Norfolk Voice 29

voic e

norfolk Making the best use of the digital age Cover Feature Why it makes sense to be a Chamber member

Big Interview Keeping ahead of the game the key for Proxama

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Committed to Success

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

JULY AUGUST 2015

What we can do for you: • Carry out an organisational needs analysis (free of charge) • Provide professional development and industry specific training • Develop and deliver tailor-made training packages • Facilitate and support Traineeships and Apprenticeships

Join our Business Partnership: • Network with local businesses • Attend regular network breakfast meetings • Discounted training and events

To download an application form visit www.gyc.ac.uk

01493 657722 | employerservices@gyc.ac.uk | www.gyc.ac.uk

CONTENTS

Contents.

03

As we head into the summer season this issue profiles one of Norfolk’s key sectors, Tourism and the impact that Technology has on its growth. page Technology continues to drive the Norfolk’s business economy and the recognition of Norwich as a Tech City cannot be underestimated as to the positive impact it could have on the profile of the ICT and digital sectors across Norfolk.

Details of the Chamber’s annual technology event is also highlighted in this issue – ‘The Future is Here’ to be held on 23 September with an amazing line up of keynote speakers and workshops. At this event you will be challenged in your thinking, hear from experts and learn practical ways to improve your bottom line. Page 41.

Access is a key catalyst to enable businesses to be able to develop. Over the last few months Norfolk has seen positive news relating to transport with the finalisation of the A11 Dual carriageway and the go ahead of the NDR. Both of these projects necessitated a significant time resource from the business community to articulate the economic benefits which will enable the creation of new jobs and a stronger Norfolk economy.

Access to the Norwich City Centre is key to the city’s development and once again the business voice needs to articulate its needs and opinion.

Read on page about what the Norwich Chamber Council and the Norfolk Chamber Planning and Development group are looking to achieve on behalf of the wider business community on this issue.

The Chamber of Commerce in Norfolk is 120 years old in 2016 and we are looking to involve as many of our members as possible in the ‘Then and Now’ project. Whether your organisation was around in 1896 or was created more recently, this is your opportunity to increase the profile of your organisation. We are looking for ‘Then and Now’ pictures and stories so please do get involved.

More details on page 22.

Lastly we are looking for a senior addition to our team if you think you have what it takes full details are on page 23.

Welcome/Contents

16 21

Green Vision

04 05

Chamber News

30 35

Business Support

06

Members News

08 09

Members News

10 11

Chamber Policy

12 13

Members News

14 15

International Trade

22

Members News

24 25

The Big Interview

26 29

Cover Features

36

Knowledge

37

Norfolk Chamber Membership

40 43

5

24

Chamber Events

46

New Members

47

Members News

48

A Week in the Life of

50

The Last Word

42 Norfolk Voice is a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce publication.

ALL EDITORIAL AND GENERAL ENQUIRIES: info@norfolkchamber.co.uk NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Norwich Office: 9 Norwich Business Park, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6DJ Tel: 01603 625977 Fax: 01603 633032

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing, 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

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

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE3

NORFOLK VOICE

Embrace online feedback to gain opportunites.

Up to £3,000 available to Norwich based businesses.

Is your current broadband speed slowing down your business? You can now do something about it!

If your business employs less than 250 employees and you are based in the Norwich City Council area, then it is likely that you are eligible for free funding through the government’s Superfast Britain Broadband Connection Vouchers scheme.

Ian Hacon President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

This Month’s edition features articles about digital marketing and tourism.

Having spent 15 years in the tourism sector, I can give a good perspective on this.

I am going to focus on one area, which is dealing with feedback online. Like it or not, we now live in a sharing economy, as well as turning to friends and family for recommendations, many of us now go online and look at and contribute to the “chatter”. Previous colleagues of mine were reticent and fearful of sites like Trip Advisor. My view has always been that good companies, with good customer service will usually get overwhelming benefit from embracing a strategy to maximise opportunities for customers to share experiences online. That’s why for instance at Kelling Heath, we sent you an email after you left pointing you at Trip Advisor, and at Zaks there’s a Trip Advisor QR code on the comment cards. That is why the fabulous Norfolk based Go Ape publish all their feedback, unedited, directly to their homepage.

Try to look for the opportunity in all feedback, good or bad.

Try asking your customers, what could we do even better?

When it comes to ‘negative reviews’ we have to adopt more of a growth mindset about that feedback. We should never take it personally, no matter how rude or unjust we feel it is. What is the underlying message in the feedback?

Does it concur with other less blunt feedback? Usually it does. Always respond to negative feedback with a positive constructive response. I recently took this approach to a comment on a Linkedin post I made. My immediate response was barriers up, ‘What’s this guy on’ but then I embraced it and offered him sincere thanks, he responded very positively and it opened up a dialogue to enrich my understanding of the subject. I grew my mind as a result.

Finally, do all the above around some sort of clear strategy rather than ad hoc. If you do not have the expertise in-house, there are great local agencies out there that can help.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Eligible businesses can get a connection voucher of between £100 and £3,000 towards the charge of installing superfast broadband. This is usually enough to cover the costs involved.

If your business is based at home, the connection voucher can also be used to get superfast broadband there.

It can fund associated installation costs including infrastructure equipment, construction charges, engineering works and surveys.

What types of broadband are eligible?

• Cable • Ethernet First Mile (EFM) • Fibre to the Premise (FttP) • Fibre to the Cabinet (FttC) • Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) • Leased lines • Microwave • Satellite Multiple organisations can jointly apply to the scheme and pool the funding. This can help where a whole office block wants to get superfast broadband, though all organisations must meet the eligibility criteria. The offer is also open to registered charities, social enterprises and sole traders.

The benefits to you business could include: n Increasing profits by offering better services to more satisfied customers. n Improving customers’ experience with quicker upload and download speeds and faster file-sharing, especially for large files. n Reducing software and hardware costs by helping businesses switch to online data storage solutions. n Enhancing the way businesses communicate and collaborate through online video conference and cloud-based information sharing.

How to apply You can claim your broadband connection voucher in three simple steps: 1. Check your business is eligible using the scheme’s postcode checker.

2. Get a quote from a registered supplier on a package to meet your specific needs.

3. Visit www.connectionvouchers.co.uk and fill in an application form – they will do the rest.

What do you have to pay? n We pay the connection charge up to £3,000, you pay the rest if the cost is higher. n You pay the VAT of the connection. n You pay the ongoing monthly subscriptions.

Details of the voucher scheme and links to the postcode checker and registered suppliers can be found on the Chamber website www.norfolkchamber.co.uk or by visiting www.connectionvouchers.co.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

Delegates shake up their connections.

Expanding your network.

Over 70 Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Chamber Members joined together on a sunny May morning at the Knights Hill Hotel for a delicious breakfast and some fantastic networking.

Our host Heather Garrod, took the delegates through the mornings agenda and themed ice breaker to get all the delegates thinking and discussing which countries imported which good the most.

Alastair McFarlane, Manager of East Anglia Ports, spoke after breakfast, he gave a delegates an insight into how much AB Ports are doing across the country and in the local area and the importance of the ports. n The next event in this area is a Hog Roast and Quiz Night on Wednesday 22 July, to book your place visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

On Thursday 5 June, 25 members of the Norfolk Chamber joined us for an intimate cocktail making and networking evening, with plenty of networking opportunities there was a great atmosphere.

It was held at Mr Postle’s Apothecary, a new bar in Norwich which opened on 19 March this year.

Delegates started their night off with a complimentary drink and a networking

activity which got them making new contacts throughout the night.

It was then onto the cocktail making where delegates had the option of making either a Cosmopolitan or a Virgin Mr Postle, they paired up and took turns in shaking and mixing up their drinks. n The next After Hours event is Look the Business at Jarrold, Norwich on 20 August 2015, to book your place visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

Norfolk businesses bridge the gap.

On a recent Thursday morning, at The Space, Norwich over 140 of the Norfolk business community joined us for a breakfast all about getting the most out of apprenticeships and the benefits they have to businesses, young people and the community.

On arrival there was an exhibition full of training providers and knowledgeable businesses to provide delegates with the advice they need to get apprentices into their business, while networking.

on all the different aspects available around apprenticeships and the funding available.

Next up on stage was Andrew Sherwood, Bernard Matthews and Mark Farrar, Reepham High School & College who talked about their successful joint working with students to give them a tangible experience of business and bridge the gap between the classroom and commerce.

The morning was hosted by Matthew Hudson, ITV Anglia Presenter who introduced Richard Nutt from National Apprenticeship Services. He started us off with a very informative speech

Delegates then heard directly from both apprentices and employers from Alan Boswell Group and UCP Zeller who shared their experiences. This interview panel sparked yet another lively discussion on what businesses and education providers need to do to support young people to undertake apprenticeships. n For more information about this event and apprenticeships visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

MEMBERS NEWS

Business Growth Consultant Emma Gooderham teams up with Naked Element.

Norwich based Naked Element have joined forces with Director of Gooderham Consulting Ltd’s, Emma Gooderham to help define a strategy for business growth over the coming months.

Working on a contract consultative basis, Emma will help the technology business identify and engage with prospective clients and develop a longer term business development strategy.

Naked Element’s co-Director Paul Grenyer said: “We’ve teamed up with Emma with a view to her helping us define the business and where we want to go and how we can get there.

chose to work with Emma. She was immediately engaged and very early on it was clear that she knew what she was doing.”

Naked Element have enjoyed many successes with both the regional and national tech communities as well as developing products for household names. As Paul describes “Matt, my co-director, and I are techies at heart. We love what we do and know how to do it well but when it comes to business development and marketing ourselves, not only are we busy with client work but, we felt we needed a steer from someone with specific experience in exactly that.”

“We chose Emma in particular as we liked her structured approach, we’d met at a networking event in the past and when I started thinking about teaming up with a business development professional Emma was recommended by a peer. So on the back of both of those we

Swains leads the way for vouchers. is part of the SuperFast Britain initiative. Interested SMEs who meet certain criteria, can apply for a voucher by requesting a quote from a registered supplier, then completing and submitting an application form.

Emma said: “Naked Element’s service has demonstrable client benefits and when I first discussed the project with Paul, I immediately felt that I wanted to help spread the word about the advantages of their methodology.”

SSCS provides pipeline solution.

As a business that stands at the forefront of communications and data technolgy, with 20 years of experience providing telecom and internet services to companies all over the UK, Swains realised the Connection Vouchers represented a great opportunity to help Norwich businesses.

As Norwich becomes one of the new Super Connected cities, local business Swains Plc has led the way as Norfolk’s first Broadband Connection Vouchers supplier for SMEs. In April, Norwich went live as one of 22 UK SuperConnected cities who will benefit from faster and better high grade fibre broadband and Ethernet connections, in selected NR1 – NR9 postcodes. The scheme allows small to medium sized Norfolk business to claim up to £3,000 to cover the capital and equipment costs of installation or upgrading their broadband (from 20 Mbps – 1 GB), via a voucher scheme that contributes towards the costs of connections.

The UK government has set aside £150 million to set up the SuperConnected cities scheme which

Claire Swain Mason, Commercial Director said, “Swains has always been ahead of developments. We want to help more Norwich SMEs work in the fast lane of business by providing the infrastructure, technical expertise and local market understanding they need.

“Swains has a preferred and select group of IT service providers (ISPs) who can provide the service around the connection too, making sure the service is second to none from point to point.

Working together with Norwich and Norfolk based technical talent strengthens the delivery of the technology that Norwich SME’s needs to thrive.”

One of the local IT support companies, is Onebyte, run by Warren Pountain, who said, “We are very happy to support Swains and help facilitate a much needed Internet boost to the city.”

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

A quantity of SSCS Weighted Frond Mats were supplied to Bibby Offshore Singapore on behalf of Total Myanmar for installation along one of their pipelines on the Yadana field in the Andaman Sea to provide freespan rectification and future protection from scour in water depths of approximately 50m.

Bibby Offshore executed the deployment of the Mats from the DP2 ROV support vessel, Bibby Spring, utilising the SSCS installation frame and the Quasar Work Class ROV.

Auto Enrolment is not just a pension.

ADVERTISING FEATURE However what is also becoming more popular is Flexible Benefits, this is a formal arrangement where employees are given a “flex pot�, whereby employees can use a percentage of their salary towards purchasing benefits from a pre-defined menu of options through an employer branded site.

As an example some of the more popular selections are purchasing extra annual leave, childcare vouchers, family insurances as well as technology options.

With Auto Enrolment still high on the agenda employers are using this as an opportunity to review their staff benefit packages.

The costs of Auto Enrolment on businesses can mean budgets are being stretched, which can impact annual salary reviews. Therefore businesses are now looking at offering additional benefits to their employees which can be a fraction of the cost of providing an increase in the wage bill.

Enhanced Employee Packages Some of the traditional benefits being offered are Death in Service Cover, Private Medical Insurance or Group Income Protection, which protect employees should they be off work on long term sick.

Employers are also looking at a simpler solution of adding voluntary benefits, where the employee has access to an online portal which can offer discounts on everyday goods and shopping, studies show that employee annual savings from this can be the equivalent to giving an annual pay increase but at the fraction of the cost.

