Member News

Chantry Place is delighted to announce the appointment of Jo Bates as the new General Manager of the shopping centre, succeeding Paul McCarthy, who recently took early retirement. Jo transitions into this role from her previous position as Operations Manager.

Having been a key member of the Chantry Place team for several years, Jo has significantly contributed to the Centre’s ongoing success through her leadership, dedication, and focus on customer experience. In her new role, Jo will manage all aspects of the Centre, including operations, tenant relations, and daily management, ensuring Chantry Place remains a top destination for shoppers, visitors, and businesses.

Jo Bates, General Manager at Chantry Place said: “I’m excited to step into this new role and continue working with the incredible team here at Chantry Place. It’s been a pleasure to be part of such a brilliant place, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead, especially delivering great experiences for our visitors.”

Nathan Reidy Associate Director at APAM said: “We’re delighted to see Jo continue to progress with us into the role of General Manager. Her experience and passion for the Centre, her deep understanding of our operations, and her unwavering commitment to excellence makes her the ideal person to continue to take Chantry Place forward.  Jo’s ability to build on our strong foundations and drive continued success will be crucial to delivering future successes at the centre.”

With her extensive understanding of the Centre’s operations and her commitment to providing excellent customer service, Jo is well-equipped to guide Chantry Place into its next chapter. She will continue collaborating closely with the internal team and the local community to ensure Chantry Place remains a lively, welcoming space for all.

For more information about Chantry Place, please visit www.chantryplace.co.uk or follow @chantryplacenorwich on social media.

PNG is proud to launch the very first Spark Games — a high-energy event celebrating the next generation of electricians.

Held at East Coast College on Thursday 5th June 2025, this exciting competition will bring together electrical students and apprentices for a full day of hands-on challenges, skill-testing tasks, and good old-fashioned fun.

We’re passionate about supporting emerging talent in the industry, and this event is all about encouraging the spark of future professionals.

If you’re a Norfolk Chambers member, we’d love to invite you for a networking hour and front-row view of the action.

📍 Where: East Coast College
📅 When: Thursday 5th June 2025
🕑 Networking + Spectator Access (Invite Only)

☕ Grab a coffee, meet other local businesses, and support the incredible work of local students entering the trade.

Spaces are limited , and this opportunity is exclusively available to Norfolk Chambers members.
To request an invite, please email:
📩 Samantha.grimsley@pngelectrical.co.uk

Jennifer Perry and Wayne Stannett from Swarm Training and Swarm REAGIT attended the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) networking meeting on Wednesday 30th April at the Houses of Parliament.  They were proud to represent the Further Education sector to talk about Skills needs and how they can help to support and provide the training the energy sector is looking for.

The East of England has a unique position as a leader in energy & innovation, and needs to maintain the important part it plays in the journey to NetZero.  Swarm Training and Swarm REAGIT are already well invested in supporting the industry to fulfil its skills gaps and we want to keep doing more to help the industry thrive.

Jennifer said…

“This region is hugely important for the national energy picture, it is a huge growth area; there is a huge need for identifying and closing skills gaps; unemployment and NEET figures are growing with places like Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft having some of the highest in the country- but, there is a real issue with joining the dots between gaps in the work force and people wanting jobs.

This event was an opportunity to get lots of like-minded people in a room with the ear of well-placed MPs and everyone was in agreement that we need to do something fast.”

There were over 200 delegates at the annual reception and the message was that with Government investment, the region has the capability to deliver 20,000 new jobs! 

Speaker, Alex Spencer, encouraged:
– Championing the industry
– Acting with urgency to meet the 2030 skills demand
– Listening to the knowledge and experience already thriving in the energy workforce.

Bill Esterson said, “In the East of England you are going to be responsible for 30% of the UKs capacity, which is enormous. That means having the support of Government to put in place the grid infrastructure”. 

Denise Hone commented that there are ‘super-ambitious’ plans for the region, but warned that key barriers to current offshore wind deployment should be removed, including grid constraints. 

Suffolk student, Millie Simon, a Public Affairs Industrial Placement student at Sizewell C said opportunities for young people were ‘slightly on the huh’ calling out the ‘persistent disconnect’ where businesses are left with skills shortages and young people with few highly paid opportunities.

