Norfolk Voice 20

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norfolk Embrace the power of BIG THINKING Big Interview

Cover Feature

Deal that offers a world of opportunities for Norfolk’s young people

Exciting opportunities offered by fastgrowing sector

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce JANUARY FEBRUARY 2014

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CONTENTS

Norfolk Chamber members are ‘Big Thinkers’. As we look forward to a prosperous 2014 this issue considers what being a ‘Big Thinker’ means to businesses large and small.

The Agri-tech sector is hitting the headlines, but what is it and what could it mean for the Norfolk economy? We explore this exciting new sector in pages 26-27. Germains Seed Technology, who are within this sector, have recently become our latest Gold Patron. Get to know their Group Marketing Manager, Helen Millin who is our Last Word this issue.

Our main interview is another recent Gold Patron member, Hewlett Packard who, together with Norfolk County Council, Vodafone and Microsoft will deliver a ground breaking new digital initiative.

‘The Digital Norfolk Ambition’ is the first in the UK and has the ability to transform public sector communication.

Read the exciting news from our members, all of which shows that our Norfolk business community is continuing to thrive, despite the challenging economic times.

After the overwhelming support and popularity of our first series of Chamber Sessions, we are pleased to launch series two in January 2014. These free training sessions have helped businesses keep up to date with the latest trends and ideas, providing practical top tips which can be implemented on a daily basis.

Contents.

03

Welcome/Contents

22 24

Conferences & Exhibitions

04 05

Chamber News

33 35

PR & Marketing

07 09

Members News

38 39

Finance

12 13

Chamber Policy

40

Professional Services

14 15

Members News

51

Commercial Property

16 17

International Trade

18 19

The Big Interview

26 29

Cover Feature

36

Knowledge

37

Membership News

42 48

5

Chamber Events

49

Take a Break

52

New Members

53

A Week in The Life Of

54

The Last Word

18

Two important dates for your diary are: 7 February ‘The Chamber Meets the Norfolk Nine’.

This will be a positively charged debate with our MPs focusing on how Norfolk can accentuate the positive to deliver a clear message locally and nationally that Norfolk is the place to invest.

20th March is our new Meet the Buyer 2014 event.

The difference this year is that we will match you to buyers who are interested in your category of services/products. We will also be running expert industry-led workshops and providing unique networking opportunities to make this a really exciting productive event. Currently we have 60 buyers booked to attend and the numbers are rising daily. Bookings launch on 3rd February so keep up to date by visiting out website or following us on twitter.

46 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,

Check our website www.norfolkchamber.co.uk for full details on all our events.

Whiting Road,

2013 was challenging and 2014, I am sure will have its challenges. However by working together we can share knowledge, support and influence and continue to drive the Norfolk economy forward.

We very much value your support and look forward to working with you during 2014.

Tel: 01603 625977

Norwich NR4 6DJ Fax: 01603 633032

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2384 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING John Neilson, Commercial Director Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2343 email: john.neilson@distinctivegroup.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

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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NORFOLK VOICE

Exciting times ahead for Chamber.

Gold Patron appointed in West Norfolk.

Ian Hacon President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce CEO - Blue Sky Leisure

I’ve been involved directly and indirectly with the Chamber for many years now.

During that time, we have seen a lot of change in both the wider economy and within the Chamber and the business support arena.

As a Chamber, we need to continue to be nimble and make sure that we offer the very best value to our members but also be able to evolve in this ever changing space.

In my own organisation, Blue Sky Leisure, we have launched our famous burger brand Zaks for franchising.

I can correlate that journey with that of Norfolk Chamber.

Franchising is about systemising your approach so that a small team can deliver an enormous amount, delivering a consistently high quality without damaging the brand. That is the likeness I compare to the Chamber.

Caroline works with a very small team, but they have to think and act like a big company and are constantly in the eye of many businesses who have very high expectations.

This is where I think I can add the most value in my presidency working with Caroline and the team to maximise the opportunities and help keep the Chamber at the forefront of peoples’ minds as the first choice for networking and business support.

There are some very exciting times ahead and I look forward to working with you all as the Norfolk Chamber continues to deliver.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Germains Seed Technology is the latest company to become a Chamber Gold patron and will become the Chamber’s West Norfolk Gold Patron representative.

As one of the world’s largest seed technology companies, Germains provide value-added seed technology solutions to maximise the natural potential of sugar beet and horticulture seed in the field. It processes sugar beet seed for the UK and European market from its King’s Lynn production facility.

Paul Mullan, Managing Director and CEO, said: “We are delighted to be working closer with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber does an excellent job in representing and championing Norfolk business and its focus for 2013/14; supporting competitiveness; championing Norfolk business; improving infrastructure and removing barriers to drive Norfolk’s economic growth, aligns with our own business objectives.

“The knowledge and support offered by the Chamber is of immense value to the local business community and we are delighted to be part of that network.”

“We are particularly interested in investing in young people and attracting talent to our business and are pleased that the Chamber are championing this for the wider Norfolk business community.”

Germains is also one of the businesses involved with the Eastern England Agri-Tech Growth LEP initiative for Norfolk, Suffolk, Greater Cambridge and Peterborough, which aims to create a corridor of agriculture excellence for the eastern region.

CHAMBER NEWS

Apprenticeships – unlocking the potential.

February 2013, where over two hundred and fifty businesses joined with MPs to discuss bridging the gap between business and education, the Chamber has brought young people into the forefront of the business minds.

In 2013 the Norfolk Chamber had a vision to help unlock the potential in young people and drive the business community to invest in our future workforce.

From the initial campaign, to increase awareness of business and education, it soon became apparent that the Norfolk Chamber was in a position to offer a service to support its members in taking that first step to recruit a young apprentice to help grow their business.

In May 2013, the Norfolk Chamber Apprenticeship Brokerage Service was born to aid businesses understanding more about the benefits of taking on a young apprentice and in finding the right qualification that would fit their business.

Since then, the Norfolk Chamber has helped over thirty local businesses create over forty

As the skills gap is one of the biggest issues Norfolk businesses face, we needed a joined up approach to start to tackle the problem.

We have partnered with organisations such as: Robert Ashton’s pioneering SWARM Apprenticeships that has created the first Enterprise Apprenticeship: Norfolk County Council, who we worked in partnership with to increase the uptake of the Apprenticeships Norfolk Grant, through our brokerage scheme; and linked our campaign with others such as the Norwich for Jobs campaign to drive down youth unemployment in Norwich.

Chris Perry Membership Manager

apprenticeship vacancies throughout the region ranging from engineering to business administration.

Chris Perry, Membership Manager of the Chamber said “Helping generate over forty apprenticeship positions was just a small part of the wider campaign. Since the MPs event in

Norfolk is bucking the national trend in generating apprenticeship positions, but the work has only just begun in terms of increasing awareness that apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative to higher education and bridging the skills gap that threaten local supply chains.

In 2014, I look forward to continuing to drive our Brokerage Service even further and continue to use the influence of the Chamber to encourage businesses to work even closer with our fantastic local schools.”

Chamber sets a good example.

Norfolk Chamber is leading the way and setting an example for other Norfolk businesses.

We now have a grand total of 3 apprentices working at the Chamber – this does not sound a lot until you understand that this represents over 25% of the Chamber’s staff!

The first apprentice recruited was Katie Downes. She has been with the Chamber for 18 months and is now an established and integral part of Events Team. Katie leads on the delivery of the HR Forums and International series of events.

Samantha Brown was recently recruited as further support for the Events Team and, after only two weeks, she was right in the thick of it, playing an active part in delivering the Chamber’s flagship BIG Thinking Conference.

Our 2 events apprentices represent 50% of the Chamber Events Team.

Our third apprentice is Jack Edwards. Jack has been recruited as an office assistant, providing administrative support across the organisation, one of Jack’s key responsibilities is ensuring all the administration for the Membership Department is up to date.

If you are interested in recruiting an apprentice, Norfolk Chamber can help. For more information contact Chris Perry to discuss how the Chamber Apprenticeship Brokerage Service could help your business to grow.

Call: 01603 729715 or email chris.perry@norfolkchamber.co.uk.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE5

NORFOLK VOICE

Flooding Are You at Risk?

ADVERTISING FEATURE

risk assessments for all types of developments, including residential sites, commercials sites and strategic infrastructure. Create uses specialist software to prepare detailed 1D/2D flood models to simulate how different flood and storm events will impact on your site.

The news reports over the last couple of months has been constantly full of reports of severe storms, tidal surges and repeated flooding events throughout the UK. The Governments emergency COBRA committee has met on a number of occasions to discuss the strategic response to these events. Thousands of people have suffered property damage, emergency evacuation and loss of power and other essential services. Large areas of agricultural land have been flooded by rivers bursting their bank, and sea defences have been tested to their extremes, with many needing significant repairs. The Thames barrier has been raised almost more times in the last couple of weeks than it would normally in a year.

With headlines like this then why are we still looking at building houses in floodplains or buying houses within them. The real reason is that the majority of our major towns and cities have been historically built on or next to rivers or coastal ports. This means that most of our urban areas are potentially at risk of flooding or are protected by flood defences. Planners have historically been put under pressure by the development industry to allow further development in these areas for both commercial and residential purposes. Many towns and cities have brownfield sites which have been identified for redevelopment that are affected by floodplains and potential surface water

drainage issues. Whilst it would therefore be ideal to only develop or buy sites clear of areas of flood risk, this would leave large areas of our existing towns and cities undeveloped, pushing development further away from the main development centres.

So how do you know if you are at risk.?

The Environment Agency show on their website, flood maps which shows areas of land which are at risk from flooding. In addition there are a number of data websites where you can purchase flood maps and surface water flood risk plans. When you are purchasing a property your solicitor will normally recommend a flood search using one of these sites, or your bank will require one to be completed before agreeing to your mortgage. The issue with all of these sites is that they generally only give you a rough indication that your site or property is at risk from flooding.

So if you want to know accurately how much of your site is at risk, what depth is your site likely to flood, how quickly your site will flood, and what can be done to protect your site, then you need a site specific flood risk assessment.

Create Consulting Engineers Ltd are specialist flood risk consultants and have extensive experience of preparing site specific flood

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Create also provides advice on flood resilience measures, how to protect both new and existing buildings and how to minimise any potential damage to your property. Create provides advice on all types of new build properties and existing properties with respect to flood protection measures.

Create also provides expert flood risk reports for Insurance purposes, as well as emergency flood evacuation plans and strategies. If you have a flood risk query then please contact Julian Moore at Julian.moore@createconsultingengineers. co.uk or Jonathan Cage at Jonathan.cage@ createconsultingengineers.co.uk.

Telephone: 0845 450 7908 Email: jonathan.cage@ createconsultingengineers.co.uk www.createconsultingengineers.co.uk

MEMBERS NEWS

Atmos Consulting gathers the experts to review peat habitat management.

In fact, these developments have led to a significant volume of high quality peat depth data being compiled in support of applications (data covering several hundred to several thousand hectares in extent now exists but is not all in the public domain).

With peat holding 50% of the UK’s carbon stock, the importance of its management is increasingly recognised.

In September, Atmos Consulting organised and hosted a seminar held at Bangor University to bring together researchers, consultants and restoration practitioners to consider the important issues and latest thinking about peat management and restoration. .

While the biggest threat to peat uplands comes from air pollution and longer-term climate

When prepared by specialist environmental consultancies, like Atmos Consulting, this data can be based on sophisticated GIS and geospatial tools in order to manage physical risk and meet the requirements of statutory agencies. In addition, the habitat management plans submitted with wind farm applications are often used to propose restoration of damaged peatlands.

change, renewable energy developments, and wind turbines in particular, are widely perceived to have potential impacts.

Accountancy student wins prestigious award.

A more detailed article about the seminar can be found in the current edition of Wind Energy Network at - http://content.yudu.com/Library/A2ieup/ WEN19OnlineSinglePag/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl

Pyjama Party raises funds.

Matthew has worked in the Wisbech office of accountancy firm Bulley Davey for two years and is currently in the middle of completing his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification.

Matthew, who was selected from 300 Kaplan Financial students to receive the accolade, said; “I was surprised and really happy to receive the award. The tutors have been great at Kaplan Financial because they help us to understand the subjects in a fun and interesting way. Thanks to Pure for sponsoring the prize.”

Accountant trainee Matthew King has won the Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) sponsored Kaplan Financial Student of the Sitting Award for the Norwich area.

The annual award, which is run by the financial and accountancy training company Kaplan Financial, has been sponsored by professional recruitment specialists Pure for five years and is given to trainee accountants from the East of England who have shown outstanding qualities in the financial field during the previous year.

In recognition of the award, Matthew was presented with an iPod Nano courtesy of Pure.

Joseph O’Sullivan, Recruitment Manager of the Norwich Branch of Pure, said: “We are really pleased to support the new and upcoming accountancy talent in the region and the awards are an excellent way of rewarding the hard work necessary to achieve professional qualifications.”

Caron Betts, operations manager for the Norwich and Ipswich offices of Kaplan Financial, said; “Matt has been a great student, studying with us for the past two years. He always makes a positive contribution to classroom discussion and activities. He worked incredibly hard and has achieved first time passes throughout. A well deserved winner of this prize.”

Staff at Norwich-based Waveney Insurance Brokers wore onesies and pyjamas to work to raise money for Children in Need.

Others baked Pudsey themed cakes and other assorted goodies which were sold with proceeds contributing to the £234 total raised.

Colleagues at Waveney’s Lowestoft branch joined in with a dress down day and Managers making tea and coffee throughout the day in return for donations.

Schemes Managing Director David Malone said ‘It was all a bit of light hearted fun in the name of a good cause. We’re aware of several local community based projects that have benefitted from the support they’ve received from Children in Need and are always happy to do our bit’.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE7

PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

BEER Festival causes a fizz amongst senior executives!

Business leaders from across the region attended the first ever Best Employer, Eastern Region (BEER) Festival at Ickworth Park near Bury St Edmunds.

The event was organised by Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) specialist recruitment agency and eras ltd, providers of psychometric testing and people development solutions.

Chief executives and managing directors were among delegates from Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk attending the unique event, to find out more about how employee engagement can benefit their business and staff, and to share knowledge with their peers.

Fitting in nicely with the festival’s title was one of the keynote speakers, Dr Andy Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Adnams. He revealed some of the company’s secrets to keeping staff involved and motivated. With 91% of the organisation’s staff feeling proud to work for the company and 94% saying they are clear

on what is expected of them, delegates were lucky to learn from one of the region’s masters of employee engagement.

