Member News

Twelve of East Anglia’s most innovative food and drink brands showcased their wares this week’ at the NEC’s Farm Shop & Deli Show. They were brought together within an eye-catching pavilion created by the Broadland Food Innovation Cluster which helps build a platform to celebrate the exciting produce being created in the region. Two of the producers took home medals from the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards and all the producers went home with invaluable contacts and potential new business orders. Tony Bower of Suffolk drinks brand Niche Cocktails said: “Delighted with such great reaction and love for all our range at the Farm Shop & Deli Show. Huge thanks to FD Food Innovation Cluster – we saw existing clients, got new stockists and engaged with new wholesalers; a perfect mix to boost our sales and reach.” The Food Innovation Cluster aims to celebrate creative food sector businesses and increase the rate of food and drink processed in Norfolk and Suffolk by supporting and nurturing SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) and start-ups. The Broadland Food Innovation Centre project fully funded the exhibition space and hand-picked some of the most exciting and innovative brands from the region. Marietta Hickman of Norfolk’s premium granola brand Cheeky Nibble, explained “The Food Cluster did an exceptional job creating a pavilion that drew attention and helped showcase my brand to its full potential. We left with lots of interesting leads and feeling very inspired by the other businesses at the show.” Announced during the show at Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards were a couple of local winners: Ambry Free Range Turkey Bacon was given a silver medal award and The Little Oinker Original salami went home with a bronze. Elliott Bloomfield of Ambry Fine Foods said: “We won our first award – a Farm Shop & Deli Show 2023 Silver Product Award. This was judged by an expert panel and is an endorsement not just on taste but also branding and packaging. This gives us confidence that we are doing the right things and that our product is well set to sell in the independent sector. We are extremely grateful to BFIC for giving us the opportunity to showcase our product at such a brilliant event.” The £11.4 million Broadland Food Innovation Centre project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, with additional funding and delivery by Broadland District Council, Hethel Innovation and University of East Anglia. For Further information, PR Contacts: Polly Robinson: polly@pollyrobinson.co.uk 07966 475195

• Ambry Foods – turkey bacon
• Artisan Drinks  – premium mixers
• Cheeky Nibble – granola
• Farmyard Frozen – chef-produced frozen meals
• Good to Go Ltd – granola
• Herbarium – alcohol-free award-winning botanical spirits
• Lane Farm/ Suffolk Salami – sausages, dry cured bacon and ham and charcuterie produced on the family pork farm
• Niche Cocktails – premium canned cocktails
• Old Rectory Preserves – artisan jellies, chutneys and marmalade
• Paddy & Scott’s – craft coffee
• PrepKing – nutritious ready-cooked meals delivered to your door
• Weddell and Turner – gluten-free cakes and biscuits

Flights to eight holiday destinations with UK leading holiday brand TUI mark the start of a busy summer schedule at Norwich Airport this week (1-7 May 2023). A twice-weekly service to Menorca and Dalaman gets underway, as well as flights to Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Ibiza and Paphos, which will all operate once a week. In addition, TUI is offering flights to Majorca three times a week and has twice-weekly, year-round flights to Tenerife. In total, there are 14 destinations in seven countries being offered from Norwich Airport in 2023/24. Earlier this year, KLM launched extra year-round flights to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and now operates up to four return trips a day. The service provides access to over 270 worldwide destinations through its global network of international onward connections. In addition, Loganair operates a six-day service to Aberdeen which is popular with business travellers and Blue Islands makes a welcome return with a twice-weekly service to Jersey from 13 May. Richard Pace, Managing Director of Norwich Airport, said: “With the start of TUI’s extensive summer schedule this week, we’re gearing up for a particularly busy time at Norwich Airport. We’re delighted to be offering such a wide range of sunshine holiday destinations for our passengers to book from their local airport. Our growing number of flights means that there is even more choice for travellers, whether for business or leisure, and we’re looking forward to a very successful year ahead.” Fourteen destinations are currently available from Norwich Airport including:

• Cyprus: Paphos
• Greece: Corfu, Crete, Rhodes
• Lapland: Enontekiö, Pajala
• Netherlands: Amsterdam
• Spain: Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca, Tenerife
• Turkey: Dalaman
• UK: Aberdeen, Jersey

To view the current schedule, click here. For more information, visit Norwich Airport’s website at www.norwichairport.co.uk  

Dads and other male family members receiving support from a leading children’s hospice came together for a jam-packed day of fun and workshops. The all-day event was hosted by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in conjunction with the StrongMen charity. It took place at The Nook – EACH’s hospice near Norwich – but was also for dads, grandfathers, male carers and older male siblings connected to the charity’s other hospices, in Ipswich and near Cambridge. It was for those whose children currently access services, as well as those who are bereaved. They came together for a selection of tailormade sessions, all run by top coaches in their field. There were workshops on nutrition, self-defence, fitness, psychoeducation, wellbeing, coaching and survival techniques and there was also an osteopath on site to offer support and advice. Most of the activities took place outside and there were welcome drinks to start with, followed by lunch and refreshments throughout. The day then finished with a barbecue. Lucy Hynes, EACH Groups and Events Coordinator, said: “It was a huge success and very positive experience. “Friendships were made and it was a great opportunity for dads and male family members to meet and share their experiences, while learning new skills and having fun. “The feedback was superb and we’re sincerely grateful for the support we received from StrongMen. “The wonderful team were just brilliant and the choice of activities perfect.” StrongMen was set up initially to support men following bereavement and the free EACH event took place on Saturday (29^th April). Seventeen men took part, in addition to two of EACH’s Service Managers, Nathan Muskett and Mike Higgins, and The Nook counsellor Andy Jaggard. Efrem Brynin, co-founder of StrongMen, said: “It was amazing to be there and all of us felt privileged to meet and support the guys from EACH. “They’re outstanding individuals, backed by an amazing facility and team. “To listen to the dads and male family members and hear what they do and go through every day was truly humbling. “We hope the support we delivered helps their wellbeing in some way and genuinely look forward to working together in the future. “These men are truly amazing.” For more information about StrongMen, head to www.StrongMen.org.uk (Social Media: @StrongMenOrgUk).  