The Benefits The advantages from a business perspective can be National Insurance savings on certain products, however the key advantage is the retention and recruitment of staff, which in turn can support the business in becoming the employer of choice in their industry.

Alan Boswell Group can provide information on how to enhance employee benefit packages or support on Auto Enrolment. They have a team of experts on hand to help you get greater value from your existing spend, and using Auto Enrolment as a driver for this can ensure a cost effective and efficient implementation.

If you would like to discuss different benefits options for your employees call Tristan Starling on 01603 216361

Nine months of planning.

Auto Enrolment is very much still an ongoing administrative burden for payrolls, with the regulator handing out over 160 fines to companies for non-compliance.

This is likely to increase as we move to the smaller employers, who typically have not had to deal with the implementation of a pension scheme before or are having to adapt their existing arrangement to the new rules.

This leaves many employers unprepared for the additional duties. With any regulation change preparation is key with nine months being the preferred time frame to begin planning, any later than this and the business runs the risk of fewer options being available from pension providers as well having to make changes to the payroll.

The most critical element is to identify your staging date and start the project as early as possible.

For an informal chat about your auto enrolment requirements please call David Perry on 01603 218388 or Dee Smout on 01603 218027

We can help you avoid the various pitfalls; saving you time, and therefore cost, to ensure that auto-enrolment is integrated within your business with the minimum of upheaval.

Alan Boswell & Company (London) Ltd is an appointed representative of Alan Boswell & Company Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Norfolk Voice Advert - July 2015.indd 1

22/06/2015 17:01:40

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE7

NORFOLK VOICE

Tidal Transit receives Work Force New Anglia Award.

Vicki Mitman wins Franchising Award.

Norfolk based Tidal Transit received a Highly Commended Work Force New Anglia Award, having taken full advantage of a grant from the £2 million European Social Fund Project to update workforce skills.

The project was led by the College of West Anglia which came together with five further colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk and three private providers to form an organisation known as the New Anglia Colleges.

The aim of the project is to help small companies and their employees to access a range of qualifications and training. Eligibility for the scheme is that the company has fewer than 250 employees and is based in Norfolk or Suffolk; employees must be aged 19 or over, have lived in the EU for past 3 years, and have qualifications at Level 2 or below.

Tidal Transit was a good fit for the scheme, being a young, rapidly developing company

based in the right area and with eligible staff.

The company owns a growing fleet of personnel transfer vessels [PTVs] that are contracted to offshore wind farm developers and operators to carry employees and equipment to the various sites around the coast of Great Britain.

Leo Hambro, Commercial Director at Tidal Transit, and the employees who participated in the scheme, received the award from Susie Masson from the College of West Anglia.

Leo said: “Five of our employees took part in an IT training course over a period of 3 months.

It covered topics such as word processing, spread sheets, databases and presentations.

We were also able to purchase additional training units that helped them to achieve a Level 2 qualification. I am extremely proud of their achievements, and was delighted that Tidal Transit was presented with the ‘Highly Commended’ award.”

Completion of new industrial units at Beacon Park.

Allman Woodcock Ltd has successfully helped deliver the completion of two new industrial premises in Gorleston. The units consist of high specification office and commercial accommodation, with car parking and yard spaces.

The fifth annual Encouraging Women Into Franchising (EWIF) Awards Ceremony was held yesterday at RBS House, Bishopsgate, London. The Awards Ceremony was well attended with approximately 130 supporters, finalists and guests.

A new award has been added this year for young women (those 30 years old or younger) who have made a flying start to their role / career in franchising and who also mentor others and give back to the industry. Vicki is the first winner of the new award. Vicki was also a finalist for the ‘Woman Service Provider of the Year’ award.

Leathes Prior congratulates all the other award winners and finalists. Full details are available on the EWIF website here www.ewif.org/ewif-news/ewif-awards2015-the-winners

They have been speculatively developed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, with Allman Woodcock providing an Employer’s Agent and Quantity Surveying services.

Allman Woodcock Ltd’s services included assembling a design team, selecting a contractor and administering the construction contract to deliver the project. Construction of a further two

Vicki Mitman of Leathes Prior’s Franchising Team has been awarded the first Encouraging Women Into Franchising ‘Young Woman’ award.

units has recently commenced and these are anticipated to be completed later in 2015.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

MEMBERS NEWS

MP sees how initiative has worked.

Paul Robinson Partnership (UK) LLP welcomed Chloe Smith, Conservative MP for Norwich North, to their Norwich office to meet apprentice Kori Moore, and to discuss how the “Norwich for Jobs” scheme had benefitted the company.

The Norwich for Jobs project, which has proven to be a great success, aims to encourage local businesses to invest in young people and to connect young people with opportunities.

Chloe, who has been heavily involved in the project, was keen to see how Kori had progressed and what skills he had learnt since commencing his apprenticeship with the Practice.

Kori stated that his apprenticeship had “given him the opportunity to pursue his dream of

Celebrating 20 years in business. a career in architecture in a supportive and creative environment”.

In the past year, Paul Robinson Partnership have welcomed two new apprentices to their team and both have become valued assets, exceeding expectations in all respects.

Senior Associate, Andrew Clarke described Norwich for Jobs as a “fantastic initiative” and he has been delighted with Kori’s progress, describing his technical design expertise as above and beyond what would be expected.

SaxonAir enters worldwide aircraft operation.

G550 is a proven aircraft with a worldwide fleet having collectively flown over 1 million flying hours.

Private air charter operator SaxonAir has announced the addition of a Gulfstream G550 heavy jet to their aircraft fleet. The Gulfstream began operation in late May and will be the only G550 type operated from its base in London Stansted airport.

With the addition of the G550 SaxonAir have successfully gained a worldwide AOC enabling them to fly to the most popular destinations all over the globe. This aircraft has almost unrivalled range with the capability of journeys in excess of 6000nm, meaning it can fly nonstop from London to Los Angeles, Cape Town or Hong Kong. The

Operating a long range heavy jet accommodating up to 16 passengers in the fleet brings many advantages to SaxonAir in the wide capability that they can now offer to their clients. This particular aircraft features a generous modern stand up cabin, individual passenger entertainment systems, Wi-Fi and a full size galley providing a full bespoke menu of freshly prepared hot food on board. The interior layout comprises of three luxury cabin zones including dual opposing four place divans that can be joined together creating a comfortable double bed or two individual single beds.

It’s celebration time! Linguamax has been in business for 20 years! Thanks to our great Clients, Colleagues, Linguists and Friends, we are celebrating this milestone anniversary. We have built many great relationships along the way and we are looking forward to strengthening them even further. Thank you all for contributing to our success! It has been a real pleasure working with you!

With a vision of offering the highest value to our clients, we set out in 1995 with determination to build a business known for providing highly personalised client-oriented services, exceptional quality and fast response times with a commitment to follow these principles consistently at all times. Since our humble beginnings we have built up a loyal following of clients who value the personal service our project managers bring to every job, as well as the ability of our translators to solve even the trickiest language-related challenges.

Linguamax attributes the company’s success to a number of things but there is one, which stands alone as the cornerstone. Our passion is unrelenting and we always strive to be better at what we do every year even after two decades.

We aim to offer services that fully meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. We simply enjoy what we do!

It is with enormous pride that we celebrate 20 years of business and thank everyone who has been involved in helping Linguamax become the business it is. We look towards the coming years in a positive way and with determination to deliver on the promises the business was founded on.

Group Commercial Director Christopher Mace said: “The Gulfstream offers ultimate refinement and is very much the pinnacle of the aircraft charter market. It is a class above its competition on long range flights. Entering another aircraft into the London market also strengthens SaxonAir’s presence significantly and joins our other London base at Luton as well as bases at Antwerp, Carlisle and the company’s headquarters in Norwich.”

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE9

NORFOLK VOICE

Chamber welcomes decision on NDR. Norfolk Chamber welcomed the recent decision by the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, to grant development consent for the Northern Distributor Road (NDR).

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “This news is another positive step toward getting the improvements to Norfolk’s infrastructure which the business community has been calling for. Norfolk Chamber is delighted to hear that the Government has given the go-ahead for the NDR and look forward to work starting as the earliest possible opportunity. The NDR is not just a piece of road but the opportunity to unlock jobs and new homes for the city and surrounding area.”

Investment in the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) will help unlock thousands of jobs that are required by our young people and will provide the infrastructure to support the development for up to 10,000 new homes. It will open up the north east sector of Norwich, including Norwich International Airport, which will benefit a broad spectrum of the business community, from transport and logistics through to retail and tourism. It will help improve journey time reliability and has the potential to reduce traffic congestion within Norwich City Centre, again benefitting thousands of commuters and the companies they work for.

The decision has been widely welcomed by businesses in Norfolk. Below are just a few of the positive comments from Chamber members: Jonathan Cage, Vice President of Norfolk Chamber/ Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers Ltd “The NDR is a long overdue strategic piece of infrastructure for Norwich. The implementation of this route will unlock the potential of the employment areas to the north of Norwich; assist freeing the city centre of through traffic movements; and will generally allow better access for the growth areas in the east. It is another demonstration, following the Government’s investment in the A11, of how Norwich is being seen as a exciting place to invest, it is hoped the construction process will be straight forward and seamless and then

Summary of the Secretary of State Decision: The Secretary of State has decided under section 114 of the 2008 Act to make with modifications an Order granting development consent for the proposals in this application. This letter is the statement of reasons for the Secretary of State’s decision for the purposes of section 116 of the 2008 Act and regulation 23(2)(d) of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009.

the Norfolk businesses community can get on with process of showing a return for our local economy.”

Peter Foster, Chair of Norwich Chamber Council / Managing Director of Hugh J Boswell Ltd “I am delighted with the positive outcome for the NDR. It is incredibly clear to me that some of the Northern aspects of our city and indeed County will benefit enormously. I know that in recent years there are certain areas that we have traditionally transacted less business for pure logistical reasons. Intuitively I believe that the NDR will transform the northern part of the city and encourage growth in areas such as Holt, Sheringham, Aylsham and North Walsham. The NDR project certainly has the support of the Board at Hugh J Boswell Ltd.” James Mason, Commercial Director of Norfolk Training Services “It is very good news about the NDR. As Norwich expands and develops, the distances between the various parts of the city become more difficult to bridge. This new road will connect business and its customers by enabling delivery of a more efficient service, help working families to make better use of their time and open up opportunities for employment and career progression. In fact, it feels like Norwich is coming of age.”

Richard Marks, Head of Branch - John Lewis Norwich “The secretary of state’s decision on the NDR is a positive move. John Lewis supports the Norwich Area Transport Strategy which is so dependent on the NDR coming to fruition - removing through traffic from Norwich City Centre and increasing pedestrianisation will be of huge commercial benefit to city centre retailers.”

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Gary Howard, Director of Employer Partnerships – Norfolk Educational Services “It is good news that the NDR has now been given the go ahead. The NDR will assist with delivering economic growth.

It is vital that we provide good reliable access for businesses for them to be able to effectively and efficiently operate. The Northern Distributor road will vastly improve the existing and future businesses development, enabling them to flourish by avoiding the currently congested routes; resulting in increased supply of both goods and services. Logistics plays a vital part to many businesses and the improvements to this area would encourage businesses to grow and invest in Greater Norwich; whilst improving vehicle movement on the alternative routes hence freeing up some of the more congested routes.”

Mark Proctor, Partner Lovewell Blake “I am pleased to hear the positive news on the NDR. The benefits to the city and wider city area will be significant. It will greatly improve transport links for the north of Norwich, which will assist businesses to grow and enhance inward investment opportunities for Norwich and Norfolk. The NNDR will form an essential part of the overall growth in housing planned for Norwich and thereby will play a key part in the growth of the local economy for many years ahead.”

Those objecting to the NDR have one final throw of the dice, as they now have one last chance to mount a legal challenge to this decision.

Norfolk has long lagged behind other regions in terms of investment in our infrastructure and overall the Norfolk Chamber believes that the NDR will help contribute to economic prosperity in our region. It will deliver greater accessibility, provide infrastructure for new homes and new jobs and it should be welcomed. The NDR and the benefits is can bring are needed now.

CHAMBER POLICY

Great Yarmouth Area Council tour Beacon Park and set their goals for 2015/16.

Ahead of the last Great Yarmouth Chamber Council meeting, the members toured the 65% complete Beacon Park with Robin Neve. Beacon Park is part of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone and is a mixture of offices, light industrial units and warehousing, all aimed at the energy sector and clean modern industry. Details for Beacon Park can be found on their website: www.beaconpark.co.uk The overall goal of the Enterprise Zone is to create new jobs and attract new businesses and enquiries for the Enterprise Zone are strong.

Some of the benefits of the Enterprise Zone are simplified planning, reduce business rates for the first 5 years of occupancy, if premises are occupied before March 2018.

The Great Yarmouth Chamber council received an update on the overall Enterprise Zone from Eunice Edwards, the Enterprise Zone Co-ordinator.

