Member News

Alan Boswell Group has appointed Gillian Anderson Brown and Alastair Drew to the Board of two of the Group’s companies.

The pair will join the Board of both Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Ltd. and Alan Boswell & Company Ltd., the Group’s Financial Planning division, in newly created roles.

Anderson Brown has worked for the company since 2008 as HR manager and becomes Director of Human Resources.

Drew will take his seat on the Board of both companies whilst maintaining his role as Group Financial Controller, a role he has held since 2013 after joining from Virgin Money.

Group MD, Chris Gibbs, said: “I’m delighted that Gillian and Alastair have agreed to take on these positions which will strengthen the leadership of the two companies.”

The appointments come as the Group prepares for expansion at its Head Office in Norwich which will see the Financial Planning Division move into newly refurbished offices at Cedar House in the city.

Due to the continued growth of Swarm across the East of England, Directors Chris and Robert are really pleased to announce the appointment of two new senior managers to the team. Carl Long and Lucy Martin have both joined to take Swarm to the next level and accelerate Swarms momentum across the UK.

Carl Long has been appointed as Commercial Manager of Swarm and will be leading a new Commercial team in developing relationships with businesses and stakeholders across the East of England.

Carl brings with him a wealth of experience in business development growth and is looking forward to the challenge ahead. He comments,

“Having witnessed the very positive results of the Swarm method for both the employer and employee, I was very keen to join the team to use my enterprise experience to help expand our offerings geographically and the services provided.”

Along with Carl, Lucy Martin has been appointed as Area Manager of Swarm and will be overseeing the operational arm of the business for the East of England, as well as managing the Swarm Futures project.

Lucy has extensive experience in the education sector supporting young people to overcome challenges in their learning journey and joined the team earlier on in the year to lead on Swarm Futures project.

“These are exciting times to be with Swarm as we are continuing to grow and expand our services to really stand out from the crowd. The team and I are focusing on developing our strong relationships with customers, so we can offer an even more personal approach to recruitment and post recruitment care. I am very pleased to be on board and looking forward to the journey ahead.” Lucy Martin ,Area Manager

Both have been appointed to assist Founder Robert Ashton and Managing Director Chris Perry in taking Swarm’s unique and innovative concept in Apprenticeship training across the UK.

“With the appointment of our two new Senior Managers, Swarm has entered into an exciting new stage of its development as a fast growth social business. From our humble beginnings back in 2013, this really marks a turning point in our campaign to challenge the traditional approach to apprenticeships and focus training on developing skills that enable apprentices to deliver real business impact and growth.” Chris Perry, Managing Director.

Ends

We start off the week by welcoming TheHolden Group, who are the latest Norfolk base business to jump on board our digital signage networks across Norfolk!

Holden Group Ltd is a family owned; Norwich based business specialising in the supply of New and Used cars, Vans, Service, MOT and Parts. Established in 1928 and representing theRenault UK,Dacia UK,Honda UKandVolvo Car UKbrands, Holden has earned its reputation as a company you can trust and rely on.Concentratingon theDaciabrand, The Holden Group used both basic animation and an attractive price range to really grab the attention of our audiences!

Digital-Out-Home (DOOH) helps to strengthen the IMPACT of a campaign, by giving the ability to generate dynamic content through movement, enhancing the visibility of the message that is displayed.Digital signage adds FLEXIBILITY, by opening a whole new door to creativity. It offers the possibility to change creatives in real time, with an unlimited number of visuals. To advertisers, this means being able to offer powerful content and messages, that are adapted to the time of day, the type of audience, a special event, or spontaneous promotions.

Arjan Meijer, Managing Director at KLM UK Engineering Limited, accepts the Innovation Award at the UKTI Investment Awards Dinner 2015. The UKTI Investment Awards dinner was celebrating Dutch companies that have invested or expanded their operations in the UK during the 12 months up until June 2015. The innovation category is an investment project that either brings something new to the market or approaches a sector in an original manner. KLM UK Engineering accepted the award in relation to the new Norwich International Aviation Academy.

