Huge congratulations to Ginny Colman from Norwich after winning two VIP tickets to see Norwich take on Aston Villa on Saturday 21st September 2013. The prize includes a three course pre match meal, luxury seating, half time refreshments and a matchday programme.
Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and helping us to raise even more cash for our 2013 charity Red Balloon Learner Centres.
A Framingham Pigot based commercial finance consultancy whose success is directly related to helping other local businesses, and which has been recognised for these achievements as finalists in the UK Business Moneyfacts Awards for the past two years, has just secured the professional services of three new recruits, increasing their East Anglian consultancy team to 19.
The three founding Directors of B2B Cashflow Solutions Ltd, who themselves have over 80 years of experience in commercial finance and banking, established the business 7 years ago to assist local businesses ‘bridge a widening gap’ with securing funding for growth, acquisitions and working capital.
Since then Ian, Nick, and Simon have grown the business by developing a diverse package of funding solutions delivered through their growing team of highly experienced ex-bank Associates and Consultants.
The latest recruits are no exception and similar to existing team members have been hand-picked by the Directors based on previous working relationship, reputation and recommendation.
Paul Walsingham, Brian Chester, and Paul Dowman all put pen to paper on the same day which probably represents the firm’s most significant statement of intent to date.
Paul Walsingham has worked in the commercial finance industry for nearly 30-years for major corporations including RBS, GE Capital and Societe Generale.
Brian Chester has been a finance broker since 2002, previously developing his finance expertise with RBS group, Chartered Trust and others.
Paul Dowman specialises in developing relationships with dealer networks throughout East Anglia. He joins B2B having recently left his role as Director of another local brokerage; Credo Asset Finance. Paul’s career includes roles with ABN Bank, and Morgan Grenfell.
Director Simon Reynolds explains ”The Bank of England Trends in Lending Report to July evidences that the annual rate of growth in the stock of lending to UK businesses continues to be negative with the stock of lending to both small and medium-sized enterprises and large businesses also contracted over this period.
We continue to experience a steady increase in perfectly viable businesses being referred to us because they are failing to secure the financial support they need to invest and grow while others are increasingly struggling to generate sufficient cash to meet daily working capital requirements, and to service debt.
Our business is reacting to this need by constantly improving our products and services and recruiting highly experienced financial solutions providers to deliver these at a local level.
”Our recent financial year-end in August evidenced our strongest performance of our seven year history, breaking the £0.5 million income turnover barrier for the first time. This derived from lending, and other financial projects for our business customers with a value in excess of £13 million. We are confident that our growing team and growing reputation will continue to drive strong growth.”
”The added value of course is that the growth success of our business is directly related to our ability to help other local businesses grow.”
Caroline Williams CEO of Norfolk Chamber works with Simon on the Business Finance Group panel and commented ”I am aware from a number of Norfolk Chamber members and professional partners that B2B Cashflow Solutions plays a significant role in supporting the banks and accountants with alternative finance solutions for local businesses. The fact that they continue to grow their consultancy team is an indication of the key role intermediaries play in providing alternative funding solutions when traditional mainstream providers fail to support our SME’s”
SDR 20.09.13
After graduating from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy I was unsure as to what career path to take. The course gave a fantastic insight into the business world and enabled me to meet Simon Linstead, one of the course mentors.
Simon and I worked together on various areas of my course and I am glad to say surprised me by offering an Apprenticeship at Nurture Financial Planning. The apprenticeship will allow me to gain experience in all areas of the business including administration, marketing, research and client presentation. Ultimately I hope it will lead to my qualification as an Independent Financial Adviser.
I really feel that apprenticeships offer far more learning potential compared with the classroom plus getting paid for learning is always nice for a student!
Most people associate apprenticeships with industries such as engineering, plumbing etc., but I think more businesses should adopt this method of recruitment and training, regardless of what sector they are in. Its probably the best way to learn and one that gains a recognised qualification.
