voic e
norfolk Big Interview
Is your head in the Cloud?
Keeping up with rapid change
John Longworth
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Norfolk Chamber of Commerce The Ultimate Business Network
MAY JUNE 2012
CONTENTS
Contents. 03 04 05
Member News
07
Member News
08 09 11
In The Last Word we hear from Peter Waters, the editor of the EDP. Once the UK’s youngest newspaper editor at age 19, Peter took up the post in 2009 and under his leadership the EDP has actively supported a number of rural and business campaigns that have been vital to the region. Our exciting new website is now up and running, so do please take a look, get involved and find out how you can use it to boost your business profile and be part of the Chamber community. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Norfolk Voice.
International Trade Chamber News
16 17
The Big Interview
16
18
Member News
21
Member News
22 25
Cover Feature
26 27
Transport and Logistics
36 37
Our Big Interview features John Longworth, the new Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce. John’s role is a challenging one; to galvanise UK businesses in lean times, and lobby the government to make running businesses easier by reducing red tape and other barriers that can hinder the world of commerce today.
Chamber Policy
12 13
33
Technology can be stimulating, if baffling, with new innovations in IT, communications, software and hardware breaking into the market all the time. So how do we know what to focus on and what to invest in to help our businesses to be more effective? In this issue we look at the broad topic of technology and what it can do to help us grow in an age where we need to work smarter than ever before.
Welcome/Contents
Corporate Hospitality
22
Chamber News
41
Chamber Events
43
Chamber News
44
Members News
45
Take a Break
49
Movers and Shakers
50
The Last Word
26
Norfolk Voice is a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce publication. All editorial and general enquiries: info@norfolkchamber.co.uk Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Norwich Office: 9 Norwich Business Park, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6DJ Tel: 01603 625977 Fax: 01603 633032
PRODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing, 6th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2384 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING Helen Longley, Business Development Manager, Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2332 email: helen.longley@distinctivepublishing.co.uk FEATURE EDITORS John Dean & Francis Griss email:deangriss@btinternet.com E-BOOK www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk/publications
DISCLAIMER Distinctive Publishing or Norfolk Voice cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Norfolk Voice.
CHAMBER’S GOLD PATRONS
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
MAY/JUNE 2012
PAGE3
NORFOLK VOICE
So perhaps technology isn’t so baffling after all!.
When greater choice means fewer options. There’s now a new choice of creative agency in Norfolk, or as Trebuchet put it, a narrower one.
DAVINA TANNER President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
When I heard that the theme of this issue of Chamber Voice was going to be ‘technology’, I must admit that, for a moment, I wondered what on earth to write about. That’s because I’m really no expert on the subject. But then I started thinking about how much we use technology without even thinking about it: setting up a new games console, downloading apps on our phone or even setting the digital alarm clock. So perhaps technology isn’t so baffling after all! But what about the digital communications landscape in business; the world of social media, e-marketing and online communities? The influence of ever-evolving technologies is huge, fast and can be quite overwhelming. We know we should be part of the digital revolution but many of us can’t see the appeal of Twitter and feel far too grown up for Facebook. We’d rather attend a business breakfast than create a LinkedIn profile, and as for YouTube... In my opinion, one of the most important skills that any business owner, manager or entrepreneur can develop is the ability to surround themselves with specialists. For example, when embarking on a new venture you might well be bright enough to do your own bookkeeping and submit your VAT returns. But wouldn’t your time be better spent attracting new customers and honing your product offering? Being able to delegate confidently, to people that you trust and respect, is a vital part of building and maintaining a successful business. In terms of technology, unless you’re a bit of a computer whizz, you’re likely to have either an in-house IT specialist or a consultant who is able to fix your PC problems. However with social media marketing, there is a tendency to feel pressurised into ‘having a go’. I have not personally embraced Twitter, Facebook etc and integrated them into the Chapelfield marketing strategy; I know that I really don’t have the skills to do this. But luckily I know a man (or a team of women) who can! Our marketing and PR team at Chapelfield absolutely love social media and I trust them to make it work for the business. Working closely with our PR and creative agencies they are making online networking channels work effectively for Chapelfield; inspiring, entertaining and engaging our customers. They know exactly what they’re doing so I can relax and look at the bigger picture. One thing is certain: as business people, there are very few of us that can afford to opt out of social media and digital marketing. But if you’re going to do it, you need to do it right and that could mean bringing in the specialists.
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
If that sounds confusing, let Account Manager Richard Cooper explain: “Since we expanded into Norfolk, we like to think that although there are now more agencies to choose from, when it comes to effective creativity, friendly service and value for money, there really is only one option and that’s Trebuchet.” “Not only do we have clients throughout East Anglia, but across the country including Yorkshire, Kent, Wiltshire and the City. Many of the projects we work on are European-based so we have loads of experience essential to this part of the country where EU links play such an important role.” With the likes of Kettle Foods, Circle Housing, East of England Co-op and the NHS already convinced, Trebuchet say now’s the perfect time to see what a difference they can make to your business. Account Director, Emma Finlay, said: “Richard has enabled us to bring our brand of inspiration and results to your doorstep. Our position as an integrated design and marketing agency is proving invaluable at a time when it’s critical that businesses plan expertly for the future.” Contact Richard Cooper on 01603 479205 or richard@trebuchetcreative. co.uk
Birketts LLP leads the way. Regional law firm Birketts LLP is leading the way in providing a new, quicker and potentially cheaper option for separating couples in East Anglia to enable them to resolve their financial or property disputes outside of a formal court process. The national Family Arbitration Scheme was launched by the newly formed Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA). Under the scheme, IFLA has formed a panel of experienced family lawyers who will act as arbitrators, or effectively a ‘private judge’, for disputing couples. Fewer than 40 lawyers, mainly retired judiciary and highly experienced specialist practitioners, have so far qualified as family arbitrators in the UK. There are only four in East Anglia including Oliver Gravell and Ian Pattinson, both partners and family law specialists at Birketts. Oliver Gravell is currently the only qualified family arbitrator based in Ipswich and Ian Pattinson is one of only two based in Cambridge. Ian and Oliver will also provide this new service via Birketts’ Norwich and Chelmsford offices to ensure the option is available across the region. Previously, for separating couples where mediation or collaborative law was unsuitable, the only remaining option was to go to court and put the decision in the hands of a judge.
MEMBER NEWS
Graduating artists set for success. Accolade for CSS.
Entrepreneurial visual artists, writers, musicians and actors graduated from the University of East Anglia’s new London campus.
Software and IT specialist CSS Sage Solutions Centre, based in Great Yarmouth/ Lowestoft, has been selected as a Platinum Partner for its Accounting and Payroll by the leading business software and services provider Sage UK.
The Creative Entrepreneurship MA students have spent the past year learning to be more business savvy - a vital skill for surviving in the real world. And while cuts in public funding for the arts have come as a harsh blow to many, these graduating students have gained the practical skills to become both self sufficient and a success in their field.
Sage’s Platinum Partners Scheme recognises and rewards those leading Business Partners that provide outstanding customer service, adopt a fully collaborative approach to joint business planning and achieve strong sales performance. As a Platinum Partner, CSS will benefit from new levels of support from Sage in the form of access to dedicated account management support and access to core technical support, which will empower the company to achieve business growth and deliver an improved experience to its customers.
The year-long course is designed to give artists the skills to think creatively about how they can sustain themselves, and gain the necessary skills in IT, finance, marketing, and budgeting to transform their artistic vision into a strong business model. It is supported by 20 visiting cultural sector leaders, publishers, agents and artists including author Jon Cook, music critic Marcus O’Dair and artist Ian Welsh. It was the first course of its kind in a UK university when it launched in Norwich in 2007. After garnering critical acclaim, it was rolled out to UEA’s London campus – close to Liverpool Street Station. The nine students are the first cohort to graduate from UEA London.
CHAMBER DIGEST Cozens-Hardy LLP secures Law Society’s new quality mark Norwich based solicitors Cozens-Hardy LLP have secured membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme - the mark of excellence for the home buying process. Cozens-Hardy underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residential conveyancing process.
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MAY/JUNE 2012
PAGE5
PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK
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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
We can tailor an advertising package to contain all or some of the following features: • • • • •
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In centre promotion In centre promotion space space Website banners Website banners ads ads In centre banners/posters In centre banners/posters Database and Social Marketing Database and Social Media Media Marketing WiFi Advertising WiFi Advertising
With a full programme of events and activities taking place throughout the year, we can work together with you to ensure your business receives the maximum possible impact in our busy shopping centre.
MEMBER NEWS
St John Ambulance recognises life saving skills at Virgin Active. ASCO backs children’s ward. Left to right: Julie Buckoke and Justine Goodwin from James Paget Children’s Ward with Glenn Hurren, ASCO SNS Managing Director
Pictured left to right: Lyndon Green, David Loughnan, Helen Barnes, Luke Matthews, Maggie Green and Mick Coley
St John Ambulance has formally recognised the actions of three members of staff at Virgin Active Gym in Norwich. In September 2011 Lyndon Green and his son Fraser, 13, were at the Gym on Drayton High Road, Norwich, when Lyndon suffered a heart attack. Fraser remained calm and summoned help from the staff. Helen Barnes, David Loughnan and Luke Matthews worked as a team to call for help from the Ambulance Service, commenced CPR and attached the pads of a defibrillator.
Mick said: “I would like to commend the actions of Fraser, who at 13 years old, remained calm and in control enough to quickly summon the help his father needed. Secondly, the three members of staff provided life saving skills that are so important today. As a charity, we’re committed to making sure more people can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved. This team, who have saved Lyndon’s life, show exactly why we want as many people as possible to get trained to save the estimated 150,000 lives that are lost each year because a first aider was not there to help.”
The defibrillator delivered a shock, which was administered correctly. The team continued their efforts to resuscitate Lyndon until the arrival of the ambulance, actions which undoubtedly led to his recovery.
Lyndon has since undergone surgery but has made a good recovery and said: “I am delighted that the Virgin Gym staff have been recognised in this way. It is one thing to practice something like this – but to save a real person’s life is another altogether. If they hadn’t put their training into practice, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Mick Coley, County Executive Officer for St John Ambulance, awarded the three members of staff with letters of appreciation signed by the National Chief Commander.
If anybody would like to find out more learning these life saving skills call the St John County HQ on 01603 431639 or email countyhq@norfolk.sja. org.uk
ASCO, the world’s leading oil and gas logistics company, has announced that staff within its Southern North Sea (SNS) business in Great Yarmouth have chosen the James Paget University Hospital’s Children’s Ward as its charity of the year. The company kicked off its year of support for the charity with a £3000 company donation. Glenn Hurren, Managing Director for ASCO’s Southern North Sea (SNS) business, said: “We’re delighted to announce our support of the children’s ward at the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth and we are all looking forward to raising money throughout 2012 for this great cause.” The James Paget children’s ward offers treatment, care and support for youngsters with a variety of conditions.
Brush up on staff dental health. The Government has recommended that dentists join GPs and other health professionals in discussing their patients’ overall health and lifestyle during appointments. Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan, which is available to all members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, includes a
dental benefit, which enables employees to claim back the cost of private and NHS checkups and treatment, up to set limits. For more information, visit www.westfieldhealth.com/ chamber or call 0845 602 1629, available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
MAY/JUNE 2012
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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK
A shared agenda. Forum for Collaboration. On 9 March Norfolk business group leaders met with local MPs to discuss how they could work in partnership on key issues affecting businesses in Norfolk. Chloe Smith MP, George Freeman MP and Richard Bacon MP were all keen to promote collaborative working on skills, information and knowledge for businesses and lobbying for infrastructure improvements, such as Broadband, mobile phone coverage and rail.
Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers have formed an alliance to establish an agenda for economic growth and created a joint manifesto.
Firms in Norfolk and Suffolk are up to the challenge, but they need leadership from policy and decision makes who influence and shape the business environment. In this joint manifesto, the Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers have outlined their joint five key areas for economic success with real growth in jobs and wealth creation at its centre. Caroline Williams, Norfolk Chamber CEO, commented: “As the UK economy continues to make a slow return to growth, it is essential for the business community in the two counties to be at the forefront of developing a robust and sustained economic upturn.” The five key areas for economic success are: n The economic development environment. This involves working in partnership with regional LEPs; monitoring the new nationallybased Business Link service; ensuring revenue from business rates is invested in the local economy; promoting the new enterprise zone in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft; and pushing for speedier and less administrative planning processes.
n Cutting unnecessary red tape. We will be urging our local partners to support business calls for less and better regulation; and encouraging local councils to make their procedures business friendly and efficient. n Creating a workforce with the skills to meet future demands. We want all school age children to be exposed to work-related learning in their curriculum; we want young people to leave school with a broader range of skills: we will encourage a higher take-up of apprenticeships in both Norfolk and Suffolk in specific growth sectors; we will encourage local companies to do even more to train their workforce; and we will urge central government to be more flexible in their employment regulations.
The meeting highlighted the need to provide easy access to information for businesses on skills, start ups and access to finance. Also discussed were improvements to rail infrastructure, in terms of a faster, more reliable service, with better rolling stock and the need to ensure that Norfolk has good access to broadband and mobile phone coverage. George Freeman said: “The business community working together with the Norfolk MPs is a very powerful model.” Richard Bacon advised: “The power of collaboration between the Norfolk MPs, various trade bodies and the business representative organisations is a very exciting way to move issues forward.”
n Providing a modern day infrastructure. We will focus on investment in the region’s road network; we will campaign for long-term investment in the GEML and a franchise that has the confidence to invest; we will support further investment in the Felixstowe to Nuneaton line; and we will campaign for improved infrastructure to provide better access to the ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. n Providing more energy from more sources. We will play a key role in shaping and developing the energy agenda and the growth of this sector; we support New Anglia LEP’s approach to the Green Economy and will play a key role in the Green Pathfinder; and we will work to develop the involvement of local firms in renewable energy supply chains, such as those for EDF’s New Nuclear Build and East Anglia Offshore Wind.
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Top Row Left to Right:ऀValerie Bullard, Bold Directories; Jason Middleton, New Anglia LEP; Rachel Carrington, NFU Bottom Left to Right:ऀGeorge Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk; Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North; Dick Palmer, City College Norwich; Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Horne, NWES; Marjorie Eade, FIG; Richard Bacon, MP for South Norfolk; Stuart Turner, IoD; and Martin Lake, FSB.ऀ
CHAMBER POLICY
Trading overseas: opportunities in Australia. As we all know, the UK Government is keen to stress and support the drive for more UK companies to export. Closing the trade gap, especially on goods rather than services, is an important part of reducing the deficit. But where are the easier opportunities, and how best can British businesses exploit such overseas markets? Most of us have heard the of the BRICs – Brazil, Russia, India and China – and I was floored recently by the opportunity that is India with its vast and growing population of over a billion and a GDP growth, even now, of 7-8% p.a. But there is another corner of the globe that could be attractive to Chamber members, and that is Western Australia. Western Australia is vast, and almost a country within a country. The state capital Perth is described by locals as the most remote capital in the world. Perth is actually closer to Indonesia’s Jakarta than it is to, say, Canberra, Melbourne or Sydney. Whilst the population of Australia is around 23m, it’s largest state has only 2.3m people. Most (1.7m) live in the Greater Perth metropolitan area. So why does it merit our attention? Put simply, it is a boom region. Perth is the centre from which Australia is capitalising on its natural assets, which are being consumed across the world. Western Australia is therefore identified as having in particular two high value opportunities. Firstly there is the digital sector, as broadband is being rolled out into a national network. Then secondly there are major opportunities in the oil and gas industry. UKTI has identified that over a thousand British businesses are active in Australia. It is my belief that many more could also become involved. Looking at the oil and gas sector, we see that Western Australia is a world leader in the output of several important minerals and energy sources. It produces 9% of all liquified natural gas (LNG), 21% of iron ore, 15% of alumina. Then it is also a significant global player in numerous other minerals such as zircon, sands, nickel, gold and diamonds. There are several massive investment projects currently in hand. For example USA-based Chevron has two projects Gorgon (£30bn) and Wheatstone (£20bn), both LNG projects. Then there is also Australian-based Woodside, with another two LNG projects Browse (£20bn) and Pluto (£8bn). Japanese company Impex have another LNG project at an early stage called Ichthys
(£20bn). Many of these project teams will need expertise in offshore exploration, and then production in order for the natural wealth to be profitably accessed. These are areas where UK companies and personnel can help thanks to our UK experience and expertise borne of prior work, such as from the past 30 years in the North Sea. Major projects related to the mineral sector include Citic Pacific with their Sino Iron project (£3bn) and Rio Tinto with their Cape Lambert iron ore project with an investment of £2bn. BHP and local player Fortescue also have ambitious plans to expand capacity and ore plus coal shipments. All this activity is leading to massive supply chain and infrastructure projects just to enable the energy sources and minerals to be extracted and transported. For example there are new ports and rail complexes planned, such as at Oakajee (£4bn). This can yield potential opportunities for UK companies to supply expertise, systems and engineered products to these projects. Each of these major capital investment projects is at different stages of planning, so it is not too late for UK companies to get further involved. In a recent visit to Perth in March for one of my business interests, I was able to meet with local representatives of several state ministries, with UKTI, and with Australian Chamber of Commerce personnel. All of these various teams were most welcoming and helpful. There are lessons to be learned before any wouldbe market entrant can expect to succeed in Australia, but help and guidance is readily to hand. There are, for example, issues related to obtaining visas for key personnel, with setting up an Australian-based trading subsidiary, and with meeting obligations for local Australian content and participation in all new work. As with India, we Brits have strong potential advantage when trying to break into any Australian market. We have some very significant shared history and above all else a shared language. Doing business in any new country means, however, recognising the unique features of that market that set it apart from others. That said, however, for many companies Australia is a great opportunity for wouldbe exporters to ‘get it right the first time’. To that end, I would strongly advocate that UK businesses, especially first-time exporters, look very closely at Australia and particularly at Western Australia. With a current GDP growth in the state of circa 4% pa, and with Australia ranked as the 10th easiest country in the world in terms of ‘ease of doing business’, then this could be the right time to seriously evaluate your chances. Martyn Pellew is President of the British Chambers of Commerce.
MAY/JUNE 2012
Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER) Entrepreneurs’ Relief is a relief from capital gains tax (‘CGT’) for business owners. This enables you to pay CGT at a rate of 10% on certain disposals. The lifetime limit for qualifying gains is £10 million. The maximum saving as a result of ER is therefore £1.8 million. ER is available on the disposal or part disposal of a business. The relief may also apply to shares in a trading company. The disposal of assets used in a partnership or by a company may also qualify. ER is available to sole traders, partners and company shareholders. It may also be available in certain circumstances to trustees of a trust. The relief is not available to companies. In order to qualify for the relief, the business or shares must have been owned for a period of at least one year. For share disposals, the individual selling the shares must be an officer or employee of the company and hold at least 5% of the ordinary share capital and be entitled to at least 5% of the votes for at least 12 months before the disposal. There are several potential pitfalls that cause the relief to be lost. For example: If your company has a significant amount of non-trading activity or assets, its shares may not qualify for the relief It has to be the whole or part of a business that is disposed. The relief does not apply to the sale of individual business assets other than on a cessation. If you would like to discuss this matter please contact Graham Sillett on 01603 663300 or email g.sillett@lovewell-blake.co.uk
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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Do you know what a Carnet is?. 1. Do you have to take samples with you on your overseas sales trips? 2. Do you participate in Overseas Trade Fairs or Exhibitions? 3. Do you ever need to take Professional Equipment overseas? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may find that using an ATA Carnet will make the trip so much easier. The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty/tax free temporary import of goods for up to one year. The initials
“ATA” are an acronym of the French and English words “Admission Temporaire/ Temporary Admission”. Using an ATA Carnet cuts out red tape for you at border points avoiding cash deposits and the like in the country of temporary importation. It can be used for multiple trips, is valid for one year and covers over 60 countries. Carnets can cover almost anything: computers, repair tools, photographic and film equipment, musical instruments, industrial machinery, vehicles, jewellery, clothing, medical appliances, aircraft, race horses, old masters, prehistoric relics, ballet costumes and rock group sound systems are just some of the items that can cross borders duty-free and tax-free, thanks to ATA Carnets. For more information, a quotation or if you have any questions, please contact Tracey Howard on 01603 729711 or by email at: tracey.howard@ norfolkchamber.co.uk
Translation and Interpreter Service.
Tracey Howard, International Trade Director
International Trade Training Courses Spaces on our export/ import training courses are filling up fairly rapidly, so we recommend booking early.
The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce translation service can help you communicate effectively with your overseas clients in their native languages. Working with our comprehensive database of highly qualified native speaker translators, we can ensure that your documents are translated swiftly and accurately.
Our courses are not just for new exporting staff, but also those who have been shipping for quite some time and may just need a refresher.
Interpreters can be arranged for any events, meetings or conference calls that you may have.
Course topics over the next couple of months are:
Whatever your translation needs, we can meet your requirements and take a load off your mind.
29 May
Here are some of the latest comments made by customers of this particular service:
Appointing and Managing Overseas Agents and Distributors
John Marshall, Xport Group: “Many thanks, good job!”
21 June Export Procedures and Documentation
Steve Easter, Delta Fire Ltd: “We would like to thank you for the urgent translation that you arranged for us. It was a real help having this back the following day - I know you said it was a quick service but we didn’t realise it would be that quick! Thanks again much appreciated.”
They put their trust in us—why don’t you?
Patricia Marcus, KSG: “Thanks for being so quick which has been of great help to us.”
For more information on this service, please contact Julie Austin on 01603 729706 or email julie.austin@norfolkchamber.co.uk
If your company has a number of staff who would benefit from attending our courses, we can arrange for our trainer to deliver the course at your premises. For more information on this service, contact Julie Austin on 01603 729706 or email julie.austin@norfolkchamber.co.uk
MAY/JUNE 2012
PAGE11 PAGE11
NORFOLK VOICE
Fox supports a swift kill. The former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, whose brush with controversy during his front bench career came to an abrupt end last year, has changed defence for attack this week in his support for a revival of the proposal in the Beecroft report to make the dismissal of employees easier and safer for employers.
“It is too difficult to hire and fire, and too expensive to take on new employees. It is intellectually unsustainable to believe that workplace rights should remain untouchable while output and employment are clearly cyclical,” said Mr Fox this week. The hounds are baying for blood on the Conservative back benches as they smell the possibility of an easy kill for employers being introduced sooner rather than later. The Chancellor is under pressure to amend employment protection laws as part of a
“go for growth” package. David Cameron is sympathetic to the backbench demands but they are being strongly opposed by the “anti hunt” protesters, Nick Clegg and Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary. It is likely therefore that there will be a Lib Dem strategy to throw the pack off the scent by suggesting different and less cruel alternatives. These are likely to include limiting the “fire at will” proposal to those employed by firms with fewer than 10 workers. . Also, the introduction of a “protected conversation” between employer and employee may be proposed, the details and existence of which could not be used in evidence at any subsequent tribunal hearing. This is effectively where, if you will, the leader of the pack might call round to the fox’s covert and enquire whether the quarry might quite like to “get orf my land”, thereby enabling the hounds to have a day off. A final alternative solution may be a process, possibly involving the conciliation service ACAS, under which an employer offers a lure by drafting a letter telling an employee he or she could be dismissed and offering a small severance payment to leave quickly without damage to their reputation. By giving the employee the right to say no would mean that future employment rights would not be eroded. Will employers continue to experience the thrill of the chase before the kill? Or will they be given a swift and deadly weapon to put down the pest? Listen out for the fanfare in March!
Holiday Season Safety. Next weekend will see the official start to the British summer holiday season with many Holiday Parks, B&Bs and Hotels opening up for the first time this year. If you’re a holiday accommodation owner or landlord then what better time to make sure those gas appliances have been checked by a qualified gas safe engineer before guests come to stay. Poorly maintained, faulty or ill fitted gas cookers, boilers and gas fires can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas appliances in holiday accommodation should be checked to keep them working safely and efficiently, if you’re the owner or landlord then you have a duty to have these checked by law. If you own a static caravan, your holiday park company may offer to do this for you or may be able to recommend a suitable Gas Safe registered engineer A full gas safety check should include; flues, gas appliances, pipework, ventilation and the gas connection equipment to the holiday home. When the Gas Safety Check has been completed, a certificate should be supplied which details the outcome of the test. Many holiday companies now include a copy of the inspection checklist in their accommodation to show a commitment to guests that they take gas safety seriously and raise awareness of gas safety to guests staying with you. In addition, you may want to also consider fitting a carbon monoxide alarm. If you are staying in holiday accommodation the main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include; headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness. You cannot smell Carbon Monoxide so you may wish to consider taking an audible carbon monoxide alarm with you. Carbon monoxide alarms can be used in the UK and abroad, remember to buy an audible alarm and ensure that it can be heard so that it will wake you when you are asleep and most vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. When you arrive at your accommodation check that any gas appliance burns with a crisp blue flame. If they burn with luminous yellow or orange flames or you notice soot marks or staining then there could be a risk. You can also ask the owner for an up-to-date gas safety certificate.
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CHAMBER NEWS
Social Media. CHAMBER DIGEST Be part of the chain Don’t forget to register on our new website to keep up to date with supply chain opportunities for EDF Energy’s Sizewell C project. 80% of the contracts awarded for this project will be non-nuclear, so there are huge opportunities for companies from a broad range of industries. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
Fendercare Marine Receives Bureau Veritas Certificate of Approval Fendercare Marine’s diving services have been awarded Bureau Veritas approval to carry out in-water surveys.
There have recently been many reports in the media that portray social media in a bad light; especially when it is used in the workplace.
Reports of dismissal and misconduct due to posts on sites have led many employers to believe that sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are more of a hindrance than a help in the office. However, if you prepare and protect your organisation with the correct policies and guidelines surrounding these, social networking can become an excellent tool for your business to use. Around a third of companies do not currently have a social media policy in place. Many already have set rules and procedures surrounding IT and online usage – but these are not always suitable enough to protect the employer from new issues surrounding social networking. Social media sites, unlike traditional internal communication methods, allow employees to express information about their employer that can potentially be viewed by anyone in the world. If not managed correctly, social media can cause problems with:
This approval is one of a list of many certifications that Fendercare’s diving division holds, including IMCA and ADC membership as well as CHAS and SAFEContractor accreditation.
Time wasting - The ease of access to social media sites both on computers and mobiles can make it easy for employees to get distracted from their work. Security - It is difficult to manage what is communicated online, as well as threats from viruses and malware. Employees could easily give away protected or confidential information about the company to anyone.
Installation, Servicing and Maintenance – Gas Appliances
Privacy - Allowing personal and work lives of employees to mix can cause problems, and some employees may not be comfortable with others posting information or photographs of them. A good social media policy in an Employee Handbook can help to protect employers from issues such as the above. This will allow you to focus on the benefits of social media: encouraging staff communication, developing both personal and commercial relationships, and promoting the business online. Social media can be an excellent platform to communicate your business to the rest of the world; you just need to be prepared for any possible mishandling of this method of communication. Qdos can help by providing a suitable social networking policy as part of your Employee Handbook. Our employment advice line can also help you to deal with any employee relations issues that may occur as a result of social media. For more information, please contact us on 01455 852028.
All businesses nationally and in particular food/ catering businesses, restaurants, pubs, takeaways and other catering businesses across the country must make sure their gas appliances are safe. Annual maintenance inspection and servicing is the only way that this can be achieved. Gas Safe Register (GSR) is the Governmentapproved registration scheme for gas engineers in the UK. further information is available on the website www.gassaferegister.co.uk
Slim your water bill Anglian Water Business has teamed up with resource efficiency experts WRAP to help its customers slim their water bills in 2012. SME business customers are now eligible for a free water-saving service from WRAP called the Rippleffect. Once registered, firms get access to online training modules, telephone support, web conferences and webcasts.
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NORFOLK VOICE
Sewell Park College students embrace Olympic values. ADVERTISING FEATURE
On the 15th March Sewell Park College celebrated the approach of the London 2012 Olympics with a Paralympic Day for students in years 7-9. Students were given the opportunity to have a go at sports such as Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, Boccia and Goal Ball, and also had the opportunity to meet an Olympic author. Each year group’s Paralympic experience began with an opening ceremony. These started with a booming fanfare that silenced the whole hall, as Mr MacGibbon shared a riveting speech of the values that the Olympics and Paralympics embody: respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The audience sat in silence; lending him their ears and giving him the utmost respect. Sewell Park sports leaders mimicked the opening ceremony of the Olympics, with their own flag bearers and an Olympic Relay using the actual torch from the 1948 London Olympics! As soon as they had finished there was an explosion of applause, which continued when Danny Nobbs was introduced to the front of the hall. The crowd watched with open mouths, amazed to be in the presence of a paralympic athlete who had competed in front of 92,000 people. He told the audience how he has always been interested by sport, but difficulty arose when he was in a motorbike accident at the age of 17. However, he realised that he could work around the fact that he was now paralysed from the chest down. He quickly learned to do minor things like dressing himself, but still wanted to get back into sport. When the opportunity arose he immediately jumped at the idea. With years of hard work and training he has managed to become the paralympian he is today, coming 5th in his league in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
We enjoyed the opportunity to interview Danny Nobbs and to ask him about his Paralympic experiences:
What is it like to compete in the Paralympic Games? It’s difficult to explain how good it is, and you don’t realise until you get back because you’re surrounded by your team mates and other athletes. There isn’t really time to explain, but being able to compete in front of 92,000 people is amazing.
How much training do you do in a week? Well, training is planned out a year in advance. I train six days a week, twice a day and once on Saturdays. Balancing the training is important,
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so that you’re training enough, but also resting enough and sustaining the training.
Are you nervous about competing? I’m not nervous at all. Competition is so tight and there are so many athletes that I’m just focused on making the team. In each session students were made Sewell Park Paralympians and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for demonstrating the best examples of the Olympic values of respect, excellence, friendship, equality and determination. It was a fantastic day and made us want to go, like Olympians, “higher, faster, stronger”. If you would like to know more about the school, or to arrange a visit, please contact Mrs Amanda Wiggins, Principal’s PA, on 01603 411721.
Saffron Housing has a vacancy for a Board Member This is a non-remunerated post but expenses will be paid.
Why not join an influential group of people who have built great homes and a great business? Saffron has a turnover of over £22 million and plans to develop over 200 new affordable homes per year to add to the 4800+ Saffron homes in Norfolk and surrounding counties. We make a surplus from our activities that we reinvest back into the business to further improve our performance. Michael Harrowven, Chair of the Board, says:
“We have ambitious plans for the future expansion of what we do that I am sure would be of great interest to anyone considering this post.” Saffron is a housing association that finds and implements innovative solutions and aims to provide the optimum level of quality service to its customers. It is an organisation that people want to work for and it cares about, and works with, local communities.
If you think that this is a business you would like to be a part of why not find out more?
An information pack is available from www.saffronhousing.co.uk or by emailing sttinkler@saffronhousing.co.uk Saffron Housing Trust is based at Saffron Barn, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, Norfolk NR15 2XP Regd. Charity no: 1103896
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MAY/JUNE 2012
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NORFOLK VOICE
THE B
John Longworth.
Seeking a new way of doing business. John Longworth, the recently-appointed Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, has called for the Government to do more to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Director General believes that the private sector can drive the UK economy but that Ministers need to provide more support, particularly when it comes to easing cash flow.
rebuild their networks of relationship managers, but nevertheless who are still risk averse. They have been lending to businesses which have proven track records, businesses with whom they have traded before, which has meant that they are not supporting innovative businesses, including those that have just started up. “What we believe the Government needs to do is set up a Business Bank, based on those that operate in other countries, including the US. This kind of bank would be more risky and there will be a massive debate around what that looks like. “People will be concerned by the risk but that risk will be minute when compared with the risks that taxpayers have taken bailing out a banking sector that failed. We have seen £325 billion of new money printed yet a Business Bank would need, say, £20-30 billion, that’s ten per cent of the risk involved in supporting the banking sector.”
It’s one of his key messages as he settles into the job of representing the interests of UK business at national level, lobbying government ministers to do more to support those companies desperate to innovate and invest yet being held back.
John’s views have been shaped by a career that has seen him gain experience in a range of sectors, taking in large and small business. He has worked at Tesco and Asda, is on the board of Nichols, is a director of the Co-Operative Food Group and is on the panel of the Competition Commission.
He said: “My sense is that Chamber members throughout the UK have confidence in themselves but that they do not have confidence in the external environment, in the world about them.
He also recently founded SVA, a science research firm, which involved trying to obtain bank financing. That’s one of the reasons he is so passionate about what he sees as an unbalanced economy.
“For instance, towards the end of last year, we were seeing a recovery in areas including manufacturers, exporting manufacturing and in some areas of the service sector, also including exports, but it was choked off by cash flow problems.
John, who was a speaker at the Norfolk Chamber’s recent MPs’ event in Norwich on February 3, said: “We have been obsessing about one quarter of the economy. Banking and the public services sector make up less than 25 per cent of GDP so what are we doing for the other 75 per cent? The private employers who are taking on people and trying to invest and who will bring the country into recovery. They are the ones who went about their business calmly during the financial crash but maybe invested their reserves in keeping going and now need more help.
“You had businesses who found themselves with customers who had changed their payment times from 60 days to 90 days, a 50 per cent increase in cash flow problems. “At the same time, you had banks which were recovering after the Crash, some of them trying to
“I believe it is entirely possible to rebalance the economy but we have to ensure that those three quarters of businesses get a chance. “It can be done. Look at Korea, where I have done a lot of business. Fifty years ago, the average Korean was on the same income as the average Kenyan. Now the average Korean is on twenty five times the income of the Kenyan and the country has a strong economy and they are sandwiched between two of the world’s biggest economies, China and Japan. “We used to be like that and can be so again but, to achieve that kind of success, we have to create the environment in which UK business can grow. “Solving their cash flow problems is one way and another is tackling the time it takes for decisions to be made on infrastructure. Private companies are ready to build toll roads, new airport runways and port extensions, they are ready to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digital. Private business will do this and invest in it but these kind of major projects all need permission and that takes too much time at the moment. We need to make the process quicker. “We also need to find ways to invest more in our schools because they are important to the future of business. “Yes, we have to get the budget deficit down, that is important, but we also have to find ways to invest in business. We need to release enterprise and that is our message to the Government.”
The private employers who are taking on people and trying to invest and who will bring the country into recovery. They are the ones who went about their business calmly during the financial crash but maybe invested their reserves in keeping going and now need more help.
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THE BIG INTERVIEW
BIG INTERVIEW By John Dean
deangriss@btinternet.com
MAY/JUNE 2012
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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK
MEMBER NEWS
How to use your Chamber membership to ’Unlock Growth’. Raising your profile Increasing your brand profile within the business community and making contacts is key to unlocking growth in your organisation. Being a Chamber member will grant you access to huge amounts of free, focused PR that will reach thousands of Norfolk businesses and beyond. Upload your own success stories, articles and top tips to the news section of our website at any time so other users can comment and rate your articles. This really gives you the chance to be seen and get discussions going so your profile just keeps growing and growing. For maximum exposure, we will spread your news on social media and even submit your articles for consideration in our Norfolk Voice magazine that reaches over 4000 Norfolk businesses. You can also increase your personal profile within the Chamber. As a professional, you can submit an article to our business knowledge section designed to give businesses useful information, top tips and advice to encourage growth in businesses of all sizes.
Building your contacts As a Member you can easily build your contacts by attending our quality line up of events. You get a unique ability to meet with businesses of all shapes and sizes from international brand giants to new innovators and entrepreneurs.
Business insight Find out how we can link you in to what’s happening in the business community by accessing our news and information or requesting a personal consultation from our membership team.
The Norfolk Chamber is at the heart of the business community and we continually work at bringing business closer together and encouraging growth throughout Norfolk. Being a Chamber member can bring you into a growing network of like minded businesses of all sizes, allowing you to make new contacts, raise your profile or help you access new links into supply chain opportunities.
Free business services Being a Chamber member you automatically get access to our business services like our free legal expense insurance and advice that gives you peace of mind and legal advice, and our HR service. Access the Chamber Purchasing scheme can save you time and money on purchasing goods and services for your business.
Grant Thornton goes for gold.
Grant Thornton Norwich staff at a fencing session, organised as part of the 2012 Gold Challenge.
Employees at the Norwich office of leading financial and business advisers Grant Thornton are getting into the spirit of the Olympic Games by taking part in the 2012 Gold Challenge, a national initiative to encourage participation in sport and raise money for charity. Staff signing up to the Challenge have the chance try a range of new sports in local, professionally coached sessions organised by Grant Thornton. Alternatively, participants can cover target distances of 2012km, 201.2km or 20.12km whilst doing Olympic sports including walking, running, swimming, horse riding, rowing and sailing. Through sponsorship and registration fees, Grant Thornton Norwich will raise money for the firm’s chosen Olympic charity StreetGames which aims to make sport accessible for young people living in disadvantaged communities.
CHAMBER DIGEST
Save money
Noise and hearing difficulties at work
Save up to 61% on AA Fleet Membership for company vehicles with Chamber Fleet Assist. Take advantage of discounted rates on our Chamber Optical & Dental cash back Plan from Westfield or our plan from AXA.
Every employer has a duty to protect employees and others who may be exposed to noise generated as a result of his work activities and should be working on measures to reduce the risk.
Go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk. If you wish to discuss the benefits or want more information, contact the membership team on 01603 625977, or email membership@ norfolkchamber.co.uk
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if you need help with your health and safety issues please contact 01455 852028 or email qed@qdosconsulting.com
NORFOLK VOICE
Email. hello@plainspeakingpr.co.uk Tel. 01603 487291
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Communication doesn’t need to be complicated Public Relations is about building, maintaining and protecting your organisation’s reputation. Why? So that people are interested in you, want to give you business and are happy to recommend you. At Plain Speaking PR we devise communication strategies focused on helping your business succeed... Plain and simple. To talk about how effective communication could help your business, please call Pippa or Amber on 01603 487291. For examples of our work and what our clients say about us, please visit www.plainspeakingpr.co.uk
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Trusted Business
Promoting quality businesses accredited by Trading Standards
Tel: 0344 800 8020
www.trusted-business.co.uk
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Your route to high quality business support. Trusted Business is a brand new initiative from Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council, aimed at promoting high quality business support services, accredited by Trading Standards. The initiative is in line with the business support needs set out by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. Trusted Business is delivered on the same format as the successful Trusted Trader scheme. Businesses are able to search for the support services they need safe in the knowledge that all members of the scheme will have been checked by Trading Standards. All Trusted Business members are listed on a searchable website, powered by Referenceline.com, where feedback and ratings from existing clients can be viewed, giving new clients an insight into their services. The scheme is a great way for graphic designers, web designers, coaches and mentors, training companies, accountants, solicitors, marketing agencies and IT consultants to enhance their reputation and promote their services. Other benefits to members include: All year-round promotion through events; website and advertising campaigns; a feedback system to allow customers to promote and recommend services; accreditation from Trading Standards. For businesses looking to appoint a service company, the scheme allows them to check feedback before hand as well as using Trading Standards for impartial mediation of disputes and complaints. To find a Trusted Business or to join the scheme, visit www.trusted-business.co.uk email: trustedbusiness@norfolk.gov.uk or call Trading Standards on 0344 800 8020.
MEMBER NEWS
Norse announces £50 million local authority joint venture. Norse Commercial Services has increased its growing portfolio of local authority partnerships with the announcement of a £50 million Joint Venture Company (JVC) agreement with the Borough Council of Wellingborough. The new company, Wellingborough Norse Ltd, takes over a range of frontline services for the Borough Council from 1 March 2012. Under the 10-year contract, worth around £5 million a year, Wellingborough Norse will
be responsible for refuse collection, street cleaning, grounds maintenance, environmental enforcement, public conveniences, markets, car parks cleaning and security, and civic buildings facilities management. The company will take on the modern depot and 100 staff previously employed by Wellingborough Council.
Hansells open sixth county office.
Norse Commercial Services Director Graham Jermyn said that Norse’s proven commercial approach, and track record of increasing efficiency whilst producing cost savings in Local Authority partnerships were key drivers in Wellingborough Council’s decision. Norse Commercial Services Sales Director Geoff Tucker said the company continues to enjoy sustainable growth.
(Centre) Secretary of Reepham Chamber of Commerce Brenda Gostling with (Left) lawyer Peter Callf, solicitors Mari Vallgren and Hayley Pettitt and managing partner Roger Holden.
Hansells Solicitors & Financial Advisers have opened their sixth county office in the market town of Reepham. The law firm has moved into The Bircham Centre after the only solicitors in the town closed. Roger Holden, managing partner of Hansells Solicitors, said: “Local services are important, particularly in towns such as Reepham. We want to be part of that and support the community by providing the services of a solicitor for local people on their doorstep.” Reepham Chamber of Commerce Secretary, Brenda Gostling, said: “There was a huge gap when the last solicitors shut two years ago. We welcome the arrival of a new firm of solicitors in Reepham to add to the existing complement of professional services in the town.”
Front row L to R - MD of Norse Commercial Services Peter Hawes, Mayor of Wellingborough Cllr Bhupendra Patel Back Row L-R - leader of the council Cllr Paul Bell, Cllr Brian Emerson, Cllr Peter Morrall.
Keeping an eye on employees. According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), everyone should have a sight test at least once every two years. But a recent survey by YouGov showed that nearly a third of UK adults have failed to have their eyes tested in the last 24 months, putting themselves at risk of developing a range of potentially serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma.
Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan, which is available to all members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, includes an optical benefit, which can help employers to meet their requirements. For more information about the Chamber Plan, visit www.westfieldhealth.com/ chamber or call 0845 602 1629, available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
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NORFOLK VOICE
How getting your head in the Cloud can help your business. The technology of communication is moving at a breathtaking rate with companies constantly having to adapt to new and exciting ways of working. One of the big changes has been the emergence of what has become known as Cloud Computing.
It is one of those phrases that seemed to simply appear one day and proceed to revolutionise the way we do business. According to many industry experts, no business can afford to ignore the opportunities that Cloud technology presents. Much of the reluctance of companies to embrace ‘the Cloud’ seems to come from an uncertainty about what exactly it is. The idea behind Cloud Computing is that the user can access services such as storage and word processing from the Internet, the Cloud in question. It means that companies can use the Cloud without having to worry about the systems behind it. According to industry experts, Cloud technology is easily accessible to businesses of all sizes, producing increased efficiencies, competitiveness and reduced IT costs. The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF), an umbrella organisation for companies involved in the
technology, says the concept is becoming a major player. Independent research carried out for the Forum across 300 UK organisations showed that more than half (53 per cent) already use Cloud computing in some shape or form. The figures indicated a 10 per cent growth of first time users in the nine months since the previous research was conducted. They showed the private sector leading the way still at 56 per cent adoption. However, the public sector showed a more dramatic increase, reaching 49 per cent. The main reason given for switching to the Cloud was the flexibility that it brings to the organisation, identified by 46 per cent. Next in importance was cost savings, at 17 per cent. Organisations already using Cloud technology cited uses including email, storage, data backup/disaster recovery, collaboration solutions and web services. Andy Burton, Chairman of the Cloud Industry Forum and CEO of Fasthosts, said: “Whilst the marketing of the industry has been primarily focusing on the cost savings afforded by Cloud migration, the research proves again that initial adoption is usually driven by non-financial activity where the organisation values the flexible attribute of a Cloud service over onpremise solutions. “That said, financial benefits are being achieved and do drive further adoption from companies already using the Cloud, but it is the agility given to businesses to deliver new services, access technology quickly and to offer solutions that they did not already have that has driven initial adoption. “When it comes to organisational satisfaction with the current use of Cloud services, the original research at the beginning of 2011 saw 94 per cent of those then using Cloud services stating that they were happy with the results of their use of the Cloud. This appeared to demonstrate clear evidence that the market was no longer immature and that businesses that had embraced the opportunity perceived that they are reaping the benefits they sought. Interestingly this figure has now increased even further to 96 per cent in the latest research, an almost universal endorsement.”
Financial benefits are being achieved and do drive further adoption from companies already using the Cloud, but it is the agility given to businesses to deliver new services, access technology quickly and to offer solutions that they did not already have that has driven initial adoption.
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COVER FEATURE
Entering the Cloud?
top tips For businesses considering the Cloud. n The one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t apply, even with something as flexible as Cloud. Choose the service that’s right for you n Do your due diligence on suppliers. Look for memberships/accreditations including the Cloud Industry Forum Self Certification www. cloudindustryforum.org n Check the terms and conditions in the supply contract and service level agreement (SLA) to ensure your commercial and operational needs are met n Ask if they will provide out of hours support n Understand how the service will integrate (if required) with your wider IT strategy n Check where the data is stored (UK, Europe, elsewhere?) and assess the implications on your business Source: UKFast.
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NORFOLK VOICE
Communications technology the key for lighting company. One company making excellent use of communications technology is Norfolk-based Select Innovations, which was recently named the national winner for the Shell Springboard Awards 2012 and winner of the EEEGR Innovation Awards. The awards were presented for its EnLight technology, a product range designed to help local authorities keep street lights on by reducing power consumption and simplifying maintenance. At a time when many councils are considering turning off street lights to save money, EnLight solutions can deliver energy savings of up to 70% per cent by improving the efficiency of street lights and enabling them to be controlled and dimmed remotely. If the eight million street lamps in the UK were all to use the EnLight technology, this would save the UK one million tonnes of CO2 each year. The business also won a no-strings-attached prize of £40,000 from the Shell Springboard programme
Kate Duggan of Select Innovations Limited
to support the development of their business going forward. Select Innovations, based in Loddon, has been developing its technology, EnLight, for the past five years. Each EnLight ballast is fitted to a street lamp to ensure the amount of power in the electric circuit remains constant. This keeps the light stable and creates an overall energy efficiency of 95%, compared to approximately 50% for the old magnetic versions still installed in the majority of the UK’s streetlights. The company’s capability in wireless communications, control and data capture is also unprecedented in the lighting industry. EnLight ballasts are communications-enabled so all the lights in each district (which could be a street or a whole village) can be managed from a central location using their EnTalk advanced remote management system. This system provides intelligent, real-time monitoring and control of a lamp or network of lamps, along with a live graphic trace of power and performance lamp-by-lamp. Data capture and intelligent fault diagnosis help to deliver efficiency breakthroughs by removing the need to send out routine maintenance vans, thus reducing both time and costs. David Aarons and Kate Duggan
David Aarons, Managing Director of Select Innovations, said: “We really believe our product
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can make a difference in tackling CO2 emissions and it’s incredibly rewarding that such a prestigious programme as Shell Springboard has also recognised its potential. “The funding and recognition we received will allow us to press ahead with our plans for our EnLight product range, scaling up our ambitions even further to save energy on bigger roads throughout the UK.”
We really believe our product can make a difference in tackling CO2 emissions and it’s incredibly rewarding that such a prestigious programme as Shell Springboard has also recognised its potential.
COVER FEATURE
Keeping up with rapid change. The challenges as technology redefines the workplace were illustrated in a report issued in March by communications company Jabra.
Its study of 1,000 workers found that 83% of today’s office population regularly works from home or from another location in sectors including sales, marketing, finance, customer service and administration. Research for Jabra, a brand of GN Netcom that employs 850 people worldwide in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of hands-free communications solutions, found that 46% of office workers use a mobile or smartphone for work, 35% use a laptop and 72% regularly takes calls and responds to email outside office hours. The research also showed that 25-34 year olds are much more likely than their older colleagues to use their personal devices at work, almost one in 10 use a tablet to communicate with
colleagues, one in five work mostly from a laptop and 14% use a softphone at work. Nineteen per cent of 25-34 year olds said being able to use their personal devices at work would enable them to be more productive. The study showed that the traditional deskphone will decline even further in importance; just 19% of 18-24 year olds agree that the telephone is still the most effective form of communication, compared to 40% of 45-54 year olds. It also revealed that social networking will become widespread for business communication. Andrew Doyle, Managing Director at Jabra UK Contact Centre & Office division, said: “A new generation of mobile, multi-tasking, office workers is changing the way we work forever. One size fits all’ will simply not work for the workers of tomorrow. The voice call remains important, but is as likely to be initiated via a mobile, laptop or softphone as the traditional deskphone.
“IT departments need to support those employees who want to use their own devices for work: but also to provide a wider choice of devices when provisioning communications tools; providing the right tools for multi-tasking, mobile employees will be critical to secure their buy-in, but also to ensure their productivity, wherever they work. “Employers who embrace this trend and empower this new generation of workers are likely to reap the benefits in terms of increased productivity, improved innovation and higher employee motivation - a dynamic, engaged and capable new force for their business.”
US trend ‘could backfire when it crosses the pond to the UK’. Social media is transforming business communication with the likes of Twitter and Facebook offering opportunities for companies seeking to spread the word about themselves. However, the use of social media does attract some concerns. Employers that ask interviewees for their Facebook passwords could be opening up all sorts of issues, according to outsourced HR practice managing director Jane Caven. The trend, popular in the US and sometimes known as shoulder surfing, sees interviewers
asked for information previously guarded by privacy settings for use in interviews. Jane, who heads outsourced HR practice Sagegreen, says that by looking into personal information, the employer could intrude into an applicant’s private life and discover details that could lead to a claim for discrimination if the applicant is turned down.” She said: “Employers might …discount otherwise talented reputable candidates because their private persona does not fit the perceived wisdom as to the standard person for the role. “Applicants should be chosen on their skills, experience and disposition in relation to the role. There are plenty of techniques to reduce risk available to the employer that do not unduly invade the privacy of the applicant and will not damage trust so early on.”
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Keeping Norfolk moving. We are now starting to make real progress in improving the county’s roads and within the past 12 months, we have had two major projects approved for funding.
Because Norfolk is a large rural county, good transport links are vital to ensure the vitality of its market towns and the City of Norwich. A number of improvements have been undertaken over the past few years but the area has still lacked significant investment compared to other areas in the country. Central to communications is the roads network which links the area’s communities with the rest of the country, essential for the movement of goods and people to and from the region. This is especially important for the growing tourism industry and the rapidly developing energy and food science industries. Providing a framework which allows for a more transient population will result in better skill transfer across the region and more effective joined up thinking and strategic partnerships. One of the key routes central to developing a more mobile region is the A47, which provides links to Peterborough, Leicester and the A1, in addition to which are the A10 which runs south to Cambridge linking with the M11 to provide
direct connections with London, and the A14 to the Midlands and East Coast ports. The A47 has only received minor safety improvements over the past few years and is now in need of substantial investment to reinforce its role as one of the main east/west links opening up development opportunities such as the Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour. Following many years of sustained lobbying, the Department of Transport has confirmed that the A11 will now be upgraded to dual carriageway. This recent landmark decision has been welcomed by both the business community in Norfolk and the surrounding counties. The final construction of the missing link will bring economic benefits in excess of £600m to the region and will help insure that the area is in a good position to maximise its opportunities for the future. The A11 is vital because it provides a key link between Norfolk and the rest of the East of England and the Agency says improvements were badly required. Explaining the decision, it cited congestion problems, particularly during holiday periods and the potentially dangerous conflict between fast moving trunk road traffic and slow moving agricultural traffic. The Agency recognises the need to improve journey time reliability and such changes,
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wherever they occur, are important for business due to Norfolk being highly dependent on road links to the M11/M25 and the south as well as the A14 and the East Coast cargo-ports and the Midlands to the west. Another reason the area needs a good road network is the county’s food sector where it’s important that fresh produce can be transported efficiently and quickly by the many logistics companies that operate throughout Norfolk. In addition, for Norwich International Airport (NIA) to attract additional passengers from the region, the main truck road links such as the A11 and the A47 need to be improved; Norwich International Airport estimates that 1.5 million people live and work within a 90-minute drive time of the airport and can all be considered as part of a catchment area which includes Norfolk, Suffolk and North Cambridgeshire. Among those who acknowledge that transport improvements are important to the growth of the region is Jonathan Cage, the Managing Director of specialist transport, energy and civil engineering consultancy Create Consulting based in Norwich. Jonathan is on the Board of Norfolk Chamber and Chairs its Planning Group, which is tasked with providing its member businesses with advisory services and planning expertise
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
ADVERTISING FEATURE covering key sustainability issues surrounding Energy, Water and Transport. Jonathan also sits on the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Transport Forum, which advises the New Anglia Board on transport priorities. Jonathan believes that improvements are urgently needed. He comments: “One of the problems we face in Norfolk is perception, the idea that we are not on the road to anywhere, and this can be an issue for businesses considering investing in the region. Jonathan continues: “Another challenging issue is the perception that car journeys to Norfolk can be slow. Take the A11 as an example. It is essential that the dual carriageway is completed as soon as possible, as there are often times when you can find yourself sitting in a long queue of traffic at Elveden, which can cause a major issue for businesses moving goods and people along this route. The unpredictable nature of journey times through this area and the lack of alternative routes in the event of an accident, create a real obstacle for people potentially looking at investing in our region. We are now starting to make real progress in improving the county’s roads and within the past 12 months, we have had two major projects approved for funding, with the dualling of the A11 to Thetford and the Norwich Northern Distributor Road both securing significant funding from the Department of Transport. Whilst these are both welcome developments, more needs to be done and the question is can we obtain further funding for the likes of the A47, for example, which provides a strategic link from Great Yarmouth to the east, Norwich City then onto Kings Lynn and then into the Midlands? We now need to do something to speed up journey times and to concentrate our efforts on securing funding for significant improvements along this route.” MPs, the Chamber and the business community have long argued the case for improvements to roads in the area and have done a good job in doing so. It is well publicised that the Department for Transport is currently looking at congestion hotspots and has £200m to spend nationally on the trunk road network and with plenty of hotspots in Norfolk on the A47, there is a strong case for additional investment in the region. Jonathan highlights that the need for quicker transport links also applies to the railways. He is aware that the Chamber needs to play a pivotal role in developments and comments: “The train times are a real issue. It can still take one hour and fifty minutes to get to London and other areas like Birmingham are considerably quicker, therefore anybody looking at potentially investing in a city outside of London is going to potentially overlook Norfolk due to its poor connectivity. The Chamber has identified this as a real issue and is actively involved on lobbying for improvements to both the local and regional rail networks.”
Up, up and away for service.
Flybe and franchise partner Loganair have officially re-launched a direct daily service between Norwich International Airport and Exeter.
A 31-seater Dornier 328 fast turboprop will operate the route seven days per week to Exeter International Airport. With a flight time of just one hour and 15 minutes, the service is perfect for both leisure and business users as the average driving time between Norwich and Exeter can be between six and eight hours. Flights on the route start from £49.99 one way including taxes.
Loganair’s Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Hinkles said: “As well as helping to create 15 new jobs in Norwich, the return of this important regional route is great news for the local economies of both Norwich and Exeter.” The launch followed the announcement earlier in the month heralding the arrival of the dedicated Dornier 328 aircraft to Norwich International Airport. As well as operating the Exeter route, the aircraft has now also increased the daily Manchester service to three flights each way on weekdays. Flybe and Loganair’s service expansion at Norwich International Airport will also create 15 jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers at the Norfolk-based hub. Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Norwich International Airport, said: “This is another positive step in the airport’s strategy to deliver sustainable connectivity for our region.”
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Grants to help businesses install electric vehicle charging points The electric vehicle (EV) market in the UK is developing rapidly. Many car manufacturers released full electric and plug-in hybrid models during 2011 with more planned for 2012. Increasingly, businesses are considering the benefits of using EVs and are providing charging facilities for staff and visitors that chose to drive them. EVs also have an important role in our future business travel and vehicle fleets. EValu8 Transport Innovations Limited at the University of Hertfordshire is delivering a government-supported "Plugged in Places" programme which
01707 28 4742
info@evalu8-ti.org.uk
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aims to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the East of England. Through this programme, grants are available to SMEs and local authorities for up to 75% against the total costs of charging post purchase and installation. Up to 50% grant funding is available for large organisations. Many charging points have already been installed through the scheme in Norfolk and across the East of England and we are encouraging more organisations to take advantage of this exciting offer. The funding is only available until March 2013 so interested parties are urged to make contact with the EValu8 team as soon as possible.
www.evalu8-ti.org.uk
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norwich
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CORPORATE HOSPITALITY
Events industry has ‘major role to play in UK economic growth’. ADVERTISING FEATURE Similarly, specialist help is invaluable when staging an exhibition. Whether it is staff at specialist venues or outside exhibition organisers, they will tell you that there is a lot to think about to make sure it runs smoothly.
If anyone ever doubted the importance of the events industry to the UK economy, then a recently released report underlined the point perfectly.
The report, which was circulated amongst Members of Parliament, outlined ways in which the UK events industry can work together with national and local government to increase Britain’s competitiveness internationally, and provide a boost to the economy. Presented to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events and other MPs, the report was compiled jointly by the Events Industry Forum and the Business Visits & Events Partnership. It highlighted opportunities for growth in the UK Events Industry, which it suggested can grow dramatically from its existing £36.1 billion, to £42.2 billion in 2015 and £48.4 billion in 2020, as well as helping the 25,000 companies that rely on it. The authors said that Ministers needed to offer support for the sector but MP Nick de Bois said: “This is not just about coming cap in hand to government, but about a collaborative effort to work together. “Events in Britain represent a major opportunity for growth for UK plc and a chance to underline our place as a centre for global business.” The report says that as well as the economic value of the industry, the sector provides ‘invisible benefits’, supporting exports and positioning the UK as the centre of international business, intelligence and knowledge sharing. It also underlined the vital role events play in bringing together ‘global leaders and thinkers to discuss, debate, learn and share’. Phil Mist, representing the Event Industry Forum who provide the secretariat to the Parliamentary Group, said: "With the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games and The Queen’s Jubilee well under way, the UK events industry will undoubtedly again show the world that organising major outdoor and sporting events is one of our specialities, and because of our expertise, the UK economy as a whole will benefit accordingly". Michael Hirst, Chairman of the Business Visits & Events Partnership, said: “This report comes
The first consideration is the nature of your event. Do you need a large hall or will something a little more intimate work? Is it formal or informal? They are salient questions because atmosphere is important to the success of exhibitions and getting it right matters.
Nick de Bois
at a crucial time for the UK economy as the Government considers its growth agenda. “The UK events sector is well set to play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth and added employment by showcasing Britain as a world class destination for international conferences and trade shows, as well a staging its great sporting and cultural events and festivals.” Those words ring true for the many business people for whom conferences and exhibitions are the places to create and cement those personal contacts upon which the economy relies, as well as to learn about new products and services.
Whatever the choice, it is vital that visitors can easily understand the layout and find their way around with the minimum of fuss. Large exhibitions can be bewildering events so adding to visitors’ problems with poor layout can only detract from the success of the event. In a world where business people feel more pressured than ever, wasting time getting lost at an exhibition is unlikely to foster much in the way of goodwill. Throughout the process, it is important to recognise the need of exhibitors and to make sure that they are well represented. They need to feel part of the occasion. Getting that right creates a sense of goodwill which helps an exhibition turn into a success. One of the other things that makes an exhibition successful is a sense that something is happening so it is useful to have staged areas for demonstrations and performances, or for companies to show their products at work. Such activities, with the interest they attract, makes an exhibition feel like it is alive. All good exhibitions have a touch of theatre about them. It’s what singles out the poor ones from the good ones.
So what are you looking for if you are trying to organise an event? How do you make sure that it plays its part in economic growth? Well, one of the key factors is a good location, somewhere that is easy to reach and that looks attractive for delegates. When assessing the venue you are looking for a number of other important factors. Can the venue cope with the numbers expected to attend, has it got a good meeting room, will it provide equipment like projectors and Internet access, are the staff friendly and flexible in helping you meet your needs? If the answers to those questions are yes then the event is likely to be a success.
Events in Britain represent a major opportunity for growth for UK plc and a chance to underline our place as a centre for global business.
The good venues are the ones that can tailor themselves to providing the exact needs of the event organisers. One approach is to bring in a specialist company to do it. The staff at these companies will have encountered just about every problem presented by the process.
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NORFOLK VOICE
Are you looking for a venue central to East Anglia? Try the‌
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Create a lasting impression at an unforgettable venue
The Weston room in the Hostry building at Norwich Cathedral is an impressive and exciting venue in which to hold your function. It can accommodate up to 150 people or be tailored to suit smaller groups. Excellent catering facilities and full audio and visual equipment are also available. Full of natural light and overlooking the Cathedral Close, both the setting and the room itself are sure to create a lasting impression on your guests.
The Weston Room Arts & Conference Venue
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MAY/JUNE 2012
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NORFOLK VOICE
Big Bonuses? Who cares?.
The recent press and media coverage of the furore surrounding bonus payments to executives and others within the banking sector has highlighted the contractual relevance of pay structures and procedures to any employment contract, as well as the overall psychological impact of large bonuses being paid at such levels. A pay structure is a grouping of pay grades that link related jobs within a hierarchy to provide a consistent framework for the implementation
of reward policies within an organisation. Pay structures may be designed to align the organisation’s attitude towards the reward of the employees with the business strategy of the organisation, such as to encourage high levels of performance, to bring order and clarity to the management of pay increases and career progression and equally importantly, to help ensure fairness and lawfulness by adopting an approach that avoids gender or other types of discrimination in pay. The bonus payments made to senior executives often incorporate a separate pay structure or arrangements and, as in the case of the banker’s bonuses, will often be determined by a special remuneration committee. In such circumstances, the contractual position is therefore that the award of the bonus is often a discretionary decision by the committee but is normally calculated against a set of payment trigger points based upon measurable performance targets. These will either be an overall business performance target being met or more focussed assessments of a division or team performance indicator. In many cases the executive will always be eligible for a bonus payment but will not know the level of the payment until the committee’s decision is reached. However, the fairness of the calculation of the bonus is not the only factor that generates a reaction from other employees
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Much of the disquiet in recent months in the banking sector has emanated from the gross disparity between the earnings of the top level executives within the organisation and those of the employees at lower levels and whose earnings do not have the potential to be supplemented via bonus payments. When such bonuses are set against a background of job losses and other cost reduction exercises the psychological impact of the bonus payment at the level that have been reported is felt more acutely by ordinary employees. This impact can of course be felt by all types of business in some form or another and should be a consideration of any organisation in assessing executive pay and bonuses and in ensuring that the pay at the top of the organisation is aligned objectively with the pay at the other end of the scale. Qdos can advise on the pay and bonus structure that is best for your organisation and can assist you to realign if necessary contractual pay and bonus benefits across your business to improve fairness and to reward employees in line with business performance at any point in time. For more information please contact us on 01455 850000.
CHAMBER NEWS
The work programme – unpaid slave labour?. The Government’s plans to help the long term and disadvantaged members of Britain’s unemployed to gain work experience leading to permanent employment via The Work Programme have recently foundered in the wake of public mistrust of the system. Many high profile employers providing opportunities under the scheme have withdrawn their involvement to protect the reputation and image of their business in light of the outcry over the underlying basis of the scheme.
“provides tailored support for claimants who need more help to undertake active and effective jobseeking. Participants receive support to overcome barriers that prevent them from finding and staying in work. It is delivered by DWP contracted service providers who have been given complete autonomy to decide how best to support participants while meeting their minimum service delivery standards. The Government is committed to fighting poverty; supporting the most vulnerable and helping people break the cycle of benefit dependency... The Work Programme also ensures value for money for the taxpayer by basing payments
largely on results, and paying service providers from the benefits saved from getting people into work. It is very much a partnership between Government and providers from across the public, private and third sectors” The Work Programme is now under closer scrutiny than ever from those critical of its underlying purpose and ethical basis. It will be interesting to see whether or not it survives in its present form or whether more existing providers review their position over the coming weeks For further information all aspects of employment relationships, please contact Qdos on 01455 850000
The Work Programme is designed and put forward as a scheme to help individuals to prepare for, find and stay in work and for existing part time employees, to help them to increase their hours to full time levels. It is delivered for Jobcentre Plus by specialist organisations, known as providers who are fundamentally required to give the support needed to help those participating to find and stay in work, This includes the provision by the providers of work experience and training and further support, tailored to individual needs and circumstances. Involvement in the Work Programme can last up to two years. Job Centre Plus may require an individual in receipt of either Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to take part in the Work Programme. For JSA recipients, this will apply after being in receipt of the benefit for nine months (if aged 18 to 24) or 12 months (if 25 or over) Individuals may however apply to join the Work Programme earlier or alternatively they can volunteer to join even if they are not required to do so. A decision on entry to the scheme is however based upon individual needs and circumstances. The Government’s own description of the aims of the scheme are laudable in principle. It intends that the scheme
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Contract delight as Norse builds on science park successes Norse Commercial Services has strengthened its highly successful links with one of Europe’s leading centres of science – Norwich Research Park (NRP). The facilities management specialist, employing around 5,000 people in the county, has taken on the management and delivery of cleaning, reception services, catering and both planned and reactive building maintenance at the Innovation Centre on the park. Norwich-based Norse already manages facilities at the site’s Cotman Centre. “We are delighted to extend our involvement, which now exceeds £1 million a year, with this prestigious bioscience research park,” said Norse FM Director Dean Wetteland. “Our policy of using local suppliers and sub-contractors wherever possible proved a key factor in NRP’s decision-making as, like us, environmental considerations are of prime importance in day-to-day operations.” John Irving, Project Co-ordinator for Colney Innovations, said: “We are delighted to have engaged Norse to manage the commercial laboratory and office facilities at the Innovation Centre and to provide FM advice for new NRP building projects. We are very pleased that this local company won the contract since their policy is to use the local supply chain and environmentally friendly resources wherever possible.” Norse Managing Director Peter Hawes said: “These are exciting times for both NRP and Norse. Our commercial and environmental philosophies are well aligned, which will benefit the local economy and, through our profit-sharing agreement with Norfolk County Council, the county’s taxpayers alike. We are committed to providing secure jobs, training opportunities and providing millions of pounds worth of business for local companies through our supply chain.” For more information on Norse Group, its services and partnerships, visit www.norsegroup.co.uk or call Geoff Tucker on 01603 894262.
ANGLIAN ARCHIVES LIMITED Anglian Archives can help by holding your important documents securely offsite.
Are you running out of space? Would more space for revenue activities be a blessing? Do you want the peace of mind that your data is safe all year round? In the event of disaster would you be able to get up and running quickly? A tailored collection/retrieval service of files or boxes will enable your staff to concentrate on your business. A scheduled data backup tape/disk rotation service, at a frequency to
suit you, gives you the peace of mind that your backup is securely stored and is quickly available when needed. Perhaps encrypted online data backup would be more appropriate for you. The incremental backup is overnight so it does not impinge on your daily operations. Remote data archiving, where data is rarely accessed, is an economic alternative to online back-up since data is de-duplicated and compressed greatly reducing the
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amount of data held. The data can still be readily accessed. If a battle box is prepared containing all the software and ancillaries you may need in the event of a disaster and held securely offsite then restoration will be achieved without too much heartache.
Telephone: 01603 766404 18 Paddock Street, Norwich, NR2 4TW www.anglianarchives.co.uk
Every Drop Counts - Creating a more sustainable future.
Recent projects have included:
Water is an essential, natural resource and over the last couple of years we have experienced well below average rainfall in East Anglia, which is placing severe pressure on available supplies and resources.
The need to manage and control the limited resource we have available is becoming increasingly important, especially within the agricultural sector. Providing a wide range of specialist services to both the private and public sectors, Create Consulting is the only Multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy in the Norfolk area. Creates in house team of experts provide advice on all aspects of water supply, efficiency and disposal. Including strategies and designs for grey water recycling, rain water harvesting, and sustainable drainage systems. The team also advises and designs irrigation ponds and other water storage solutions, providing specialist advice with respect to borehole water supplies, evaporation and general licensing requirements. The specialist water team at Create also has extensive experience in the design and analysis of hydro electric power stations, providing initial feasibility advice right through to implementation and detailed hydraulic modelling.
n Design and hydraulic analysis of a number of fish passes working alongside some of the UK’s leading experts in fish behaviour and conservationism. The recently introduced Water Framework Directive has placed severe pressure on the Environment Agency and other conservation bodies to significantly improve both the water quality and habitats along our rivers and watercourses. This has lead to a number of studies and improvement schemes being developed. n Preparation of a flood risk assessment for a residential development at Felixstowe. The site is adjacent to the coast and was at risk of flooding from both inland and coastal waters. The flood risk assessment has included a 2D hydraulic model using the companies TUFLOW modelling programme, allowing a series of flooding events to be reviewed and an effective mitigation and escape strategy to be developed. Creates water team has also recently prepared a number of flood risk assessments for the Energy industry and has extensive experience in the Yarmouth and Waveney areas formulating and delivering sustainable strategies. The engineering background of the practice sets Create apart from many flood and hydraulic specialist consultancies, ensuring that the recommended mitigation measures are both economically viable and safe to construct.
sewage treatment works. Create are currently working on a number of sites where they have successfully negotiated with the water company to allow development to be brought forward within a reduced cordon de Sanitaire. Effectively, allowing the further release of additional development land on the site. Create often combines its full ranges of services, this is evidenced by recent planning application submissions where the company has prepared the Air Quality Assessment, Noise Assessment, Travel Plan, Transport Assessment, Flood Risk and Sustainable Drainage Strategy, Foul Water Drainage, Utilities, Energy Assessment, Code for Sustainable Homes, Waste Management Plan, Water Resources Assessment, Site Investigation and CDM coordinator. By working closely in a multidisciplinary team Create offers its clients real benefits in terms of integration, value engineering and sustainability. Creates water team will be attending Sustainability 2012 to be held at the John Innes Centre along with members of our Sustainable Transport and Energy teams. Create will be holding a workshop session outlining key issues which developers, landowners, energy generators, and business owners should be addressing. For more information about Create Consulting Engineers, contact Jonathan Cage on 0845 4507908 or via e-mail Jonathan.Cage@ createconsultingengineers.co.uk
Sanitation is a key element of water usage, and as such large proportion of the water teams work is related to the disposal, recycling and treatment of foul sewage. This includes the assessment of new sewage treatment works, pumping stations and rising mains for all forms of development. A specialism which the company has developed is advising on the removal or development adjacent to existing
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Contract and specialist cleaning services delivered throughout Norfolk and East Anglia, including Daily office cleaning
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CHAMBER EVENTS
Diary Dates. MAY
Chambers of Commerce, and Ruud Haket, MD of Abellio, new train operator for the Anglia region. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
High Five Lunch West Norfolk: presenting John Hayes MP
Chill Time! WHEN: Thursday June 28, 5.30-8.00pm WHERE: Vodka Revolution, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Take time out after work to meet up with other interesting business professionals for a glass of something cool in a relaxing atmosphere. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
WHEN: Friday May 18, 12:00-2:30pm WHERE: Town Hall, King’s Lynn WHAT’S IT ABOUT: A series of events where West Norfolk businesses can hear first hand from business leaders and their key drivers for success. John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, will be the speaker. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
JULY High Five Lunch
Business Breakfast Norwich: presenting Charles Bean
WHEN: Thursday July 5, 12:00–2:00pm WHERE: Yours Business Networks, King’s Lynn
WHEN: Wednesday May 30, 7:45-9:30am WHERE: Norwich City Football Club WHAT’S IT ABOUT: The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce invites you to a networking breakfast at Norwich City Football Club where we are delighted to welcome Charles Bean, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, as our keynote speaker. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
JUNE HR Forum WHEN: Thursday June 26, 2:00-5:00pm WHERE: Dunston Hall WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Join the chamber for an afternoon of accessing specialist knowledge essential for any HR professional. This HR Forum will feature a presentation from Rachel Paul of ConsultEast. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
Don’t forget, as a member, you can add your own events to the Chamber website.
Business Breakfast Norwich WHEN: Friday June 22, 7:45-9:30am WHERE: Cathedral, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Your opportunity to make some fantastic business connections and network over a delicious breakfast. Speakers John Longworth, Director General of the British
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Join the Norfolk Chamber for a fantastic networking event in West Norfolk over a delicious buffet lunch. Speaker Paul Leggett, Director of HR Cooper Roller Bearings. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
Summer Social WHEN: Thursday July 12, 5:30-8:00pm WHERE: Costessey Park Golf Club, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT: a relaxing evening of summer fun, with a barbecue, wine tasting, golfing activities and lots of networking opportunities. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
AUGUST Look the Business: Fashion, Beauty and Business the John Lewis Way WHEN: Thursday August 16, 5:30-8:00pm WHERE: John Lewis, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Get you and your business ‘bang on trend’ by hearing the story of John Lewis’s success from their operations manager, Lesley George. Plus a skincare and makeup demo and fashion workshop showcasing business dress trends. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
MAY/JUNE 2012
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Specialists in corporate and affinity group dental insurance schemes. l l l l l
Employee groups covered on either a flexible benefit, employer paid or employee paid (by monthly Direct Debit) basis International coverage for both routine and emergency treatments Oral cancer & dental implant cover Simple and efficient claims settlement No minimum group size
Telephone: 0845 5199 082 Email: schemes@disl.uk.com Providing bespoke insurance solutions to the business community since 2004. Approved and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, registration number 418441
Foundry House, Station Road Foulsham, Norfolk NR20 5RD
Eyre is one of the Eastern Region’s leading mechanical and electrical contractors
eyre
l Mechanical
l Heating and Ventilation
l Network Structured Cabling Systems
l Electrical
l Plumbing
l Renewables
l Air Conditioning
l Security and Fire Alarms
Fax: 01603 700495 e-mail: mail@eyre-norwich.co.uk 27 Yarmouth Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR7 0EE
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Tel: 01603 700565
www.eyre-electrical-mechanical.co.uk
CHAMBER NEWS
National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS). Gas Safe Register. Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are registered to work safely and legally on gas appliances in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey. By law, all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register. It replaced CORGI registration in April 2009. It’s important to take care of your gas appliances. Get your gas appliances safety checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Annual maintenance not only helps keep your heating and hot water working properly, it helps keep you safe.
In October 2010 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland which replaced the old ‘scores on the doors systems’. FHRS is designed to offer a consistent easy to understand approach, allowing you to make informed choices about the places where you eat and purchase food. The idea being to promote consumer choice and drive up standards in food businesses. The scheme includes; restaurants, cafes, pubs, take-aways, hotels, care homes, hospitals, supermarkets and other food retailers and eating establishments. The new ratings consists of zero to five with zero being ‘Urgent improvements needed’ to five having ‘very good’ compliance with food hygiene regulations.
The hygiene standards found at the time of an inspection by the food safety officer are used and rated on the scale. A business with a poor rating is generally one that is found on inspection to need to improve standards, the food safety officer will check;
Why do I need to use a Gas Safe registered engineer?
n Food Handling Practices and Procedures (preparation, cooking, reheating, cooling and storage)
In the right hands, gas is safe, but badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix or service your gas boiler, gas cooker and other gas appliances. Gas Safe Register is here to help keep you and your family safe.
n Structure and Cleanliness (environment, cleanliness, lighting, ventilation, building structure)
How do I check that my engineer is on the Gas Safe Register?
n Management Records (how the business manage and record) All business operators are encouraged to display the green and black sticker in their premises showing the hygiene rating for their business. The Food Standards Agency also wish to encourage local authorities to make inspection reports available for the public. The rating is not a reflection of the quality of food or the standards of service. If you operate a food business and you are not satisfied with the score you have been given you do have the option to appeal against the score and request a revisit, your local authority will have details on this process.
All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card, with their own unique licence number, showing the type of work they are qualified to do. Before any gas work is carried out always ask for the engineer’s ID card. Remember to check both sides of the ID card for: n The licence number n The start and expiry dates of their registration n The work your engineer is registered to do n The engineer’s up-to-date qualifications
How do I find a Gas Safe registered engineer? It’s easy. All Gas Safe registered engineers are listed on the website www.gassaferegister.co.uk You can also call 0800 408 5500 and an advisor will help you find an engineer in your area. Article provided by the Gas Safe Register
JULY/AUGUST MAY/JUNE 2011 2012
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NORFOLK VOICE
MEMBER NEWS
Continued investment and strategic planning pays big dividends. Landmark properties on the market.
Norfolk based, awardwinning family business Eastern Storage Equipment Limited (ESE), a manufacturer and supplier of industrial products, including cloakroom furniture, workshop fittings, office partitioning and safety and storage products, has enjoyed more than 60% turnover growth and 190% UK-wide client growth over the past two years.
The success has also resulted in significantly increased business for many other companies in their supply chain. More than 70% of products are UK-made and several suppliers are based in East Anglia. Thirty suppliers saw their turnover with ESE increase by more than 200% in 2011 and three of these by more than 1,500%. ESE’s Simon Francis said: “Sixty eight per cent of all our sales are now generated from the internet. Without committing to our use of the internet we could have been struggling like many of our competitors, instead of seeing massive growth that currently shows no sign of tailing off. Sales in 2012 are currently 21% above last year and we are really looking forward to seeing more significant growth in the near future.” Simon and his team are still reinvesting heavily in growth and have plans in place to increase their turnover by 100% within the next three years, while ensuring they continue to deliver exceptional levels of customer service and provide a good work/life balance for their team.
What about the VAT?. The biggest sporting event in the world will soon be with us. Have you thought how it could affect any of your clients and how they should deal with any VAT implication? How will your client deal with supplies of goods or services supplied to EU VAT registered business, non EU business and private individual from both EU and non EU countries? Do they
know the differing rules that apply? Do your clients know of the “Retail Export Scheme” that is available to visitors from outside the EU? For further assistance on how the Games might impact upon your clients contact Barry Hincks on 01455 850000 or on bhincks@ qdosconsulting.com
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
102 Prince of Wales Road
Two landmark Norwich city commercial buildings are being marketed by Arnolds, who are reporting strong interest in both, a sign of recovery in the Norwich commercial property market. The first is a substantial retail premises in Bedford Street and Bridewell Alley – the former Hovells store. The property has a total of 11,161 sq ft over five floors, and is situated in the thriving ‘Norwich Lanes’ part of the city. The building is unusually characterful for a retail premises, with rendered exteriors, a timber shop front, exposed beams and vaulted ceilings. Available on a ten year lease, the property would also be suitable for alternative uses such as bar, restaurant or cafe (subject to planning), and has potential for sub division. The second building being marketed by Arnolds is a significant city-centre office building at 102 Prince of Wales Road, until recently the head office of Lovewell Blake accountants. With 12,620 sq ft arranged over five floors, the building offers flexible accommodation, with front and rear office suites on each floor (except the top floor, which only has rear suite). The property also has a large warehouse area which has been used for file storage but was originally designed for enclosed car parking. 102 Prince of Wales Road is for sale with an asking price of £1.2 million freehold.
TAKE A BREAK
It’s 11.30am at the offices of Barking, Madd and Madd. It’s fairly quiet in the Stock Control Department. Far too close to home time.
Ridley Pinstripe. Sudoku May-June
It’s 11.30am at the offices of Barking, Madd and Madd. It’s fairly quiet in the Stock Control Department. Far too close to home time.
Actually, if I am honest, that’s not the main reason for the atmosphere; the truth is that I am the only one in the office and have been for several days. The reason dates back to a memo we received early last week from our owner, who still appears to be writing from a prison cell in Barbados.
Answers in the next edition
Suspicions that the address was not a misprint and that he is actually in custody were confirmed when he said he had decided to launch a health and fitness campaign at the factory after getting the idea ‘from some of the Homies in the yard.’
Sudoku Answers Mar-Apr
The reason for the campaign, he said, was his growing concern at the rising levels of absenteeism at the plant; the place has certainly been fairly sombre since the recent round of redundancies. To drive forward the campaign, the owner announced that he was bringing in a team of ‘Health Awareness Facilitators’ experts to improve standards at the company. Health Awareness Facilitators turn out to be lycra-clad individuals who bounded cheerily into the office and who I can only assume were on half-term. I’m not saying they were ridiculously young but…. you’re expecting a clever gag, here, I expect, but I can’t think of one so I am saying they were ridiculously young. Whatever you think about their tender years, you cannot fault their enthusiasm as they set about facilitating with gusto. First of all, they parked a mobile gym in the car park, blocking in the delivery vans, and insisted that everyone spend an hour a day on the exercise bikes. The following day they introduced weights into the main assembly hall and the day after that they brought in a regime of jogging, twice round the field then down to the bus stop and back. So why, I hear you ask, is the Stock Control Department so quiet today? Well, one of the girls is down the hospital after severing tendons getting off one of the bikes, one of the lads is in Ward 34 with crush injuries after trying the
Cartoons weights and we have not seen Brian since he took a wrong turning at the bus stop, although there have been reports of a bewildered man wandering round the shopping centre. Hang on, Ridley, I hear you say, you have always given us the impression that you are a go-getting middle-ranking junior executive; surely your department does not comprise just three people? Of course not! No, the rest are absent after the lycra squad persuaded the canteen to introduce a range of salads to the lunchtime menu. Half the factory went down with food poisoning and the hospital consultant reckons it could be the disastrous effect of vitamins on their metabolisms. Anyway, that’s all for now. I’m off down the doctor’s to get my dressing changed.
Ridley MAY/JUNE 2012
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NORFOLK VOICE
Energy, Exploration & Extraction
Infrastructure & Agriculture
Process & Specialty
Transport
Products & Services
Automotive
Parker Hydraulics & Pneumatics Ltd formed in 1975 selling bulk hydraulic hose, couplings and hose assemblies for the OEM and replacement market.
Now operating from a 6000 square foot warehouse in Norwich, Parkers offer a comprehensive range of Hydraulic, Pneumatic and Electrical Control components from individual parts to complete systems. To the Energy, Offshore, Agriculture, Plant Equipment, Food Process, Chemical, Injection Moulding and Transport industries.
Tel: 01603 403 190 Fax: 01603 485 337
Visit our web site for more information
www.parkerhydraulics.co.uk
Construction Training Specialists Ltd is a well established training provider offering all year round flexible training.
L
iteracy and Numeracy (Level 1)
The Nationally Recognised Certificates in Literacy and Numeracy are a great way to show employers that you have the English and Maths skills they're looking for.The course is currently available funded by the government. It is open to anyone looking to upgrade their knowledge of English and Maths. Sucessful candidates will achieve a Nationally Recognised Level 1 Qualification.
W
B
Are you an Experienced Construction Worker who has never been able to gain a qualification in your trade? Construction Training Specialists have been allocated funding to help you achieve your NVQ Diploma and obtain a Trade Specific Skilled Worker CSCS Card. Work based learning is available in many trades and can be completed by either OSAT or EWPA.
Are you interested in finding out more about construction and the allied trades and if this is the career route for you? If so Construction Training Specialists Ltd are offering a Level 1 Basic Construction Course (Certificate in Building Craft Occupations). The course has been designed to give individuals the chance to try various trade areas and achieve a Recognised Qualification and a CSCS card. Travel Expenses may be refunded through the Discretionary Learners’ Support Fund (Subject to eligibility)
ork Based Learning NVQ Qualifications
asic Construction Courses (Level 1)
Courses are available in the following Trade Areas:
Brickwork | Carpentry | Glass and Glazing | Health and Safety | Joinery | Management and Supervision | Painting and Decorating | Plastering | Plumbing | Tiling
Tel: 01603 610586
E-mail: info@construction-training.com | Web: www.construction-training.com 1st Floor Phoenix House, White Lodge Business Park, Hall Road, Norwich. NR4 6DG
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
NEW MEMBERS
New Members. Ardenham Energy
EValu8 Transport Innovations
Peter Lawton Coaching
The Limecrete Company Ltd
01223 383836
01707 284740
01485 520898
01953 888011
Energy www.ardenhamenergy.co.uk
Transport www.evalu8-ti.org.uk
Coaching & Mentoring www.peterlawtoncoaching.co.uk
Building Material Suppliers www.limecrete.co.uk
Ardenham Energy are a multidisciplinary renewable energy solutions company covering solar PV & thermal, air and ground source heat pumps, micro wind and biomass.
EValu8 Transport Innovations is a not-for-profit company offering grants to support Electric Vehicle charging point installations in the East of England.
Peterlawtoncoaching (plc) is a provider of coaching and support services for businesses and personal performance. I will be running career development workshops in Norfolk, including DISC personality profiling.
Sustainable construction specialists. New builds and historic renovations using limecrete, hempcrete and other ecologically sound, breathable materials.
Cemea Ltd
01493 653603 Oil & Gas Exporters of instrumentation, valves, metering systems and associated equipment for the Oil & Gas sectors in the EMEA regions.
Cost Centre Services Ltd
0845 450 1446 Consultants (Business/Management) www.costcentreservices.com Cost Centre Services (CCS) is a Client focused energy procurement and carbon reduction consultancy, with proven experience in developing efficient energy strategies to reduce costs and carbon footprint.
Dental Insurance Solutions Ltd
0845 5199082 Insurance Companies/Brokers/ Adjusters (all types) DSL is a specialist supplier of employee benefit and affinity group dental insurance.
Edmundson Electrical
01603 405123 Electrical Goods (Supply) www.edmundson-electrical.co.uk Electrical Wholesalers supllying domestic, commercial and industrial installation equipment.
Elite Academy of Security Training Ltd
01603 764507 Training Providers/Services www.elite-trainingacademy.co.uk Elite Academy of Security Training is the region’s only dedicated provider of security related training and qualifications.
Leavs Ltd
01508 528728 Packaging/Wrapping & Labeling www.leavs-packaging.co.uk Leavs Ltd develop and manufacture a range of eco friendly void-fill packaging products using farm produced sustainable and natural botanicals.
Norfolk PACT
01953 423816 Charities www.norfolkpact.co.uk Norfolk PACT is a crime prevention charity. We supply and fit high quality security measures as part of our fundraising activities; this enables us to provide the same level of service to victims of crime free of charge.
Norfolk Training Services Ltd
01603 259900 Training Providers/Services www.norfolktraining.co.uk Norfolk Training Services Ltd provides a range of training, management services and welfare to work services.
Parker Hydraulic & Pneumatics Ltd
01603 403190 Engineering www.parkerhydraulics.co.uk Parker Hydraulics was formed in 1975. Today we supply specialist hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control equipment and services.
Tidal Transit Limited
Purple Tuesday
0845 862 1590 Website Designers www.purpletuesday.co.uk Purple Tuesday is a software development business specialising in Microsoft technologies. We have over a decade of software experience in sectors such as a retail, financial services and marketing.
Red Cat Partnership Ltd
01485 518760 Transport www.tidal-transit.com Providing access, transport and crew transfer services to the industries of the North Sea. Operating from the North Norfolk coast we specialise in safe, speedy and efficient travel for those working in the offshore wind energy sector.
Tiger Eye Consulting Ltd
01603 502136
44 (0) 1932 847 623
Health & Safety Consultants www.redcat.gb.com
Consultants (Business/Management) www.tigereyeconsulting.com
Health & Safety Consultancy & Training. Health & Safety Audits, Safety Policy writing, Risk Assessments, Training, Food Hygiene & Nutrition too!
We provide software and consultancy services to a variety of business sectors using the Autonomy Software Suite including Worksite Document Management, Teamsite Content Management and IDOL Enterprise Search.
SaxonAir Charter Ltd
0845 1556222 Transport www.saxonair.com
Vodka Revolution Bar
01603 858483
SaxonAir is an innovative company with a dynamic and flexible approach. Our focus is to truly understand the unique needs of the private air traveller. Whether flying for business or pleasure, our service offers you cost effective flexibility and control.
Bars www.revolution-bars.co.uk/norwich Revolution is Norwich’s best loved bar. We are ideal for corporate events, dining, after work drinks, cocktail master classes, student nights, parties and functions.
Wrightsolar Ltd
Soak Social
01603 630631 Social Media www.soaksocial.co.uk Experts in online social communities, helping audiences engage with brands through strategy development and training. Building success from social media requires foundations.
MAY/JUNE 2012
01603 702775 Heating & Plumbing Engineers/ Installers www.showerpowerbooster.co.uk Wrightsolar is an innovation company with expertise in hydraulics and has filed patents in the field of solar thermal heating and hot water and a energy saving pump which is a new innovation which opens up possibilities throughout homes and offices.
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NORFOLK VOICE
100 Years of Communication!. ADVERTISING FEATURE
On the night of the 14th April 1912, the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic hit an iceberg in the middle of the Atlantic. 1577 people died when the Titanic finally sunk in the early hours of the 15th April 1912, but most people around the world didn’t even know about it until at least the 16th April. Why? Because most people got their news from newspapers which had to find out about the tragic incident and then print and distribute them for people to buy and read. Newspapers were pretty much the only way in which news could be distributed. 2012 is also the anniversary of another very important event – the Royal Flying Corps, better known under its current name of the Royal Air Force. 100 years ago the army and navy began to recognise that there was a potential role in wartime for aircraft to be used for observation. It was undertaking this role that Royal Flying Corps were deployed in 1914 using 48 aircraft as support in the First World War, although by 1918 there were 1200 aircraft deployed in France and were very much used as fighting machines, not just observation. Throughout the war, the losses in the Royal Flying Corps were massive, and by the end of it around 1 in 4 airmen were killed – a similar proportion to infantry losses in the trenches! If a family lost a loved one in this horrific war, they were more than likely to find out by receiving a telegram. Whilst this was a considerably faster method of communication, it still required someone to sit and transmit the telegram, a telegraphist to receive it and then, very often, a postal worker to deliver it. Communication remained a laborious process. On the 6th February 1952, the world heard of the very early death of King George VI. The world was able to hear of his death by radio within just 2 hours of the announcement from
Buckingham Palace. Radio, and subsequently television, became the medium by which we could learn of news events much faster than previously and this, in part, led to their success as communication media. Today, 97% of all communication is transmitted, at some point, across the Internet. The Internet is not, as some believe, the World Wide Web, but is actually a global communications system that is used for the transmission of data of many different types. Emails, web pages, music, television and voice calls, (standard telephone calls), all use the Internet as a means of getting information from one place to another. News is instant. 24 hour news channels broadcast
THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
around the clock updating us of every possible occurrence, of just about anything! 2012 will witness two extraordinary events. Firstly, in June, the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be broadcast around the world and watched by millions, probably billions, of people unknowingly receiving the information via the Internet. Secondly, in late July and August, the 2012 London Olympics will again be broadcast to billions of viewers, largely using the Internet to achieve this. At the heart of all of this instant communication are data centres. Data centres are the very foundation of the ‘digital age’ and whether it be email, a television broadcast, or the data at the heart of your business, a data centre is where it should be stored and processed. Sentry42, East Anglia’s most secure, environmentally efficient and expertly operated data centre is located in Norwich. If your business relies on data, whether email, web services, ecommerce, or all of your important documents, you should be talking to Sentry42. To find out more, call 08451 42 42 42 or email info@sentry42.com.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Norwich legal firm achieves gender balance in the boardroom. Cozens-Hardy LLP has announced that solicitors Anna Farquharson and Charlotte Hunter have accepted the firm’s offer to become Partners. As the first legal firm in Norwich to appoint a female partner in 1967, Cozens-Hardy LLP is once again blazing a trail in professional services. While recent media exposure has highlighted the lack of female solicitors making it to partner level, the firm has now achieved gender balance at management level. Simon Whipp, Managing Partner, said: “I am delighted that Anna and Charlotte have chosen to progress their careers with the firm. The legal profession is successful at attracting highly educated and motivated women but it is notable that an unrepresentative number of them subsequently reach partner level. I like to think that we have a very supportive working environment here at Cozens-Hardy and I believe that enables us to secure and retain some of the best legal talent in the county.”
First time success for newly qualified accountants.
As key members of the firm’s highly successful Residential Property department, Anna and Charlotte have been instrumental in the growth of this department under Partner Philippa Rudd. Philippa said: “Anna and Charlotte are both highly respected and popular members of my team; I have no doubt that their expertise and enthusiasm will help us drive forward the firm’s conveyancing services.” Chris Groves, Senior Partner, said: “We are delighted that Anna and Charlotte have accepted this offer and the many challenges that legal services face in the coming decade. We congratulate them on their personal achievement and hope that they have many successful years leading the firm.” Both Anna and Charlotte were educated locally and undertook their Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. Charlotte, who gained her law degree at the UEA, joined Cozens-Hardy in 2000 and is experienced in all aspects of residential conveyancing. After some time practising in London, Anna joined the firm in 2007; Anna also handles the full spectrum of residential conveyancing matters.
From left to right: Lauren Harper, Jemma Jackson, Keith Shorten [training partner], James Cooper, Douglas Young [managing partner] and Melanie Wright [training supervisor]
Three accountants at Lovewell Blake — Jemma Jackson, James Cooper and Lauren Harper — are celebrating their newly qualified status. James Cooper and Lauren Harper passed the ICAEW exams to become chartered accountants while Jemma Jackson is now a chartered certified accountant. James, who started with Lovewell Blake in 2005, works in corporate services at Norwich while Lauren, who began her accountancy career two years later, is in the audit department at Lowestoft. Jemma joined the firm in 2004 and is part of the corporate services team at Thetford. Training partner Keith Shorten said the three have maintained the excellent record of Lovewell Blake students passing exams at first sitting. “They are to be congratulated on their success and have promising careers ahead of them” he said.
MAY/JUNE 2012
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NORFOLK VOICE
The last word. Name: Pete Waters Company: Archant Norfolk Job title: Editor Eastern Daily Press BIOG: Began as a YTS trainee reporter on the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Advertiser in 1984 and was youngest editor in the country at 19. Went on to become deputy chief sub on the Northampton Chronicle & Echo, production editor for TRN East, deputy editor on the Peterborough Evening Telegraph and as Special Projects Editor at Archant Norfolk (then ECN) was tasked between 1995-97 with turning the broadsheet EDP to the compact size. Following year launched EDP Saturday magazine, then the first in the regional press, and a year later, the glossy EDP Norfolk magazine. Between 2001-06 was publisher of county Life magazines based in Cheltenham, before taking time off to travel with his wife, then returned to Norfolk and the EDP as deputy editor in 2006, becoming editor in 2009.
What did you want to be when you were young? Options weren’t fantastic in Great Yarmouth in the early 80s (particularly for someone who doesn’t enjoy classrooms), which is why I joined the army when I left Gorleston Grammar School with just three O levels. I was in for less than a year, but the experience has served me well. I learnt about discipline, self-respect and self-reliance, and working in a team. Dare I say it, National Service for NEETs? What could you not live without? Memories of my late wife, the incredible places we saw together and the wonderful experiences we shared. If you could build a house anywhere in the world where would it be? I’ve been fortunate enough to see many of the world’s favourite locations, but the rest of the world isn’t Norfolk, is it? I’d love to wake up every morning and see the beach between Wells and Holkham. I’d advise every Norfolk person to leave the
county for a period and then return - it’s the best way to really appreciate what we have here. What makes you angry? People who don’t ‘get’ Norfolk frustrate me, as do people who have no ambition for our county. If you could invite any two people to dinner who would they be and why? Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton. I’m intrigued by the relationship, and am curious to know if a lack of a male heir is what drove Nelson to create immortality for himself at Trafalgar. What is the best thing about this area? Ha! Where do you start? It’s Norfolk, the best county in the UK! If you only had a £1 left in the whole world what would you spend it on? A glass of Adnams sitting outside the White Horse at Brancaster. I know, I know... it’s a Suffolk beer.
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What is in your opinion the greatest invention ever? I thank Jacob Henry Tillett every day for inventing the Eastern Daily Press 142 years ago. What is most valuable lesson you have learnt in life? That the unexamined life is meaningless. Or, perhaps taking Groucho Marx’s point that he wouldn’t join any organisation that would have him as a member, that journalists should protect their integrity above everything. We shouldn’t be in anyone’s pocket. If you could come back as an animal in your next life what would it be and why? Well, I’m intrigued to know what goes through the minds of my two golden retrievers, Grace (the prefix Dis is silent) and Phoebe...