Member News

Larking Gowen LLP is delighted with the announcement that Norfolk ProHelp has secured significant funding, as well as new sponsorship. Norfolk ProHelp provides free professional and strategic advice to charities and community interest groups throughout Norfolk.  Julie Grimmer, Partner at Larking Gowen LLP, acts as voluntary Chair for the organisation. Larking Gowen was amongst the founder members of the group in the late 1990s. They identified, along with a number of other professional businesses, a need for charities and community organisations to access pro bono, top-level professional advice, including finance, law, architecture, design and structural engineering. The Virgin Money Foundation, an independent charity, contacted Julie to encourage a grant application in order to replace existing funding which was coming to an end. The new award is worth £30,000 over three years and will cover vital back office and administrative support. In addition, the organisation has secured funding from three new corporate sponsors, Leathes Prior, Hugh J Boswell, as well as Larking Gowen.

“Norfolk ProHelp is a lean organisation,” explains Julie, “and, while I and the rest of the board are volunteers, having paid administrative support is vital in connecting the businesses on the Norfolk ProHelp panel with the charity and community sector projects most in need of these services. In future, we will be partnering with Norfolk Community Foundation to match the Not for Profit Sector groups and projects with the professional organisations who form the Norfolk ProHelp panel. The panel, includes architects, lawyers, accountants, tax and property specialists, structural engineers, insurance brokers as well as marketing, media and design specialists, all of whom generously provide their expertise for free, to the charities and community groups that contact ProHelp. Working in partnership with Norfolk Community Foundation and supported by the Virgin Money Foundation, together with the commercial sponsors, will enable us to grow the number of businesses participating and spread the word about the pro bono work on offer.” The funding announcement was made by Julie Grimmer, and Richard Walton, a representative of the Virgin Money Foundation, on Wednesday 7 November, at the annual Norfolk ProHelp breakfast show case following the annual National Pro Bono Week celebrations. The breakfast was also featured in the Eastern Daily Press. “Norfolk ProHelp provides invaluable support,” says Julie. “We see the free support we give to be effectively a form of initial seed finance which allows projects to progress.

 “It is, however, often the panel members working together that makes the greatest impact. We may for example, be approached by a playgroup needing help with a building project. We can put the playgroup in touch with an architect, a planning specialist and structural engineers. However, a VAT specialist can advise the playgroup on possible VAT recovery, or developing a professional business plan which is then used to make applications for further funding,” Julie adds. “Larking Gowen has been involved in Norfolk ProHelp from the very beginning and remains an active member of the panel of firms committed to supporting the Not for Profit Sector. We are also proud to be part of the panel for Suffolk ProHelp.

“The firm’s involvement with Suffolk ProHelp is not quite as lengthy as with Norfolk but I am particularly pleased that, in my first year as Chair of Norfolk Prohelp, Larking Gowen LLP has supported a cross county project in collaboration with Suffolk ProHelp. “Larking Gowen’s long-standing support for ProHelp is part of the firm’s ethos of community and social responsibility. Continuing to appreciate and value the place the business has in the wider communities is a vital part of our vision and our business culture but there are a number of benefits to the firm and whole team. One is exposure to partnership working, whereby businesses, who would otherwise be unlikely to work together, cooperate to assist charities and projects requiring professional and strategic support. The projects are also a chance for the team to widen their professional experience.

“Aside from the clear good that Norfolk ProHelp does supporting grass-roots projects,” Julie continues, “employees of partner organisations get the opportunity to work in new sectors, and to work collaboratively with professionals from other sectors, which is both personally rewarding and helps develop skills fundamental to providing good client service.” “The funding and sponsorship announced today is fantastic news,” Julie concludes. “It allows Norfolk Prohelp to continue to provide advice and services to Norfolk charities and community groups free of charge, in turn enabling them to grow, and deliver vital services across Norfolk.”

#squadron

AFI KLM E&M subsidiary is delighted to announce the addition of the Boeing 737 MAX to it’s EASA Part 145 & 147 Approval.