Other speakers included Cathy Brown, employee engagement consultant from the Government-funded ‘Engage for Success’ initiative, who talked about the national picture, and Dominic Lowe, Managing Director of Kettle Foods, who spoke about the importance of leadership in inspiring the workforce.

Lynn Walters, Director of Pure, said: “It was very rewarding to see senior business leaders under one roof having discussions that could lead to positive changes in our region.”

Margaret Burnside, Director of People Development at eras ltd, said:”Many delegates felt very inspired and left the festival with plans

to make big changes to improve the level of employee engagement.”

A number of delegates took the opportunity to arrange visits to learn more about each other’s employee engagement activities.

All the proceeds from the event, which amounted to more than £3,000, have been donated to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and The Adnams Charity.

The festival will take place on alternate years and is part of the wider BEER initiative. From March 2014, businesses in the region will have the chance to take part in a free, confidential ‘Best Employer’ survey, which assesses employees’ views of their companies’ culture and values. The regional survey culminates in a series of seminars and awards in September.

Jungle drums bang as agency scoops awards.

The Jungle drums were banging as Jungle Public Relations Ltd, based near Dereham in Norfolk, beat off competition from East Anglia’s top PR talent, taking home four awards at the 2013 East Anglian CIPR Pride Awards.

Included in the accolades was a special award for ‘Outstanding Small Consultancy of the Decade.’

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Jungle PR was awarded Gold for ‘Best Outstanding Small Consultancy’ for the third year running, Best Internal Newsletter for Anglian Home Improvement and Silver for Best Integrated Campaign for Visit Suffolk.

Kate Morfoot, founder of Jungle PR who set up the company nine years ago, said: “Hard work always pays off and we are honoured to be recognised by industry professionals.”

The awards were organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and held at Trinity Park in Ipswich.

MEMBERS NEWS

Rogers & Norton becomes a limited company.

RMP Reloaded!

“We are mindful of the fact that the vast majority of our business clients are, in fact, limited companies and have clearly made that decision for a reason.”

“We believe that being a limited company would not only give us a better structure to take the firm forward in future years but would enable us to better relate to our business clients.”

Mr Etheridge added that the creation of an alternative business structure was a by-product of the decision to incorporate:

Rogers & Norton Solicitors has become a limited company.

Having traded successfully for the past 31 years as a traditional partnership, the Firm has decided to incorporate as a limited company, at the same time becoming an alternative business structure, only one of about 200 alternative business structures in the legal sector throughout England and Wales.

The Company’s Managing Director, Richard Etheridge, said: “We have been considering for some time what is the best structure for us to move forward in what is an increasingly competitive environment.”

“We offered Steve Clarke a partnership in April 2012, as it was clear that Steve is one of the most highly regarded conveyancers in this region. His promotion to the Partnership made Steve our first ever non-solicitor Partner.”

“The requirements of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority meant that we also had to register as an alternative business structure at the same time as getting their approval to trade as a limited company.”

The Company, which is called Rogers & Norton Limited, will continue to trade as Rogers & Norton. All of the personnel remain the same, having transferred to the limited company, and the former Partners become Directors of the company.

Leathes Prior incorporates Cole & Co Solicitors.

Cole & Co Solicitors has joined forces with Leathes Prior Solicitors.

Leathes Prior will operate from three offices; the existing Cole & Co office in Tombland will house the firm’s centre for the Conveyancing team, the existing Leathes Prior office in Tombland will remain its Commercial & Corporate office and all other teams will operate from Leathes Prior premises in the Cathedral Close.

David Clarke, Partner, formerly of Cole & Co, said: “I and the staff of Cole & Co are delighted to have joined forces with Leathes Prior. Not only will this further strengthen our highly regarded and successful conveyancing and private client teams but it will also allow our clients access to Leathes Prior’s renowned expertise in a wide range of legal services. It is a ‘perfect fit’ for both firms.”

Mike Barlow Managing Partner of Leathes Prior said: “The Partners and staff of Leathes Prior are very pleased to welcome David Clarke and

RMP Site Engineering has rebranded, changing its name to RMP Construction Services in order to reflect the way in which the company has evolved over recent years.

Established in 2007, RMP was a Site Engineering Subcontractor with just three people on the books: Managing Director; Rob Pinchbeck, his brother; Mike Pinchbeck and their childhood friend; Karl Mills, all of whom were all experienced, qualified Civil Engineers.

Despite the recession, RMP began to grow and by 2013 had seen the number of permanently employed staff grow to 33, with a further 20 subcontractors; 2013 also saw the launch of the Graduate Training Programme which now boasts seven new graduates additions to the team.

2011 saw the beginning of the Surveying department with the hiring of an experienced Surveying Manager, Dan Hume. Dan has led the surveying team to success across all construction sectors including rail, highways and utilities, using the latest robotic, CAT scanning and laser technology.

his team into the fold. I am sure that the clients of our combined firms will very much benefit from this exciting venture which reflects the confidence that the firm has in the strength of the legal sector and the economic outlook for the region.”

The most recent change came early in 2013 when Rob returned to his carpentry roots and employed a locally well-known Carpentry Foreman, David Elvin, working with a well established team.

As Site Engineering is no longer the sole focus of RMP, Rob felt that re-branding was a necessary step in order to embrace the evolution of the company, and so RMP Site Engineering officially became RMP Construction Services.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 2013

PAGE9

R O !

R R O H E TH

If speaking to groups of people makes you feel like this, I can help.

Having effective presentation skills is absolutely vital in today’s highly competitive world. If you are confident, dynamic and proficient in public speaking, you have a far greater chance of being successful in life.

So, if you are looking to raise your company’s profile, win more business,

enhance your career, boost your confidence or simply become a better communicator, leader or manager – please get in touch.

Tailor made courses for businesses and groups as well as open courses.

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Don’t shy away from the tender process.

Peter Hawes

Responding to an invitation to tender can leave businesses feeling a little bruised.

Often such documents are lengthy, onerous and intimidating, requiring hours of information gathering and presentation, with input from what seems like every department in the company. It is certainly not a process for the faint-hearted.

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CFTU TUBGG

Norfolk businesses wanting to bid for work from public sector organisations will inevitably encounter the tender process at some stage.

Public sector cuts affect the private sector too, making contracts highly competitive, but don’t be put off tendering.

At Norse we are regularly invited to tender for one or more of the wide range of services we offer and, from experience we know that even if you are not successful every time, going through the process has a number of positive impacts. n It provides an opportunity to review competiveness and help ensure you retain a competitive edge. n It sharpens cost effectiveness in service delivery as tendering in difficult times is often price driven. n However price is not usually the sole criterion, value for money, quality, reliability and service are all factors of prime concern so you need to be confident that these issues are regularly addressed. n It helps drive efficiency, by assessing the effectiveness both of your product or service delivery, and that of your management team.

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SFDSVJUNFOU FYQFSUT Contract Personnel recruitment that works for you

There are also those ‘soft’ areas of your business ethos, such as your approach to learning and development, sustainability, green issues and health and safety, that will form part of the tender evaluation process. With supply chain liability becoming ever more embedded in contracts, your performance in these areas can determine whether you are in the running, or fall at the first hurdle when it comes to tendering.

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Peter Hawes Managing Director Norse Commercial Services

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE11 PAGE11

NORFOLK VOICE

Green, lean or new machine!

Grants4Growth can help you cut your costs and your carbon footprint with our new capital and revenue business grant schemes. These simple, straightforward grants to fund efficiency improvements, reduce carbon emissions and help your business invest to grow.

n Small or medium-sized business?

Grants4Growth is a two-year package of free, confidential and impartial support available to SMEs to help them reduce costs, increase competitiveness and resilience. It also provides capital and revenue grants to purchase/install efficient new processes, production facilities and clean tech and other direct assistance to promote products/services such as clean technology and renewable energy.

n Looking into new technologies?

n Based in Norfolk or Suffolk? n Investing in growth? n Considering new processes?

n Efficiency or green project? n Need technical advice? n Need one-to-one support?

Apply for your grant today and receive support of up to 28% and receive hands-on support from

a knowledgeable and helpful local business broker to quickly guide your idea through the grant application process.

For further details, take a look at: www.grants4growth.org.uk or contact Cassie Mant on 01362 656235 or at cassie@grants4growth.org.uk Grants4Growth is part of the Local Enterprise Growth & Efficiency Programme, managed

by Breckland Council. The main funder is the European Regional Development Fund via the East of England Competitiveness Programme administered by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Chamber highlights need for employer engagement with local schools.

Great Yarmouth Chamber Council members recently met with East Norfolk Sixth Form College to discuss employer engagement with their Work Placement Programme.

In addition, they are also looking for Great Yarmouth business community interaction to conduct mock interviews and help students make the most of their CVs.

Kasia Beblot, the Work Place Co-ordinator at the college, advised that 130 students had currently registered for the Work Placement programme, however there were very few actual work placements available, due to lack of employer participation.

John Morse, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council, said “It is really important for Great Yarmouth employers to get involved in any way they can. We need to invest time in the young people of today, as they are the workforce for tomorrow.�

Kasia is very keen to hear from any employer in the Great Yarmouth area that could offer students a work placement of between 6 weeks to 8 weeks for one morning or afternoon per week.

For more information and to pledge your support, please contact Nova Fairbank - email: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER POLICY

West Norfolk is open for business.

Norwich business confidence is growing.

During a round robin update, Norwich Chamber Council members highlighted that business confidence appeared to be growing, with members reporting that their businesses was getting busier.

Hugh J Boswell advised that, following a slow start to the year, trading was strong, this was despite insurance companies hardening their rates, which will lead to price increases.

increasing footfall and Arnold Keys reported that the housing market was slowly picking up and the commercial property market was also showing signs of improvement.

An update on the Norwich Business Improvement District highlighted that some of their focus areas were: enabling Wifi across the city centre; improvements to the Park & Ride; and business rates.

John Lewis, Norwich reported that their Christmas ‘Bear and Hare’ TV advertising was already

Business is getting better – let’s shout about it!

Last year saw the commencement of the dualling of the A11 at Thetford, Better Broadband for Norfolk launched the initiative to improve broadband across the County and progress was made towards getting the Government’s commitment to improving the journey times from both Norwich and King’s Lynn to London.

Norfolk Chamber was actively involved in all of these campaigns and will continue to call for improvements to our transport and broadband infrastructure to ensure the Norfolk’s business community has the necessary tools to continue to create economic growth and jobs.

One of the key issues highlighted during 2013 was, that despite Norfolk being a great place to live and work, with good supply chain opportunities

and many dynamic forward thinking businesses, we are still not very good at letting the outside world know about our successes.

Therefore, one of the Chamber’s priorities for 2014 will be to ensure that the Norfolk business community, working partnership with organisations such as the Local Enterprise Partnerships, the local authorities and Business Improvement Districts raise the profile of Norfolk throughout the East of England, the rest the UK, and overseas.

A cohesive positive message promoting the strengths of Norfolk will help change the outside world’s perception of Norfolk and show that we are a vibrant and progressive place to live, work and do better business.

At a recent meeting of the West Norfolk Chamber Council, local Chamber members were invited to attend the meeting to debate promoting business in West Norfolk.

Representatives from Germains Seed Technology, Hayhow & Co, Rural Broadband and Freebridge Community Housing were all part of the discussions on how to increase the business profile.

The group reviewed inward investment and customer care for existing organisations in West Norfolk. The region receives a diverse number of inward investment enquiries, which range from manufacturing to life sciences.

Enquiries are received from around the world from the likes of: USA, Russia, Pakistan, and Australia. Many enquiries were based around the agri-tech sector and King’s Lynn forms part of a ‘golden triangle’ with Norwich and Cambridge for this sector.

All agreed that whilst West Norfolk has many exciting and innovative business already in situ, these businesses must raise their profiles and let the rest of the county know what they are doing to help highlight the opportunities and level of expertise already available within West Norfolk.

Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council, said “It was encouraging to hear from local businesses about the exciting work they are doing and it is up to us, the business community of West Norfolk, to make more noise about how much we can offer and ensure the message that ‘West Norfolk is open for business’ is broadcast to everyone.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY JULY/AUGUST 2011 2014

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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

Recycle venture creates unique UK aviation service.

by KLM UK Engineering’s team of highly-skilled aircraft engineers and stored for reuse or for sale.

Fuel and other pollutants will be drained and carefully disposed of, while aluminium bodywork will be cut up and recycled.

“It is sometimes difficult for owners to decide what to do with aircraft when the lease comes to an end,” said Mr Spalding. “KLM UK Engineering can now offer lease companies a complete range of options – from a total overhaul which will keep aircraft flying to dismantling them and recovering the recycle value of components and materials.”

An aircraft dismantling and recycling facility launched in Norwich by JKLM UK Engineering has created an aviation industry ‘cradle-to-cradle’ service unique in the UK. KLM UK Engineering Sales Director Dave Spalding said: “It was an exciting development for the company. It is now licensed to service aircraft from the day they are brought into use to the day, potentially 20 years and perhaps 18 million air miles later, they are removed from service.”

“We have customers queuing up and we have already got four aircraft on site for disposal,” said Mr Spalding. “Globally, the aviation industry has 12,000 aircraft which will need to be scrapped in the next 20 years, so there is huge potential for us.”

Components which are still licensed as serviceable will be recovered and reconditioned

This week’s launch provides KLM UK Engineering at Norwich Airport with the only aircraft recycling facility of its type in East Anglia and one of only a handful in the United Kingdom. It has the full support of parent company Air France-KLM, one of the world’s largest airlines, which is pleased it can bring some of its own decommissioning work to Norwich.

“There is no-one else in the UK who can provide such a range of services under their own approval,” said Mr Spalding. “It is an exciting day for us after many, many months of planning.

It means we can now give aircraft operators a lifelong servicing solution.”

Up to a dozen end-of-life aircraft will be broken up at Norwich over the next 12 months, creating 10 new jobs. In the following year, KLM UK Engineering plans to double the number of aircraft flown in for dismantling, possibly expanding its workforce still further. Full planning permission was granted by Norfolk County Council in September.

New era for Mason-Williams.

Mason Williams accountants has reported the successful launch of its new brand identity.

Having established itself under the abacus franchise brand, the time had come to be independent and adopt a brand identity that better reflects the company’s core values and service offerings.

Managing director John Mason is a chartered management accountant with extensive experience managing finance and operations in a variety of small and medium sized businesses.

Having been part of the senior management team growing a business from 10 to 150 employees, he has a wealth of experience of the challenges involved in a fast changing

business and brings that experience to the clients of Mason Williams.