The Enterprise Zone in Great Yarmouth consists of Beacon Park and the larger South Denes area. In the Lowestoft Enterprise Zone there are a further 4 sites. At present 90% of those who have occupied units in the Great Yarmouth Enterprise Zone are from the local area and are looking to expand their businesses. The premises that they are vacating are quickly being filled, so the Great Yarmouth economy appears to be continuing to thrive, despite the recent slow down in the oil and gas industry.

Andy Penman, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber said: “It is important to support the

local business community and help drive economic growth and jobs in our region. Key issues for Great Yarmouth are skills shortages and the decline of our town centre. Therefore the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council members have set themselves three goals:

n Work towards securing a nationally known brand retailer to Great Yarmouth Town Centre

n Create 6 x new apprenticeships in the 12 month period between April 2015 – March 2016.

We will work in partnership with local businesses, education establishments and the Borough Council to achieve these goals.”

n Increase the Chamber membership in Great Yarmouth by 10%

Council looks at Accessibility to Norwich. to Norwich. This included looking at the Park and Ride contract, understanding the Norwich Area Transport Strategy (NATS) and city centre congestion.

It was agreed that these issues affected not just city centre businesses community, but the wider business community and the Chamber should work in partnership with the Norwich BID to ensure that the thoughts and views of the Greater Norwich business community and further were taken into account.

At a recent Norwich Chamber Council meeting, the members received an update on the work being done by the Norwich BID on accessibility

The economic update from the council members highlighted that there is a strong positive feel to the business community, although recruitment is still seen as an issue. More

organisations are looking to recruit apprentices and in particular those between 16 – 18 years old.

Peter Foster, Chair of Norwich Chamber Council said: “Accessibility to Norwich is very important, as a rural county, we need the city to remain fully accessible to all forms of transport. For the benefit of the city centre retail and businesses, we need a strong and effective Park and Ride Service, which makes Norwich accessible to both visitors and commuters alike. There are many changes taking place to the traffic flows in Norwich, the local business community needs to understand what these changes mean to them and have the ability to give their input.”

We have a new look, exciting website – visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

JULY/AUGUST 2015 2011

PAGE11

PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

Aston Shaw sponsors Norwich 10k. great day to showcase the wonderful landmarks in the city, but also Run Norwich is going to be a chance to demonstrate the benefits of our community to everyone travelling down to run.”

Aston Shaw, East Anglia’s fastest growing accountancy firm have become a partner sponsor on the inaugural Run Norwich 10k which will take place in the heart of the city on August 30th.

Ian Thornton, director of CS,F said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support from Aston Shaw, who are clearly as enthusiastic as we are about Run Norwich and the benefits it will bring to our city. Support like this in our first year is invaluable to make Run Norwich a success, and we look forward to a memorable day in August.”

As partner sponsor Aston Shaw are keen to help increase the awareness of this exciting event which will not only boost the local economy through increased tourism, but will serve to raise the profile of the city and bring the local community together.

The run, which is limited to 4,500 spaces is open to runners of all abilities, has been taken from concept to reality by Norwich City Community Sports Foundation (CSF) with support from key organisations in Norfolk. It is hoped that following

a successful first year, Run Norwich can go on to become a long standing tradition in the city.

Aston Shaw Director Mark Noakes said: “Aston Shaw are extremely excited to be sponsoring the first Run Norwich 10K. Not only will it be a

The run is likely to be one of the biggest events in Norwich this year. More than 1,000 people registered their interest on the first day of its announcement and thousands more are expected to visit Norwich on the day to watch the run.

Tiger Eye appoint new director.

Cleverdon as new director with responsibility for business development.

He joins Tiger Eye from HP Autonomy where he was Subject Matter Expert Legal EMEA, and he brings twenty years of experience in the legal IT sector to the new role.

Matthew Cleverdon will be working with Tiger Eye director and founder Dave Wilson to continue Tiger Eye’s growth across the UK and into Europe.

Norwich based IT solutions company Tiger Eye has announced the appointment of Matthew

He said: “My appointment with Tiger Eye is to build on Tiger Eye’s success by developing the business to offer more solutions, services and innovation to our customers and prospects.”

Dave Wilson said: “As compliance regulations become tougher, firms are finding they have to upgrade their IT systems and we want to continue to give the best advice. Matthew will help us do that”.

Before joining Tiger Eye, Matthew Cleverdon worked with the sales and marketing team at HP Autonomy advising legal clients across Europe and the Middle East on how to make the most of their systems. Prior to that, he was IT director and Partner at law firm Wright Hassall where he was responsible for the IT strategy of the business.

He also has experience from his time as a consultant at Interwoven, software development at Wragge &Co and pre-sales at Greystone Systems.

Proud supporters of GoGoDragons! 2015.

GoGoDragon is a “Wild in Art” event brought to Norwich by Break a local charity which provides disadvantaged children and young people with holidays and time away from home. The GoGoDragon trail runs from the 21st June until 5th September and will see 84 large Dragon Sculptures line the streets of Norwich this Summer.

Fosters Solicitors are sponsoring GoGoDragon “King Tut “ as part of the ‘Friends of Iceni’ - a collective of 17 Businesses from across Norfolk brought together by Iceni Magazine to support Break.

Saturday 17th April saw the official unveiling of “King Tut” which was held at The Space. “ The King “ was officially unveiled by Zaiphan

‘Z-Man’ Morris, Norwich’s undefeated super featherweight boxer. Helen L Smith, the artist responsible for the King was also at the event.

Andrea Smith, Marketing Manager, said: “Fosters are really excited to be part of the collective which has brought like minded businesses together to support the Break Charity. King Tut looks amazing and I cant wait to see him on the streets of Norwich this Summer’ The Collective is made up of the following businesses in addition to Fosters Solicitors; Dalegate Market, Ellies Cakery, Iceni Magazine, Surrey Tavern, Grain Brewery, Aspirational Europe, Inspired Youth, Horatio Creative, Motivated-Minds, Spree Book-Norwich, Norfolk

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Veg Box , Jabbawocky, Jon Clifton Photography, DSS Digital Media, Jill Watkinson and Norwich Sling Library.

MEMBERS NEWS

Leathes Prior welcomes new lawyer.

Company announces £1.25 million care centre. centre will provide a comprehensive topside and emergency response support to the offshore sector and will be fully equipped with cutting edge remote diagnostic technology.

It will be fully staffed round the clock, 365 days a year with clinical personnel all of whom are highly experienced in remote medicine, A&E or trauma and have a thorough understanding of the offshore industry.

RS Occupational Health co-founder Fiona Willis said: “Our new clinic will be strategically located at Dyce, less than five minutes from the heliport and airport, to ensure swift access to care for our services users.”

A leading occupational health company has announced that it is to invest more than £1.25 million in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art medical centre which will herald a new era in remote care for the oil and gas industry.

Up to 17 new jobs will be created thanks to the 4,157 sq. m. remote medical centre which will be Aberdeen’s first and only of this kind. The

“Our services will be underpinned by an innovative data management system and reporting facility to ensure integrated case management from the first topside call through the medivac process to eventual return to work, and this will further enhance our capabilities to provide top class service to our growing number of clients.”

Hotel and Hospice join forces for the nook.

Marija studied for her law degree at the University of East Anglia and trained at a local firm before joining Leathes Prior. Previous to studying the law, Marija worked for the UK’s largest insurer as a sales coach for over 10 years. This experience has given Marija commercial awareness and the ability to provide the client with a great level of service.

The Norfolk business community is continuing to support East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) nook appeal to build a new purpose built children’s hospice in the heart of Norfolk with Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club being the latest company to sign up for the nook business network.

Marija can assist with a range of Corporate and Commercial matters including buying or selling businesses and companies and general company, commercial and contractual issues.

This new corporate scheme asks companies small, medium and large throughout Norfolk to commit to raising either £10,000, £15,000 or £25,000 over the duration of the appeal in return for a number of benefits and support that the charity will provide.

Following the nook appeal launch event at the Norfolk Showground in November, staff at Sprowston Manor unanimously voted to select the charity and in particular the appeal, by committing to fundraise to achieve a target of at least £10,000.

The team at Sprowston Manor have come up with a number of fantastic fundraising ideas and to kick things off have recently held “The Great Gatsby Charity Ball” which has raised a fantastic amount of at least £6,500.

Andrew Dickson, General Manager, Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Norwich,

Leathes Prior has welcomed new member of staff Marija Markovic to its growing Corporate and Commercial Team.

said: “We are delighted to be supporting the (EACH) nook appeal in 2015. We will be hosting a number of fantastic events and our Hotel team have established a fundraising calendar for initiatives throughout 2015 to support this inspirational project.”

Gary Cook, the nook appeal corporate fundraiser, said: “To achieve our aims we need the backing and support of the whole of the Norfolk Community - individuals, community groups, schools and of course businesses, so this support from Marriott is fantastic and we look forward to working with them.”

In her spare time, Marija enjoys music, travelling and spending time with friends and family. She sings and will often perform at gigs or weddings. Marija is passionate about keeping fit and enjoys participating in such events at Tough Mudder, Spartan and The Devil’s Challenge.

Paul Warman, Head of the Corporate and Commercial Team, said: “The team has experienced a phenomenal increase in transactional work over the past twelve months. Following the recession, there has been a shortage of people qualifying into this area. We were therefore delighted when Marija approached us and I am very pleased that she will be able to assist the Team in continuing to provide the service our clients expect from us.”

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE13 PAGE13

NORFOLK VOICE

ChamberFX.

The British Chamber of Commerce has partnered with exchange experts, moneycorp, to provide money saving foreign exchange to its members.

If you have international payment requirements moneycorp can offer expert guidance and bespoke payment solutions for your business.

Moneycorp is an award-winning foreign exchange specialist with over 35 years’ experience in the industry. Our market expertise saves both individuals and businesses money on their international payments and travel money needs.

We are the UK’s only fully integrated foreign exchange company. Four company areas cover every aspect of the foreign exchange industry: International Payments, Travel Money, Retail and Wholesale. This means we can offer our customers and partners a more comprehensive range of benefits than any of our competitors.

International Payments provides secure international money transfers at bank-beating exchange rates and offers free expert guidance on the foreign exchange market, so our clients can make the most of moving their money overseas. Our expertise means we act as a third party international payments supplier for many partner organisations, ranging in size from small traders to blue chips. Some of our more notable partners include the Telegraph, BNP Paribas and Post Office Ltd, to name but a few.

To ensure our international client needs are met, we also have offices in key overseas markets Spain, France, the USA and Ireland, and we are considering further expansion.

Travel Money offers some of the best available exchange rates on foreign currency, typically more competitive than leading high street rates.

The online order service offers the options to have currency delivered to home the next day,

or to be collected/for collection at our many branches. We also offer pre-paid Explorer cards and maintain over 100 foreign currency ATMs. The expanding Retail division operates bureaux de change branches at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol, Southampton and Southend airports, and locations across Central London.

The Wholesale team provides bulk foreign currency, not only for our own branches, but also for travel companies, airport retailers, cruise ships and private banks.

With a long history of providing foreign exchange we have built up a great reputation for reliability and dedicated customer service in the industry that we take great pride in. And you know your money is safe hands as Moneycorp is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the provision of payment services.

In total, last year Moneycorp handled more than 9.2 million customer transactions and exchanged more than £13.1 billion in currencies. As of 2015 Moneycorp is going from strength to strength, and the business is expanding across all divisions.

For more information, please call 020 7823 7400 or email chamberfx@moneycorp.com.

Norfolk Chamber members can get up to 50% discount on International Trade Services

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Learning Resources training success.

International Trade training courses.

The Norfolk Chamber strives to ensure that local exporters have as much knowledge and understanding in the field of international trade as possible to ensure that they can flourish in an ever-changing global marketplace.

We know that it’s not always easy to keep on top of all the rules and regulations imposed on exporters and to that end we run a number of specialised training courses that aim to give you the lowdown of particular areas that might interest you.

Forthcoming dates and topics: September 2015 2nd

Export Documentation* (full day)

3rd

Customs Procedures and Documentation* (morning)

3rd

Preference Rules of Origin* (afternoon)

29th

Surviving a Customs Audit (afternoon)

Norfolk Chamber Member, Learning Resources, have been undertaking some International Trade Training and Jon More, Claire Scott and Charlotte Cross are the last attendees to achieve the Foundation Award in International Trade.

Jon More states “Myself and two colleagues have recently attended various training modules relating to International Trade processes & procedures. We were very impressed with the wide range of topics covered, all of which have enabled us to gain a better understanding of International trade procedures and the confidence in knowing that, as a business, we are meeting our obligations. The quality and consistency of the course content has always been of a high standard and I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others. We have enjoyed the courses and benefit from this additional knowledge daily.”

Norfolk Chamber, in association with British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), offers ten nationally accredited export courses. The set are accredited by the BCC and offered as a family of short courses, delivered over full and half day sessions. They are individually and collectively relevant to SMEs who wish to improve the skills and competences of their staff. Candidates

Staff at Learning Resources with their Foundation Award Certificates

achieving Pass or Merit in any of the courses will receive a certificate in each area, and those who pass six courses will achieve a nationally recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.

