Member News

Print and POS specialist BDH Tullford donated several clear, pull-up partitions to Norfolk-based charity Equal Lives this September, helping to keep their teams safe as they return to the office.

Having diversified during the coronavirus crisis, BDH Tullford initially began producing PPE components, face shields and partition screens to support the NHS. The opportunity to convert pull-up banners into portable partition screens using clear plastic was a natural development. Not only can they be wiped down with antibacterial spray but they can easily be moved around, allowing individuals and organisations flexibility in the workplace. 

Having produced several pull-up screen prototypes, the company saw an opportunity to give back to the local community, donating a batch to a local charity as its employees began returning to the office. 

The chosen charity, Equal Lives, is based in Framingham Pigot in Norfolk. It is dedicated to empowering disabled individuals so they can live independent lives. Its team of employees and volunteers works closely with local people, helping them to understand their rights and access the support they need – all while campaigning for equal opportunities. 

Says Kimberly Myhill, Equal Lives’ Senior Business Development Manager: “Buying PPE and screens diverts vital resources away from the charity’s work. 

“Receiving a donation like this not only allows us to save money but helps us to keep our colleagues and clients safe as we return to the office, allowing us to increased levels of assistance during a particularly stressful time.”

Comments David Hutchins, Director at BDH Tullford: “We’re delighted to provide support to a local charity with these screens. They’re easy to use, simple to set up and incredibly versatile

“Equal Lives provides invaluable services within East Anglia and we’re delighted that we can help them continue to provide those services in a safe and secure manner.”

Internationally acclaimed Spanish installation artist and sculptor, Cristina Iglesias (b. November 1956), presents two major sculptures at the Sainsbury Centre, UEA. This free Sculpture Park exhibition on display from 14 November places Iglesias’ work in dialogue with Norman Foster’s iconic Sainsbury Centre building.

Celosía XI (Hafsa Bint Al-Hayy) (2006) consists of seven terracotta screens that evoke the lattices in Arab architecture. Iglesias co-opts their traditional geometric patterns by incorporating words into the structure of the screens. Passing through the enclosures is akin to reading passages of text. The title refers to the celebrated Andalusian poet Ḥafṣa bint al-Ḥājj ar-Rakūniyya (1135-1191).

The immersive installation Vegetation Room III (2005) is a defined architectural space. The interior walls are casts of organic vegetation. The combination of natural and architectural elements complements the aims of the Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park: to bring together art, architecture and the natural environment. 

This exhibition reunites the work of Cristina Iglesias and Norman Foster, who have collaborated on a number of projects. Iglesias’ sculpture can be seen in front of the Bloomberg Headquarters, London, which was designed by Norman Foster. She has also created a canopy for the façade of the Norman Foster Foundation in Madrid.

Both works are free to view on the West Lawn as part of the Sculpture Park. A trail map is available here.

In collaboration with Marian Goodman Gallery and Cristina Iglesias Studio.  

Our latest blog takes a look behind the scenes at Layrd Design and gives an insight into the working life of Director Will Mayes.

Read the full blog here.

On 28th September, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) launched its G-Cloud 12 framework and it is now live for all public sector customers to use.  G-Cloud 12 offers public sector organisations a straightforward and compliant way to purchase cloud based services, such as hosting, software, and support.

G-Cloud 12 works through an online catalogue called the Digital Marketplace. Services now include service definition documents, which provide detailed service information to support evaluating services, empowering customers to make better buying decisions.  CJC Procurement Ltd has two service offerings; Cloud & Digital Transformation Procurement Services; and Software Cost Optimisation services.

