Member News

Eastern Voice & Data, a business technology provider based in Norwich are celebrating after winning the national award for Network Project of the Year. Eastern Voice and Data has been established for over 20 years and have built an enviable reputation and were awarded the accolade at the Network Computing Awards 2021 event held in London on the 21st of October. Russell, Managing Director, explained “One of our clients is the Boudica Schools Trust, and we provide technology services to their multiple academies across Norfolk. This includes the new Bure Park Specialist Academy in Great Yarmouth and Sprowston Community Academy in Norwich.” The installation was designed and implemented to enable the central IT team to control technology services via a secure cloud-based portal. This includes IT Network Switches, Wi-Fi, Security Firewalls, Door Access Control, CCTV, and Voice Communications.   The design and implementation of this solution was deemed noteworthy enough to be referenced by leading network manufacture ZyXel as a case study. It was then put forward as ZyXel’s entry for Network Project of the Year 2021 at the National Computing Awards. Callum Jackson, the Technical Director for Eastern Voice and Data who led the installations added “We designed and implemented a network that would harden security protecting against threats from both inside and out. A primary goal was for the entire network to be centrally managed by the trust IT team with the aim to reduce the amount of site visits and increase the visibility of any issues. The project ensured continuity of equipment and configuration throughout all the academies within the trust. This allowed the entire network to be maintained efficiently by the trust IT team.”   “I was excited when I found out we had been nominated for the award, I’m pleased to say that we won!” explained Andrew Mash, Technical Sales Director, Eastern Voice and Data. For a regional technology business to win a national award of this standing is quite notable as it demonstrates the capability of a local business. It’s also significant that the Education Trust itself is held up as a trail blazer in effecting change for the benefit of their students. Jonathan Lumb, IT Manager at Boudica Schools Trust was quoted saying “The network has become an important tool for both our teachers and students because technology helps us provide engaging and powerful learning experiences and content. The new network offers greater efficiency and security, especially implementing a new cloud-based web filtering software that controls the types of content that can be accessed by pupils. The new network system also creates better learning opportunities and standards, while reducing costs”   Eastern Voice & Data are a business technologyprovider based in Norwich. We’ve been established over 20 years and have built an enviable reputation. Long term clients include Diocese of Norwich, Theatre Royal, Norfolk Fire Service, Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, UEA as well as many businesses both small and large. Do you have a big idea Eastern Voice & Data can help you with? Call 01603 743388 or contact us  You can view the list of winners here

In this weeks episode of Impromptu Business Chat, Mark and James provide 3 practical tips that business owners can implement in the lead up to a sale of their business. The tips, many of which are just as valid for those business owners not looking to sell, are taken from the 9 key factors of our ‘Business Sale Readiness’ online diagnostic tool. It only takes 5 minutes to complete, its entirely free and the results are instant. Why not try it out here? In addition, we have prepared this handy summary of the 9 key factors for a successful sale. If you’d like to find out more about selling your business, or you are need advice in another business area (such as growing sales, increasing profits and motivating teams), please reach out to james.lay@larking-gowen.co.uk and mark.curtis@larking-gowen.co.uk Listen here

In a week where heat pumps have been recognised by the Government as the future of heating in the UK, Attleborough-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, has scooped two prestigious national awards for heat pump installations it has completed for housing association Flagship Group and museum and visitor centre West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. Finn Geotherm was awarded Non-Domestic Ground Source Project of the Year at the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards on Wednesday night. These top national trade awards celebrate the highest achievements across the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector, and Finn Geotherm was recognised for its landmark £1.4m communal heating scheme (also known as district heating) installed in Felixstowe for Flagship Group. The project saw Finn Geotherm design a six-phase system which heats a total of 115 houses, bungalows and apartments using ground source heat pumps located in six plant rooms around the housing estate. The heat pumps replace expensive and inefficient electric storage heaters, saving residents 70% on their heating bills and cutting their carbon emissions by 70%. The company’s second award win this week was at last night’s RAC Cooling Awards, which celebrate best practice, achievement and the environmental progress of the industry. Finn Geotherm was awarded Building Energy Project of the Year for its heating and passive cooling project at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk. The project uses a ground source heat pump to heat the four main buildings on the site. Using its expert knowledge of heat pumps, Finn Geotherm also created a passive cooling system. This enables West Stow to maintain a steady temperature across the site all year round – something which is vital for maintaining its precious artefacts. By replacing an oil boiler and underfloor electric heating, the new heat pump has cut carbon emissions by 70%, which is also supporting West Suffolk Council’s aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised in these two major award schemes. This week there has been so much talk about heat pumps and their ability to cut carbon emissions and provide effective, efficient heating. These two award wins show just how brilliant this technology is in real life. We have always known the heat pumps are the future of heating – we’ve been installing them since 2006 – so for us to receive praise for two significant projects for Flagship and West Stow is testament to the dedication of the team at Finn Geotherm and our absolute passion and belief in what we do.” For more information on ground and air source heat pumps and details on Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

