Member News

In September, Pure celebrated 18 years of providing professional recruitment consultancy to the Eastern region. Considering everything currently happening in the world, we have had the opportunity to reflect on the past 18 years and to consider what we have learnt over this time.

18 years ago the world was a completely different place than it is now.  The high street still had Gap and Woolworths. Mobile phones were just beginning to become popular, social media wasn’t a thing and it was common to get the newspaper delivered daily. The internet was still fairly new and accompanied with a dial-up tone. Google was only 4 years old.  It was a time when you rented movies from your local Blockbuster and Zoom was a noise that children made when playing with toy cars.

Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher said, “Change is the only constant in life” and this is true in our experience. How people and organisations have had to adapt and change over the past 18 years has been incredible, and there have been significant changes alone in the past 6 months. 

I asked the founders of Pure, for their reflection on the last 18 years:

Gill Buchanan, COO

“Over the past 18 years, we have seen significant change. Life is always changing. When I started Pure, my youngest son was 10 months old. This autumn, he is starting his first year at University.

Seeing our company grow and establishing a collaborative culture has made me proud along with working with and developing a great team of people. I remember having a client who would only work with me. I had to take a call from this client urgently and had to ask Caroline Batchelor to sit in the car with my 3 year old and a 10 month old, while I went into the office to take a call from the client – this was before we had mobile phones.

In 2002 it felt like a much more formal world in business – we wore suits. Our launch photo in the newspaper shows this. The world of work now seems much more informal. The types of roles we recruit for has changed which reflects the types of skills that organisations now need – social media roles did not exist in 2002. 

It was a world before online job boards, where jobs were advertised in the classifieds section of the newspaper. The evolution of technology has really influenced and changed how we deliver recruitment.

Recruitment is ever evolving, and the only constant is change. The 2008 global financial crisis, significantly affected recruitment.  We have always focussed on our values and being a trusted recruitment company providing a quality service and during times of change, this enabled us to continue to support our candidates and clients whether it was through redundancies, business transformation or dealing with higher volumes of candidates looking for new jobs. This has some parallels with the crisis we are in today.

What I am most proud of is how we have supported our teams, our candidates and our clients through both work and life challenges. For me, it all comes back to people. The energy from our people has enabled us to survive and thrive over the ups and downs throughout the past 18 years and will enable us to support our clients and candidates as everything changes again in the future.”

Ian Walters, CEO

“Reflecting on the last 18 years, I am most proud of how we have helped people.

Over the past 18 years, we have helped over 27,000 candidates find new jobs. This has always been what has driven me in recruitment. After 20+ years in recruitment, I still get excited and take great pleasure in placing people in new roles and seeing them thrive.

It has been amazing to see how our team has grown and developed both professionally and personally. We still have a number of people who have been with us from the very beginning and I am very grateful for the commitment and loyalty that our people give to our business and us. We have worked hard to offer flexibility to support our people to live a full life. I am also very proud of the people who have worked with us then gone on to have careers elsewhere. I was talking with a former employee recently who has gone on to have a career in HR and I am pleased we are still in contact and can offer further support. This makes me proud to know that we are having a positive impact on the region.

Technology has hugely influenced how we do business, but one thing that has not changed is understanding and engaging with people. Communication and relationships with people are so important to us and have got us through the highs and lows of the last 18 years.”

Lynn Walters, Executive Director

“Since we began in 2002, we have been very clear about our values and how we wanted to run our business. I am incredibly proud of what we set out to achieve and what we believed in still bears true today.

Pure has given us a great opportunity to make a real difference to people and businesses across the eastern region. I am proud of the lasting impact of our first initiative Best Employers Eastern Region that has become the ‘go-to’ on employee engagement. This has enabled us to showcase great practice and innovative ideas that have inspired and raised the bar for our region’s organisations. In January 2014, we launched our Women’s Leadership Programme, which has supported over 100 women to develop their careers.  In March 2018, we launched our latest initiative, the Board Ready Talent Programme with Cranfield Business School which has enabled us to help our region’s businesses to develop their leaders of the future.

