Member News

Expert service solutions and personnel provider CPower Energy have embarked on a journey to position themselves at the heart of the Offshore Energy Industry, and are celebrating this by appointing energy industry expert, Martin Dronfield – Director of Opergy and Chairman & Director of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) – to their board of Directors.   CPower Energy are gearing up for exceptional growth in the offshore wind industry, and Martin, who has 39 years’ worth of offshore energy industry experience, has worked closely with the Colchester-based company to look at how their business can further flourish in the sector.   With an estimated $2.75 trillion being invested into offshore wind by 2050, the appointment of Martin as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman could not have come at a better time. Combining his extensive expertise from almost 4 decades in the Offshore Energy Industry with CPower’s excellent track record, there are huge potential benefits as they strive to develop innovative solutions for the sector.   Martin says, “From working with Peter Jorgensen and his team at CPower Energy over the past 4 months, I’ve been impressed not only by the company itself but the ethos of Peter. There is an exciting multitude of opportunities to harness, and I’m looking forward to working together with CPower to maximise the benefits.”   “As the industry picks up speed and begins to return to full pace, the opportunities for niche service providers such as CPower are fantastic. Following a successful initial advisory phase, I’m really looking forward to formalising my connection with CPower by joining the board and continuing to work together with Peter Jorgensen to make sure we’re doing what we do really well.”   Managing Director of CPower, Peter Jorgensen, echoed his sentiments: “During Martin’s 4-month advisory period with us, we developed such a strong connection that we wanted to continue our relationship by bringing Martin on board as Chair of the Board – and we’re delighted that he has accepted the position.”   “Extending Martin’s connection to CPower will bring even greater value to us as a company, allowing us to look at how we operate from a different perspective. As we look to grow CPower and offer our expert solutions to support and grow the offshore wind sector, Martin’s insight will be invaluable in this,” he finished.  

Why should your business embrace audio? Special interview with audio expert and coach, Rob Lawrence

How we build relationships with our customers, clients and contacts during the last year has changed dramatically. Podcasts have helped many business leaders reach their audience during the pandemic. They have helped fill the void where physical connection was almost eliminated, and in celebration of their 50th episode, James and Mark decided to reflect on why they chose to start Impromptu Business Chat, and chat to their audio expert producer, and owner of Podcast Plus, Rob Lawrence, on why businesses need to embrace audio.

Fundamentally podcasts are about relationships. They are also leverage in developing existing connections. Podcasts allow you to “have an intimate conversation with a football stadium of people!”

Rob is a qualified audio producer, podcaster and certified coach, helping creative entrepreneurs, high achieving professionals and business leaders embrace the power of sound and broadcast to get their message out; he helps those whose truths and passions are worth listening to!

As the world we live and do business in changes, business is not just about having a statement anymore, it’s about having an ongoing dialogue with your audience, and podcasts are a great way to have a conversation with your audience. An episode is an invitation to start a conversation, and this is why the podcast world is becoming more popular and relevant, and important for business leaders; whether they listen to the content of others or create their own.

As podcast audiences broaden and grow, this chat will help anyone struggling to understand and embrace the changes in the media landscape for businesses and why they should be, and those keen to step into the podcast world themselves.

Rob also offers a personal insight into his own journey with his mental health in the corporate world, and what led him to pursue his passion for audio and coaching. He states that knowing how you best absorb the world, means you can then jump into something you love, instead of doing something you just ‘like’ – his insights are particularly relevant now, as many people face huge shifts in their roles at work, changes in how they work as a result of the pandemic, and may be looking to make a leap of their own.

You can learn more about the work Rob does by listening to his podcast Inspirational Creatives or visit his website here if you want to know more about starting your own podcast.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! We will be back in a couple of weeks for series 5, so click subscribe, and don’t miss out! 

Listen here!

• This June, the Hope On The Move sponsored challenge is raising funds to help end homelessness across East Anglia; • Participants can take part individually or in teams to cover part of the total challenge distance of 16,696 miles – equivalent to the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region; • The challenge is open to everyone and people can cover their miles in whatever form they like, from walking to roller skating.

This June, people in Norfolk are being invited to take a step forward to end homelessness by joining the Hope On The Move sponsored challenge.

Participants will be able to take part individually, or team up to cover part of the challenge’s goal of 16,696 miles – 1 mile for every person experiencing homelessness in the region.

The fundraising event is being organised by Hopestead, the charity with the mission of ending homelessness in the east of England, to raise funds and connect people safely after a difficult and isolating time.

Starting on 1 June and running until the 30 June, Hope On The Move is designed for absolutely everyone, and participants are encouraged to join in in whatever way they would like – walking, running, cycling, roller skating, or horse riding – the list is endless.