A survey of 2,600 UK exporters has revealed that the recovery in export sales has largely stalled in Q3. The proportion of firms reporting increased sales rose only three points (to 30%) from Q2 (27%), whilst the proportion reporting decreased sales fell by just two points (Q3:26%/ Q2: 28%).  

• Proportion of UK exporters reporting increased export sales (30%) rose slightly from Q2 (27%)

• However, proportion reporting decreased sales remained stubbornly and historically high at 26%, while 45% report no change

• Recovery in manufacturing exports began to fall back slightly from previous quarter

  The balance of manufacturers reporting increased export sales was +7%, down from +8% in Q2.   The balance of service sector firms reporting increased export sales was +6%, up from –7% in Q2.   Respondents cited issues arising from the supply chain crisis, as well as Brexit related problems, as the main causes of difficulties with export sales. Some said that they had ceased exporting to the EU altogether due to issues such as red tape and delays at borders. Respondents also pointed to the surging cost of shipping as a serious issue, with one firm noting a single container from China rose in cost from £2100 in the previous year to £15000, as well as the shortage of lorry drivers as impacting export sales.   Elsewhere, UK exporters were slightly more likely to report increased investment plans (30%) than non-exporters (25%), although both groups remain at historically low levels. However, on other key indicators such as cash flow, both groups were broadly aligned – 34% of exporters reported increased cash, compared to 33% of non-exporters, while 23% of exporters reported a decrease, compared to 22% of non-exporters.   Responding to the findings, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, William Bain said:   “A whole range of factors is currently providing sustained headwinds for our exporting firms to operate in. This data must act as a warning to take export-boosting measures now.   “Exports of goods are key to our economic recovery from the pandemic, but trading conditions remain fragile, and businesses need further supportive measures. Everything from the new UK-EU trading conditions to raw material costs to the costs of container hire in overseas markets is constraining export growth and supply.   “More focus needs to be given to lowering business costs with trade partners and addressing non-tariff barriers, which present roadblocks to exports. The government must also acknowledge the scale of the problem in shipping markets.   “The UK government should act now to reintroduce SME Brexit Support Grants and use its export strategy, and the Spending Review, to provide stronger export finance. It should also work with the accredited chamber network to kickstart overseas exports from SMEs across the UK.”

David Cowan, International Declarations Manager at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:   “We look forward to assisting all Norfolk Businesses with their Import and Export Documentation following this amazing news. I know our local businesses are calling for new ways to improve trade, and this can only help them”   William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:   “Business will welcome an Agreement in Principle between the UK and New Zealand covering trade in goods and services.   “We particularly welcome the intention to agree comprehensive chapters on market access, labour mobility and professional qualifications, digital trade, and green goods and services. In the year prior to start of the pandemic, the UK had a £366m surplus in services trade with New Zealand, with particular strengths in insurance, pensions, travel, communications, other financial services and intellectual property.   “New Zealand-UK trade is currently between £2-3bn per annum. When this agreement is translated into a final free trade agreement it should provide new opportunities for UK exporters as well as resulting in some small falls in the price of New Zealand wine and other goods imports.   “UK road vehicles, pharmaceutical and other manufacturing exporters will welcome these improved trading terms, with cars accounting for a fifth of all UK goods exports to New Zealand. The agreement on green trade also has the potential to set a new benchmark on a commitment to sustainability within free trade agreements globally.   “We look forward to engaging with the UK Government and the New Zealand Ambassador in the final stages of these negotiations and to giving our views on the draft text at the earliest opportunity.”