We pride ourselves on personal service, going the extra mile and building long-term relationships and the initiatives have meant that we are more than just a traditional recruitment company. We are committed to the development of people and businesses across our region, providing support, advice and connecting people. Our team, our relationships and our culture have enabled us to adapt and survive through challenging times. 

We have also been able to support our community and although our impact has been less than normal this year, I look forward to having the opportunity to do more in the future.”

Caroline Batchelor, Director

“I am super proud of the number of people we have found jobs for in 18 years and how we have made such a difference to people’s lives. I love it when I hear my colleague Nick talking to a Finance Director who I placed in his or her first clerical finance role. Many of our candidates have stayed with us throughout their careers and we have supported them at every step. Many of our team have long service at Pure and it is great to work with a great bunch of people who actually like each other!

Over the years, we have won awards for being a great place to work, for living and breathing our unique culture by encouraging our team to be individuals and by encouraging ideas. I am always pleased to hear feedback from clients, friends or family about the service we provide and how we stayed true to the values that we have believed in from the beginning.

Being involved in our Women’s Leadership programme has been incredibly important to me. Through the programme, I feel privileged to have learnt from many professional and aspiring delegates.

Since 2002, we made a commitment to support the communities that surround us. I have had the best time raising money for charity by completing the Inca Trail, climbing Kilimanjaro, walking the National 3 Peaks and Yorkshire 3 Peaks.  I am pleased to have had the opportunity to do this and to actively encourage our people to make a difference.

I have been given fantastic opportunities since starting Pure in 2002, setting up divisions, the charity work, the WLP and now my coaching. It cannot get better than working for a business that has allowed and encouraged me to grow. The pandemic has been a difficult time for many, but we have continued to support our clients and they like using us because we have built up strong relationships with them over the last 18 years.”

2020 has certainly presented challenges for recruitment and for our business and we recognise there will be tough times ahead. Whilst the future remains uncertain, reflecting on the past 18 years has shown how resilient we are and how much we have achieved.

What we do know is that things will change again, both personally and professionally. 

For us, helping people through these times with jobs and personal development is our reason for being.  No matter what changes, we know that things will change and they will be all right in the end.

Entries for the 30th anniversary year of the Norfolk Business Awards have now closed, and the judging period is well underway for the range of categories that will celebrate the achievements of our local businesses. We are pleased to announce that this year we are offering the public the chance to have their say and vote in a very special category: The Changing Lives Special Recognition Award, proudly sponsored by Norwich Research Park.  

This award seeks to recognise the businesses and organisations within Norfolk who have adapted and put the community first in the fight against Covid-19. This year has been very difficult for many communities and businesses across the region, which is why we are encouraging the public to be a part of recognising the efforts of and rewarding a Norfolk business that has halted their normality, and gone above and beyond to bravely help others during the crisis caused by the pandemic. 

There are a range of businesses taking part in this public vote category who all have a story to tell. Click here to show your support and vote for the businesses that has been shortlisted for the Changing Lives Special Recognition Award. 

Public voting closes Wednesday 14th October 2020. Once the voting period closes, a panel of our handpicked judges will select the finalists and overall recipient of the award after completing judging meetings. 

The winner of this category will be revealed on social media and on the Eastern Daily Press website on Tuesday 24th November.  

This has been a challenging year for businesses and even though the awards have had to adapt in 2020, we can’t wait to celebrate the work and achievements of remarkable individuals, teams and businesses in Norfolk! 

Vote now for free at www.norfolkbusinessawards.co.uk/changing-lives-public-vote  

The Hatch Brenner Dispute Resolution team is celebrating after gaining national recognition after being ranked in four practice areas with five specialists named as recommended in the Legal 500 UK 2021 edition which was released yesterday.

The Legal 500 rankings reflect the detailed analysis which the directory researchers undertake of law firm submissions and thousands of interviews with client referees, General Counsels and private practice lawyers.

