Chadwicks Wealth Management welcomes Alex Meadowcroft as its newest Graduate Trainee Wealth Manager and Paraplanner, marking a full-circle moment in his professional journey.
Alex first stepped through Chadwicks’ doors nearly a decade ago as a work experience student, an early encounter that sparked his passion for financial services. Since then, he has earned a First-Class Honours degree in Economics from Keele University, gained four years of experience as a Paraplanner, and achieved the Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning.
Now returning to the firm where it all began, Alex is working toward becoming a Chartered Financial Planner, bringing with him a strong foundation in client-focused financial planning and a genuine enthusiasm for helping individuals navigate their financial futures.
“We’re delighted to welcome Alex back to Chadwicks. We’ve been offering work experience to young people for as long as I can remember, sometimes overstretching ourselves to make it happen, but we believe it’s worth it. Seeing someone like Alex return to us, now as a Graduate Trainee Wealth Manager, is exactly why we do it. It’s a full-circle moment, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on the team.” Richard Ross, Chadwicks Wealth Management.
Chadwicks continues to welcome applications for internships and graduate roles please contact angela.brett@chadwicks.co.uk.
E-Screen, a leading provider of digital signage and interactive display solutions, will be exhibiting at Norfolk B2B 2025 on Thursday 9th October at the Norfolk Showground.
Visitors can find the team on Stand P20, where the company will be showcasing its latest digital signage, kiosk, and conferencing solutions. Known for helping businesses stand out with eye-catching displays and interactive technology, E-Screen supports organisations across retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, and corporate sectors.
The company’s solutions are designed to boost engagement, modernise communications, and deliver measurable ROI.
E-Screen is also inviting businesses to attend its Demo Weeks at the company’s Great Yarmouth headquarters, running from 20–24 October and 24–28 November. The events will provide hands-on opportunities to test digital signage, interactive displays, and conferencing tools in action.
“Digital signage is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for businesses looking to connect with audiences and stay competitive,” said Jeremy Simpson, Sales Director at E-Screen.
Businesses can learn more, book demo sessions, or pre-arrange meetings for the show by calling 01493 543989 or emailing info@e-screen.co.uk
✅ All the expertise of a full team, without the payroll.
✅ One point of contact, all your marketing handled.
✅ Consistent, strategic campaigns that actually deliver.
We work with medium-sized businesses who are ready to step up their marketing without the cost and headache of building an internal department.
From SEO and Google Ads to social media, email campaigns, and content creation, we manage it all under one roof. You get the results without the stress, and your team gets to focus on doing what they do best.
You don’t need to find, hire, and train an entire marketing department.
You just need us.
DM us or visit our website and we’ll show you exactly how we can run your marketing like it’s in-house, but better
Norfolk is considered the “breadbasket” of the UK with its favourable climate and fertile soils and here farming is a major industry.
Family farms, however, are complex beasts when it comes to separating the matrimonial property and finances on divorce because of their size and multiple different parts; buildings which might be owned or occupied by different family members; the existence of family trusts; and the business of the farm itself which, depending on its structure, could also be owned by a number of different people.
There could, therefore, be questions about the extent to which the farm or parts of it are matrimonial or non-matrimonial.
The buildings, land, business and stock (livestock and deadstock) will all need to be professionally valued. Consideration must also be given to the tax implications of transferring or selling the business, farm or any part of it.
Being positioned in the heart of Norfolk, Hatch Brenner is regularly consulted by farmers or the spouse or civil partner of the farmer in the context of a separation or divorce.
We work closely with accountants, valuers and our own trust experts to help you to untangle the complexities of the family farm in order to achieve a fair settlement in your divorce.
As part of Norfolk County Council’s Adult Skills Fund Pilot, WS Training is delivering fully funded, accredited qualifications to help employers like you build a more confident, skilled workforce.
You can refer eligible employees (or jobseekers you know) for flexible training in key growth areas:
Courses Available in:
-Customer Service
-Business Administration
-Team Leading & Management
✅Benefits for your business:
No cost to you or your staff
Delivery that fits around working hours (online or blended)
Improved staff confidence, loyalty, and retention
Quick enrolment and full tutor support provided by WS Training
Qualified staff in as little as 6 months
👥 Who’s Eligible?
-Leaner aged 19+
-Living within a Norfolk postcode
*Other eligibility criteria may apply, please get in contact for more information and act fast, funded spaces are time limited and will be allocated on a first come first service basis.