This week businesses in King’s Lynn town centre are being asked to vote in support of King’s Lynn’s Business Improvement District so that it can continue for another 5 years. Discover King’s Lynn, the King’s Lynn BID, was set up in April 2017 following a successful ballot of businesses in the autumn of 2016. Under Government rules, a BID can only operate for a 5-year term and is then required to seek endorsement from businesses to continue. “It has been a turbulent time to be running a new BID.” Says Chair, Sharon Edwards. “When we started out in 2017, we expected a challenge; people’s shopping habits were changing and larger retailers were struggling to survive in the town centre environment. We went about creating new events like the monthly Farmer’s Market, annual Christmas Markets, Cocktail Week and Beauty Week to give people extra reasons to visit the Town.” “Speaking up for business and the Town Centre has always been an important part of what the BID is about, COVID has made that role even more important.” Says Vicky Etheridge, BID Manager. “Our Street Rangers have a unique role and we were able to use them to keep in touch with businesses that remained open in some way during the lockdowns, as well as to distribute information, signage and sanitiser in the build up to re-opening.” Vicky added, “alongside that, we have played an active part on the Town Board, using feedback and information from businesses to shape the Town Investment Plan and really champion the needs of the Town Centre.” “No one organisation can solve the challenges that town centres face, “says Sharon, “The business community needs to work collectively, and with the Council, LEP, College and others to create a stronger future. If they haven’t already, I urge town centre businesses to return a yes vote in the ballot so that we can continue valued services like the Street Rangers and continue to be the voice for the Town Centre.” The BID ballot closes on Thursday 11 November at 5pm, for further information on the BID proposal for 2022-2027 visit www.discoverkingslynn.com/news

The countdown is on for young people and local businesses to have their say in two easy online surveys that will help to shape the future of King’s Lynn. If you’re 16-25, now is the time to add your voice to the growing number of young people who have already shared their views on what they’d like to see in the town, what is missing, plus their thoughts on career opportunities in King’s Lynn. And, respondents can also enter a prize draw to win shopping vouchers:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/72MFRQQ Local business owner Harry Seaton, 24-year-old Managing Director of Fluential, is encouraging young people to share their unique perspectives. He said: “It’s definitely tough, as a young person, to feel like you have a voice in decisions as important as spending millions of pounds on renovating the town, but this is not just a box to be ticked, which is why I am asking for your help. It takes no time at all plus you could win one of six £50 high street vouchers.” At the same time, a survey is running especially for business owners, people thinking of setting up on their own, or individuals who are looking to take a hobby to the next stage to share their thoughts on pop-up spaces for the town:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7CQ8NJX Vicky Etheridge, Manager of Discover King’s Lynn explained: “Pop-up spaces present an exciting opportunity for budding businesses to showcase their work and get ideas off the ground, and for established businesses to try out a new product or service. And, we know from public feedback that there is a desire to see these spaces in town.  “To develop these spaces, we want to hear the views of businesses and potential traders, and listen to them to understand their requirements, and what type of spaces they would like to see in the future.” People wishing to take part in the surveys have just a few days to give their views as the closing date for both surveys is 5pm on Sunday 24 October 2021 . Vision King’s Lynn will be announcing more ways for the public to get involved shortly.

Impromptu Business Chat is back for series 6! Mark and James reflect on the recent World Mental Health Day and the work of the late great Trevor Moawad. We learn that saying something negative is up to 70x more powerful than thinking a positive thought, so we must be very careful what we say! In their trademark casual but informative style, they come up with 3 top tips and make references to some musical links along the way! Show note links:

• Mental Health week
• Mindset Expert Shows You How to Control Your Negative Thoughts | Trevor Moawad on Impact Theory
• It Takes What It Takes: How to Think Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life

We love hearing from you – get in touch at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk – Are there topics you want us to cover? Business experts you know that we should be talking to? Maybe that expert is you!? Either way, don’t be shy! Listen here!