For more information on the courses offered please go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

Want to start to grow your business overseas?

October 2015 7th

Incoterms® 2010* (full day)

8th

Creating an Export Strategy (full day)

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

If you would like further details such as the content of these courses or to book a place, please take a look at www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

n Norfolk Chamber of Commerce can help you identify opportunities abroad, provide you with documentation and connect you with British Chambers and business groups overseas.

Please contact the International Trade Team on 01603 729712 or e-mail export@norfolkchamber.co.uk for more information

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE15 PAGE15

NORFOLK VOICE

GREEN VISION

Work completes on the UK’s greenest commercial building.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia is open for business following the completion of work on the highly innovative building, which sets the standard for sustainability.

Contributing to the building’s low carbon environmental credentials is the Corsican Pine stud work, locally sourced from Thetford Forest, situated 30 miles from the site. Working closely with Cygnum Timber Frame, The Forestry Commission and Thomson Saw Mill, the design and construction teams worked tirelessly to prove the suitability of the timber, generally not used in construction, for structural elements of the building.

Overall the embodied carbon of the building has been calculated to be 440kg/CO2/sqm across the 100-year life cycle. This equates to a quarter of the lifetime emissions of a conventionally constructed university building of equal size and scale. Other innovations used to achieve this include the use of a recycled sub-base from a local demolition project and a 70% ground granulated blast furnace mix (GGBS) as a cement replacement for the building’s ground floor slab.

The building forms a new gateway to the University and has achieved record-breaking sustainability credentials. It is one of the first buildings to target both BREEAM Outstanding and Passivhaus accreditation. It exemplifies the use of low embodied carbon materials and is designed to achieve a 100-year life span.

The vision was developed by the Adapt Low Carbon Group and delivered by Morgan Sindall plc, with a team including architects and Passivhaus designers Architype, structural and building services engineers BDP, and Churchman Landscape Architects.

Completed in June, the building features an innovation lab, a 300-seat lecture theatre, flexible workspaces, teaching and learning facilities, as well as business hatcheries and incubator units for SMEs and start-ups in the low carbon sector. By placing academic and commercial users side by side, the centre’s purpose is to foster innovation, stimulate smarter ways of working, promote industry standards and create new supply chains.

John French, CEO of the Adapt Low Carbon Group and Project Director for The Enterprise Centre, said: “I’m delighted with The Enterprise Centre and the finalised building. It’s finished to a beautifully high standard with many stunning features. The whole project has been somewhat of a labour of love for so many people involved across the whole project team and the extent of the innovative and environmentally sound initiatives and products which have been so enthusiastically adopted has been fantastic.

The Adapt Group and UEA are very grateful to everyone involved.”

Gavin Napper, Morgan Sindall area director, said: “It’s been a great privilege to lead the project team on this pioneering scheme. The whole team has achieved industry-leading standards on this project and we’re incredibly proud of the collaborative, innovative, and resourceful approach, which they’ve taken from design inception to completion.”

“This is a building which is deeply rooted in its surroundings. Our team’s commitment to using indigenous materials, like reed, clay, chalk and hemp, coupled with its focus on utilising local suppliers, contractors and craftspeople, gives the building a real sense of identity and enhances its

Underpinning all this has been a commitment by the whole team to create solutions that have been complementary to the rigorous requirements of Passivhaus as well as BREEAM outstanding. On target to achieve Passivhaus with a final airtightness test of 0.21ach@50pascals, the building also features 480m2 solar panels, which are predicted to generate 43.58 MWh in the first year. connection to Norfolk. It’s been great to be able to harness these talents, skills, and products and merge them with the most current sustainable technologies and techniques to create this truly remarkable building which will play a valuable role in driving forward innovation in the region.”

Ben Humphries, Director of Architype and Client Supervisor, said: “With a deep-rooted history and passion for genuinely sustainable design, we have been delighted to be involved in this collaborative, ground-breaking Passivhaus project. Visionary in its brief, we have responded with a design that has pushed at the boundaries of traditional approaches, and with the commitment and dedication of the site team, believe we have achieved a building that sets new benchmarks not only for the university but also the wider construction industry. With an ongoing soft landings programme and three years of post-occupancy evaluation to come, we look forward to optimising the building performance for Adapt and the University.”

The building features a number of ‘world-firsts’; key among these is the use of prefabricated and vertically hung straw thatch panel cassettes, which have been used to clad the building.

The straw was sourced locally, to fill timber cassette modules off-site in barns across Norfolk.

The prefabricated thatch cassette panels were erected onto the façade of the building, creating a striking, and highly innovative sustainable envelope.

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A three-year post occupancy and building performance evaluation programme has been implemented with contributions from all team members to assist the occupiers to operate their building optimally and ensure the building performs as designed.

The project is also supporting innovation in the construction sector across the East of England, by helping professionals in the sector to understand how to design, build and operate class leading buildings such as The Enterprise Centre. The scheme is looking to assist over 300 small and medium sized companies with advice, bespoke support, practical tours and demonstrations. Other outcomes from the project will include over 200 jobs created or safeguarded, 35 businesses locating to ecoefficient high quality workspaces, which will be supplied with low carbon energy, and 200 businesses integrating new products, processes or services. The project is gathering national exposure with it being featured at the National Passivhaus 2014 Conference, ECOBUILD 2015 and the Vision 2015 events.

The scheme is being supported by the University of East Anglia, The European Regional Development Fund, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Buildings Research Establishment and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (NALEP).

Leading the way in the circular economy Few areas have seen as dramatic a change during the green revolution as waste management with recycling and re-use now the norm for many companies.

One of the UK companies at the forefront of the drive towards more sustainable practice is Veolia, an organisation that is leading the way to a circular economy.

From refuse collection to recycling, waste treatment to street cleansing, the company provides services to thousands of businesses and nearly a third of the UK’s population.

Much of its work is carried out in their East Region, which includes operations across Norfolk providing services to local authorities and businesses.

Keith McGurk, Regional Director for the Region, which employs 2,000 of the company’s UK workforce and operates depots in Norwich and Broadland, says that the green revolution is gathering pace as people realise how important it is to the future of the planet.

He said: “I think that we are seeing a change.

More and more of us are getting the message about the need for more sustainable waste management. We realise that we live on a planet with diminishing natural resources and

@VeoliaUK

www.veolia.co.uk

we must do something about it. I think it’s a generational thing. As we move through the generations the idea of sustainability becomes more widespread. People are more aware.

Some companies still do not get the message but as the need for a circular economy has gathered pace, so more and more businesses are taking it seriously. One of the drivers for business has been the Landfill Tax, which has helped sustainable waste management make sense financially for companies. That has been an important driver. Another driver has been legislation.

“The result is that, as an organisation, we are increasingly involved across all sectors. The expertise that we bring in waste management is relevant in many industries, whether it be general waste or more specialised services such as handling hazardous waste. We work with a lot of SMEs as well larger companies, helping them to be more sustainable in the way they dispose of their waste. We also work with national and local government as the message spreads about the need to recycle and the benefits of a circular economy.”

Resourcing the world

Having commissioned Imperial College London to conduct independent research into the economic benefits available to the UK if it fully embraces the circular economy, Veolia recently published a report titled The Circular Revolution.

The research found that a combination of ‘closing the loop’ on resource use and moving to a service rather than product based economy has the potential to add the equivalent of £2.9bn to UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per year. This is approximately £29bn over 10 years.

The report also estimates that 175,000 jobs will be created by the circular economy, amounting to almost 10% of UK unemployment. Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive VP UK and Ireland said: “The world is facing an enormous challenge. Expanding populations and a rise in living standards means demand for raw materials is growing, at the same time resources are rapidly depleting. Businesses need to wake up to the unsustainable nature of our throw-away economy and put more value on resources.”

NORFOLK VOICE

Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the green revolution.

The move towards renewable technology and waste reduction represents exciting opportunities for businesses.

n Biofuels: the move towards vehicle fuels that do not produce pollutants has created the biofuels industry. Biofuel is made from the likes of vegetable oils and wheat and is low on pollutants, which is crucial because car exhausts are a major source of greenhouse gases

for new technologies in everything from chemicals to transport.

Over recent years, the area has been developing an expertise in a variety of renewable technologies with its companies taking that expertise across the UK and abroad.

n Anaerobic digestion/biomass: some companies are investigating ways of turning organic material into energy. For instance, anaerobic digestion uses bacteria to break down waste to produce biogas which can be used to generate energy. Its use of bugs means it is a natural process which lends itself as easily to back-yard concerns as it does to industrial-scale operators

Some of the technologies being researched include:

One of the key themes is the way that men and women who once worked in more traditional areas have turned their hand to the challenges presented by the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

n Solar: based on the idea that the power of the Sun can be captured and transformed into electricity, solar power can operate on a large scale with huge panels or on a very small scale with ones that can fit on a house roof

For instance, people skilled in the engineering industry have been able to turn those skills to solving the challenges that accompany wind turbine technology, the first renewable technology to really become established.

n Waste minimisation/recycling: many companies are experts in the reduction of waste, partly through more efficient processes and also through recycling, including developing the idea of symbiosis where materials produced from one industrial process can be re-used in another instead of being discarded.

n The Hydrogen Economy: work is under way to develop hydrogen as an energy source, taking advantage of the large amount of hydrogen already produced as part of chemical processes. Used properly, hydrogen can be a immensely useful power source which produces only water as a by-product

Wind is not alone in offering opportunities and companies are also investigating the potential

Final Conference 29th September

WorkMeetGrow Be Inspired at OrbisEnergy The ECOWindS project will be hosting its final conference at Orbis Energy on Tuesday 29th September 2015.

The conference will bring together representatives for offshore wind industry research institutes and administration to discuss ways of lowering the cost of energy through innovation.

To book your place or for more information visit our website at www.ecowinds.eu

ecowinds ver. 4b.indd 1

13/03/2015 12:21

01502 563368 | orbisenergy@nwes.org.uk | www.orbisenergy.co.uk |

• High-quality serviced office space for sector-

• Unrivalled conference facilities including 220

• Virtual office service providing prestigious

• Access to high-level strategic advice, funding

As the United Kingdom’s knowledge and intelligence hub for the offshore renewable industry, OrbisEnergy stands proudly overlooking the North Sea at the most easterly point in the UK, Ness Point in Lowestoft. The five storey eco-building fits perfectly alongside Lowestoft’s ‘Gulliver’ wind turbine and is the home of dozens of supply chain organisations for the lucrative and rapidly growing offshore renewables industry.

High-profile tenants include Scottish & Southern Energy, Global Wind and Dalby Offshore, whilst European-funded projects such as SCORE and research-based ECOWindS have helped to attract a conveyor belt of start and high-growth supply chain organisations to OrbisEnergy.

ECOWindS hosts its final conference at OrbisEnergy in September 2015. For details about this project and any other services, please visit www.orbisenergy.co.uk

specific and supply chain organisations

office address and access to tenant benefits

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capacity bespoke events floor and networking opportunities

GREEN VISION

Special opportunity for Anglian Water Business customers to save money on water and energy bills.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Anglian Water Business has launched a partnership with water and energy efficiency specialist, SaveMoneyCutCarbon, which is designed to help our customers save money on their water and energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment.

It’s often overlooked that water, energy and carbon go hand in hand. The water industry itself accounts for about 3% of the nation’s total energy demand and 1% of greenhouse gas emissions.

When you factor in heating water, the carbon impact of using each litre can multiply up to 30 times. Likewise the financial impact multiplies too.

Energy bills are a major expense for most businesses and are rising. The nPower Business

Energy Index 2013 revealed that energy accounts for between 25% and 50% of total business costs for some 48% of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

So there’s never been a better time to cut your energy use. Average savings of 18% to 25% of energy costs can be made by taking measures which pay for themselves within 1.5 years, according to a study of more than 3000 SMEs published by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

businesses can achieve significant savings. It has delivered savings of more than £1 million for customers in the last 12 months by installing more efficient LED lighting, water management and heating and ventilation systems.

It’s easy to get started; all you need to do is enter a few details on the website. Once you’ve registered and logged in you’ll be able to access the special discounts.

For further information, and to view the entire range of specially selected products to help you reduce your water and energy bills, visit

If you’re an Anglian Water Business customer, you can now access discounts on energy and water saving products, such as LED lighting and eco taps, via an online portal provided by SaveMoneyCutCarbon.com. The website also offers advice on simple, cost-effective measures that can make a lasting impact on utility bills.

Ideal for schools, retail, hospitality, hospitals and office environments.

www.anglianwater.co.uk/SMCC

SaveMoneyCutCarbon has supplied and installed hundreds of thousands of products in offices, hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals and other commercial premises, giving it a deep insight into which products work best and how different

MAY/JUNE 2015

PAGE19 PAGE19

NORFOLK VOICE

GREEN VISION

Insurance firm recognised for sustainable business practices.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

A specialist shredding and recycling company has honoured one of the region’s leading insurance groups for its commitment to sustainable business practice.

