our team of over 70 professionals, including three licensed insolvency practitioners, brings national-level expertise — but with a down-to-earth, approachable style that reflects our roots.

If your leads are drying up or your site isn’t converting, it might not be your product, it might be your visibility.
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🥇 This week marks a special milestone—11 years since Shield Health & Safety first opened the doors to a safer workplace environment. Over the years, the business has evolved steadily, believing that consistent growth and investment are key to providing the best service. Building a team of highly experienced instructors has been central to our success, allowing us to be your trusted partners in creating safer workplaces.
Craig, owner, Managing Director shared this morning: “For eleven years, we’ve been dedicated to raising the standard of health & safety throughout East Anglia and the UK. The Shield team’s commitment to protecting our customers through exceptional training courses and expert H&S advice is a testament to our continued success. I look forward to where the next 11 years will take us.”

Despite a busy period—especially with two of our instructors enjoying a well-deserved holiday 🏖️ —the rest of the team has been working hard across Norfolk, Suffolk, and East Anglia, delivering top-quality training and support. Craig has also been out instructing and providing consultancy services to new clients, which is always great, to meet new people and help them build safer workplaces.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Shield Health & Safety journey. Here’s to building safer, healthier workplaces together! 🚀
hashtagGet in touch if you’d like to learn more about our training courses including IOSH Managing Safely or Emergency First Aid at Work. 🚑
💻 Sales@shieldhealthandsafety.co.uk
🛡️ 01603 652029

Shane Julian, director at Brancaster House Financial Planning, has been shortlisted for Young Advisor of the Year East and & West Midlands at the inaugural Young Financial Planner Awards 2025, hosted by Money Marketing.

This prestigious new awards programme is designed to spotlight the rising stars of financial planning – those who are bringing fresh thinking, energy, and impact to a profession that’s undergoing significant change.

Why These Awards Matter

The financial advice sector is at a crossroads. With many experienced advisers set to retire in the coming years, and fewer young professionals entering the field, the future of financial planning depends on nurturing and recognising new talent.

The Young Financial Planner Awards (YFPAs) aim to do just that. Whether nominees are graduate trainees, paraplanners, or early-career financial planners, the awards celebrate those who are already making a difference—through client care, innovation, and a genuine passion for helping people navigate life’s financial decisions.

Shane’s Journey and Impact

Shane joined Brancaster House with a clear mission: to provide thoughtful, personalised financial advice that empowers clients at every stage of life. His approach is rooted in empathy, clarity, and strategic insight – qualities that have quickly earned him the trust of clients and colleagues alike.

From helping first-time buyers secure their dream homes to guiding young families through long-term planning, Shane has shown exceptional promise and professionalism. His shortlisting for Young Advisor of the Year is a testament to his dedication and the positive impact he’s already making.

“Financial planning isn’t just about numbers – it’s about helping people feel confident in their decisions and secure in their future. I’m honoured to be recognised and excited to keep learning and growing in this profession.” – Shane

About the Awards Ceremony

The YFPAs will take place on Thursday 9 October 2025 at Convene, 155 Bishopsgate, London, following the MMI London Conference. The event will bring together early-career professionals, industry leaders, and supporters to celebrate innovation, potential, and the future of financial advice.

Looking Ahead

At Brancaster House, we believe in supporting the next generation of financial planners. Shane’s recognition is not only a personal achievement – it’s a reflection of our commitment to nurturing talent, investing in professional development, and ensuring our clients benefit from forward-thinking advice.

We’re excited to see where Shane’s journey takes him next, and we’ll be cheering him on at the awards ceremony in October.

Congratulations, Shane – from all of us at Brancaster House. We’re here for your whole journey 🙂

Making Business Feel Lighter – One System at a Time

After a brilliant welcome into the Chambers community (and some great conversations already!), I wanted to share a bit more about what Budease actually does, starting with one of the most popular things I help business owners with: operational modernisation.

For many small businesses, things grow quickly… but the behind-the-scenes processes don’t always keep up. That’s where things start to feel heavy: too many manual tasks, unclear roles, and too much time spent doing things that should be easier.

At Budease, I help small businesses redesign the way their business runs, simplifying admin, tightening workflows, and setting up systems that scale with them. It’s not about making things more complex; it’s about making things feel lighter.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “surely there’s a better way to do this,” there probably is and I can help you find it!

I’m also gearing up to launch some practical, friendly workshops this autumn, designed to give local businesses the tools and clarity they need to move forward faster. If that sounds up your street, keep an eye out – more on that soon!

And as always, if anything’s feeling stuck in your business, drop me a message. I’d love to hear from you.

Charles

Jess, a student from the College of West Anglia, is set to take on an incredible challenge — a charity skydive in support of a great cause, The Joe Dix Foundation.

To help make the most of this opportunity, Jess has launched a JustGiving page to raise vital funds. Every donation, large or small, will help her turn this daring leap into meaningful impact.

You can find out more and make a contribution through the link below, or by scanning the QR code provided.

Let’s show our support and help Jess make a real difference.

Joe’s  Story

Joe was just 13 when he was groomed into a county line drug dealing gang in Norwich. It was a life that he struggled hard to get out of for many years.

When he turned 17 he was given a youth referral order which really helped him escape this life style and start work. However, when Joe had turned 18 he was brutally attached and stabbed 7 times by 3 males from a rival gang, on his way to help a friend.

At Swarm we are well known in Apprenticeship Training circles for our Market Research Apprenticeship course which has been transforming careers and departments in Marketing as well as in specialised Market Research itself!

The best way to understand the Market Research Apprenticeship and how it has helped transform Marketing departments and their effectiveness for the business, is to hear from apprentices and employers themselves.

We’re pleased to be able to share these interviews with you from 3 of our Market Research apprentices on the course with us. If you would like to hear more, if you have specific questions, or would like real stories from employers too, give us a call on 0800 086 8199 or email Louie on louie@swarmgroup.org.uk

You can take a look at the details of the Market Research course here on our website:

Market Research Executive Apprenticeship | Level 4 Training

Or if you’d like a chat, call us on 0800 086 8199 or email Louie on louie@swarmgroup.org.uk