We are excited and pleased to launch a weekend of understanding and coding within the Akcela offices and our incubator space. The introduction to full stack development, two day course in Norwich, Norfolk, will give individuals a chance to gain an introductory understanding of full stack. Whilst having some fun. Speaking on the event, Akcela Managing Director James Adams feels that this a great opportunity for those interested to have a first taste of what full stack means. “First and foremost, we really hope this is going to be a fun event, where people who are interested in a potential future in coding, or even just to understand how development comes together and where each piece of the puzzle sits. People will have a chance to get hands on with some code and output a mini project too.” Having launched the business incubator in the heart of Norwich City, the team feel this is the first step in bringing more technical founders and an understanding for non-technical founders, to the incubator community. “Our incubator is industry agnostic, that’s one of the great things about the community we are building. We aren’t just about tech, but we are aware that tech is instrumental in so many businesses. We hope this is the first step of building that.” Akcela are delighted to be partnered by our amazing supporters, making the incubator and fantastic opportunities like this possible. This support comes from Ashtons Legal, Farnell-Clarke Accountants, MAD-HR and FUEL Studios.

A report published on the 13th October 2021 by NatWest sets out the potential opportunity that exists for the UK economy from the transition to net-zero, finding that SMEs could create up to 130,000 new jobs, produce around 30,000 new businesses and result in an estimated £160 billion opportunity for the UK economy. The report finds that there is a significant opportunity for the UK to be a global leader in the transition to net-zero. The report also found that the UK’s 6 million Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can achieve 50% of the UK’s Net Zero decarbonisation goals, if they receive the right support through funding, knowledge, and training. NatWest has announced a series of initiatives, leading with a target to provide £100 billion of Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing (CSFF) by the end of 2025. Part of this new CSFF target will help to support the investment needed to transition the UK to a net zero economy and will help to support the bank’s customers including SMEs on their transition to a net zero and a more sustainable economy*. This marks an acceleration in NatWest’s ambition to support UK decarbonisation and the Government’s Net Zero Strategy, in-line with the 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. The report and its associated initiatives are intended to support the efforts to halve the bank’s financed emissions by 2030 and meet the net zero targets by 2050, in line with its commitments as a founding member of the Net Zero Banking Alliance. While the report’s finding that less than 10% of SMEs currently see climate action as a source of future growth, it found that SMEs have two distinct opportunities to create value from delivering climate action: driving business value by reducing their own emissions and unlocking growth through wider climate action. With the right support, the vast majority of SMEs could benefit financially from reducing their carbon footprint, and through supporting the UK’s transition by delivering activity like residential retrofitting, installing renewable power equipment, upgrades to the electricity grid and installing electric vehicle charge points. The report calls on financial institutions, government, industry bodies and large corporates to play their role in collectively supporting SMEs to unlock the climate opportunity. NatWest also plans to launch a new green loan product for SME customers, new specialist Accelerators for Clean Transport and Circular Economy, new tools for businesses to monitor their carbon footprint, and mandatory climate training for all its relationship managers in collaboration with University of Cambridge and University of Edinburgh. The report makes six clear recommendations where SMEs need most support to achieve effective transition:

1. Funding Access – financing that reflects the societal benefit of delivering climate action and ensures that business initiatives and investments make financial sense.
2. Awareness – support to recognise the opportunity from climate action, highlighting key skills required to transition successfully.
3. Knowledge – help to reduce their impact and improve their ability to measure and report their impact.
4. Skills and capabilities – support to develop new skills to deliver transition, such as training employees, achieving accreditations and certification, and management capabilities.
5. Market access – improved financial certainty of the benefits of broader climate action.
6. Navigation – support to navigate the complex and evolving landscape, understanding what support is available and what will most benefit their business.

