We are delighted to welcome James Shipley to the KLM UK Engineering team as Finance Director.
James joins us from RFT Services, part of Flagship Housing Group, in Norwich and has many years’ experience in multiple industries specialising in services, across both small and large organisations.
KLM UK Engineering has been getting into the Christmas spirit by supporting Christmas Jumper Day & Save The Children! #charity #teamwork
Local agency Full Mix Marketing have delivered a rebrand for a fellow Norwich-based exclusive travel company, creating an exciting new name to guide their growth towards fresh horizons.
The Bespoke Travel Group, which specialises in luxury tailored holidays to Latin America, has unveiled their new name ‘Humboldt’ as they aim to propel their customers and company to new destinations.
“Simon, Kirsty and their team deliver very exclusive travel experiences for highly discerning travellers” says Sarah West, Full Mix Marketing’s Managing Director. “We were delighted to be chosen to help create a brand which would represent the same and allow them to expand.”
Since 2011, The Bespoke Travel Group (which includes Bespoke Brazil and Bespoke Latin America) has gained a strong reputation for their five-star packages to South and Central America. With first hand-experience of the continent, they hand-pick destinations, accommodation and cultural experiences to create ‘no-expense-spared’ holidays their customers remember forever.
Keen to expand beyond Latin America, they approached Full Mix Marketing to create a new brand which would both stand out and feel familiar amongst the luxury brands their customers love.
“Full Mix Marketing took the time to understood what we do, our customers and why they choose to travel with us” says Simon, Co-Founder of Humboldt. “They developed a range of great concepts but the one we chose was unanimous. The connection with Alexander von Humboldt was exactly what we were looking for!”
Full Mix Marketing took inspiration for the new brand from the explorer Alexander von Humboldt who extensively travelled South America in the nineteenth century. One of the most influential naturalists and geographers of his time, his passion for discovering new lands and cultures fitted perfectly with the exclusive travel company’s ethos.
The new brand features a copper sextant to represent discovery, whilst the overall design echoes many premium brands. The strapline ‘Discover Luxury Travel’ serves up the company’s passion for quality and adventure. The rebrand will be officially launched in December, ready for what is anticipated to be the busiest year yet for the travel experts.
Full Mix Marketing is led by Sarah West, a CIM chartered Marketer and recent winner of an Institute of Directors’ Director of the Year award. “Branding is critical, particularly in a busy market like travel” adds Sarah. “The new Humboldt brand is the perfect way to ensure Bespoke Travel stand out and help even more travellers discover their own personal paradise!”
Established in 2016, Full Mix Marketing have rapidly gained a reputation for delivering highly effective strategic, digital and creative marketing. Based in Norwich, they’ve provided effective marketing to successful businesses in sectors including services, travel, logistics, IT and manufacturing.
For more information on Full Mix Marketing, please visit www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk
For more information on Humboldt visit www.humboldttravel.co.uk.
Abate Pest Management was recently asked by a commercial property company to help protect one of their external roofs and plant rooms from pest birds.
Pigeons were nesting within the external plant room and it had become such a problem the air conditioning technicians refused to carry out service works.
The proofing project involved clearing the area of pigeon guano, which included pressure washing using an anti-bacterial spray. A new bespoke canopy system using frames was installed to provide the structure for the bird netting to be attached to.
The site was left in a clean and tidy condition and allowed the plant room to be fully operational again.
If you would like to know more about this bird proofing project or would like to see how we can help you, please call our head office on 0800 980 9767.
David Paulson, Senior Manager, Global Franchise Recruitment at TaxAssist Accountants, has been announced as a new British Franchise Association (bfa) Board member at its Annual General Meeting.
Representing all members – franchisors, franchisees and the professional advisors, the bfa is the ethical voice of franchising in the UK, representing members and helping to promote them within the industry and beyond. They also provide information and advice to businesses planning to franchise, or people considering joining a franchise.
David said: “The bfa does great work in promoting franchising as a means for self-employment, accrediting members and setting standards along with promoting education. “To be elected to the Board is a huge honour and I look forward to working with the Board and the great team at the bfa to help drive forward their strategic vision.”
