Member News

After an exciting 2016, Norwich business Comm-Tech Voice & Data Ltd has started the new financial year with the acquisition of Great Yarmouth based Fine Line Communications. The move see’s both businesses continue to operate under their own brands, combining resources to deliver enhanced communications solutions to their clients with the highest levels of support and service.

Comm-Tech Managing Director Justin Millar said:

“This is a strategic acquisition that makes business sense for both Comm-Tech and Fine Line. It is great to see both multi-million pound businesses be so successful for the past 30 years, consistently adapting to the technological advances in a forever changing and fast paced communications industry. With the skill sets and assets both business can bring together, this is the natural choice to continue the legacy of both Fine Line and Comm-Tech, that will only enhance our already exciting service delivery of being our clients one-stop hub for all things communications, connectivity and I.T.”

Owner of Fine Line Communications Kenny Leak said:

“This is an exciting time for Fine Line, our staff and most importantly our customers. Having made the decision to retire I firmly believe that Judith and I have left the business in very good hands and Comm-Tech will undoubtedly strengthen every aspect of the business. The acquisition will offer Fine Line customers even greater support, expertise and new opportunities with their telecoms requirements. Comm-Tech are at the forefront of hosted communications and I.T and with their accreditations and connections with the UK’s largest network providers, they really can take Fine Lines solution portfolio and customer experience to the next level.”

The acquisition of Fine Line Communications follows up on a highly successful year for Comm-Tech celebrating 30 years in business with the re-sign of key accounts which included the largest mobile Vodafone partner managed account in the UK worth over 9.7 million* and a 4.3 million deal on fixed line services.

In addition to this Comm-Tech have been awarded the Vodafone Total Communications Partner  status (one of only fourteen in the UK) for their knowledge and customer service skills, seen huge growth in their hosted telephony proposition, and have extensively grown their Solution Advisors, Communications Consultants and Support Teams to ensure service levels continue to meet the businesses high standards and expectations.

The Local Campaign of the Year award at the UK Biddable Media Awards 2017 was accepted by TaxAssist Accountants’ digital marketing partners, Crafted, at a special ceremony in Marble Arch, London

Both organisations work closely with the network to advertise TaxAssist franchisees at a local level, with marketing campaigns that capture the best possible client leads who require an accountancy and tax service.

TaxAssist currently supports more than 65,000 clients, including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, by providing them with expert advice and accountancy services ranging from tax returns and payroll to tax savings and advice.

The efficiency and performance of the localised online marketing gives new and existing franchisees confidence that the TaxAssist support infrastructure will continue to help them grow their own accountancy practice into a profitable business, becoming a saleable asset for the future.

James Mattam, Group Business Development Director, TaxAssist Accountants, said: “Crafted has been instrumental in driving online marketing success for our accounting network, creating a digital strategy that delivers against our business objectives.

“The number one concern most accountants have when starting their practice is how they will find new clients. We remove that worry by delivering well-funded advertising campaigns to help each franchisee succeed.”

Ian Miller, CEO, Crafted, said: “Through continuous refinement and expansion, our online advertising team has successfully delivered a localised digital marketing strategy that works.

“By ensuring visibility in Google and Bing in their local area, we can drive a greater quality of business leads to franchisees, further strengthening the TaxAssist business model.”

If you’re an accountant that’s dreamt of running your own business, why not see what a TaxAssist franchise has to offer? Call us today on 0800 0188 297 to arrange a confidential chat or drop us a line using our online enquiry form.

May 2017

KLM UK Engineering is delighted to announce the addition of CASA Part 145 approval to its portfolio from June 2017

A European leader in the regional jets & narrow body aircraft market and having an internationally acknowledged expertise on the Embraer 170/190, BAe146/Avro RJ, Fokker 70/100, Boeing 737 & Airbus A320 Family, KLM UK Engineering has extended its services to include CASA Part 145 approval to meet the growing demands from its customer base. This latest offering complements the existing portfolio at KLM UK Engineering’s base maintenance facility, where it can maintain 5 lines of heavy maintenance, provide onsite workshop support and operates a technical training college delivering Part 147.

Peter van der Horst, Managing Director commented “We currently hold EASA Part 145, FAA and many other worldwide approvals and we are delighted to be adding CASA Part 145 to our extensive portfolio. We will continue to offer a competitive rate, high quality product & short turnaround times to this new market.  We have a wealth of experience delivering heavy maintenance services and it will enable us to broaden our customer base to new regions. We look forward to welcoming our first customer that will benefit from this latest approval addition”. 