Norwich and London based architectural practice LSI Architects has announced the appointment of four new Associate Directors to its senior management team. Architects Rob Ruffles, David Bannister and Louise Knights and Architectural Technologist Steven Cotton have all been promoted to Associate Director. The four new Associate Directors are each examples of LSI Architects commitment to ‘growing their own’, whereby the practice seeks to recruit people at the beginning of their careers and develop talent internally through making significant investments in its team. The approach has seen LSI Architects recognised as one of the best employers in the construction industry through initiatives such as Best Companies To Work For (previously the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For) and the Best Employers Eastern Region programme. The practice has also recently been named a finalist in the Architects Journals’ AJ100 Employer of the Year Award. The Associate Director role will see each of Rob, David, Louise and Steven build on their experience of managing teams to deliver projects as well as introducing responsibilities such as business development & leading projects as a Project Director. Current Director Rupert Kitchen commented: “Rob, David, Louise and Steven have all shown that they are ready to take their next steps towards leading our business. These promotions to Associate Director are recognition that each of them have been instrumental in establishing successful relationships with a number of clients and are now leading teams within the practice, always supporting their colleagues with fairness, empathy and demonstrating a selflessness with their time and energies to manage the demands of projects and protect their teams. As the current leaders of the business we have made a conscious decision to succeed ourselves from within – this is our ‘grow our own’ mantra. A huge amount of effort goes into developing our people, combined with significant investment, but we remain totally committed to continuing our philosophy which has seen us recognised as one of the best employers in the construction industry, something we are extremely proud of. Rob, David, Louise and Steven all initially joined us at the outset of their careers and have been supported through their professional qualifications. We are so pleased to be able to share this news which evidences that we are succeeding in our ambition to ‘grow our own’. Chief Executive Officer Ben Goode commented: “It’s been a challenging time to be operating in the construction industry, with so much uncertainty around, but this announcement is testament to the fact that we are looking forwards to the year ahead with a real sense of optimism. Our forward look relating to projects is the best it has ever been and this is in large part because of the commitment the business has to developing its people. We know that Rob, David, Louise and Steven will play a key role in this success by leading their teams and reinforcing relationships with our clients and we wish them every success in their new roles.” New Associate Director Steven Cotton commented: “Since joining LSI Architects as a trainee in 2008, I have enjoyed nothing but support from so many generous and talented people across the business and I know Rob, Louise and David say the same. We are now all excited to be continuing our own development and take on new responsibilities but, first and foremost, we are excited by the opportunity to pay back all of the support that we have received to develop people across the business so that we can continue to actively grow our own.” Each of Rob, David, Louise and Steven have been key to the realisation of many notable projects across the region with specific examples including the soon-to-be-completed Priscilla Bacon Hospice, UTC Norfolk, Norwich City’s Lotus Academy building at Colney as well as numerous projects at the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn. In addition to LSI Architects’ four new Associate Directors, Architect Chris Lappin and Marketing Manager Karl Brooks have been promoted to Associate. Norwich City Football Club’s Lotus Academy Building Image of Priscilla Bacon Hospice which is currently under construction Hickling House and Barton House Student Residences at the University of East Anglia The LSI Architects team at Norwich Cathedral  

Leading regional law firm, Howes Percival has announced seven senior promotions in Norwich, including new partner, Jamie Childs. 

Patrick Manning and Jonathan Parker have been promoted to the level of Director, while Phillippa Summerlee, Joseph Keeping, Paula Cole and Jean Herring have been made senior associates.  

Geraint Davies, Howes Percival’s Chairman commented, “I’d like to congratulate everyone on their promotions which acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and invaluable contribution these individuals have made to Howes Percival. As a firm we have a reputation for promoting from within and it is great to be able to reward so many people this year for their exceptional efforts in supporting our clients. 

“The firm has had a really successful year and this achievement has been driven by exceptional people, working really hard together.  Our people have been at the heart of that and consistently provided excellent service to our clients, which has enabled us to capitalise on the opportunities that have arisen. Investment in people, through both external appointments and nurturing our existing talent, is key to our strategy, our continued success and growth.”      

Partner level appointments

Jamie Childs – specialism: commercial property and planning

Jamie is a specialist planning solicitor with a particular focus on securing legally robust and deliverable planning permissions for clients. Jamie’s experience includes advising on a number of significant, high profile and contentious residential development projects and he has a proven track record of negotiating complex planning agreements on some of the largest development projects in the region. 

Director level appointments

Patrick Manning – specialism: Insolvency and Corporate Recovery

Jonathan Parker – specialism: Commercial Property: Social Housing 

Senior Associate appointments

Phillippa Summerlee – specialism: Dispute Resolution/Litigation

Joseph Keeping – specialism: Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts

Paula Cole – specialism: Commercial Property

Jean Herring – specialism: Commercial Property 

Howes Percival is ranked in the ‘UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work For 2022′ and is also ranked 8^th Best Law Firms in the country to work for. The firm provides a full-service legal offering across a wide range of specialist sectors. For more information visit: https://www.howespercival.com/ 