In addition to ranking law firms and listing leading individuals by location and practice area to help in-house counsel make an informed choice, the guide also allows law firms to benchmark their own performance against their peers. Every firm ranked – and individual mentioned – in the UK Legal 500 UK Solicitors guide is ‘recommended’.

Hatch Brenner has been ranked for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence, Professional Negligence, Mediation and Contested Trusts and Probate.

Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence

Head of Dispute Resolution and Partner Colin Cook is recommended for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence: Claimant alongside Legal Executive Pasha Alnadaf:

“Hatch Brenner LLP is a long-established firm in Norwich that handles injury claims arising from road traffic accidents, assault, medical negligence or fatal accidents at work, in a public place or abroad. Litigation partner Colin Cook specialises in brain injuries, accident claims and medical negligence. He also has experience in dealing with Criminal Injury Compensation Authority claims. He is supported by litigation executive Pasha Alnadaf.”

Testimonials

‘I think Hatch Brenner Solicitors is unique because of the way it treats different aspects of the case. The in-house peers from secretaries to solicitors handle all aspects of the case very professionally.’

‘My solicitor, Colin Cook, took over my case from another solicitor midway through my case and I found him professional in taking over the case. He and his secretary helped put my mind at easy during every stage.’

‘In my experience, Hatch Brenner provides an excellent PI service. I find their dedication to detail, their breadth of experience and their commitment to the client far superior to many of their competitors.’

Partner Sara Westwood and Chartered Legal Executive Simon Bransby are recognised for their specialist work at Morgan Jones Pett in Norwich:

“Handling work both from East Anglia and nationwide, the firm … handle every type of personal injury claim from low to high value, including head injuries, spinal injuries and industrial disease cases. Legal executive Simon Bransby is also recommended.”

Testimonials

‘They are a local firm who handle personal injury and clinical negligence cases with the skill of larger national firms. They appear to have excellent relationships with their clients, and provide a personal touch.’

‘I have worked with Simon Bransby, who is a highly skilled individual. He is tactically astute and has a great relationship with his lay clients.’

Work highlights

Represented several members of the family of seven-year-old Summer Grant who died in March 2016 when the bouncy castle she was playing on blew away because it wasn’t properly secured. This case received considerable national media attention.

Sara Westwood and Simon Bransby joined the Hatch Brenner team in October 2020.

Professional Negligence

Partner Mark Fitch is recommended for Professional Negligence:

“Hatch Brenner LLP joins the ranking this year due to its growing workload of claims against solicitors, accountants, surveyors or architects. Partner Mark Fitch has 25 years’ litigation experience and has a long track record in claimant professional negligence work, including numerous successes in mediation.”

Work highlights

Successfully handled a claim against conveyancing solicitors who had erroneously reported that a property had title absolute when in fact it only had possessory title.

Mediation

Mark Fitch is recommended for Mediation:

“Mark Fitch at Hatch Brenner LLP is ‘an excellent mediator who quickly understands the obvious points of conflict and aims to find common ground to settle as soon as possible’. Fitch qualified as a commercial mediator in 2005 and has conducted over 75 mediations. His mediations have covered contested probate, employment matters, and property and commercial claims.”

Contested Trusts and Probate

Mark Fitch is also recommend for Contentious Trusts and Probate:

“Hatch Brenner LLP joins the ranking this year. It acts for family members, beneficiaries, executors and trustees in will disputes arising from lack of capacity to make a will including due to dementia or other illness, claims for financial maintenance and other issues. The ‘knowledgeable, approachable professional’ Mark Fitch, who has 25 years’ experience in litigation, has a strong track in complex matters including claims for undue influence and fraudulent calumny.”

Testimonials

‘This was the first time I have needed to engage the services of a solicitor. I approached Mark Fitch as he was recommended to me by a family member. I found him to be a knowledgeable and approachable professional. On occasions when I attended the office he was helpful and assisted with the contentious issue in a professional manner.’

‘Mark Fitch was friendly and made me feel at ease in his company.’

Work highlights

Acted for the main residuary beneficiary of the deceased’s Will, made before his son was born, in an action brought by the son under the 1975 Inheritance Act.

