Member News

I often find myself describing the structure of tech companies in Norfolk to people. In terms of size we have Aviva at the top, a lower layer of large SMEs such as Validus, Proxama, Virgin Wines and EPoS Now in the middle and then countless micro businesses and smaller SMEs at the bottom. I’ve been aware of Brandbank for a while, but they’ve always been a bit of an enigma to me. It turns out it’s not just me and this is something they’re keen to do something about. It also turns out that with a two hundred strong workforce in Norwich alone, they deserve to be mentioned in the middle layer.

To help raise their profile locally, Brandbank are engaging in a number of local activities with the tech and business communities in Norwich. Their CIO Jeremy Glenn has spoken at the Norfolk Network, the company is a partner sponsor of NorDevCon and on Thursday Jeremy spoke about Brandbank to SyncNorwich at Whitespace. Why do Brandbank want to raise their profile locally? They need more software developers. They need quite a few of them and they need them quickly to help sustain the company’s growth.

The core business of Brandbank is to help retailers get their products online. They’re one of only a few companies who do this and they do it for a lot of large supermarkets as well as thousands of other clients. Following their inception in the late 90s, Brandbank have seen incredible growth in revenue, with very modest profits and only broke even in 2007. Since then they have seen steady growth in profits. In late 2014 they were bought by Nielsen.

Jeremy told us all about his background, how he came to join Brandbank and then how he became a director. He described many of the different things Brandbank has tried over the years, what had worked and what hadn’t and what they learned from it. Jeremy also described the horrific process of preparing to be acquired, the false starts and intensive due diligence.

Although clearly a shrewd businessman, Jeremy clearly doesn’t take himself too seriously. It was interesting to finally find out what Brandbank do and the delivery was entertaining. It will be equally interesting to see how Norwich’s previously best kept secret grows over the coming years.

Written by Paul Grenyer

Shield Health and Safety have got off to a flying start in 2016 by being shortlisted for the prestigious RTITB Partner Achievement Award.

Being shortlisted for theaward has emphasised the determination the team at Shield has, in achieving a high standard when it comes to Forklift Training.

We are humbled by the fact that we have been trading for only a short time and yet have been recognised by our accrediting body, the RTITB in achieving this nomination.

The team looks forward to attending the even in February with a hope of returning with its first trophy!

https://www.shieldhealthandsafety.co.uk/shield-shortlisted-for-the-rtitb-…

Staff are putting interesting work and good management ahead of salary when it comes to job satisfaction, says the acclaimed Cooper Lomaz annual salary survey 2016 for Norfolk.

Now in its 11th year, the in-depth report by independent recruitment consultants Cooper Lomaz, which has offices in Norwich, compares salaries and analyses trends in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Essex in the key sectors of:

• Accountancy and Finance
• Engineering
• Food Manufacturing
• Information Technology
• Sales and Marketing
• and Supply Chain

It reports that salaries and job opportunities are continuing to rise as the economy recovers.

It says salaries are only placed third when it comes to employee job satisfaction, sitting behind an interesting job and good management.

And skills shortages in some sectors mean employees are benefiting from a bidding war of salary offers as their existing bosses try to retain their services.

Average salaries in the county were £30,992, compared to £31,193 in Suffolk, £33,951 in Essex, £34,453 in Northamptonshire, £37,754 in Cambridgeshire and £41,908 in Hertfordshire.

Norfolk Trends include:

• Record numbers of salary counter-offers as Accountancy and Finance employers seek to retain staff seeking new jobs
• A slump in the oil and gas industry seeing staff looking to use their skills in other sectors
• Food Manufacturing staff being recruited from Europe and major shortage of engineering candidates in the sector
• A shortage of qualified candidates in IT. Companies with the slickest recruitment systems will pick up the best staff in competitive times
• Sales candidates with proven track record outweigh those with qualifications or degrees
• Supply Chain employers value candidates with quality training including apprentices

Cooper Lomaz Operations Director Mark Fletcher said the growth over the last year, and anticipated again in 2016, is a reassuring sign of confidence in the market as the economy continues its recovery.