A European leader in the regional jets and narrow body aircraft market, and having an internationally acknowledged expertise on the Boeing 737, Embraer 170/190, BAe146/Avro RJ, Fokker 70/100 and Airbus A320 Family, KLM UK Engineering is delighted with this latest addition.

Peter van der Horst, Managing Director, said ‘KLM UK Engineering is delighted to have gained the approval for the Boeing 737 MAX. This was the natural progression for us, after delivering Boeing 737 maintenance & training for over 15 years on the Classic & recently celebrating 10 years supporting the Boeing 737NG.  With significant demand for both type and practical training for this product we have already sold out of courses for the remainder of this year and have courses booked for 2019’.

The Company’s training facility recently relocated to the International Aviation Academy Norwich, which is adjacent to the main base maintenance operation. This facility has been purpose built to accommodate aviation engineering training, with a live Boeing 737 aircraft, fully equipped workshops and state of the art classrooms, to create a great learning environment. The Company has been successfully delivering maintenance for the Boeing products at its heavy maintenance facility in Norwich and through its extensive line maintenance network throughout the UK. To find out more about these products & services please visit our website.

JMS recently piloted Norwich-based financial lenders, Guarantor My Loan through their first ever national TV campaign.

With the finance sector currently facing some bad press and following the recent furore surrounding companies like Wonga, we felt it was time to re-focus on the benefits of financial assistance – and the human problems it can solve.

From past experience in financial advertising productions at JMS, we know only too well how many compliance issues such commercials must navigate through, so we had to tread a fine line between creating an informative and accurate explanatory commercial which would also appeal to viewers on an emotional level.

It may be cliché, but storytelling in advertising is key, and constructing a narrative in 30secs or less can be challenging. The audience must identify with the scenario almost instantly. A loan can be used for anything of course, so we opted for the simple life-changing scenario of dad being able to relinquish his role as the family taxi. With Guarantor My Loan he can help his daughter broaden her horizons (and also gain a lift!)

The shoot was outdoors, so as usual we were prepared for a range of challenges – even a bright, sunny day, which it turned out to be! The key shots of dad and daughter together were to be filmed through the windscreen, which sounds simple until you factor-in the intensity and constantly-changing angle of the sun, and the resulting shadows and reflections. Thankfully our Director of Photography, Emma Talmadge, is a veteran at handling sunlight, and arrived fully equipped with an elaborate selection of sunshades and nets to ensure the only highlights and sparkles came from the performers – not the windscreen!

The campaign is now running on channels throughout the UK.  

Breakwater IT are delighted to be enhancing their in-house SharePoint® expertise with the addition of Andrew Carter, SharePoint Consultant, to their team.

SharePoint is fast becoming an integral part of the way many organisations now communicate and process information.

Part of the Office 365 suite, SharePoint enables users to share and manage content, knowledge and applications. It is essentially a mobile intranet through which team sites can be created for every project and discussion. Files can be shared, along-with data, news and resources, internally and externally and across locations and devices.

SharePoint is also ideally placed to transform business processes, including everything from simple tasks like notifications, holiday requests and expense claims to complex operational workflows.

More than 200,000 organisations and 190 million people have SharePoint for intranets, team sites and content management.

At Breakwater we are seeing more demand for the functionality SharePoint has to offer and we value having expert knowledge within the team to advise clients on its capabilities and to develop and install the solution.

Andrew is experienced in developing and installing SharePoint sites, having run his own SharePoint consultancy company, “I have the opportunity at Breakwater to provide guidance as to how SharePoint can be tailored to meet clients’ exact requirements. This is a hugely adaptable platform and it is important for organisations to understand how it can be both branded and developed to create the unique efficiencies they require. I very much look forward to working with clients on projects that enable time and cost-saving processes within their operation.”

Digital Marketing Executive Wanted

Looking for an exciting challenge delivering highly effective digital marketing and playing a key role in a growing marketing agency?

We’re looking for a Digital Marketing Executive to join our talented and professional team.