At Swarm Training and Swarm REAGIT, we know this last situation only too well.  We are very aware of the skills shortages that businesses have but many are retreating into themselves with the worries over higher bills and taxes from the last Government Budget.  On the other hand there are huge numbers of young people wanting and ready to work, they just need businesses to take a chance on them and to train them. 

As an Independent Training Provider, we have the flexibility and agility to identify skills gaps and develop/ find an apprenticeship which helps to close it.  The colleges are not in a position to be that agile.  We can turn things around quickly because we aren’t tied to term times and those other kinds of formal constraints.  That means we can get new or existing employees up to speed very fast and get them performing well and delivering ROI quickly for your business.

We want to encourage you… in the energy sector or any businesses reading this…

…we know that you will very likely have either skills shortages or are struggling with succession planning.  Apprenticeships are the incredibly affordable way forward and we can help you.  Reach out to us for a conversation.  Wayne and Lou Stannett at Swarm REAGIT are perfectly placed to support you with engineering training and Swarm Training can help you with your business training needs and fill those skills shortages quickly.  We are a highly rated education provider with an Ofsted rating of ‘Good‘ with ‘Outstanding’ features. Not only that, but our sister company, Swarm Recruitment, are experts in recruiting business and engineering apprentices with many years of experience.

Give us a call:  0800 0868199
Or email on louie@swarmgroup.org.uk

We’d also really like to invite you to attend the free Swarm REAGIT open day on
Wednesday 7^th May
10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm

Session 1 – starts at 10am
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swarm-reagit-open-day-am-tickets-1335583820159

Session 2 – starts at 1pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swarm-reagit-open-day-pm-tickets-1335598784919

Netmatters is honoured to have been presented with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity 2025! 

As one of only 197 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, Netmatters has been recognised for its excellence in promoting opportunity through the Scion Scheme.  

About King’s Awards for Enterprise  
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. The awards were first established in 1965 and since then over 8000 companies have achieved a King’s Award. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, reflecting His Majesty The King’s desire to continue HM Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy by recognising outstanding UK businesses.  

The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.  

We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved the Award for Promoting Opportunity! 

About the Scion Scheme 
Netmatters’ Scion Scheme was formally initiated in 2017 to address a shortfall in the business for technical roles. Our objective was to train new developers internally as a cost-effective solution, by targeting individuals with a passion for technology who may not have ordinarily been able to enter the industry easily. 

Prior to this, there was a significant skills gap in the East of England for such positions, with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce noting “According to projections, by 2030, 20% of less of the population will be grossly underqualified for their positions”.  

With this in mind, we began partnering with local job centres to identify individuals in order to provide an accessible pathway into the industry. The scheme has long been dedicated to enhancing social mobility by supporting individuals who are unemployed, long-term unemployed, or from low-income backgrounds. It is even fully remote, providing a career pathway for community members who might not otherwise have the opportunity.  

Once part of the scheme, Scions enjoy hands-on software development training alongside theoretical and soft skills development under the guidance of our course manager, the award-winning Senior Developer, Kayleigh Hall. This includes studying various software languages as well as essential soft skills needed to secure and sustain employment, such as time management, communication, interview practice, and CV creation. Upon completing the course, our team leverages industry connections to help graduates secure suitable roles and achieve our goal of assisting individuals in obtaining employment. 

We’re over the moon to receive the King’s Award for our hard work on the Scion Scheme, but who better to hear from than one of our graduates? 

“The Netmatters Scion Coalition Scheme took me from Zero to Hero. Joining the scheme with practically no web development experience, I was guided through a curated course and given detailed feedback on my work. The constant support from the team allowed me to grow to my full potential and challenged my thinking to see me improve with each day that passed. This wasn’t just a skills bootcamp, this was a working environment simulation to prepare me for employment. With encouraged collaboration, and frequent presentations about the industry, my peers and I felt confident that we were in the hands of experts. I was sad for the experience to be over, but I also felt a renewed confidence after graduating, that I would be able to thrive. The scheme not only taught the technical skills, but also the soft skills to secure a career, all while making some lifelong friends along the way. I am now in full time employment and could not have done it without the Netmatters SCS!” – Liam, SCS Graduate

Our Vision for the Scion Scheme
Along with the honour of the King’s Award, our vision is to bridge the skills gap in the East of England and beyond by forming partnerships across the UK. With the support of local Jobcentres, the DWP and Local Councils, we aim to make a significant impact, reviewing each and every decision we make against our T.R.U.E values.