More than half the surveyed businesses (55%) are planning to expand staffing this year as the economy is projected to grow by 2%.

Wages are increasing slightly at around 4%, with 58% of those surveyed enjoying a salary increase.

Companies are being encouraged to up their game with improved benefits, holidays, training and career opportunities to attract and retain staff.

The report is compiled from information provided by more than 2,000 professionals in specialist sectors, along with data from interviews with more than 15,000 candidates. The survey, which is most comprehensive to date, is a key tool in helping client companies and HR professionals gauge market trends, pay and benefits.

Cooper Lomaz Recruitment, which was started by two Norfolk businesswomen in 1990 and now has a turnover of around £15m, is itself looking to expand by 10% and hire another eight people for its offices at Norwich and Bury St Edmunds.

The survey will be circulated to Cooper Lomaz clients with highlights on the company website www.cooperlomaz.co.uk

• Article submitted by Newsmakers PR

Pure (Pure Resourcing Solutions) has hit the massive milestone of a grand total of £100k raised for over 20 different charities.

The grand total has been achieved through sustained fundraising efforts by team members at all four of the recruitment agency’s offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich since 2002.

The fundraising activity has ranged from daring challenges including the gruelling 24-hour National Three Peaks Challenge and a sponsored sky dive, alongside local events such as Cambridge’s annual Chariots of Fire relay race, the Ipswich Colour Dash and the Colchester half marathon, as well as national events including Movember and Comic Relief. Each office also hosts its own annual charity quiz night and further charitable donations have been collected at the various seminars and events which Pure holds for the local business community.

Over 24 different charities have now benefited from a share of the £100k raised by Pure in the last 13 years. This includes substantial donations to local charities including Pure’s overall chosen charity of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, which has benefitted from over £62,000. Significant donations have also been made to The J’s Hospice in Chelmsford, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity in Cambridgeshire, The Matthew Project in Norwich and the St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds. National charitable organisations including Children in Need, Cancer Research and Action for Children have also benefited.

Gill Buchanan, Director at Pure, said: “As a socially responsible business we’ve always actively supported local charities and we are all extremely proud of having reached such a significant milestone in our fundraising activity.

“Here at Pure we believe that charity fundraising challenges are not only an important part of a company’s corporate social responsibility. They can also have a far wider impact on reinforcing a sense of teamwork and camaraderie, a culture which many businesses strive to achieve. We support our employees in any charity challenges they wish to undertake themselves, giving them additional time off to enable them to complete their chosen goal and kick-starting their fundraising with a £250 donation.”

Alongside financial donations, team members at Pure have also donated significant amounts of time to local charities over the last thirteen years. This has included volunteering their skills at decorating and gardening to help transform the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in Quidenham, decorating at Woodgreen Animal Shelter and the Chelmsford CHESS homeless shelter. They have also sent gifts and essential goods to be delivered to a school in Gambia.

Pure’s continued commitment to fundraising has helped the organisation to be recognised at various awards including, most recently, being selected as finalists in the Corporate Social Responsibility category at last year’s East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards.

Building on a successful start in Norfolk, social enterprise Swarm Apprenticeships Ltd have partnered with the RSA to strengthen their quest in Norwichto liberate and support young and talented business heroes through enterprising apprenticeships.

Founded by successful entrepreneur and bestselling business author, Robert Ashton, Swarm aims to develop young business apprentices across Norfolk, Suffolk and soon Essex. They support them to become commercially aware, enterprising and effective to their employers to deliver the greatest return on investment for businesses. Swarm offers a unique enterprise qualification and strives to grow enterprising attitudes in young people.

The RSA backs Swarm as part of their Catalyst initiative which supports RSA Fellows to get their innovative ideas and projects growing into new areas.

