Member News

East Anglian accountancy firm, Aston Shaw, have set their sights on further expansion after announcing plans to relocate their Norwich Head Office to a newly refurbished 7000 sq.ft bespoke designed office space, complete with state-of-the-art conference and meeting rooms and a capacity for 100+ members of staff, as of January 2016.

The new head office has been built to an extremely high spec with a modern, open plan layout that will pave the way for future growth and employment – allowing the firm to commit to recruiting a further 20 staff within the next two years. The space has been exclusively designed for Aston Shaw’s use and will transform the day-to-day working environment, levels of efficiency and overall client care.

Dominic Shaw, Director commented, “our growth in the last 5 years has been phenomenal and our new head office is something to show for all the hard work. The move will give us more visibility, make us more efficient as a business and enable us to provide an even better service to our clients. We will now look to build on our success in Norwich and translate that to our offices across the region”.

The decision to move from Aston Shaw’s former Head Office based on Thorpe Road (for over 40 years) to The Union Building on Rose Lane was taken with the interests of both clients and staff in mind. As well as being more accessible, clients will benefit from comfortable new meeting space that is both private and practical with digital screens to display real-time accounts statistics, as well as a much larger waiting area complete with coffee making facilities. Staff will have a much more spacious, bright and positive working environment, which will enable better collaboration as well as a quirky breakout area to relax and recharge in.

The new head office is the latest in a series of significant strategic expansion moves for the firm – including the recent acquisitions of Norwich based sole trader Richard Harris Ltd, local rival accountancy firm Roger Hopkins and the 2014 merger with Morgan Woods. The firm has no plans to slow its growth, and is always seeking ways to improve the service provided to its clients.

A special delivery has brought Christmas joy to families receiving care and support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Every year EACH hosts a Christmas party for children, young people and their families and thanks to Loads4Less, the Norwich-based removals and storage firm, party equipment and presents were delivered from Quidenham hospice to the party venue at the Norfolk Showground ensuring everyone had a great time.

Staff from Loads4Less gave up their time voluntarily to deliver presents to the party free of charge as well as delivering and returning equipment; saving the charity valuable funds, resources and staff time.

Megan Seaman, EACH Facilities Coordinator at Quidenham hospice, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the generous support from Loads4Less which saved us a great deal of time and money and ensured the party ran smoothly. All of the families had a great time and it was lovely to see so many smiles when Father Christmas came to visit to hand out the presents. Volunteers are vital to EACH as Loads4Less have proved.”

Loads4Less Director Adam Soall said: “As a business, we feel it’s important to support our local community, and we can’t think of a more worthy charity to support than EACH because of the amazing work they do.

“It was a delight to offer our services free of charge to ensure the party was a great success, and to ensure EACH staff didn’t have to spend their valuable time doing deliveries. We’re looking forward to continuing supporting EACH and all the future opportunities the relationship will bring. It’s rewarding to support a local charity and we’d encourage other businesses and individuals to get involved.”

To find out more about EACH visit www.each.org.uk and to find out more about volunteering at EACH please contact the charity’s Volunteer Services Administrator: volunteerservices@each.org.uk or call 01223 205183

Online job boards provide job seekers and interested parties with instant information about numerous different positions being advertised. They offer many benefits and are extremely useful for applicants seeking to make their next career move.

To be able to quickly and easily look at jobs being advertised is extremely convenient, whether you are actively looking for a new role, or just curious about current career opportunities in your industry. As well as promoting job vacancies many sites also offer the opportunity to upload your CV, allowing employers and recruiters to contact you direct if they think your skills and experience match what they are looking for. The aim is to save people time, increase their chances of finding jobs and to create more of a two way process.

However there are things to be aware of when posting your CV online, not least your privacy. Most sites have privacy controls which allow you to decide who will be able to access your personal details and career information. It’s important to look at these very carefully. Once your CV has been downloaded, you are likely to have less control over how and when it will be used.