JMS helped Anglian Water to celebrate World Oceans Day with the production of a 90 second promotional video on how to keep beaches and bathing waters clean in the East.

Anglian Water were keen to ensure the video was fun and engaging, encouraging people to share the tips online.  JMS developed a theme song and sea creature characters in their video to demonstrate how home owners and beach users directly affect the sea and its creatures through actions such as littering, poor plumbing maintenance and dog fouling.  Key elements that impressed Anglian Water in the development of the video included having a seal’s birthday party and crab’s first date ruined, and the addition of animated dog poo!  It was a great project for the whole team to work on, developing the characters, the song and the musical theme, as well as having the opportunity to be a bit naughty!  

The first installation of a communal ground source heat pump for domestic use in the East of England by housing association Flagship Group, is set to cut its customers’ heating bills by hundreds of pounds a year.

The system at Watton, South Norfolk, was installed by Attleborough-based Finn Geotherm, to ultimately improve the quality and affordability of customer heating systems and living conditions in the 30 flats at Orchard Close.

Previously, the residents at Orchard Close had electric economy 7 storage heaters which were inefficient and expensive to run. The new system, which draws energy from the earth, will not only cut people’s energy bills by two thirds, but it also results in zero carbon emissions.

Customers started using the system in April, and although it is communal, each home is individually metered and customers are only charged for the energy they use.

The installation qualifies for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a Government scheme which assists with the project’s capital cost allowing Flagship to roll out the much-improved heating system into other homes in the future.

Strategic Director for Asset Management at Flagship, Stuart Longbottom, said: “Ground source heat pumps are a low maintenance, sustainable way of heating our homes which are a fantastic solution for our customers. We are committed to continually improving our renewable energy sources to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce our carbon footprint, and this system does that. Capital investment by Flagship as well as the RHI provides a positive and sustainable return for us and our customers.”

Renewable heating experts Finn Geotherm worked in partnership with Aaron Services Ltd to install the system.

Finn Geotherm’s Commercial Director Guy Ransom said: “I’m delighted that Flagship have decided to use the technology for their customers. Heat pumps are a well tried and tested technology. Finn Geotherm have been installing systems in the UK, in all kinds of properties, for more than 10 years. The systems themselves are made in Finland where they experience extremely cold weather conditions, so we know how efficient it can be. Ground source heat pumps are extremely reliable as they should last for more than 30 years. This provides additional reassurance for Flagship and their customers.”

The system is also connected to the Finn Geotherm offices which allows it to be monitored wirelessly to see how much heat is being used.

Key benefits of the project include:

• Reduced energy bills – immediate and long term
• Zero CO2
• Encourages customers to heat their homes, positively impacting on their health – reduction in damp and improved air quality
• Low maintenance requirements – cost and frequency
• Less intrusion for customers as equipment is stored in an external Plant Room
• Lasts three times longer than a conventional boiler

Providence Street Garden blooms into life.

Providence Street Placeshaping Community Centre has bloomed into life as a new garden is unveiled.

The garden was funded by generous donations from Lovell, Arc Fabrications, ElecSure, KJ Plastering Ltd, Westcoast Windows, Osborn & Kent and Proctor Roofing and Ground Control.

The structural work on the garden was carried out by Freebridge Community Housing Property Services, whilst the planting and general upkeep will be maintained by volunteers from the centre and the community.

The Norfolk Youth Offending Team contributed benches for the garden from their workshop nearby, whilst fencing was provided by West Norfolk MIND.

Robert Clarke, Freebridge Director of Housing, said: “We are really pleased to see this great new space available in time for the summer.

“As we continue to use our Placeshaping team at Providence Street to improve communities across West Norfolk we would like to express our gratitude to all the businesses and charities who have supported this and the many other projects we’re involved with.

“We would like to invite members of the public to come down and hopefully enjoy some summer sun in the garden.”

East Anglian mechanical engineering contractor Pruce Newman have announced the appointment of two new members to its Executive Board with effect from 1st June 2017. The new Operations Directors, Jamie Key and Darren Razzell, are both existing employees of the business, and bring specific industry skills and experience to the board to support Pruce Newman’s plans for further growth.