George Spicer – Trainee Financial Adviser
Steeles Law is once again exhibiting at the Diss on View business exhibition, organised by Diss Business Forum (DBF) in conjunction with main sponsor Saffron Housing Trust.
We invite all clients and contacts in the Diss area to visit us at stand number 21 at the event, which takes place on Friday 20 September, 1.30 – 5.00pm at the Park Hotel, Diss.
Visitors can also book in to attend a networking brunch from 11.30am – 1.30pm before Neil Howard, Diss Town Mayor, opens the exhibition at 1.30pm. At the end of the day, there’s another opportunity to combine business with pleasure at a Cocktail Workshop from 5.30pm.
Details of the day and booking forms for both networking events can be found on the DBF website www.dbf.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you there.
NORWICH, UK, Tuesday 17 September 2013
Norwich Airport and aviation engineering firm KLM UK Engineering launch the Norwich International Aviation Academy
New state of the art facility will provide a centre of excellence to the aviation industry for education and skills training, delivered in partnership with the region’s education groups and local authorities
Norwich International Airport has teamed up with its largest tenant operator, aircraft engineering firm KLM UK Engineering (“KLMUKE”), to develop the concept of an Aviation Academy to be based at the Airport site. The concept is supported by a core group of founding partners which includes the University of East Anglia, the TEN Group, New Anglia local enterprise partnership, EAGIT training, Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council.
The need for such a facility was originally identified by KLMUKE and the Airport in order to enhance and expand KLMUKE’s existing training operations on the Airport industrial estate. KLMUKE currently employ over 375 members of staff, made up in excess of over 200 skilled engineers at the Airport and have up to 40 apprentices in training at any given time. Their future expansion in Norwich is partly dependent on the availability of skilled workers.
A further catalyst for the concept is the Airport’s ambitious Aeropark project, which received planning permission in July 2013. This development project on the north side of the airfield kicks off with a 160,000 sqft hangar and head office development for Air Livery, the leading aircraft painting firm. Latest figures show the Aeropark could create 1,400 jobs and generate over £50m of benefit in the local economy when fully developed. To realise this benefit, the ability to provide a skilled workforce is crucial, and the Aviation Academy will form a vital part of the strategy.
The needs of the wider industry underpin local demand for skilled aviation workers. The 2013 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook, a respected industry forecast of personnel demand, projects a requirement for 556,000 new maintenance technicians to maintain the new airplanes entering the world fleet over the next 20 years. In Europe that would be 108,200 in addition to the exciting jobs in Maintenance not to be mistakenly mixed-up with the labour demand in the aircraft new build industry.
The concept for the Norwich International Aviation Academy is one of a pioneering centre of excellence for education in aviation skills. The Academy will enhance the region’s reputation and lead the training and development of the next generation of aviation professionals.
The partners hope that the Academy will inspire individuals to become highly skilled in their chosen field and be ready to take on leadership and expert roles in the aviation community throughout the world.
Through creating a ‘real world’ learning environment that includes a full size aeroplane and using innovative teaching techniques, the Academy will raise the standards of learning within the aviation industry, while offering a broad education that will attract both local and international students.
Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International Airport, said, “One of the Airport’s core strategic objectives is to become a thriving centre of excellence in the aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul business. This objective is core to the Airport’s long term sustainability for the benefit of the region, at a time when many regional airports across Europe are struggling and some are closing their doors for good. To achieve this objective the Airport must be able to offer the complete package to attract new business. That means flexible flight operations, which are available now. It means bespoke, affordable facilities, which the new Aeropark development can provide. Lastly, and crucially, it means the settled, skilled workforce that any business looking to relocate or grow will require. The Aviation Academy will demonstrate to new business that these skills can be delivered efficiently, cost effectively and locally. At the same time the Academy will help businesses like KLM UK Engineering who are already at the Airport to realise their potential”.