Mason Williams supports its clients with a comprehensive range of tax and accounting services from self-assessment tax returns to a fully outsourced accounts and tax package.

The company is a keen supporter of new business start-ups throughout the planning and creation of the new business with advice, business plans and access to key services including business finance.

Pensions auto enrolment is now firmly on the agenda of all businesses so the company has teamed up with fellow chamber members Norfolk Wealth Management Ltd, a St James’s Place partner, to provide a comprehensive service to guide businesses through the whole process of auto enrolment and managing their new pension plan once it is in place.

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US2U Consulting expands.

During Export Week, Norwich-based management consultancy US2U Consulting Ltd announced that it was joining the UKTI Trade Mission to Qatar, Oman and Abu Dhabi held in December.

This was part of the company’s Gateway to Global Growth programme and follows delivering successful projects in Canada, North America, Belgium, France and Bahrain during the last few years.

US2U Consulting is being well supported by UKTI International Trade Adviser Leszek Wysocki.

Rachel Blackburn, US2U Consulting Director said: “We have ambitious plans to expand overseas to compliment our delivery of projects to clients in the UK.”

MEMBERS NEWS

Cleaning up for those in peril.

Swarm is spreading!

By Robert Ashton

A Norwich-based couple are cleaning up, quite literally, after starting their own disaster recovery business earlier this year!

Joining the Norfolk Chamber has been a smart investment for Swarm. In just a few months, membership has delivered publicity and a couple of businesses keen to be amongst the first to take an enterprise apprentice. But the opportunity to pitch Swarm to the Chancellor of the Exchequer was frankly amazing.

How much would we have had to pay a lobbying firm to achieve the same? I guess at least 100 times our Chamber subscription.

But singing the Chamber’s praises is not all I want to say.

You see, our first cohort of Swarm apprentices is established and will soon start their programme.

First we will agree some measurable goals with each participating business. Then we’ll work with apprentices, college and of course the business owners to make sure their return on investment in an apprentice is tangible and within a year, something to shout about.

Sponsorship by Orbit East means our support of the first group of 10 costs the business owners nothing. (Although two additional businesses have joined and agreed to pay their way).

And now for the big news! Swarm is currently recruiting businesses and apprentices in North Norfolk, sponsored by Victory Housing, and West Norfolk, sponsored by Freebridge Community Housing. Some have already signed up and we expect demand to be strong for places - both from businesses and enterprising young people.

Indeed, when it comes to knowing how to recover from flood and fire damage, few are better placed than Jamie and Gary Foreman who have seen unprecedented demand for their services since establishing Peril Solutions.

The company focuses on remediation and recovery from flood and fire damage to both commercial and domestic premises across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Swarm is spreading, growing and becoming known. Our business-focused/business-led approach is winning us friends. Moreover by happy coincidence the Government’s recently announced apprenticeship reform sets out to encourage everyone follow our lead.

Swarm is an opportunity for us all- for young people seeking rewarding, local, long-term employment; for business owners wanting an affordable way to grow; and for us, building a strong Norfolk foundation upon which to build a national social franchise.

SMS receives gold award.

Specialised Management Services (SMS Ltd), a leading specialist in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems, has been awarded Gold for“Delivering Quality Results by the UK arm of Aker Solutions Subsea Business at its Supplier Performance Awards Dinner and Ceremony.

Dave Howlett, General Manager at SMS, said: “This award is a tremendous recognition for the team at SMS and reinforces this client relationship we have developed over the past eight years.

Jamie said: “We ran a successful franchise for over 10 years and we’ve used that experience and knowledge to set up our own business.

We’re proof positive that there is life after running a franchise.”

“One of the key factors in our decision to set up was to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Many cleaning chemicals used in the disaster recovery industry are tested on animals or are harmful to the planet but we’ve decided to steer clear of such solutions.”

“When disaster strikes, such as a fire or flood, the homeowner or business owner does not need any extra problems caused by unsafe cleaning solutions.”

“We believe it’s a revolutionary approach to disaster recovery with all of the products that we use sourced from across the region.”

The event was held on 7th November 2013 at Pittodrie House Hotel in Aberdeenshire and the presentation was made by Aker Solutions Senior Manager for Procurement and Supply Chain in the UK, Robbie Hendry.

SMS was presented with the Gold award based on the continual high standard of customer service, project managemen, and consistent delivery of product excellence.

The couple had been running a Chem-Dry franchise for the past decade but decided to go it alone and their fledgling disaster recovery and carpet cleaning business is already going from strength to strength.

“This is only possible with the input of every department within the company and I would like to thank the hard working and dedicated employees at SMS. Their ethos extends not just to Aker Solutions but to all clients, thus ensuring we are consistently delivering the message that SMS is focused on safety, quality and customer satisfaction.”

“When running a disaster recovery company you never know what job will come in next. We recently had an instruction to attend a property where the policy holder had been away on holiday and, in their absence, an owl had entered the property through a chimney and had spent a week in the large house depositing waste on much of the furnishings, floors and rugs.”

“We made it our priority to be on site within 24 hours. Our prompt response ensured that we were able to restore almost all of the property affected, resulting in minimal disruption for the policy holder and maximum savings for the insurance company.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE15 PAGE15

NORFOLK VOICE

Case history - Hi Breeds International Ltd, Norwich.

Managing Director Nick Chandler knows Saudi Arabia well, and it was this experience of the region that led him to set up the company, which his business graduate daughter Laura then joined. “It was a very interesting set of circumstances that started us thinking that Saudi Arabia would be a good place to do business,” he explains.

Nick & Laura Chandler

Hi Breeds International Ltd was formed in 1998 and exports fertile chicken hatching eggs to a wide variety of customers in Saudi Arabia.

It exports 80 million eggs per year and has a £20 million turnover. In 2011, the company gained the Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding achievement.

“In the UK, hatcheries cut back output for six to eight weeks prior to Christmas, creating a surplus in the Autumn. We noticed that this surplus coincided with Muslim religious festivals where they needed to provide a lot of food, including chicken. So, we thought, why not meet their needs by providing them with our surplus? The high quality of Hi Breeds British-bred chicken proved a success and they wanted us to supply them every month, and so the relationship was born.”

Laura, is responsible for all the export coordination at Hi Breeds International. She says: “We have recently come back to using the Norfolk Chamber to do our EC Certificates of Origin. Previously we were using Arab Certificates, so things are a bit easier now.

“The paper trail is a very long process. It all takes a long time, and because we have livestock to ship, quick turnaround is essential. The Chamber provides a while-you-wait service, which is vital

for us. They are friendly, efficient and professional and we rely heavily on their service.”

Nick has to face challenges, like any other businessman. “The competition is quite fierce in this industry, especially from Europe, the US and lately India,” he says. “But we tackle that by ensuring our eggs are of the highest quality and keeping our prices competitive and maintaining our reputation.”

“Exchange rates are also quite complex. We are handling a great deal of finance, so we need to be on top of the money markets. Earlier this year we got an exchange rate calculation wrong and as a result incurred a £60k loss. We clawed it back by selling in Euros instead of Sterling, but it’s so easy to get it wrong – we really have to be on the ball.”

Laura Chandler has some advice for anyone considering exporting for the first time: “Make sure you use a irrevocable Letter of Credit confirmed by a UK bank. It’s the most reliable method of getting your money.”

“Also, make good use of the Chamber, they know their stuff, they are full of good advice and their service is fast and trouble-free. We have also started to attend some of their networking events, so we are using them more and more.”

DHL Express Service - Chamber Discount Scheme.

Exporting Your Business to the World?

Do I qualify for 50% off shipping?

Norfolk Chamber and DHL Express want to help you hit the ground running. That’s why shipments are half-price for all our members, in their first year of exporting with DHL.

n Be a member of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

DHL Express has worked relentlessly in recent years to ensure that smaller businesses get the help and support they need to start trading internationally.

From UK- based customer service agents on the other end of the phone, to specialist Customs advice, free packaging and a hypercare process for new shippers to guide them through their first booking, DHL aims to ensure that opening an account with them and shipping internationally for the first time is as simple as possible.

This exclusive offer*, aimed at Chamber members, is designed to help businesses get started in global trade. The offer, along with the ability to collect Nectar points on every shipment, helps make exporting even more rewarding.

To be eligible for the offer you must:

n Not have used DHL more than five times in the last 12 months n Be a UK business

50% off exporting for a year Make savings every time you ship – giving you more money to invest in other areas of your business. An unmissable opportunity to help establish your business on an international scale, with cost pressures seriously reduced.

Chamber membership can pay for itself Start recouping your Norfolk Chamber membership fee from your very first shipment – and benefit from an unparalleled range of member services.

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Where do I start?

Members should take a look at www. norfolkchamber.co.uk for further details, and follow the link to register. Complete the short online form which will enable the Chamber Discount to be applied. You will need to state on the form which Chamber you are a member of. Filling in the form does not commit you to anything - this is simply to notify DHL Express that you wish to find out more. DHL will then contact you directly to find out your shipping needs and advise how much you will save. *Terms and conditions apply.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

International Trade Training Courses.

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce organises a wide range of Training Courses which have been specifically designed for staff involved in exporting and/or importing cargo to and from the UK. Whether you are an Export Sales Manager, Export Administrator, Shipping Clerk, Financial or Shipping Manager from Manufacturers, Exporters to Forwarding Agents, we have courses that will help you and your company succeed.

Forthcoming dates and topics: January 2014 16th

Understanding Exporting*

23rd

Letters of Credit / Methods of Payment*

February 2014 5th

Export Documentation*

20th

Customs Procedures*

20th

Preferential Rules of Origin*

March 2014 5th

Incoterms ÂŽ2010*

13th

Surviving a Custom Audit

20th

e-zCert Workshop

Courses marked with a *, form part of the British Chambers of Commerce Accredited Courses, which can result in a Foundation Certificate.

More details can be found on our website.

Better Exporting - a series of six International Trade Events, launched at the Lord Green Business Lunch in July.

The FREE TO ATTEND events will cover the high growth markets of India, Brazil, Qatar, Russia, South Africa and Vietnam. These countries form part of the 20 markets highlighted by Lord Green as having the most potential to UK exporters, for long term business.

Lord Green has visited many, many countries over the past 2 years, in order to make trade easier. He has found that there is a worldwide demand for the products and services produced in Norfolk, so come and join us at these events and learn more about the markets that he has visited and how you can start trading there.

Venue Dunston Hall, Ipswich Road Norwich NR14 8PQ

Timing 3.45pm – 6.00pm followed by a networking buffet

Dates and Topics Better Business in Qatar Tue 14 January 2014

Better Business in Russia Delegates can expect to receive a great deal of useful information on each country including the stability of the market and the business opportunities available there.

The important cultural aspects that need to be known when speaking to and visiting prospective clients, will also be covered.

Tue 28 January 2014

Locals firms who are already trading in these markets, will also provide delegates with their own personal experience of dealing with the country, and will offer tips and advice on what to look out for.

Better Business in Vietnam

Better Business in South Africa Tue 25 February 2014

Tue 25 March 2014

If you would like further details such as the content of these courses, please take a look at www.norfolkchamber.co.uk To book your place, please email export@norfolkchamber.co.uk

For more help and advice on how to export visit International Section on www.norfolkchamber.co.uk, contact the International Team on 01603 625977, or email export@norfolkchamber.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE17 PAGE17

NORFOLK VOICE

THE BIG INTER Hewlett-Packard deal shows Norfolk leads the country.

For Mark Farrington, the next five years will be exciting ones because his organisation is driving forward one of the most enterprising projects to hit Local Authority Services and education in Great Britain for many years.

The ground-breaking £26m project between Norfolk County Council and three global technology companies announced in early December is set to help bring technology and a cloud-based data sharing hub to link up information from district councils and other public sector partners across the county.

The idea, based on a concept developed

by Norfolk County Council and HP, for whom Mark works, is to provide young people with opportunities to develop the kind of IT skills needed to develop careers.

Covering five years, the Digital Norfolk Ambition (DNA) scheme has been launched by the council and HP, and its key partners Microsoft and Vodafone, to enable £10 million in savings on data storage, hardware maintenance and staffing levels. The central part of the project will be the creation of an ‘information hub’, where public sector organisations such as councils, police, fire and community services will share data to assist in planning and delivering their services more effectively at a time when the County Council is facing big cuts in government grant. This will contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the county by enabling multiple agencies to effectively participate in joint service delivery.

However, what makes it particularly exciting is the way it goes beyond basic IT services.

“We have a strong belief in the importance of working with the wider community. The staff in Norwich have built into their working hours an allocation of time to be spent volunteering with community projects of their choice. 2,700 hours

a year are spent on community projects, be it community care or education or similar areas.”

“It made sense to apply our IT services and capabilities in the wider community as well, as part of this agreement with the council.”

The result is that Norfolk schools will be approached with ‘Tech camps’ for teachers in Norfolk to train them in the latest technological developments. In addition, a Norfolk Challenge Cup will also be launched with the aim of unlocking the IT potential of Norfolk schoolchildren.

HP will also sponsor a new four-year degree in information and management analytics at the University of East Anglia, a new one-year course for 16 year olds to provide technical computer skills and new apprenticeships via the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, all with the aim of improving the county’s technical knowledge.

There is a need for big business to support the creation of a sustainable knowledge economy in Norfolk. HP will not only work with partners, Microsoft and Vodafone, but also 50 small-medium enterprises, which HP has been mentoring to deliver the platform.

Mark, who came to work in Norfolk two years ago as part of a career spent with multi-national companies, said: “The idea is that we can help drive more effective local services and schools improve the learning experience for pupils utilising technology, then take that concept into higher education as well. We are committed to developing the skills-set of young people in Norfolk.”

“It’s a new way of working for HP and the public sector. It is about giving local service providers the toolkit they need to integrate.”

An early milestone for the project will come early this year when information starts to be moved away from servers at Norfolk County Council, while new devices to help staff work from home and collaborate will arrive in June, when the information hub will start to be deployed. At the same time, the education element of the project will also start to gather pace.

Launching the Digital Norfolk Ambition initiative, Norfolk County Council Leader, George Nobbs, said: “Economic growth is at the top of the County Council’s priorities, and this groundbreaking partnership will ensure that we are best placed to achieve that. The financial challenges facing the public sector mean it is essential that we collaborate with our partners across the county to better plan and deliver public services for Norfolk.”

“New learning courses for our young people, access to the latest equipment for our school children, new apprenticeships and practical help for businesses add up to a formidable package of investment in our county. Raising attainment of our children and bringing public services together are absolute key measures of success.”