Alison Rose, Chief Executive, NatWest Group said: “According to the Springboard to Sustainable Recovery report published today, SMEs play a critical role in the UK economy, contributing around 50% of total UK turnover and around 60% of employment. We have identified the potential opportunities as being worth £160bn for SMEs and the UK economy, and we want to do everything possible to support our customers in achieving a share of that prize. This report is the response to what our business customers are telling us they need in terms of practical support as they face a complex decision-making process. “We are with them on every step of the journey that takes them from awareness and understanding, to ability to act, and finally to achieving positive climate and financial impact.  Our ambition to play a leading role in the UK’s transition to a net zero economy is why we are targeting £100 billion of Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing by the end of 2025. “I’m firmly of the view that we should never underestimate the power of the small – and in this instance SMEs – for leveraging big advances. What this report tells us, in clear numbers, is that all sectors of the economy will need to play their part in helping the UK achieve its climate ambitions. We must look at this not just as an imperative, but as an opportunity for businesses.” Lord Nicholas Stern, Chairman of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and Environment, said: “In the fifteen years since we published The Stern Review, governments and businesses have been slow to recognise the enormous and growing threat that climate change poses to economic development. This report by NatWest is timely and important, and makes it clear that the UK’s small, start up and innovative firms need support to capitalise on the emerging opportunities from the transition to a low-carbon economy. “Fifteen years from now, we will know whether we will succeed or fail to meet the UK’s net-zero target, and the UK’s SMEs will play a defining role in the outcome.” The report is the second in NatWest’s ‘Springboard’ series of reports, following March’s ‘Springboard to Recovery’ report into SME recovery, post-pandemic. The report was created in consultation with partners including McKinsey, Microsoft, British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, CBI, Blackrock, CoGo, HVM Catapult, ScaleUp Institute and National Farmers Union (NFU).  

A quiet revolution is taking place in not-so-sleepy Norfolk, England. Aviation, an industry that is rarely paired positively with the words ‘clean energy’, is going green. Norfolk’s Charter Operator service, SaxonAir, is at the heart of it all. Alex Durand, the company’s CEO, is taking an industry lead, overseeing drastic action at the facility and working with staff to minimise the operation’s carbon footprint. Having undergone a rigorous programme to upgrade the building and educate its 50+ staff on greener practices, including investment into day-to-day running and even keeping bees, the company is aiming to be a trailblazer in the industry and well on its way to meeting its ambitious targets to be carbon neutral by 2025. From having initially found the industry reticent to address some of the negative media surrounding the industry, Durand recently spoke at SaxonAir’s ‘Clearing the Air’ event to highlight and debunk notorious misconceptions surrounding aviation. In particular, he drew comparison to over running road works that, after just one-month, equal to SaxonAir’s entire 2019 carbon emission output. He said: “Whilst the industry is not claiming to be green, it should have a fair chance at addressing its issues and cleaning its act up. When I first embarked on this journey, I found there was very little support, despite optimistic government targets and that many senior industry people felt paralysed by inaction due to sensationalist media headlines. I’m pleased to say it does feel like there has been a huge shift with organisations such BBGA prioritising the issue at its next conference.” “Along our journey, I have discovered true innovators within the industry, one of whom are local to us, NEBO Air.” NEBO Air, based in Beccles, Suffolk is aiming to be the world’s first sustainable, cost-effective micro ‘airline’ with zero CO2 emissions. The pioneering company joined forces with SaxonAir to support the Clearing the Air in mid-September, addressing a number of the mistruths surrounding the industry’s reputation and to celebrate clean innovation within industry. The company offered delegates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become of the first twenty people in the world to travel in an all-electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis sharing one of the industry’s most significant developments in the fight against climate change. Sergei Gratchev, Founder of NEBO Air, said: “The entire aviation community is incredibly excited about this new and rapidly developing project. We are receiving daily correspondence requesting information about specs of the aircraft and charging stations.” “Airfields across the UK and Europe are sending letters of intent wishing to join the project and enhance our network,” he continued. “This will soon create a web of electric aircraft charging facilities throughout the UK and beyond allowing Zero Emissions aviation to become a reality. The environmental revolution in aviation and transport has begun!”

Helping businesses trade globally is a key mission for every Accredited Chamber of Commerce. Recently, businesses have been faced with a variety of new and significant challenges when operating internationally. The voice of businesses with direct experience of these issues needs to be heard – both on the immediate challenge of international trade, and on wider business issues. In this 7-minute survey, we’re seeking your views on several broad areas: • Current business conditions and pressures; • Your investment plans; • Barriers to trade; • Impacts flowing from Brexit; and • Priorities for the net zero agenda. Your input is totally unique because it is shared directly to the most senior policy makers in UK government to create better trading conditions for your business. Since 2016, tens of thousands of Chamber members have contributed to our research on trade and Brexit. The feedback we have collected from these surveys has helped your Chamber network to directly influence decision-making at the highest levels of government, including delays to the introduction of some scheduled post-Brexit border controls. As a business community, our collective voice has never been more important. Follow this link to complete the survey.