The Norwich International Aviation Academy (NIAA) project represents a ground-breaking partnership between KLM UK Engineering, Norwich International Airport, Aviation Skills Partnership, University of East Anglia and City College Norwich, supported by investment from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and local government, to secure a pipeline of trained aviation professionals to support the skills needs of the local economy and wider aviation sector. The NIAA will deliver a variety of aviation-based courses ranging from aircraft engineering to ground operations and cabin crew training. In the case of aircraft engineering, students can join programmes from the age of 16 and progress onto a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Aircraft Engineering Practice, from the age of 18. KLM UK Engineering will deliver the courses and transfer its current Technical College into the NIAA. Unlike other aviation degree programmes, this course is designed to meet the needs of employers and will include a full EASA Licence programme along with industry specific training covering topics such as Threat and Error Management. The NIAA will include an operational aircraft, which will allow students to gain real life practical experience to augment their theoretical knowledge. Students will also have access to the latest maintenance software and will be encouraged to develop the necessary behaviours and soft skills required to be effective in the aviation industry.

A new research study byFuture Foundationon behalf ofFEPE International, a global organization representing the world’s major out-of-home (OOH) media owners and leading OOH agency specialists and suppliers, has found that consumers rate out-of-home advertising as the next most trustworthy medium compared with broadcast television (24% against 28%). Traditional print media comes next on 22% with online being ranked as the least trustworthy with just 3% of consumers.

The research was carried out by Future Foundation in summer 2014 and included a 20-minute online questionnaire sampling 1000 consumers aged 18-64 living and working in the largest cities in the UK, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Brazil and South Africa. This is believed to be the biggest international study into out-of-home advertising perceptions undertaken to date.

When asked which types of advertising are the most memorable, 46% of consumers voted for television, 34% for out-of-home media and just 7% for print media. Online media scored only 4%.

The research also shows that half of urban consumers agree with the statement “I like it when I see advertisements for products I already own,” increasing to 54% of those aged 18-34. This post-purchase reassurance effect is particularly marked in technology products and again highlights that OOH is a trusted ad medium.

FEPE International Executive Director John Ellery says: “We’re all aware of the power of TV and the growth of online advertising. Butthis major research study showsthat out-of-home is a major force in the digital age as it is so highly valued by consumers. The growth of digital outdoor and NFC technology that allows consumers to interact with digital posters will only accelerate this trend.”

[Out-of-Home Media Study Underscores the Value of Outdoor Advertising; Outdoor Advertising Drives Interaction]

According to FEPE’sAlways On study, eight in ten urban consumers have taken some form of action in response to an out-of-home advertisement. For example, looking up information immediately or later, discussing it with someone else at the time, or proceeding to a purchase. while second to TV advertising with regard to being most memorable. Advertisers who continue to combine OOH media with TV are well placed to cut through the growing noise and maximize their impact with target audiences.

FEPE’s research also showed that 62% of urban consumers would be interested in a digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertisement that showed them information relevant to their specific location or time of day. Key driver include a strong desire among consumers for connection with their local community: 59% agree strongly or moderately that “I like to keep informed about what is happening in my local area (e.g. shop openings, events)”.

FEPE International is a global out-of-home association working to promote and improve the OOH industry on behalf of its members that include: JCDecaux, Clear Channel, Exterion, Ströer and Cemusa. Membership is open to all companies who operate in the OOH sector and as a non-profit federation funds are reinvested in industry issues such as research and the annual international congress.

Source: Screen Media Daily

Aston Shaw are pleased to announce that the firm has been shortlisted for yet another award this year – the Great Yarmouth Spirit of Enterprise Awards in the category of ‘Great Investment in Young People’.

The Spirit of Enterprise Awards celebrate all that is outstanding in business and enterprise within the Great Yarmouth area and features a variety of categories. The Great Investment in Young People category in particular, recognises businesses that show a commitment to young people and investment in their future.