“It does not stop at higher education either, because DNA allows us to offer opportunities for graduates and Apprentices as well.”

“It is all part of the same concept.

Through this project, we can support young workers and entrepreneurs.”

“What we are doing is making available, through our partnerships, tools and technology to young people to encourage their sense of innovation and develop their skills.”

“When we first became involved with the council in Norfolk, we found out that there were already some initiatives running across multiple organisations. What we have collectively done is bring them together; it’s like joining the dots with enabling technology.”

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

What we are doing is making available, through our partnerships, tools and technology to young people to encourage their sense of innovation and develop their skills.

RVIEW

THE BIG INTERVIEW

By John Dean deangriss@btinternet.com

Mark Farrington HP Regional Representative

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE19

NORFOLK VOICE

MIGRATION SOLUTIONS LTD

Cheaper Holidays … for whom?!

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Its that time of year again.

As we sit looking out of the window on these dark miserable days of bad weather, dark mornings and evenings and cold dampness, our thoughts naturally turn to better times.

According to research, most people will book their summer holidays in January. Almost the instant we had finished ringing in 2014, we started to be bombarded with adverts on the television, the radio and in the papers for exotic summer holidays filled with sunshine and warmth.

From a commercial perspective, the holiday companies know that the best time to secure us as customers is when the weather is bad and they can hold out a ray of sunshine as temptation. This works just as much for them as it does for us. The earlier we book, the more business they know they have secured and the better they can forecast their cashflow.

Whilst the price of holidays has continually gone up over the years, the price of delivering the holidays has actually gone down. There are far fewer travel agents on our high streets nowadays and, in all honesty, we probably don’t need them either. How do we book our holidays?

Online of course! And in doing so we are saving the holiday companies a fortune. 0No longer do they need to print thousands and thousands of glossy brochures in the certain knowledge that at least one in three people picking them up in the travel agency will be picking up two or three brochures from their competitors too. No longer do they have to operate complex booking systems with many ‘versions’ of a single holiday developed to serve all markets. No longer do they have to spend time dealing with our ever involved questions about the destination. And why? Because we do it all for them!

We research our holiday online, we check out the flights and hotels, we look on Trip Advisor or a similar service to find out what others think about the place we are thinking of booking and, when it comes to booking, we do that online too. No need for the travel agent’s advice, it is all right there online. It doesn’t matter whether our idea of a great holiday is lying on the beach in Magaluf or climbing Kilimanjaro, hiking in the Amazon rainforest or being wined and dined on a cruise liner, it is all right there online. The holiday’s costs have reduced so much that all they need to do is pop up a website and we’ll do the rest!

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The interesting thing though is what this means for the holiday company. No longer do they need to employ a small army of agents that are ready and available to answer the calls from both travel agents and public alike. They are gone. What has replaced all of this is data.

Data is the lifeblood of any modern day business – regardless of what that business is. For the holiday company it is the websites, the emails, they electronic photographs of the destinations, the booking systems and, of course, the payment processing systems. Without the data the holiday companies would go out of business, it is the very heart of everything they do.

That data is stored and processed in data centres.

Many of the larger holiday companies have their own, but others use colocation facilities such as MigSolv’s Gatehouse data centre. The reason that they do this is that their data is secure, available whenever they need it and always there for them. Are you confident that your data will always be there for your business? Maybe you should be talking to MigSolv …

Email MigSolv at YourDataCentre@MigSolv.com or give us a call on 0845 251 2255

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NORFOLK VOICE

Optimism grows in the world of conferences and exhibitions.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Like the rest of the economy, the conferences and exhibitions industry has been through challenging times but the signs are that the sector is thriving.

That was underlined by a report compiled by the Events Industry Forum and the Business Visits & Events Partnership, which suggested the future could be bright for the industry.

It highlighted opportunities for growth in the UK Events Industry, which it suggested can grow from its existing £36.1 billion, to £42.2 billion in 2015 and £48.4 billion in 2020.

Recent economic figures pointing to an upturn in business confidence will drive that even more, experts believe.

So as business recovers, what are you looking for if you are trying to organise a conference or exhibition and need to select a venue?

One of the key factors, according to industry experts, is a good location, somewhere that is easy to reach and attractive for delegates.

When assessing the venue, other factors come into play as well. Can it 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?

The good venues are the ones that can tailor themselves to providing the exact needs of the event organisers and are prepared to be flexible.

Their staff are expert and able to bring often complex events together in a skilful way.

Another approach for conference originators is to bring in a specialist company to do the legwork.

The staff at these outsource companies will have encountered just about every problem presented by the process and take all the worry away from the company originating the event.

Linked to the conferences and exhibitions market is the need to offer corporate hospitality as part of the package and many conference and events organisers are integrating such attractions into their events.

More and more companies are realising that the sector needs to offer as much value as possible and that is leading to a growing sense of innovation.

One of the 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.

Experience first class venue hire for half the price.

To celebrate the New Year and mark the Refectory’s 10 year anniversary, you can enjoy first class hospitality facilities at Norwich Cathedral for half the price.

Available from 01 January to 31 March 2014, you can save 50% on room hire when you book an event with catering at the Cathedral. Located in the heart of Norwich, the Cathedral’s stunning hospitality facilities provide a prestigious and unique venue. Able to accommodate up to 150 guests and equipped with state-of-the-art AV equipment, the facilities are ideal for a variety of events including meetings, training and receptions.

For further information and to book your next event call 01603 218321, email hospitality@cathedral.org.uk or visit www.cathedral.org.uk/venue-hire This offer is applicable to all types of events from small meetings to evening functions, but cannot be used on existing bookings or in conjunction with any other offer.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CONFERENCES & EXHIBITIONS

Conference facilities to inspire

Hold your next meeting, seminar or conference at OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft, one of the region’s most inspiring locations.

U Conference room seating up to 220 people.

U Break-out and meeting rooms.

U Half-day or full-day hire.

U Functional and flexible facilities.

U Catering, audio-visual and exhibition support.

U Unrivalled views of the North Sea. To view or book Call 01502 509300 or Email bookings@orbisenergyconferences.co.uk

One of the large meeting rooms

Letton Hall is set in beautiful grounds

Letton Hall – Sir John Soane’s Norfolk masterpiece

Day Conferences at Letton Hall, Shipdham, Norfolk Letton Hall is a Grade 2* listed building which was designed and built by Sir John Soane in the late 18th century as a large family home.

For over 30 years it has been run as a Christian Conference and Retreat Centre.

Set in 10 acres of beautiful wooded grounds, surrounded by farmland, and with large meeting rooms and break-out spaces, Letton

Hall is available to businesses, community groups and public sector organisations, for midweek day conferences, staff training events and other similar activities.

The lovely old house and its peaceful surroundings and open spaces enable quiet reflective gatherings, constructive seminars and discussions, or lively energetic team

building. We even have an on-site go-kart track! Our on-site team are available to help you plan and facilitate an excellent event.

Letton Hall is suitable for groups numbering from 12 to 70 and we provide refreshments.

Full catering is available by arrangement and some overnight accommodation for longer events.

Please contact us for more information and tariffs: Letton Hall, Shipdham, Norfolk IP25 7SA t: 01362 820717 e: info@lettonhall.org www.lettonhall.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE23

NORFOLK VOICE

CONFERENCES & EXHIBITIONS

Take your seat. Enjoy first class facilities for half the price.

Save 50% on room hire at Norwich Cathedral when you enjoy catering. Available 01 January to 31 March 2014.

To book your next event: call 01603 218321 email hospitality@cathedral.org.uk visit www.cathedral.org.uk/venue-hire Offer not applicable to existing bookings and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Hospitality

at Norwich Cathedral

www.cathedral.org.uk/venue-hire

Swaffham Photo: nickreadphotography.com

Modern conference, meeting and training facilities set in a stunning Medieval & Victorian building in South Norfolk close to the A140.

• Range of flexible rooms for meetings from 2 - 60 delegates • Full onsite catering with licensed café open daily • IT suite with interactive whiteboard • Free Wi-Fi • Onsite support including printing & copying www.pennoyers.org.uk

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17/12/2013 20:04

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Businesses across Norfolk are being urged to go head-to-head against their competitors as a nationwide workplace fitness initiative is launched.

Companies and organisations in Norfolk are being invited to take part in the ‘Workplace Challenge’ programme that is being rolled out in the New Year by Active Norfolk.

The one-of-a-kind initiative will see employees battle it out to win points for their company or organisation by taking part in sport and physical activity.

The company with the highest number of points earned will clinch Active Norfolk title of the sportiest workplace in Norfolk.

The free to join online programme will run from Monday January 6 for eight weeks and is being rolled out to encourage Norfolk’s business community to lead a more active lifestyle. The key thing to remember is that activity means points and prizes will be awarded throughout the challenge!

Don’t let NORFOLK down...Sign up, today! www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/activenorfolk For further information, or to request promotional materials please email shelley.ames@activenorfolk.org

Based near Norwich, Eastern Chauffeur Ltd has built a strong reputation as a leading chauffeur service provider. We are dedicated to offering premier travel arrangements for our business and personal customers throughout East Anglia and across the UK.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE25

NORFOLK VOICE

Exciting opportunities offered by fast-growing sector.

The emerging science of Agri-Tech is revolutionising business in Norfolk, attracting investment and creating jobs.

According to those who work in the industry, the story has only just begun; the Government is keen to expand the sector, which employs nearly 4m people nationally, so Ministers recently announced a £160 million investment.

The core of the strategy is sustainable and improved food production but it also includes non-food uses of plants such as the production of high value chemicals, food, feed, fibre and fuels.

In 2012, the UK exported £18bn of food, drink and animal feed alone and to help organisations explore the business opportunities the Government has set up a funding stream called the Agri-Tech Catalyst offering three categories of grant; early stage, industrial research and latestage awards.

The types of projects that it will consider includes crop breeding, crop protection, agri-engineering, including the development of sensors and precision agriculture, human nutrition and clean technology such as the use of biomass for new fuels and chemicals.

One of the Norfolk centres already heavily involved is Norwich Research Park, which includes four research institutes - the John Innes Centre (JIC), the Institute of Food Research and The Genome Analysis Centre (funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) and the Sainsbury Laboratory.

Dr Gordon Jamieson, the Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation Director for the John Innes Centre (JIC), said: “Over recent years, we have seen the price of wheat and other basic commodities increase sharply, so sustainably increasing the yield of grain and other crops is vital if we are to avoid food price rises and potential shortages.”

Norwich’s success in securing a City Deal will bring new prosperity to the region, according to Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, chief executive of the Norwich Research Park, which hosted the signing of the deal, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

“Our work in this area includes understanding the genetics behind different crop varieties to increase their tolerance of climate change, pests, plant disease and even their ability to capture nutrients such as nitrogen from the soil.”

“Our expertise is available to UK organisations that have identified a market opportunity. For example, one of our researcher teams is working on reducing pod shatter in oilseed rape. This work has the potential to reduce yield losses. Responding to this type of challenge is a Whilst the UK is investing in good example of the type of collaborative project this sector the potential is that would be funded also very large to pull in EU by the new Agri-Tech Catalyst and that we funding and funding from could support with our elsewhere overseas. expertise.”

The Norwich Research Park is keen to increase collaboration with regional companies. Its Centrum

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

building, due to open in the spring, has flexible meeting spaces to create an environment that encourages networking and access to knowledge. It also has lab and office space for growing companies that want to locate there.

In addition, researchers at JIC and the Institute of Food Research (IFR), also on the Park, work internationally with companies at every stage of the food chain.

IFR coordinates the Food and Health Network, which enables colleagues in the food, drink and health-related industries to exchange knowledge.

cover FEATURE

Germains Seed Technology Another Norfolk Agr-Tech success story is Germains Seed Technology, part of Associated British Foods plc.

The company provides technologydriven solutions which enable seed breeders to maximise the potential of their seed and growers to maximise the benefits in the field.

Based in King’s Lynn, where it also has its headquarters, Germains processes sugar beet seed for British Sugar as well as priming and exporting treated seed to Europe and beyond.

Paul Mullan, Managing Director/CEO, said: “Germains is working closely with universities and the John Innes Centre to develop new technologies and to attract more scientific and agronomy expertise to the business and area as a whole.

“Germains are active on a number of committees with the core aim of attracting business, investment, science and technology to Norfolk and are involved in the development of a Centre of Excellence for Agriculture in East Anglia.

Dr Kerry I’Anson, head of IFR Extra Operations, said: “We can provide access to unique stateof-the art equipment and the latest analytical methods consequently providing a ‘one-stopshop’ for problem solving.”

Martin Collison, an Agri-Tech expert of Collison and Associates, of King’s Lynn, said: “The key messages to get across is the breadth of the technology we are talking about. The range of new technologies we need to use means we need to be drawing on science from across the life sciences, engineering, advanced manufacturing, ICT and big data, natural sciences and material sciences.”

“The industry and government is particularly keen that the strategy should commercialise more of the UK’s world class research.”

“Whilst the UK is investing in this sector the potential is also very large to pull in EU funding and funding from elsewhere overseas.”

Dr Jamieson concludes: “The Agri-Tech Strategy is a great opportunity for Norfolk.”

Food Forensics One Norwich success story involves Food Forensics, an analysis company that can determine the origin of a food or beverage from its unique ‘fingerprint’. It counts Waitrose within its client base.

Co-founder Alison Johnson said: “As a new company we had no track record, being on the Norwich Research Park gave us instant credibility with the food industry.”

“We have access to experts at the Institute of Food Research and University of East Anglia and we are collaborating with other companies on the Park such as Anglia DNA and ABC Food Law. This has allowed us to expand our portfolio of services very quickly with minimal investment.”

“With the Agri-Tech Strategy the Government is demonstrating its support for the sector and Norfolk businesses are in a prime position to seize the opportunity.”

“We were recently invited to attend a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce event which welcomed the Chancellor of Exchequer, George Osborne to Norfolk to outline the potential growth and investment opportunities in Norfolk. As a business we welcomed his positive comments about Norfolk and its economy and will support the Chamber’s aim to encourage the government to invest in this area in order to maximise the potential for growth and jobs.”

“Germains is proud to be one of the businesses working with the Eastern England Agri-Tech Growth initiative for Norfolk, Suffolk, Greater Cambridge and Peterborough, with the objective of creating a corridor of agriculture excellence for the eastern region.

The aim of the initiative is to deliver 500 jobs, 25 new businesses and help to secure the future success of the sector for the next 25 years.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE27 PAGE27

NORFOLK VOICE

Embracing the power of BIG THINKING. Welcome to the concept of BIG THINKING. Launched as the theme of our November conference, it is a concept and it’s very much to do with another idea that we’ve been talking a lot about within the Chamber recently – attitude.