Image provided by Howes Percival of Jamie Childs

National women’s footwear retailer, Moda in Pelle, is opening its doors in Chantry Place Norwich on Wednesday 7^th June 2023. The new store will be located on the lower ground floor, opposite Lush, and will feature a range of its high quality, on-trend products. The store opens with a new spring summer collection, providing a stunning selection of glamorous sandals, court shoes, trainers and flats. All are beautifully crafted and finished to the highest standard at an affordable price. Moda in Pelle designs all products in-house, with the customer’s comfort in mind, offering pieces perfect for both work and leisure. Paul McCarthy, general manager of Chantry Place, comments: “The opening of Moda in Pelle will be a fantastic addition to Chantry Place, with its wide range of stylish women’s shoes and quality bags and accessories, and it will be the first store in the region, so we are very happy that they have chosen to open at the Centre. Of course, we are also due to welcome Urban Outfitters soon, so this is set to be a fantastic year for the Centre.” Jacob Snell, head of retail at Moda in Pelle, said: “We are very excited about the Norwich opening. Our brand new store concept will trade at just under 2,000 feet and we are hiring a team of 10 to really bring the products to life, offering a memorable and enjoyable experience. It is a fantastic opportunity for Moda in Pelle, a brand that has continued to grow since first opening its doors in 1975. We are looking forward to meeting all of our customers.” For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk or follow chantryplacenorwich on social media.

MAD-HR is delighted to announce that we have become an official sponsor and supporter of Hethel Engineering Centre and Scottow Enterprise Park. These two superb business incubation sites in Norfolk are already home to some great start-ups and entrepreneurial projects, which look set to make their mark in East Anglia in the years ahead. In recent times, we’ve been providing retained HR consultancy to a number of residents within these venues, and we very much see our sponsorship agreement as the next step in showing our ongoing commitment and support. As a business, we’ve always been passionate about collaboration and mutually championing others. Becoming a sponsor in this way is testament to that philosophy, and we very much look forward to sharing with you future news about events and activities we plan to run in association with Hethel and Scottow. This text was originally written by MAD-HR Ltd. Copyright © 2023 MAD-HR Ltd. All rights reserved: https://www.mad-hr.co.uk/blog/announcing-new-sponsor-agreement

Every April there are statutory increases that could affect your business. Here are some of the key ones you will need to be aware of this April. Effective from 1 April 2023 UK National Living Wage age 23 and over For workers aged 23 and over the hourly rate of pay will be £10.42. An increase of 92 pence per hour, (9.7%) from £9.50. This is the largest ever increase to the NLW and ensures that the NLW continues to track to reach the Governments target of two thirds of median earnings by 2024. Minimum Wage for 21 to 22-year-olds Employees and workers aged 21 to 22 inclusive will see an increase to £10.18, £1 per hour more than the current rate of £9.18 (10.9%) Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds Employees and workers aged 18 to 20 inclusive will see an increase to £7.49, 66 pence per hour more that the current rate of £6.83 (9.6%) Minimum Wage for 16 to 17-year-olds Employees and workers under 18 years of age but above the compulsory school leaving age will increase to £5.28, 47 pence per hour more than the current rate of £4.81 (9.7%) Minimum Wage for Apprentices Apprentices under 19, or over 19 and in the first year of an apprenticeship will have an increase in pay to £5.28, 47 pence per hour more than the current rate of £4.81 (9.7%) Family Friendly Increases from 2 April 2023 Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) In the tragic even that an employee loses their child, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, they will be entitled to take statutory time off. This will increase to £172.48 per week or 90% of the employees weekly earnings if this is lower. In order to qualify for the following Statutory leave, employees must have been continuously employed for 26 weeks or more by the end of the 15^th week before a baby is due. This is known as the qualifying week. You must also earn over the lower earnings limit, currently £123 per week. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Statutory maternity leave lasts for up to 52 weeks. The first six weeks of maternity leave will beat 90% of the employees average weekly earnings. The following 33 weeks at the statutory rate of £172.48 or 90% of employees weekly earnings if this is lower, with the final 13 weeks at nil pay. Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) The statutory rate for this will increase to £172.48 per week or 90% of the employees weekly earnings if this is lower. Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) The statutory rate for this will increase to £172.48 per week or 90% if the employees weekly earnings if this is lower. Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) Statutory adoption leave lasts for up to 52 weeks. The first six weeks will be paid at 90% of the employees average weekly earnings. The following weeks will be paid at the statutory rate of £172.48 or 90% of the employees weekly earnings is this is lower with the final 13 weeks at nil pay. Increases from 6 April 2023 Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) SSP can be paid to employees for up to 28 weeks subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Employers have a duty to pay the statutory minimum for this period of time. Employees will now receive £109.40 per week. This is an increase of £10.05 per week. The first three days of any absence are considered ‘waiting days’ in which SSP is not payable. SSP will start from day four of the absence. Statutory Redundancy Pay Statutory redundancy pay is only applicable when an employee has a minimum of two years service. The maximum limit on a week’s pay for calculating redundancy pay is increasing to £643 from £571 per week. The maximum amount of Statutory redundancy pay they will be able to claim is £19,290. Statutory Guarantee Pay (SGP) SGP is the payment made whilst an employee is laid off (asked not to work) and is a daily rate paid on any days where an employee is laid off, to a maximum of a normal working week, every 13 weeks. The daily rate will be increased to £35 per day from £31. Maximum basic award for Unfair Dismissal Should an employee feel that they have been unfairly dismissed and they have been employed by you for a period of over two years, then they may be eligible to put a claim in for Unfair Dismissal. If the dismissal is found to be unfair then the employee will be entitled to up to £19,290 in compensation. (30 weeks’ pay subject to the limit of a week’s pay). The maximum compensatory award which includes losses because of their dismissal is up to £105,707. This is subject to a maximum cap of a year’s pay. If you would like to talk to a member of the team to help support you in ensuring your business is compliant, please call us today. This text was originally written by MAD-HR Ltd. Copyright © 2023 MAD-HR Ltd. All rights reserved: https://www.mad-hr.co.uk/blog/confirmation-of-statutory-increases-for-2023

What does your mind conjure up when we say Great Yarmouth? Whether we’ve been there or not, we likely all have something come to mind. That’s the power of marketing and positive experiences. Asa Morrison is Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth, a Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) and tourism business improvement district, of which there are only three in the UK. Asa is passionate about where he lives and works, and his role is to increase support and visitors to Great Yarmouth, in a sustainable and responsible way. He chats to Chris about the issues with the public transport infrastructure, why visitors are good for ALL businesses in the area, and the issues business owners are facing with wages, costs and promotion. He discusses how Visit Great Yarmouth works with Visit East of England, and potential future central funding and the proposed Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). Asa’s career in the tourism sector is a great example of how there’s room for growth, diversity and progression in the sector, and how tourism is not ‘just a stepping stone’ to a career elsewhere. They also discuss the power of ‘the influencer’ and why businesses should be embracing technological updates arising from lockdown. You can find out more by visiting Visit Great Yarmouth online here. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us!  You can also now watch on YouTube too Click here Find more episodes from the series by visiting larking-gowen.co.uk/tourism-insights You can listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcast.  

Tireless fundraisers admitted feeling inspired and motivated after being shown around a leading children’s hospice. Nick and Elaine Loades and Kyra Welch have raised more than £34,200 after joining forces to organise events including three hugely successful balls at Holkham. All three are bereaved parents who have been supported by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Nick and Elaine’s daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis shortly after birth and died in November 2013, aged 16. She received care at EACH’s former hospice, at Quidenham. She was friends with Kyra, who suffered her own devastating loss when son Kaiden died in October 2021. He had Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), detected after 18 weeks of Kyra’s pregnancy. Having had open-heart surgery after just three days, he defied doctors by living until he was eight and half. Kyra was supported by EACH and continues to attend monthly bereavement support groups, at The Nook. As a way of showing their appreciation, Nick, Elaine and Kyra have become dedicated champions of the charity and their three fundraising balls alone – two before lockdown and one in November – raised more than £16,500. The latter was held in memory of both Ellie and Kaiden. “Fundraising gives me a focus and something to channel my energy into,” said Kyra, from Wicken Green, near Fakenham. “It feels a part of me now and I can’t imagine not doing it. “I didn’t know what to expect when we started organising the first ball and was nervous no-one would turn up. “As it turns out, we had so much love and support and thankfully that’s continued. “It’s been amazing and for last year’s ball we managed to sell 250 tickets. “We’ve got another one coming up in November and the same number of tickets were snapped up and sold in just 48 hours. “We’re so grateful to everyone who gets involved. It makes all the hard work worthwhile and it’s great to support EACH. “It’s a charity that has always been there for us because we were supported throughout Kaiden’s life. “I can’t imagine doing it without them and, even now, it’s a source of great help because I attend monthly bereavement groups. “I also have one-to-one sessions and it’s invaluable. “I used to feel alone but, thanks to my counselling, don’t anymore. Instead, I feel supported and aware that others are going through the same thing and in the same situation.” Kyra, Nick and Elaine were recently given a guided tour of The Nook by Community Fundraising Manager Tina Burdett. It was the first time Nick and Elaine, from Colkirk, near Fakenham, had been there as Ellie received her care at Quidenham. The Nook only opened in November 2019. “Fundraising is our way of giving something back and to have raised as much as we have makes me very happy and proud,” said Nick. “I can’t imagine going through something like we did without EACH. “Or rather, I can imagine it and it would be absolutely horrendous. “I didn’t know which way to turn at the time but, fortunately, we had so much care and support. “Just knowing there’s always someone on the end of a phone made the world of difference. We appreciated it so much. “There were so many little things, like the hand and foot casts that were taken the day after Ellie died. We treasure them but wouldn’t have them, had it not been for EACH. “I was blown away by what I saw at The Nook. “It’s an amazing place, bigger than I expected and certainly very different to Quidenham. “Coming here has made me feel even stronger about supporting EACH. “I’m even more determined and it’s amazing to think our efforts have contributed in some way, to help make the hospice such an incredible place.” Two cheque presentations recently took place – one with The Countess of Leicester of Holkham, reflecting the money raised from the balls, and one with EACH Community Fundraiser Ellie Miller. The latter was for more than £27,600. Both were received on behalf of Nick, Elaine and Kyra’s respective charities – Ellie’s Love and Kaiden’s Big Fight. The trio have other fundraisers in the pipeline, including a barn dance in June and a skydive at Beccles in August. Attention then switches to their next ball, at Holkham, in November. “This year’s ball will be especially poignant as the previous day will mark ten years since we lost Ellie,” said Nick. “Kaiden would also have been ten so there are two huge milestones there. “I can’t believe where the time’s gone. It’s flown by and doesn’t seem possible.” Nick, Elaine and Kyra are keen to thank everyone who has supported them with their fundraising. This includes Burn Valley Catering, for all their help previously and for agreeing to be the main sponsor of November’s ball. They are also grateful to Adrian Gladwin, of Diss Event Photography, and Sue Huckle, of Posh Plants, for their continued support, and The Countess of Leicester, who donated the use of the Lady Elizabeth Wing at Holkham. Last year’s main event sponsor was Jem Lake Handmade Kitchens and Interiors. The prosecco arrival sponsors were Vertex Architecture and Ollie Ridout, from West Norfolk Farriery, and the other event sponsors were Oak Frames Norfolk Ltd, Chequers Financial Planning Ltd, J Walker Carpentry, Hollie Webb Slimming World, Hollie Webb Travel, Hanworth Timber Company Ltd, Economy Plant Hire and Aggregates Ltd, BAM Nuttall, Scribbles Pre-School Group, in North Elmham, Jade Borley Illustrates, Halls Power Equipment Ltd and Halls Property Service Ltd. Kyra has recorded two special videos about Kaiden, including one beautifully voiced by her son himself. The second was played at last year’s ball.

Exciting news! Credo Capital Finance are thrilled to announce that we have won the prestigious Business Moneyfacts Award category ‘Asset Finance Broker of The Year’ This award recognises the hard work and dedication of our entire team in providing exceptional financial services to businesses across the country. The Business Moneyfacts Awards, which took place on Thursday 20^th April at the Evolution Battersea, London, are the industry’s most highly respected awards, recognising the best products and services in the financial sector. Winning the Asset Finance Broker of the Year award is a significant achievement for Credo and The STAR Group, as it demonstrates the company’s exceptional performance and commitment to providing its clients with outstanding service. We are grateful to our customers for trusting us with their financial needs and for allowing us to help them achieve their business goals. Winning this award would not have been possible without your support and loyalty. Upon receiving the award, The STAR Group expressed its gratitude for the recognition and thanked the judges for their impartial assessment. The company also praised its team of experts who work hard to ensure that clients receive the best possible service and support. Jim Higginbotham, CEO of the STAR Group said “Winning the Asset Finance Broker of the Year award is a tremendous honour for us, and we are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to providing exceptional financial solutions to our clients. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that we deliver the best possible service, and this award is a testament to their hard work and dedication.” Lewis Buckley, Head of Sales at Credo added, “We are grateful to our clients for their continued support and trust in us. We will continue to work hard to provide them with the best possible financial solutions that meet their specific needs.” And secondly, our CEO Jim Higginbotham won a National Leadership Award! Jim’s honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and strong work ethics have been highlighted through the shortlisting, values that we believe are cornerstones of any successful business, and certainly reflect the way we want to work with our customers, so we are delighted to see this recognised. We are incredibly proud that the STAR Group have won three National Awards within the last 6 months, including ‘Asset Finance Broker of The Year’ at the Leasing World Gold Awards in November 22.  We are proud of our achievements, and we take pride in serving our customers with excellence and exceeding your expectations.

Norfolk-based BLS Safety and Training has extended its product offering to include a three-tier range of health and safety consultancy retainer packages. It is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 that all businesses and the self-employed must have access to competent health and safety advice. Health and safety consultancy has long been a core service offered by BLS Safety and Training, and Managing Director Justin Cowles is now pleased to offer a number of consultancy retainer packages to help local Norfolk businesses meet these requirements. The business has launched Bronze, Silver and Gold level retainer packages, each providing varying levels of support and advice. The packages are designed to meet different business needs, for a range of business sizes and budgets in the current difficult economic climate. “By grouping our services into varying packages, we are helping small and large business meet the obligations of health and safety legislation,” explains Justin Cowles, BLS Safety and Training managing director. “This is not only simplifying what can be a very daunting part of a running a business, but also provides good value for money at a difficult time for business owners, providing 12 months of cover and all-year-round advice and support.” Even at the most basic level, the Bronze package enables businesses to name BLS Safety and Training as their retained ‘Competent Persons’, which will assist businesses to fulfil their statutory duties under Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Alongside this, all packages provide a full audit of health and safety documentation, on-hand advice, and regular updates on legislation and guidelines, as well as access to health and safety documentation. The packages provide business owners with 12 months of cover, and when the 12 months is coming to an end, BLS Safety and Training will make contact before the renewal date to ensure businesses are covered. The Silver and Gold packages also include bespoke documentation and SSIP accreditation assistance, as well as varying levels of workplace visits and support with RAMS documentation. A long-time member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), business owner and manager Justin has a wealth of experience in an array of industry sectors, including equestrian, agriculture, healthcare, leisure, hospitality and events. Alongside health and safety consultancy, the BLS Safety and Training team provides fire risk assessments, face fit testing, and training courses for businesses and organisations throughout Norwich and Norfolk. For more information on the services offered by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce member BLS Safety and Training, please visit the website: https://www.blstraining.co.uk/ Images provided by BLS Safety and Training of the Retainer Packages and Managing Director, Justin Cowles