Paul Chun, MD of KLM UK Engineering, comments, “To flourish our business we are highly relaying on the support of the local community. Therefore we are keen to interest people in the community for a career in general engineering and also specifically in aviation. We would particularly like to encourage young girls and boys to consider our apprenticeships or aviation graduate programs as a start for an inspiring career. However, to meet the learning requirements of a new generation means a fundamental change in how education and training is approached in aviation. An inspiring learning environment and innovative solutions focused on new digital technology will be needed. The integral approach with education experts, local government and industry is an ideal start for success. I am very excited about the Norwich International Aviation Academy, it will position Norwich firmly on the Aviation Industry map. To interest future generations for jobs in Aviation is crucial for a sustainable growth for our industry”.
Chloe Smith MP adds, “This is a good move and very important for Norwich. As founder of Norwich For Jobs, the local campaign to get young people into work, which is backed by KLM UK Engineering and fifty other firms so far, I strongly support the proposals for an Aeropark which could create thousands of jobs in the local economy. To do that, we need more skilled engineers and the Aviation Academy will show we can do this in Norwich. I applaud the partners for working together to achieve this. I’d urge people interested in a great career to sign up.”
Alongside the Airport and KLMUKE, a core group of founding partners has been established who will develop the Aviation Academy concept. This group includes:
• EAGIT training, who are currently based at the Airport industrial estate and who work with KLMUKE to fulfil their current apprenticeship training needs • The TEN Group – The Transforming Education in Norfolk (TEN) Group, which incorporates City College Norwich, a number of local academies and the new engineering-focussed University Technical College Norfolk (opening September 2014) • The University of East Anglia (UEA), currently top ranked for student experience in the UK and offering degree courses in energy engineering • New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) • Norwich City Council • Norfolk County Council
Partners Quotes Chris Starkie, managing director of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said “We see clear growth potential for the aviation cluster around Norwich International Airport and it is vital local people are given the chance to gain the skills they need to work in this growing industry. That is why the aviation academy is so important to raise the profile of the sector locally and nationally, and lead the training and development of the workforce. This is a really good example of industry and academia working in partnership and a project we are delighted to support”. Norwich City Council – Councillor Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “The launch of this project is a positive step forward in creating high quality apprenticeship and training opportunities in the area. We look forward to working with partners in realising the benefits the Aviation Academy will bring, both to the job market and the wider economy.” Norfolk County Council – George Nobbs, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “The Aviation Academy is really exciting news and is the sort of thing we’re working towards at Norfolk County Council. I salute the Airport and KLM UK Engineering. This is fantastic news for Norfolk. In the fullness of time it will provide important skills for young people and will become the European centre for aviation engineering. When we talk about improving skills, the aviation academy is a perfect example of what we mean. I believe that the aviation academy will grow and grow to provide lasting benefits to young people and prosperity to the county and region as a whole. Norfolk County Council is 100% behind it!”
Prof Phil Gilmartin, dean of UEA’s Faculty of Science, said: The University of East Anglia is proud to be one of the founding partners of the Norwich International Aviation Academy; this is a very exciting and important initiative. In this new Academy the UEA will work with KLM UK Engineering, Norwich International Airport, and other partners, to deliver top class aviation engineering training in Norwich which we expect to boost local employment and the local economy. A particular goal for UEA will be to ensure that students working at the new Academy receive education and training of the highest possible standards and quality. This will build on the UEA’s recent programme of investment in new staff and facilities for its new engineering Undergraduate and Post-graduate degree programmes, the latter of which is now in its’ second year. This new partnership provides a similar opportunity for the University to contribute to regional business and commercial needs for of a highly skilled workforce including graduate engineers in the aviation industry. The initiative will benefit from academic expertise within our existing engineering programs as well as within our Schools of Mathematics and Computing Science at the UEA.
David Shorten Chief Executive at EAGIT, said “EAGIT is delighted to be working with KLM UK Engineering and the other partners to develop this important project. Engineering skills are key to our economy and the Aviation Academy will ensure that Norfolk is central to the development of skills provision in this critical area.”