Why have we been talking about attitude within the Chamber? Let me deal with that first. We communicate with our membership quite a lot, and I think you’ll have seen, especially in our recent articles and interviews, and in our emails, a change of tone.

We’ve made it plain that we are conscious that as a membership organisation we are our members. We are you. And because we understand our members and know how busy they are, we’ve shortened a lot of the messages we send. We cut to the chase.

We’ve displayed a bit more attitude.

We’ve thought a lot about who we are, what our membership, and future membership, ‘looks like’. It’s fantastic that we have so many young people, still in education, engaged with the Chamber. It’s imperative that they see that the Chamber has a role in their future. They must know that we’re less about grey suits and more about grey matter.

We’ve spread the word, in very clear terms, that being a member of the Chamber has a very clear benefit. It’s about bettering your business.

We’ve also really rammed home the message that the Chamber is not about solely big, long established companies. It’s about smaller businesses, and brand new businesses, too.

Neither excludes the other, it is a broad church of all shapes and sizes of organisation, in every sector.

But what is key is that Chamber members, the ones we have and the ones we will have, all have the same attitude. The attitude that says we will grow and develop our business. We will network, learn, share knowledge, exert influence and strive for best practice to better our business.

Now, to implement that attitude, to turn it from theory to practice, takes a certain mindset. We believe that that mindset, that attitude, can be characterised as BIG THINKING. This is not to be confused with ‘thinking big’.

That’s a well-worn phrase that usually implies a pipedream. Del Boy Trotter and his perennial ‘This time next year Rodney we’ll be millionaires’ was

What is vital to be a BIG THINKER?

Exchanging ideas

5%

Embracing digital communications and media

9%

Having ‘vision’

39%

Investing in young people

39%

Making connections

an endearingly optimistic thought but that’s all it was – a thought. A daydream.

BIG THINKING is certainly about having a ‘dream’ but there’s a vast difference between that, and having vision.

BIG THINKING empowers businesses with vision.

It’s the attitude that drives smaller businesses to try out huge ideas, their refusal to accept lack of precedent tempered only by acknowledging that lessons can be learned from bigger players.

Embracing the techniques and methods of sizeable companies into newer and smaller operations is key to BIG THINKING. Big or small, new or established, BIG THINKERS never set the default position; they always press the switch marked ‘power on’.

Now, put that into the context of the Chamber attitude I was just outlining and the concept becomes, well, as we say nowadays around Chamber, so US. This is the sharing of knowledge, the cross flow of ideas, the very spirit of Chamber - honed by the attitude that says we will better our business. Big or small, established or new, we have the attitude that says we can have a vision and turn it into a commercial and profitable reality by embracing BIG THINKING. Think for instance about how a small company can now reach the biggest audience ever, because we live in an internet, digital age. BIG THINKING can empower a modest sized retailer to become an international online seller using the ‘new media’. But, just as importantly consider how a big company can now use digital technology to talk to individual customers, or pursue the narrowest of niche markets through the social media.

BIG THINKERS know the dangers of simply ‘thinking big’. They know that for all the power of the internet you don’t build a brand or bolster

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

9%

the bottom line by simply putting up a website to say ‘look at us’. BIG THINKERS know that people buy from people; they network face to face, learn from research and then say ‘this is why you should buy from us.

They know people buy from people; they network face to face’…..sound familiar? Of course it does. It’s Chamber membership!

BIG THINKING is an attitude. It’s the attitude that says we’ll do better business if we dare to innovate and develop our strategies creatively.

We’ll do better business if we use BIG THINKING at every level and stage of our business. New product development will always be the vision of BIG THINKERS. But so too will the pursuit of outstanding after sales care that retains customers and grows businesses.

We’ll do business better if we exchange ideas and realise that small and new businesses can inspire big and established ones, whilst in turn start-ups and tiny companies can learn from the experience of corporations.”

So, as we launch into 2014, let’s keep alive the flame that we lit at our conference.

The year will doubtless bring all of us some big challenges. Let’s meet them head on with BIG THINKING.

But what is key is tha Chamber members, t we have and the one will have, all have the attitude.

cover FEATURE

by Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

We asked some of our members: What do you understand by the term ‘BIG THINKING’ - has it ever helped you to help your business? If so how? This is what they said.

BIG THINKING is about daring to try and give effect to innovation and change on a large scale and aspiring to achieve beyond that which the realists would have you believe is possible.

Jeanette Wheeler, Partner, Birketts LLP Big Thinking is about innovation, constantly evolving and looking beyond where you are now and concentrating on where you want to be.

Joshua Davies, Managing Director, FXHomes Big Thinking enables smaller businesses like ESE Direct to challenge ‘the norm’ and compete with the big boys, especially on the internet.

I was told years ago ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’

Simon Francis, Managing Director, ESE Direct To me, BIG THINKING is about thinking strategically for the longer term, taking into account imposed changes which one cannot influence but which have to be accommodated as well as changes which one can make to improve. It is about collaboration and seeing the BIGGER PICTURE so that a small sacrifice today can give rise to bigger benefits in future.

Russell Leggett, Partner, Lovewell Blake

at the ones es we e same

Big Thinking is the ability to exchange and share ideas, it is to question and to listen and, most importantly, for us it is to do different!

Ben Hanford, Managing Director, Naked Marketing

Non members For Intelligent Fingerprinting, big thinking means looking further than the ‘here and now’ and exploring beyond the obvious possibilities for a new technology or concept.

Dr Jerry Walker, CEO, Intelligent Fingerprinting ‘Big Thinking’ is crucial. Without Big Thinking you are admitting before the chances have arrived you are unable to compete with the major industry players.

Jon Gay, Managing Director, Jon Gay Foods

JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 2013

PAGE29

NORFOLK VOICE

WEST OF KINGS LYNN

Kings Lynn switches on to electric motoring.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

More and more drivers across Norfolk are being turned on to the benefits of electric motoring, according to a leading Kings Lynn car retailer.

Wests Nissan Kings Lynn on Scania Way is a specialist EV (Electric Vehicle) centre fully geared up to sell and service the 100% electric Nissan LEAF – the world’s bestselling all-electric car.

And in recent months it has seen interest in the groundbreaking British-built model rocket and sales take off as the region’s motorists become aware of its many benefits.

These include exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty and the London Congestion Charge, low Benefit in Kind (BiK) for business drivers running costs of just two pence per mile and, of course, the elimination of costly trips to the filling station.

The Nissan LEAF can be driven 124 miles on a single charge costing around £2 and can be charged in as little as 30 minutes using a rapid charger.

Sam Horncastle, Sales Manager at Wests Nissan Kings Lynn, said: “The Nissan LEAF is a real phenomenon and is getting more popular with each passing month.

“The benefits of driving a LEAF, particularly in terms of the savings that can be made, are so overwhelming they are hard to ignore.

“There are literally thousands of charging points across the UK – we have 5 right here in Kings Lynn – and more and being added every day.

“Owning an electric car, slashing motoring bills and zero emissions driving are now an affordable and practical reality for most people.”

Launched in the UK earlier this year, the second generation Nissan LEAF features more than 100 improvements on its trailblazing predecessor and is now even more appealing, practical and affordable than ever.

As with its predecessor, the second generation LEAF benefits from the Government’s £5,000 plug-in grant – a one-off payment that automatically brings down the purchase price.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The well-equipped entry level Visia LEAF is available from just £20,990 RRP while even the most expensive model – the rangetopping Tekna LEAF, which features a state-ofthe-art BOSE sound system, 17-inch alloys and LED headlamps – is available from just £25,490 RRP. But cost of ownership could be reduced further with the introduction of the new battery leasing scheme that enables motorists to bring down the initial purchase price of the car and then lease its battery over a fixed term with convenient monthly payments. The separate battery lease payment ranges from just £70 per month depending on the length of the contract and mileage covered.

Whichever route buyers choose to LEAF ownership, peace of mind is assured with Nissan’s enhanced battery warranty. The warranty on the previous-generation LEAF’s battery covered it against defective materials or workmanship for five years. The extended warranty also protects against capacity loss, with a commitment to repair or replace a battery, which falls short of what might reasonably be expected.

For more information about the Nissan LEAF, or to book a test drive, call Wests of Kings Lynn now on 01553 772644, or visit the Scania Way showroom.

NORFOLK VOICE

Awards and rewards from Renewable Heat.

Interest in renewable energy has increased dramatically over the past few years as householders and businesses have grown accustomed to reaping the benefits of incentives such as the Feed in Tariff. The spotlight is now moving however to renewable heating, with the advent of the Commercial and Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

Finn Geotherm of Attleborough, Norfolk have recently been rewarded for their part in driving the technology forwards.

In September, their installation of an innovative air source heat pump system for the new Eureka tropical zone at Banham Zoo received the National Energy Efficient Initiative of the Year Award at the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Awards dinner, held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Finn Geotherm reached the final of the award to compete against four other installations from around the UK. The Eureka building has a 60kw Dimplex air source heat pump installed to provide concentrated hot water to the underfloor heating and the air space heating system. An irrigation system for the extensive planting is provided largely from roof water collection tanks.

Triple glazed translucent roofing sheets provide natural light, and an inbuilt thermostaticallycontrolled roof venting system provides natural cooling during the summer, assisted by cooler air

Left to right – Martin Shepherd, Commercial Director Dimplex Renewables, Cliff Arnold Managing Director of CTC sponsor of award, Guy Ransom Commercial Director of Finn Geotherm,Leanne Gill Project Manager of Finn Geotherm, Nick Hewer host of awards.

entering from louvered vents located in both sides of the building.

The award was not only a huge encouragement to the Finn Geotherm team, but also to Martin Goymour, Managing Director of Banham Zoo. Mr Goymour said “I am delighted that the installation has received this award. At the end of the day, however, the most important thing is knowing that we have a cost effective and reliable system. We are very happy that our experience with this technology has shown this to be so, as well as allowing us to minimise our carbon footprint.”

Finn Geotherm has seen a huge increase in the demand for ground and air source heat pump systems since the announcement by DECC in May 2013 that the Commercial RHI rate would

Left – Martin Goymour, Managing Director of Banham Zoo and Guy Ransom

be doubled. This has resulted in the payback on ground source heat pump systems being reduced, often to less than 5 years. Against a 20 year government incentive package and with the additional benefit of heating costs being halved, this makes a heat pump a very attractive investment. The domestic RHI, allowing householders to be paid for the use of renewable heating, will be launched by the government this spring.

The stated objective of the Government is that, over the next 15 years, the vast majority of heating systems in the UK will be changed from traditional boilers to heat pumps. The Environment Minister, Greg Barker, recently delivered a presentation to leading industry players entitled “30 million Heat Pumps by 2030”.

Guy Ransom, Commercial Director of Finn Geotherm, believes that this target is extremely optimistic. The principal barrier, he believes, will be a shortage of installation companies with the necessary skills to meet this demand. He also notes that, despite the very significant benefits to be gained from using these systems, people remain very sceptical of their effectiveness. “It is disappointing that the UK is some twenty years behind the majority of Europe in the adoption of heat pump technology”, Guy states. “Countries such as Finland have adopted heat pump systems as the norm for many years now, and are accordingly benefitting from lower heating costs and improved air quality.”

Finn Geotherm have recently qualified for a Growing Business Fund grant from Finance East and are expanding their team with the employment of additional installation engineers as well as two young apprentices. The outlook for this Norfolk company, and for the renewable heating sector as a whole, is likely to be very positive.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

PR & MARKETING FEATURE

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Milk Round Plus at UEA “It was amazing to see queues of students, reminiscent of a Cold Play concert, outside the SportsPark waiting with excitement to enter. We gather that around 1,700 students passed through the doors, which is 30% greater than for the equivalent event last year.

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INNOVATIVE EVENT ENVIRONMENTS & INTERIORS DESIGN. BUILD. MANAGE.

Many thanks and congratulations... �

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Design, expressed naturally – minus the additives www.sugarfree.co

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE33

Where a Fresh Start begins.

creative | marketing | digital flyingsaucercreative.com

NORFOLK VOICE

KNOWLEDGE

5 Top Tips to ensure you get the job you want!

The key to recovery.

After reading our recent blog about interview preparation, you should be fully briefed when the big day dawns. “With thorough preparation, you should be able to thrive, not just survive the interview process,” explains Big Sky Additions’ director Sam Holt.

Here in the UK the belief is that our small and medium sized firms are the key to recovery. A big majority want the government to make more funds available to SMEs trusting them more than the bigger players.

4. The $24,000 question - salary and terms 5. Finishing the interview.

For more information go to: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/knowledge

Read the 5 Tips below to increase your chances of converting your interview to a job offer: 1. Arriving at the interview.

2. During the interview, be positive, truthful and concise.

3. Ask good questions.

Sam Holt Director, Big Sky Additions

4 tools to make SEO easier to manage.

A nationwide survey by Usury demonstrated that 73% of the UK population believe that the UK’s economy would be boosted by making bank funds available to small and medium sized businesses. In a vote of confidence from the UK’s business sector 62% of the people surved said that they trust amall to medium sized business owners/managers than the big firms or any politician. The majority of people questioned demonstrated agreement with government plans to set up a state-backed small business bank, while only 7% were in favour of giving more money to big firms.

For more information go to: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/knowledge

won’t just gun it when they are preparing for, or managing, a search campaign.

James Thomas Square Social

Many people still think that SEO is a dark art, something practised in laboratories or basements by SEO Companies. The truth is, it’s probably closer to the opposite.

Search engine optimisation is more of a science, than an art form. An SEO agency

The opposite is true, there’s a lot of planning, measurement and careful, methodical action that goes into a successful SEO campaign. An SEO campaign would be a nightmare to manage if it was all done manually. There’s too much data, and too much room for error, for this to be left to the human brain.

For more information go to: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/knowledge

A barometer of the local economy.

Clients often use me as a barometer of the local economy, asking about the general mood of local businesses and whether any particular sectors are generally faring better or worse.

Whilst conditions are still challenging, particularly in certain sectors, I have enjoyed passing on a generally more positive message over the last 6-9 months.

I am encouraged that the more positive trend that I am seeing locally is mirrored by recent positive economic statistics and national news stories.

But what does all this mean for local family businesses?

For more information go to: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/knowledge

Jane McCall Partner, Highway to Training

Invest, invest, invest – now is the time!