Aston Shaw has a strong ethos of nurturing the talents of young people and see this as a key to its future success. The firm’s commitment to investing in the development and up-skilling young people in the local area is evident as in 2014, 17 apprentices were taken on and the firm has pledged to take on another 10 by the end of 2015.

Lee Stratton, Director said: “It’s great to see the firm receive recognition for the time, money and energy that we invest into young people.”

Mark Russell, Head of the Great Yarmouth office added: “Our team in the Great Yarmouth office alone has grown substantially, we have 15 members of staff in total – 8 of which are apprentices/trainees. With our continued guidance and support, the younger members of staff are now highly skilled and valued members of the team.”

Aston Shaw has long been a supporter of apprenticeships and has created dedicated apprenticeship roles in nearly all core departments, spanning across admin, tax, vat, accounts, payroll and bookkeeping. The firm fully funds and supports all staff through the training and the completion of professional accountancy qualifications – illustrating Aston Shaw’s commitment to expand the knowledge and skills of staff.

The awards ceremony will take place in the Assembly Rooms at the Town Hall (Great Yarmouth) on Friday 20th November 2015.

BBA Digital Media had the great pleasure to work alongside one of Norwich’s newest night life locations, BOND.28. Together we createdamotiongraphicvideo advert to increase brand awareness leading up to the opening of BOND NO.28 in November. Movement attracts: displays with motion advertising grabs the attention easier and gets more of a response from the viewer.in a new and innovative way.

The advert was displayed in front of our captive audiences at two different locations: one being at Carrefour Health & Fitness, located at Longwater, and the other screen located at 24/7 Fitness at the Riverside complex where audiences are both active and sociable.

The ad was put together by our creative partners JMS, creatinga 10 second eye catching video. The results speak for themselves, and are being enjoyed by our 40,000+audience each month.

‪DOOH‬ (digital-out-of-home) helps to strengthen the IMPACT of a campaign, by giving the ability to generate dynamic content through movement, enhancing the visibility of the message that is displayed.Digital signage adds FLEXIBILITY, by opening a whole new door to creativity. It offers the possibility to change creatives in real time, with an unlimited number of visuals. To advertisers, this means being able to offer powerful content and messages, that are adapted to the time of day, the type of audience, a special event, or spontaneous promotions.

BOND NO.28 opens its doors for the first time this November, offering you live music & chilled vibes along with premium spirits, champagnes, wines and a specially designed cocktail menu with a bit of a twist!

Paint out returns to Norwich next week and the MOA team will be on hand to photograph each artistsart, after each session. Thirty one artists will have just 3 hours to complete a piece of art in each session. The competition ends with an auction of one piece of each of the artists work but all pieces will be judged, prizes will be awarded and the art will be displayed in an exhibition at the Maddermarket theatre in St. John’s Alley. More details about the eventcan be found hereand an agenda of events here. Check the twitter feedshttps://twitter.com/paintoutnorwichor facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/paintoutnorwich

Paint Out is a juried “En Plein Air” competition based in Norwichand MOA Marketing help with the advertising and social media aspects of this yearly event. A new spin off event was hosted in Wells next the sea on the picturesc Norf Norfolk close this year. This included a public “Sunrise Event” where the artists were joined by members of the public and invited to paint the amazing colours of the early morning sun. The event culminates in an auction of one piece of the artists work from the event.

MOA are proud to have been involved with Break charity andthe GoGoDragons! project for the last 18 months. Working with this small charity with a big heart has been an emotional journey. We have touched many lives and given young people a better start in life as a result. We produced this short video as one of our dragons headed towards the auction from it’s home. The Artist John Stokes, a Shakespearean Actor who has performed at the Maddermarket theatre many times, an accomplished graphic artist and all round gentleman says farewell to GoGoMadder in his own style.

