Member News

Becoming B Corp certified is an excellent way to ensure your business adheres to high standards of social and environmental responsibility. Smash Marketing dives into how this prestigious certification can set your company apart and align you with a global movement towards a sustainable future. B Corporations are companies that have been certified by B Lab to meet high social and environmental standards and demonstrate accountability and transparency in the way they operate. Achieving B Corp certification is an excellent way to demonstrate that your business is committed to fostering an environment and community that places value on people, not just profit. The certification is highly sought-after, for good reason. After becoming B Corp certified, you can be sure to attract like-minded talent and build trust with consumers and communities who prioritise sustainability and ethical business practices. By joining the B Corp community, companies become part of a global network of industries and leaders that are working together to drive a cultural shift towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. Smash Marketing has taken a significant step forward in our commitment to environmental sustainability by becoming a B Corp certified company. This certification demonstrates that we are mindful of the environment and the impact we make. It was a long but worthwhile process we undertook to achieve this certification. The first step was to ensure our mission statement and processes highlighted our commitment to upholding high standards of environmental sustainability and social consciousness. Through this, we were able to achieve a high B Impact Assessment score (which is currently displayed on the B Lab website). This holds our business accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. We’re proud to be part of this global movement that champions ethical business practices, and we’re excited about the impact we can make together with our clients and fellow B Corporations.  

Property surveying company Up Connect are delighted to announce that they have been nominated for Best Business Services to the Fibre Community award at this year’s prestigious UK Fibre Awards. Best Business Services to the  This award category celebrates the very best in service support to UK altnets and fibre providers. Up Connect have drawn upon their numerous testimonials from key players in the industry to demonstrate how they are delivering tangible results for fibre providers. They have also demonstrated a proven track record in meeting client briefs, providing excellent project support, while delivering outstanding customer experience. The Directors, Scott Curtis and Charles Thomas said, “We’re especially thrilled to be nominated in this category, as we’re passionate about providing best in class services to the fibre community. This nomination is testament to the dedication and outstanding work of every member of the Up Connect team!” The awards reflect an excellent period of growth and momentum for the company, who are working with significant names across the telecoms, property, sustainability and utilities sectors. The awards take place on the 6^{th of} June at London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel.

From Saturday 25th May until Sunday 2nd June 2024, Chantry Place Norwich will be hosting a free self-led ‘Game On’ trail as part of the Norwich Games Festival.

Visitors can collect a free trail map from The HMV Shop on the lower ground floor of Chantry Place and then collect the letters on the posters throughout the Centre to spell a word, while enjoying the designs created by Rudey Ratcliffe, creative enterprise student at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, and finding out games-related facts. Once complete, enter your details via a QR code on the map to be in with a chance of winning a £200 HMV Shop voucher.

Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “Norwich Games Festival is returning to Norwich this year after a four-year break and we’re delighted that they asked us to host this trail for them. The ‘Game On’ trail is something free for families to enjoy in May Half Term as part of a day out in Norwich. It’s suitable for families and we think ages 6+ will really enjoy the trail.”

Ellie Buchan, Event Producer for Norwich Games Festival said: “It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside Chantry Place, and bringing a special Norwich Games Festival trail to the Centre. We’re thrilled to have worked with a local illustrator to create bespoke drawings that celebrate games in all their forms! This family friendly trail sits alongside a fantastic programme of events, workshops, and free activities that will be taking place at The Forum from Thursday 30 May – Sun 1 June as part of Norwich Games Festival. It’s well-known for its creative and welcoming events and part of NGF is about supporting other businesses and raising awareness of what is in the city – trails are a great way to do this, whilst also encouraging people to get out and about, do some exercise and engage with people and places in the city. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the work of local illustrators; it highlights the amount of talent in the area and gives them a platform to see their work appreciated”.

Norwich Games Festival returns on Thursday 30th May to Saturday 1st June. The Festival has amazing events, workshops, talks, and free interactive activities for everybody to enjoy! Norwich Games festival is presented by The Forum, with lead partner Norwich University of the Arts, and features lots of hands-on game play, including retro arcades and VR experiences, as well as industry events.

