Member News

Norfolk-based RQ Capital is celebrating its tenth year of lending – in the last ten years, the firm has completed over 200 loans with a total value of £151m. This has funded the development of 750 homes and assisted in planning permission for a further 1,000 homes. RQ Capital lends money to developers across England and Wales from its headquarters in East Anglia, helping smaller property developers to secure the funding they need to build and complete projects. Founded by Robert Gurney in 2012, the firm has created an excellent niche of providing bespoke property finance for smaller property developers. Robert commented: “RQ Capital is a property lending business that has the feel of the old traditional bank – in the sense that we aim to provide a personal and efficient service. “With the uncertain economic times we are all facing, our clients are grateful to have that personal touch and be able to discuss their options with a friendly, expert team they can trust.” George Craig, Director at RQ Capital, said: “As a small team we are immensely proud of the milestones we have achieved together over the past decade, and we are very positive about the future of the business. “We work incredibly hard to provide exceptional customer service and this has helped us to grow and keep growing. To achieve further success, we plan to raise awareness of our services by increasing our digital presence and marketing activity. “We are proud to be headquartered in Norfolk and to offer our services as a national provider. Locally we have access to a great network of property developers. We are also members of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, partners of the NFCI and Constructing Excellence in Norfolk.” To celebrate the company’s ten-year anniversary, the business has launched a new website. Find out more here: https://www.rqcapital.co.uk/ Image provided by RQ Capital – The RQ Capital team pictured (left to right) Stephen Kenworthy Head of Finance, Paula Milligan Office Manager, Robert Gurney Managing Director, and George Craig Director.

The Norfolk & Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival is an interactive event aimed at young people to help inspire them for their future career. The event takes place annually in March at Norfolk Showground, with both inside and outside stands available. The event will be open on: Wednesday 9 March 2023 between 9:30am and 3:30pm Thursday 10 March 2023 between 9:30am and 1:30pm Exhibitor Bookings for 2023 are now open. If you are interested in attending this event or want to find out more, please complete the form here. Exhibition Stands are based on a 3m (w) x 2m (d) booth, located inside the Norfolk Showground Arena. Double stands can be booked if you require a larger space and space only stands are also available both inside and outside the venue. Please discuss your requirements with our team if you need any further information. Prices for stands: 3m (w) x 2m (d) Booth Inside£350 +VAT 6m (w) x 2m (d) Booth Inside£625 +VAT Space Only Inside- £300 This is a wonderful opportunity for your organisation to connect with Norfolk and Suffolk’s young people, your future workforce. The festival is designed to meet the requirements of the statutory guidance from the Department for Education and also provides a platform to demonstrate your organisation’s support for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk as they decide which career, study, training or employment option will be their next step.

Get Ready for Business Growth is an Arts Council England funded programme designed to help creative businesses that are looking to grow. It is bespoke to each business’s needs, entirely free and takes place online. There is more information about the programme and the first stage of the application process at https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre/get-ready-for-business-growth

Janet Mui is Head of Market Analysis at RBC Brewin Dolphin, and is top of her game in a male dominated industry. Janet handles over 60 million pounds in investments and is a regular face on news channels commentating on economic issues. Having grown up in China, Janet chats to Mark not just about why wealth management is important for entrepreneurs and business leaders, but also how she had to learn to adapt to British culture in order to ‘make it’. Janet speaks frankly about her experiences as ‘the only woman in the room’, battling prejudices around ‘diversity hires’ and feeling like she has to prove that she really is the best person for the job. She believes in the importance of diversity and financial education, discussing how we don’t talk enough about money, or educate young people in how to deal with it. Janet also chats to Mark about the realities of how you can sleep at night when handling big money, what people get wrong about personal finance, and how not to lose yourself on the way to the top. Show notes: You can find Janet on LinkedIn here Visit RBC Brewin Dolphin here LinkedIn Top voices in finance! Money Made Easy podcast Become an expert commentator BBC 50/50 The Equality project Jamie Dixon Leadership & Life Chat episode Books: Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works – Roger L. Martin Lean In A Woman Makes a Plan – Maye Musk The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk or leave us a voice note here. You can listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcast, or click here to listen now! You can also watch on YouTube! Click here We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk Listen here! © Larking Gowen LLP

Leading law firm Howes Percival has advised the shareholders of Touchdown PR Limited on the sale of the entire issued share capital of the company to US headquartered Ruder Finn, one of the world’s largest independent global communications and creative agencies. 

Howes Percival advised the sellers on all aspects of the transaction from heads of terms stage through to completion. Forward Corporate Finance also advised the sellers. Hogan Lovells International LLP acted for the Buyer. 