You can contact the Hatch Brenner Dispute Resolution team via 01603 660 811 or email info@hatchbrenner.co.uk. We would be delighted to discuss your specific circumstances and offer our support.

Prior Power Solutions has been selected for participation in the Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) New Anglia Programme 2020, co-funded by the ORE Catapult and the New Anglia LEP.

With over 50 high quality expressions of interest received for the programme, Prior Power Solutions’ application was one of just ten selected. The success of our application was down to the potential value we can add to the renewables sector and the potential ORE Catapult sees for sustainable and successful growth in the offshore renewable energy sector for Prior Power Solutions.

James Rix, Managing Director says, “We are Looking forward to getting involved in this programme.”

“In this our 40th year we have identified that we are too dependent on oil & gas and we are looking to reduce that by adapting our products and services for adjacent markets such as offshore renewables.

“As shown by our recent rebrand, we are committed to undertake significant R&D into cleaner diesel and alternative-powered equipment.

“Being part of the F4OR Programme will allow us to develop and grow our business and expertise and learn from colleagues in other companies in the cohort.”

The F4OR New Anglia programme is the first regional F4OR programme. It builds on the learning from the pilot programme in Scotland and the ongoing support from New Anglia LEP’s Industry Advisory Group. A key feature of this regional programme is the concept of the “cohort”. More specifically, it is envisaged that whilst the individual companies have been selected and they will be working to improve and develop their own corporate profile and competence, they will also embrace a desire to work as a regional cohort. With a strong collective voice representing the supply chain New Anglia LEP is hopeful to gain greater impact through engagement with the offshore wind developers and other stakeholders. The cohort model will also support the development of business to business relationships, networks and strategic partnerships.

An electrically driven nitrogen pumping unit – what is thought to be a world first – has been developed by Prior Power Solutions.

Driven by a gap in the market for emission-free units in ATEX environments, the Great Yarmouth company has undertaken considerable research and development to bring this revolutionary product to the market.

The so-called ENP-90 utilises proven VSD technology to offer emission-free operation without compromising on operational efficiency or accuracy of control.

The units have the added benefits of not requiring harmful hydraulic and gearbox oils nor consumables – offering both environmental and cost savings.

James Pendle, Project Engineer at Prior Power Solution says: “this brand-new product ticks a lot of boxes in terms of emissions and meets the changing demands and criteria for our customers.”

“These new units have additional environmental benefits in that they do not require consumables such as filters – thus reducing waste – and indeed offering lower maintenance and reduced running costs.”

Nitrogen converter units are used for both onshore and offshore well service and intervention for oil and gas extraction worldwide. The ENP offers particular advantages for onshore applications due to its quiet running and also for stringent emission control zones. Although electro-hydraulic options are also available, the fully electric version provides optimal environmental impact. There are also options available for remote access and diagnostics.

“ATEX certified engines are increasingly hard to source” explains James Rix, Managing Director. “Our ground-breaking electrically-driven nitrogen unit exemplifies our commitment to providing cleaner power products to our customers.”

Prior Power Solutions, the new name for Prior Diesel has recently undergone a total rebrand. “We are developing a range of products and services that will offer the market alternative and cleaner energy solutions and help companies integrate this technology into their normal operating environment and reduce harmful emissions. The ENP-90 demonstrates the rationale behind our rebrand and gives companies more choice on how the equipment they require is powered.”

“Having already invested in this new pioneering ‘clean’ product, it is available on shorter build and delivery schedules than traditional units” says James Rix.

As series one of Impromptu Business Chat wraps up, the team looks back at the last of their summer episodes, including the first in a series of special guest interviews…

James and Mark launched into September with a discussion on the decision staff and employers faced on whether to return to the office or not, and what impact this will have on the surrounding economy. Working in a ghost town expands on an eclectic set of inspiration, including comments from Dame Carolyn Fairbairn of the CBI, and referencing Richard Jackson MBE of The Winning Edge, the Rolling Stones and The Wurzels!