George Osborne is not renowned for giving things away, so we should be very grateful for his unexpected announcement that the annual investment allowance has been increased tenfold to £250,000 for the next two years (from 1st January 2013) – effectively giving a 100% writeoff against profits for qualifying plant.

There are also attractive capital allowances for certain renewable energy technologies, and this is an area of increasing interest for many powerhungry food and drink businesses.

Steven Scarlett Partner, Lovewell Blake

Can you help others in business? If you know something that could help others - then share it on our website under our Knowledge section www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

For more information go to: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/knowledge

Justin Wright Manager & Food and Drink Specialist at Lovewell Blake

MEMBERSHIP

Who do you think you are?

by Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

A rather provocative question you might feel. And no, it’s not a reference to the TV show where various celebrities are guided back through their family trees to a, usually tearful, moment of self-discovery. It’s much more important than that.

‘Thinking is questioning. Otherwise you’re just doing what everybody else does and that’s not thinking at all – just thinking what everybody else thinks, which isn’t thinking’.

In fact, I can answer the question in part for you.

If you’re reading this you’re almost certainly a member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.

So, what does that mean?

It means that you are part of the Chamber. We are you, our members. It’s your views, activity, engagement and input that make the Chamber.

And what makes a member?

For a Chamber member today it’s about having attitude. The size of your business, or the length of time it’s been going, is irrelevant. You’re not concerned with being the biggest; your goal is to be the best.

Of course, some of our member companies are large, long established, nationally recognised brands. Others are newer, smaller and working in sectors that didn’t exist a decade ago. What they all have in common is that attitude.

It means they have the ability, and preparedness, to think creatively. We’re talking about the kind of thinkers for whom ‘thinking outside the box’ is already a tired old businessspeak cliché more associated with David Brent than with the David’s who slay the Goliaths of competition and cost with forward thinking and innovative development.

You’re a Chamber that includes companies who have embraced new technologies, seized new opportunities and delivered new products and services because you’re the kind of businesses who think innovatively and imaginatively. The commercial world tipped on its axis with the realisation that companies need to make what people want, rather than what they’d always made.

That was the dawn of the marketing concept, and it changed thinking. In truth, at that point the Chamber was probably still doing what it always had; sitting around green baize covered tables talking to each other about local issues.

That’s not what you, we, do today. You’re with us because we’re a forum of like-minded people who want to think about the future. People who are prepared to change what they do, and how they do it, by thinking like this -

‘Thinking is questioning. Otherwise you’re just doing what everybody else does and that’s not thinking at all – just thinking what everybody else thinks, which isn’t thinking’.

I think I’ll let you work out who said that. It’s certainly an innovative thinker, and a successful one.

and finding support and guidance from the best thinkers around, is how you’ll get it right.

What you have, as The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, is a resource. A meeting of minds.

You have a place where the experienced embrace innovation and the newest of ideas gain gravitas. You’re part of a relevant, current, vibrant entity that represents the best thinkers in the region.

That’s who you are.

(If you think you know who I quoted, let me know. There’s a prize for the first correct answer to be emailed to me: cw@norfolkchamber.co.uk).

Forward-thinking, big thinking, is more important now than ever. The marketing concept is still a beam of truth, but now it’s refracted through a digital prism, cascading ideas and opportunities into every area of business. Fundamental principles still apply, but thinking beyond the horizon will make them apply to tomorrow.

When you can connect with the world in a click it’s vital that what you’re telling them, and selling them, is right. Sharing your thoughts and ideas,

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE37

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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NORFOLK VOICE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Norfolk recruitment specialist polkadotfrog shares its top tips on motivating staff in 2014.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

At the start of a new year people will evaluate their job, career goals and how far they can progress in their current role.

If you have the perfect employee it’s important to give them the right tools and support, make them feel valued, set realistic targets and have a strategy in place for their career progression.

Alternatively if you do find yourself in the position where you need to recruit it’s vital to attract motivated and skilled staff with a positive can-do attitude. Then it’s about retaining them.

Here Norfolk recruitment specialist polkadotfrog, which is celebrating 10 years in recruitment, shares its top five tips on motivating and retaining staff in 2014: n Training and personal development – investing in training is a great motivator for staff and will give them the right tools and skills for the job

n Getting to know staff – a brainstorm of ideas for taking the company forward will make staff feel that their opinion is valued. Informal drinks after work with everyone from the CEO to the admin support is also great for morale n Reward and celebrate success – rewarding staff on achievements and hard work is a great motivator n Use a recruitment agency – to get quality candidates through the door in a timely manner choose an agency who is specialised in your sector and who take time to meet you and thoroughly interview candidates. On average 87 per cent of candidates once placed by polkadotfrog remain in their positions for over five years n Regular reviews - all members of the team should have regular review sessions to help both parties identify areas of strength, skills gaps and career progression Lucy Tufts, Director and Founder of polkadotfrog comments: “We encourage businesses to motivate and incentivise their staff in 2014 to

keep ahead of the competition and attract quality candidates. Once you’ve got the perfect employee it’s important to invest time and resource in them to show that they have a future in the company and make them feel valued.” polkadotfrog specialises in Office Support, Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, IT, Legal and Shipping & Transport sectors across all levels and permanent, temporary and contract positions.

For more information visit www.polkadotfrog.co.uk or call 01603 337 000.

The Autumn Statement

Diane Deller, Senior Manager

It is not often that the Chancellor surprises us with some unexpectedly good news, but Mr Osborne explained that his previous forecasts had been too optimistic and in future the Government would be borrowing less. Is this recovery real? Call me a cynic, but when is the election?

Mr Osborne was nonetheless relatively cautious and there were no giveaways. Instead what we got was a “fiscally neutral” set of measures.

As expected, the personal allowance increases to £10,000 in 2014/15 and the 40% tax threshold rises by £415 to £41,865. One new measure was a transferable allowance of £1,000 for eligible married couples and civil partners from April 2015.

The capital gains tax annual exemption increase to £11,000 for 2014/15 has been confirmed. But one surprise was the change to the exemption given on the sale of an individual’s main residence. Currently, the final 36 months of ownership before sale are exempted, which protects individuals who have trouble selling their old house and have already moved into their new home in the meantime. From April 2014, that exemption period will be halved to 18 months, which is perhaps a nod to the tentative recovery in the housing market.

Of direct interest to business were measures relating to business rates. Small high street shops with a rateable value below £50,000 will receive a £1,000 business rates discount for two years from April 2014.Also, the 2014 business rates increase will be capped at 2%.

There was the announcement that the fuel escalator has been cancelled permanently so the price increase due in September 2014 will not happen.

And in a move presumably targeted at the so-called NEETs (young people Not in Education, Employment or Training), from April 2015 employers will no longer have to pay NIC contributions on earnings below £813 per week for any employee under the age of 21.

Finally, this government has made much of its aim to put a stop to what it regards as abusive tax avoidance. In so-doing they have rather blurred the boundary between legitimate tax planning within the letter of the current tax law and out-and-out evasion.The latest plans in this connection promise to perpetuate the sledgehammer–nut tactic. One-man personal service companies are one of the targets as are mixed member partnerships, both of which the Government views as arrangements which potentially disguise an employment relationship. Anti-avoidance legislation will be issued in both these areas which will eventually be incorporated into Finance Bill 2014 next summer.

For more information, or any other tax query, please contact Diane Deller on 01603 624181 or at diane.deller@larking-gowen.co.uk This article is designed for the information of readers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, information contained in this article may not be comprehensive and recipients should not act upon it without seeking professional advice. Larking Gowen is registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ©Larking Gowen.

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BURROWS LAW

We are living through a revolution!

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... we are here

Barrister only legal service We set the bar high & now you can reach us burrowslaw.co.uk - 0845 154 8620 Few, least of all those who are of an age, (dare I say) will be inspired by that opening statement. However, that does not stop it being a welcome starting point.

What we do know is that consumer choice and members of the public leading with their feet will design the shape of the legal market during this time of change. That means you have a huge responsibility to the way that you choose your legal service for now and anyone spending money or considering legal assistance should do just that, question yourself: what is the most efficient route to justice for you.

As with any product that you select in a market place whether that is a computer or suit, you want to make sure that you are getting the highest quality, most effective and the most cost efficient solution to your need. With that much power you really should be demanding those three things across all services.

You control the revolution; it is in your hands and you can now see for the first time what that has created.

For some time we have had different ways that you can get a legal service and this perhaps is now more uncertain than before. In the legal market there are a number of changes as companies jostle for position with what has often been referred to as “Tesco Law”. When you log on to the internet there is a whole host of companies offering different ways to receive this.

This can be confusing.

As a legal service, ‘The modern barrister’ is able for the first time to remove that middle process, but it offers an effective, cost efficient and high quality solution that builds your confidence on a very well-known reputation: the barrister.

Barristers until this time have kept quietly in

the back ground. Burrows Law Chambers gives you the barrister and is pioneered by a barrister wanting and creating that choice for members of the public. The choice of now being able to use ‘the modern barrister’ has come from understanding consumer choice. Barristers are known for their sharp wit, specialisation, highest quality, direct and solution based accuracy.

Barristers are also known for being the highest qualified in the country.

What is clear amongst directors, employers, entrepreneurs, and individuals is that they are looking for a service that has a resounding foundation within the legal profession and who knows about law. Trust is a huge part as is receiving clear and transparent communication.

Through Burrows Law Chambers and those that are selected to work as a barrister within our Norwich/national based company, you are receiving counsel advice of the highest order with a convenient approach. We encourage you to tap into a resource to set your case up against the other side in a punchy and practical way. That revolution is still in your hands, but you may just want to try Burrows Law Chambers to see if that could be where the revolution becomes the status quo. www.burrowslaw.co.uk and enquiries@burrowslaw.co.uk and 0845 154 8620

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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NORFOLK VOICE

The Chamber meets The Norfolk Nine: A positively charged debate.

The Big Thinkers meet the Big Speakers. This year’s MPs Event will see nine of our region’s MPs meet Chamber members on 7 February at Sprowston Manor.

Sponsored by Greater Anglia & Sprowston Manor, this key event will focus on how Norfolk can accentuate the positive to deliver a clear message to the nation. The message that Norfolk is the place for Government and the private sector to invest.

Members of Parliament and Members of the Chamber will use this high profile forum to raise the visibility of Norfolk to a new level.

Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber launched this major event saying “We plan to make it plain that not only are Norfolk’s doors open for business, we also have wide open windows of opportunity. Big Thinking, being better heard and doing business better are vital planks in our platform for 2014. The Chamber supports business, and delivers influence for business. Only recently we secured an audience, here in Norfolk, with the Chancellor. On February 7 we’ll bring nine MPs from the House of

The MPs Event 2013

Commons to the Chamber audience. This will be an opportunity to spread the word about why Norfolk is a great place to do business, and about the great businesses that operate here. We will accentuate the positive. It will be a positively charged debate.”

“We’re already creating a real impact for Norfolk, and actively raising it’s profile”, said Caroline. “This event will help us all focus on how we can work together to spread the positive news about Norfolk, and address the issues facing us in a positive way.”

This will be an important opportunity to discuss not only what the region’s MPs are doing for Norfolk at a national level, but also to explore what the Chamber can do to help that process.

‘The Chamber meets the Norfolk Nine’ takes place on Friday 7 February at Sprowston Manor.

For full details of how to book your place visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

Here’s what people thought about last year’s MPs Event

“The Chamber MPs event provides relevant and thought provoking content from some of the county’s top influencers. It is a superb community to meet and speak to our MPs on topics related to business in Norfolk and to hear firsthand about current government initiatives. Excellently organised, it certainly stands out as one of the ‘must attend’ events in the Norfolk business calendar.”

Peter Treglown, Four Agency

“The MPs event on Friday was very well run and hosted. There were some good sessions led by the MPs and the interactive discussions which followed worked really well.”

Craig Douglas, PwC

“What a great event. No-one has all the answers, no-one is aware of all the issues. By bringing together MPs, businesses, support groups and entrepreneurs in this manner we should all have a better understanding of the issues and solutions.”

Richard Glinn, Foundation East

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER EVENTS

Diary Dates 2014.

January

February

March

Better Exporting: Better Business in Qatar

The Chamber meets the Norfolk Nine

Where: Dunston Hall, Norwich When: Tuesday 14 January 2014, 15:45 - 18:45 What’s it about: This event will cover the high growth market of Qatar, which is one of the world’s wealthiest countries with an estimated GDP per capita of $106,000. Delegates will hear about the stability of the Qatar market, the business opportunities available and important cultural aspects. Existing traders will offer delegates first hand tips and advice. Sponsored

by Dunston Hall & UKTI. Free to attend & open to all businesses.

Where: Sprowston Manor, Norwich When: Friday 7 February 2014, 16:00 - 18:00 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: The MPs events 2014 will be a positively charged debate. Nine of our region’s MP’s come to meet the Chamber. Sponsored

by Greater Anglia & Sprowston Manor, this key event will focus on how Norfolk can accentuate the positive to deliver a clear message to the nation; Norfolk is the place for government and the private sector to invest. Members only event.

Sales Success in 2014: A Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast Where: Sea Life Centre, Great Yarmouth When: Thursday 23 January 2014, 07:30 - 09:30 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Is your sales technique ready for 2014? Get your year off to a great start and join us in Great Yarmouth for a delicious breakfast as Elliot Symonds of Jarrold Training gives us his top tips to close the deal. Perfect your pitch for the new year & take an optional tour of the Sea Life Centre. Members only event.

Better Exporting: Better Business in Russia Where: Dunston Hall, Norwich When: Tuesday 28 January 2014, 15:45 - 18:45 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: This event will cover the high growth market of Russia, which is the UK’s fastest-growing major export market and the third-largest export outside Europe and North America. Delegates will hear about the stability of the Russian market, the business opportunities available and important cultural aspects. Existing traders will offer delegates first hand tips and advice. Sponsored by Dunston Hall & UKTI. Free to attend & open to all businesses.

Super Bowl Challenge Where: Dunston Hall, Norwich When: Thursday 30 January 2014, 18:00 - 20:00 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Let loose your competitive side. Join like-minded Chamber members for an evening of networking and bowling, followed by a buffet. Whether as a team or as an individual, this is a great way to have fun and do business.

Members only event.

Better Exporting: Better Business in South Africa Where: Dunston Hall, Norwich When: Tuesday 25 February 2014, 15:45 - 18:45 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: This event will cover the high growth market of South Africa, which continues to offer the stability of a developed country, the opportunities of a vibrant emerging market, and an exciting cultural climate. Existing traders will offer delegates first hand tips and advice.

Sponsored by Dunston Hall & UKTI. Free to attend & open to all businesses.