The insurance broker received the Citrus award after taking steps to remove under-desk waste bins. That saw the company separating food waste for bio-fuels, implementing more general recycling and sending its paper waste to Citrus for shredding.

Over the last year, Citrus has shredded 12,245 kilos of data from the company’s three regional offices in Attleborough, Peterborough and Bury St Edmunds it’s three Norwich offices.

That shredded paper, collected in Citrus’ confidential waste bins, has subsequently been recycled and made into products such as newsprint, low-grade stationary and other paper products.

Beccles-based recycling specialists Citrus Security Shredding presented the award to representatives of the Alan Boswell Group in recognition of its approach to waste management and recycling.

“We are delighted to recognise the positive environmental impact the Alan Boswell Group has had in using an environmentally-friendly solution, and helping reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill,” she added.

Citrus Security Shredding managing director Jules Shorrock said: “We believe it is very important for our customers to be sustainable businesses and have a positive approach to waste management.

This is the third year the award has been presented by Citrus Security Shredding, with Lovewell Blake and Adnams the previous recipients.

“Over the last few months the Alan Boswell Group has demonstrated that by the measures it has introduced into its offices to reduce waste and increase recycling and that is what we have recognised with our ‘Sustainable Environmental Practices Award.”

“Removing under-desk waste bins is not that common a practice in East Anglia at the moment, but it is cost-effective and sustainable and we believe it is important for us to encourage more businesses to think smarter in the way they deal with waste,” explained Ms Shorrock.

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Citrus Security Shredding offers confidential recycling services across East Anglia with solicitors, accountants, insurance brokers and medical practices among its key customers.

Colin Wylie, who oversees recycling and waste at the Alan Boswell Group, said: “Our approach to recycling has meant a change of culture within the company but it has been enthusiastically embraced by our staff and it is very nice to be recognised for this by Citrus.”

Miranda Burn, Accounts Manager at Alan Boswell Group, said: “It’s vital that we dispose any of our data in a confidential and secure way, Citrus have been key in helping us achieve this process. All the shredding gets recycled so also helps the environment.

“We are delighted by the service we have received from Citrus, which is always extremely efficient and professional and we’d like to thank them for the award.”

The trophy was presented by Ms Shorrock to the Alan Boswell Group marketing manager Lee Boswell, and Miranda Burn and Colin Wylie from the company. Also present was Ian Hacon, President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and an environmental best practice expert with Gorleston-based Yellow Brick Road.

by Jules Shorrock from Shorrock Consultants Ltd T/A Citrus Security Shredding

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Citrus Shredding, V C Cooke Recycling, Ellough Road, Beccles NR34 7TQ T: 01508 528477 M: 07769 698833 E: citrus.shredding@live.co.uk

NORFOLK VOICE

Lawyers back vision of arts era.

Hansells Solicitors and Financial Advisers has injected some much-needed cheer into the cash-strapped East Anglian arts scene by adding the Maddermarket Theatre to its portfolio of arts sponsorships.

The announcement that Hansells will be the principal sponsors of the Maddermarket, currently undergoing a renaissance led by a new management team, coincides with Norfolk County Council’s decision to slash its arts budget for 2015-16 by £150,000 to £85,000.

“The Norwich business community needs to take a centre-stage role in ensuring the city’s role as the cultural hub of East Anglia continues to flourish,” said Hansells’ managing partner Roger Holden.

“With funding for the arts having declined in recent years, Hansells believes it is more important than ever that business makes a contribution to upholding the heritage of the community from which it makes a living.”

Other arts organisations already benefiting from Hansells’ patronage include the autumn Hostry

MEMBERS NEWS

‘Then and Now’ stories needed.

Originating in 1896, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2016.

January 2016 will see the official launch of our ‘Committed to Business since 1896’ campaign, which will continue throughout the year. This will be an important and exciting initiative for the Norfolk Chamber and, as much as we possibly can, we want to involve all our members in it.

Making this project successful will involve extensive research. With the help of a graduate research intern we’ve already begun reviewing articles spanning the 120 years, as well as Chamber minutes of meetings, reports and archives. The objective is to show the highlights of 120 years of Norfolk business and its achievements despite, or because of, world changes which of course embrace the arrival of

the internet. The campaign will compare ‘Then and Now’ during those years, and demonstrate how far Norfolk business has progressed.

The Chamber is its members, which is why we want to include and celebrate your successes since your organisation was formed. Being in business 5 years is as much an achievement as 120 years!

This is an opportunity for you to promote your own sector and business by showing what’s changed over the years. Give us the facts, figures, success stories and most importantly photos depicting ‘Then and Now’. Show us how machinery, offices, technology and the staff have changed and how you’ve succeeded. The ‘Then and Now’ can be anytime between 1896 and 2016 Your successes will be celebrated through a series of events and media campaigns, organised by Chamber. There will even be a dedicated website to collate all the information and spread the word throughout the anniversary year.

The big question is how you would like to be involved. To find out more please check out the Norfolk Chamber website www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

Chamber launches search for new role.

Festival, the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, the Reepham Festival and the Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival.

Hansells’ support for the city’s arts scene predates the opening of the Maddermarket in 1921.

In the early 1900s the firm’s owner, Walter Hansell, formed a great friendship with Sir Edward Elgar.

In recent years Hansells has helped pioneer a revival of interest in the celebrated composer’s links with Norwich.

Hansells’ sponsorship has delighted the Maddermarket’s joint creative directors Stash Kirkbride and Peter Beck who have overseen a refurbishment which has transformed the theatre.

Mr Kirkbride said: “We want to bring new golden times, a new chapter in the story of the Maddermarket. We need sponsorship partners who share our vision…and Hansells is perfect for the role.”

Hansells has offices in Norwich’s historic Cathedral Close and Tombland quarters and also in Aylsham Cromer, North Walsham, Reepham and Sheringham.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is looking for exactly the right person to fill the vital new role of Head of Business Services. Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber has explained the job and why they’re looking.

She said, “Head of Business Services is a new role and will report directly to me, as the Chief Executive. It has been created because the Chamber recognises the increasing opportunities available to Norfolk businesses both locally and abroad. Opportunities we’ve identified for development include business networking, reaching new markets, business promotion, saving money and influencing change.”

Caroline Williams. ‘The right candidate will have a firm grasp of business issues, and be an outstanding communicator.”

This significant new appointment comes at an important moment in the Norfolk Chamber’s history. 2016 sees the Chamber celebrating its 120th anniversary.

“We’re planning a year long celebration. It’s going to provide a catalyst for heightened activity to increase the profile and understanding of what the Norfolk Chamber can offer its membership, and to reaffirm its lineage as part of Norfolk’s success for 120 years.”

The Head of Business Services will take the Norfolk Chamber to the next stage of its development by providing leadership and support to the current team and reaching out to the Norfolk business community, including members and non members of the Chamber.

Committed to Business since 1896, the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is part of the British Chambers of Commerce Accredited Network, and is responsible for supporting the growth of its 900 members and the wider business community through the delivery of a wide range of services.

“We’re looking for someone who can really connect with the business community’, said

Details of the role are available on the Norfolk Chamber website: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Committed to Success

Needed: Head of Business Services

Norwich based

Note the key words: Head. Business. Services.

In a new role, reporting directly to our CEO you will head up and develop all Client facing aspects of our services, which includes, Membership,

Joining the Chamber at an important moment in our history, you will be responsible for taking us to the next stage of our development.

International, Events and Contracts.

With proven sales performance within a B2B environment, and a track record of leading, supporting and developing a team, you’ll be committed to service, and success.

Self driven, target orientated with a passion for business development you will deliver against clearly identified business goals.

Driven by the need to provide the highest quality services you will reach out and connect with the business community of Norfolk.

More details and to apply go to: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk Norfolk Chamber of Commerce – Committed to Business

VENUE HIRE A unique and historic complex of inspiring and versatile spaces in the heart of King’s Lynn, which can be hired for a range of functions and purposes.

The galleries and courtyard provide a creative backdrop for events for up to 150 people.

Please contact Rebecca Graham to discuss your requirements events@kingslynnarts.co.uk 01553 779095

www.kingslynnarts.co.uk

CONFERENCES / RECEPTIONS / MEETINGS / EXHIBITIONS / WORKSHOPS / AUCTIONS / FAIRS

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

THE BIG INTER Keeping ahead of the game the key for Proxama.

When Apple recently announced the launch of Apple Pay for the UK, it was hailed as a gamechanger because the vast majority of big banks and credit card companies will use it.

Available in the U.S. for some time, the service lets you pay at the till by a simple tap of your mobile device or Apple Watch and the company says that more than 250,000 stores, including big name chains, will use it.

But why mention this in NV? The answer is simple; much of the early work on the technology was done by a team led by Dr Neil Garner, CEO of Norwich-based Proxama, which is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Neil founded Proxama in 2005 with a belief that mobile phones could be used to make a wide range of payments, paving the way for a world in which cash is used much less widely and hand-held devices take its place.

Initially called Glue4 Technologies, the business focused on creating services that link people and brands and in 2008, it was renamed Proxama with a focus on the applications of mobile and smartcard technologies.

Before founding Proxama, Neil ran a division of a niche consultancy, Consult Hyperion, where he led implementation teams for groundbreaking products including Vodafone’s m-Pesa, MasterCard’s PayPass, Sky and Barclaycard’s SkyCard and American Express Blue card.

Realising our ambitious plans for development, industry leadership and growth is the primary objective for the business.

Neil said: “Apple Pay is a significant step forward in the development of this technology. It is Apple doing what Apple always does, watching others develop new technologies then coming out with their own system which pulls it together.”

“In a way, it is frustrating if you did a lot of the early work but that is the way the industry operates and it does offer great opportunities.”

“When we started working to develop the technology, there were plenty of people, particularly in the United States, prepared to say that it would not work.”

“At times, we felt like a lone voice but the launch of Apple Pay feels like the start of something. I do not necessarily think that the technology means the end of money but I do think that within the next few years we will be using it much less.”

“The same is true of cards and coupons. If a store offers you a card or a coupon, you take a look at your wallet stuffed full of them and are likely to say no. But if, instead of having a wallet that is full, all the information is on your mobile you are much more likely to say yes.”

Proxama, which has grown from just Neil in a back bedroom, to employ 100 staff, has long been at the forefront of such technologies.

From 2006-2010, it worked closely with MasterCard developing prototypes and supported the launch of the first mobile Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless payment service with MasterCard in 2010. NFC enables smartphones and other devices to establish communication with each other by touching the devices or bringing them close together.

Proxama also developed early versions of its own TapPoint® and Digital Enablement® technology platforms for banks, retailers and media owners with the limited handsets that were available.

Today, Proxama’s platforms have enabled the company to not only grow its base in Norwich but also have an international presence in London, San Francisco, New York and Toronto.

Neil said: “Although we are international, I like the fact that a company like ours is based in Norfolk. It has allowed us to trial brand new technology, like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons within the city, placing Norwich firmly on the map as one of the UK’s leading tech

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

cities. Loka app, which launched in Norwich, provides smartphone users with information and innovative ways to interact with their city.

We already have almost 50 local merchants onboard, who are utilising the app to deliver a range of timely and relevant notifications to increase footfall to their venues.”

In addition, the recent contract announced with Eye Airports, the UK’s Airport Advertising Experts, shows the potential of the work.

Eye Airports will initially deploy 200 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons across eight UK airports, using Proxama’s proximity technology to deliver information to passengers waiting to board aircraft.

Airports that will see immediate deployments include London Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol, Southampton, Inverness, Newcastle, Manchester and East Midlands, after which the system will be extended out to other airports across the UK. Potentially connecting more than 100 million passengers, the technology means that advertisers will be able to deliver offers and rewards to passengers walking past the beacons.

Harnessing the vast potential of the technology and breaking into new markets is one of the reasons Neil recently announced that he plans to step aside as CEO into a role focusing on strategy and new product development for the business.

Proxama is experiencing a period of high growth in both the payment and marketing divisions and Neil said: “This is such a fast-moving sector that you have to continually be one step ahead of the game.”

“Realising our ambitious plans for development, industry leadership and growth is the primary objective for the business.”

“We are a technology business that operates in the extremely fast-moving and competitive mobile sector. We, therefore, realise the importance of innovation to these plans for growth and understand the crucial role that it plays in keeping us ahead in the industry.”

“The change to my role supports Proxama’s continued drive for future innovation, and the shift in my focus will enable me to devote more time to building new products and partnerships that are driven by emerging technologies. A commitment to product development and creating cutting-edge innovation will be equally vital to the business as we move into the future.”

THE BIG INTERVIEW

RVIEW

By John Dean deangriss@btinternet.com

Dr Neil Garner CEO Proxama

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

Making the best use of the digital age.

Norfolk Voice canvasses Chamber members from the tourism and retail sectors

There was a time when many businesses viewed new technologies with foreboding, intimidated by the dramatic changes that computers were bringing about.

Those days are long gone and now the most successful businesses are the ones which harness technology to make themselves more efficient and provide the best service to their customers through everything from laptops to hand-held devices.

We may live in a digital age but how do the opportunities translate into hard-edged benefits when it comes to sectors such as tourism and leisure and retail, where reaching new markets is so vital?