David, an experienced Qualified Franchise Professional, has been at TaxAssist Accountants since 2009, and is now in his 13th year working in the Franchise Industry, having previously worked at Franchise Development Services as a consultant.
David’s current role encompasses UK & International Development, with responsibilities for franchisee and master franchise recruitment, training, project managing and providing ongoing franchise mentor support.
David has recruited more than 90 franchisees in the UK (new, partnerships and franchise resales) including TaxAssist’s first £1million franchise resale. He has also recruited Master Franchisees for TaxAssist Accountants in Australia and Canada as well as supporting franchisee recruitment in Ireland and Australia.
“Working for TaxAssist Accountants has given me the experience, confidence and, crucially, the support to be able to take on this important role within the UK Franchise Industry – a real career highlight for me,” added David.
Karl Sandall, Chief Executive Director of the TaxAssist Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted and very proud that David has been elected to the Board of the bfa. It not only shows the high regard the industry has for his dedication to franchising, but also how important it is for TaxAssist Accountants to have professionals of such high calibre to support our franchisees.”
As a part of Foster Refrigerator’s golden anniversary celebrations, it set out to find the longest standing Foster product in the UK.
Foster is delighted to announce that the winning fridge is a staggering 42-years-old and still going strong, showing the importance of investing in high quality equipment and a regular maintenance regime.
Advent Catering Equipment has been maintaining the four-door pass-through refrigerator for 13 years.
Nicki Neal of Advent Catering Equipment, said: “When our regional business manager Kelly from Foster Refrigerator informed us of the competition they were running for their 50th anniversary to find the longest standing Foster appliance, we immediately relayed this information to our team to help look amongst our extensive client base for older working appliances.”
“We were convinced that an educational establishment would be the clear winner, little did we know we would find it at a manufacturing plant! One of our customers was still using a pass-through display chiller there that appeared to be in excess of 40 years old.
“Once Foster verified that this was indeed the oldest reported working appliance, we were thrilled to be the service provider who has helped keep this premier brand in tip top working order. This is proof that a well manufactured appliance combined with rigorous regular maintenance can prolong the life span of equipment. We are proud to be associated with Foster Refrigerator for both their sales and maintenance support.”
Entries ranged from Foster Gastronorms to coldstores, dating between 1976 and the early 2000s and there were a small number of entries that couldn’t even be dated!
“We’ve had lots of entries and are really impressed, though not at all surprised, with just how long a Foster product can work,” Nick Bamber, European Head of Marketing at Foster Refrigerator and Gamko said. “It just proves that when you maintain your Foster product, it will just keep on going.”
Foster’s sister company Gamko recently concluded a similar competition in the Netherlands and found a bottle cooler from 1975.
A Norwich-based food process equipment manufacturer has been recognised for its growth across several international markets.
Fabcon Food Systems has won the regional International Expansion of the Year category at the 2018 Barclays Entrepreneurs Awards.
The business, which has its factory in Hellesdon, has built a large network of global customers since it was founded in 2015 – with Fabcon supplying and installing its handling and processing equipment to customers in the UK and into mainland Europe, Africa and Australia.
Recent highlights include Fabcon’s installations in the Middle East, Norway and Romania.
Trevor Howard, managing director of Fabcon Food Systems, said: “It’s a really proud moment for us to be recognised for our expansion across the world as we work with a growing number of snack manufacturers.
“Sales abroad now account for around 50 per cent of our revenue and we know that customers really value quality, innovative, British-built machinery.
“In our short history we’ve created a brand which is recognised across the globe but more importantly, we’re being held up by snack manufacturers as a trusted partner who they immediately turn to. It’s a fantastic milestone for everyone here at Fabcon.”
The annual Barclays Entrepreneurs Awards celebrate entrepreneurs for their exceptional innovation, and for creating social change and growth that moves the UK forward.
Eye Film have collaborated with BBC East on a new documentary entitled ‘River Walks’ with presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff. Watch as Miranda explores the beautiful walk along the River Deben in Suffolk, meeting the people who live and work there and getting a sense of its history.
