Member News

The sun is shinning today in Norfolk, summer may be around the corner so here’s week 7 #AShortStory to get you in the summer mood in a classical way.

Ever wonder what the difference is between those who are successful and those who aren’t?

Feel like you need some fresh inspiration?

Need some help with boosting your confidence?

If your answer is YES to any of these then come along to the The StartUp Lounge at City College Norwichto hear from the highly successful entrepreneur Mark Rhodes on how you can develop a winning mindset, improve your confidence, and get positive results more often!

WEDNESDAY 17TH APRIL 2013 – 8.30AM TO 11.30AM

Places for this popular event are very limited! Email us on employerpartnerships@ccn.ac.uk or call 0800 3283616 to book your place now!

We are pround to announce that our apprentice Mitchell Vale has won the City College Internediate Apprentice of the year 3rd prize

Mitchell has been with us since July 2012 and he has helped enormously with the business admin side of RedCat. He has an amazing attitude to work and he gets on very well with all our clients

He is helping with our administration (keeping us organised)- which frees our valuable time to help our clients, he also helps with the marketing and the social media side of the business

However he has also shown a huge desire to succeed and as such we are training him up to help with our training courses! It started with us wanting to make sure Mitchell understood our business; he has accompanied us on Audits and consultancy visits and we put him through some training courses

On our recent Level 4 Managing Food Safety Course he received the following feedback – from the Business Support Manager at EMCOR Facilities Services (British Sugar)

‘I have had the pleasure of meeting Mitchell whilst being involved in Level 4 Food Safety Training through The Red Cat Partnership. For someone who is now starting out his career in his chosen category, Mitchell is full of confidence, which will only grow hand in hand with the knowledge he is learning along the way. Working in the Partnership he is currently in (Red Cat), I have no doubt that Mitchell will fulfill his potential. Im sure that I will be contacting Mitchell in the future to deliver courses to my teams’

Mitchell has undergone this training alongside the CIEH’s accredited Level 3 Training Skills course which will enable him (with more experience) to deliver the CIEH’s Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering. He will be more qualified than some of our competitiors!

The awards were presented during the recent Chamber Opportunities 2013 event at NCFC

Gary Howard, Director of Employer Partnerships, Norfolk Educational Services, who presented the awards, commented: “With this week being National Apprenticeship Week, and all of the celebrations around apprenticeships, we decided that for the first time we would recognise apprentices outside the College’s other award ceremonies for 14-16 students, FE and Higher Education and our VQ Day Awards. “We’ve had an overwhelming response from employers to these inaugural City College Norwich Apprenticeship Awards, which goes to show just how much employers value the contributions made by apprentices.”

We are very proud of Mitchell’s achievements and will have no doubt vthat he will remain a committed and loyal employee.

RedCat is 14 years old – a GREAT milestone for a business and, as such, we will be celebrating. But it is also a time of reflection, so here iare 14 things that RedCat does

1. We help people feel more comfortable about Risk Management within their businesses. We like to think we take the worry out of their compliance issues creating a tailored package of help for each client. One size does not fit all!

2. We work with our clients to create Safety Management Systems that work- whether that’s a new Safety Policy, a revision of an existing system or a Food Safety Management System (HACCP)

3. We engage on all levels of a business; coaching staff to compliance, nurturing new businesses, and helping to grow businesses on firm foundations for success

4. Occasionally we need to liaise with our enforcement colleagues and we speak their language so we can ensure a sensible compromise is reached

5. We offer accredited training through CIEH & HABC – from Level 1 (Induction). Level 2 (suitable for all employees) Level 3 (Supervisory) to Level 4 (Managers). We have an open programme and also deliver training in house. In addition, we offer the CIEH’s suite of eLearning options and we deliver the Health & Safety updates to CIEH trainers across the UK. Last year we were chosen to be one of a handful of CIEH premium centres

6. We write bespoke training solutions for clients; for example, on Health & Safety for premises managers, on Legionella, on Asbestos Management, Infection Control and blended learning options on Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Environmental Management

7. The training we deliver is top notch. Our professionalism and love of what we do means that we ensure an effective learning environment, using a wide range of resources and techniques to enable every delegate to learn. We use quality venues and have small delegate numbers – our feedback inspires us!

8. We support our professional organisations – for example; by chairing local branch meetings and by organising training events and meetings – all the work we do is as volunteers

9. We are competent to do the work we do. We are Chartered Practitioners and Registered Consultants (www.OSHCR.org), and we maintain our CPD levels over and above the minimum standard.

