It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce our withdrawal from our role as digital media provider at this years Sundown Festival. Due to circumstances outside of our control we are unable to take our services as planned to the festival in 2016, and we couldn’t be more disappointed. However we only provide our customers and venues with the very best, and at this point we were unable to provide the exceptional quality that we pride ourselves on, so we will be postponing this collaboration until next year when we will be back bigger and even better.
We would like to reiterate our deepest apologies to all our customers who were excited to be at Sundown this year, but we have secured all of you a place at our next POP UP event. A huge thank you to the team at Sundown for their understanding, and we know that this years festival is going to be an exceptional and exciting music event, not just for East Anglia, but nationally.
We look forward to our future collaborations – BBA Digital Media.
Our latest salary and recruitmentsurveyhas shown that the demand for newly qualified accountants, in both commercial and practice, is escalating across our region.Accountancy and finance recruitmentis one of our key specialisms and our associate directorDavid Culleyexplains the impact this has had on salaries in this sector.
“Our report shows that newly qualified ACCA/ACA accountants in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire are getting the highest wages in our region, with typical annual salaries amounting to £44,000 and £45,000 respectively. While these are higher than neighbouring Essex and Norfolk, we are starting to see salaries increase across all four counties.
“This is because the demand for newly qualified accountants, in both commercial and practice, is escalating. With a narrower talent pool to choose from, accountancy firms are becoming more concerned about missing out on talented professionals. This has shifted the power to candidates and they feel more able to negotiate better salary and benefit packages. Those with ACCA and ACA qualifications especially have been able to leverage higher starting salaries as they already have a greater understanding of the day-to-day duties and responsibilities within an accounts team.
“The candidate short market has also meant that part-qualified accountants are becoming more attractive to employers. Companies are warming to the idea of hiring candidates that are looking to complete their qualifications and advance within a company.
“While this is encouraging news for the economy as a whole, the demand for highly-skilled accountancy professionals is only going to become more challenging for firms. Accountants do tend to have a lower move rate than professionals in other sectors with study support available. But while many opt to stay within their organisation, the candidate-driven market means they are still well-placed to command better salaries over time.”
The salary report uses data sourced from ourCompareMySalarytool. This is a unique online tool for candidates and organisations to benchmark salaries and benefits against like-for-like job roles in the region.
Have you seen the lovely old sewing machines we have on display in the window of our Norwich Sunblinds St Benedict shop at the moment? If not do drop by and take a look, they’re delightful old machines and have attracted lots of interest.
One is an old German Titan machine dating from the early 1900s, and the other is a Singer sewing machine that was purchased in 1933 (and still has its receipt). This date ties in perfectly with Singer’s introduction of the ‘featherweight sewing machine’ in 1933 that made it more practical for many more people to have sewing machines at home.
In 1939 however, Singer had to stop the production of sewing machines for a while to help with the war effort.
Singer’s name has been synonymous with domestic sewing for over 150 years, and it is incredible how the machines have changed in that time. The Singer was the first machine to sew a ‘continuous, reliable, straight or curved seam’. Now they operate almost like computers with a dazzling array of options for sewing and embroidery.
But, however good the sewing machines, the end product depends on the skill of the machinist. At Norwich Sunblinds we are very proud that we have some incredibly creative and talented staff who are not only skilled at the items they make for us which can include all styles of blinds and curtains together with tie-backs, pelmet valances and cushions, but who thoroughly enjoy sewing and creating for pleasure in their own time.
The sewing machines were brought in by Julie Budrey, our supervisor at the Norwich Sunblinds’ St Benedict’s Street shop. The singer sewing machine is owned by Julie’s sister; originally it belonged to their Great Aunty and has been passed down the family through the generations. The Titan machine belongs to Julie’s mother. Both machines have created many hundreds of miles of stitching over the generations and created hundred of garments from curtains and soft furnishings to dresses and school clothes for their family and friends.
Today Julie and her sister are still very passionate about making clothes, soft furnishings and undertaking alterations for themselves and others; this is also true of many of the staff who work for Norwich Sunblinds. The team at the factory in Attleborough make the blinds, and the curtains, and the soft furnishings are made by a dedicated and skilled local workforce, They are all very talented workers, and many of them carry their skills through to their leisure time and have a real passion for creativity.