The benefits of using G-Cloud 12 include:

• straightforward contract award using a quick and easy 6 step process on the Digital Marketplace
• transparent prices – catalogue shows suppliers, services, prices and supplier terms and conditions 
• access to the latest innovation and technologies
• ability to move away from long term contracts – maximum duration is 24 months, which is then easily refreshed or can be extended by 2 x 12 month periods
• includes clauses to help you address both modern slavery and corporate social value

Including CJC Procurement Ltd, 5,224 suppliers have each been awarded a place on the twelfth iteration of G-Cloud.  Over 38,000 services will be available for customers to access, subject to a process of additional assurance. This is a growth of over 25% from G-Cloud 11. 

Over 91% of the overall suppliers on G-Cloud 12 are small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Of the suppliers new to G-Cloud 12, over 80% are micro and small organisations, demonstrating that G-Cloud continues to offer opportunities to suppliers of all sizes.  CJC Procurement Ltd is one of these micro businesses and proof that such business can be appointed to public sector Framework Agreements.  For more information on the CJC Procurement Ltd listed services, please follow the links below.

Cloud & Digital Transformation Procurement Service

Software Cost Optimisation Service

It is with great sadness that we have to report the news that Simon Gray, founder of Credo Asset Finance passed away on Sunday afternoon 27th September 2020 after a short battle with cancer.

Simon started Credo Asset Finance as a ‘bedroom broker’ in 2005 after being in the finance industry for the previous 25 years.  He named the company Credo after its Latin name ‘Trust & Belief’ with a vision to help local businesses secure funding as quickly and as efficiently as possible. 

It was not long before he forged many relationships with these businesses and by 2010 with the help of investors, created Credo Capital Finance Ltd.  This is an own book funding facility to offer finance to those that needed more than a simple automated decision to be approved. 

He was a mentor for young people, employing many at Credo and for several years offering 0% interest free business loans and advice to those young people wanting to start a local business.  Credo Asset Finance went from strength to strength under his leadership, growing to 28 staff members and lending in the region of £50 Million a year.  Star Asset Finance acquired Credo in June 2017.

Simon loved spending time with his family, his wife Tracy and three children, Will, Anna & Alex, and loved his holidays.  He sang in local choirs, loved a game of golf, enthusiast for motorsport and enjoyed long walks.

He was an extraordinarily generous man, always wanting to help those in need and astonishingly raised over £100,000 for charity in the last few years.  This included climbing Kilimanjaro in 2016 and most recently the creation of the Canaryball Rally, which involved 20 cars travelling through 8 countries in Europe in 5 days in association with the Community Sports Foundation raising funds for their Build The Nest project in Horsford, Norwich.

He will be truly missed by so many, not least his Credo family.  It is even sadder that Simon will not see his son Will marry Bara who works at Credo which was supposed to take place in June this year. 

Ian Tims MD said “Simon was a legend in Asset Finance.  I will ensure his legacy continues, building the business so that Credo carries on even stronger and brighter for the future.”

All our thoughts are with Tracy and the family at this incredibly difficult time.

Simon Gray 1963 – 2020

A lot has changed since John Mayer joined TaxAssist Accountants in 2000, but he has absolutely no regrets.

John Mayer, who operates his TaxAssist Accountants franchise from Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset, has recently celebrated 20 years at the helm of his flourishing practice. To congratulate him, the Support Centre staff in Norwich sent a hamper to mark the occasion.

John said: “A big thank you for the gift of the Fortnum & Masons hamper celebrating my 20 years as a TaxAssist Accountants franchisee, it is very gratefully received.

“Where has the last 20 years gone! I am so thankful I joined TaxAssist and is a decision I will never regret. It has given myself and my family a good, secure living and has allowed me to meet many great people, both clients and within the franchise.

“It has been challenging at times, sometimes hard work, but over riding all of this, vastly enjoyable, extremely rewarding, and something I am very proud to be associated with.

“I have seen the franchise grow from around £4m fee bank to its current £51m and I like to think I have put a little part into its growth.

“I was going to organise a 20-year celebration party this October, and get my band to play as I did with the 15 year-celebration. Sadly, due to Covid-19 that has to be put on hold until next year, but it should be a party to remember when it does happen!”