Yesterday Lotus announced a significant number of redundancies.Responding to confirmation that 550 jobs are to go at the company’s iconic Hethel HQ, Cllr Fabian Eagle said that Norfolk County Council, working with South Norfolk Council, would do everything it could to help those affected by the news and ensure their valuable skills remain in the county.
They will be creating a taskforce offering a comprehensive support package to redundant Lotus Cars employees and connecting them directly with vacancies in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.The taskforce will be chaired by Cllr Eagle and South Norfolk Council Leader, Daniel Elmer.
Cllr Eagle said: “These job losses are a huge blow, but rest assured we will do absolutely everything we can to ensure as many people as possible are supported into new employment and their skills are not lost to Norfolk’s economy.
“A taskforce will lead the work on this and organisations like NAAME and the Growth Hub that are hosted by the council will be able to help connect those affected with vacancies or training opportunities.”
Cllr Elmer added: “This is a very difficult time, and our priority must be the people who are losing their jobs. Working together, we will do everything we can to provide the support they need.”
Support that will be offered to Lotus employees and their supply chains through teams at both Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk Council and their networks will include:
•A joint package of job search and CV support with Working Well Norfolk and DWP colleagues for all employees as required, including benefit advice and support from DWP • Tailored support from Apprenticeships Norfolk for apprentices being made redundant • A brokerage service delivered with partners to connect those being made redundant with vacancies at Norfolk engineering firms through our advanced manufacturing sector group NAAME (New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering), and New Anglia Growth Hub • Support for Lotus staff wanting to set up businesses through our start-up programme run by Norfolk Libraries service, the Growth Hub, MENTA and Hethel Innovation. • Provide opportunities for start-up businesses at Hethel Innovation Centre and Scottow Enterprise Park. • Hardship support offered by South Norfolk Council’s multi-service Help Hub.
As a new Chamber member I thought I would give a quick intro to what I do.
So, let’s get the business stuff done first, then I can get to more interesting things!
The Business Stuff
We are a passionate and experienced training partner dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals. We provide a range of blended learning solutions, including online, in-person, and virtual training, with a focus on delivering high-quality, specialist-written content. Our services include:
Training and Development: Bespoke and pre-designed courses to improve efficiency, productivity, and various professional competencies.
Business Continuity: Assisting and training businesses to ensure resilience and continuity.
IT Consulting: Providing a comprehensive service to develop processes and applications for efficient business operations.
With a mission to help people learn and thrive, we have a track record of satisfied clients who return to us for our expertise. Our approach is centred on understanding how learners learn, creating customized solutions, and delivering tangible results.
The More Interesting Things!
I also have a “weekend job” for the World Association of Wrestling. Yes, if you’re thinking the people in the movie “Fighting With My Family” you are correct. I am a wrestler/referee/MC. you cn visit the website here–> WAW Website
I am also a trustee for a church/historical building. St. Mary’s Church near Swaffham. The Church has the oldest wall paintings in the world! (please don’t fact check this!) dating from 1080. Well worth a visit, here’s the website –> St. Mary’s Church
Please reach out if I can help with any information on the above.
We’re excited to announce a powerful new addition to our training fleet – a HIAB with Brick Grab attachment!
This latest equipment upgrade means even more hands-on, real-world training opportunities for our candidates. Whether you’re after novice, experienced or refresher training, you’ll now gain valuable experience using a hydraulic lorry loader fitted specifically for handling heavy brick and block loads – a key skill in construction and logistics sectors.
You will benefit from:
A fully operational HIAB with brick grab
Realistic, job-ready training scenarios
Expert instructors with industry experience
An RTITB certificate
Book your training today and get ahead with practical skills!
Call 01945 880155 or or email training@ctservicesltd.co.uk to find out more!
Yawn Marketing has put together an exclusive offer for Chamber Members. They will audit your existing email setup from the perspective of a customer signing up and provide practical suggestions for improving email communications from the outset.
No email marketing tools? Fear not, you can still make the most of this offer. Yawn will make five email marketing suggestions connected to tooling, data capture and possible themes for your email marketing content to give you an idea on how to get started.
To take advantage of this offer, please email info@yawnmarketing.co.uk with the subject ‘Email Audit’, and the team will get in touch.
Workplace drug testing has long been a vital tool for Norfolk employers looking to protect their staff, maintain productivity, and comply with health and safety regulations. Most Norfolk businesses rely on standard drug test panels that screen for well-known substances such as Cannabis, Cocaine, and Opiates. But new research suggests there may be a blind spot in many UK companies drug testing policies — one that could leave employers exposed to rising risks.