As a local companymanufacturing blinds in Norfolk, we support local businesses whenever we can – including, in this case, local food producers.

Don’t you just love the array of local food that is available in Norfolk? With our abundance of Farmer’s Markets, the promotion of local food by Norfolk Food and Drink Ltd and the general interest in buying locally, Norfolk is a great place to be if you are a “foodie”.

Did you know, for example, that a minimum of 150 local producers within 30 miles supply food directly to outlets in Norwich, reducing food miles and related pollution? (CPRE report)

Wemake all our blinds in our Norfolk factory using components and fabrics sourced in the UK, andhave been in business, employing local people, for over 30 years, so itseemed very apt, therefore, to have a “Produced in Norfolk” theme for our stand at the B2B Exhibition this year.

Anyone who visits our stand on the day of the exhibition will go into a prize draw to win a hamper of local food worth £100.

The hamper, supplied by Norfolk Food Heroes, will be full of treats such as local beer, Norfolk Cordial, Kandula tea, Candi’s Chutneys, biscuits, Crush Food, Grey Seal Coffee…..and the wicker hamper can be re-used time and time again for picnics or storage.

Visit us in the Enterprise and Innovation zone – stand 14.

A competition designed to showcase the work of researchers, clinicians and scientists and give the public an opportunity to engage with the diverse range of activity taking place on Norwich Research Park (NRP) has unveiled its winning images.

Twelve entries from the new on-line library which includes images from NRP’s Partners (John Innes Centre (JIC), Institute of Food Research (IFR), The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC), the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital (NNUH)) were selected from over 150 images of work which highlight some of the innovative activities taking place on the Park. An overall winner was selected by a panel of judges drawn from the worlds of science, media, art and business.

The striking winning image entitled ‘A New Planet’ was taken by Thomas Louveau, a post-doctoral scientist in the Department of Metabolic Biology at the John Innes Centre (JIC).

The image was captured during the process of extracting complex chemicals, known as ‘saponins’ from plants. Saponins have many valuable properties and have been used by humans since the middle ages as cleaning agents and traditional medicines.

Thomas and fellow researchers are applying the concept of synthetic biology to produce saponins in a more sustainable way.

Thomas Louveau said: “I really like photography and quite often will take my camera with me into the lab. This is how I started a small series of pictures focusing on plant extracts in laboratory glassware. When dried and sitting in a round flask, leaf extracts look very colourful due to many different pigments. “Under the right lighting conditions, in front of a dark background, the bottom of the flask really looks like a little planet.”

NRP scientists work together at the forefront of research on global environmental change and its effects on biodiversity and on agriculture. Academic researchers also collaborate closely with doctors on the Park to understand the relationship between the food we eat and our health and identify how changes in our diet might prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes. The chosen images represent the diversity of this research.

There is world leading expertise on the Park investigating the astonishing spectrum of complex chemicals made naturally by plants and microorganisms. Some natural chemicals are already harnessed for a wide range of purposes from curing major diseases to being natural sources of ‘green’ materials.

Dr Jenni Rant, project manager at the Science Art and Writing (SAW) Trust, a cross disciplinary science engagement charity co-ordinated the competition in conjunction with staff at Norwich Research Park. Jenni said:

“It is fantastic to see so many new images on the site and the array of interest in them. Developed just over a year ago by my colleague Joe Guynan, the site has continued to grow in popularity and as a result now has an enviable reputation as a creditable source of research images.”

Professor Anne Osbourn, director of Norwich Research Park Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Alliance (IBBA), and founder of the SAW Trust, chaired the judging panel:

“Scientific research generates a wealth of beautiful and interesting images that can provide a very effective starting point for building an interest in science. At Norwich Research Park we work on diverse scientific projects that address local and global issues and we want to share our projects with the wider public.”

Chris Hann, professional artist and principal art examiner for Cambridge International Exams who was a member of the judging panel said: “The quality and range of images submitted for the competition has been quite staggering. The image library is a great resource, and it illustrates the breadth of research that is being conducted on the Park and makes it accessible to a completely new audience.”