On April 14th2016, Swarm strengthens theirquest with an introduction event for local enterprising business owners who want to give a real opportunity for a young person to make an impact in their business and become an Enterprise Hero. The event will be heldat The Garagefrom 4.30pm. Local employers are encouraged to attend to hear from Swarm’s Founder, partner representatives about why the quest is important to the local area, and current business and apprentice champions. Sister events will also run in Colchester (Mercury Theatre, March 3rd) andIpswich (UCS, March 8th).

Swarm’s Managing Director, Chris Perry, comments,”This event is an opportunity to find out more about our unique apprenticeship training that focuses on developing both an apprentice’s commercial skills and enterprising attitude. We are looking for enterprising and innovative employers who want to give someone a real opportunity to shine and make their mark in their business.At the eventyou’ll get to find out how, over the last year, Swarm apprentices have already achieved significant impact and return for their employers and become commercially savvy young business professionals who will be the leaders oftomorrow’s economy.”

Find out more about the eventand how to book here.

Meet some current Swarm business members and Enterprise Heroes…

“I chose Swarm apprentice Harry to do my digital marketing because he understands it! On top of that Harry is enthusiastic about it, spotting opportunities in the digital world all the time and he’s a really great communicator. We’ve given him the empowerment to do all of our product photography for our digital marketing, which is incredibly important to us.” Simon Middleton, Owner and Founder, The Shackleton Company.

“What I felt was different about the Swarm apprenticeship compared to other apprenticeship providers is the focus to coach and develop a more business-like mindset, which I felt would be ideal for someone like me. Life as a Swarm apprentice could not be better. The workshops are both fun and, most importantly, useful and informative, and everyone involved in the running of the apprenticeship is very supportive and clearly wants to help and watch you succeed.” George Balding, apprentice, DSP Supplies.

“Why Swarm? I feel passionately that our education system doesn’t suit everyone. Many young people are pushed down the university route when it isn’t right for them. I feel lucky to have the chance to help a young entrepreneur navigate his first years in business and to have his fresh perspective in my company. I’m glad that Swarm matched us up and remain active in helping us along this journey. It’s going to be exciting to see where it leads us all.” Lorna Burroughes, Owner and Founder, Thrive Networking.

“My Swarm apprenticeship has made the business that I work in more efficient because it’s helped me develop more skills. The opportunities that I’ve been given here are amazing and I feel really grateful for it. It’s different to a normal business apprenticeship because it’s more inventive and you get a lot more involved. Swarm are just so with it and new, and they’re always there.” Berri Lake, apprentice, Ormiston Victory Academy.

www.swarmapprentice.org.uk /01953 609 752 / carl@swarmgroup.org.uk

We’re pleased to announce that we are exhibitingat not one, but TWO events this year!

We will be attending both MACH 2016 andEuropean Offshore Energy 2016. Both will be heldin the same week in April at the NEC inBirmingham.

We will be displaying our weld data loggingequipment, gas flow, subsea MPI…and some brandnew equipment, to find out what, you’ll have tocome and see us!

MACH 2016 Visitor Registration:https://bit.ly/1P42Obz

European Offshore Energy Visitor Registration:https://bit.ly/1SRyCjQ

Dismissing an employee for ‘some other substantial reason’ is often relied on by employers where the reason for the dismissal cannot be shoehorned into any of the other statutory fair reasons for dismissal.

What is SOSR?

It is not a call for help. ‘Some other substantial reason of a kind such as to justify the dismissal of an employee holding the position which the employee held’ – more fondly known in the employment law fraternity as ‘SOSR’ – is a residual potentially fair reason for dismissal.

To minimise the risk of claims of ordinary unfair dismissal claim, employers must be able to show that the reason (or principal reason) for the dismissal was a potentially fair reason. There are five statutory potentially fair reasons: conduct; capability; redundancy; breach of statutory restriction; and SOSR.

Although, there is no statutory definition of SOSR, the clues are in the statutory reason itself. The reason must be substantial and it must be some other reason. The reason must also be of the kind to justify the dismissal, as opposed to any lesser sanction such as, redeploying a member of staff where there are irreconcilable differences between colleagues.