In Eat, sleep, run, repeat James and Mark build on previous episodes to help business leaders and their teams feel more energised in work and life. So so, or mojo?, which was inspired by a recent conversation with a listener, makes reference to Austin Powers, Tony Robbins, Michael Heppell and Gandhi, and provides three top tips on how to reclaim your mojo in business and in life – yeah baby!

The series wrapped up with the first in an upcoming set of special edition episodes, where James and Mark interview a very special guest. This month’s chat is with Dr Chris Mason, the coach of the coaches! A leader in business advisory, he advises businesses all over the world, as well as owning many himself. He’s a published author, and has a PhD in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, which makes for a fascinating conversation with a leader in his field; not to be missed.

You can now find Impromptu Business Chat on Apple Podcasts, or you can catch up with all previous episodes by visiting the website here.

Chartered accountants and business advisors, MHA Larking Gowen, has strengthened its Private Client offering by appointing a new partner, Sally Farrow on 1 October 2020.

“We are delighted to announce this important appointment,” stated Jon Woolston, Managing Partner of MHA Larking Gowen, which has a team of over 320 people across seven offices throughout East Anglia, making it a major regional independent accountancy partnership and one of the UK’s top 40 accountancy firms. “Sally originally joined the firm as a trainee then went on to work for a national firm of accountants. She rejoined the firm in 2018 with a specific focus on tax planning and tax compliance for our private clients, including trustees, bringing with her an invaluable perspective to this important part of our business.”

Based in Norwich but covering all MHA Larking Gowen’s offices in the region, Sally will head up the newly formed Private Client tax team with an emphasis on delivering private client services for individuals, trustees and executors and growing the wider private client offering.

Sally has over 20 years’ experience and is a Chartered Tax Adviser and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Sally commented: “I was delighted when I was asked to join the partnership. We have an excellent Private Client offering and I look forward to leading the team in the future. We will continue to focus on providing great client service and proactive advice.”

Jon added: “Sally is a significant asset to this business and our clients. My fellow partners and I look forward to working with her as we continue to expand the firm.”

Spire Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce the promotion of Ejike Ndaji to Head of Private Client.

Ejike trained with Overburys (now part of Spire Solicitors LLP) and qualified as a Solicitor in 2013. After working in the Firm’s Norwich office, Ejike relocated to the Wymondham office in 2017, helping to strengthen the Private Client team. He specialises in all areas of Private Client law including Will drafting, Administration of Estates, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work and Estate Planning.

Ejike will be taking over from Alisdair Liddle, who has been Head of the Department at Spire Solicitors LLP for 7 years. Alisdair will remain highly involved with the Firm, as a member of the Management Committee.

James Knight, CEO of Spire Solicitors LLP, commented:

“The Members and staff would like to thank Alisdair for the years of dedication that he has given to the Team and for developing a Private Client Team that has continued to grow in size and quality of service over the last seven years.  

On behalf of the Firm, I would like to wish Ejike every success as Head of Private Client at Spire Solicitors LLP. He is a valued member of the business and is well regarded by his colleagues, clients and contacts for the support and legal expertise he offers them. This promotion is testament to his dedication, loyalty and hard work since joining the Firm.”

Alongside the Private Client work, Ejike also heads the Firm’s Charities and Social Enterprise team. He has expertise in establishing charities, converting unincorporated Charities and Trusts to Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), advising Charity Trustees on the most suitable operational structure, drafting charity constitution documents, dealing with property transfers etc. Ejike has also been involved with the boards of the Charities: Red Balloon Learner Centre for Bullied Children; Norfolk Community Law Service; and the Norfolk Black History Month.

Ejike also set up the Spire Charitable Trust and to date the charity has raised over £16,000. The aim of the Trust is to alleviate the financial hardship of individuals residing in Norfolk by making donations to other bodies or organisations with charitable purposes and aims.

Norwich-based Coleman Opticians is aiming to reduce the amount of waste in our oceans by stocking glasses and sunglasses created with recycled plastic and fishing nets rescued from landfill and oceans all over the world.