Launching Digital Norfolk: Norwich Business Breakfast Where: Norwich Cathedral, Norwich When: Thursday 27 February 2014, 07:30 - 09:30 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: The Norfolk Chamber invites you to a business breakfast sponsored and hosted by Norwich Cathedral. HP has launched a new digital ambition, working with Microsoft, Vodafone and Norfolk County Council. Join the Chamber to hear about this ground breaking ambition, enjoy breakfast and take advantage of the networking opportunities.

HR Forum Where: Dunston Hall, Norwich When: Wednesday 5 March 2014, 14:00 - 17:00 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Join the Norfolk Chamber for an afternoon of accessing specialist knowledge essential for any HR Professional or business owner. Sponsored and delivered by Howes Percival LLP. Open to all businesses.

Meet the Buyer 2014 Where: Norwich City Football Club WHEN: Thursday 20 March 2014, 10:00 - 16:00 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Meet the Buyer 2014 features 50+ of the region’s top buyers matched to the products and services you want to sell, expert industry-led workshops and unique networking opportunities. Book your appointments from 3 February and walk in to a room full of opportunities.

Better Exporting: Better Business in Vietnam Where: Dunston Hall, Norwich When: Tuesday 25 March 2014, 15:45 - 18:45 WHAT’S IT ABOUT: This event will cover the high growth market of Vietnam, which has a promising long-term growth potential and is forecast to be one of the top ten fastest growing economies in the next decade or so. Delegates will hear about the stability of the Vietnam market, the business opportunities available and important cultural aspects. Existing traders will offer delegates first hand tips and advice.

Sponsored by Dunston Hall & UKTI. Free to attend & open to all businesses.

Raise your profile New for 2014: Sponsorship opportunities for Chamber Members from £250+VAT Increase your profile amongst the local business community by sponsoring an event.

Take a stand at a networking event Exclusive opportunities available to promote your business with an exhibition stand at a networking event from £75+VAT

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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NORFOLK VOICE

This year it was different.

Top Left to Right: Amanda McKenzie, Penny Power, Caroline Williams, Ian Hacon, Karen O’Kane and Nora Senior.

Bottom Left to Right: James Dening and Dick Palmer

Always looking to break the mould the Norfolk Chamber’s BIG THINKING Business Conference held on 22 November did just that.

More than 300 delegates attended the conference with half of the audience made up of young people from a mix of Norfolk schools and colleges as part of Norfolk Chambers’ commitment to unlocking the potential of Norfolk’s young people.

This conference concentrated on BIG THINKING, the attitude that exciting companies have to enable them to see the big picture and shape their strategies for positive development and growth.

The star line up of national speakers demonstrated how it worked for them, and how it can work for our region’s companies.

The panel of speakers included James Dening, Director at Finesight; Amanda Mackenzie, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Aviva; Penny Power, acclaimed author, entrepreneur and speaker; and Nora Senior, President of the British Chambers of Commerce. It’s a group whose CVs included Amazon, BT, British Gas, Ecademy and British Airways so the credentials are impeccable.

With this impressive line up, the Norfolk Chamber brought London to Norwich for the day with our expert speakers covering a range of inspirational subjects, perfect for big thinkers and inspiring young minds. These ranged from ‘Big Thinking in PR’, to ‘Think Big, Sell Big’ and ‘Creating a £1 Billion Brand in 4 years’.

Penny Power said “Thinking BIG has taken me beyond thinking about the sales process and into finding new solutions to societal issues. This has broadened my network and enabled me to create business that I would not have known was possible had it not been for my drive to influence and support UK plc and it’s digital agenda.”

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Amanda Mackenzie highlighted “Norfolk matters to Aviva. We employ approximately 5,300 people in Norwich and have roots of several hundred years. If the founders of Norwich Union hadn’t been big thinkers we wouldn’t be here today.”

Our conference sponsors this year were the TEN Group, Better Broadband for Norfolk and PwC all big thinkers.

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘We are a membership organisation. We are our members.”

“The size of a business, or how long it’s been in existence, are not key factors for us. What excites us are the businesses who think.”

“The ones with the attitude to achieve. We believe that BIG THINKING characterises that attitude. It’s not about strategic theory, it’s about bettering your business. The speakers did us proud today and to have so many young people able to attend and be inspired by the speakers and mix with Norfolk’s business community was very special.”

CHAMBER EVENTS

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s ground breaking conference – with attitude.

Steffan Griffiths, of Norwich School, said: “At Norwich School we set much store by preparing our pupils for the 21st century world in which they will work. We are delighted to have the opportunity as part of that process to enable them to interact with Norfolk’s business leaders at the Chamber’s Big Thinking Conference; we believe both parties will learn and grow from the gathering together.”

Students from Norwich School

Students from Iceni Academy

Amanda McKenzie, Aviva

Peter Collins, of Reepham High School & College, said: “We are pleased to be able to bring our students to the Big Thinking Conference as it gives them a taste of what will be expected once they join the business community. They are the business leaders of the future and this conference will help them to understand how they can make their mark and possibly inspire them to be even more successful. It is our belief that it is vitally important that schools and businesses work together to get students with the right skills and attitude to enable us all to grow and succeed in the future.”

Caroline Williams summed up her feelings “2013 was our year dedicated to Unlocking the Potential of Norfolk’s Young People. It is tremendously exciting to be able to welcome so many young people to our business conference as they are the business leaders of the future.

It was great to welcome students from across the county including City College Norwich, Reepham High, Iceni Academy, Great Yarmouth College, Norwich School, Sprowston Community High School, Sewell Park College and Ormiston Victory. 2014 will be even more exciting as we bring the business community and our young people even closer together.”

What did the young people think?

Thanks to @NorfolkChamber for the #BigThinking Conference from @VictoryAcad / @VI_Form_ Victory Sixth Form students! Very inspiring.

Jamie Thompson, Ormiston Victory Networking at the #BigThinking business conference! I feel very inspired right now!

Andrew Kenney, Norwich School @norfolkchamber was a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting experience at the Norfolk chamber today. As a student I learnt a lot. Thank you Henry Debenham, Reepham High School & College

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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NORFOLK VOICE

An audience with George Osborne: Norfolk Chamber exclusive.

Norfolk Chamber members were out in force on 7 November to welcome the Chancellor to Norfolk and to ensure that he was in no doubt as to the potential growth of its business community given the right investment.

As part of the event Chamber members were asked to take part in a text survey to identify their key priorities which will provide the keystone

to the Chamber’s priorities in 2014. The clear priority with 34% of the vote was improvements to transport & infrastructure. The Chancellor then heard from Ian Hacon President Norfolk Chamber of Commerce about the Good, the Bad and the Ugly side of Norfolk, who emphasised Norfolk’s potential for growth.

Six Chamber members ranging from rural start-ups, such as Swarm Apprenticeships, to established firms, such as Bernard Matthews, then gave highlights as to what they were particularly excited about relating to their businesses and identified what would help them be even more successful.

It was made clear that Norfolk businesses are at last feeling more confident, but continued to need the support of the Government in key areas. They highlighted how much faster businesses could grow and create jobs with the right infrastructure in place particularly improved broadband and mobile coverage, the railways, NDR and A47.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Young people are Norfolk’s future and Norfolk Chamber members sought assurances that business education would be high on the Government’s agenda.

Ian Hacon, President Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and MD Blue Sky Leisure, said: “We were delighted to host a visit from George Osborne, Rt. Hon. Member of Parliament for Tatton and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I would like to think he left Norfolk with a positive view as to what a great county it is to live and work in, and how a relatively small amount of investment in projects and infrastructure could unlock Norfolk’s potential to continue to play its part in the economic growth of the country.”

Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chancellor can be in no doubt about the innovation and dynamism of the Norfolk business community after today’s visit. We very much welcome his positive comments about Norfolk and its economy and will continue to encourage him to invest

CHAMBER EVENTS

in this area in order to maximise the business community’s potential for growth and jobs.”

of the rolling stock, such as power points and refurbishment of carriages.

The Chancellor, George Osborne, in his speech stated that infrastructure investment was a priority for the government, from broadband and education, to road and rail, but that he was “here to listen, and here to learn”.

A number of members had the opportunity to ask the Chancellor questions and those not able to be heard due to time restrictions were assured that their questions would be answered after the event. In fact the Chamber have sent a total of 33 letters to the Chancellors office on behalf of Chamber members.

“We are doing what we can to create a competitive business environment. But we need your input, your thoughts and your ideas about where to take that next because by definition in a global race you cannot stand still.”

The Chancellor went on to outline that he was committed to the delivery of a faster rail service between Norwich and London (known as the Norwich in Ninety campaign). However, as this will take some time to implement, he also committed his support for the upgrading

Comments from Members “I really appreciated the opportunity to pose a question to George Osborne at such a prestigious event for the regional business community. I am also delighted to hear that a taskforce will now be set up to see how “Norwich in Ninety” can be achieved – a project that, I know, the Chamber pioneered.”

Nicola Butterworth, Associate Solicitor – Howes Percival LLP

Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth who had organised the visit with Norfolk Chamber had to be in Westminster on the day of the event but said “The Chancellor’s visit to Norfolk today is a real recognition of the economic potential of the area. I am delighted to have been able to help arrange this important visit and that Norfolk Chamber members had this opportunity to tell the Chancellor more about our area and the fantastic businesses that have made their home

here. This is the perfect opportunity to signal to the Government that Norfolk is open for business and will be a key player in the UK’s continued economic growth. I shall continue to work closely with government departments to bring cabinet ministers to our area.”

Caroline Williams continued “The Chancellor has made it clear today that he values Norfolk and its business community and want to help us to reach our full potential. It is essential that we work closely together with our local MPs, our LEPs and public sector partners to take advantage of the exciting opportunities we have in Norfolk.

The Chancellor has opened the door to communicate with him and his team and we will b ensure that the Norfolk business voice is heard loud and clear.”

“A very well organised event with a super representation of Norfolk Business to show the Chancellor that we really do mean ‘Business’.”

Jon Woolston, Managing Partner - Larking Gowen “Congratulations to the Chamber for getting such a high profile politician to speak to us and, hopefully, listen to our issues here in East Anglia – often a forgotten corner!”

Esther Evans, Managing Director – STM Packaging Group Ltd

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE47

NORFOLK VOICE

CHAMBER EVENTS

The Chamber Sessions.

October last year saw a new era of the Norfolk Chamber, the launch of the Chamber Sessions.

These free training sessions have helped businesses keep up to date with the latest trends and ideas, providing practical top tips which can be implemented on a daily basis. After overwhelming support and popularity of our first series, we are pleased to launch series two in January 2014. Held on Tuesday mornings at the Norfolk Chamber Offices, series one was a roaring success with delegates brushing up on their skills and taking away practical tips before they arrive at their desk in the morning.

We have a great series planned for 2014 with a variety of new topics by expert presenters in the particular field. In the new year we will not only be running Tuesday morning sessions, but to make it accessible for you we are offering Thursday lunch sessions as well. Due to demand, each organisation will have an opportunity to book into three sessions per series.

Tuesday 21 January

‘Be Better at Web Conversions’ with Mark Ellaway, Bigfork Ltd Improve your website to increase leads and sales. Mark will talk through what your website needs to do to engage and persuade visitors to respond.

through the maze of issues that need to be addressed when making an informed decision regarding green initiatives.

Thursday 6 February

‘Be Better at Email Marketing’ with Holly Stibbon, 101 Marketing Understand and act upon client behaviour to improve the return from your email marketing.

This session will help you to learn about different targeted send techniques and how you could use these to get more from your campaigns.

Tuesday 11 February

‘Be Better at PR’ with Rachael Shakespeare, Jungle Public Relations Find out why PR isn’t the dark art people often assume. Delegates will pick up practical tips for improving their own communications, whether internal or external, gain insight into how to structure a PR campaign and learn what really makes a good story.

Tuesday 25 February

‘Be Better at Inspiring Innovation’ with Chand Chudasama, Price Bailey A fun session that teases out how business leaders can develop their team’s ability to drive profitable growth. Chand will explore how innovation can be conducted without spending a fortune and how innovation can both reduce operating costs and increase sales.

Tuesday 28 January

‘Be Better at Managing People’ with Rachel Blackburn, US2U Consulting Rachel will look at how you engage your staff, adapting your style if necessary, handling difficult conversations and will explain how effective coaching can raise the standards.

Tuesday 11 March

‘Be Better at Presenting’ with Sarah Daniels, Red Cat Partnership Sarah will give you a toolkit of top tips to ensure that your presentations are effective and really hit the mark.

Tuesday 18 March

‘Be Better with Engaging Content’ with Richard Willner, Further Richard will be looking at what to consider for your brand and what you need to think about when it comes to digital content.

Tuesday 25 March

‘Be Better at Selling in a Tough Climate’ with Nial Adams, the PUSH Academy Selling is hard enough when the market is in shape, but how do you make sure you continue to sell when the climate is tough? In this session Nial will be exploring the different techniques used.

Thursday 27 March

‘Be Better at Building Relationships: a practical approach’ with Rachel Paul, Consult East You will learn to: refresh, review and add practical skills needed to your tool box in order to build even better relationships at work.

Do you have knowledge that you can pass on?

Chamber Members with great best practice are being sought for third series. Please contact Rachel Rogers in the Events Team on 01603 729 705 or rachel.rogers@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Tuesday 4 March

‘Be Better at Selling through Video’ with Alex Morris, Lambda Films Alex will demonstrate how you can use video to sell, educate, engage and raise the profile of your business. With or without a budget!

Tuesday 4 February

Tuesday 1 April

‘Be Better at Motivating Your Staff’ With John Jackson, The People People

‘Be Better at a Sustainable Advantage’

Thursday 6 March

with Jonathan Cage, Create Consulting

with Duncan Johnson, Yodelay

Jonathan will look at the benefits of advocating Sustainable Business Practice and will aim to provide practical take home advice which will benefit your business and provide guidance

Duncan will help you and your business build a constructive plan on how to build a strategy to networking online.

‘Be Better at Online Networking’

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Get practical tips on how to help you create an engaging and high performance workplace.

The tips shared are tested and proven to motivate, improve productivity, create loyalty, responsibility and increase customer service.

TAKE A BREAK

Ridley Pinstripe.

Sudoku Jan-Feb

It’s 10.15am on a Thursday morning and the offices of Barking, Madd and Madd are a sombre place. Nothing’s happened, it’s just that people don’t like working here.

Well, I say nothing has happened but, in truth, the mood has not been helped by management’s announcement that we have smashed our previous best production figures and posted a staggeringly good quarterly profit.