10. We support local charities, through both consultancy and training. Local charities we are proud to regularly work with are Water for Kids, Big C, Keeping Abreast, Norwich Cruse, Age (UK) and Phoenix Inspire

11. We support the local community by using local suppliers for all our needs and we have a strong sustainability ethos. Buy Local is a way of life for us. We work in partnership with the insurance company Hugh J Boswell, as part of “Chamber Protect”, and are founding members of the Mill Breakfast Club (a Monthly Networking group for local businesses in Norfolk.) We have also joined forces with Sologic to bring the first Root Cause Analysis training to East Anglia

12. We share our knowledge through Social Media. We can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In & Pinterest and we contribute to this website, as well as other organisations’ blogs and newsletters – Prowess, Birketts, Hansells, Norwich Business School , Lantra and the EDP (Focus on Health and Safety) We also regularly distribute update newsletters to our contacts

13. We champion sensible and pragmatic Risk Management whenever we get the chance! We have the courage of our convictions

14. And lastly – we are jolly good eggs; a common comment is, that we are friendly people to deal with; we treat people with the high standard we expect of ourselves

So we feel proud to celebrate 14 years in business- Here’s to the next 14 🙂

It was roughly 27 years ago when I watched my first Star Wars film, this day was to shape my life in becoming a fully fledged Star Wars fanatic.

Since that day I have watched these films hundreds of times – and as a child spent every spare penny of my pocket money on Star Wars merchandise. So imagine my overwhelming delight when the brief came that would entail getting to work with this iconic brand. It is not every day that you are approached to produce packaging design for Lightsabers.

After initial draft designs we were then supplied with just about every Star Wars image, still and graphic, supplied in a big box and the sender was Lucas Films. With all this imagery the designs came together with ease and then it was off to the London licensors for final approval. This was to be another surreal moment as I sat alongside a full scale model of Yoda whilst critiquing the final designs.

The pack we designed features both Yoda and Darth Vader on the outer and the sleeves for the Lightsabers themselves have been designed to mimic the style of Yoda and Darth Vader’s Lightsaber (I told you I was a fanatic). We have worked on some huge brands but for me personally this one has to be up there as I am a self proclaimed Star Wars geek!

These packs include both strawberry and lemon & lime ice lollies and can now be found in most supermarkets including Sainsburys. Naked Marketing would like to say a massive thank you to Icefresh Foods, not just for the amazing opportunity but for making a geeky Creative Director very, very happy. We have enjoyed working in partnership with Icefresh Foods on some amazing brands and were delighted to be runners up in the Hello Kitty design at awards in 2012.

Our latest Health and Safety Newsletter is available at https://www.redcat.gb.com

It covers

• Root Cause Analysis Training- a free taster session
• A reminder to check the competency and accreditation of your First Aid Trainer
• Update to FLT Guidance
• Health and Safety Myths
• Details of our training courses; our award winning Level 4 for Managers starts on 15th April, we also have courses on Stress, Fire and Risk Assessment

Do contact us if you have comments or questions on Risk Management

The application covers the 160,000 sq ft head office facility for aircraft painting firm Air Livery, the access infrastructure and an outline application for the remainder of the site Norwich AeroPark, the joint venture project announced in July last year between Norwich International Airport and Wrenbridge created to develop 100 acres of land at Norwich International Airport, has made a significant step forward today with the submission of a hybrid planning application for the site’s development, which is hoped to deliver 1,000 new skilled jobs for the region.

The application seeks permission to build a new five bay hangar and head office facility for aircraft painting firm Air Livery, and the associated access roads from the public highway. There is also an outline application for the development of the remainder of the 100 acre site which is expected to accommodate up to 860,000 sq ft of aviation related development in total.

Public consultation events held in November 2012 in the Airport’s terminal building were well attended. Feedback forms filled out by attendees indicated that the large majority were in favour of the plans, citing economic growth, skilled employment and growth of the Airport as major reasons for support. The detailed design work for Air Livery’s facility is being managed by Morgan Sindall Professional Services (MSPS) who bring a wide range and depth of experience to this major project. MSPS used the feedback from the public consultations to improve the design and layout of the AeroPark.

The application will be considered by both Norwich City and Broadland District Councils as the site straddles the district boundary. It is hoped that the application will be determined in the summer this year.

The submission of this application follows the Airport’s separate application for a state of the art engine testing ground run facility which was granted permission by Norwich City Council’s planning committee earlier this month.

Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International Airport, said, “We are satisfied with the progress we are making with Norwich AeroPark, and we remain on track to meet our development timetable for Air Livery’s facility. A huge amount of work has gone into the design of the various elements of this application, ensuring we took the views of the public into account. This project is now gathering momentum and, coupled with the permission we have secured for a first class engine testing facility, brings us another step closer to our vision of an aviation centre of excellence for Norfolk”.