For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/news

It is safe to say at Hands On At Work, we are buzzing! Our accounts for the 2023 2024 financial year confirm it to be our best year yet, with turnover and profit increased from previous years telling us businesses are treating employee health and wellbeing with the seriousness it deserves. Wellbeing in the workplace covers an enormous number of areas such as, health and safety, employee assistance, environment, workload management, HR support, occupational health and wellbeing activities and much more. What Hands On At Work offers is just a piece of the jigsaw but a valuable one nevertheless and we have expanded our services to meet client demands. The flipside of our expansion means we are also looking for more people to join our team or work with us in collaboration. We are looking for great, qualified massage therapists to get in touch and chat about working with us alongside their own businesses and local yoga practitioners to offer yoga classes to businesses both onsite and online. We would also like to hear from other wellbeing providers to see if we can work together to support each other’s businesses. Contact Kathy Scott on 07989 367669 or info@handsonatwork.co.uk for an informal chat.

Zip Water prides itself on providing water at its best. Subsequently, genuine Zip Water filters should always be installed to help ensure that your HydroTap consistently delivers the purest-tasting water. Our market leading 0.2 micron MicroPurity filters are 25 times finer than the average filter jug and combine carbon and sediment into one cartridge. This removes dirt, bacteria, microplastics and contaminants from the water path that other systems may not remove, and up to 97% of chlorine and 99.9% of microbiological cysts if present. This state of the smart filtration can be found in all our HydroTaps, ensuring that every drop of our water is fresh tasting. We also provide limescale filters to help support your HydroTap in hard water areas where required. To guarantee your HydroTap experience is seamless, we recommend our comprehensive service plan offering, HydroCare. A tailored HydroCare service plan will take care of everything, including filter changes. With a friendly team of over 100 dedicated UK engineers, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy a glass of pure-tasting water! If a service plan is not for you, our filters are available for purchase online at any time that suits you. To find out more, visit our website: https://www.zipwater.co.uk/shop/filters-co2-cartridges

The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House and tulip growers Mark and Susanne Eves of Norfolk Tulips are celebrating the completion of the biggest and most successful Tulips for Tapping event in its four-year history. The event which closed on Monday 29^th April after a two week run, drew over 25,000 visitors to the Kings Lynn area who travelled from all over the UK to see the spectacle of 6.3 million tulips in bloom. Every penny raised from the Tulips for Tapping event will go directly to the charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House to support vital end of life care to patients and their families. This year the event raised £322,294 which will pay for more than a month of care services for people across Norfolk. The event is supported by more than 200 volunteers who have spent more than 2,500 hours helping in all aspects of the event from setting up, manning the event and packing away at the end. Without their help, this event would not have been able to run and continue to be such a success, raising vital funds for the Hospice. Nicola Ellis, Chief Executive at The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Norfolk Tulips to deliver this incredible event again this year and so grateful to Mark and Susanne Eves for their continued commitment to us.  We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the visitors who came from near and far to see the magnificent sight of the tulip fields. “As a charity providing free end of life care and bereavement services to 4,500 people every year in Norfolk – both in our Hospice and in their homes – we are increasingly reliant on the income that events such as these raise. We need to raise more than £4 million each year to deliver our transformational services to patients and families. The past two years have been particularly challenging financially, so we were thrilled that Tulips for Tapping has once again been so successful! “The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House would like to thank everyone who came to see the tulips and I would especially like to thank all the volunteers, Norfolk Tulips, Michael Rae and Roydon Hall Farms for making this fantastic event happen”. Susanne Eves Director at Norfolk Tulips/PS & JE Ward Ltd said: “We are continually amazed by the interest in our tulip crop and astounded by the amount of visitors we have received over the 10 day opening, and yet we still can’t keep up with visitor demand. We would not be able to open the fields without the considerable efforts of the Fundraising Team and all the volunteers that give their time to raise funds for this cause that is very much close to our hearts. It is a privilege to work with those people who help put the event together”. The Tulips for Tapping event continues to grow each year, becoming one of the largest open air events in Norfolk and one of the largest charity events in the East of England. The tulip fields are now closed and tulips can no longer be seen in the field. The Hospice is working closely with Norfolk Tulips and Roydon Hall Farms to bring this event back for another year. No dates will be available until April 2025. For further information, please visit www.norfolkhospice.org.uk or contact The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House on 01485 601701.