When can SOSR be relied on?

Almost any reason which does not fall within one of the other potentially fair reasons for dismissal might amount to an SOSR. Over the years, SOSR has been found by the tribunals to be a fair reason for dismissal in a range of diverse situations including, dismissals arising out of business reorganisations (short of redundancy) or through employees’ refusal to accept changes to employment contracts; expiry of limited-term contracts; dismissals at the behest of third parties and in situations where an employer sought to protect its business interests. Personality clashes between colleagues have also been found to amount to an SOSR where the conflict is causing substantial disruption to the business.

What about a breakdown in trust and confidence?

The most commonly relied on SOSR is that of loss of trust and confidence, but employers should be wary of relying on this reason. Breach of trust and confidence goes to the root of the contract. The tribunals have no difficulty with employees citing breach of this implied term as grounds for constructive dismissal complaints. In contrast, employers relying on a breakdown of trust and confidence as SOSR have often been criticised by the appellate tribunal which has held that it is not sufficient merely to say that trust and confidence has broken down. Something more is required.

Can employers rely on SOSR as a reason for dismissal?

Yes. SOSR provides a potentially fair reason for dismissal in more unusual cases, but it should not:

be relied on where the reason for the dismissal of the employee falls squarely within one of the other potentially fair reasons; be seen as a way for employers to circumvent a fair procedure for dismissal; or used as a ‘convenient label’ to stick on any situation where the employer cannot easily rely on one of the other fair reasons for dismissal.

To avoid a finding of unfair dismissal, employers must be able to establish SOSR as the sole or principal reason for dismissal and that the decision to dismiss for SOSR was reasonable in the circumstances.

VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has announced the shortlist for Tourism Superstar 2016. The tribute to tourism star players was launched in 2012 as part of English Tourism Week (this year running from 5th – 13th March) and is supported by the Daily Mirror.

Norfolk’s Rachel Duffield, Learning & Engagement Officer at Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse near Dereham, is one of only 11 names on the national shortlist, and the only representative from the East of England.

The campaign recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry, and is awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure visitors to England have an unforgettable experience. Rachel has certainly been doing this in her guise as ‘Moaning Martha’, fictional inmate of Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse whose gossipy monologues about life in the workhouse – delivered in an authentic Norfolk rural accent – have been engaging and entertaining visitors of all ages and abilities for the past seven years.

Voting opened on Saturday and runs until midnight on 28 February, with the winner announced on 5 March. The winner is entirely decided on public votes, Click on this link if you would like to vote (and to watch Rachel in action in the nominees’ film):

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/british-breaks/vote-now-visiten…

Rachel’s commitment to living history certainly caught the eye of the Tourism Superstar judges who drew up the shortlist. Always up for a challenge and prepared to go the extra mile, in 2014 Rachel publically endured living on an authentic workhouse diet for three weeks, sharing the highs and lows via social media and her blog: https://theworkhousediet.blogspot.co.uk/ Her willingness to take on milk broth, boiled meat, pease pottage and workhouse gruel fired lots of imaginations, helping the museum reach new audiences from further afield and introducing them to what life was like within the workhouse walls.

More recently in summer 2015 ‘Martha’ has been leading lots of activities for the Voices from the Workhouse project, a three-year, £1.8m Heritage Lottery Fund project which will transform the museum displays, telling the real stories of the people who lived and worked in the workhouse. She has led tours in character to raise awareness of the Voices from the Workhouse project, and has trialled new workhouse-related activities for families including Workhouse Top Trumps!

Local accountancy firm Aston Shaw are teaming up with national enterprise agency, Nwes to deliver free business advice sessions. The sessions will provide advice to all businesses, particularly start-up companies seeking to get their business off the ground.