Answers in the next edition

Indeed, according to the press release written by one of the over-excitable girls in the PR department, we ‘stand on the shoulders of the greatest companies in corporate history’ and ‘lead the way in the kind of reliability on which you can bet your life’.

All of which was written before one of our delivery lorries reliably ran over the new £1.5m roundabout at the end of the industrial estate, narrowly missing two pensioners who had plenty of time to think about betting their life on us as the security gate guy fished them out of a rose bush.

Anyway, back to the record profits. It’s all up, up, up so you can see why we are worried. Hang on, I hear you cry, is this not a cause for great celebration chez Barking, Madd and Madd? An opportunity to break out the bubbly and hand out the Dolly Mixtures?

Well, it would be were it not for the launch some months ago of Project Fresh Pastures, which means that every time we make a profit, we make some staff redundant as a sign of the company’s gratitude for their efforts.

Except we do not make them redundant; instead we offer them the chance to seek pastures new (the logo is a cow) and even young go-getters like me, recently promoted to Deputy Assistant Assistant (Staplers and Associated Sharp Things) in the Procurement Department, are not safe from the swish of the farmer‘s scythe and the thrust of his (That’s enough rural imagery. Ed).

Which is why you find me waiting nervously outside the office of the HR Manager as he delivers the good news about pastures new to a delivery driver, who emerges from the office and immediately collides with the photocopier.

Sudoku Answers Nov-Dec

Second later, I’m sitting opposite the HR Manager.

‘Rodney,’ he says, glancing down at a piece of paper on the desk. ‘I won’t beat about the bush, these are difficult times for the company but what can you do?‘ ‘I guess.’

‘No, I meant, what can you do? Looking at your CV, it seems like you have no recognisable skills, exhibit precious little initiative and seem to have very little grasp of what’s going on around you.’

Cartoon

‘I guess that means pastures new?’ I said gloomily, looking at the large poster of a beaming cow hanging on the wall.

‘I m afraid so.’ His gaze wandered to the tiredlooking plant on his windowsill. ’Hang on, there may be something you can do, though. It‘s sort of to do with pastures.‘ Which is why you find me wandering the building with a watering can.

Ridley

“And when you are done thinking outside the box, remember to put the box in the proper recycling bin”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PAGE49

NORFOLK VOICE

Improve the skills of your workforce.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The College of West Anglia has been awarded a contract from the European Social Fund (ESF) for Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW), which will help Norfolk and Suffolk employers improve their employee’s workplace skills.

The funded training is available for small to medium sized businesses with less than 250 employees and is specifically aimed at employees aged 19 plus.

Susie Massen, Head of Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning said: “We will work with businesses to deliver high quality programmes in a range of different subject areas. Each programme aims to improve the skill levels of people who are already in employment and will benefit both the individual and the business.

The training will provide a good foundation for employees wishing to study additional courses in the future.”

“The training programmes are funded so we expect them to be very popular with employers.”

For more information about the Skills Support for the Workforce delivered by the College of West Anglia call the project team on 01553 815255 or e-mail ccrangle@col-westanglia.ac.uk

The aim of SSW is to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce in England by supporting individuals with low skills so they can progress in their career. It also provides individuals with a starting point to undertake higher levels of training in the future if required.

EcoArbol is a newly formed company but with many years of experience. EcoArbol is run by Shaun Ketcher and along with his team aims to provide an efficient, professional and unbeatable standard of service to their customers.

EcoArbol has gone from strength to strength working with individual customers to having his own small contracts.

EcoArbol’s biggest increase in business has been through “word of mouth” and excellent client testimonials. Currently working on contracts in the City of London, EcoArbol is wanting to progress to obtaining more contracts in the East Anglia region. Having purchased more vehicles and equipment EcoArbol is now confident that more contracts can be sought in the Norfolk area.

Works include formative pruning, crown lifting, reduction, thinning and cleaning. Disease and pest diagnosis, tree surveys, stump grinding. Tree planting and Tree transplanting. Tree Removal, when necessary. EcoArbol places great importance on the environment and the ecosystem that every tree supports and this is always discussed when speaking to our customers about any proposed work.

EcoArbol is fully insured with Public Liability, Employers Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. EcoArbol carries all relevant industry recognised qualifications, N.P.T.C Certificates and has all their own equipment to safely tackle any job.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Contact Information Shaun Ketcher mobile: 07503 408899 tel: 01603 477514 email: shaunketcher2@gmail.com

www.ecoarbol.co.uk info@ecoarbol.co.uk

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 2013

PAGE51

NORFOLK VOICE

NEW MEMBERS

Find out about the benefits of being a Norfolk Chamber member.

All information can be found at www.norfolkchamber.co.uk or attend a Meet the Chamber event.

New Members.

4ITSec Ltd 07771 594441 www.4ITSec.com IT Services

A C Leigh (Norwich) Ltd 01603 216500 www.acleigh.co.uk Locksmith

Acorn Subscriptions 01603 400407

www.acorn-medical.com Medical Equipment Suppliers

Amanda Page HR Consultancy 07766 411712 Human Resources Consultants

Ammonite Acoustics 07970 807526

www.ammonite-acoustics.co.uk Consultants (Energy/Environmental)

Bluespace Ltd 01603 722123

www.bluespaceltd.co.uk Office Partitioning/Refurbishment

Burnt Tree Vehicle Rental 01733 33840

www.burnt-tree.co.uk Car Hire

Comfort Hotel Great Yarmouth 01493 855070

www.comfortgreatyarmouth.co.uk Hotels

Concept And Design Engineering Ltd 01328 856088

www.conceptanddesign.co.uk Engineering

Eastern Chauffeur Ltd 01508 495660

www.easternchauffeur.com Transport

07766 222299

www.car-maison.com Car Export

Caterham Technology & Innovation Limited 01953 853200

www.caterhamtechnology.com Manufacturing

01603 765795

www.kings-norwich.com/conferences Venues/Conference & Function Rooms Banqueting

Lafarge Tarmac Ltd 01603 283450

www.lafargetarmac.com Building Contractors

Main Man Supplies (East Anglia) 01603 722071

www.mainmanshop.co.uk Health & Safety Consultants

EcoArbol 01603 477514 www.ecoarbol.co.uk Landscaping

Millfields Conveyor Belting Ltd 01760 725800

www.millfieldsbelting.co.uk Manufacturing

Fusion 13 01603 340420

www.fusion-13.co.uk Architects

New Anglia LEP 01603 510 070

www.newanglia.co.uk Business Support

Gillies Associates Ltd 01263 735535

www.gilliesassociates.co.uk Health & Safety Consultants

Great Yarmouth V A High School 01493 849663

Car Maison

Kings Church Centre Norwich

www.greatyarmouth.norfolk.sch.uk Educational Service

Inspiring Europa Ltd Trading 01485 525625

www.anglia.sandler.com Training Providers/Services

Jack Richards & Son Ltd 01328 863111

www.jackrichards.co.uk Transport (Haulage)

Novum Structures UK Limited 01379 640040

www.novumstructures.com Construction (General)

Olsen Recruitment Services 01603 821100

www.olsenrecruitment.com Recruitment

Point Edge Face LLP 01603 465525

www.pointedgeface.com Communications

Polkadotfrog Ltd 01603 337002

www.polkadotfrog.co.uk Recruitment

Pro-Select 0333 123 7970 www.pro-select.co.uk Recruitment

Q2 Action Ltd 01603 871168

www.q2action.co.uk Consultants (Business/Management)

Quick Talent Limited 0207 961177

www.quicktalent.co.uk Business Support

Rock Paper Digital 07854 890 363

www.rockpaperdigital.com Website Designers

ShowerPowerBooster Ltd 01603 702775

www.showerpowerbooster.co.uk Water Dispenser Suppliers

Simcat Solutions Ltd 07734 257267

www.simcatsolutions.co.uk Health & Safety Consultants

SuremaxX Ltd 07900 460051

www.suremaxx.com Wholesalers/Distributors

The Hadden Consultancy 07766 424277

www.thehaddenconsultancy.com Consultants (Business/Management)

The Old Bakery Cafe 07768 351350

www.chriscooks.co.uk Catering

True Traders Ltd 01493 854611

www.truetraders.co.uk Retail

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF

A week in the Life of...

Abi Charter Events Manager

Monday

It’s a busy week with three events taking place over the next five days, including a high profile visit from the Chancellor on Thursday. My Monday morning starts with a briefing to Chamber staff, going through the event in detail, informing the team of their individual responsibilities at the event from setting up to working reception and even controlling security. A well run event is planned minute by minute and in infinite detail, which the whole Chamber team pulls together to achieve.

Tuesday

To me, Tuesday is Chamber Session day; our in house weekly training sessions at Norfolk Chamber HQ delivered by members for members for free over breakfast. I’m in early, helping Rachel, our Event Co-ordinator, with the setting up and greeting delegates. It’s then straight off to Dunston Hall for meeting with the Chancellor’s team to do a ‘walk through’ of the event and finalise logistics with the venue. It’s 48 hours before the main event, so every confirmed delegate is sent an

agenda and delegate list providing them with full details for Thursday.

After lunch I have a weekly meeting with the CEO of Norfolk Chamber for an events update, followed by one-to-ones with each member of the Events team to discuss progress, developments and review the event calendar as a whole.

Wednesday

I am up bright and early supervising delivery of a Business Breakfast in Great Yarmouth at the Imperial Hotel, arriving on site at 6:45am to allow suitable time for preparation before our eager networking delegates arrive just after 7:30am. After setting up reception and the necessary AV, I meet our speakers and provide them with a briefing. Everything runs to schedule and the delegates leave well fed, informed and eager to make contact with their new business connections. The afternoon provides a last-minute PR opportunity for the Chancellor’s visit tomorrow with a request for a delegate to speak on Radio Norfolk first thing. After some emails and phone calls, I arrange a speaker and provide the necessary briefing.

Thursday

The big day.

Months of planning and preparation come down to a few hours of event delivery in the afternoon, but it’s all worth it. I spend the morning with the events team who have put together delegate packs and badges, table plans and enough equipment to fill three cars all checked, double-checked and ready to go. The whole team is on site early to set up for the 200 delegates, seven speakers, guest host and, of course, the Chancellor himself. The venue looks fantastic, full of Chamber branding and I liaise with the Chancellor’s press team, events manager and personal security team to deliver the event to time and to Chamber standard. It’s a long and pressure filled day but we’ve done it, a resounding success with lots of positive feedback and media coverage.

Friday

Friday morning starts with unpacking and clearing down from Thursday’s event. The whole Chamber team get together to do a round robin of the event; what worked, what

Abi Charter

could be improved. This is essential, as I continually strive to improve events year on year. Photos from the event come in, are put on our Facebook and Google+ pages and are loaded on to the Chamber website along with a write up of the event. I send a thank you email to delegates inviting them to view the photos and write up. The afternoon is spent looking through marketing material the team have produced for events coming up, it’s our BIG Thinking Conference in less than two weeks so we need to get cracking!

Chamber new faces.

Norfolk Chamber is delighted to welcome on board a new member of staff.

Sam joined the busy Chamber Events Team as an Apprentice in November and assists with the co-ordination of the Chamber Sessions as well as providing support for the team. Sam said “I feel incredibly grateful for being given this opportunity so young. I am proud to be part of delivering such amazing events along with the rest of the team, I feel very lucky.”

Abi Charter, Events Manager said “Sam is a perfect example of why more businesses should be working with Apprentices. She brings enthusiasm, energy and a hunger to learn and develop that benefits the whole team.”

Samantha Brown, Events Assistant Apprentice

PAGE53

PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

The last word.

Name: Helen Millin Company: Germains Seed Technology Job title: Group Marketing Manager Biog: I am the Group Marketing Manager at Germains Seed Technology, one of the world’s largest seed technology companies, who provide value-added seed technology solutions to maximise the natural potential of seed in the field. Germains’ head office is based in King’s Lynn, where our production facility processes all of the sugar beet seed for the UK and European market.

I started my career at Vauxhall Motors and enjoyed 27 years working in a variety of marketing and communications roles, which included managing four new car launches and numerous ATL and BTL campaigns.

In 2010, I relocated to North Norfolk with my husband. Since then, I have worked as Head of Marketing and PR at The Hoste Arms, before returning to the motor industry as Tactical Marketing Manager for Saab GB and as a Senior Account Manager for a digital creative design agency, Graymatter.

The opportunity to work at Germains presented itself earlier this year and I am just loving the diversity, challenge and opportunities this global marketing role offers. Best of all I get to work with a great team of people and live in Norfolk.

What did you want to be when you were young?

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in travel. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do and my aspirations jumped between being an interpreter to having my own travel agency. I loved watching all the holiday programmes as a child and would spend hours pouring over travel brochures deciding which hotel or city I would like to visit.

What could you not live without?

My diary and list of things to do, which never seems to get any shorter!

If you could invite any two people to dinner, who would they be and why?

It would have to be James Martin (BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen Live) who would cook the meal and Chris Evans (Radio 2) who I listen to when I drive to work along the A149 coast road each morning. I find his energy infectious and stimulating. Also as both of them share a passion about cars, I would at least be able to enjoy and contribute something meaningful to the conversation, although the type of cars they drive are obviously way out of my league!

If you could build a house anywhere in the world, where would it be?

It would have to be on the North Norfolk coast, overlooking the marsh in Brancaster Staithe or the sea at Old Hunstanton. Although I have visited some amazing places around the world, there is nowhere I would rather live.

What makes you angry?

I try not to get angry, however there is no excuse for bad manners or being disrespectful to others.

If you only had a £1 left in the whole world, what would you spend it on?

I would buy a lottery ticket and chance my luck.

walking distance, is just wonderful. We first discovered North Norfolk on a very wet weekend 12 years ago when we stayed at The Hoste Arms in Burnham Market, little did I know then that I would end up working there.

What is, in your opinion, the greatest invention ever?

It has to be the internet. Today, we use it to work, bank, communicate, shop, educate, watch films, share information and socialise. From a marketing perspective it is invaluable.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt in life?

Never ask someone to do something you would not do yourself.

What is the best thing about Norfolk?

I would probably say the people. Since we moved here four years ago everyone has made us so welcome. However, the wide open beaches, big skies, wildlife and amazing food come a close second. It is such a beautiful county and I am very lucky to live here. Having grown up in Bedfordshire, the sea was always two hours away, so the fact that it is now within

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

If you could come back as an animal in your next life, what would it be and why?

It would have to be a dog. As the owner of a golden retriever and rescued springer spaniel, I think they have a very charmed life.

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