Full Mix Marketing

Established in 2016, we’ve already delivered success for clients across many sectors and have gained a reputation for being one of the region’s most effective marketing agencies.

We deliver a full mix of marketing – from complete strategies and delivery, through to individual elements of digital, creative and offline marketing. We’re experiencing particular growth in digital services.

A Future50, RAR Recommended and IoD award-winning company, we’re looking for an enthusiastic individual who shares our passion for continually developing and delivering results.

The Role

Working alongside our directors and other specialists, you will help create and deliver digital marketing, including projects and long-term campaigns.

Depending on skills and experience, the role will include:

• PPC management – including paid search, display and social media ad campaigns
• SEO delivery – including analysis, structural improvements and fresh content
• Social media delivery – including planning campaigns and creating content
• Online performance tracking – including Google Analytics
• Contributing to website design – including design, build and user experience

Though a strong understanding of digital marketing is vital, you will receive support to develop your skills to provide online activities that create the strong results our clients expect.

Initially an Executive, you’ll have a genuine opportunity to quickly progress, help shape our future and share in our success.

The role is based in Cringleford in Norwich.

The Person

Essential

Experience delivering one or more elements of digital marketing

• Analytical, decisive and a confident communicator
• Well organised and able to effectively plan own workload
• Driven, dependable and keen to learn

Desirable

• Experience managing Google Ads and other PPC
• Thorough knowledge of SEO and Google Analytics
• Experience delivering social media
• Graphic design or copy writing skills
• Website design knowledge including WordPress, HTML and eCommerce platforms
• Business, marketing or digital qualifications (e.g. degree, CIM, Google Garage)

To apply, email info@fullmixmarketing.co.uk or visit https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/digital-marketing-executive/36534841

Larking Gowen Corporate Transactions remain top of the league and have been ranked joint first in the latest report from Experian Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).  The team have advised on twelve deals for the East of England making them one of two firms ranked as the most active financial advisors in the East of England.

James Lay, Partner at Larking Gowen and head of Corporate Transactions says,

“We’re absolutely delighted to feature prominently once again in the Experian Market IQ league tables for the volume of deals completed. These results demonstrate our high level of experience and expertise within our growing Corporate Transactions team.”

It is equally pleasing to see similar success across the seven other member firms in our national association, MHA, particularly MHA Broomfield Alexander and Tait Walker both ranking most active financial advisors in their respective regions of Wales and the North East of England. It just goes to show the strength in depth in terms of deal expertise and market intelligence that we’re able to call upon for the benefit of our clients.

You can read the full report here. 

Photo credit Sylvaine Poitau. Left to right; James Lay, Kate Baines, Ian Nelson, Matthew Laxton, Jack Minns  

Trading Standards are warning businesses in Norfolk about emails circulating claiming to be from ‘Companies House’. The email, with the title ‘Company Report’, says ‘We are aware that some of the charges you may have been expecting on September’s invoice are missing’ and that ‘It is expected that these charges will be shown on your next company report’ The email then offers a link to access ‘uploaded invoices/document related to your account’ These emails are not from Companies House and clicking on the link will attempt to download malicious software. You can report suspicious emails received to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or by using their online reporting tool. Sign up to Trading Standards business alerts at www.norfolk.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/scams

Orchard Toys celebrated their working relationship with Norfolk Industries by inviting their team for a tour and awards presentation to commend them on packing 100,000 units.

Norfolk Industries started working with Orchard Toys at the end of 2017 to help them out in their busy period with packing and making up product for their bestseller Shopping List game. The relationship has grown from strength to strength, with Orchard Toys’ Managing Director, Simon Newbery commenting:”It was very important for us to find a provider who can consistently deliver a high quality of service that matches our own standard of packing. Norfolk Industries have demonstrated their ability to do that and we hope that this acknowledgement of the 100,000th unit is the first of many milestones.”