Leading the sessions will be Lisa Vincent from Nwes, who will be based in Aston Shaw’s newly acquired Head Office in The Union Building every other Tuesday to provide independent advisory to all range of businesses. The sessions will be completely free of charge and will be available to anyone seeking independent, no-strings attached advice.

Mark Noakes, Director, stated, “We want to drive forward local businesses in our area and give back to our community, so we decided to team up with Nwes to offer our advice and expertise to the local people who need it, but may not be able to afford it.”

Nwes has been providing business advice for over 30 years, and the experienced and friendly Business Advice Team has worked closely with over 10,000 people looking to set up in business. This knowledge and experience used in conjunction with the financial expertise of Aston Shaw will create a springboard for any aspiring entrepreneur.

Appointments are available every other Tuesday, starting Tuesday 26 January. Generally, Lisa will be available from 9am – 4pm to for appointments. To book your appointment and receive free business advice, please email:marketing@astonshaw.co.uk.

Pure (Pure Resourcing Solutions) has been awarded the IiP Gold standard, and has been praised for being a ‘great employer and an outperforming place to work’.

Investors in People (IiP) is an internationally-recognised framework which helps organisations to improve their performance and realise their objectives through the effective management and development of their people.

This prestigious award is described by IiP as an achievement of ‘world class best practice’ and is only given to organisations which can demonstrate excellence in developing and supporting staff to achieve high performance. The IiP award is held by 15,000 organisations across 75 countries in the world and the Gold award is only held by 3% of these companies.

The IiP assessors praised Pure for its vision and culture, social responsibility and creation of a committed workforce which is proud to represent the company.

Gill Buchanan, Director at Pure Resourcing Solutions, said: “We already hold the Silver IiP accreditation and we’re now extremely proud to have been awarded the Gold standard following the latest assessment. It’s a highly desirable accreditation for businesses to hold and an excellent, external acknowledgement of how we are successfully implementing our company values, which are all based around making Pure a rewarding and positive place to work.”

Organisations are only awarded with the IiP Gold standard following assessments in all aspects of people development, communications and engagement. The process includes confidential, extensive interviews with a third of the company over 165 different evidence requirements.

Lynn Walters, Director at Pure Resourcing Solutions, added: “We’re proud to continually support and celebrate other local employers who demonstrate outstanding levels of employee engagement through our Best Employers Eastern Region initiative. So it’s very rewarding to also receive our own accreditation, judged by independent assessors, in recognition of our own company’s commitment and passion to ensuring all our team is fully engaged.”

Freebridge Community Housing has made the ‘Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For’ list for the third year in a row.

The West Norfolk based housing and community organisation, which featured on the list in 2014, and 2015 has once again appeared in 2016. Freebridge has also retained its One Star accreditation meaning the organisation is ‘very good’ at employee engagement’

Through the Best Companies process, Freebridge employees were able to share their thoughts on the organisation through a confidential survey. In addition, Freebridge also completed an extensive questionnaire which provided an overview of its working practices and culture.

The process assesses companies on themes such as Leadership, My Team, Wellbeing, Personal Growth, Giving Something Back and My Manager.

Freebridge will find out exactly where it is placed on the ‘Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For’ list in February 2016.

Tony Hall, Chief Executive said: “It’s a fantastic achievement that we continue to be an organisation featuring on the Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For list.

“This is our third year in a row and it’s very much down to our employees, who make Freebridge such a great place to work. Our employees are constantly demonstrating that they live the values we hold dear as an organisation. In turn this means that our customers receive the best service that they can and people enjoy working here.”

“We are very proud that we can represent west Norfolk in this way, and the accolade goes a long way to our vision of Supporting A Better West Norfolk.”

Freebridge will now use the feedback from the Best Companies process to improve employee satisfaction and continue to make Freebridge a place where people want to work.

We are extremely proud of Luke Brown, Matthew Campion & Shahrukh Zaffar for representing KLM UK Engineering at an Apprenticeship celebration reception yesterday, which was held at No.10 Downing Street. During the reception the guys had the chance to chat with The Rt Hon Sajid Javid – Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.