The prestigious award recognises bf1systems’ innovation in their industry, where they are leading provider of electrical, electronic & integrated electronic solutions to clients across a range of industries including motorsport, automotive, marine, off-highway and aerospace. Their products include Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), wiring harnesses, sensors, and racing and hypercar steering wheels. Receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise entitles the holder to use the esteemed Royal Emblem for five years in recognition of their achievement. For 30 years from their UK base, bf1systems have supplied market leading electronic, electrical and composite solutions to clients operating in the world’s harshest environments. With roots embedded in the Motorsport and Automotive industries, they have achieved a global presence supplying products to customers across Formula 1™, IndyCar and GT racing. Now with 180 staff worldwide including 100 in the UK, their products also feature on a number of the world’s fastest and most prestigious road cars such as those from Bugatti, Pagani, Koenigsegg, McLaren, Aston Martin and Ferrari. In industries where competition is at their core, bf1systems give their customers the competitive advantage; whether that is on the racetrack, on rails, under or on the water and even in space. Their products have been tested, raced and used in the world’s harshest environments. bf1systems are the competitive advantage you have never heard of. For 30 years they have worked with the world’s top racing and automotive brands. – Steering wheel for Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar – Engineered and manufactured by bf1systems – Tyre pressure monitoring system on all Formula 1™ cars – Engineered and manufactured by bf1systems – Tyre pressure monitoring system on the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron – Engineered and manufactured by bf1systems – Steering wheels for Porsche 992 GT3 R, 992 GT3 Cup and GT4 RS CS – Engineered and manufactured by bf1systems – bf1systems use the equivalent length of wire in their wiring harnesses annually to lap the Silverstone GP circuit 16 times James Welham, Managing Director of bf1systems said: “For our company to start its 30th anniversary celebrations with the recognition of a King’s Award is a very special moment. We pride ourselves on committing to innovation in everything we do, being courageous and having fun. The award proves to our people, our customers and our partners that we do provide that competitive advantage.” For more information on bf1systems and to arrange an interview or visit to their base contact: Rob Borrett – marketing@bf1systems.co.uk – 07742 854 458

As the sun set on a brilliant Bank Holiday Monday, the buzz of The Feed’s second annual Dog Show lingered in Norwich’s scenic Waterloo Park. It was more than just an ordinary day out with our furry friends; it celebrated community spirit, generosity, and the simple joy of seeing dogs at their best.

Pivotal, always eager to support initiatives that echo our commitment to community involvement, was proud to sponsor the “Best Paw Shake” category at this year’s event. Watching each dog put their best paw forward was entertaining and genuinely heartwarming. The excitement in the crowd was palpable as cheers and applause filled the park, showcasing the community’s enthusiasm and support for The Feed’s mission.

Speaking of missions, it’s worth noting why we were all there. The Feed, a remarkable charity based in Norwich, Norfolk, has been a beacon of hope for many. Through initiatives like their affordable café and various outreach programmes, they strive to combat poverty and support those in need within our community. Events like the Dog Show raise funds and awareness of their invaluable work.

Tait’s spirited companion, Bertie, participated in the “Best Coat” category. Despite not clinching the top spot (though he clearly deserved it with his glossy fur), the spirit of participation in support of a great cause made them both feel like winners. The event was flawlessly orchestrated, with The Feed’s café team serving delicious treats and ensuring both two-legged and four-legged attendees were well-fed.

A big shout-out to the judges—Ros, Sarah, Philip, Lucy, and myself—who had the challenge of choosing the winners among many delightful contestants. Our MC for the day, Elliot, did a fantastic job keeping everyone engaged and entertained. A special thanks go to Steve for lending his PA equipment and ensuring everyone could hear the proceedings.

Winners of Best in Show at The Feed’s Dog Show in Waterloo Park, Norwich

We were also thrilled to see such a diverse array of sponsors and stalls at the event, from Rock Solid Graphics & Print to Catton Grove Big Local and from Topdog Harnesses to Chester & Ralphie’s Pet Pantry. The Norwich Guide Dog Fundraising team was there, reminding us of the broader spectrum of canine contributions to human well-being.

As a sponsor and participant, Pivotal is proud to support The Feed and events like the Dog Show that highlight the power of community engagement. We believe that our involvement goes beyond just a single event; it’s about fostering a long-term partnership that helps strengthen our community and support those in need.

We invite you to support The Feed by visiting its café, volunteering, or participating in future events. Every little bit helps, and we can make a significant impact together.

Remember, it’s not just about the dogs—it’s about all of us coming together to help those in need. Here’s to many more fun, fur, and philanthropy events. Let’s keep the momentum going for the benefit of our furry friends and our entire community.

Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, has assumed the prestigious role of President of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) for the year 2024. Her formal induction took place during the RNAA’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the history of the Association. Reflecting on her deep personal connection with the Royal Norfolk Show (RNS), Lady Dannatt MBE expressed “Farming in Norfolk and the Royal Norfolk Show have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.” The Royal Norfolk Show is renowned as the largest two-day county show in the UK with a rich heritage and attracting over 80,000 visitors, with 700 stands and over 3,000 animals. Lady Dannatt MBE added “As a child, the show was always the highlight of the year. I was born and brought up in Keswick, not far from here, and it was with enormous pride that my grandparents hosted the Norfolk Show in Keswick Park, just after the war. The King and Queen came to visit and took tea at the Old Hall, Keswick. My grandfather even managed to spill tea down the King’s trousers. Hopefully, we can do better if we have a royal visitor this year.” Lady Dannatt was appointed on the 5^th August 2019 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and was the first woman to become the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk. Lady Dannatt said: “We are fortunate enough to live in a county populated by a generation of hugely talented and inspirational young people, and I am delighted that this year we will be celebrating these young achievers in the Young Diamonds Tribute in the Grand Ring. “It will be fantastic to recognise and to thank all those young people who do so much for our communities and the causes closest to their hearts. “It is for them, that the RNAA and its jewel in the crown, the Royal Norfolk Show, must not only continue to exist, but to move forward, break boundaries, flourish, challenge and inspire Norfolk’s people. The young, and the not-so-young, absolutely deserve nothing less.” The Royal Norfolk Show returns this year on Wednesday 26^th and Thursday 27^th June. With Norfolk’s biggest food and drink experience, a packed Grand Ring programme and hundreds of attractions, there’s something for everyone. Mark Nicholas, Managing Director of the RNAA expressed his gratitude at the appointment of Lady Dannatt and the work of the previous president John Cushing OBE “We can’t thank John and his wife Barbara enough for all of their support for both the RNAA and the RNS. All of the team here at the RNAA are thrilled and looking forward to welcoming Lady Dannatt for 2024.”

‘British made light and low can be a good way to go’ to cut carbon by 25% in retail wines Supermarkets could cut the carbon footprint of some of their entry level wines by a quarter if they move to British made light and low wines made from grape concentrate, according to new independent research. Broadland Drinks, the UK-based drinks producer and co-packer that has pitched itself as a ‘one stop shop to cut carbon’, recently commissioned a CarbonCloud survey which found that its 8% ABV British wines made from fermenting concentrated grape juice, typically have a 25% lower carbon footprint than imported wines. As the trend for no-and-low-alcohol (no-lo) wine continues to grow, and retailers look for innovative ways to decarbonise shoppers’ baskets, locally-made wine has vast scope for driving innovation and category growth, while playing a key role in helping retailers meet their sustainability goals. Broadland Drinks’ CarbonCloud survey follows a report from the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) last year, that revealed the biggest opportunity for reducing the environmental impact of packaging in UK supermarkets lies in the Beer, Wine and Spirits (BWS) and non-alcoholic drinks category, which weighs in at 33% of a supermarket’s entire environmental packaging impact. To meet the industry’s commitment to halve the environmental impacts of their packaging systems by 2030, will require major changes. The IGD report said to meet this goal, supermarkets need to increase recycled content, maximise recyclability and decarbonise supply chains. This method of production from concentrate makes it easier to control the ABV (alcohol by volume), anywhere between 0% and 15%. This is ideal for the low and medium alcohol range and makes products more affordable and accessible to consumers who may be more health aware, have less disposable income available or are choosing to drink in moderation. Broadland Drinks’ portfolio of made from grape concentrate wines include its popular Three Mills range, including a Crisp White, Fruity Red and Fruity Rosé in ABVs at 0%, 5% and 8% and Fruit Fusion Summer Berry, Dark Fruits and Tropical Fruits wines at 5%, as well Mulled Wines. DEFRA’s 2024 wine reforms which aim to unlock innovation and increase consumer choice by including the blending of imported wines from different countries and the blending of wines with other ingredients, mean Broadland Drinks is ideally positioned with its expertise and BRC AA+ facility to take advantage of this reinvigoration of the wine category to offer consumers more choice. The proposed reforms also indicate a government in favour of enhancing consumer understanding of the product, increasing their confidence in purchasing no-lo wines and supporting them to make healthier choices. With 58 years’ experience of innovating and pioneering new forms of wine and low carbon packaging formats, Broadland Drinks has been fermenting base wines from grape concentrate, adding natural ingredients, and innovating to create many wines: from award-winning mulled wines and tonic wines to fruit wines, botanical and fortified wines. Broadland’s own British wines have won IWSC medals – a testament to their quality. (https://www.iwsc.net/company/profile/1196/broadland-drinks-ltd). Its innovative Three Mills 0% ‘tastes just like wine’ according to ITV This Morning’s Alison Hammond, but uses up to five times less energy to make than de-alcoholised alternatives. Broadland Drinks CEO Mark Lansley said: “With the decline in global wine consumption, its high carbon footprint, the health risks and the high price of “standard wine”, wine made from concentrates can help play a part in increasing sales, reducing prices and cutting carbon. “Our independent research from CarbonCloud showed our 8% ABV British wines made from fermenting concentrated grape juice have a 25% lower carbon footprint than imported wines. “We’ve spent decades fermenting base wines from grape concentrate, adding natural ingredients and innovating to create all sorts of wines like mulled, fruit fusion and fortified. “When we make our wines from concentrates, it’s very easy for us to produce wines at any ABV between 5% and 15%, making them great for the low and medium alcohol range so they’re lower in calories with a lower duty cost, leading to lower priced entry-level wine for those consumers who find themselves looking for cheaper alternatives. “Creating wines from fermenting concentrated grape juice here in the UK that are low in price, alcohol and carbon can be a useful option for entry level wine drinkers and retailers. Broadland Drinks supports wine retailers and producers to reduce carbon with its One Stop Shop to Cut Carbon, by leveraging the company’s low carbon drinks and packaging formats and inherent commitment to sustainability. It is aiming to eliminate fossil fuel usage at its winery by 2025 and is well on track. The Norfolk-headquartered company offers a full range of low carbon wines and drinks alongside a range of packaging formats including BiBs, lightweight glass bottles, paper bottles, kegs and aluminium cans. It was one of the first companies in the UK to install a Bag in Box filling line 45 years ago. It has already invested in 1,000 500w solar panels to cover its winery roof leading to on-site generation of over a third of its electricity consumption with the rest of its power met by renewable energy. And it has switched to LED lighting in office and production areas, completed the switching of its fleet of forklift trucks from gas to electric and introduced a successful cycle-to-work scheme for employees. Broadland Drinks won the Drinks Business Green Awards 2023 for Water Management. Its water treatment plant processes thousands of litres of winery wash waters so they are taken directly by drain to the village water recovery system, instead of being driven away for processing by nearly 3,000 HGVs.