Norfolk Industries help adults with a range of physical and mental disabilities across Norfolk to gain training and skills to prepare them for the world of work. This is all undertaken from their offices and factory in Norwich, which employs 7 members of full time staff as well as a team of 16 volunteers. Despite their relatively small team, the company have produced 100,000 Shopping List games in the first 9 months of 2018, as Orchard Toys gear up for the busy festive season.

Norfolk Industries Manager Sharon Tooke is thrilled with the experience employees have had packing for Orchard Toys: “There are so many benefits for our employees packing Shopping List. The tasks involved are repetitive and straightforward but also challenging enough so that people can share the workload and learn the full process step by step. For example, some of the employees have difficulty at first making up the boxes. To minimise frustration, we will move this task to someone else until they feel confident enough to take on a new challenge and responsibilities.”

As a company whose educational products (in particular Shopping List) benefit children with learning disabilities, Orchard Toys are proud to say that they are now also packed by adults with learning disabilities.

Following on from the success in previous years, Leeway Domestic Violence & Abuse Services will be launching their Christmas Campaign, collecting donations for those experiencing domestic abuse living in refuge and the community.

The charity currently has seven refuges across Norfolk, and many residents will have fled domestic abuse with very few personal belongings.

The aim of the campaign is to spread some festive cheer to some of the service users, allowing them to have an enjoyable Christmas.

Leeway have created a list of items that are accepting including toys and games, arts and craft materials, toiletries, and tins of biscuits and chocolates.

A full list of items can be found on our poster, but  are only able to accept gifts that are new, unopened and not gift wrapped, due to health and safety regulations. Any individual or business interested in fundraising for the charity is also welcome to get in touch.

There are a couple of drop-off points for people to deliver any donations to which include the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Office, and the charity is very grateful for the support of the businesses and organisations that are supporting our campaign. Leeway had a fantastic response last year and are hopeful that the campaign will be just as well supported this year.

Mandy Proctor, Chief Executive of Leeway, said: “I’m always amazed at the amount of generous donations our Christmas Campaign receives from individuals, organisations and community groups. These donations, no matter how small, can help to put a smile on the faces of the women and children receiving support, both in our refuges and living in the community, at such a difficult time. Many of the women and children who stay at our refuges arrive with very little or nothing, so the smallest little gift can make all the difference for them.”

Based in Great Yarmouth, British Metal Treatments has more than 60 years experience in galvanising techniques and powder coating, working for multi-national engineering companies, power suppliers, local authorities and independent fabricators.

The management buyout enabled the existing managing director, David Cowley to buy the company from its owners; Camellia Plc. Camellia plc is an international group, with a global family of diverse companies with a 130-year heritage employing approximately 80,000 people worldwide. The management buyout enables David to continue running the business, which he has done for a number of years, and to build upon the company’s impressive history. As an important part of the supply chain to a number of sectors, the business has had good performances in recent years and with new opportunities, David is looking to capitalise further. 

Matthew Downing, a Partner at Spire and led the transaction said “It was great working with David on the acquisition. It is always good to see individuals that have run businesses for a number of years being rewarded for all their hard work and taking their first steps into ownership. David is relishing the challenge and we wish him the best of luck.”

David Cowley stated that “Matthew and the team at Spire were excellent. It was the first time I have been in this position and the team at Spire kept me well informed throughout the process and were proactive in ensuring the transaction got over the line. I am now really looking forward to taking the business forward and building on the great reputation it has already established”.

HSBC plc supported the transaction and, Lovewell Blake provided Corporate Finance advice through their Head of Corporate Finance, Matt Crawley. It was Matt who brought the deal together and David Cowley added “Matt’s advice was invaluable for me being able to do the deal in the first place; he supported me right from the beginning to the end. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Matt and the team at Lovewell Blake going forward”.

Matthew Downing led the team advising on the transaction. He was supported by Howard Bailey who advised on the Commercial Property aspects and Shaylie McKay, a Paralegal in the Corporate and Commercial team.

The voting for the PickYourselfUK Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 award starts today, I need to get as many clicks on my link as possible – I’d be really grateful if you could take a moment to click here: https://bit.ly/pippashaw Thank you!