Karl Sandall, the TaxAssist Group Chief Executive Director, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with and get to know John over the last 20 years and to help him build the substantial practice which he heads up today. He has always been eager to embrace change and keep up with the times and I congratulate him on his many years of business success. I would also like to thank him for the contribution he has made to the franchise over the years.”

If you are interested in joining TaxAssist Accountants, we are holding monthly Virtual Discovery Days where you can spend a day with the team to find out more about the business opportunity and support on offer. Click here for more information.

Regardless of size or industry, chances are the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way your organisation does business.  Whether it is the services and products you provide, how you provide them, or just working out how to keep your staff working- adapting to these unprecedented challenges, and fast, was essential to mere survival.

We invite you to take part in our anonymous survey in which we are trying to understand how many organisations are moving to remote working on a long-term basis and how conscious those organisations are of the additional risks.  Is the security of these workers being considered? Is advice being sought?  What additional training and technical solutions are in place.

Take the survey here!

You can read the full blog here ask yourself if these temporary measures have changed your business for the better.

Don’t make love wait! We are really excited to launch our Covid-secure Intimate Wedding Package.

Experience our romantic wedding venue for your small but perfect post-lockdown wedding ceremony.

Set in eight acres of gorgeous riverside grounds in the Norfolk Broads National Park, The Norfolk Mead, a stunning red brick Georgian country house wedding venue, offers a touch of luxury. We hold a wedding licence, so we can host your boutique civil wedding ceremony or civil partnership in our beautiful grounds. We are specialists in diversity and an inclusive approach and welcome couples from the LGBT+ community.

Relax and take your time, with just the most important people present to witness your personal day. We have tailored our usual wedding menu for this package, and can work with you to put together a fantastic menu using locally sourced Norfolk produce.

Our 15 person intimate wedding package is priced at £2,200 including:

• Exclusive Hire of the stylish Garden Room Venue within our atmospheric walled garden
• Ceremony fee
• Experienced event planner
• Glass of prosecco arrival drink and toast drink for all guests
• Delicious three course sit down meal
• Half bottle of house wine per person
• White linen and white napkins
• Chiavari chairs
• Round tables
• Cake knife and table
• Easel for your table plan

The Norfolk Mead micro wedding package is valid on any day and any month from now until March 31 2021. Contact our wedding event planners Francesca and Victoria to enquire about availability and secure a date with a £500.00 deposit. Please contact the wedding team for more information via events@norfolkmead.co.uk or 01603 737 531.

With Carrow Road set to re-open for Conferences, Meetings and Events from October 1, here is a guide to the event space and facilities we have here at the stadium.

Following a £400,000 investment in 2019, technology capabilities at the ground include video conferencing facilities in the Gunn Club allowing for live streaming and hybrid events, as well as built in HD screens in almost all event spaces.

We are also fortunate to have a wealth of space and flexibility within our 17 meeting rooms and 41 executive boxes here at the stadium, which are situated over the four stands (each with their own entrance), meaning we can offer clients a ‘self-contained’ stand of their own for their event should they so wish, providing a really safe and secure environment for them and their delegates.

In line with government guidelines, up to 30 people are currently permitted to attend business meetings and events together. With a full safety policy in place, Carrow Road is a Visit Britain ‘We’re Good To Go’ accredited venue.

We also have 3D tours available on our website for our main event spaces, so that clients can take a tour of the event spaces from their computers or laptops.

To find out more about how Carrow Road is re-opening safely for CME on October 1, click here.

For our conference, meeting and events information guide, click here.

To find out more about our venue, visit the Delia’s Canary Catering or call us on 01603 218704.

now!

Has the coronavirus crisis caused you to have to re-think your business set-up and location? If you and colleagues have had to disperse and all work from home, we can provide the perfect base where you can come together for meetings and team building. We’ve developed a new Prime package, to meet these needs. We’re offering 4 days a month meeting space, plus all the other benefits of virtual tenancy for £75 (plus VAT) monthly. It’s a corona virus exclusive package, involving no long-term commitment when working circumstances could change.