Founded by James and Emma Carter 16 years ago, Touchdown specialises in servicing clients in the enterprise technology innovation sector, ranging from cyber security, data protection/management and storage, big data, AI and cloud. 

Touchdown helps brands break into markets typically dominated by incumbent technology companies, by delivering earned, owned and paid media airtime.  Clients include Barracuda, Bitdefender, Exabeam, Cubic, Globalization Partners, Forter, and Progress Software. 

The agency operates in North America, across Central and Western Europe and in all major Asian markets and is headquartered in Basingstoke and Austin, Texas. 

The Howes Percival team was headed up by Oliver Pritchard with assistance from Lizzy Page and Tom Maksymiw (corporate), Jonathan Mumby (employment) and Jenna Bruce (intellectual property, IT and data protection). 

Howes Percival’s Oliver Pritchard commented, “We were really pleased to be able to advise Touchdown on this transaction. The deal represents a good outcome for all parties and lays the foundations for a positive future working relationship going forward. Despite the recent economic uncertainty, there is still an appetite to complete M&A transactions.  We continue to receive instructions from sellers who are looking to sell their businesses for a good price and there are certainly businesses looking at acquisitions to facilitate growth.” 

James Carter, CEO at Touchdown commented, “Despite the aggressive timeframe for the deal, the team at Howes Percival remained diligent, thorough and professional the entire way through the process.  We always felt our interests were kept front of mind during the negotiations and the team’s attention to detail and commitment to get the job done played a key part in keeping a fast-moving deal on track.” 

For more information on Howes Percival’s Corporate team or help with acquisitions or disposals, please visit our website here https://www.howespercival.com/services/corporate/ 

Image of Oliver Pritchard, Howes Percival provided by Howes Percival

Contract Personnel are one of East Anglia’s largest independent recruitment agencies – helping companies fill their vacancies for over 33 years. They specialise in Temporary and Permanent recruitment and operative in the Driving, Industrial, Commercial and Engineering sectors. With offices in Norwich and Thetford, new and exciting jobs are always being added to their website. The company have also launched their brand new Interview Job Bus, which is currently visiting Great Yarmouth Market each week to help people into work. People are able to arrange interviews and registrations in the bus, with the ability to meet in different towns and villages across Norfolk & Suffolk. The bus regularly visits locations across the area and also can be found at local events. Follow Contract Personnel on Facebook for the full lowdown. Contract Personnel are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you would like to have a chat about how Contract Personnel can help your company, get in touch with the team today. Their Norwich office can be reached on 01603 764044 and Thetford 01842 750222. Or you can register a vacancy here – https://contract-personnel.com/register-a-vacancy/

From Saturday 19th November, step inside our magical Christmas grotto, where you’ll have the chance to meet Father Christmas himself. Our elves will be on hand to help you to create your very own Christmas bird feeder wreath and children will also have the chance to offer a special wish to our conservation wishing tree! Help Father Christmas save our native birds at Banham Zoological Gardens this festive season. Our magical Christmas grotto returns for 2022, offering you a unique, fully immersive Santa experience. Step foot into our magical woodland-themed grotto as our Christmas elves guide you through two enchanting activity rooms, before getting the chance to meet Father Christmas himself. What’s included Our Christmas Grotto experience offers 3 Christmas-themed activities as well as all-day entry to the zoo! Once you have checked in to Santa’s workshop, children will meet our very own conservation Christmas elves, and will offer a Wish for the world on our awe-inspiring Christmas Wishing Tree! Up next, head inside our woodland workshop, where our elves will be on hand to explain the importance of protecting native species and will help you create your very own Christmas bird feeder wreath. Finish your magical Christmas experience with a trip inside Father Christmas’ front room. Meet Father Christmas in person where each child will receive a special present, helping them to protect native birds this winter. Each Christmas Grotto ticket includes entry to Banham Zoological Gardens, where you’ll have the whole day to play, learn, and discover more about our natural world. Ride the Winter express, warm up at our Nutcracker hot chocolate shacks, meet some of our smallest residents in the Discovery Centre for Conservation Education, and going to eye to eye with some of the world’s most amazing animals. This truly is a unique Christmas grotto experience, that’s not to be missed. Book online: www.zsea.org/banham/tickets/banham-zoo-christmas-grotto

Norfolk Blood Bikes were established in Oct 2011 and provide a voluntary service to the NHS and Mental Health Units in the County of Norfolk. The video below explains the tasks they carry out on a daily basis. https://norfolkbloodbikes.org.uk/

Walking Home For Christmas is Walking With The Wounded’s annual, nationwide walking challenge to support our work helping wounded Veterans re-ignite their sense of purpose and get back on their feet with positive physical and mental health. Walk any distance, any time between 9-20 December. This Christmas – MAKE IT HAPPEN for them. Sign up for free here Walking With The Wounded ‘WWTW’ deliver employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering programmes in collaboration with the NHS to get those who served, and their families, whether mentally, socially or physically wounded, back on their feet and making a positive contribution once more. Why? Because those who served, deserve.