As the window and specialist cleaning sector of East Anglia’s leading cleaning company, Monthind Clean, continues to expand, the need for a dedicated administration hub has initiated the opening of their new office in Gorleston, Norfolk. Simon Howes, Window and Specialist Cleaning Business Manager, explains: “We operate across the whole of East Anglia and our operatives are based in optimal locations, including Peterborough, Cambridge, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and Harwich, facilitating a service provision that is second to none. Our new office in Gorleston allows us to consolidate the administrative processes including sales, health and safety, and training resulting in streamlined and cost-effective management.”
By its very nature, window cleaning requires stringent health and safety management and Simon’s NEBOSH General Certificate, alongside more than 25 years in the business, is fundamental to the extensive duty of care Monthind demonstrates to its staff and customers. Simon says: “We provide our workforce with the best training, including day to day health and safety training through IOSH, IPAF Certificates to enable our operatives to use an extensive range of access platforms and PASMA to give us the flexibility to use mobile scaffold towers. This equipment enables Monthind to establish the safest method of access where the need to reduce the risks involved in window cleaning is paramount. We always try to work from the ground where practicable, and our water-fed poles which extend from 3ft to 72ft make that easier to achieve.”
Monthind uses pure water to clean windows, which is purified through reverse osmosis at several Monthind sites across the region, guaranteeing crystal-clear, residue free results. “Using pure water is key to our excellent cleaning. We are justifiably proud of every aspect of the service we provide, and we react quickly to customer concerns and requests, “says Simon. “If our clients need us to come out at short notice, for instance, in the event of an unexpected VIP visit, we’ll try our hardest to be there the next day. Monthind is dedicated to achieving unrivalled service excellence and every member of my team upholds this ethos.”
Simon’s team isn’t restricted to providing window cleaning; he manages every aspect of Monthind’s specialist cleaning too. “We provide a plethora of services, including building wash-downs, gutter cleaning, grounds maintenance, high-pressure washes, deep cleaning services and carpet cleans. In short, if it needs cleaning, we can clean it,” concludes Simon.
For more information about Monthind Clean and its services, visit www.monthindclean.co.uk or call Simon’s team on 0845 61800403.
Bigfork designed the new UK website for membrane manufacturers, Porelle. The objectives of the new site were to make it responsive mobile friendly and to add the new branding. Porelle’s customers are technical designers and buyers so the design had to present their breathable and waterproof membrane technology in a highly visual way that shows the applications and benefits of Porelle’s product. This was achieved using high quality imagery and benefit focused messages throughout the new website. Porelle sell worldwide and European languages will also be added over the next year to add to the Russian and Chinese websites already designed by Bigfork. Take a look at the Porelle website.
Bigfork were appointed to design the new website for specialist outdoor clothing company, Dannah. The Dannah product range is designed to cope with the harshest mountain environments and the new website design needed to appeal to the adventurous audience. The resulting design is not only bold, with powerful images and strong messages, but also promotes the innovation and unique benefits of Dannah’s high quality clothing range. Finally an online shop has also been added to the website so you can now buy a Dannah jacket and climb a mountain! Take a look at the new Dannah website.
In recognition of its commitment to the Australian franchise sector, representatives from TaxAssist Accountants were recently invited to join fellow Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) members at its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dinner in Brisbane.
TaxAssist’s Master Franchisee for Australia, Terry Murphy, his business partner Celeste Godwin, and David Paulson and Richard Chatten from the accounting franchise’s international development team, were among the 22 guests hand-picked for the invitation-only FCA event at Tattersalls Club.
The dinner provided an excellent opportunity for guests to network with senior figures in the country’s franchise sector, including the FCA’s new Executive Chairman (and former Small Business Minister), Bruce Billson and new FCA CEO Damian Paull.
Terry said: “The chance to meet senior franchisors and discuss the future of franchising was most rewarding, especially with David and Richard as they were able to help give a global perspective with their insight into franchising in the UK.”
TaxAssist’s Australian and UK teams joined forces again two days later to successfully promote its business opportunity at the Brisbane Franchising and Business Opportunities Expo.
David Paulson, Senior Manager UK & International Development, at TaxAssist Accountants, said: “Many of the 30 or so potential franchisees we met at the exhibition, who were keen to join our Australian franchise network were CPA-qualified or had impressive financial backgrounds.