Marie Claire-Delbrouque, MD of Hopestead said: “As restrictions ease, many of us can look forward to being reunited with our families and friends in each other’s homes. But life remains the same for those experiencing homelessness.

“There are almost 17,000 people who are currently experiencing homelessness in our region and through Hope On The Move, we want to raise funds towards delivering our vision of ending homelessness in the East of England.

“We know that by working together – with individuals and organisations that share our commitment – we can achieve our ambitious goal. Because everyone deserves a place to call home.”

Gasway is the headline sponsor for Hope on the Move and Nick Bartram, Gasway’s Managing Director said:  “Gasway has always supported the communities we serve. We’re delighted to be the headline sponsor for Hopestead’s new initiative, Hope on the Move.

“We understand the importance of having a home, especially one that is safe and warm which feels even more important now than ever before. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in our communities getting involved with this.”

Participants can sign up for just £15 and all details can be found on the Hopestead website (www.hopestead.org). 

Every ticket purchased and every donation received will go directly to those who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness in East Anglia. And everyone taking part will receive a medal upon completion of the event

Marie Claire Delbrouque commented: “After the last year, it is even more important to create a sense of belonging for everyone in our communities.

“Our Hope On The Move challenge will help to create that connection, and bring people together – safely – to raise funds, get fit, have fun, and step out in support of those who are experiencing homelessness.”

Peerless Plastics & Coatings –

Background.

Peerless Plastics & Coatings, a manufacturer of protective hard coatings for plastics (including anti-microbial & anti-fog coatings), based in Thetford (UK), offer flexible, bespoke, protective hard coating solutions to all it’s customers the world over. Offering a complete chain solution from design, research & development, supply and full production processes. They pride themselves in the ability to tailor their processes to individual company and market requirements, and have done for over 30 years.

They aim to promote the message that protective hard coatings offer long term durability and superior surface performance to plastics through improved chemical and abrasion resistance, significantly extending their useful life meaning less waste.

Peerless Plastics & Coatings, Thetford facility, incorporates fully automated coating line technology for materials up to 2100mm x 6000m long, with mass volume hard coating of small parts, mouldings & extrusions for many industries & applications all applied in clean-room conditions. They also provide large format Digital & Screen-printing capabilities, a high-precision plastics machining department & two paint facilities.

All of their processes comply with BSI registration for ISO 9001:2015 accreditation and they are proud members of the British Plastics Federation and the Made in Britain organisation.

Working through the pandemic.

Peerless were fortunate to be able to continue working through the pandemic and even offer additional product lines to their customers, new & old, in the form of face visors, sneeze screens, screen clamps and anti-microbial surface covers (which won Peerless a first place award in the Brett Martin iAwards November 2020).

At the height of the pandemic, when local schools & colleges were struggling to find and afford PPE for their staff and pupils, Peerless donated hundreds of their face visors free to help out.

With the clear increase in concern regarding surface hygiene and protection against viruses following the Covid-19 pandemic, Peerless quickly submitted their established and proven MicroGuard™ hard coatings for testing against the FCoV (Feline Coronavirus) as a substitute enveloped virus for Sars-Cov-2. Following initial success proving that MicroGuard™ reduces FCoV by 76% after only 2 hours, further development work has taken place to offer a wider range of coatings which provide improved surface performance.

Incorporating the same Silver Ion technology as the MicroGuard™ Clear & Matt hard coatings, MicroGuard™ Anti-Fog was developed with the view to offering superior Anti-Fog performance for face coverings such as visors and goggles, whilst offering improved surface hygiene. MicroGuard™ Anti-Fog was submitted for testing against the NL63 (Human Coroavirus) and proved to be 99.9% effective, meaning that it offers Anti-Viral performance after only 2 hours.

Interest in Anti-Fog coatings have risen as manufacturers of PPE seek to improve the performance of their products and offer wearers of essential face coverings, such as NHS staff and other key workers, with a more suitable solution.

Development work continues utilising alternative formulations and Anti-Microbial additives with Peerless’ range of protective hard coatings, with very positive results expected in the near future.

Rebrand & Investment.

As well as investing in their protective hard coatings & extensive testing, Peerless Plastics & Coatings, have recently undergone a complete re-brand with the design of a new corporate identity including new logo, updated typeface, new website and assorted marketing materials. This is followed by further considerable investments in their coating line and factory facility to further improve their award winning services & products offered to all customers.