As part of the Award, our Managing Director and Founder of the scheme, James Gulliver, will be celebrating by meeting the King.

“We are incredibly proud to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the transformative power of the Scion Scheme. At Netmatters, we believe talent can come from anywhere, and this award reflects our ongoing commitment to creating meaningful career pathways for individuals who might otherwise be overlooked. It’s an honour to champion social mobility, and we’re excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead.” – James Gulliver, Managing Director

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Step Back in Time – VE Day 80th Celebration at Saxon Air

Saxon Air is excited to invite you to a weekend of live music, local history, and community spirit—right inside our aircraft hangar—as we mark 80 years since VE Day. It’s a great way to enjoy the May half-term with something for everyone.

 Saturday 31st May – VE Day Celebration Evening

Join us for a 1940s-inspired evening with:

• A live 17-piece big band and swing dancing
• A specially curated Ritz-style dinner
• A special appearance by an iconic Spitfire
• Vintage flair and storytelling throughout the night

Tables of 10 are available to purchase, or individual seats can be booked at £100 each for general admission. (Please note: VIP tables are now sold out.)

Saturday tickets also include free entry to the Sunday event. 👉 Book Saturday tickets here

 Sunday 1st June – Family Funday

A relaxed, family-friendly day packed with:

• BBQ and drinks
• Electric flight experiences
• A Spitfire viewing area
• Heritage displays and local history exhibits
• Free entry for children under 10
• AndyA8 DJ

Tickets: £12, with proceeds going to the City of Norwich Aviation Museum.
👉 Book Sunday tickets here

 Whether you come for one day or make a weekend of it, we’d love to welcome you to Saxon Air for this special celebration of our shared history.

The Norfolk & Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership are pleased to advise that the public consultation for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is now open.

The consultation runs from 16 April to 11 June 2025, and this is a key opportunity for individuals, landowners, organisations and communities to help refine our shared approach to restoring and enhancing nature across Norfolk.

To view the draft Strategy and to respond to the consultation follow the link www.norfolk.gov.uk/naturerecovery

We would greatly appreciate it if you could:

– Share your views through the online consultation survey

– Circulate the link to others who may be interested in taking part

Your continued interest and support are truly appreciated. By working together, we can create a Strategy that reflects local priorities and leads to meaningful action for nature across the county.

If the Suffolk LNRS is more relevant to you, please follow this link.

At Haswell Training we are dedicated to delivering awareness around Mental Health in the Workplace. On the 16th May 2025 we are offering a Free Mental Health in the Workplace – Suicide Awareness & Prevention half day workshop. 

Location: Haswell Training Centre, Salhouse Road, Norwich, NR7 9BB

Time: 1pm – 4pm

Are you:

– Interested in supporting the wellbeing of you & your team at work

– Concerned about the devastating suicide statics within the UK

– Want to feel better equipped to support your team members

Then this FREE workshop is for you.. 

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, we are pleasured to offer this workshop specifically tailored to support in the workplace.

Delivered by an HCPC Registered Occupational Health Therapist this workshop will explore how to support someone that may be in a mental health crisis as well as ways that we an all firmly place mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of the workplace. 

Limited places available so please email frances@haswelltraining.co.uk or call us on 01603 394352 now to secure your place. Maximum of 2 places per organisation. 

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The BUILD Charity has been providing services to people with disabilities in Norfolk for 58 years and that happens because people continue to support our work in offering social, leisure and learning opportunities to anyone, with any disability, aged 18 or over in Norfolk. Statistically, that is 20% of the population according to recent research – and one day could be you as 83% of people with disabilities acquire them during their lifetime, not at birth.