“As a result, early indications point to TaxAssist welcoming a number of new franchisees becoming part of our flourishing success story in Australia.”
Congratulations to our Ecology Team Leader, Dr Charlotte Sanderson, for qualifying as a Registered Consultant for the Great Crested Newt Low Impact Class Licence. The GCN Low Impact Class Licence follows on from the Bat Low Impact Class Licence which Charlotte also qualified for (read article); this means that Charlotte was recognised by Natural England as being technically capable to take on licensing work with less rigorous regulation.
Natural England have reduced the paperwork for the licence application process considerably for Sites where this licence would be appropriate, limiting the licencing burden on themselves, and subsequent delays to developments, such that Sites can be registered under the licence in 15 days or less. The GCN Low Impact Class Licence will cover temporary and low impact works affecting terrestrial habitats and small sections of wet ditches on linear schemes, and will facilitate the removal of areas of permanent terrestrial habitat, the extent of which will be dictated by the proximity to GCN breeding ponds.
Natural England invited applicants to become GCN Registered Consultants earlier this year, allowing a select number of consultant ecologists take steps towards taking on work with less regulation. The rigorous criteria for potential Registered Consultants set by Natural England involved demonstrating experience of working on a range of great crested newt mitigation licence projects, as well as demonstrating a thorough understanding of the licensing process.
James Cross, Natural England’s Chief Executive said, “This landmark saving for our customers is a key milestone on our journey to reduce regulatory burdens and improve real-world impact. We are saving customers time and money, providing a slicker, more efficient process, observing environmental law and achieving great things for nature.
“Our organisational licences are a win-win for large organisations and for the environment, supporting economic progress, whilst ensuring that there is no impact on species conservation.
“The changes to our system have the added bonus of reducing time spent by Natural England staff on advising and processing individual licences, meaning that we can usefully divert those resources elsewhere.”1
Starting salary of £42,500 pro rata with opportunities to earn up to £50,000 (pro rata)
Permanent
18.5hoursweekly
Ipswich
An exciting opportunity to work alongside a dynamic board and management team, for a Community Interest Company who provide diverse services and products, creating opportunities for people to progress in work, learning and life.
The post holder will be the strategic lead for estates, finance and IT, particularly all aspects of financial management and accounting within Realise Futures.
The post requires a commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, insightful and influential leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels. As an executive director, the post holder will provide expert financial and commercial advice to fellow directors as well as the wider management team.
“Realise Futures is committed to safeguarding and promotion the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.”
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is challenging local businesses and organisations to make as much money as they can from an initial stake of just £50.
The challenge is sponsored by local company ML Financial Associates, who have offices in both Wymondham and Northampton, and who took part in the scheme in 2014 winning the challenge by raising the most amount of money.
Businesses and community groups across Norfolk are being encouraged to sign up to the £50 Challenge which will see them handed a £50 note by the charity. Participants will then be given a 12 week period to invest the money in fundraising initiatives to generate the highest possible amount for EACH.
ML Financial Associates, the proud winners of the 2014/15 Challenge raised an impressive £2362.29 for the charity, decided to back this years’ event by sponsoring the challenge and encouraging other businesses, organisations and community groups across the county to take part and try to break their record.
Simon Lister, Director, ML Financial Associates, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the EACH £50 Challenge in Norfolk. We took part previously and thoroughly enjoyed it! This challenge really resonates with us and our business is very much aligned to this scheme as we look to operate on similar principles ie we look to make our clients’ money grow and this is what the £50 Challenge is all about – making a modest amount of money grow into something much more considerable!
As previous winners we’d like to challenge businesses across Norfolk to beat our amount raised, have fun in doing so like we did at ML and help a fantastic charity raise lots of money at the same time.”
ML Financial Associates already supports EACH, having joined the nook business network in August 2015 and pledging to raise £10,000 across the length of the appeal. The nook appeal aims to raise £10 million to transform children’s palliative care across Norfolk including building a new hospice called the nook.
EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia and supports their families. For both families accessing care, and those who have been bereaved, EACH is a lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time.
Carol Plunkett, EACH Norfolk fundraising Manager, said: “We’re really excited about the launch of our £50 Challenge and would like to say a big thank you to ML Financial Associates for supporting the event. It’s great to have them on board and we are so grateful for their continued support. Not only will the challenge raise much-needed funds to support the work of EACH, but it’ll also be great fun for all those taking part.
