We’re proud to announce that we’ve achieved CHAS Elite status — the highest standard of accreditation offered by CHAS. This includes both the SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) certification and the Common Assessment Standard, meaning we’ve met rigorous requirements across health & safety, environmental practices, quality management, and more.
Being CHAS Elite accredited demonstrates our unwavering commitment to operating safely, ethically, and professionally at every level.
💬 This is more than a badge – it’s a reflection of how we operate, every single day.
A huge thank you to our management team for their dedication in securing this accreditation, and an even bigger thank you to our teams in the field, your commitment to safety, quality and professionalism is what made this possible.
This summer, the heart of Norwich will beat with the stories of generations past as Age UK Norwich celebrates a remarkable milestone. From 4th – 7th of August, Age UK Norwich will take over The Forum, presentinga dynamic, interactive exhibit showcasing the charity’s lasting legacy and the vital role it continues to play in the lives of older people.
A special commemorative whisky bottle has been launched to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The country’s oldest registered whisky distillery, The English Distillery, has teamed up with Norfolk charity Walking with the Wounded for this initiative.
The single malt whisky, aged in a mix of ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks, is limited to just 3,000 bottles.
Each decanter is hand-bottled at the Norfolk distillery, based at Roudham near East Harling.
The collaboration aims to raise funds for the charity, which supports the UK’s veterans struggling to adapt to civilian life.
From each bottle sold, £2 will be donated to the charity.
Kate Tabain, director of fundraising and communications at Walking with the Wounded, said: “We are thrilled to once again be partnering with The English Distillery to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
“Not only will the bottle acknowledge the sacrifices of so many to ensure peace in Europe, but all donations raised will be used to support veterans, whose service has maintained that peace.”
Katy Nelstrop, from The English Distillery, said: “We’re honoured to collaborate with Walking with the Wounded on this special bottle release.”
At the beginning of 2025, the Captain & crew at Fawcett HQ took great pleasure in welcoming the masterminds from BBC’s Bargain Hunt to King’s Lynn to film a segment for their half time intermission.
After being kept under embargo for a number of months, the episode first aired on 21st April at 12:15 on BBC1 and is now available to watch on iPlayer. Huzzah!
Antiques expert and Bargain Hunt presenter Charlie Ross spoke to company founder Richard Finney MBE (aka The Right Hand Man) regarding his extensive collection of historic shaving mugs. Almost 500 mugs form an impressive display wall at Captain Fawcett’s Marvellous Barbershop Museum, with many more in the private collection.
Richie Finney says “It was a true delight to chat with the ever ebullient Charlie Ross and the Bargain Hunt crew, fellow enthusiasts for all things antique. I am hugely intrigued by the social history to be found in objects such as shaving mugs – what incredible stories these fascinating items could tell! Once upon a time, barbershop regulars would each have had their own shaving mug, razor and brush, reserved for their exclusive use and hung on a large wooden rack alongside the shaving kit of friends and neighbours. The barbershop has been a convivial meeting place for men over many centuries, a really important space for supporting one another’s wellbeing whilst getting a trim or decent shave.
“Should you wish to behold the mugs for yourself (there are hundreds!) do take a trip to Captain Fawcett’s Marvellous Barbershop Museum where you’ll find a veritable cornucopia of tonsorial treasures – some dating back 400 years! You’ll be most welcome. And if you ring ahead, it is usually possible to rustle up a pot of tea and slice of cake!
Alas, since ‘Bargain Hunt’ came calling, my small screen career appears to have stalled once more! However, rest assured, I shall remain intent upon ‘Keeping A Stiff Upper Lip RegardlessTM’!”
This spring marked a special milestone for us at Leading Business Services – 10 years in business, supporting companies and individuals across the region through change, and often financial uncertainty.
What began as a small, dedicated team has now grown into a firm of over 70 people, with 3 licenced Insolvency Practitioners, all united by a shared commitment to helping clients navigate challenging circumstances with clarity and compassion.
After Leading Business Services (then known as Leading Corporate Recovery!) was founded by our Director Jamie Playford in 2015, following his many years of experience in the industry, our team made a move to a larger office at Lawrence House, Norwich in 2019. Other highlights include two of our Leading Managers being nominated at the IPA Awards in 2023.
Our team celebrated the anniversary with a gathering at The Assembly House in Norwich, where we spent some time to look back at our journey so far. It was a chance to honour long-serving members of our team, reflect on some of the milestones we’ve hit and share our ambitions for the next chapter.