Twenty years ago, marketing holiday cottages was very much about paper advertising; placing adverts in newspapers/magazines and issuing brochures, but today up to 60 per cent of our bookings are made online.

Shopping centre marketing has changed so much since intu Chapelfield opened in September 2005.

Every campaign we work on puts digital first and we work hard to come up new ideas and initiatives.

We’re fortunate that intu is really forward-thinking, investing in free Wi-Fi to support communication and engagement with our shoppers. We also recognise the strength of our customer email database and learn so much from our customer feeback site tellintu.co.uk.

That is why we have a team of eight who are constantly working on our digital marketing strategy; upgrades to the website, search engine optimisation (SEO), managing affiliates and analysing customer online behaviour to maximise bookings.

The moment you release a new website it is immediately out of date so you have to constantly evolve and update to ensure you are giving customers the experience they desire and stay one step ahead of the competition.

We are pioneers. We had our first website in 1999, in the very early days of the Internet (just think, Google was only founded in late 1998). It was only three static pages but it allowed people to find us online. The technology is so fast moving that you either evolve or get left behind. For example, the first tablet device was not released until mid-2010 and within four years it was our highest search volume device.

Tom Ellis Director, The Original Cottage Company, Reepham

Richard Pace, Norwich International Airport

The airport, our airline and tour operator partners fully embrace digital and online technology to promote our businesses and the range of holidays and flights available from Norwich International Airport.

With our customers increasing reliance on social media and online research to make purchasing decisions we fully recognise the importance and find these platforms provide a quick and cost-effective solution to promote to a wide audience alongside the more traditional methods.

Richard Pace Operations Director and General Manger at Norwich International Airport

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One of the key areas for us is the intu.co.uk website, which gives our customers the information they want about intu Chapelfield alongside a great transactional website, so they can shop in person or online. We also enhance the website with fun content, providing gift ideas, fashion trends, videos and even games for our Kid’s Club members so that they’re encouraged to keep visiting.

Our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts are really important too, but we’re careful to made these interactions friendly and fun, not pushy and sales-led and to link them to what’s going on locally and in centre. We’ve developed competition apps and come up with all sorts of initiatives to encourage interaction. Some of the most successful so far this year have been our Mannequin catwalk, LOVE letters for Valentine’s messages and most recently our Big Treat event with giant props. This summer it’ll be all about GoGoDragons!

Sheridan Smith Marketing Manager intu Chapelfield, Norwich

COVER FEATURE

On-line channels are essential in the rail sector.

Increasing numbers of tickets are booked on line, many of which are now picked up from automatic ticket vending machines (TVMs) at stations. With more TVMs at key unstaffed stations, e.g. Cromer and North Walsham, this is also an attractive option in more rural parts of the county. We are also piloting print at home and mobile ticketing (using your smartphone or equivalent) with certain ticket types and they are already proving popular.

Meanwhile, a new smartcard ticket is being trialled on the Cambridge to London route which, if successful, will be another attractive and convenient way of buying tickets with the added benefit that it will constantly monitor the journeys you make, retrospectively adjusting the price if multiple journeys mean you are eligible for a cheaper ticket type.

But it’s not just ticket booking. Our website and our Twitter service (used by over 55000 followers) are invaluable in providing real time train service information.

We also utilise the website, twitter, facebook and e-shots to promote and market our services, in a targeted, cost-effective way.

Looking ahead the trends are continuing in the same direction and we expect further development and roll out of smartcard-style ticketing to make ticket purchase and use even easier and convenient over the next decade.

Jonathan Denby Head of Corporate Affairs at Abellio Greater Anglia

Castle Mall manager Amanda Phillips with Norwich City FC goalkeeper John Ruddy, and his daughter Sophie. Facebook was used as part of the digital mix to promote Ben and Holly coming to the shopping centre

Digital channels are far and away the best, most direct, most cost effective and measurable ways of communicating with customers.

All Visit Norfolk’s activity, from our recent London Underground poster campaign to our digital films that have now been seen more than 1.5m times worldwide, direct customers to our website where we can showcase the overall visitor offering and destinations that we have in the county. Through analytics we know that our London audience grew enormously during and after the Tube promotion, with as many as 75% more new users from that area over a two month period.

Beechwood Hotel

Digital technology has had a seismic effect on the way we operate. Our online presence is incredibly important to us and places like Trip Advisor and our website are where we get most of our bookings.

Go back 15-20 years and it was all different. If we received an inquiry, we would send out a nice printed brochure with a letter and stationery and make sure that we got it in the post that night so it was on the doormat in the morning.

Today, the only brochures we have are those left over from the last batch. We do not have a new brochure, it’s all online now. It has completely transformed the way we work and our online presence is so important.

Even our social media engagement is about delivering website traffic and our endeavours there have been recognised with Visit Norfolk coming top in the East in the 2015 English Tourism Social Media Index, the third top ranked county in the country and sixth overall.

The visitnorfolk.co.uk website is the best and most comprehensive marketing tool we have for promoting the county as a year-round visitor destination and we’ve seen significant growth in its audience in the past 18 months. In the last month, for instance, we have had 245,000 users and more than three million page views, so we know that people are spending time on the site and exploring it.

One big advantage is that it allows our young employees, who understand the digital world far better than the older ones, to become more involved in the business. Sometimes, they are teaching us!

By pursuing this strategy, which is supported by extensive market research, we are able to demonstrate to our partners and stakeholders that Visit Norfolk can raise the profile of the county, excite and entice with our breadth of activities and destinations, encourage more people to come and help grow what is the county’s largest industry sector at 2.8bn per annum and employing more than 54,000 people.

Don Birch Partner Beechwood Hotel, North Walsham

Pete Waters Manager, Visit Norfolk

intu Chapelfield, Norwich

When Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook just over 10 years ago, I don’t suppose he realised the impact his social media platform would have in consumer marketing in 2015. We now have more than 13,000 ‘fans’ on the Castle Mall Facebook page where shoppers can access store offers, competitions and event news. Recently we welcomed children’s TV favourites Ben and Holly to the centre. They proved very popular and our research showed many families who came had seen it on Facebook. We also use other social media channels including Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

There are some fantastic tools that help us analyse how customers use our digital channels. For example, a piece of code called Google Analytics embedded in our website can tell us from which device people access our website – be it mobile, tablet or PC. In May this 62% of all people visiting our website did it from a mobile device - that’s up from 38% in 2013.

But technology doesn’t stand still. The new kid on the block, Snapchat, is literally snapping at the heels of some of the more established social media channels, and with some recent additions to the interface, it looks like we may soon be welcoming something different to our digital toolkit!”

Amanda Phillips General Manager, Castle Mall, Norwich

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

Why it makes sense to be a Chamber member.

Francesca de Lacey Operations Director (Deputy Managing Director), JMS Group Limited

At JMS we aim to update our profile on the website every 1-2 weeks minimum – usually with a news story featuring our latest work or involvement with local clients/events. This in turn often gets tweeted and mentioned in the Norfolk Voice magazine, expanding our audience and building our brand recall that much further with only one action from us which is great.

There is a good range of networking events to suit all types of businesses and all styles of networking. Whether that’s making cocktails, fighting for a medal in the big annual quiz or listening to great speakers and local MPs over a sumptuous cooked breakfast – the Chamber has all the options. My personal favourite is probably the larger MP events which have a great turn-out with a wide range of businesses and rather nice cakes…

JMS use social media as brand awareness more than anything. Our sector involves quite a bit of pitching and Norwich has a particularly strong Creative sector so you need to be top of mind when prospective clients are looking for production partners in our area. Being one of the longest-running production companies in the area we use social media to remind people that we’re still here and working with so many great businesses throughout Norfolk and beyond.

Being a member of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce brings many benefits.

They range from offering members the opportunity to promote themselves on the website and social media channels to attending networking events and free training sessions as well as using the business services that we offer, including ChamberHR, Chamber Legal and Westfield.

So how does that translate into advantages for members? And how does the power of promotion through social media play its part in further spreading the word about their businesses?

Norfolk Voice asked some members for their views.

We post our latest work or ‘behind the scenes’ pics on our Twitter and Facebook pages but we still use our website, e-newsletters and networking to promote ourselves primarily. We use Vimeo and YouTube channels to host all our content so that we can send out samples of our work to our clients quickly and in HD. We’re a bespoke service business rather than a specific product so we tend to build up a relationship with a client or agency over a longer period of time, usually involving face-to-face meetings quite early on rather than relying on Facebook Likes or Twitter retweets.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

COVER FEATURE

Mark Ellaway Bigfork Ltd, Norwich

Michael Townsend SocialB, digital marketing experts

Being members of the Norfolk Chamber has been hugely beneficial for Bigfork.

Being a member of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce enables us to meet and interact with key personnel and businesses in our local area. The regular events schedule provides an array of interesting talks and allows us to meet a wide variety of people in a relaxed environment.

We are very active attending networking events, exhibitions, speaking and posting articles on the Chamber website and more.

The result has been a higher profile, expanded network and many new clients. As with anything in business you get out what you put in.

Huw Sayer Norfolk-based Business Writers Ltd

The big advantage of becoming a member of the Chamber is that you are joining a community of like-minded people. They have gone through similar experiences to you, have the same aspirations and are prepared to share their knowledge. It is not just about selling; you are not just saying ‘buy, buy, buy.’ It is about helping each other and building lasting relationships.

Social media fits in well because, between face-to-face meetings at Chamber networking events, you can connect with people online. This helps you keep those relationships alive. We use Twitter for a number of reasons, including the fact that it has a large number of users from the Chamber community. We use LinkedIn because it allows you to take part in more detailed conversations with specific sector groups.

Our strong belief is that social media works best when used to create engaging conversations. These help build strong communities by uniting people around shared values and interests. Constantly selling yourself or your service is boring – it is a onesided conversation that turns people off.

People want a mix of interesting, useful, entertaining and shareable information – and they prefer to get it from people who share their values.

For myself and SocialB, hosting digital marketing sessions as part of the Be Better At… series has allowed us to broaden our network as well as speak to key business stakeholders.

We have been able to engage with real people and understand the issues local businesses face on a day-to-day basis related to our key products and services.

It’s important to remember that social media has been around for quite some time now and has become a regular habit of the modern day consumer.

Users have direct access to brands and are able to share their opinions with a large audience like never before. Social media gives you an opportunity to communicate and add value to a large number of new and existing customers with consumers utilising social media for relationship building, shopping, media consumption, customer service and friendship. Your customers are talking about your brand on social media and it is important that you are able to take part in this conversation.

Dr Neil Garner CEO, Proxama, Norwich

The attraction of the Chamber for us is the way it allows us to connect with local businesses. We have developed a new mobile app, Loka, that promotes local businesses and being part of the Chamber allows us to reach those companies in Norfolk that may benefit.

We use social media to support that work, getting the message out that our technologies can help businesses. It is an important part of our marketing strategy.

Kris Gamble Customised, Norwich

We joined the Norfolk Chamber even before we relocated from Scotland last year because we had received so much support from the Inverness chamber.

The attraction with being a Chamber member is that it helps you integrate into an area that much more quickly.

Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely business at times, working long hours, and being part of the Chamber has helped accelerate the growth of our business. We have also attended a lot of Chamber events and acted as a sponsor because it helps us network.

When it comes to social media, we contribute a lot of material to written and digital publications and we regularly put it on the Chamber website so that members can read it as well. It is our way of sharing some of our thoughts.

Claire Swain Mason Commercial Director for Swains Plc Voice and Data Communications

With the Chamber’s ever evolving network and far-reaching voice it is one of the vital business tools for Norfolk. The training and seminar activities are valuable, as both attendees and sponsors, in broadening our connections, raising our profile, whilst providing key business information.

Companies are urged to embrace a digital culture to reach the full potential in this dynamic world of digital and all the ensuing benefits.

Recently, we recruited through traditional method of the local paper versus adverts through social media with outstanding results. For every application via the traditional method we had fifteen from social media. A powerful tool indeed.

FEBRUARY/MARCH JULY/AUGUST 2015 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

Coaching – Simple, Yet Powerful!

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ConsultEast has grown as a development consultancy over the last ten years. Success meant working with clients to see beyond complexity to what really matters.

intervention leading to change and action. The joy of coaching is that powerful questioning can be applied in just a few minutes or continued over longer periods of change, according to the client needs. It’s one of the few learning interventions truly bespoke to the individual, with the entire premise of the conversation based on their agenda. Often this is a rare opportunity for individuals to talk about what’s important to them in an open and supportive environment.

Respect, trust and openness are key values and combined with a client led approach it wasn’t long before coaching became central to the business.

Coaching should not be mistaken for a soft approach – we believe in high challenge, high support!

Why coaching, what makes it such a rich and powerful intervention that it became core to who we are and what we encourage in others?

ConsultEast believes our clients have the resources to achieve their goals and work with them to access and deploy those resources to maximum effect. Rachel Paul, Director of ConsultEast, defines coaching as a thinking

Consulteast combine different tools; solutions focus, NLP, cognitive behaviour coaching and mindfulness, to powerful effect. These tools are included in our coaching practice and in the teaching materials for our ILM coaching qualifications.