Dick Palmer, Group Chief Executive Officer, Transforming Education in Norfolk (TEN) Group, commented: “The Aviation Academy will provide an invaluable addition to Norfolk’s expanding training capacity in a cluster of key growth sectors – aerospace, advanced engineering and energy – where there will be a long-term demand for local people with the skills needed by these industries. TEN Group is delighted to be part of this exciting development and to be able to offer our experience and expertise in support of the new Academy.”
***ends***
Notes to editors
About Norwich International Airport
Norwich International Airport was privatised in 2004. Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council sold a majority stake in the business to Omniport, a UK based regional airport operator.
The Airport currently handles around 440,000 passengers per annum and offers direct scheduled flights to Amsterdam, Manchester, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Exeter, Newquay, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, with connections through Manchester enabling passengers to reach Belfast, Glasgow, the Isle of Man and Inverness. Passengers can reach over 600 destinations worldwide through award winning hub Airport Amsterdam Schiphol with KLM. Holiday flights operate to the Canary and Balearic Islands, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Madeira.
The Airport is a base for 4 offshore helicopter operators (Bristow, Bond, NHV and Dancopter). It is also home to KLM UK Engineering, a major MRO business, as well as Air Livery.
The Airport teamed up with Cambridge-based developer Wrenbridge in 2012 to develop Norwich Aeropark, a 100 acre aviation related development project on the north side of the airfield. The first development was confirmed in 2012 for a new production facility and headquarters for aircraft painting firm Air Livery. Planning permission for this facility, and the development of the wider site, was obtained in July 2013.
About KLM UK Engineering
KLM UK Engineering Limited is a leading regional – and narrow bodied aircraft Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) centre providing EASA Part 145 services. KLMUKE is wholly owned subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and part of the Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance MRO network and their Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures. KLM UK Engineering’s main base is at Norwich International Airport with services including base maintenance, line maintenance, component sales, technical training and decommissioning on Boeing 737, Fokker 50/70/100, BAe 146/Avro RJ and Airbus A320 Family, with a facility comprising of 3 hangars, 8 bays and an extensive on- site component workshop. KLM UK Engineering has been based in Norwich for 40 years and employs approx 375 people and prides itself on having an experienced and skilled work force, delivering a superior service and high quality product.
Other background Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook 2013 As new-generation airplanes come to dominate the world fleet, airplane reliability will improve and maintenance check intervals will lengthen. Although this trend will moderate demand growth, global demand for technicians remains significant. Emerging markets that currently recruit maintenance technicians from outside the region will have to develop a strong foundation for developing and training qualified technical personnel from within the local workforce. The need for maintenance personnel is greatest in the Asia Pacific region, which will require 215,300 new technical personnel. China’s requirement will be the region’s greatest, with a need for 93,900 technicians. Airlines in Europe will require 108,200, North America 97,900, the Middle East 53,100, Latin America 47,600, the Commonwealth of Independent States 18,000 and Africa 15,900 technicians.
https://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/cmo/pilot_technician_outlook.page
Contacts
Sue Moore Head of marketing and travelSue.moore@norwichinternational.com +44 (0)1603 428820
Debbie Edwards Marketing assistantMarketing@norwichinternational.com +44 (0)1603 420850
Annabel Love PA To Senior Managers / Events & Marketingannabel.love@klmuk.com +44 (0)1603 254511
LP has recently welcomed two new members of staff, with the recruitment of two Trainee Solicitors, Sarah Ellero and Claire McCarthy. Sarah grew up in Norfolk, achieving a 2.1 law degree at UEA and did her LPC at Kaplan Law School at London Bridge where she achieved a distinction. Sarah climbed Kilimanjaro this summer for Childreach International. Sarah joins LP in the Corporate team, working alongside Partner, Paul Warman.
Claire went to school in Bury St Edmunds and studied law at the University of Nottingham, before taking a year out and worked in the Events Team at the University of Nottingham and then completed her LPC with distinction at Nottingham Law School. Claire joins the Wills, Trusts and Probate team, working with Partners Hazel Gill and William Riley. For enjoyment, Claire also ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon recently in Nottingham.