So protect the possibilities of your future by supporting us at our Charity Dinner, Dance, Auction and Entertainment at Carrow Road football stadium on Friday 4th July.  Single or multiple tickets available in tables of 8 or 10.  Visit DINE, DRINK, DANCE………. and make life a whole lot better for people in Norfolk with disabilities. It’s simple you have fun, we raise funds, our members get to enjoy the kind of social life that most of us just take for granted. To make both of these happen, please buy tickets for our BUILD Charity Dinner and Dance Event on Friday 4th July at Carrow Road Football Stadium. Full details here for more information https://www.buildcharity.co.uk/Event/build-charity-fundraising-dinner-dance-2025

Jarrolds Logistics, part of The APC delivery network – the UK’s largest independent parcel delivery network – has announced the opening of a new 30,000 sq. ft. depot in Norwich. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing investment strategy and its continued focus on supporting businesses across the NR postcode area.

Located in Avian Way, the new depot replaces the business’s previous 22,000 sq. ft. site in Long Stratton. The larger facility increases operational capacity by over 35%, bringing all services under one roof and enabling greater efficiency across next-day parcel delivery, warehousing and fulfilment. Its central location also improves delivery route planning, reduces driver travel time and allows for later collection times – helping local businesses connect more effectively with customers across the UK through The APC network.

This expansion comes in response to sustained business growth, driven by increasing demand for reliable, high-quality delivery services from customers across the region. Following a significant year-on-year increase in parcel volumes, Jarrolds Logistics is on track to achieve a substantial turnover  this year – a result of its continued success and the strength of the local community seeking reliable, high-quality logistics solutions.

Alongside other Jarrold Group divisions in Norwich, the site also strengthens operational collaboration across the wider group. Jarrolds Facilities Management – another arm of the group – will oversee Cleaning, Maintenance PPM and Security services at the depot.

The Jarrold Group continuing its reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable workplace solutions across Norfolk.

Mary Wisbey, Managing Director of Jarrolds Logistics and Jarrolds Facilities Management, said:

“This move represents a significant strategic advancement; enabling us to operate more efficiently, reduce mileage that minimises our environmental impact and creates local employment all while enhancing the quality of service we deliver to our Clients and Customers.

Joining The APC network in 2023, we’ve been committed to developing a logistics operation that stays true to our local heritage. The launch of our new Norwich depot is a major milestone in that journey. With its central location, added capacity, and increased flexibility, the depot empowers us to better support local SMEs across the region. This investment strengthens our role in connecting regional businesses with national networks, offering tailored support, with the Jarrold service that people expect, helping local enterprises thrive, unlocking exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration within our home county

The Norwich site currently employs a 30-strong local team, including 20+ drivers and dedicated operations and customer service teams. As demand grows, Jarrolds Logistics plans to expand the team to support new service offerings. This includes warehousing and fulfilment for e-commerce clients.

Jarrolds Logistics became part of The APC network in 2023 following the acquisition of RDM Distribution, a long-standing member of the network. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength – expanding its delivery capabilities while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and community engagement.

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at The APC, said:  “Across our network, we remain focused on responding to the evolving needs of our customers and consistently delivering exceptional service. Jarrolds Logistics truly exemplifies this commitment through their investment in growth, dedication to service excellence and strong support for Norfolk’s SME community. This new site is a genuine example of how Jarrolds Logistics is building for long-term success, committed to elevating local service and creating meaningful partnerships that enable customers to grow with confidence.”

UK Drug Testing, a leading supplier of workplace drug and alcohol testing kits based in Norfolk, is proud to announce the launch of its new range of ultra sensitive drug test kits. Designed to meet the growing demand for early detection and enhanced accuracy, these innovative new drug tests offer even greater reliability for employers and healthcare.

The ultra sensitive range of drug screening tests includes both urine and saliva testing kits that can detect substances at lower concentrations than standard tests. This makes them ideal for safety-critical industries and workplaces where zero-tolerance drug policies are in place.

“Accurate and early detection is key to ensuring workplace safety and compliance,” said Dr Kate Garside a spokesperson for UK Drug Testing. “These new kits offer increased sensitivity, helping employers identify potential issues before they become critical. They’re easy to use, cost-effective, and available for next working day delivery.”

UK Drug Testing continues to support UK businesses with expert advice, rapid delivery, and a wide range of fully certified drug testing products. Whether you’re running routine workplace drug screening or need rapid results in a healthcare setting, these new kits provide peace of mind with industry-leading sensitivity.

For more information or to order online, visit: www.ukdrugtesting.co.uk