Marketing Manager, Mark Scott, has been the driving force behind giving the company a contemporary look & feel that is befitting of where they see themself, both now and in the future. “…With all the investment and improvements we’re making across the whole company, we felt that the brand needed repositioning to better reflect us now and in the future.  A strong brand presence with marketing materials that are easy to use, read & understand are paramount to helping customers feel secure in working with you…”

“…The new branding is designed to be clean, contemporary, strong & confident. Paired with a modern, easy-to-read, sans serif typeface that can be used in a variety of weights to enhance our marketing output across many channels. In time we want our website to evolve into a hub of industry knowledge with Technical Data Sheets to download, articles & information to share, etc…”

Peerless Plastics & Coatings are dedicated to product development, testing & problem solving, providing excellence in all that they do.

Connect with them via the following platforms:

Website:         https://www.peerless-coatings.co.uk/

Twitter:           https://twitter.com/PeerlessPlastic

Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/peerlessplasticsandcoatings

LinkedIn:        https://www.linkedin.com/company/peerless-plastics-and-coatings/

Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/peerless_plastics_n_coatings/

Just a few months after becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), our managing director, Sarah West, is this month celebrating her thirteenth year as a Chartered Marketer.

The achievement is particularly poignant as her twelfth year was celebrated during the first lockdown of the pandemic as our entire team worked from home.

“It’s much easier to smile in this picture than it was this time last year!”

“I always look forward to submitting the evidence required each year to maintain my chartered status as it’s a good opportunity to reflect on everything that has happened and everything I’ve learned. However skilled or experienced, there is always more to learn in the pursuit of being an ever more effective marketer for our clients”

The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the world’s most respected professional membership organisation for marketing. The CIM states that Chartered Marketer status recognises those achieving the highest levels in the profession. It demonstrates commitment to keeping up-to-date and is awarded on a combination of experience and qualifications.

Sarah first became a Chartered Marketer in 2008 having gained her CIM post-graduate diploma and demonstrated her skills through work for both a national law firm and a major UK holiday company. In 2007, Sarah had won the CIM’s Young Marketer of the Year for East Anglia for her work marketing Great Yarmouth College.

In 2018, our award-winning managing director was also named New Director of the Year for the Institute of Directors (IOD) in the East of England.

Identifying a lack of strategic knowledge amongst many marketing agencies, Sarah founded Full Mix Marketing in 2016 with the aim to deliver the best mix of marketing for each of our clients.

Full Mix Marketing has subsequently grown to become the leading business-to-business (B2B) marketing agency in East Anglia, supporting companies in sectors including logistics, manufacturing, engineering, business services and innovation.

For more information visit: https://www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk/

East Anglian theatre company brings critically acclaimed play to the small screen

• LIT watch party: 7.30pm, Tuesday 1 June, 2021

Plain Speaking PR is proud to be working with HighTide, one of the UK’s leading new theatre writing companies.

HighTide is reimagining its critically acclaimed production – LIT – for the Netflix generation. A new version of the play, which had its world premiere at the Aldeburgh Festival in 2019, will be available to watch on TV screens from 7.30pm on Tuesday 1 June.

Written by Sophie Ellerby and produced as a partnership between HighTide and Nottingham Playhouse, LIT is the story of Bex: a teenage girl, looking for love in all the wrong places. Described by the Guardian newspaper as ‘a blistering look at teenage trauma’, the play tackles a range of difficult subject matters, but is underpinned by a cheeky and irreverent sense of humour. Inspired by Sophie’s experience of working with young women and mothers in the prison system, LIT doesn’t shy away from dealing with the grittier – and often heart-breaking – side of growing up.

LIT began its journey at the Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall in Suffolk before transferring to sell-out audiences in London and Nottingham.  It was originally commissioned by funding from Arts Council England through HighTide’s First Commissions programme.  LIT‘s first run in 2019 won a range of plaudits from some of the UK’s most well-respected critics.

HighTide develops innovative productions and programmes that actively encourage diverse communities across the East of England to engage with new theatre writing. The company provides opportunities for young writers and performers to get involved and share their stories.

Suba Das is the Artistic director of HighTide: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Nottingham Playhouse to give theatre fans throughout the East of England and beyond the opportunity to immerse themselves in the turbulent life of Bex,” Mr Das explains.

”The ongoing impact and uncertainty of the pandemic has meant we haven’t been able to physically connect with our audiences in the East of England in the way we have over the past ten years.  But we’re proud that our pioneering approach to digital content has meant we’ve nonetheless reached thousands of viewers and vulnerable communities across our home region. LIT is a culmination of this online journey and we are thrilled our audiences will be able to experience this incredible show in their homes, ahead of us resuming live performances later this year.”

Stef Driscoll directed the original production of LIT and returns to the Nottingham Playhouse for its 2021 re-vamp.  “LIT is a play for the Netflix generation who want a narrative that is thrilling, witty and packs an emotional punch. Audiences will be taken on a journey with Bex that unmasks what it means to be a young woman today.”