John McHale, Associate Director of Wrenbridge comments; “The planning submission is a major milestone, underlining the good progress made in the last 6 months by the Professional Team led by Morgan Sindall. We continue to work hard to attract further occupiers to Norwich AeroPark site and look forward to working with Broadland District and Norwich City Councils and the stakeholders during the planning determination period.”

David Dukes, economic development manager at Norfolk County Council, said: “This is a really important development for the Greater Norwich economy. Of course, it will facilitate the growth of one of our major companies, but the opening up of 100 acres of new employment land provides a high quality investment opportunity which will generate considerable interest. The County Council looks forward to working with the airport to promoting it world-wide.” Brenda Arthur, Leader of Norwich City Council, said, “I welcome the submission of the planning application as an important step forward for this project which would provide much needed jobs in north Norwich. It is a major scheme and people can now have their say on the application as it has been published for consultation.”

On 1 April 2013 the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 comes into force, which aims to trim the existing £2.2 billion legal aid bill by £350 million.

The impact of this legislation will be significant, particularly in the area of family law. Legal aid will no longer be available in relation to family law matters including divorce, separation, the related financial matters and issues in relation to children such as residence and contact. From 1 April, only victims of domestic violence will be eligible to apply for legal aid, which is a major change to the current system.

The campaign group Liberty estimates that, currently, over 2 million people receive legal aid each year. Predictions suggest that 600,000 fewer people will be eligible to receive assistance from April onwards and family cases are set to be most affected.

There is likely to be an increase in the number of people representing themselves and there is concern that justice will not be done in these circumstances, particularly where one party to the proceedings can afford a lawyer and the other cannot.

Emma Alfieri from Steeles Law’s family team commented: “With just days to go there does seems to be a lack of awareness amongst the general public, despite these reforms having been announced around 18 months ago. The reforms are going to have a major impact on already stretched voluntary organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.”

What can you do?

• Look for firms that offer a free initial consultation. Prepare for the meeting and put together a list of questions of things that you want to know about so that you can make the most of the meeting.
• Look for firms that offer fixed fee pricing for some or all of their work – that way you can budget for the work that needs to be done and you know where you stand.
• Consider meditation. Mediation doesn’t suit everyone but it can be helpful if you are prepared to get around the table with your ex-partner and the mediator to discuss the issues and try to reach agreement. Once recorded, the agreement can be converted into a legally binding agreement by your lawyer.

In response to the proposed changes, Steeles Law’s family team launched fixed fee packages back in January 2013. This gives our clients a fixed price at the outset, rather than an hourly rate, in order that clients can budget and have transparency and certainty of what they are getting for their money.

Amanda Owens, head of Steeles Law’s family team, said: “Since launching our fixed fee packages, we have received a high response from clients. It appears that some clients have been surprised that they can still receive a high level of customer service from an established, local firm of solicitors like Steeles Law, which it seems they did not expect to receive on the basis of a fixed fee.”

For further details of Steeles Law’s fixed fee family packages please visit https://www.steeleslaw.co.uk/individual-services/family/divorce-civil-partnership-and-separation or call us on 01603 598000.

We are delighted to announce that at the Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2013 we won the ‘Great Business to Business Service Award”

Now in its sixth year the prestigious awards ceremony which took place on 15th March 2013 at The Zest Rooms, Potters Leisure Resort is an evening of high-profile celebration of all that’s outstanding in business and enterprise in the Borough of Great Yarmouth. The awards focus on and recognise the achievements through innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and sheer determination of businesses of all sizes and from every sector.

Commenting on the award, Matt Buck, Head of Customer Experience at OneStream said “We are delighted to have won the Great Business to Business Customer Service Award at Friday night’s Spirit of Enterprise Awards judged by Bateman Groundworks. The awards evening was fantastic – really well organized by enterprise GY with a great venue, excellent food, great entertainment and good networking opportunities too!

“As I have previously said awards are so much more than a decoration for the company mantle-piece! Winning this award is independent approval for the hard work of our business and it’s people; it serves as a marker of what we expect of our organisation, and what others can expect of us; it has further boosted the spirit of the team at OneStream and crucially it will spur us to build on our hard work and achieve more.

“The quality of the judging businesses and fellow finalists across all of the award entries was impressive. For me, the Awards evening really drove home how Great Yarmouth has a great deal to offer and be proud of.”

Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) in Norwich hosted a fun-packed annual charity quiz night last Thursday (14th March) at the De Vere Dunston Hall Hotel, raising £1,897 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

40 teams from local businesses including Heinz, Lovewell Blake LLP and Anglian Farmers came along for the evening of friendly rivalry which was organised by Pure – one of the leading recruitment consultancy businesses in the East of England. It was the ‘Amnesiacs’ from Norfolk Community Health and Care that claimed the quiz crown, with each lucky team member winning a bottle of champagne. A raffle also proved popular with superb prizes including a round of golf for four people at Dunston Hall Golf Club, champagne and £100 of Next vouchers.

Gill Buchanan, Director of Pure, said: “The evening’s success surpassed our expectations and I’d like to thank all of the businesses that contributed to the event. Our 10-year partnership with EACH is very important to us and we are proud to be supporting seriously ill children and their families in the communities where Pure is working.”

Gary Cook, Norfolk Fundraiser for EACH, added: “On behalf of everyone at the charity, I’d like to thank the quiz teams and Pure for raising funds to provide care and support to local life-threatened children and their families. Fundraising like this enables us to deliver a range of services including short-break care, specialist therapies, end of life care and bereavement support.”

The quiz brings the total that Pure has now raised for EACH in the last decade to more than £49,000. Also, in January staff from the company’s Norwich office volunteered at the Quidenham hospice.

To find out more about Pure’s fundraising activity, contact Anna Hill, Marketing Manager on: 01223 209888 or Anna.Hill@prs.uk.com.

Bigfork and By Design have created a new website for Norwich based printing services company, Saxon Digital Services. Saxon work with many great brands such as The National Trust, Joules, Harper Collins and the Natural History Museum. They needed a new website that promoted their expertise more effectively through better images, new copy, case studies and worthy testimonials. The new website is modern and professional, so take a look here www.saxondigitalservices.co.uk

If you need to improve your website then please contact Bigfork

01603 513080

www.bigfork.co.uk

Business telecoms specialist Comms Supply has formed a strategic alliance with Woodbridge based IT support company, React Computer Partnership. Working together, the two companies will be providing businesses across Norfolk and the East of England with a complete IT and connectivity solution.

React CP was founded in January 1997 by Richard Pledger and his brothers Alan and Francis. The company has established a great reputation for providing business customers across the East of England with a single contact point for all their IT needs: from hardware to software installation to comprehensive support.

Comms Supply was founded by experienced business telecoms specialist Karl Alderton in January 2012. The company provides a wide range of business telecoms services: from comprehensive phone, mobile and broadband packages to simple line rental; with an aim of delivering innovative and flexible communications solutions that really help businesses to thrive.

Richard Pledger explains the thinking behind the new alliance. “When we are recommending IT solutions for our customers it makes perfect sense for us to be able to supply broadband or any other type of connectivity, such as fibre connections, that they may require. In the past we have used large, well-known suppliers but they can provide a very one-dimensional service. Broadband isn’t always the right fit and our business is all about creating bespoke solutions for our customers; we needed a partner who works in the same way. We often recommend that customers have two broadband connections at one site so that they are protected should problems occur. Comms Supply can provide us with these options.”

“It was a mutual interest in football that first got me talking to Karl at a networking event, but once we’d finished chatting about sport we moved on to IT and telecoms,” Richard continues. “It became clear very quickly that Karl and his team share the same ethos as we do and there is a natural synergy between our two businesses. Delivering exceptional service to our customers is our priority and if we don’t feel we can do a job properly we won’t take it on; Karl shares this view. Comms Supply can provide connectivity through a range of channels and they are committed to continuous development of their product range. This clearly adds value to us and our clients.”

“We are extremely excited by this new alliance as we’ve found a third party supplier that meets our high standards,” adds Richard. “I’m happy to say that the service we’ve had from Karl and his team has been excellent”

“Forging this alliance with React CP is a great way to mark the first anniversary of Comms Supply,” says Karl Alderton. “We’ve expanded into larger premises in Norfolk but are committed to growth in Suffolk and across the East. Suffolk is an extremely exciting market place for us. There is a varied business landscape with some innovative start up businesses working alongside established, high-profile organisations.”

“Like React CP, we will only recommend products that are right for the customer and we never attempt to oversell or tie people into longer than necessary contracts. We know from experience that this openness and transparency is what fosters customer loyalty. Our priority is building long-lasting relationships with clients and partners so that we can create a sustainable, reputable business,” concludes Karl.

To find out more about the range of IT services that React CP can provide visit www.reactcp.co.uk, telephone 01394 387 337 or email info@reactcp.co.uk.

For more information about business telecoms solutions from Comms Supply, call 0333 2020 900, email info@commssupply.co.uk or visit www.commssupply.co.uk.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Pippa Lain or Amber Davis at Plain Speaking PR 01603 487 291pippa@plainspeakingpr.co.uk | amber@plainspeakingpr.co.uk