As part of the celebrations, we also held an Easter-themed raffle, raising £348 for the Alzheimer’s Society, and kicked off fundraising, supporting our eight team members taking on this year’s Macmillan Mighty Hikes challenge, with both causes being close to our hearts.
Here’s to the next ten years, built on the strength of our people and the trust of those we serve.
Alan Boswell Group (ABG) announced today that Andrew Thompson & Associates (AT&A), an East-Suffolk-based commercial insurance broker established in 2010, has joined the Group. This follows the company’s purchase of two Norfolk-based brokers, Priory Insurance Brokers and The Insurance Centre, in 2024.
AT&A’s staff and premises will be retained, while their clients will benefit from the additional support and services of the 450-strong financial services group. This acquisition, alongside ABG’s office in Bury St Edmunds, bolsters the Group’s presence in Suffolk.
Commenting on the purchase, Andrew Thompson, Founder of AT&A, said, “We’re excited to join Alan Boswell Group and remain committed to providing the same care and service our clients are familiar with. Being part of a larger brokerage means we will benefit from an increased presence in the market and additional resources and expertise, enhancing the service we deliver.”
Alan Boswell, Executive Chairman of Alan Boswell Group, said, “We’re pleased to welcome AT&A to the Group and look forward to working with the team. AT&A shares our values and commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients, and we’re confident that Andrew and the team will be a fantastic addition to the Group.”
Nicola Hall, Finance Manager at 101 Websites & Apps, will be lacing up her walking boots this May as part of a 26.2-mile charity walk, along with walkers from other local firms, raising vital funds for Nelson’s Journey and Fight Bladder Cancer.
Nicola is joining a team from the popular Norwich gym at Wensum Valley Leisure Club, whose website design is handled by 101, to tackle the full marathon distance, following a scenic route from North Walsham along Weaver’s Way to Aylsham, then continuing along Marriott’s Way to Taverham. Around 50 people are expected to take part, with many opting for either the half or full marathon walk.
The walk aims to raise £10,000 for two charities close to the organiser’s heart. Nelson’s Journey supports bereaved children and young people in Norfolk, while Fight Bladder Cancer offers patient-led support and campaigns for greater awareness and improved treatment options.
The event is being organised by Jenny O’Dowd from E-Zee Insurance Solutions, whose personal connection to both charities has been the driving force behind the initiative. Jenny hopes this challenge will not only raise much-needed funds but also help bring more attention to these causes.
101 is proud to be one of the sponsors backing the walkers as they take on the challenge. Several other Norfolk-based businesses have also lent their support, demonstrating the strong community spirit behind this initiative.
Nicola said, “It’s a big challenge, but it’s for two incredible causes. We’re all hoping for kind weather and generous donations to help spur us on!”
We’re thrilled to announce that Back to the Garden has officially joined the Jarrolds family – and is now proudly known as Jarrolds Letheringsett.
This much-loved destination in Letheringsett, near Holt, is now part of our growing lifestyle and retail offering, bringing the unique Jarrolds experience to North Norfolk. We’re excited to continue its tradition of serving the community with fresh, local produce and warm, vibrant service. Values that align perfectly with our own.
John Adams, retail managing director of the Jarrold Group, says: “Jarrolds has built a well-earned reputation for delivering fantastic food, hospitality and shopping experiences, with our range of cafés, restaurants and the outstanding food hall and delicatessen within our Norwich store. This is something we are extremely proud of.
“With Jarrolds Letheringsett we are extending our brand in new areas, allowing more people to enjoy the very special Jarrolds’ experience. This will be a unique retail and hospitality destination that embodies our values as a business and encapsulates our vision to be an inspirational lifestyle brand that is synonymous with Norfolk.”
With this new chapter, we’re also launching our first-ever Jarrolds own-brand butchery range, supplied by the Astley Estate, right where Jarrolds Letheringsett is located. The beloved Aish Bakery continues to provide its delicious breads and pastries, and the original team remains at the heart of the experience – now joined by new faces as we grow.
We’ve refreshed the restaurant menu to spotlight even more seasonal and local ingredients, and this summer, we’re excited to host evening events in our stunning outdoor space.
Jarrolds Letheringsett is more than a name change – it’s an exciting evolution.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing more of what makes Jarrolds special, right here in North Norfolk.
We at Warren have long recognised a challenge that continues to impact our industry – the national shortage of skills across all areas of manufacturing and engineering. While there’s no shortage of meetings, reports and initiatives set up to tackle the issue, lasting change still feels frustratingly slow.
Recently, Make UK and the Government launched a new Skills Commission, bringing together influential voices from education, manufacturing and Parliament, including Lords, policy makers and senior figures in industry. While the creation of another commission might raise a few eyebrows, we took the opportunity to make our voice heard in a different way.
Not another survey…
Rather than simply ticking boxes on the Commission’s initial survey, we decided to take a more direct approach. We told our story. We shared how Warren began, how we built our apprenticeship programme from the ground up and what we’ve learned – the successes, the challenges, and the reality of training in a fast-changing industry.
This honest, first-hand account was shared with members of the Commission and made its way into the right hands.
Warren welcomes the Commission
As a result, on 13th March we were proud to welcome a delegation from the Industrial Strategy Skills Commission to Warren. The visit was led by the Chair of the Commission, the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, who spent time learning about our approach to skills and training.
He and the team met with both current and former apprentices, gaining valuable insight into the practical realities of developing talent in the manufacturing sector. It was a great opportunity for open dialogue and we’re proud to say, they were very impressed with what they saw and heard.
We also took the opportunity to recommend a visit to West Suffolk College – our long-standing training partner, so they could see the full picture of how local collaboration plays a vital role in delivering real training outcomes.
A mention in Westminster
Following the visit, Warren was invited to attend the official presentation of the Commission’s final report at Make UK headquarters in Westminster on 1st April. The report is a weighty one, but we were pleased to see Warren mentioned several times throughout the document, a real acknowledgement of the work we’ve put in over the years.
Will things change?
So, will this Commission lead to real change? We remain cautiously sceptical. Too often, these initiatives generate discussion but little action. But one thing’s certain, Warren will continue doing what we’ve always done: investing in people, developing skills, and creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers.
We’ll keep doing our bit. And we’re proud to share our story, if it helps inspire others to do the same.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your mobile phones, explore reliable broadband options, or transition to a modern Hosted/VoIP phone system — our expert team is here to help.
👥 Pop into any of our retail stores for personalised support and advice tailored to your business needs. From troubleshooting mobile devices to planning the best connectivity solutions for your growing team, we’re your local go-to specialists.
🔧 Services we offer:
✔ Business mobile phone support & upgrades
✔ Hosted VoIP solutions for smarter communication
✔ Fast, stable broadband tailored to business use
✔ Ongoing advice and account management
Let’s build your business connectivity the right way — with people you can talk to, and service you can trust.
Swarm Training and Swarm REAGIT are excited to announce their next open day being held at our purpose built engineering centre in Norwich!
Our open days are always popular events where we open our doors to welcome parents and potential apprentices as well as new and existing employers from around the county!!
Come on in and meet some of our current apprentices, meet the dedicated teaching and support team, view the ever expanding facilities and meet some of our supporting organisations too!!
MigAnglia will be onsite with their incredible Fronius virtual welder as well as their welding kit and demonstrating their Swift Cut CNC plasma profiling table as well as Nederman extraction with some of their incredible range of extractors!
During this event, you can gather information on apprenticeship opportunities, learn about the various pathways in engineering or look at a commercial course to upskill yourself or your team members.
Apprenticeships Norfolk will be delivering sessions around government funding and initiatives and help to remove some of the confusion around what’s available and how you access it, and how they can support you to employ an apprentice to grow your business.
We will also be launching our new Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship which will officially begin in July. If this is of interest to you and your staff, we highly recommend coming to see how it will be run, what facilities we have and to meet our very experienced tutor! You can then register and enrol staff on the day if you are ready to.
Our full range of practical Apprenticeship courses includes:
Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery (launching in July 2025)
Level 2 Engineering Operative
Level 2 Welder
Level 3 Pipe Welder
Level 3 Metal Fabricator
Level 3 Maintenance & Operations Engineering
Level 3 Installation & Maintenance Electrician
If you would like to attend, you can Register Here for the 10am – 12pm session or Register Here for the 1pm to 3pm session.
Alternatively, call Lou Stannett on 07951 950197, or email her on lou@swarmgroup.org.uk for more details.
To celebrate the installation of our new print press, we are running a special offer of 1,000 flyers for just £45. Contact us on sales@thisiseffective.uk to claim yours.