An increasingly popular drug among young people is slipping under the radar of standard workplace testing. Not only is its use on the rise, but reports also show it is now being used to bulk out more expensive substances like Cocaine and MDMA. This means many users don’t even realise they’ve taken it, making the risks in workplace environments even harder to manage. The effects include impaired judgement, slower reaction times, and disorientation — all of which can pose serious safety issues, particularly in industries involving machinery, driving, or manual work.
For employers, the implications are clear: failing to your drug testing policy could mean missing a substance that directly impacts staff wellbeing, workplace safety, and overall performance. Businesses employing younger demographics or operating in safety-critical roles are especially advised to review their drug screening policies.
Comprehensive drug testing kits that include emerging substances are already available, including ultra-sensitive drug test kit panels designed to give employers full peace of mind. Taking proactive steps now could protect your business from costly accidents, absenteeism, or compliance issues in the future.
We’re beyond thrilled with our brand-new window graphics – designed by the super-talented team at @indevelopment.studio and installed to perfection by @SPPDigital 🙌
They’ve taken our ideas and turned them into something that perfectly represents Smash: bold, creative, and a little bit quirky (just like us!).
Every time we walk by the office now, it feels so us – and we absolutely love it.
Big shoutout to both teams for bringing our personality to life on glass.
Pop by and see the new graphics in person – they’re hard to miss!
As Age UK Norwich prepared to mark its 80 Years in the Making celebrations with a landmark exhibition at The Forum (held earlier in August this year), an unexpected story from the past resurfaced, reconnecting a local journalist with an article he wrote more than five decades ago.
While searching through their archives, Age UK Norwich staff uncovered a 1971 newspaper clipping featuring Emily and Billy, a Norwich couple speaking candidly about the challenges of making ends meet on a pension at Christmas. A quote from the article, written by Evening News journalist Rob Kirk, was shared on the charity’s social media. A friend tagged Rob in the post, sparking a touching rediscovery of his own words.
The article was written by journalist Rob Kirk after Age Concern (now Age UK Norwich) produced a report on pensioner incomes, and Rob decided to find out what it was like to live on a pension at Christmas. Rob still has the original article in his personal archive.
Journalist reflects on the past
Rob said: “It was quite a shock – and a bit flattering. It was even more surprising to find that I had the article in my files at home.”
The rediscovery of Rob Kirk’s 1971 article highlights the richness of Age UK Norwich’s archives, and the ways these historic records can spark new conversations today. It demonstrates how the charity’s story is deeply interwoven with the lives of older people in Norwich – and how the digital age can unexpectedly reconnect people across generations.
Stories with lasting impact
Megan Durrant, Communications and Marketing Lead at Age UK Norwich, said: “It was such a lovely surprise to connect with Rob. When we were looking back through content for our archive, we couldn’t believe how much was there… The fact that Rob remembers Emily and Billy so fondly is a lasting legacy to the impact our work has. To get to know one of our clients is to be forever changed: by their rich stories and past, and by the wisdom they share. I’m immensely pleased Rob has the article still and hope we can connect even more people who have supported our charity over the last 80 years with these fond and precious memories.”
Life in 1971
On reviewing the article and its contents, Rob reflected: “Life was tough. Their four gas radiators were only switched on for an hour each morning, and only again if Mrs Thoules felt chilly. I asked what they’d do if they had a bit more money, and Mr Thoules said he’d like to give Emily – a mother of five – a good holiday.”
Challenges that remain today
Sadly, for many pensioners in Norwich and Norfolk today, the struggle to balance heating, food, and daily essentials remains a pressing issue. Age UK Norwich continues to see first-hand the challenges faced by those on limited incomes, which is why our work to connect people with the support they are entitled to is so vital. In the past year alone we have helped unlock over £2 million in unclaimed benefits and financial support for older people in Norwich and Norfolk.
Dan Skipper, Chief Executive of Age UK Norwich, said: “Emily and Billy’s story is not just history, it’s still the reality for too many older people in our community. The cost-of-living crisis means we are meeting people every day who, like the Thoule’s family in 1971, are making impossible choices about whether to heat their homes or enjoy a modest treat. Our recent success in unlocking £2 million of unclaimed financial support is a reminder that help is out there – but that older people need champions to make sure they can access it.”
80 years of impact
This rediscovery is more than nostalgia. It illustrates Age UK Norwich’s legacy of supporting, listening, and advocating for older people for eight decades. The 80 Years in the Making exhibition, along with the charity’s work to digitise its full archive for use in reminiscence projects, is not just a look back, it is an opportunity to connect communities with their shared history, and to reflect on how much has changed, and how much remains the same, for older people today.