Member News

Greater Anglia passengers can now enjoy new state-of-the-art trains across the whole of the network as new commuter trains entered service between Ely and King’s Lynn. New trains are now in service on every single route in the Greater Anglia network, with many routes operated exclusively by new trains. The new trains went into service on the King’s Lynn route on Monday 7 February, when the company started running extra services as commuters carry on returning to the office. In the new timetable, two services every weekday are running to King’s Lynn. The new trains are scheduled to run as the 06.18 King’s Lynn to Liverpool Street and 19.07 Liverpool Street to King’s Lynn, both via Cambridge and Ely. The new electric commuter trains on the King’s Lynn route have been made in the UK by Alstom, who are supplying 133 five-carriage trains which can be coupled to run as ten-carriage trains. Each carriage of the new Alstom Aventra Class 720 trains is longer with more seats than carriages of Greater Anglia’s old trains. They have USB and plug points, fast free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, improved accessibility features including an accessible toilet on every train, passenger information screens and dedicated cycle spaces. The trains are the first in the UK to have underfloor heating which works with an overhead heating and ventilation system to improve passenger comfort and increase foot room for passengers sitting in window seats. They feature regenerative braking which delivers energy back into the electrical supply network, rather than wasting the energy through heat, as is the case with conventional systems. Some are already in passenger service on routes between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge, Hertford East, Southend Victoria, Southminster, Braintree, Clacton, Ipswich and Colchester Town. Ely to King’s Lynn is the final route on the network to see the new trains. Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia client and programme director said: “We’re very pleased that customers between Ely and King’s Lynn are now able to enjoy our new trains. “We know from customer feedback that customers enjoy the added comfort, the plug and USB sockets and other improved features these new trains have. “We’ll continue rolling out new trains in the coming months as part of our plan to replace all our old trains with brand new trains.” There are already new trains operating all services on the Norwich–London Intercity, Stansted Airport–London Stansted Express, Norwich–Cambridge/Stansted Airport, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Sheringham, Ipswich–Cambridge, Peterborough, Felixstowe and Lowestoft, and Marks Tey –Sudbury routes. The company is continuing with enhanced cleaning and sanitisation paying particular attention to high touch areas such as push buttons and grab handles. The company is also asking passengers to continue to wear face coverings on trains and stations, following government advice to wear them in busy places.

22% off the latest Roller and Vertical Blinds. This February, you can save 22% on the latest Roller Blinds and Vertical Blinds.. To celebrate the launch of the latest fabrics, designs and colours, we’ve made the cost of owning these new blinds much more affordable with a friendly 22% off for 20222. www.norwichsunblinds.co.uk