Discover more about coaching and the programmes on offer at www.consulteast.co.uk.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

BUSINESS SUPPOR T

Brokering skills across West Norfolk.

ADVERTISING FEATURE The Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has prioritised Skills from the beginning with a single ambition: for local business needs to drive skills supply at a local level. The LEP funds The Skills Service, a team within Opportunity Peterborough, to work with businesses, education and training providers, and other key stakeholders, to drive this Skills Strategy forward.

Businesses are encouraged to engage with The Skills Service to create an understanding of skills needs in order to filter this information through to local colleges and training providers. This will help to ensure that local training is more aligned to local business demand.

Neil Darwin, Chief Executive of the LEP, said: “The Skills Service is already making a difference across West Norfolk by providing a single point of contact and co-ordinated approach between businesses, education and training providers.

I’d encourage local businesses to find out more about how they can get involved to ensure that young people in the local area are getting the right skills for the future.”

Apprenticeships are a key element of the LEP Skills Strategy as they are vitally important to training the next generation of skilled employees.

They are genuinely business led in sectors that are both vibrant and growing, with many benefits to businesses, including: n businesses across all sectors can use apprenticeships to both harness new talent or develop existing talent n Apprenticeships help your business prepare for the future by ensuring your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications they need now and in the future n Apprenticeships allow you to deliver skills that are designed around your business.

You can find out more about apprenticeships, including the funding schemes available to businesses and a video about how they can benefit your business, at: www.theskillsservice.co.uk/businesses/ apprenticeships.

The Skills Service helps with getting the message out to schools and young people about ‘the world of work’, highlighting that vocational options are just as good a route to a career as university.

How do we do this? We organise activities to make the potential workforce aware of their local businesses and opportunities, raising their aspirations and encouraging them to stay in the local area. We use innovative ways to enable interactions between businesses and schools, such as careers fairs, Meet the Professional talks, enterprise challenges and mock interviews.

How can you get involved? You can support the work of The Skills Service in many different ways, from exhibiting at a careers fair to helping with student interviews to becoming a ‘Skills Champion’.

Jacqui Farrell is the Business & Education Development Manager for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. You can contact her on 07931 206628 or by email jacqui.farrell@theskillsservice.co.uk

CAN YOU HELP US UP-SKILL YOUNG PEOPLE AND PREPARE THEM FOR THE WORLD OF WORK?

BECOME A SKILLS CHAMPION A Skills Champion can be anyone who is interested in working with young people on a wide range of activities and events to help them better understand the world of work and future employment opportunities.

What’s Involved?

Contact us to find out more:

l

We provide you with a short training session, free of charge. This will brief you on the current education system and give advice on how to successfully engage with young people.

l

We will discuss with you our calendar of events and ask that you support a minimum of three sessions per academic year.

info@theskillsservice.co.uk www.theskillsservice.co.uk

l

To recognise your support, we will give you a Skills Champion certificate and a logo for your company to use to showcase your commitment.

Twitter: @UK_Skills

Phone: 01733 863696

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

Lean builds great companies Lean organisations routinely achieve spectacular results, such as major lead time reduction, increased capacity with existing resources and those gains lead to a complete financial turnaround. It doesn’t need a large investment to start, but, to be successful, it requires sustained and determined leadership to drive through a disciplined and continuous programme which will change the organisation’s culture.

The involvement of all employees is critical to identify and eliminate the waste from all processes. Lean empowers employees, builds closer links with customers and suppliers, removes silos, creates transparency and helps build a sustainable future.

I have over 30 years experience working in Lean Continuous Improvement environments. SME’s are often busy and find it difficult to spare employees for a Training Course lasting several days, so I prefer short but regular training sessions to suit the work pressures. These sessions take place after establishing with Senior Management what the long-term goals need to be. The chosen employees will learn about the tools and techniques of Lean so that they can start to achieve the first positive results by me showing how to implement and maintain 5S, VSM, the 8 Wastes, Kanban and Kaizen. They become the trainers and leaders for the rest of the organisation.

Lean Management Training Enables you to increase quality and productivity Removes waste to reduce cost Encourages you to think differently for new solutions Encourages employee involvement Creates competitive advantage Lean is the third industrial revolution

Keith Betts

e: keith.betts48@gmail.com t: 07849 141904

Supporting Ambition…Realising Promise

Established for over 45 years, Norfolk Training Services is one of the East of England’s largest independent learning and employment services providers. With 4 training centres in Norfolk, we deliver learning across more than 12 industry sectors to learners of all ages and organisations of all sizes. Our provision is aligned closely to the NEWANGLIA LEP sector priorities.

What we offer: 

Apprenticeships for learners of all ages at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher levels



Study Programme to help and support young people towards Apprenticeships



Vocational Learning for school students to prepare them for careers



Training course to prepare long-term unemployed people for a return to sustainable employment



Logistics training including a range of driver training



Work Programme to support long-term unemployed people into sustainable employment

To discuss how we can help you, please contact us: Telephone: 01603 259900 Email: enquiries@norfolktrainingservices.co.uk Call in: see our website for centre addresses Web: www.norfolktrainingservices.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

BUSINESS SUPPOR T

Enterprise Apprentice’s Innovative Business Pitch.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Alice Henderson was appointed as an Enterprise Apprentice working for Robert Clarke – Director of Housing for Freebridge Community Housing a year ago.

On completion of her yearlong Apprenticeship, Alice was required to pitch a new business idea to her employer. Managers from Norfolk Adult Education and Freebridge Community Housing were in attendance to hear her innovative presentation. Alice’s business idea was focused around raising tenant engagement to boost community social return for her employer. She communicated a clear vision to increase tenant engagement through a new approach to marketing and promoting community events.

Her pitch was further supported by a detailed

breakdown of the social return that could be realised by this community investment. Alice provided a clear costing model outlining initial investment, profit margins and how profit would be re-invested in local community projects.

Robert Clarke commented that having Alice as an apprentice has had a significant impact on their work at Freebridge, in particular around their community engagement work and he was delighted with her progress. He confirmed she has successfully secured a permanent contract of employment with the organisation. Freebridge Housing are currently recruiting three more Enterprise apprentices, to work on their new community café project; they are extremely impressed with the SWARM apprenticeship model delivered by Norfolk Adult Education.

If you think your business could grow using this entrepreneurial approach, the Advanced apprenticeship in Enterprise training is offered exclusively by Norfolk County Council

Adult Education in Partnership with SWARM Apprenticeships. For more information on how we can support you to recruit an apprentice to your business call us on 0344 800 8020.

Norfolk Adult Education Take on a new Apprentice or train your existing employees through an Apprenticeship We offer flexible, tailored Apprenticeship Training Programmes to support your specific organisational needs.

For more information call or visit

0344 800 8020

www.norfolk.gov.uk/adulteducation Norfolk

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE33 PAGE33

NORFOLK VOICE

Fail to plan, plan to fail.

ADVERTISING FEATURE All successful people in business agree that change is inevitable, and planning is key. Jamie Playford of Leading Strategies explains why.

retirement date, a business sale - in one case it was to own a powerboat on the Mediterranean!

There is nothing wrong with ostentatious goals, as long as they are affordable!

Having worked with businesses in financial distress for almost 20 years, some reasons for business failure are more common than others.

Taking those lessons, we now also help start ups and younger businesses avoid those pitfalls altogether and run their businesses better.

Start ups are statistically a higher risk of failure and also businesses that grow quickly often do not implement procedures to support that growth and owners become “too busy� to cope.

Having well-defined goals and a strategy (often in the form of a business plan) that is regularly

and objectively measured ensures business owners achieve their personal goals. With SMEs we work with across East Anglia, these are often inextricably linked to the business. This may be a

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

In business, relationships are key and, as our team have worked with many professionals over the years, we are well placed to facilitate discussions between the accountant, the IFA, the bank manager and so on. It is important everyone is working towards the same goals.

We then work with the business to ensure the strategy is followed and adapted if circumstances change. We are on hand to tackle issues as they arise and we will usually have a fortnightly or monthly review meeting as required.

BUSINESS SUPPOR T

First Aid Training & Event Medical Specialists Training for individuals or groups, tailored to meet your needs • • • • • •

First Aid at Work – 3 day Emergency First Aid at Work – 1 day First Aid at Work Refresher – 2 day Paediatric First Aid Training – 2 day AED Automated External Defirbrillation Any other bespoke First Aid Training

First Aid at Work from only £110 Emergency First Aid at Work from only £23

First Aid Training at your own venue or one of our venues across the region For more information just contact VTS on: t: 01603 327823 e: admin@vts.email www.firstaidtrainingwithvts.co.uk

Apprenticeships for 16-24 year olds with A14 Training Services Ltd Work Based qualifications through an apprenticeship programme helps develop the young person within your organisation.

An assessor works with your member of staff, through regular visits, and builds a portfolio of evidence to gain the qualification.

Apprenticeships in: • • • • • •

Business & Administration, Customer Service, Health & Social Care, Warehousing, Team Leader and Driving Goods Vehicles

Contact us today on 01379 854486 to discuss your needs. Also on offer is a free advertising process on the apprenticeship website – call for more details Additional qualifications available for all staff – funding help may be available – visit our website

www.a14ts.co.uk

Where to from here..?

As a manager, supervisor or team leader, you may be considering how to progress your career.

At eras, we offer a range of leadership and development programmes that provide you with a nationally recognised qualification. …why not call us and see how we can help you take the next step… eras ltd, Providence Court, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4WN

tel: 01379 652171 www.eras.co.uk

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

KNOWLEDGE

A Digital World – time to get better connected.

Most businesses are now using Information Technology as an integral part of their business operations – exchanging, storing, using or creating information. IT is an essential partner in the management of a business, regardless of the kind of enterprise you operate.

Once you are acquainted with a program, you won’t know how your business functioned without it. IT has certainly helped increase productivity and reduce costs, save time and enable faster decision-making. It has helped companies to expand into new countries and territories or simply allowed some businesses to occupy less square footage and save on accommodation costs.

Most businesses are now equipped with PCs and have an embedded IT culture. However, it is those businesses that are ahead of the curve in adopting newer technologies that will be the real winners in the digital race.

Technology can be a true enabler for business, making people more productive away from their desks: Real time conferencing technologies that

allow hi-fidelity conferences and data transfer are now readily available to business of all sizes – for example Skype for Business which runs on desktop, tablet, windows apple and android.

The rate at which technology is being adopted, and the ever increasing access to a wider range and number of apps is empowering employees and enabling them to share information and increase productivity in near real time across all kinds of devices.

I am no digital guru but the stats speak for themselves; something is going on in the digital world and as businesses, we need to respond much quicker to stay ahead of the information game – particularly when it comes to marketing and communications.

Nora Senior President British Chambers of Commerce

Administration of UK’s biggest paper merchanting group to cause supply problems?

Paul Youngs Printbox UK

This small item on the BBC News website detailing the recent administration of the PaperlinX group could have major consequences for the printing industry that also has a knock on effect for print buyers over the coming weeks.

than it was, the volumes are still huge. The other merchants won’t be able to cope with it. It’s an extremely unusual set of circumstances.”

Losing such a big supplier of paper in the UK market could well lead to paper shortages and in worse case scenarios could see some brands disappear for good, if the paper mills themselves cannot carry the losses that they have sustained from the administration.

To add to the confusion, printing companies will need to look to their own credit lines as they could now need to increase their spend with the remaining paper merchants.

Over recent years PaperlinX, the UK’s biggest paper merchanting group, have acquired well known names such as Robert Horne Paper Company, Howard Smith Paper Group and The Paper Co (known locally to East Anglia as Masons Paper).

So we could be in for some difficult times in the coming weeks. If you single source your print from one or two printing companies, then my advice would be to keep close to them and plan your schedules accordingly.

An article in Printweek quotes a senior source competitor before the official announcement was made: “If it [Paperlinx] went, I can’t imagine what would happen. The disruption would be incredible… Even though Paperlinx is smaller

From our point of view, at Printbox UK, we do have the tremendous benefit of working with a large network of print suppliers and so we have the advantage of flexibility to get your project printed.

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You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

I read an interesting article the other day from Forbes on the recent research done by Gallup: http://onforb.es/1Dq2xXI From this research, Gallup concluded that women are better managers than men. Let me just say this again!! The research shows that women are better managers than men.

Admittedly I do have a smile on my face, as I type this.

If you read no further, please print this and take it to your Senior Management, who I am sure will file it in file 13………… But at least you can roll out this ‘factual’ piece of evidence when male managers are criticising your approach.

Now who are we to argue with this research, if, after all they have surveyed 2,500 US Managers.

Well obviously cultural differences play a part, as well as gender, but then so do a number of other factors.

The research is quite specific about key areas women are better at managing; employee development, Communication & feedback and employee recognition.

Surely it therefore stands that as the research indicates, women are more emotionally intelligent, and as Gallup concludes: “If female managers, on average, are more engaged than male managers, it stands to reason that they are likely to contribute more to their organization’s current and future success.”