Norwich Research Park’s business development director and fellow judge Dr Kenny Lang added: “The image library will keep increasing its collection of compelling images as researchers at Norwich Research Park continue to tackle 21st century global challenges. It is a superb resource, which offers a very visual introduction to some of the ground breaking work being carried out here on the Park.”

Thomas’ winning entry will shortly be on display at NRP’s Centrum building and all twelve images will be published in the NRP 2016 calendar. The winning entries and many more images are available at images.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk

A competition designed to showcase the work of researchers, clinicians and scientists and give the public an opportunity to engage with the diverse range of activity taking place on Norwich Research Park (NRP) has unveiled its winning images.

Twelve entries from the new on-line library which includes images from NRP’s Partners (John Innes Centre (JIC), Institute of Food Research (IFR), The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC), the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital (NNUH)) were selected from over 150 images of work which highlight some of the innovative activities taking place on the Park. An overall winner was selected by a panel of judges drawn from the worlds of science, media, art and business.

The striking winning image entitled ‘A New Planet’ was taken by Thomas Louveau, a post-doctoral scientist in the Department of Metabolic Biology at the John Innes Centre (JIC).

The image was captured during the process of extracting complex chemicals, known as ‘saponins’ from plants. Saponins have many valuable properties and have been used by humans since the middle ages as cleaning agents and traditional medicines.

Thomas and fellow researchers are applying the concept of synthetic biology to produce saponins in a more sustainable way.

Thomas Louveau said: “I really like photography and quite often will take my camera with me into the lab. This is how I started a small series of pictures focusing on plant extracts in laboratory glassware. When dried and sitting in a round flask, leaf extracts look very colourful due to many different pigments. “Under the right lighting conditions, in front of a dark background, the bottom of the flask really looks like a little planet.”

NRP scientists work together at the forefront of research on global environmental change and its effects on biodiversity and on agriculture. Academic researchers also collaborate closely with doctors on the Park to understand the relationship between the food we eat and our health and identify how changes in our diet might prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes. The chosen images represent the diversity of this research.

There is world leading expertise on the Park investigating the astonishing spectrum of complex chemicals made naturally by plants and microorganisms. Some natural chemicals are already harnessed for a wide range of purposes from curing major diseases to being natural sources of ‘green’ materials.

Dr Jenni Rant, project manager at the Science Art and Writing (SAW) Trust, a cross disciplinary science engagement charity co-ordinated the competition in conjunction with staff at Norwich Research Park. Jenni said:

“It is fantastic to see so many new images on the site and the array of interest in them. Developed just over a year ago by my colleague Joe Guynan, the site has continued to grow in popularity and as a result now has an enviable reputation as a creditable source of research images.”

Professor Anne Osbourn, director of Norwich Research Park Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Alliance (IBBA), and founder of the SAW Trust, chaired the judging panel:

“Scientific research generates a wealth of beautiful and interesting images that can provide a very effective starting point for building an interest in science. At Norwich Research Park we work on diverse scientific projects that address local and global issues and we want to share our projects with the wider public.”

Chris Hann, professional artist and principal art examiner for Cambridge International Exams who was a member of the judging panel said: “The quality and range of images submitted for the competition has been quite staggering. The image library is a great resource, and it illustrates the breadth of research that is being conducted on the Park and makes it accessible to a completely new audience.”

Norwich Research Park’s business development director and fellow judge Dr Kenny Lang added: “The image library will keep increasing its collection of compelling images as researchers at Norwich Research Park continue to tackle 21st century global challenges. It is a superb resource, which offers a very visual introduction to some of the ground breaking work being carried out here on the Park.”

Thomas’ winning entry will shortly be on display at NRP’s Centrum building and all twelve images will be published in the NRP 2016 calendar. The winning entries and many more images are available at www.images.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk