Member News

As the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme comes to a close, we are looking forward to readying ourselves for the 2014-2020 programme. A series of workshops are planned so local people can get involved with the planning of funding strategies.

Delivery of programme funding is through the LEADER approach, which is a bottom-up programme, designed to be developed at a grass roots level, to deliver funding for the most appropriate localities, business sectors and communities, to develop and sustain the rural economy.

It is important for good attendance at these workshops to ensure we gather as much input as possible to build a strong strategy for the proposed action group area and give it the best chance of obtaining funding in the next round. If you know of anyone who should attend, please pass on this invitation.

More information about LEADER can be found here: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Business/European_funding/NCC082051

Workshop dates

• Thursday 5 December, 14.00-16.30 – Blacksmiths Cottage Nursery, Langmere Road, Langmere, Nr. Dickleburgh, IP21 4QA
• Monday 9 December, 10.30-13.00 – Downham Market Town Hall, 15 Paradise Road, Downham Market, PE38 9HS
• Wednesday 11 December, 10.00-12.30 – Acle Recreation Centre, Bridewell Lane, Acle, NR13 3RA
• Thursday 12 December, 14.00-16.30 Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse Museum, Gressenhall, Dereham, NR20 4DR
• Monday 16 December, 10.00-12.30- Santon Downham Centre, Santon Downham, IP27 0TL
• Wednesday 18 December, 10.00-12.30 -Aylsham Town Hall, Market Place, Aylsham, NR11 6EL

To book a place, contact eds@norfolk.gov.uk or call 01603 222302. Please let us have: Your name; the organisation you represent; contact details; and the workshop you would like to attend.

UEA is looking for local organisations to host summer interns in 2014. If you’ve got a project that could use an extra pair of hands, or you’re looking to inject fresh energy into your workplace, recruiting an ambitious and enthusiastic intern from UEA next summer is a great way to source that support and fresh thinking you need.

Internships are a proven way of getting help with a project, launching a new initiative or even bridging the staffing gap over the summer holiday period. Typical activities for interns to undertake include marketing, research, social media, IT, project management, events, PR, carbon reduction projects or lab support.

Rebecca Lewis Smith, UEA alumnus and Director at Fountain Partnership, hosted a summer intern in 2013. She says of the experience: “I thought the whole process was great, and have been shouting from the rooftops about how well it went.”

You can secure a 2nd year UEA student to work with you full-time or part-time for between four and eight weeks during July and August – with UEA doing all advertising, payroll and paperwork for you.

To find out more, visit www.uea.ac.uk/business/working-with-students-graduates/internships, email internship@uea.ac.uk, or call us on 01603 593917. Ideally, we would like you to submit an intern role specification by Friday 13 December 2013 – just ask the internships team for a template – but if you need more time, do get in touch and let us know.

Cozens-Hardy LLP is pleased to announce that solicitor Claire Louise Williamson has joined its Residential Property department.

Brought up and educated in Norfolk, Claire Louise obtained her law degree from Keele University and later studied for her LPC at the University of the West of England. Having qualified in 2012, Claire Louise started her professional career in criminal law, but decided to revive her passion for conveyancing by joining the Cozens-Hardy team last month.

Commented Philippa Rudd, Principal and Head of Residential Property:

“We are delighted to welcome Claire Louise to the firm and to my department. As the largest conveyancing team in Norfolk, we take great pride in meeting and exceeding our clients’ expectations and I am confident that in Claire Louise we have found a solicitor capable to meeting our very exacting in house demands.”

Added Claire Louise:

“It’s a real pleasure to have joined the team here at Cozens-Hardy; everyone has been very welcoming and the high standards of professionalism and client care are as I expected.”

– Ends –

For further information please contact: Clare Haylett ph: 07764 270570 and clare@clarehaylett.net

”Asset Based Broker of the Year 2014”

Norfolk firm, B2B Cashflow Solutions has reached the Business Moneyfacts Awards finals for the 3rd consecutive year!

Having been shortlisted to the final six of the Business Moneyfacts Awards for 2012 and 2013 we are delighted to announce we have again been shortlisted to the final six in the category of ‘Best Asset Based Broker” throughout the UK for the 2014.

Nick, Ian, and I would like to thank all our customers, bank and accountant relationships, financial services organisations, and other professional partners for your support in helping us to achieve our ‘final 6’ status again.

We would also like to congratulate our team, the ‘B2B family’, for your immense contribution to our progress over the past 12 months. We add value together.

A very special thank you to all of you who voted for us during this process, and for the numerous testimonials we received to help take our nomination to the finals at The Lancaster London Hotel on 20th March 2014.

Naturally, as always, competition will be extremely high with most of the finalists being recognised ‘nationals’.

Win or lose, we will continue to build on this recognition to ensure our philosophy of ‘working with You, for You’ is delivered into our business community to help local businesses, our professional partners and their customers, grow with us.

Thanks and regards to all our friends throughout our local business community.

Business leaders from across the region attended the first ever Best Employer, Eastern Region (BEER) Festival at Ickworth Park near Bury St Edmunds last Friday (November 15th). The event was organised by Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) specialist recruitment agency and eras ltd providers of psychometric testing and people development solutions.

Chief executives and managing directors were among delegates from Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk attending the unique event, to find out more about how employee engagement can benefit their business and staff, and to share knowledge with their peers.

Fitting in nicely with the festival’s title was one of the keynote speakers, Dr Andy Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Adnams. He revealed some of the company’s secrets to keeping staff involved and motivated. With 91% of the organisation’s staff feeling proud to work for the company and 94% saying they are clear on what is expected of them, delegates were lucky to learn from one of the region’s masters of employee engagement.

From building pride and passion among workers, to promise-keeping, respect and rewarding leadership values such as trust and building self-esteem in others, the head of the 400-strong business gave the audience plenty of food for thought.

Other speakers included Cathy Brown, employee engagement consultant from the Government-funded ‘Engage for Success’ initiative, who talked about the national picture, and Dominic Lowe, Managing Director of Kettle Foods, who spoke about the importance of leadership in inspiring the workforce.

Lynn Walters, Director of Pure, says: “Senior professionals from a diverse range of industries invested their time and ideas in a day at the BEER Festival. It was very rewarding to see senior business leaders under one roof having discussions that could lead to positive changes in our region. We know that businesses with an engaged workforce have 40% less staff turnover than those with lower levels of engagement and produce significantly higher profits. And based on delegates’ feedback and Twitter updates, people found the event genuinely useful and stimulating.”

Margaret Burnside, Director of People Development at eras ltd added “Many delegates felt very inspired and left the festival with plans to make big changes to improve the level of employee engagement. From small but significant changes, such as remembering to say thank you, to implementing employee forums and giving more responsibility to individuals to make changes, it is clear that there are going to be shifts in the way some businesses work as a result of the event.”

Also, a number of delegates took the opportunity to arrange visits to learn more about each other’s employee engagement activities.

In addition, all the proceeds from the event, which amounted to over £3,000, have been donated to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and The Adnams Charity.

The festival will take place on alternate years and is part of the wider BEER initiative, which includes the survey, awards and year-round seminars. From March 2014 businesses in the region get the chance to take part in a free, confidential ‘Best Employer’ survey, which assesses employees’ views of their companies’ culture and values. The regional survey culminates in a series of seminars and awards in Sept 2014.

To find out more information about the festival and the BEER initiative, contact Anna Hill, Marketing Manager at Pure, on: 01223 209888 or Anna.Hill@prs.uk.com.

Thomson and First Choice announce more flights and attractive flight timings from Norwich International Airport

Thomson and First Choice have today, 26th November announced that they will be offering more choice, attractive flight times and more weekly flights for Norfolk and Suffolk sun seekers flying from Norwich International Airport.

The leading holiday company is continuing its commitment to the airport offering flights to key destinations for Summer 2014 such as Corfu, Dalaman (Turkey), Ibiza, Tunisia, Palma (Majorca) and Tenerife (which operates year round).

The big news for the region though, is that flight times are changing – meaning that customers who want to jet away to sunnier climes can now enjoy even more time in their destination with earlier outbound departures and later inbound flights. For example flights to Corfu for Summer 2014 leave at 06:00 on a Friday morning and return the following Friday at 22:45.

Paul Cooper, Airport Negotiations Manager for Thomson and First Choice, said:

“Bringing these new flight times and additional flights to Norfolk and Suffolk demonstrates our commitment to Norwich International Airport and to Thomson and First Choice customers living in the region. We know that the demand is there and we are delighted to be able to deliver what our customers tell us they want.

“Modernising our operations across the UK is a key part of our overall strategy and this move helps us to create an enhanced holiday experience for our customers.”

Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International, said: “We are delighted that Thomson and First Choice will be increasing the number of flights and offering improved flight times for our customers. This decision demonstrates their commitment to the airport and reflects the high level of demand from customers wishing to fly from Norwich”

Thomson offers seven night holidays to Corfu staying at the 5T Atlantica Gran Mediterraneo Resort and Spa Thomson Platinum Resort, on a half board basis from £606 per adult. Price is based on two people sharing a double room and includes flights departing from Norwich International Airport on the 16th May 2014. To find out more about this holiday or to book visit your local Thomson travel shop, thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555.

Specialised Management Services (SMS Ltd), a leading specialist in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems, is pleased to announce that they have been awarded Gold for “Delivering Quality Results” by the UK arm of Aker Solutions Subsea Business at their Supplier Performance Awards Dinner and Ceremony.

The event was held on 7th November 2013 at Pittodrie House Hotel in Aberdeenshire and the presentation was made by Aker Solutions Senior Manager for Procurement and Supply Chain in the UK, Robbie Hendry.

SMS was presented with the Gold award based on their continual high standard of customer service, project management, and consistent delivery of product excellence.

Dave Howlett, General Manager at SMS comments “This award is a tremendous recognition for the team at SMS and reinforces this client relationship we have developed over the past eight years.”

Dave continues by saying “This is only possible with the input of every department within the company and I would like to thank the hard working and dedicated employees at SMS. Their ethos extends not just to Aker Solutions but to all clients, thus ensuring we are consistently delivering the message that SMS is focused on safety, quality and customer satisfaction.”

Our first Christmas Party took place at the weekend and it was a great success! Lots of lovely people, delicious food, a tipple or two and dancing the night away.

We have had really great feedback coming in all weekend which is great!

The next big event with your last chance to get tickets this week is An Evening of Soul & Motown here at BEST WESTERN Brook Hotel, Norwich £25 per person includes 3 course evening meal and an evening of entertainment with live singing from Ady Diamond and DJ sets from Platinum Sounds Friday 6th December from 7pm to Midnight A great opportunity to get together with family, friends and work colleagues for a really great night!

Call the hotel to book on 01603 741161

Norwich-based business telecoms company, Comms Supply, has launched ‘Bid for the Box’: a chance for businesses to take part in an email auction to win the use of a corporate box at Norwich City Football Club for the match on 18 January 2014, when Norwich faces Hull.

Former Norwich City player, and professional boxer, Leon McKenzie will be the winning bidder’s special guest in the box: making it a truly unique prize. All proceeds from the auction – which is open until 4 December – will go to Norfolk charity The Benjamin Foundation.

The ‘Bid for the Box’ auction is the first event in a year-long charity partnership between Comms Supply and The Benjamin Foundation. The EDP Future50 company has pledged to raise at least £5,000 for the charity over the next 12 months, to support its work with children, young people and families.

Recently shortlisted in the EDP Business Awards One to Watch category, Comms Supply launched in early 2012, providing customers across East Anglia – and beyond – with a range of business telecoms services: from basic phone or broadband line rental to complete systems.

Karl Alderton, the managing director of Comms Supply, explained the thinking behind the company’s new relationship with The Benjamin Foundation. “When I launched Comms Supply almost two years ago, I knew I wanted to ensure that we contributed to our community wherever possible. Our team has taken part in various fundraising and community-focused activities over the last 18 months but we’ve now decided to take a more focused approach.

“The whole team sat down together to talk about what type of charity we would like to support and we all wanted to focus on children and young people. When we started to find out more about The Benjamin Foundation, on some level we could all identify with the work it does,” explains Karl.

Whilst The Benjamin Foundation provides a wide range of services across Norfolk, from homeless hostels for young people to affordable childcare, Comms Supply is particularly keen to support the Time4You service. Trained Benjamin Foundation support workers spend one on one time with children and teenagers in schools across the county.

“The Foundation helps young people make sense of really difficult situations and experiences; things like family break-up, bullying or abuse,” continues Karl. “With the support, care and kindness of the charity these young people are able to see a future and begin to be happy again. The average age of the Comms Supply team is only 25 so we can all remember how tough life can be when you’re experiencing hard times as a child: you feel you have no control and don’t really understand why things aren’t right. The Benjamin Foundation works hard to provide every single one of the people who use its services with hope, opportunity, stability and independence and we’re really committed to helping them.”

Over the next year the ten-strong team at Comms Supply will be embarking on a range of fundraising activities: from running marathons to baking cakes.

“We have purchased a corporate box at Norwich City Football club for the rest of this season,” continues Karl Alderton. “We’ll be auctioning this off for the Norwich v Hull game which takes place on 18th January and all the proceeds will go to The Benjamin Foundation. Local businesses, organisations or even groups of friends will be able to bid for the right to take over the box, which has space for 10 guests, and we’ll provide a hot buffet and generous bar tab. This package is worth at least £1300, but what makes it even more special is that Norwich City legend Leon McKenzie will join the party for the match.”

The Benjamin Foundation was founded after the tragic death of Ben Draper who was just 17. His parents, Richard and Vanessa Draper, wanted to celebrate his life in a way that would help other young people.

Richard Draper, founder and chief executive of The Benjamin Foundation, said; “We are so grateful that the team at Comms Supply have selected The Benjamin Foundation as their first ever charity of the year. As a young entrepreneur Karl has achieved a huge amount in the past two years through hard work, determination and tenacity: I know that many of the young people who use our services will find him a real inspiration.”

The online auction for use of the Comms Supply corporate box at Norwich City on 18th January 2014 will open at 8am on Wednesday 20 November 2013 and close at 8pm on Wednesday 4 December 2013. Comms Supply will be asking for bids to start at £400. Full details of the package and auction process can be found at www.commssupply.co.uk.

If you would like to get involved with the Comms Supply’s year of fundraising for The Benjamin Foundation, please visit www.commsupply.co.uk for more information or call Karl Alderton on 0333 2020 900.

For more information about The Benjamin Foundation visit www.benjaminfoundation.co.uk.

East Norfolk Sixth Form College will introduce a new BTEC Level 3 Engineering Course in September 2014. The introduction of the course is prompted by the growing needs of local economy. As we are very dedicated to providing the best educational opportunities to our students, improving services to the community and working with close partnership with local businesses we want to ensure our offer benefits young people and their future employers equally. This stakeholder meeting will offer a platform for dialogue, contribution and partnership about the units we should offer and areas of shortage. We ask that you recognise the value of having a say in the education provided to your prospective workforce by attending the meeting.

Book your place with Kasia Beblot by Friday 6 December Email:kbeblot@eastnorfolk.ac.uk or telephone 01493 662234

Staff at Norwich based Waveney Insurance Brokers wore onesies and pyjamas to work on Friday to raise money for Children in Need. Others baked Pudsey themed cakes and other assorted goodies which were sold with proceeds contributing to the £234 total raised.

Colleagues at Waveney’s Lowestoft branch joined in with a dress down day and Managers making tea and coffee throughout the day in return for donations.

Schemes Managing Director David Malone said ‘It was all a bit of light hearted fun in the name of a good cause. We’re aware of several local community based projects that have benefitted from the support they’ve received from Children in Need and are always happy to do our bit’.

Norwich International Airport is inviting all businesses in the region to help deliver greater choice of direct business flights to key domestic and European business centres from its local airport.

The aim? – Improved connectivity from their local airport, helping their business to grow more efficiently. To achieve this, business input into new route development is vital and the airport is asking businesses to engage with the airport so we can deliver the air links which local businesses and their business partners need.

To realise this the airport needs local businesses to help them inform airlines of where they need to fly to from Norwich, their local airport and to this end would be grateful if as many business people as possible could spend no more than 60 seconds of their time completing a very basic multiple choice on-line survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K8RSF7T

As a thank you for completing the survey, contact details will be entered into a prize draw for a valuable prize – 50 business lounge tickets for your company to use when travelling from Norwich International Airport. The survey will run until 22nd November 2013 and the winner will be notified on 29th November 2013 and the prize will be valid for 12 months from this date.