In the vast majority of cases those who can access your CV will use it responsibly. However there have been come examples where this hasn’t been the case. It is important to realise that problems could arise when these CVs are accessed and are submitted for roles without the person knowing anything about it.

One example is a situation when a candidate has added a CV to a job board simply because they are interested in understanding what jobs are available that match their skillset. It is important to realise that their CV could be downloaded by a number of different agencies, without their knowledge, and sent to a range of accountancy firms in the area. This has the potential that the candidate receives a number of calls from agencies saying that they have arranged interviews, despite having no idea what type of role the candidate was looking for, or what sort of organisation they’d like to work for. This could also mean that the CV is received on numerous occasions by firms from a number of different agencies, each claiming the candidate was only working with them.

Although most employers will have realised that the candidate was likely to have been a victim of

this situation it is still potentially damaging for this to happen. It is important that candidates are aware of the potential pitfalls, as well as the benefits, so that they can make an informed decision.

Registeringwith a reputable recruitment agency can provide the same benefits as uploading your CV to a job board and can also add value to your job search by ascertaining the type of firm, type of role you would like and much more. They can save you time and maximise your chances of finding your next role by matching your skills and experience to the employer’s requirements. Utilising a recruitment company that is knowledgeable about the Practice market and the differences in the range of firms from a cultural and expertise perspective can be invaluable. At Pure we also pride ourselves on working withcandidatesand supporting them through their career journey. We have specialist consultants who are experts in the Practice specialism and also the commercial environment. This means understanding not just your skills, specialism and career profile to date, but also your aspirations and key values. We want to ensure that the recruitment solution we offer you meets your life and work objectives. We will only ever suggest roles that we believe are right for both you and the client.

From pre-start to established businesses, New Anglia Growth Hub’s team of 10 business advisers have given 20,000 hours of their time to guide ambitious business owners to sources of funding, grants and services to enable expansion.

The Hub was set up in June 2014 by the LEP, as a one-stop-shop for business support. To date, it has engaged with nearly 5,000 businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk as well as individuals looking for help to start-up.

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce run the contract to deliver the Hub, on behalf of the LEP. John Dugmore, Chief Executive said: “The team has recorded an impressive number of hours between them and the service they offer is of the highest standard. To further ensure we are providing the most effective advice and support to local businesses, all advisers are working towards their Level 7 Diploma in Professional Business and Enterprise Support – nationally recognised by the Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

“With the excellent support of our colleagues at the New Anglia LEP, we look forward to continuing to provide the local business community with this successful and much needed service in 2016.”

Chris Starkie, managing director of New Anglia LEP said: “We set up the Growth Hub following significant demand for guidance from local businesses on how to navigate through the complex opportunities for funding and support. Our primary goal has always been to ensure business owners have access to a straightforward and professional service, regardless of size, industry or stage of development.”

Growth Hubs are a core part of Government’s plan to support businesses, with the closure of the national Business Growth Service (incorporating the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Growth Accelerator), New Anglia Growth Hub is now the primary gateway for business support across Suffolk and Norfolk.

Anna Soubry, Minister for Small Business, said: “Where taxpayers’ money is used to provide support, this is best done at the local level which is why we’re providing further funding to Growth Hubs and away from Whitehall.”

Easton and Otley College challenged youngsters in Norfolk to draw pictures of what they think a tractor will look like in 100 years.

Eleven schools decided to take up the challenge and over 600 entries were submitted.

Greg Smith from the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA), Ross Johnson from sponsors Ernest Doe and Sons Ltd and Dani Chatten from the college judged this competition.

They chose one winner from each individual school who entered.

An overall winner was then chosen out of all of the finalists and they received a 3D design of their tractor that was made by students from the University of East Anglia. All winners picked up a certificate, a goody bag and a trophy from the principal of Easton and Otley College, David Henley.

The overall county winner was ten year old Josh Kerrison from North Denes primary school in Great Yarmouth.