“We’re looking forward to hearing about the many weird and wonderful ways participants will use their £50 and hope it inspires healthy competition between local businesses and colleagues to raise as much money as possible.”
All the funds raised through the £50 Challenge will go towards the vital care and support EACH provides to families when they need it most – the more money raised, the bigger the difference it will make.
The £50 can be invested in any legal and safe fundraising initiatives and is a great way to have fun, challenge yourself, inspire creativity and a great opportunity to build up team spirit. As part of the initiative, a minimum of £50 has to be raised within the agreed time or the initial £50 returned to the charity.
For more information on the EACH and to sign up for the £50 challenge please contact the Norfolk Fundraising Team on 01953 666767 or email norfolk@each.org.uk.
When the deadline for registering to vote in the UK EU referendum approached there were issues with the online registration system. It stopped working due to the high numbers of people trying to register all at once. The system failed to scale and fell over. By scale, I mean that the hardware was no longer powerful enough to service all of the requests made of the software it was running and it was unable to become more powerful.
There are two main ways to scale computer hardware, vertically and horizontally. Most software can scale vertically, regardless of how it’s designed. To scale horizontally special design considerations must be taken into account.
Vertical Scaling Imagine you’ve got 1000 people to move from point A to point B 10 miles away and a car which can hold 5 people and travels at an average speed of 60 miles an hour. That means it takes 10 minutes to get the car once from point A to point B. Ignoring the return journey and including the driver in the number of people moved, it would take 200 trips, at 10 minutes each, which is 33 hours. That’s pretty slow.
If we use the same car, but with a more powerful engine which can travel at an average speed of 120 miles an hour, it now takes 5 minutes to get the car once from point A to point B and a total time of 16.5 hours. That’s already a good improvement.
If you use 4 minibuses the time comes down to 1 hour. If we continue to increase the number of minibuses we can bring the time down significantly.
This is an example of vertical scaling. By increasing the processing power (engine) and the memory (number of people the vehicle can hold) in a computer we can increase how quickly it responds to users. However, you can only increase processing power and memory to a point. There is a threshold where it becomes impractical to scale further and another where it is no longer cost effective.
Horizontal Scaling Imagine you’ve got the same 1000 people to move from point A to point B and two minibuses which hold 20 people each and travel at an average speed of 120 miles an hour. Both minibuses take 5 minutes to get one from point A to point B. Ignoring the return journey and including the driver in the number of people moved, it would take 25 trips, at 5 minutes each, which is 2 hours.
If you use 4 minibuses the time comes down to 1 hour. If we continue to increase the number of minibuses we can bring the time down significantly.
This is an example of horizontal scaling. By increasing the number of computers which are working together in parallel we can increase how quickly the overall system responds to users.
TVC are delightedto finally announce we have been awarded UKAS accreditation for our calibration laboratory.
Laboratory accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 enables us to conduct the Electrical Verification of Ultrasonic Flaw Detection Equipment to BS EN 12668-1:2010.It has taken many months of hard work and we wantto thank our staff for all their efforts duringthis massive undertaking.
The past two decades have seen us grow and weare delighted to gain UKAS accreditation as we enter into our third. Thisis a symbol ofour drive forquality.
Why UKAS Accreditation?
UKAS is established as a ‘leader in the area of accreditation’ and has been in operation since 1995. Theawarded capability inthis standard enables us to provide you with:
a professional and quality driven service
competent and skilled technicians
traceableandvalid results of the highest quality
Furthermore, UKAS has a set of core values which it seeks to implement within its structure and activities. These form the acronymPRIDE- Professionalism, Responsibility, Innovation, Delivery and Excellence – and we will strive to follow their lead.
UKAS released a short video which shows how regulationsaffect every part of our lives and how, as a result, using international standards will ‘deliver confidence’. Consequently, it ensures that the goods and services around us are safe to use and conform to regulated standards.
UKAS accreditation inISO/IEC 17025:2005 is internationally recognised, therefore, calibrating your Ultrasonic Flaw Detection Equipment to BS EN 12668-1:2010 will:
give you anedge over your competitors
provide an objective view of your equipment
enable you to prove your due diligence to prospective clients
help to manage risks within your design or service processes
give your company credibility worldwide and open up trading markets
We will be adding blogs and further information shortly but please contactus if you would like to know more.