Watch it on Monday 10th December on BBC East at 7.30pm or catch up on iPlayer.
Financial and business advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP has moved into a new collaboration space in Norwich located on the first floor of the building they previously occupied at Kingfisher House, 1 Gilders Way.
The move reflects a firm-wide strategy to create workplaces for the future, built to encourage a connected and collaborative way of working between businesses and communities.
Tim Hansell, Head of Advisory at Grant Thornton’s Norwich office, said: “Our new space leaves behind the traditional office concept to provide an open, informal and agile environment where our people can really connect with clients, networks and each other. This aligns with the collaborative, inclusive approach which lies at the heart of Grant Thornton’s culture.
“Norwich is a thriving city, full of opportunity, and was recently highlighted as one of the top five fastest growing city economies in the UK. This move cements our continued commitment to supporting the many dynamic businesses located here – and across Norfolk – to unlock their full growth potential.”
The new open-plan office space, meeting rooms and future-fit facilities including interactive screens, write on walls and co-working booths are all available for the local business community to use as part of the firms’ vision to help shape a vibrant economy in Norfolk.
To find out more about how you can book facilities and meeting rooms at this new collaboration space, please email: NorwichSpace@uk.gt.com or follow @GT_Norwich on Twitter.
Develop Norwich is a specialist provider of IT and digital education. Our students are studying towards a Level 3 qualification in Computing and are ready to work with you!
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For more information please call 01603 516555 or email industryplacements.norwich@developebp.co.uk Search for Develop Norwich
For a third year, Flagship Group staff are filling boxes with food for people in need in time for Christmas.
The East Anglian-based housing provider is working together with local charities – The Trussell Trust, St Martins and the Woodbridge Salvation Army.
Every team across the organisation is supporting the campaign by filling and decorating a box. Each working day during December the boxes full of non-perishable items will be delivered by a Flagship employee to one of the charities.
The Flagship campaign supports its ethical approach aligning with its Corporate Social Responsibility value – Social Value.
Over the last two years Flagship has delivered almost 40 boxes to local charities. Deputy Chief Executive Helen Walsham said: “As a housing provider for people in need, some of our customers may themselves receive the charity boxes. At this time of year, especially, it is important to think of others and offer what we can to those who may not be as fortunate as us.
“In previous years, we’ve had a fantastic response across the business and I’m really pleased we’re again doing something to make a positive difference.”
Once the boxes have been delivered by Flagship, the charities will distribute them among people in their communities.
Hannah Worsley, Project Manager at the Norwich Foodbank said: “Over the last 2 years, staff across Flagship have provided us with the equivalent of almost 280 meals to local people referred to us in crisis. In December 2018, we expect to give out over 1,000 parcels, each providing the recipient with 3 days of food so this support from Flagship is really appreciated at this time of year.”
Leader of the Woodbridge Salvation Army Alan Hill said: “The Christmas Story inspires us as a church to reach out to those in need, but we can’t meet the demand without the support of generous supporters and organisations like Flagship. To which we are so grateful.”
Dr Jan Sheldon, CEO of St Martins said: “The people we support really appreciate these thoughtfully chosen donations from Flagship at Christmas. At any one time we support around 200 people, including people in hostel accommodation and those in the community. This can be difficult time of year for them and the gifts help them feel valued and remembered.”
Scam Alert – Telephone cold callers claiming to be selling advertising on behalf of the ‘Crime Prevention Team’ – 6 December 2018 We are warning businesses about telephone cold callers claiming to be selling advertising on behalf of the ‘Crime Prevention Team’. This follows a report from a Norfolk business who were cold called by a man claiming to be ‘writing an article on rogue traders’ and then offered advertising to ‘support this’. This approach is typical of a publication scam where the scammer claims to be from a public body or supporting ‘good causes’ in order to sell advertising space. A demand for payment often follows, sometimes even if no agreement has been made. Fortunately in this case the business owner queried the approach and the cold caller hung up. We would remind businesses to ensure that all employees dealing with telephone contacts are aware of this type of scam cold calling. If you or anyone within your business receives one of these calls do not give or confirm any information about your business, hang up and report it to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.