Sophie Ellerby, the writer of LIT said: “I’m excited for Bex to burst into audience’s homes, full force. Since its first run in 2019, issues present in the play – such as rape culture and consent – have been magnified further. I hope LIT continues to spark conversation and empathy.”

For those wishing to be one of the first to see this landmark digital revival, the LIT online watch party is at 7.30pm on Tue 1 June 2021.  Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased from Nottingham Playhouse. Ticket-holders can then watch the recording as many times they like for up to 5 days. After the 1 June the production can be accessed on demand until 29th June.

For more information visit www.hightide.org.uk.

Please note, this play contains strong language and deals with issues around sexual assault.

-ENDS-

New rules have come into force regarding the sale of coal and firewood to consumers.

See press release.

Restrictions on sale of coal and wet wood for home burning begin – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In this week’s episode of Impromptu Business Chat, Mark and James chat about the benefits to business owners and their teams of adding more meaning to their businesses and lives. As usual, they end with 3 top tips, and along the way they refer to Professor Brian Cox, Motivational Maps and Limp Bizkit! 

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast!

Listen here

The last year has seen millions of people working very differently as we coped with the impact of the pandemic. We have adapted and responded and found new ways of doing things.

Now, as restrictions ease and more and more people head back into the workplace, it’s a perfect time to reflect and capture the learning from this period in our lives – to identify what worked well, and what people need now and into the future.

We’re running a survey and we’d love you to add your voice. Your views will help us to gain an insight into your experience of working during a pandemic, but also, will allow us to capture any best practice. We’d also really would like to know if the pandemic has caused your career aspirations to change.

Tell us what you think right here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/L7W5RFK

*Want to know more? Find out about our recommendations for how companies can support people as they return to the workplace here: Engaging People Back to the Workplace | The Engaging People Company (engaging-people.co.uk)

Steadfast Training offer a comprehensive package of pre-employment and in-work support, including non-accredited training and accredited qualifications in Employability; ICT and Social Media; Customer Service; Business Admin; Warehousing; Health Care, Mental Health & Wellbeing; LGBT in the Workplace, as well as Team Leading & Management.

All training we deliver to support young people develop their skills in the workplace is fully funded and comes at no cost to the employer.

Training can be offered as block provision (Monday – Friday) or 1 day per week over several weeks

For more information please open the PDF below for our full leaflet or please contact us on 0845 223 2401 or email us on kickstart@steadfasttraining.co.uk.

Work with us to build the workforce of the future – Laboratory Science placements

East Norfolk Sixth Form College, based in Gorleston, has been at the forefront of preparing students for the future for nearly 40 years.

We offer the widest curriculum to ensure our students have the skills and knowledge in a range of specialist areas and to meet the needs of your workforce.

From September we will be offering T Levels, the first provider East of Norwich, and we are ready to work with you.

We are looking to collaborate with businesses that can offer work placements in a laboratory setting to support the delivery of our T Level in Laboratory Science & Metrology.

This course has been developed in collaboration with health and science employers so the content meets the needs of industry.

In return, we can offer you access to 1600 high calibre students, opportunities to gain direct access to your future workforce and promote your business.

If you want a passionate, skilled young person on work placement with you, contact us to find out more about supporting the next generation into your sector.

Get in touch with Amy Lerpiniere today:

alerpiniere@eastnorfolk.ac.uk

01493662234 ext 713

As part of the ongoing recognition of the importance of equal opportunities in the workplace, Howes Percival has produced a new strategy to help ensure equality and diversity remain ‘key strategic and business priorities’ and are given renewed focus going forwards.

The firm has appointed three partners – Jahid Ali, Katharine Danks and Alex Payton – to lead the new initiative. In addition, these leaders are supported by a dedicated Equality & Diversity Committee, which is made up of employees from across the firm.

The initial focus of the committee will centre on race and ethnicity, gender and gender pay and social mobility, although the firm will continue to recognise and deal with the full spectrum of issues and challenges related to diversity and inclusion.

Under the renewed strategy, the firm will also seek to undertake a comprehensive equality and diversity survey and review all of its processes and policies, including recruitment, promotions, appraisals and equality and diversity training, to ensure that they continue to align with its aims.

Equality and diversity partner, Jahid Ali said, 

“While the firm has shown its commitment to equality and diversity for many years, we recognise that we need to constantly review what we do and double-down on our efforts to ensure this remains a top priority. We believe we can attract the best talent by recruiting from a diverse pool and we want Howes Percival to be the place where all talented individuals can flourish. By announcing our renewed strategy, we are holding ourselves accountable to achieving our aims and we will continue to challenge ourselves as the strategy develops.”

The committee has already taken forward a number of employee-led initiatives including celebrating Black History Month, launching a book and film club, initially focusing on race and ethnicity issues, and taking part in International Women’s Day in March.