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John Dolan of Pel Security

the National Counter Terrorist Security Office (NaCTSO).

However, to be adequately prepared to meet government guidance in the Protect Duty, businesses and venues will be required to have produced robust plans, risk assessments and protocols that demonstrate adequate safety measures for all members of the public. Specialist support and advice will be available for businesses in the East Anglia region from companies such as PEL Security, which was set-up in response to the Protect Duty legislation. Company director John Dolan said: “The new legislation will undoubtedly cause many organisations concern, in order to successfully navigate security protocols in the confusing and daunting field of counter-terrorism. “Expert advice and expertise will be required to support businesses in the region and help to build on basic advice from NaCTSO.

“The Protect Duty will require considerable work and effort from organisations as it comes into effect. As a former CTSA working across East Anglia, I understand local needs and requirements and know that it is possible to introduce these new security protocols in a stress-free manner with the right support and advice.” See more at gov.uk/government/consultations/

protect-duty PEL SECURITY

pel-security.co.uk

Productivity East is located at the University of East Anglia Credit: Neil Hall

MAJOR NEW HUB FOCUSES ON SKILLS, PRODUCTIVITY AND ENGINEERING

Productivity East is a new centre for engineering, technology and management focused on improving productivity and addressing manufacturing global challenges.

Based at the University of East Anglia, it brings students, academics and businesses together to find innovative ways to support the region’s manufacturing and technology sectors. The £7.4m centre will help businesses discover practical solutions and innovations, with facilities including a CAD studio and robotics laboratory, plus the latest technology in 3D printers and CNC lathes and milling machines. Chris Starkie, chief executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Our manufacturing sector is worth £5.2bn and underpins productivity and innovation in other areas, so this facility is an investment in a vital part of our economy and will enable us to grow and compete nationally and internationally. “UEA is one of the region’s key delivery partners and this project, in the Priority Place area of Norwich, has been designed to improve productivity and innovation, with students, academics and businesses working together to discover practical solutions to current and future challenges.” Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Prof Fiona Lettice added: “It’s a very exciting occasion for the University, opening both a new

Facilities include a robotics laboratory

home for the School of Engineering and a major new facility for the regional manufacturing and engineering sector. “Productivity East is the result of years of collaborative working with NAAME and significant finance contribution from the New Anglia LEP. We are very grateful for the support of these and other key partners. We look forward to continue working with them and regional businesses to meet current and future productivity challenges.”

The new hub was supported with £4.5m funding from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal with government, and devised in conjunction with New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering (NAAME).

Jamie Thums MBE, NAAME Chair and Chief Operating Officer at Lintott Control Systems said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see NAAME’s intrinsic contribution to the vision of Productivity East come to fruition. The facility will be a key player in improving productivity in the area, helping to address skills gaps and offer creative solutions to meet global challenges. It’s a significant and exciting moment for the region.” Tech East has also been a key delivery partner in its development. Tech East’s Chief Operating Officer Tim Robinson added: “The opening of this new facility represents a really exciting time for Tech East and our community. The state-of-the-art equipment and links to the School of Computing Sciences at UEA represent a major step forward in advancing technology and technology related companies in the region.” Productivity East will offer a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to address skills gaps alongside offering updates on key themes and concepts from expert academics and industry leaders. More details at uea.ac.uk/

groups-and-centres/productivity-east

“Productivity East is the result of years of collaborative working with NAAME and significant finance contribution from the New Anglia LEP. We are very grateful for the support of these and other key partners. We look forward to continue working with them and regional businesses to meet current and future productivity challenges.”

PRODUCTIVITY EAST: UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA

uea.ac.uk/groups-and-centres/ productivity-east

Productivity East is currently running a survey about industry training needs and pressing skills gaps at: forms.gle/ wJcTKzHukFzq5rFy7

Centre manager Kelly Boosey and Chris Kelly of Jacobs Allen Accountancy, who run a drop-in clinic at the The EpiCentre.

EPICENTRE DEFINITELY MEANS BUSINESS

Co-working space The EpiCentre has celebrated its first year as a hub for entrepreneurs.

EPICENTRE

epicentrehaverhill.co.uk Twenty businesses now occupy space at the centre, which provides support for growing enterprises in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. The centre, in Haverhill, opened in November 2020, when the country was deep in lockdown. It operated as a vaccine centre for six months, before embracing the business community with participation in various festivals and exhibitions.

Manager Kelly Boosey says: “Instead of waiting for businesses to come to us we made a concerted effort to engage with the wider community, emphasising the Business Support package that is available when signing up as we are more than just space. “The strategy has paid off and now we have 20 companies occupying The EpiCentre drawn from all areas of business. Our laboratory space has been particularly popular with a significant number of companies using the wet lab facilities. A notable business start-up has been CodiKoat that produces anti-viral coatings for numerous surfaces and has attracted the interest of government in its fight against the spread of COVID.” Latest sign-ups are US firm Analog Devices Ltd and start-up office supplies business Pegasus Office Solutions.

Our laboratory space has been particularly popular with a significant number of companies using the wet lab facilities.

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