We require a dynamic and highly motivated Residential Conveyancer to join our busy CQS and Lexcel accredited team in Diss. The successful candidate will have proven experience of working in a similar role.
For more information about the role and a confidential discussion, please contact Chloe Miller on 01603 598000 or email: hr@steeleslaw.co.uk
If you are interested in applying for the role, please send your CV with covering letter to Chloe Miller by email to hr@steeleslaw.co.uk.
We would ask that we do not receive any applications from recruitment agencies at this stage.
Are you considering setting up or expanding a play group, pre school or nursery? Norfolk County Council has made advice and funding available that could help make your plans a reality.
The County Council has £1m available in capital grants and / or loans to encourage the creation of new childcare places for two-year-olds. visit https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/Two-Year-Old-Fund.htm
Support for new businesses is available through Enterprise Norfolk an initiative offered by local district, borough or city councils led by Norfolk County Council. visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/enterprisenorfolk
Cozens-Hardy LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of two solicitors to the position of Associate.
Commercial solicitor Dan Evans and Family solicitor Carly Sullivan have both been appointed Associates in recognition of their continued professional development and contribution to the firm.
Confirmed Simon Whipp, Managing Partner:
“The firm is delighted to recognise the ongoing commitment to their respective departments by Dan and Carly. Both have made an important contribution to the firm in the recent past and we hope that they will continue to do so in the future.”
Dan has been an important member of the firm’s Business team for five years; with a specialism in commercial property, Dan advises a variety of clients on a wide range of commercial property matters. Carly was the Family team’s first specialist trainee solicitor and has been advising clients on family matters and in particular children related issues for over seven years. Carly was recently successful in gaining membership of the Law Society’s Children Panel.
– Ends –
For further information please contact: Clare Haylett ph: 07764 270570 and clare@clarehaylett.net
The JMS Group, one of the region’s longest established media companies, celebrates its 30th birthday this month in buoyant mood.
What began in an abandoned recording studio amidst farm buildings on the outskirts of Hethersett has since become a major provider of audio and visual productions in the UK and Europe.
JMS – founded by former broadcaster John Mountford – was initially set up in September 1983 to produce commercials for the then fledgling independent local radio industry.
Whilst busy establishing itself as a leading supplier to radio stations around the country, JMS also began steady progress into television.
Today, JMS makes around 250 TV commercials a year for local businesses and international brands.
Proud to be Norfolk based, The JMS Group employs a team of local writers, directors, sound and vision producers, video editors and motion graphics designers, who can create anything from a ‘how-to’ video, to studio drama, to amazing 3D animations.
There’s technological trickery aplenty at JMS. A click of a mouse button and editors can change a sunny day into a thunderstorm, whilst actors can be transported to the Paris skyline at dusk, or placed deep inside a candlelit castle dungeon – without leaving Norfolk – thanks to the enormous green special effects stage in JMS’ TV studio.
It’s this amazing blend of skills and technology which has seen JMS successfully ride out the economic turbulence of the past three decades. John Mountford says:
“In 30 years we’ve re-invented ourselves countless times, keeping abreast of taste and ahead of changing technology. Now, glossy commercials which in our early days would have taken weeks of work can be produced cost effectively in days or even hours. As a result more and more businesses, many of them local to Norfolk, have never found it easier to advertise on TV”.
“And some of today’s most exciting developments are online. Video is now the key driver of web-based content and businesses are increasingly investing in quality online video to set their site apart”.
JMS is still based in its original Hethersett location having gradually converted adjacent farm buildings to form a media centre which includes three radio studios (the group still makes around 150 radio commercials each month) and three TV edit suites.
But is being Norfolk-based a hindrance? Mountford thinks not – particularly now:
“The internet has made the world a smaller place so JMS can access voice overs and musicians absolutely anywhere with the flick of a switch, and send video files anywhere too – so rather than being in the big smoke, we’ve always embraced life here in Norfolk…and the parking’s better!”