The local practice which has been situated on Norwich’s St Augustine’s Street for over 75 years has today (1st October) become the first UK optician to partner with sustainable brand Coral Eyewear. From today, the practice will stock a variety of unisex shapes and colours from the sustainable brand’s new Endangered Collection.

The Coral Eyewear frames are created with ECONYL®, pellets of recycled nylon created from recycled ocean fishing nets and fabric scraps from landfill. The ECONYL® process reduces the global warming impact of nylon by up to 90% when compared with the material from oil and instead of adding environmentally-damaging lacquer, gloss or varnish, the frames are tumbled for smoothness. 

Coral Eyewear has been developed by university student George Bailey alongside his father Calvin and The University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Fund. The sustainable start-up received £50,000 to test eco-friendly materials in November last year and has since received backing and support from Norfolk entrepreneur and TV personality Jake Humphrey.

George said: “It’s so exciting to be working with Coleman Opticians and I’m delighted that Coral Eyewear will have a great high-street presence here in Norfolk. Coleman Opticians is a great fit for the brand, and I believe this partnership can make a real impact in our bid to move the industry towards recycled, eco-friendly materials.

I’ve lived locally in Norfolk for a number of years and it’s great to see initiatives like the contact lens recycling scheme and water refill station already in practice. I think that our frames are the next positive environmental swap and we hope it’s the start of a long-term partnership where our frames will eventually return to us for recycling.”

600,000 tonnes of fishing nets are thought to be abandoned in our oceans every year, taking up to 600 years to break down. During this time, tiny fragments called micro plastics are ingested by animals and World Animal Protection estimates just one abandoned net entangles 30-40 marine animals per year.

Director of Coleman Opticians Katie Fenn said: ‘As a local independent business we strive to improve our carbon footprint year on year and supporting local entrepreneur George on this exciting innovation, really was a no brainer. The range of glasses are bright, attractive and knowing how they have been produced will hopefully be the start of a new way of thinking in the future’.

To book an eye-test or appointment with Coleman Opticians call 01603 624564 or email info@colemanopticians.co.uk.

Hatch Brenner Solicitors on Theatre Street is supporting their long-term community partner Headway Norfolk and Waveney the brain injury association, to help raise awareness of the devastating impact of Memory Loss through ABI Week 2020.

Their ‘Campaign to Remember’ during ABI Week is running from 28 September – 4 October. Headway has launched an emotional animated video as part of the campaign highlighting both the complex effects of memory loss but also the UK-wide support available to those affected and their families.

Focusing on the story of Tony, who lost his memory after suffering a car accident aged 27, the video aims to increase understanding and raise awareness of the hidden impact of memory loss following a brain injury. It was produced in response to survey findings by Headway that 72% of brain injury survivors felt the people in their life did not understand their memory problems.

Colin Cook, Hatch Brenner Partner and brain injury legal specialist commented: “Having acted for clients with a range of brain injuries, we know that memory loss is an all too familiar and predominant feature of brain injury. From being used as an early diagnostic tool to determine the period of post traumatic amnesia (and retrograde amnesia) to learning coping strategies to deal with issues arising from memory loss, early access to focussed rehabilitation is key to better long term outcomes. The memory loss campaign during ABI Week is an important opportunity to spread the message and promote understanding in the wider public. We are proud to continue to support Headway Norfolk and Waveney in their work.”

Laura Jones, Chief Executive of Headway Norfolk & Waveney added: “Many thanks to the brain injury legal team at Hatch Brenner Solicitors for their continued support. The impact of memory problems on an acquired brain injury survivors’ life and relationships is one of the most common concerns we come across with those contacting us for support. We are here for anyone affected by brain injury in the local community and work to promote independence, provide rehabilitation support and increase understanding of brain injury.”

View the Headway ‘Campaign to Remember’ video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=nalhhZhYYY0&feature=emb_logo

Read the full Headway Memory Loss survey results: The impact of memory loss on people with brain injury

Hatch Brenner is approved as a specialist brain injury solicitor in the Headway Head Injury Solicitor Directory. Colin Cook is also sits on the board of trustees for Headway Norfolk and Waveney. If you or a loved one has suffered an acquired brain injury and are looking for legal advice, please contact our experienced team via 01603 660 811 or colincook@hatchbrenner.co.uk.

Hatch Brenner Solicitors in Norwich is aiming to raise vital funds for nine of the UK’s best loved charities, after signing up once again for Will Aid, the annual charity will writing campaign.

Hatch Brenner has signed up to the scheme, which runs throughout November, for the sixth year.

The firm has raised £22,703 for the nine charities involved since it joined the scheme. It raised £4,000 in the 2019 campaign.

Alexandria Martin from the firm said: “We are very excited to be involved in the Will Aid campaign again this year.

“It gives us an excellent opportunity to reach people in our community who do not have a will and help them to protect their loved ones for the future.

“It also means we can raise funds for nine incredible charities which make a huge difference to people in need both here in the UK and around the world.”

The Will Aid scheme takes place across the country during November and supports ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland).

Thanks to the generosity of solicitors like Hatch Brenner, the campaign has raised more than £21 million for these charities since it launched 31 years ago.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, charities are in need of donations now more than ever.

Campaign director Peter de Vena Franks said: “One in three people die in the UK without making a will, often leaving confusion and chaos behind along with the sadness of losing a loved one.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made people reflect on the fragility of life and reinforced the importance of having a professionally-written will in place.

“Will Aid encourages people to prepare this vital piece of paperwork at the same time as making a difference by raising money for charity.

“We are thrilled that Hatch Brenner has joined this year’s campaign. They have contributed a great deal to our fundraising efforts in the past and I know they will continue to work with us in future.”

Law firms across the country are being asked to sign up and pledge a portion of their time to write basic wills, putting duty before profit and instead asking clients to make a voluntary donation.

The suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills. Donations support the vital work of the nine partner charities.

Any additional work to the will can be charged separately and is paid to the law firm.

Will Aid solicitors will be following the most up-to-date government health advice to ensure that face-to-face meetings remain safe. Many firms will be able to write wills at a distance via a phone or online consultations. Some firms will only be offering their services remotely. Participating firms can be contacted directly for more information.

For more information about how to sign up or how to make an appointment to write a will visit www.willaid.org.uk/solicitors.

Hatch Brenner will be opening up their Will Aid appointments at the beginning of October. Contact alexandriamartin@hatchbrenner.co.uk or call 01603 660 811.

As businesses across Norfolk continue to restart, rebuild and recover, NatWest’s Business Growth Enabler Andy Gray will be supporting businesses move forward following lockdown.

In his role, NatWest will work with local partners including Norfolk Chambers of Commerce to champion the potential of businesses and support business owners as they develop and grow. This may be through one to one mentoring support or by helping entrepreneurs connect with a business network.

Andy will be running regular events on topics such as Trading Online, cyber security and applying for funding and will also support new and developing businesses achieve their potential through NatWest’s Business Builder. The digital tool is on hand to provide help with all aspects of getting new businesses off the ground, with a wide range of online learning and workshops.

The NatWest Group have set out the bold new ambition to be a leading bank in the UK & Republic of Ireland helping to address the climate challenge; by making our own operations net carbon zero in 2020 and climate positive by 2025, and by driving material reductions in the climate impact of our financing activity.

As we move from 2020 into 2021, Andy will also provide specialist support to female entrepreneurs as part of NatWest’s commitment to supporting women in business. An ambassador for women in business, he holds an accreditation in NatWest’s Everywoman program which supports female business owners to turn their dreams and ambitions into a reality.

Andy said: “The last six months have been an incredibly challenging time for all of us in a variety of ways but, as we look the future, it’s absolutely vital the local eco-system continues to support businesses across Norfolk as they move forward. We know there are new enterprises that have developed over this period as well as those that have had to adapt and change, and I look forward to working with our partners support further growth in Norfolk.

Andy has over 12 years’ experience in Banking and Finance and has spent the last four years specialising in business development and entrepreneurship