First Intuition celebrates the launch of two new courses, Awareness of Digital Finance and Understanding Data Analytics, by offering free informational sessions as part of its Digital Technologies Week. The award-winning accountancy training provider is expanding its portfolio of training courses to continue to be at the forefront of providing valuable training for the accountancy and finance industry. First Intuition will host events during Digital Technologies Week, taking place from 21 – 25 February 2022, to raise awareness about the growing importance of digital technologies in the finance industry and how businesses can start their upskilling approach. The role of digital technologies and data analytics are becoming increasingly critical for finance professionals. Finance now encompasses a magnitude of new digital products, digital businesses, finance-related software, and novel forms of digital based customer communication and interaction. Chief Executive of First Intuition, Gareth John, comments “It is clear that automation, AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, data analytics and data visualisation, aren’t replacing human ability but are amplifying human ability allowing accountants to add more value and to have more impact. These technologies are dramatically changing the roles that finance professionals play and the skills they need.” It is imperative that businesses keep abreast of these changes and trends to stay competitive, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. As a result, First Intuition is launching a week of free informational content for employers on this topic during its Digital Technologies Week. Including speaker forums, focus groups, blogs, and other useful insights into the rapidly mainstream field. Events include: The Growing Role of Digital Technologies and Data Analytics in Accountancy and Finance Thursday 24 February 2022 – 08:30-10:00 – Register here This session will discuss the way in which accountants and other finance professionals are increasingly exposed to a variety of digital technologies. Expert speakers and panellists will take a closer look at these new digital technologies, how they are changing roles, why they are important for the growth of the industry, and what employers can do to keep up with these changing technologies. Digital Technologies and Data Analytics Forum Friday 25 February 2022 – 08:30-10:00 – Register here This session will introduce First Intuition’s new courses that will give structure and clarity to how finance professionals can ensure their teams understand the implications of digital finance technologies. As well as start to harness the benefits they offer in terms of improved efficiency, cost control and revenue generation. First Intuition, in partnership with Generation CFO, have designed and developed its new ‘finance-flavoured’ programmes to help accounting and finance professionals gain a better awareness of the digital technologies which are relevant to the finance world. As well as the impact they are having on the business environment, and how the finance professional can provide insight and impactful support for business decision-making. Details of the two new courses are below: Awareness of Digital Finance This programme provides a broad overview of a variety of digital finance technologies, and the opportunities they offer to accounting and finance professionals. The course is designed to be a non-technical programme and provides a good starting point for accountants to build awareness across the increasingly important area of digital finance. Understanding Data Analytics This programme goes deeper into each capability of Data Analytics, Advanced Analytics and Data Visualisation, including looking at their methods, skills and tools. This is a non-technical programme but includes guidance for further technical learning and learning pathways. The course is designed for those wishing to progress from the Awareness of Digital Finance programme to focus on data analytics. Find more information about First Intuition’s Digital Technologies week here. For more information about First Intuition’s new courses, please contact

We are delighted to be partnering with local mental health charity, Norfolk and Waveney Mind as our official charity for 2022. The need to support ourselves, colleagues, family and friends couldn’t be more-important, with up to 84% of people thought to experience a mental health problem at some point during their lifetime The partnership will see Fosters organise and volunteer at fundraising events, and help raise public awareness of the importance of mental health and the work of the local charity. Ashley Bunn, Director of Strategy and Development at Norfolk and Waveney Mind, explained the importance of their work: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind are busier than ever, 60% of adults and young people who did not experience poor mental health before the pandemic, are now experiencing mental health issues.” Fosters’ Chief Executive Chris Brown, added: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind have for years undertaken great work in our community and the need for their services has never been higher. When our staff nominated Mind to be our Charity of the Year, the commitment and enthusiasm to get involved in such an important issue was huge. It means alongside our fundraising efforts, we can be involved in some of their important and engaging activities throughout 2022.” To learn more about the charity and its work, please visit their website. For more information about Fosters’ events and work in the community, please visit our Community page.  

EN is celebrating 40 years and we would love your help to mark this special anniversary. Since opening in 1982, thousands of students have studied at the college and progressed to amazing careers. We would love to hear from former students, parents and former staff with their memories and photos of EN throughout the last four decades. We would also like to hear from members of the local community who might have pictures or articles relating to the college from across the last 40 years. Share your story through art, photos, paperwork, podcasts, video or in writing and later in the year we will add your story to our 40 years celebration online gallery. Everyone who takes part will be sent a 40th anniversary gift and we will also keep you up to date with latest news from EN and give you the chance to be involved in our celebrations in August. By sharing your story you will inspire the students of today and for the next 40 years. Please join in by contacting marketing@eastnorfolk.ac.uk

Accountancy training firm, First Intuition, has launched its first Accountancy Salary Guide to help provide benchmarking information on salaries at different levels in accountancy careers. Data collected from First Intuition’s clients between May – June 2021 form the findings on average salaries, rewards and benefits, and retention across different regions of East Anglia. The results indicate that there are significant regional differences in pay across East Anglia for trainee and qualified accountants across all levels. The Accountancy Salary Guide 2021/ 2022 not only provides a model for salaries to ensure businesses remain competitive within their market, but they also mark a point to monitor change before the effects of the pandemic took hold. Gareth John, Chief Executive of First Intuition explains the motivation behind the Accountancy Salary Guide. “Clients often approach us wondering whether their planned salary bands are in line with those offered by other organisations in their local area. In response to this, we conducted a confidential survey of salaries offered by the employers that we work with across East Anglia.” The survey data covered questions on what firms pay their employees at different stages of qualification, the rewards and benefits they offer and what affects these, as well as retention rates 12 months after qualifying and techniques used to retain staff. Some notable findings include:

• Cambridge has the highest average salary in East Anglia at £29,047 across all levels of accounting
• Suffolk (excluding Ipswich) has the lowest average salary in East Anglia at £24,800 across all levels of accounting
• £16,174 is the average salary for school leavers across East Anglia
• £20,814 is the average salary for graduates across East Anglia
• 86% of employers still have 90% + of their intake 12 months after qualifying
• 91% of employers pay the same for apprentices and non-apprentices at the same level
• Increased Responsibility is the most popular method used to retain staff
• 40% of employers do not reward employees for passing exams
• Around half of respondents’ use advancing in competency/ capability and passing exams as a measure for setting monetary rewards
• On average, employers pay newly qualified AAT staff moving onto higher level qualifications 8% more than graduate entrants starting those qualifications without having done AAT

The spring/ summer of 2021 provided the perfect opportunity to collect this benchmark data on accountancy salaries before the impact of recent upward pressure on salaries took hold. The accountancy and finance industry is already seeing changes in salaries across all levels as low retention rates, high recruitment competition, and lack of qualified staff is fuelling wage pressure. This data is therefore not only a great guide for salaries, but it also represents a good starting point to monitor change before the impacts of the pandemic took root. First Intuition hope to continue to monitor average salaries year on year, not only to offer guidance and information but to track change. Download the full East Anglia Accountancy Salary Guide 2021/ 2022 here: https://www.firstintuition.co.uk/fihub/accountancy-salary-guide/. First Intuition is an award-winning training provider that has been training accountancy students for AAT, ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW exams for over ten years. With training centres across the UK, First Intuition offers first-class attention to student care and customer service. First Intuition delivers classroom courses, distance learning options, accounting apprenticeships, as well as a post-qualification education programme.

Great Yarmouth town centre is at the heart of life in the borough. Thanks to funding from the Future High Streets Fund, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has a unique opportunity to create a safer, cleaner, greener space for residents and visitors to enjoy. The work will bring together a multi-million-pound programme which also includes the new covered market, a new library and learning hub in the former Palmers building, and fresh investment in restoring and repurposing our historic buildings. Our aim is to create an active and flexible town centre that has the potential to adapt to host both daytime and evening events, such as market days, theatrical performances, seasonal activities, and art displays. You can learn more about the proposals at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/new-town-centre and give your views there using our online survey. The consultation runs until Monday, March 14, 2022.

“A four-day working week six-month pilot programme has been launched in the UK. Participating companies and organisations will trial a four-day week with no loss in pay for employees based on the principle of the 100:80:100 model. This entails 100 per cent of the pay for 80 per cent of the time, in exchange for a commitment to maintain at least 100 per cent productivity.”  Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/358xqI4 What do you think about flexible working?  Do you currently work a 5-day week?  Do you think it would make any difference to your productivity if you worked 4 days a week?

Tiger Eye are delighted to announce that Norfolk and Waveney Mind has been selected as the organisation’s charity of the year for 2022. Following a staff vote, Norfolk and Waveney Mind was selected for its vital work in the local community, providing advice and support for those experiencing problems related to mental health. Norwich-based IT specialists Tiger Eye are passionate about supporting positive work-place mental health and wellbeing and have received a number of awards and accreditations for their internal wellbeing scheme. The organisation hopes to make a difference to the lives of people within Norfolk and Waveney by supporting the charity with their vital work. Whilst part of the Mind network, Norfolk and Waveney Mind are an independent charity who raise their own funds. Tiger Eye will fundraise for the local mental health charity throughout the calendar year through a number of events and activities and look forward to generating crucial funds for the cause where possible. Julie Wilson, Admin Services Director at Tiger Eye, added: “As a business, we aim to create an environment where staff feel able to talk openly about mental health, encouraging positive mental health through the appointment of our mental health champions team, as well as the delivery of awareness training and workshops. It is no surprise that Norfolk and Waveney Mind was chosen as our charity of the year, as the business’s values are shared by our staff, and we are all looking forward to supporting this charity over the coming months.’ Norfolk and Waveney Mind support those within the community with their mental health and wellbeing from prevention support to crisis support. The charity offers an extensive range of mental health services, along with associated training, advice, and information, working to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, support people in recovery, and champion better services for all. To learn more about Norfolk and Waveney Mind click here. To learn more about Tiger Eye click here.