He said, “I wanted to make my design different from everyone else. So I added a static electricity source as part of the design. I had lots of ideas and I had an elevator for the stairs.” On winning he added, “This was the best I have felt since Christmas.”

Jenny Bellison is one of Josh’s teacher. She said, “It’s great that the school has been recognised – the competition was a great way to get young people inspired and I’m very proud of Josh.”

Organiser of the competition, Dani Chatten, said, “I’m incredibly passionate about farming and we thought this competition was a great way of engaging with youngsters in a fun way. We are very grateful to all the schools and students for supporting this and would also like to thank Ernest Doe and Sons Ltd for sponsoring and for judging. The RNAA for judging and the EDP for supporting us. We are delighted with the response and we very much hope to make this an annual competition.”

Lisa Blinkhorne from Ernest Doe and Sons Ltd, said, “We are very keen to work with educational establishments and share the love that we have for farming. As an industry and as a nation, we need to do more to encourage new generations into farming and this competition has been a great way of enabling us to get the message out that agriculture is incredibly exciting.”

RNAA Chief Executive, Greg Smith, said, “This is a terrific competition for Norfolk schools and it was a pleasure to be involved in the judging process. The RNAA support a number of projects that encourage a greater understanding of food, farming and the natural environment. This is a fun project that produced some very imaginative and exciting entries.”

Norfolk based broker, Alan Boswell Group, has been named ‘Independent Insurance Broker of the Year’ at the annual Insurance Times Awards. The illustrious awards ceremony, hosted, this year, at the Battersea Evolution in London by David Walliams, are the leading national awards honouring excellence in the insurance sector.

Before presenting the award, Insurance Times Editor, Saxon East, said: “This Broker has that great quality of being completely customer obsessed. It is clearly committed to its community and staff and the business is defined by its independence.”

The company, which has offices in Norwich, Attleborough, Bury St. Edmunds and Peterborough, were appraised by the judging panel on their achievements in making their independent status work for them. Highlights were the company’s award-winning Landlord Insurance, market-leading policy for Broads boat owners and staff training & apprenticeship scheme. The Group’s performance has been reflected in its customer service score with clients awarding the company a 98% rating via third-party review site, Feefo.

Chris Gibbs, Managing Director of Alan Boswell Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded the title of Independent Broker of the Year. The award is a testament to our staff who are dedicated and passionate about providing expert, friendly advice. Our Feefo reviews demonstrate that we are providing a level of service that clients need and appreciate.

“Building trust within our community, improving the knowledge of our staff, having the best products and providing exceptional customer service. These are the fundamentals of our business and we’re thrilled that the combination of all these factors has been recognised by our peers.”

On Monday 21st December, Credo will be getting into the Xmas spirit by holding a charity “Bake Off” day where Credo staff will be baking, cakes, pies etc. There will be local knowledgeable judges deciding the winners and all proceeds (including entry fees and any donations) will go to our Charity of the Year – CLIC Sargent.

The day will commence at 1pm after the judging but run all afternoon. You are invited to come and sample the cakes here at our offices with a beverage ofsome description. We are wearing Xmas jumpers and there’ll be a party atmosphere, so please, if you are able, swing on by, come and see us, fill up on some Xmas cheer, maybe a few carols, lovely cakes etc. Would be great to see you if you can make it and help us raise some money for a great charity.

Save the date in your diary and we hope to see you here at Credo HQ on Monday 21st!!

SMS, a subsidiary of Alderley plc, are proud to announce that Managing Director, Dave Howlett, has been highlighted as an exemplar in the Top 100 Manufacturer report which reveals the most influential individuals in UK manufacturing.

Dave Howlett joined SMS in 2005 as a Senior Proposals Engineer and progressed to Project and Operations Manager before being promoted to General Manager (2011) and Managing Director (2014). Since taking on his new leadership responsibilities, SMS have shown consistent growth with turnover increasing by 112% since 2011 and employee numbers increasing by 84%. SMS are internationally renowned in the oil and gas industry as leading specialists for the design, engineering and manufacturer of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems.