If you haven’t heard, next week is Mental Health Awareness Week… The theme this year, from 13th – 19th May is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Being active is important for our mental health – however, so many struggle to get enough exercise. So this May, let’s find moments of movement in our daily routines. 💚 Going for a walk on your lunch break or after work with colleagues? 💚 Dancing around your living room to your favourite song? 💚 Making time for the gym and a class you enjoy 💚 Yoga at your desk or a perhaps a class in the office 💚 Taking your dog on a longer walk than usual It all counts! Mental Health Awareness Week happens every year, and it’s the biggest opportunity for the whole of the UK to come together to focus on getting good mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others’ mental health. It doesn’t mean that you only focus on your employees mental health for this week, but it gives you a starting point and means to carry on. We have 23 therapists out, (yes 23 !) visiting businesses across the UK! But…we still have availability 👉 Book your wellbeing session by emailing: info@handsonatwork.co.uk  💙 Hands On At Work working with you to provide workplace wellbeing services to support the mental, physical and emotional health of your employees 💙 Workplace Massage to Reflexology, Yoga, Pilates, Desk Yoga to Laughter Yoga, Mindfulness to Menopause and Meditation, Men’s Health to Healthy Heart checks – we’ve got you covered.

Legal Aid Some clients who need assistance from either Family Law Solicitors or Criminal Solicitors, may be entitled to legal funding through the Legal Aid Agency. As part of this, at times Process Serving and enquiries are needed to progress the legal case and this is exactly where we come in. At Taylor Investigations, we are now able to offer Process Serving and Civil and Criminal case enquiries under the Legal Aid Agency rate structure across England and Wales. Based in Norwich but we have a network of agents throughout the UK Yes, we are based in Norwich but we have a network of agents throughout the UK to assist with your requirements anywhere in the country. Process Serving is the personal service of documents in relation to legal proceedings. For Legal Aid matters, this tends to include, but not limited to Non Molestation Orders or Witness Summons. Legal Aid enquiries tend to include, but not limited to, scene visits to obtain photographs and drawings for Jury bundles, prison visits to obtain photographs or statements and tracing of witnesses. All Legal Aid instructions are dealt with as a priority All instructions are dealt with as a priority as we are aware there is usually an urgency to the case and we will invoice as per the rate structure set out. So, if you are family law solicitors or a criminal solicitor, you can rest assured knowing your Legal Aid case can proceed without delay. Please send all legal aid instructions to enquiries@taylorinvestigations.co.uk where these will be actioned and processed. Charlotte Notley