Ignite your workforce and start a community engagement project this year! Community engagement takes a strategic approach to the interactions and relationships between your business and the local community to try to influence outcomes for both. When you engage with your local community, it can help you develop a more socially responsible business and make more informed decisions. Get in touch to arrange a call to explore further: sarah@ignitepeoplesolutions.co.uk

Greater Anglia is adding more weekday services from Monday 7 February in anticipation of more people travelling to work in the wake of Plan B restrictions being lifted. More trains will run on all the main routes into London Liverpool Street from Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, Southend Victoria, Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford East. The intercity service between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London Liverpool Street will become half hourly for most of the day, only operating hourly for parts of the evening. A normal regional weekday service will operate, including four additional peak services on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth line, which will be reinstated. The Stansted Express service between London and Stansted Airport will continue with mostly two trains an hour but with three trains an hour at certain times. The company has seen a steady increase in passenger numbers since the Government lifted Plan B restrictions – including removing work from home guidance – with numbers expected to grow in coming weeks as companies prepare to welcome workers back into offices. Greater Anglia’s commuter numbers are expected to reflect widely reported changes to working patterns, with people doing a mixture of working from home and going into the office, and mid-week days being the most popular for travel. Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “We’re pleased to be to welcoming customers back, whether they’re travelling to work or school and college, or for a fun leisure trip. We’re aiming to match the number of services we run to the number of passengers using them. “We want to provide a safe, reliable and punctual service for our customers, but we also want to provide the best possible value for taxpayers as we are now funded entirely by the government and so ultimately taxpayers. “Throughout the pandemic, we have altered our services depending on passenger numbers and government guidance. “Although like everyone we hope the pandemic is nearing an end and that we are approaching a more normal period, we will continue to monitor passenger numbers and make any further adjustments to our services if necessary. “It’s safe to travel on our trains, even when it’s busy, as we have good ventilation on board and we will continue with our enhanced cleaning and sanitisation. “We’re asking passengers to continue to wear face coverings on our trains and stations, following government advice to wear them in busy places. “We look forward to seeing more and more people travelling by train again over the months ahead and to providing the best possible service for them.” Greater Anglia’s weekend timetable remains unchanged. Passengers can check train times on the Greater Anglia website. Anyone who has tickets for a train which is no longer running as a result of these timetable changes can catch the service either immediately before or after it or can apply for a refund free of charge.

Norfolk Blood Bikes is the 100% volunteer out-of-hours urgent transport service to the NHS in Norfolk. One of the most important but less well-known aspects of our work is the collection and delivery of Donated Human Milk for poorly babies which we do in partnership with the Human Milk Foundation (HMF). Often, we will visit donating mums in the community and deliver the precious cargo to the HMF storage Hubs in Norwich or Harpenden, we also deliver direct to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) when the need is urgent. We need help The 22 special boxes we have for this task are no longer fit for purpose. We need to replace these with Clinically safe and approved boxes to continue this vital work. Each new box will cost £100. Like so many charities, our fundraising has been massively hit by the Pandemic and we are only just getting back on our feet with this, we are still using up our reserves to stay on the road. Our appeal Is there an organisation out there that would consider sponsoring the purchase of the new boxes? Thank you for any help you can give. Contact Bill Farrow, Chair, Norfolk Blood Bikes: chairman@norfolkbloodbikes.org.uk 0300 365 1909