Dave Howlett comments, “It is a great honour to be recognised for my contribution to manufacturing in the UK. SMS have been manufacturing in the UK for the past sixteen years and it is a privilege to work with such a talented team to meet our growth ambitions in our varied and challenging industry.”

Great Yarmouth College students benefit from Christmas gift from Lintott Jamie Thums from Lintott and Michael Stow from Siemens attended GYC recently to present them with a Programmable Logic Controller. Siemens have kindly donated the equipment and Lintott will be donating training as the college would like to provide staff and students the opportunity to work with latest technology. At this stage the college has received a starter kit. Jamie explained that it is the latest industrial control and being of modular design can simply be expanded to suit its application. Staff have been left with the task of devising some projects that will include use of the kit. Jamie is thrilled to be supporting the college, he explained “It’s our way of providing students with real life experience, exposure to the real-life application and training from engineers that use top rated kit day in and day out. What’s more the scalable kit means that students can learn small scale on a starter module and build up – just as we do in industry” Jamie was keen to stress how he hopes this is just the beginning of a long term relationship with GYC – starting with hardware and training. Lintott are offering the college as much training as they need as well as supporting design software! Jamie explained what is driving this initiative is the need for the industry to help address its skills gaps and provide students with the most relevant experience. “I would certainly be inclined to take on a college leaver with experience of this kit – it would give them the edge” he said. He also acknowledged the need for more leaders in his sector. “Leadership, supervisory and management training is in short supply we are hoping to work with GYC on this in the future”. Gary Jefferson, Assistant Principal is delighted with the new partnership – “we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with employers, precisely so our students get the best start in their careers. And as an engineer myself I am thrilled to add the latest technology to our already pretty comprehensive learning facilities.

Last month Fiona and Lesleybraved the cold to raise money for the Benjamin Foundation in a Charity Sleep Out.

Fiona had a horrible cold but that didn’t stop her taking part.

The Sleep Out took place outside the offices of Clapham & Collinge on a rainy night but the atmosphere helped buoy everyone up.

Fiona and Lesley raised £500 from the event and today proudly handed the cheque to Chris Elliott from the Benjamin Foundation.

SMS, a subsidiary of Alderley plc, proudly announces that they won the Great Business Growth Award, sponsored by the Great Yarmouth Mercury, at the Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2015 on Friday night. The Spirit of Enterprise Awards focus on recognising the achievements of business and enterprise in the Borough of Great Yarmouth.

SMS’s successful win was based on their sustained growth since 2010 in terms of employee investment, business turnover and profit.

Dave Howlett, Managing Director, SMS, comments, “We are delighted to have won the Great Business Growth award. All the companies shortlisted in this category had impressive stories to share and it was a great honour to be chosen as the winner.”

Dave continues, “I would like to thank all our employees at SMS, without them we would not have been able to continue growing the business and deliver well engineered and specialised equipment all over the world to exacting standards.”

SMS have been operating in Great Yarmouth for the past 16 years and are committed to Great Yarmouth as its business base and will shortly be moving to new premises on Beacon Park.

Crisp ‘n’ Dry, the UK’s leading cooking oil brand is returning to TV and radio just in time for Christmas! Led by agency bigdog, their new advertising campaign features some rather tasty looking roast potatoes and the celebrity voice of Jane Horrocks.

We filmed using the RED Dragon camera (the same one as is used on certain M&S commercials!) to achieve the slow motion high-quality close up video of the potatoes, and a skilled food stylist provided us with potatoes that had the perfect ‘crunch’.

You may have already heard the radio commercial which has been airing nationally on Heart stations, and the TV advertdebuedon ITV, during Good Morning Britain, on Tuesday 1st December.

So, we know what our roasties will be cooked with on Christmas Day. Yummy