Jamie (pictured centre left) and Darren (centre right)  join existing directors Alan Pruce (left) and Tim Moorse (right), and Managing Director Graham Newman (centre), to form the expanded Executive Board of Pruce Newman, which has its head office and workshops in Wymondham, Norfolk. Established in 1970 by John Pruce and Brian Newman, Pruce Newman has developed from its entrepreneurial beginnings to become a prominent local employer with over 120 staff and a turnover of £10 Million, and still remains under family ownership. The company has bases in Norfolk and Essex, and provides specialist industrial pipework fabrication and installation services to clients across the South and East of England.

Driven by its core values of Quality, Safety and Trust, Pruce Newman has built a loyal client base in the region, counting many blue-chip organisations and international brands amongst its customers. Working in industries as diverse as oil & gas, power generation, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food & drink and fuel storage terminals, the company has seen a sustained increase in demand for its services, mainly due to its high levels of craftsmanship and customer service, and its ability to undertake and manage projects ranging from simple fabrication to the design and build of complete new production facilities. With further growth planned over the next ten years, the Board believe that the appointment of two new directors to their team will provide a sound basis for moving forward.

Between them, Darren and Jamie have over 30 years’ experience of working for Pruce Newman, and 50 years’ industry experience. As the business continues to grow, they will take responsibility for Pruce Newman’s day-to-day contracting operations, ensuring that the company maintains its focus on safely delivering high quality projects for its clients.

Speaking about his appointment, Darren Razzell said:

“I was delighted to be invited to join the Board of Directors and have enthusiastically accepted the position. In previous employment with other organisations, I had often looked on with admiration at Pruce Newman’s well-respected business practice. Now, I hold a real sense of pride to work with such loyal, dedicated and talented colleagues who together equate to quite a unique business operation. I am looking forward to helping to lead the business and to compliment the board with alternative skills and experience which I hope will bring additional depth and variation to Pruce Newman’s opportunities.

“I am particularly excited about improving operating efficiencies within our Wymondham fabrication facility to enhance its offering both for internal sales and as a supplier to new customers. Furthermore, adding value with additional services to all clients by offering turnkey solutions, is an area that I’m keen to see driven forward.”

His sentiments were echoed by Jamie Key, who commented:

“It’s a great honour to be offered and to accept the role of Operations Director with Pruce Newman. Having worked my way through the ranks over the past few years I feel that I am now well positioned to help build on the foundations already put in place by the existing directors. I will do my very best to ensure that the future of Pruce Newman is prosperous and successful, for everybody associated with the company.”

With almost fifty years of successful trading under its belt, Pruce Newman believes that the appointment of the two new directors will give the business the stability that it requires to enter its next half-century, and the skills that it needs to deliver continued sustainable growth. As Graham Newman, Managing Director, explains:

“I’m delighted to welcome Jamie and Darren to the Board at such an exciting time for the business. Pruce Newman is proud of its strong family ethos, and both Jamie and Darren have been part of that family for the past 18 years. As we move forward and our business continues to grow, I’m gratified that our philosophy of nurturing and developing talent from within has produced two individuals with the skills, experience and abilities to lead that growth into the future.

“Jamie and Darren’ strengths compliment those of our existing Executive team, and their appointments emphasise Pruce Newman’s ambitions to continue to set the standard for companies in our industry. Once again, I’d like to congratulate them both on their appointment to the Board.”

After receiving such a positive response to the Norfolk Developers magazines at each conference, we’ve decided to release a magazine outside of the conference too! Each issue will contain tech articles, local features, news and interviews as well as tech events in Norfolk and further afield, but most importantly it will be free to download! But we need your help to make this a success. We’re asking for your suggestions and contributions for our first issue due for release in September. This first issue will be focused around different aspects of A.I. Contributions We need:

• News – are you beginning or completing a project? Expanding into a new area? Taking on new staff/premises/tech? Have you won an award or achieved something noteworthy you want to tell people about?
• Events – are you planning or hosting an event between September 2017 and the end of January 2018? Are you attending an event over the summer you think we should review or take photos at?
• Articles – do you have something tech related you would like to talk about or share with the community? Can you write an engaging and interesting piece for our pages?
• Columns – do you have something to say others would like to hear? An experience or opinion about something in the tech community or industry that others would enjoy reading?

Suggestions and comments for other articles or features are also welcome! What do you like about the past conference magazines? What don’t you like? What would you like to see more of? Less of? Advertisers

• Would you like to reach the tech community?
• Do you have a service or product you think we should know about?
• Are you holding an event that would benefit from being in front of the tech people of Norfolk?