The additional good news is that we’re offering a 25% discount on all new virtual tenancies for 2 months. You would benefit from being part of a wider business community for a very reasonable cost and on flexible terms. We currently have over 125 virtual tenants as part of our friendly community. As well as having the benefit of a prestigious business address, our virtual tenants form a key part of our vibrant leading business hub of SMEs, start-ups and sole traders. Post-handling, use of registered address, display of logos on our website and at the building entrance and discounts on additional services are all included as standard. Our range of virtual tenancy packages are all very accessibly priced from £20 (plus VAT) monthly, depending on individuals’ requirements.

The Enterprise Centre is fully open for tenants and their visitors. We have a small number of co-working desks available too, so do get in touch if that might be of interest. Part-time options are also currently available, ideal during these unprecedented times. The full-time monthly charge is £175 + VAT, with just a month’s notice required to end any contract, all terms are flexible.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we could help your business via theenterprisecentre.reception@uea.ac.uk or 01603 591366.

Virtual Tenancy pricing:

Standard – £20 + VAT per month  Use of business address at The Enterprise Centre  Post handling, free use of communal areas and Wi-Fi  10% discount on hot-desk and meeting room hire  Reputational benefits associated with The Enterprise Centre and UEA and access to the campus

Advanced – £35 + VAT per month All items included in the Standard package plus:  1 day (or 2 half days) free access to a hot-desk per month  Access to business support sessions

Premium – £50 + VAT per month All items included in the Standard package plus:  3 days (or 6 half days) free access to a hot-desk per month  1 days (or 2 half days) free use of a meeting room  Access to business support sessions

Prime (COVID-19 exclusive package) – £75 + VAT per month All items included in the Standard package plus:  4 days (or 8 half days) free use of a meeting room per month  Access to business support sessions

The government has today (Thursday 24 September) approved Norfolk County Council’s Development Consent Order application to build and operate a crucial new lifting bridge across the River Yare in Great Yarmouth.

The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river. The bridge will ease traffic congestion on the town’s roads, shortening journey times and improving journey reliability, as well as support wider plans and work to maximise investment, regeneration and economic growth opportunities in the town and wider borough.

The Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP confirmed the decision in a letter, which marks the end of a year-long Development Consent Order process that began last September with a six-month examination period.

The council will now submit a final business case to the government which, if approved, would unlock £98 million of national funding towards the expected £120 million cost of the project. The remainder of the funding is likely to come from local sources. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2021 with the bridge open for use in early 2023.

Cllr Graham Plant, Deputy Leader at both Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news, we’re now tantalisingly close to making this much-needed bridge a reality. Not only will it make getting around so much easier for many people currently living and working in the borough but, crucially, it will support the town’s key industries, including those linked to the offshore energy and maritime sectors, tourism and manufacturing. This is more important than ever now as we seek to help Norfolk’s economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Rt. Hon. Brandon Lewis CBE, MP for Great Yarmouth, said: “This is excellent news, the Third River Crossing will be transformational for the whole of the Borough of Great Yarmouth, significantly improving traffic flows, which will help residents and visitors to get around. This improved traffic flow will also bring meaningful benefits to local businesses, especially those in the energy sector.” 

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I’m pleased to see this step forward towards construction of the much-needed third crossing in Great Yarmouth. The crossing will open up key land for redevelopment, helping to maximise the potential of the harbour and the industries which it supports, particularly our world-leading energy sector.”

In January 2019, the council announced it had awarded the contract for the Third River Crossing to BAM Farrans, a joint venture between two construction industry leaders. As well as being responsible for finalising the design of the twin leaf bascule bridge and its approaches, including a new roundabout on the west side of the river, BAM Farrans will also construct the bridge on behalf of the council.