35 minute read
Training & Development 16
Any exposure to technology is beneficial, even though it will all be different by the time today’s students become employees. Far from the pandemic being a time of ‘lost’ learning, many students have become more independent users of technology over recent months – using it to keep in touch with friends and family, for entertainment, to learn how to do things that interest them from YouTube videos and – most significantly – to learn online from home. This autonomy and their new-found proficiencies stand them in good stead for their future employment, whether that will be adapting to changing technologies or coping with the more flexible, hybrid working between home and the office that is now becoming a reality.
Working together now, for the future
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Employers can certainly benefit from engaging more closely with the tech-savvy cohort of young people currently progressing through the education system. By investing in students’ futures by hosting them for work experience placements, employers give them their first taste of the world of work and how technology is applied. And they can go further than this. Apprentices bring a myriad of benefits to companies as often, as part of their qualification requirements, they will need to learn and explore a range of technical, interpersonal and problemsolving skills that reach right across the business, which gives them experience and expertise that other employees don’t have. Importantly, apprentices can help companies address any digital skills gaps by bringing knowledge from the various solutions they’ve used at school or college and working on their development, application and use together with existing staff – sharing information with others to create stronger and more proficient teams.
Balancing needs
In return however, companies will need to recognise the importance of technology to their latest employees. These new recruits are not only tech-savvy but have also been taught to be creative problem solvers throughout their education. Businesses should be aware that increasingly, if they continue to use legacy technology without good reason or have inflexible digital practices, the talented new recruits they attract may find it frustrating to work with, especially if they know how to do things faster or more efficiently with different tools. Then it becomes a question of balancing the needs of the talent you have specifically recruited (and want to retain!) with the requirements of the business and its willingness to adapt and change with the times.
Human skills still rule
Of course, technology won’t be the answer to everything in the workplace of the future. The world of businesses is based on human interaction, so we’ll still need those problem solving, faceto-face communication, empathy and social abilities. However, the combination of these with thoroughly embedded tech knowledge and digital skills – plus greater employer engagement with schools and colleges over the years to come − will make for an increasingly capable and productive workforce.
AL KINGSLEY
a member of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s Business Board and Group Managing Director of NetSupport
THOUSANDS OF NEW HOMES AND JOBS PLANNED FOR NORWICH
Plans to transform the former industrial area of east Norwich into a highly sustainable quarter for the city have taken a step forward following the recent appointment of consultants, Avison Young.
EAST NORWICH PARTNERSHIP
The consultants have now begun work on green infrastructure, enhanced connectivity and producing a masterplan for the area – biodiversity, sustainable transport links between which will be steered by the East Norwich the city centre and the Broads, and maximising the Partnership (ENP) – a public-private body area’s river regeneration potential. composed of a number of key stakeholders. The preparation of the masterplan officially Thanks to the work of partners, they successfully started on 4 March, with a project inception secured approximately £600,000 worth of funding meeting between the consultant team and the to cover the costs of developing the master plan partnership. As a result, the first steps will be and associated project fees – money which was to begin an engagement strategy in the summer sourced from a mixture of Towns Deal funding with landowners, key members and committees. from government as well public and private During this period we funding from members will also be seeking of the partnership. public opinion on what Once the traditional residents might like to industrial heartland of Key to this will be the see delivered on this the city, the masterplan area for east Norwich views of our residents site. Graham Nelson, director covers three main sites: which will be an of place for Norwich Carrow Works The Deal Ground (and former May Gurney site) important part of the consultation process City Council, said: “East Norwich presents the city with a regeneration opportunity that could The Utilities Site for the project and will be transformational. With much preparation and engagement work ensure we take on board “We remain committed to maximising the to be done over the coming year or so, the all the different voices as regeneration potential of this site, as we have east Norwich site holds the key to the council’s we move forward. for many years. aspirations to unlock its potential and deliver thousands of homes and “There are a number of important stepping stones for this important project with the masterplan expected to jobs. be complete by March 2022. The brief for the masterplan has a vision which “Key to this will be the views of our residents includes the creation of a highly sustainable new quarter of the city, with the potential to harness a range of economic, social and environmental benefits. which will be an important part of the consultation process for the project and will ensure we take on board all the different voices as we move forward. In addition to supporting substantial housing and “We will publish a timetable of all our various employment growth, the masterplan will enable important activities on our website as soon as we exemplary development to be delivered from a can so that everyone can have their say on such sustainability point of view, including high quality an important regeneration project for the city, its residents and businesses.”
FUNDING BOOST FOR HARDEST-HIT BUSINESSES
Businesses that are continuing to be severely affected by the coronavirus restrictions can now apply to their local councils for further government funding.
SOUTH NORFOLK AND BROADLAND COUNCIL
www.southnorfolkandbroadland. gov.uk/council The new Fixed Costs Support Grant, most, with many unable to operate at all since last distributed to local businesses by South March. This money will come as a welcome relief Norfolk and Broadland Council, will support and help them get through the last few weeks of those sectors still subject to trading restrictions, restrictions.” including businesses that operate within events, The grant is the third round of support to come conferences, weddings, live entertainment, group from the Government’s Additional Restrictions travel and holidays and Grant (ARG) funding, those most dependent which has been on these sectors for available to support their turnover. This new funding will local businesses since December 2020. Councillor Lisa Neal, support some of our Under this phase of South Norfolk Cabinet Member for Stronger worst-hit businesses and the scheme, support is limited to certain Economy, said: “This new funding will help ensure that when business sectors, meaning the councils support some of our restrictions lift, they are are unable to consider worst-hit businesses and help ensure that when restrictions lift, they ready to reopen and bounce back. applications from retail, self-contained holiday accommodation, takeaways, those that are ready to reopen and operate within the bounce back.” personal care sector or any other business able Broadland District to reopen since 12 April Council’s Portfolio holder for Economic 2021. Development, Councillor Jo Copplestone, said: “It’s Businesses can check if they are eligible and been a tough year for most of our local businesses, apply at www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/businessbut the tourism, events and entertainment sector suppport or https://www.broadland.gov.uk/ has fared worse than coronavirus/businesses
SURVEY REVEALS OPTIMISM OF PETERBOROUGH SMES
Peterborough’s SME businesses believe there is a mixed outlook for firms in the region, but that trends demonstrate stronger performances than in 2020, according to a new report.
The 2021 Greater Peterborough Survey, undertaken in March by UK-wide regional accountancy and business advisor Azets in conjunction with Opportunity Peterborough, shows that nearly two-thirds (65%) expect to enjoy either a stronger or much stronger performance over the next 12 months.
A growing proportion of respondents also indicate they plan to invest in higher staffing levels and more capital projects. More businesses had a stronger performance last year (47%) than the year before (44%), the survey concludes in what is its eighth year. COVID-19 has impacted on local businesses in completely opposite ways, some having the best year ever, while others had little or no income and have struggled to survive. A significant swing in those showing a weaker performance - nearly doubling to 40% - is attributed to the effects of the virus, and businesses experiencing little or no impact are in the minority. In contrast, a large majority of those surveyed claim there will be no impact on them from Brexit,
although a quarter indicated a negative impact. The main change from last year is that now very few firms suggest that Brexit will have a positive impact. According to the survey, approximately 22% of businesses expect to seek larger premises in the next five years, similar to recent years, although with the advent of working from home, 29% of respondents indicate they might reduce office space going forward. However, recruitment issues including finding the right skills continue to be one of the major challenges businesses in the region face.
Mark Jackson, partner at Azets’ office on Lincoln Road, Peterborough, urges firms to take note of the report’s findings. He said: “Businesses across Greater Peterborough cover a wide variety of sectors and perhaps that is part of how we manage to be more resilient than other cities.
“Many businesses who gave their views highlighted how they have been able to adapt successfully to change. This ability is perhaps amongst the most important skills needed by leaders of any organisation.” While he hoped there wouldn’t be the need to adapt to anything remotely like COVID-19 again, the ability to be flexible would continue to be crucial in this time of great change to the economy, customer needs, staff requirements and expectations, and new technology. “The work being done by many in Peterborough to continue to develop education and skills remains vital,” he added.
Tom Hennessy, chief executive at Opportunity Peterborough, said: “Nearly every business has been impacted by lockdowns and remote working, but the effect on performance has been disparate. Last year was a very mixed year, with some businesses having their best year ever while others were struggling to survive. “Although the government put in numerous schemes to incentivise businesses to keep staff on their payroll, the jobs market has taken a knock.” However, in a promising sign of recovery, and more good news for those actively seeking employment, Peterborough had recorded the 8th highest recovery in job postings in the UK in April 2021, when compared to February 2020. Analysis from the think tank Centre for Cities also showed Peterborough was one of just nine cities to see actual growth in its local jobs markets. This was reflected in the survey too, with 40% of respondents expecting a slight increase in staffing levels. Very few were considering operating with fewer staff and nearly 50% were expecting no change. Tom said: “It’s been an unpredictable period, but with the majority of respondents expecting to achieve stronger or much stronger performance over the next 12 months there is certainly optimism for the future. “However, for some it will be tough and we’d encourage local companies to get in touch with us for free, impartial and expert support.” To view the 2021 Greater Peterborough Survey please go to https://hubs.la/H0MCD0k0
MARK JACKSON
Partner at Azets
PREFERRED BIDDER CHOSEN FOR EAST ANGLIA HUB TURBINES
ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) has selected Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) as the preferred bidder to supply and install some of the world’s most powerful and productive offshore wind turbines for its £6.5 billion East Anglia Hub programme.
This builds on the companies’ successful track record in working together to deliver the East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm, which was completed last year and has delivered significant jobs and economic benefits for the East of England. SPR and SGRE have agreed to work together ahead of the next Contracts for Difference auction – scheduled for later this year – to optimise the projects, with the ambition of then signing turbine supply and installation agreements. More than 200 next generation turbines are planned for SPR’s East Anglia ONE North, TWO and THREE projects in the southern North Sea – collectively known as the East Anglia Hub. Selecting a preferred bidder at such an early stage in the development of the Hub projects creates the opportunity for SPR and SGRE to develop the turbine design and the Hub programme hand in hand, which will help achieve further efficiencies and maximise local supply chain opportunities. The East Anglia Hub projects have the potential to deliver more than 7.5% of the UK’s 40GW target for offshore wind generation by 2030 as set out in the Government’s Ten Point Plan. To deliver on the Plan’s ambitions, this year’s Contracts for Difference auction will need to ensure sufficient deployment to put the UK on track to achieve this target. The potential supply and installation of the East Anglia Hub turbines by SGRE would enable SPR to build on the achievements of East Anglia ONE in terms of jobs and UK supply chain content. East Anglia ONE supported almost 3,500 jobs at the peak of construction and delivered 100 longterm skilled jobs, with more than half the supply chain coming from the UK market. This included SGRE manufacturing turbine blades in the UK and supporting jobs within local ports, including Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
The Hub projects would create a pipeline of continued economic investment that will support jobs and opportunities across the East of England. SPR will continue to work closely with local authorities, groups and local colleges to maximise the potential positive outcomes for local people, building on the success of East Anglia ONE. SPR will also continue to work with local stakeholders to deliver internship and projectbased work, providing young people across East Anglia with valuable work experience and industry knowledge that could set them up for a future career.
SPR is part of the Iberdrola Group, which is a world leader in renewable energy. Jonathan Cole, Offshore Managing Director of Iberdrola Renewables said: “Offshore wind is now one of the cheapest forms of renewable generation and the approach we’re taking with East Anglia Hub – in conjunction with SGRE – shows just how far the industry has come and how well placed we are to deliver the Government’s 40GW target for offshore wind within the next decade.
“Taking advantage of the most innovative with ScottishPower Renewables towards the next technology available to ensure East Anglia Hub is CfD auction to potentially construct more worldhome to some of the biggest and most productive leading wind power plants, the East Anglia Hub, turbines on the market would allow us to realise following the successful completion of the East even greater economies of scale, helping to deliver Anglia ONE project in 2020.a cleaner and greener future for us all. “We’ve already shown what we can achieve through “These projects could be significant for many our East Anglia ONE reasons, including the windfarm, which has input that it will make to been a huge success and both the UK's National represents one of the Grid and to employment biggest and the most We are delighted on the east coast of innovative offshore wind projects in the market. to be partnering England. For Siemens Gamesa, the potential And not just in terms of producing green energy and helping tackle the climate emergency, but with ScottishPower Renewables towards deployment of our most innovative offshore wind turbine would enable us in having a positive the next CfD auction to additionally aid the and tangible impact UK government's plans on people, places and to potentially construct for the green recovery businesses. The facts really do speak for more world-leading wind by delivering clean energy and meaningful themselves and position us perfectly to emulate power plants, the East employment for years to come.” that success for East Anglia Hub. Anglia Hub, following the The initial 1,400MW of “This is a really exciting successful completion power to be generated time for growing the offshore industry and, of the East Anglia ONE through the Hub projects via East Anglia with SGRE selected as project in 2020. THREE has secured our preferred bidder, planning consent. we can now take our Planning applications efforts to the next for East Anglia ONE level – building on North (800MW) and the investment, bespoke facilities and economic East Anglia TWO (900MW) are currently being benefits we’ve already delivered to support local people and jobs to create even longer-lasting examined by the UK Planning Inspectorate. legacies that benefit people and communities Subject to the outcome of the planning across the East of England.” considerations, construction of the East Anglia Andreas Nauen, CEO, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Hub is expected to commence in 2023, with Energy, said: “We are delighted to be partnering completion in 2026.
EAST ANGLIA ONE
www.scottishpowerrenewables.com
UNIQUE SUFFOLK CARE ACADEMY WINS GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Age Care Technologies, the lead partner in research carried out by Suffolk’s Integrated Care Academy, has won the 2021 World Summit for the Information Society Prize for Innovation in Healthy Ageing.
PROF. IAN PHILP
Chief executive of Age Care Technologies ACT won the prestigious award after There is also online training and education for seeing off competition from 80 digi-tech caregivers and a database of data from older companies located all over the world, populations across the globe, which provides including technologies backed by Amazon. The analytics for service redesign and planning. judges said they were impressed with its online solutions to understanding and managing the complexity of need in old age both locally and globally. The technology is easily accessible to local communities and nationwide systems. It can be used in multi cultures and geographies. The Integrated Care Academy, the first of its kind in this country, is an exciting partnership between the University of Suffolk, the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System, Suffolk County Council and Healthwatch Suffolk and others from the voluntary and community sector, such Suffolk and North East Essex will be the first pilot site in the UK to work with the digital assessment, training and analytical tools. As part of the new Integrated Care Academy, hosted by the University of Suffolk, Prof. Ian Philp is working with a local team of health and care providers. as Suffolk MIND and local hospices. They will undertake assessments and training Prof. Ian Philp, chief executive and founder of Age Care Technologies, said “Working with international experts, we see three key challenges for older people’s care worldwide. By solving these problems, we can ease loneliness, reduce unnecessary with older people and caregivers, initially in the Ipswich and Felixstowe area, then in other parts of Suffolk and North East Essex over the next three years. The first is that most of the things which pain and help people Dr Mark Shenton, local GP and Professor really matter to older people for their health to maintain an overall of Integrated Care at the ICA, is leading the and wellbeing are not reported. healthy active life. initiative locally. He said: “During 2021/22, “The second is that most people providing care for older people are not adequately educated and trained in what really matters. The third challenge is the lack of intelligent data to inform policy, resources and we will be using the online assessment tool locally with 300 older people and their family carers. From 2022 onwards, we will roll out the training for caregivers. services. “An analysis of our data will be available nationally “By solving these problems, we can ease loneliness, reduce unnecessary pain and help people to maintain an overall healthy active life. Our research over several decades has shown that we and internationally, in association with the World Health Organisation as well as to the significant benefit of health and care services in Suffolk and North East Essex.” can increase independence, reduce suffering and In continuing to deliver assessments, training add an extra year of high quality life on average.” and data analytics in health and care systems ACT’s research, involving more than 100 studies in over 50 countries, has led to the development of accessible online tools to assess the growing needs of the older population that are often unheard. worldwide, the team has ambitious targets – to improve the lives of 100 million older people by 2030 and to reduce the costs of long term care by up to 45 trillion dollars.
Regional accountancy and business advisory firm, Larking Gowen, has appointed a new partner to its Corporate Transactions team based in its Norwich office.
LARKING GOWEN
www.larking-gowen.co.uk Jack Minns qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2011, and joined Larking Gowen in 2013, working his way up to become a Director in 2020.
Jack, who grew up in Beccles on the Norfolk/ Suffolk border and studied in Norwich, has wide experience of corporate transactions including business sales, acquisitions and management buy-outs with deal values ranging between £500k and £20m.
He says it was an interest in the idea of what makes things sell that attracted him to Corporate Transactions. "It’s interesting and exciting work. Whether it’s buying or selling, these are landmark transactions, and you’re dealing directly with the business owners and decision-makers," he said.
Jack continued, "Primarily, our aim is to help businesses in East Anglia with their growth and succession plans." Larking Gowen was a natural choice for Jack as a sound base to pursue his chosen career. He says the firm has "an open and empowering culture." "Teamwork is very strong at Larking Gowen, and the Partners are very accessible and happy to speak to people on all levels within the business. The firm is ahead of the curve in employee wellbeing and engagement," he explained. As well as his role in Corporate Transactions, Jack says he is looking to contribute to the firm's expert witness and forensic accountancy work, and has been working towards this under the guidance of former Managing Partner, Jon Woolston.
Corporate Transactions and Business Advisory Partner, James Lay, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Jack into the Larking Gowen partnership. Having worked closely with him for many years, I know first-hand how he puts the delivery of great client service at the front and centre of everything he does. "Jack has earned a well-deserved reputation for advising numerous business owners on buying, selling and valuing private businesses. We’re proud to have Jack in our firm, and I’m sure he will continue to advise on many more successful deals in the years to come.”
Jack Minns
STREAMLINE YOUR BUSINESS PROCESSES WITH CRM
When it comes to productivity, it is a well-known fact that the UK’s averages are below other G7 countries and well below where it should be. But there’s no reason your own business can’t buck that trend. Part of it will be about hiring the right people, but that’s not the end of it.
You also have to make sure that they are able to work efficiently and that your business processes are streamlined.
Having streamlined business process is all about ensuring that all those tasks your team carry out are assigned to the right person, to complete at the right time, with the right resources, and without any unnecessary steps to slow things down. Talking about streamlining processes is much easier than actually doing it. In reality, it takes close examination of each stage of each process to assess whether it is being done as efficiently as possible. And that’s where your CRM system comes into play. Once you have identified a step in your processes that is causing a slow down or even an entire process that is just generally clunky, it’s time to find a way to streamline it. This could involve automating certain steps using your CRM system or just documenting the completion of them better. It’s probably easier to explain this with an example…
A Messy Sales Process
When new Leads land on your sales team’s desk, let’s assume they are distributed out equally among the team. That sales person sends out an email
introducing themselves and plans to call the person within an hour or two to kick off discussions.
If you are carrying this whole process out manually, there are lots of places where it could fall down. The distribution could be uneven, leading some people to be overly busy while others are just twiddling their thumbs…neither being good for your business. Then sending out the email brings with it the risk of someone sending out the wrong email or just missing out on sending it at all. And finally, the call…making sure that the call gets made AND notes are recorded? Knowing sales people as I do (hint: I am one), that call will get made 90% of the time. And making sure that call and notes from the call are documented somewhere central? …I wouldn’t hold my breath. With a CRM system, though, you can automate ever single step and go from a messy process to a streamlined and efficient one.
Streamlining this with a CRM
First off, instead of relying on one person to distribute new Leads or relying on the team as a whole to share, you’d be better off using Round Robin functionality. That way, the Leads are distributed equally, respecting people’s holidays. Now everyone has an equal chance of meeting their target and no one is bored or overly busy. At the same time, you can automatically send out that initial introduction email without your team having to do anything at all. It’ll will send the right email every time and even send so that it looks as though it comes from whoever the assigned sales person is. And finally, getting that call scheduled and documented? Again, use your CRM system to automatically schedule the call and set up your mandatory fields to ensure your sales people can’t save it without adding their notes. You could even add a series of custom fields (maybe tickboxes?) to outline your prospect’s requirements. That way you don’t have to rely on your sales team to write up detailed notes. They can just tick the things that apply.
Benefits of Streamlined Business Processes
This is just one example of how you can take a fairly nebulous way of doing things and turn it into a simple, three step process that achieves a set business goal. By taking the time to examine every part of your business processes and working to streamline them, with a CRM system or something else, you can improve the general efficiency of your business as a whole.
That means your team have more time for the important bits of their job. And that in turn can only improve your profitability. To talk to a member of the OpenCRM team about your CRM software can benefit your business, call 01748 473000 or visit us at
www.opencrm.co.uk. GRAHAM ANDERSON
CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.
Coun. Steve Gallant, Mark Hart, Nick Loombes, Coun. Steve Wiles, Craig Carr, Coun. Craig Rivett
LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT IN FELIXSTOWE ENTERS FINAL PHASE
As part of ongoing investment in Felixstowe’s South Seafront, the development of a new iconic café is entering the final phase.
Barnes Construction started work on the landmark building in August last year and are now entering the final phases of the development, estimated to be completed late this summer.
Once completed, the café will play a key role in helping the town as it starts recovering from the impact of Covid-19, attracting local people and visitors alike by offering indoor and outdoor dining with unspoilt views of the seafront. This will not only support tourism, but it will also help the economy by offering local employment opportunities, making the South Seafront an exciting place to visit, live, work and invest. The ambitious project is being delivered by East Suffolk Council, Barnes Construction, the Dedham Boathouse Group, Plaice Design, Superstructures and Gill Associates.
Coun. Steve Gallant, leader of East Suffolk Council and local ward member for Eastern Felixstowe, Coun. Craig Rivett, cabinet member for Economic Development, and Coun. Steve Wiles, local ward member for Eastern Felixstowe visited the site for the first time since the easing of national restrictions. All were excited to see the progress of the development and happy that work had been
able to continue despite the pandemic.
In a joint statement they said: “Despite the ongoing challenges we have all faced due to Covid-19, we are grateful that work is able to continue on this development, which will transform the South Seafront for years to come, ensuring it is a thriving place where people want to go, meet and spend their money.
“Now more than ever, this project is hugely important to Felixstowe and the local economy as not only will it provide a new eatery next to the beautiful seaside, attracting both local people and visitors, but it will also support economic growth and provide new employment opportunities as we hopefully begin to emerge from the impact of coronavirus.
“The South Seafront has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years and East Suffolk Council has invested a lot in revitalising the area. We believe it is vital that we continue to build on this investment and create developments that benefits local businesses and people as well as visitors to the area.” Mark Hart, joint managing director at Barnes Construction, said: “Through the delivery of yet another exceptional scheme, Barnes is delighted to be playing its part in shaping the landscape of this popular seaside town. I have no doubt that when completed, this iconic café will prove to be a very successful attraction to both the people of Felixstowe and its many visitors.” The development is part of a bigger project of ongoing investments in the South Seafront area, where the Martello Park has already delivered new homes, a play area and new car parking facilities. The council has also invested in the refurbishing the two public shelters on the South Seafront and the long-term maintenance of its historic Martello P, which forms the centrepiece of the park. The £1.5 million project is funded by East Suffolk Council and the Coastal Communities Fund, which was launched in 2012 to promote sustainable economic growth and jobs in coastal areas. CCF awarded the Council £950,000 grant funding which enabled the project to go ahead. Additional funding of £30,000 was also awarded from the Coastal Revival Fund.
Through the delivery of yet another exceptional scheme, Barnes is delighted to be playing its part in shaping the landscape of this popular seaside town. I have no doubt that when completed, this iconic café will prove to be a very successful attraction to both the people of Felixstowe and its many visitors.
EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL
www.anglianwater.co.uk
GOVERNMENT SURVEY FINDS ONLY A MINORITY OF UK ORGANISATIONS HAVE TESTED CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021 reported that less than a quarter of organisations have tested their cyber awareness, despite evidence from the study suggesting the cyber risk level continues to be higher than ever under COVID-19.
INTQUAL PRO
www.intqual-pro.com In a series of cyber security surveys from the UK Government, it has been highlighted that cyber security breaches remain a serious threat to all businesses. Now, Intqual-pro, developers of the globally implemented Cyber Stars Initiative, look further into the latest released survey. In the 2021 survey, 39% of businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months. While this figure is lower in comparison to the 2020 survey, many businesses are struggling to implement effective cyber security measures during the ongoing pandemic. A key finding is the methods used by cyber criminals to successfully breach the businesses. The most common is spear phishing, reported by a staggering 83% of businesses as social engineering techniques continue to be the dominant attack method.
These findings are not surprising, said Intqualpro, who noted that malicious actors rely on vulnerabilities within human awareness as an initial gateway into an organisations IT infrastructure and their attack methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Spear Phishing emails no longer have some of the identifying features that are associated with more generic phishing campaigns and developing staff confidence in identification and response to spear phishing is critical in building cyber resilience.
The vast majority of management boards understand the importance of cyber security, with 77% of businesses saying it remains a high-priority, according the survey. Despite these figures, many organisations are not taking affirmative action to increase their cyber resilience.
Testing employees is crucial in order for organisations to truly understand their knowledge and risk levels. For cyber awareness testing to be effective, organisations should look to segment knowledge and risk by individual, job function and location to implement more informed cyber security training initiatives, and an overall strategy.
Significant changes to the way we work over the past year further highlights why cyber awareness testing and informed training is more important than ever. As the UK emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect to see a “blended” working environment, which will bring more challenges for organisations from cyber risks including bring your own device (BYOD) and smart network-connect devices in the workplace.
To counter cyber risks and help organisations to make their employees their greatest cyber security defence, Intqual-pro launched Cyber Stars 365 in early 2020. The platform, part of their Cyber Stars solutions, provides 24/7, 365-day cyber security insight into a business and was developed following increased demand for metrics that highlight both knowledge and risk.
More information about Cyber Stars 365 is available via www.intqual-pro.com/cyberstars-365. Contact enquiries@intqual-pro.com to arrange a pilot trial.
HCR HEWITSONS: A LAW FIRM WITH A PASSION FOR PEOPLE
A new legal force with a passion for people is the result of a merger between two legal firms, both of which have a strong presence in the city.
Award-winning top regional lawyers Harrison Clark Rickerbys (HCR) and long-established and respected Hewitsons have merged, forming HCR Hewitsons locally. The merger completed at the end of May, resulting in a firm of approximately 780 people and £65m turnover.
The merger creates a powerful combination of strengths to benefit clients who are accustomed to in-depth expertise from both firms.
Inger Anson, who heads the Cambridge office, said: “This merger is an exciting next step in HCR’s mission to offer the market something different and in Hewitsons we have a partner which shares our ethos and passion for people.
“This merger has created a dynamic new team able to offer a genuine breadth and depth of expertise to our clients and opportunities for our staff.”
Colin Jones, former managing partner of Hewitsons, said: “The merger is great news for our staff and clients alike. Hewitsons had an absolute focus on our clients and a strong commitment to our people and HCR shares our core values. The firm’s size and breadth of specialisms means each client receives the focus it requires.”
Reflecting on the past year, he added: “This merger will increase career opportunities for staff, provide us with a platform which covers the breadth of the UK and enable our clients to benefit from the full range of legal specialisms provided by the combined full-service legal advice and strong regional network.
“All of our staff have joined the newly-merged business and, importantly, there has been no change in client service. Our clients’ point of contact will remain the same, but the depth of expertise and experience we can offer has just become even greater.”
Harrison Clark Rickerbys (trading as HCR Hewitsons in Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Northampton) has staff and partners based at offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Hereford, London, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Hereford, Thames Valley, Worcester and the Wye Valley, providing a complete spectrum of legal services to both business and private clients regionally and nationwide.
The firm has global reach via its network of independent law firms, LawExchange International.
The combined Cambridge teams will move into new premises in the coming months.
HCR HEWITSONS
www.hewitsons.com
A NEW ELECTRIC TAXI-BUS SERVICE LAUNCHES IN EAST SUFFOLK
Suffolk County Council launches Katch, a new sustainable, electric taxi-bus service in the East of the county.
SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Katch provides a travel solution for local residents and visitors in Wickham Market and Framlingham, as well as for those who need to meet their rail connections at Wickham Market train station in Campsea Ashe.
With support from East Suffolk Council, Framlingham Town Council, Community Rail Network, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, Greater Anglia and CarsSmart, Katch delivers on the commitment Suffolk councils have made to grow the region’s passenger transport in a sustainable way. It also plays a part in cutting carbon to help reach the Government’s ambition of zero emissions by 2050 and Suffolk County Council’s own target of being carbon neutral by 2030.
The Rail Network Development Fund from the Department of Transport provided a grant for the vehicles electric charging points at the train station at Campsea Ashe. Katch starts on Monday 17 May 2021 and will run as a trial for 12 months.
The service will be available seven days a week from:
6.30am to 10.30pm on Monday to Saturday
9am to 7pm on Sunday
All journeys must be booked in advance via the Katch App or telephone by calling 01728 55 44 55. The cost of a return journey is £7 and a single journey is £4.
If successful and is regularly used by commuters and rail passengers, Suffolk County Council is keen to facilitate further schemes across the county.
Councillor Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council:
“Suffolk County Council is delighted to be able to offer the new sustainable, electric taxi-bus service in the East of the county. The service will provide a travel solution for local residents and visitors in Wickham Market and Framlingham as well as for those who need to meet their train connections at Wickham Market train station in Campsea Ashe.
“It is also hoped the service will encourage more people to consider using public transport rather than relying on the car. “Following a successful trial, there is an opportunity for this type of flexible and green alternative travel to be considered across other communities in Suffolk.”
Councillor Steve Gallant, Chair of the East Suffolk Community Partnership Board:
“East Suffolk Council is really pleased to be able to support this new service which provides a flexible and accessible solution to the travel needs of local people and visitors alike. Not only does Katch support our environmental vision by offering a sustainable travel option, but it also provides a vital connection for many people who may not be able to get around easily otherwise.”
For further information about Katch, please visit www.katchalift.com
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