The Feed has Christmas hampers on sale now! They make a great gift for clients, staff or friends and family. ???? Packed with great Norfolk food and drink products ???? Voucher to use in our cafés included ???? Vegan options ???? Mini hamper is a great budget gift of a Feed reusable cup and tea or coffee Order here: https://www.thefeedhampers.org.uk/

 Firm also 12^th in the top 25 East of England Best Companies to Work For list 

Leading law firm Howes Percival has been ranked in the nationwide ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list for the third year running, and 12th in the top 25 East of England Best Companies list. 

The list celebrates excellence in workplace engagement and is widely acknowledged as the most searching and extensive research into employee engagement carried out in the UK.  

The results are based on employee opinions on how the company supports wellbeing in the workplace, gives something back to society, shows strong leadership and teamwork, provides opportunities for personal growth and offers fair pay and benefits.  Only the organisations with the highest level of overall employee engagement qualify for the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list.  

This year’s list confirmed Howes Percival in 59th position in the UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work For category and 12^th in the top 25 East of England Best Companies to Work For list. 

The firm achieved a 2 star Best Companies accreditation, which is given to organisations with an ‘outstanding’ commitment to workplace engagement. In addition, Howes Percival ranked 8^th in the Top 10 Best Large Law Firms to Work For 2022 list.  

Howes Percival provides a full service legal offering to corporate and private clients.  Clients include Government departments, international brands and household names. The firm also maintains a strong core client base of SMEs and family-owned businesses, plus high net worth individuals.   

Howes Percival’s Chairperson, Geraint Davies, commented, “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Companies to Work For, again.  To be listed three years running demonstrates the kind of consistency and progression we, as a management team, have been aiming for.  We have been on a journey, and it has taken long term commitment and investment from the firm, but we have firmly positioned Howes Percival as a progressive, people-first employer of choice. 

“The listing is based on employee opinions, so to get this reinforcement from our own people makes it very special indeed. The pandemic forced everyone to think differently about how we work, and support staff and we’ve used that to reinvent a lot of what we do.  We have created far more ways of listening and communicating with our staff and a whole raft of new initiatives to support career development, management training and personal wellbeing.  It means supporting staff by running everything from a ‘mini MBA’ programme to making sure that every employee’s home working set-up is healthy for them and safe, as well as ensuring the technology enables them to work effectively. 

“We’ve listened to and worked with staff to evolve our flexible working guidance to strike the right balance for everyone in terms of home and office.  Our “locate for your diary” approach was developed around staff feedback and striking the right balance between working from the office and working from home. Being more flexible and allowing our people to work how they see fit, while supporting their teams and clients, has improved engagement, effectiveness and demonstrates trust in our people.” 

Geraint concluded, “As well as improving the engagement of our existing team, the work we’ve done is so important in terms of recruitment. We want to keep and nurture the people we already have, but we also want to grow the firm by attracting the very best people. When the employment market is as competitive as it is now, this accreditation can make a huge difference. Applicants know that all our roles have been comprehensively benchmarked in terms of salary and benefits and that we will provide a safe and supportive environment where their career can flourish.” 

For more information about working at Howes Percival visit: https://www.howespercival.com/careers/careers-main/working-at-howes-percival/ 

Image provided by Howes Percival

Are you feeling festive and want to give something back to the local community this Christmas? Why not come and support the friendly team at Blickling Estate by volunteering at the spectacular ‘Garden of Lights.’ As an Events and Projects Volunteer you could be doing anything from giving a warm welcome to visitors and supporting their journey around the beautiful garden of lights, to serving mulled wine and mince pies at the historic temple overlooking the lit Parterre garden. From Monday November 28th – Sunday December 18th we’ll be celebrating the festive season here at Blickling Estate, creating unforgettable moments for our supporters and doing what we do best – making the world a more magical place. If you enjoy talking to others and giving exceptional service and a friendly smile, this opportunity could be for you. To find out more and for details on how to get involved, contact Angela.Brook@nationaltrust.org.uk or head to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteering and search for Blickling Estate. Image provided by National Trust