It looks as if the steady stream of celebrities who visit the studios agree. John Hurt voiced his famous “Great Dragon” for the BBC blockbuster Merlin at Hethersett (and even a piece of dialogue for “Tinker Tailor”).
Stephen Fry, Tom Baker, Tony Robinson, Su Pollard, Philippa Forrester, Martin Shaw and Steve Coogan are just a handful of the names who have graced the building…and all of them have taken their place on the JMS ‘Wall of the Stars’.
John Mountford explains: “As the years rolled by and the celebs kept visiting us we felt we should commemorate each with their own blue plaque. Trouble is, we ran out of wall space a long time back – and there’s a waiting list! And as some of those original names are getting knighthoods we’ll need additional plaques, and more space, pretty soon!”
The JMS Group celebrates its 30th birthday on Monday 23rd September.
To find out more about TV, Web, Corporate or Radio commercial production, contact Tom Kay, Head Of Marketing at The JMS Group on 01603 811855 or 07939 598670.
UK unemployment continues to fall
The latest government unemployment figures for the three month period to July have fallen by 0.1% to 7.7%. The number of people unemployed in this period fell 24,000 to 2.487 million, while official figures also showed a concurrent fall in the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance, to 1.402 million, its lowest level since February 2009.
Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain is “turning a corner” but admits the government has “still got a long way to go” on unemployment. BBC Chief economics correspondent, Hugh Pym concurs: “In a week when the chancellor said the economy was turning a corner, here are labour market figures that strengthen the argument that the economy is moving in the right direction,”
The figures for unemployment in the three months to July are based on the Labour Force Survey, in which the Office for National Statistics speaks to 60,000 households once a quarter, making it the country’s biggest household survey.
New jobs created in the private sector continue to support growth – between March and June 2013, public sector employment fell 34,000, while private sector employment rose 114,000. “The positive figures are a measure of the resilience and the flexibility of Britain’s labour market,” said David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce. “The further increase in private sector employment, at a time when the public sector is still shedding jobs, demonstrates yet again that private firms are able to drive the recovery.”
Against an otherwise improving picture, youth unemployment rose slightly to 21%. In a bid to tackle youth unemployment in East Anglia, the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has announced a joint venture with the Norwich for Jobs campaign to implement its already successful apprenticeship brokerage service. The role of the Chamber will be to lend a helping hand to businesses to help them identify the most appropriate apprenticeship scheme and training providers to meet their needs and get more young people into jobs.
Chamber CEO, Caroline Williams, commented: “We are passionate about helping to provide links between Norfolk’s young people and the business community and this is one way we feel that we can really help.”
“All this strengthens our belief that the jobs market is slowly improving. Over the last quarter we have witnessed a higher number of finance vacancies we have been asked to fill and we are therefore quietly optimistic that this trend will continue but would like to see more opportunities created for the FD market” explains Sam Holt, Director of Big Sky Additions.
Accountancy apprenticeships double in five years
New research from the Financial and Legal Skills Partnership (FSP) shows that accountancy firms have doubled the number of apprentices taken on over the last five years.
Data from the trade body set up to improve skills in the finance and legal sectors shows that by the end of 2012, the number of apprentices was 7,000, compared to 3,710 in 2007.
FSP chief executive Liz Field said that accountancy firms are increasingly looking to recruit and train school-leavers instead of graduates as they ¬believe apprentices will demonstrate increasing loyalty and will stay in their jobs for longer. She added that employers will choose school-leavers over graduates because they have more “realistic” salary ¬expectations.
Apprenticeships are training programmes, where you train and work in an organisation while studying for a relevant qualification. “Apprenticeships are increasingly popular as they allow young people to learn on the job, develop knowledge and skills and earn money – all at the same time,” explains Big Sky Additions’ director, Justin Murray. “Some accountancy apprenticeship schemes also run hand in hand with professional training such as the AAT accounting qualification,” he added.
Accountancy apprenticeship schemes are offered by a wide range of small practices and large corporate firms, allowing students to earn a salary while studying for professional qualifications over a five-year period.