We want to hear from YOU! This is a magazine for Norfolk’s tech community, so please help us to make it what you want it be. To get in touch, please email mag@norfolkdevelopers.com Norfolk Developer Magazine team

A major energy sector employer is set to expand further within Great Yarmouth – thanks to an agreement with Great Yarmouth Borough Council that will see the council delivering a landmark base built in the Enterprise Zone at Beacon Park.

Proserv approached Great Yarmouth Borough Council last year to discuss its ambitions to consolidate and grow its Great Yarmouth operation under one roof. It currently employs about 190 staff at three sites across the borough. Most of these employees already live within 10 minutes of Beacon Park, a growing hub for the energy sector, which is owned by the council.

Through an agreement between Proserv, the borough council and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the council will develop a new Great Yarmouth headquarters for Proserv to be called Artemis House on a prominent site on the park, which is part of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft (New Anglia) Enterprise Zone.

Comprising 65,000sq ft of modern office and production floorspace, the prestigious building, flanking the new link road, will be one of the largest commercial buildings in terms of floorspace ever constructed in the borough. There is also an option to add a further 20,000sq ft of workshop capacity at a later date.

The borough council has invested £4.5m in the development, with £1.5m coming from New Anglia LEP’s Growing Places Fund and Proserv contributing up to £2m towards the fit-out for their requirements and will be taking a 20-year lease on completion.

The completed development will form another part of the council’s important property portfolio generating significant rental income which is used to help support vital public services.

The council has awarded the construction contract to Morgan Sindall and is due to start on the 5.75-acre site in early June, with Proserv moving early 2018 into the new purpose-built base, which will be their new technology centre for subsea controls and communications.

In a joint statement, the council’s political group leaders, Cllr Graham Plant, Cllr Kay Grey, Cllr Trevor Wainwright and Cllr Adrian Myers, said: “This exciting development and Beacon Park more widely are part of the borough council’s work with partners to support sustainable economic growth and unlock its benefits for communities.

“This is a genuine win-win situation for the borough. These important skilled jobs, which are mostly filled by local people, will now stay within the borough, supporting the local economy and prosperity, and Proserv can expand to create more local job opportunities for local people.

“Proserv gets the huge benefits of staying in Great Yarmouth, world famous as England’s energy sector capital, and within a new, purpose-built, landmark headquarters on Beacon Park, a growing hub for energy sector businesses and the most successful Enterprise Zone in the country.

“This success has come about through close partnership working across the public and private sectors, and we look forward to welcoming Proserv and its staff to Beacon Park early next year.”

News of the latest development comes at a time of strong growth for Proserv after the company recently secured over £12m in contract awards for its new-build, after-market and decommissioning services.

David Lamont, Proserv CEO, said: “This is great news for the whole of Proserv but especially the team in Great Yarmouth. As an established employer in the region since the 1960s, we have developed an outstanding workforce that is well recognised globally for its expertise and engineering capabilities. Investing in this new facility firmly underlines our long-term commitment to Great Yarmouth and plans for growth in the area.

“Consolidating operations into a modern purpose-built site will make us leaner, more efficient and better placed to deliver for our global customer base, whilst creating capacity for future expansion. The centre will serve as a global hub and Centre of Excellence for our subsea communication and controls activities and ensures we remain at the forefront of our field.

“I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Great Yarmouth Borough Council for their unwavering support over the years in getting us to this exciting stage.”

Chris Starkie, managing director of New Anglia LEP, said: “This is an important development and we’re pleased to see work starting on site. As well as being a flagship building on our Enterprise Zone, it is great to secure the future of Proserv – a key energy sector supplier and employer – in Great Yarmouth.”

The Charity Golf Day has become an annual fixture in the Monthind Clean calendar, and this year the company is delighted to be raising money for its charity partner Little Havens Hospice. The venue for this year’s event on 19th October is the Gainsborough Course at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa, and entrants will be challenged to beat the Female Pro, Laura McDonald. With prizes awarded for the best overall team, highest scoring individual player, longest drive, nearest the pin and best-dressed team, as well as an exclusive 5-star holiday to Mauritius for a hole-in-one, it’s time to sign up and get practising!

The only children’s hospice in Essex, Little Havens is a registered charity that relies on the support and generosity of the community to provide the palliative care and support it offers. The charity defines its objectives: When a family has been told that there’s no cure for their child’s illness, Little Havens Hospice can help. We’re here to make the journey as comfortable as possible, controlling pain and medication, offering respite and caring for children at the end of their lives. Our specialist care is free – for as long as is needed – within the family home and at our hospice. We’re a registered charity – not part of the NHS – and receive limited government funding. Our hospice can only exist because of the support and generosity of the community. Together, we’re ‘Making every day count.’

Simon Biggs, Operations Director and Monthind Partner, says: “The Charity Golf Day is a great opportunity for us to raise money for our chosen charity whilst having a wonderful time. Whether you play golf or not, there are lots of ways to be involved, and if you can’t get a team together, you can enter individually and join another team.

“If you would like to sponsor a hole or provide prizes for the raffle or charity auction, we will send a press release to the local media, include an article in our client/staff newsletters as well as information on our website promoting your passion for supporting Little Havens.”

With an opportunity to win great prizes and the kudos of beating the Female Pro, there is all to play for at the Monthind Charity Golf Day. If you would like to book your individual or team space please search for ‘Monthind’s Charity Golf Day’ on Eventbrite.co.uk, or email events@monthindclean.co.uk.

Order of play-

10.00am REGISTRATION

(Bacon Rolls, Tea/Coffee upon arrival)

11.00am – 12.00pm Tee Off

(Rolling tee start)

Followed by a light dinner, prize giving and charity auction

Cost- Team Entry £320, Individual Entry £80

On the 25th June 2017, three members of our team here at Monthind will be taking part in the Ipswich East Rotary Club 25 Mile Orwell walk. 

Tony Felgate, Andy Flatman and Andrew Marsh are all set to take on the 25-mile walk to raise money for two fantastic charities; The Bone Cancer Research Trust and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The walk will begin and end at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich. The gruelling 25-mile route follows the bank of the River Orwell as it makes its way towards Felixstowe. On its returns, the route travels through farmland and wooded sections back to the Gainsborough Sport Centre. 

The Bone Cancer Research Trust is a charity that carries out such important work, offering hope to people affected by primary bone cancer. The organisation receive no government funding so rely entirely on public support to continue their crucial work. 

Equally, The Teenage Cancer Trust offer treatment and support for young people aged between 13 and 24. They are the only charity in the UK dedicated to making this happen. Supporting this organisation means that they are able to continue providing specialised cancer care for young people across the UK.

If you are in a position to donate, please go to the Just Giving pages below to help both of these wonderful charities provide the best possible care they can. You would be helping to provide a service that is truly life changing. 

Tony Felgate – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tony-Felgate1

Andy Flatman – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andy-Flatman

Andrew Marsh – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Marsh6?utm_id=26 

Briar Chemicals welcomed a group of Chemistry students from the University of East Anglia who are studying Chemistry to provide an insight into the manufacturing industry.

The 2nd year Chemistry students met with a team of Briar’s Chemists and Chemical Engineers to understand first-hand how the chemistry they learn at University can be applied on an industrial scale.

The visit was arranged by Dr Tharin Blumenschein, Director of Employability at the UEA School of Chemistry, who has been working with Briar Chemicals over the past few years organising various student visits. Dr Blumenschein said: “A group of mostly 2nd year Chemistry students at UEA had a great time learning more about the Chemistry done at Briar. We were able to see reaction vessels up close, and understand the difference in scale between the Chemistry performed in the teaching laboratory and what happens in industrial settings. The weather helped, too, and made the walk between the different buildings very pleasant.”

“We finished the day with an impromptu discussion of the safety risks and precautions involved in Chemistry work.”

The group of UEA students were taken on a tour around the site; visiting the production plants, control rooms and analytical laboratories. Following the tour, they had the opportunity to talk to the team about the career pathways available in the chemical industry.

Briar Chemicals are passionate about providing a platform and sharing their knowledge with aspiring young scientists; to develop skills for a sustainable future.

Tim Green, Site Manager said: “It is our responsibility to develop skills for the future by investing in the next generation and the community in which we operate.”

As part of Briar’s education programme, the company offers work experience, summer placements and a year in industry student placement; helping to build a foundation of knowledge for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Briar has been shortlisted for the UK’s Chemical Industry Associations Reputation Award for recognition of their involvement within the community and will be attending the awards ceremony in June.