Research after research shows the economic argument for having a diverse workforce, and I don’t just mean gender; I mean religion, sexual orientation, age…..the list goes on!! I come back to an ongoing point I feel strongly about.

People should get appointed, developed and promoted based on competence.

The organisational needs to determine what that competence is, but it should be the application of knowledge, experience and skills, as a rounded combination.

So, what happens now with the findings of this research? Well, forward thinking companies that want to grow, develop and improve, will think about how they can review their current practices, make them better and encourage a diverse workforce, by trying to be an employer of choice.

For the rest of them, well………….you can’t teach an old dog new tricks…..but we will still try!!

Emma Bishop Womens Energy Network

@NorfolkChamber

Raise Your Profile Free Business Training Free HR & Legal support County-wide Networking Events To join or for more information: 01603 729704 or visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/membership Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Committed to Success

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Professional Document & Data Management

NORFOLK VOICE

There is no tax to pay when I sell my home, is there?

In the majority of cases, the answer is “no”, but a recent shift in approach by HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) could put the answer in doubt for some.

There is a long-standing relief from capital gains tax when you sell your “home”.The relief is given automatically and many do not even realise they have claimed it when they move house.

In situations where you only ever own one property at a time, and genuinely use it as your home for the whole time you own it, it is unlikely any tax will be payable. It is always worth checking this with a professional adviser though as the rules are complicated.

Some recent cases which were taken to tax tribunal suggest a change in approach from HMRC that could put this vital tax relief at risk for some.

There are two common scenarios they look very closely at: 1. Where the taxpayer only lived in the property for a short period of time; and 2. Where the claim involves a breakdown in a relationship between a married couple or civil partners, who later reconcile their differences and get back together.

In these cases, HMRC are placing a great deal of emphasis on what was the taxpayer’s intention when they moved into the property they have now sold. If the taxpayer did not intend to live in the property for a meaningful amount of time when they moved in, then HMRC’s view could be that the tax relief is not available.

Michael Morter, Tax Manager

It is extremely difficult to prove intention and very often the tribunal case delves into the details of the taxpayer’s personal life. Not a pleasant experience for the taxpayer!

This highlights the need to take professional advice before making a sale to ensure you understand the tax implications. As illustrated above, this tax relief is complicated and we have not covered all aspects of it in this article.

For more information contact Michael Morter at Larking Gowen on 01603 624181 or at michael.morter@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.

Do you employ staff who drive for work?

Did you know that employers are legally responsible for employees’ safety whilst driving for work?* Norfolk County Council can help you meet your legal responsibilities. We offer cost effective road safety training which can be tailored to your business needs. l Occupational road risk seminar l Friendly, interactive workshops for employees l Driving for work policy writing consultancy To find out more, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/drivingforwork email roadsafety@norfolk.gov.uk or call 0344 800 8020 * The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008

PAGE39

NORFOLK VOICE

Diary Dates 2015.

NETWORKING EVENTS Wisbech Hog Roast & Quiz

Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast

The B2B Exhibition

WHERE: Great Yarmouth

WHERE: Norwich City Football Club, Norwich

WHEN: Thursday 10th September, 07:30 – 09:30

WHEN: Thursday 15th October, 10:00 – 17:00

WHAT: Join us in Great Yarmouth for a morning of business networking over a delicious breakfast.

Make new contacts and catch up with existing contacts. Members only.

WHAT: The region’s premier business to business exhibition. The B2B Exhibition will be the place to exhibit your business in 2015. Already established as the region’s premier business to business event B2B continues to grow in importance, and attendance. With even greater exposure planned for 2015, it’s no surprise that a stellar line up of Norfolk’s businesses is keen to appear this year. Our stands are bookable now with Early Bird Rates available. Open to all businesses.

West Norfolk Breakfast WHERE: King’s Lynn WHEN: Friday 2nd October, 08:00 – 10:00 WHERE: Elgood & Son’s Ltd, Wisbech WHEN: Wednesday 22nd July, 17:00 – 19:00 WHAT: Join the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce for an evening of informal, cross-county networking, followed by a hog roast and general knowledge themed quiz.

The relaxed setting is the perfect opportunity to promote your company and make valuable new contacts with like-minded business people from across the region, whilst putting your brain power to the test! Open to all businesses.

After Hours: Look the Business WHERE: Jarrold, Norwich

WHAT: Join us and Cambridgshire Chambers of Commerce in West Norfolk for a morning of cross county business networking over a delicious breakfast. This breakfast will be a fantastic opportunity to network with your neighbours and make new contacts. Norfolk Chamber and Cambridgeshire Chamber members only.

HR FORUMS HR Forum: The Art of Dismissal WHERE: Dunston Hall, Norwich

SPECIAL EVENTS The Future is Here WHERE: The Space, Norwich

WHEN: Thursday 20th August, 18:00 – 20:00

WHEN: Wednesday 23rd September, 08:30 – 13:00

WHAT: The Ultimate business fashion event is back for its fourth year! This year it’s back at Jarrold where you can learn how to keep warm and stylish through the cold winter months and maybe see if you can create the most on trend outfit on a budget! This year we are going to make it even more interactive giving you plenty of chances to network with likeminded business people and not only update your wardrobe, but update your business connections too! Members only.

WHAT: Join Norfolk Chamber and an incredible line up of industry experts to discover how they have adapted to the ever changing world of technology and their visions for the future. This is an interactive half day technology event on how the digital revolution and technology is shaping the future of business. The morning will feature key note speakers, networking and an exhibition. Open to all businesses.

WHEN: Wednesday 9th September, 14:00 – 16:30 WHAT: Join the Norfolk Chamber for an afternoon of accessing specialist knowledge essential for any HR Professional or business owner. A practical, informal and interactive session for HR practitioners dealing with some of the thornier aspects of dismissal that regularly pose problems for employers. Sponsored and delivered by Steeles Law. Open to all businesses.

CHAMBER SESSIONS Free training delivered by members for our members at the Norfolk Chamber office in Norwich. See page 43 for full details

For more information and to see a full list of events visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

Increase your exposure to the wider business community.

Norfolk Chamber is renowned for organising high quality business events and caters for every person and business.

Our 70 events are attended by over 3,000 delegates each year all with the opportunity for networking. Sponsoring a Norfolk Chamber event is a cost effective way to gain valuable brand exposure for your company. Event sponsorship varies according to the type, size

and nature of the event. More information is on our website, taking you through each event that is currently available for sponsorship, their estimated audience and price structures.

Why not also exhibit at a business breakfast, there are exclusive opportunities for Chamber members to exhibit their business at Chamber events for just £75+VAT. n For more information on the sponsorship opportunities available please visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER EVENTS

After Hours Series.

The Norfolk Chamber After Hours series is a perfect opportunity for those who are not a morning person? Join us for fun, informal & relaxed evening networking after work. The activities will make networking effortless and are an ideal way to break the ice.

Only £18+VAT. Look the Business DATE: Thursday 20th August, 18:00 – 20:00 VENUE: Jarrold, Norwich ABOUT: The ultimate business fashion event is back for its fourth year at Jarrold! Learn how to style an outfit that you can take from day to

Chamber Winter Olympics DATE: Wednesday 4 November 2015, 18:00 – 20:00 VENUE: Norfolk Snowsports Club, Trowse, Norwich ABOUT: Join us for a winter themed evening of relaxed networking and enjoy a taster ski session and some fish & chips to warm you up. As always this event will provide you with a chance to try yourself at something new. Already a pro at skiing, then why not come along and show your peers how it’s done.

Super Bowl Challenge DATE: Thursday 28 January 2016, 18:00 – 20:00 VENUE: Hollywood Bowl, Riverside Leisure Complex night and maybe do a little bit of shopping too!

This year will be even more interactive giving you plenty of chances to network with likeminded business people and not only update your wardrobe, but update your business connections too!

ABOUT: Join us for the most popular event in the After Hours series, with the past 7 years being a sell-out you will need to book a team for this event early to avoid disappointment. Network in a fun atmosphere, bowl with your peers and make new contacts as you compete for the coveted Super Bowl Challenge trophy.

The Future is Here…putting technology to work.

Building on the last four year’s success Norfolk Chamber of Commerce bring you an essential opportunity to experience first-hand at The Space, Norwich, how digital technology is impacting on your business today. And tomorrow.

note speakers leading the way in their field, practical workshops, a networking lunch and an expert exhibition.

The digital revolution has changed the way we do business forever. It’s a 24/7 world. We’re always online. Always connected.

With topics on; n Power of the Cloud n Master Data Management n Mobile Ready n Connecting With the Future

The Future is Here on 23 September is an interactive featuring national and local key

You’ll be brought up to speed on how digital technology is shaping the future of business, and how you can maximise its potential.

100+ Businesses, 16 Stands, 10 Speakers, 4 Workshops, 1 Venue. Step in to the future of technology for business. Get real insight and practical advice to take your business forward.

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities available, please visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk for full details.

The Future is Here! Experience it!

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

B2B is the place to be! ere

“We loved the faectrathnge of

a wid was such taking part. es rs business any visito ng so m a And seei nt as we have lle was exce mer base. B2B sto wide cu positive l round al was an erience.” p ex ss e busin ING, A BUNT FINITY TABATH SUPPORT, AF SS BUSINE

TheIBITION

Whether you’re thinking of exhibiting or attending the region’s premier business to business exhibition on 15 October at Norwich City Football Club, it’s clear being there is a must.

Last year’s B2B proved beyond any doubt that the exhibition is a key event in our region’s commercial calendar. With all available stand spaces sold out, over 90 exhibitors welcomed over 650 visitors in a day of workshops, networking and face to face business.

exposure to the right audiences. Our heavyweight marketing and promotion with our media partners Archant and design partners Osbornenash will create high visitor attendance, making B2B 2015 the place to be.

Tabatha Bunting, Affinity (right), is happy to explain why exhibiting at B2B worked for them.

Stands for the Norfolk Chamber’s B2B Exhibition this October are quickly being booked by businesses from across the region, with our exhibition space already over one third full.

EXHTOBER 2015 15 OC

–5PM B, 10AM ALL CLU S FOOTB H CITY USINES B R IE NORWIC PR E M

ION GION’S THE RE INESS EXHIBIT d ok a stan TO BUS t and bo itmen 2B e comm .co.uk/B Make th orfolkchamber n ting ke at ar W m ed NO d target

an ndance Free atte footfall ers se custom ensure to increa zones to ed fin de Clearly rates stand rly bird with ea find your stands half size d an ll Fu w lable no are avai

B2B is free to enter and worth every minute you’re there. If you’re serious about your business you’ll commit some time to B2B 2015.

To book your stand or to secure your FREE ticket, visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

B2B 2015 is set to build on that success. Six clearly defined zones will give exhibitors maximum

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

2B15 #NorfolkB mber ha B @norfolkc mber.co.uk/B2 ha norfolkc

CHAMBER EVENTS

Grow through Chamber Sessions.

Covering a wide range of topics, our expert members are here to deliver you free, weekly training to help your business and yourself grow through their top tips.

Learn direct from those who live and breathe their topics daily through their work. Available at both breakfast and lunch to suit your diary, held in the Norfolk Chamber Norwich office, don’t miss out on these free opportunities to better your business.

THE CHAMBER SESSIONS – AUTUMN SERIES Tuesday 11 August, 08:30–10:00

Be Better at Business Blogging An interactive session focusing on the business benefits of blogging. Huw Sayer of Business Writers Limited will look at why leaders need to ‘be social’, and how to achieve a thought leadership position. He will have a group discussion about how business blogging could fit with your sales, marketing and social media strategy. This session will also cover some practical tips for aspiring bloggers or those tasked with sourcing and managing external blog writers.

Tuesday 18 August, 08:30–10:00

Be Better at Google Adwords Google Adwords – what it is, how it works and how to get sales and leads from Adwords campaigns. It’s easy to waste money on Adwords campaigns, but Mark Ellaway of Bigfork Ltd will show you how to set up a basic campaign and useful tips on how to run and improve your campaigns.

Tuesday 25 August, 08:30–10:00

Tuesday 15 September, 08:30-10:00

Be Better at Public Relations

Be Better at LinkedIn

The seminar will explain why it is vital in the highly competitive and increasingly media savvy world we live in today for every organisation to have a well thought out and comprehensive public relations strategy. Given time constraints it will be impossible to cover every aspect of public relations activity. Therefore John Haschak of Partnership Plus Limited will focus on the media, giving delegates an insight into how it operates and the confidence to engage with journalists for the benefit of their own organisations.

Marketing strategies for your business are wide and varied.

Every year something new comes along for you to get your head around and fit in with your current marketing effort. Nobody is great at everything. Social media is expanding all the time and getting the message through the noise can be hard. That’s where LinkedIn can cut through and offer some real gains, learn how in this session with John Davy of Dojo Media Consulting.

Tuesday 22 September, 08:30-10:00

Tuesday 8th September, 08:30 – 10:00

Be Better at Improving Your Digital Marketing Strategy This session is aimed to get delegates thinking about how their website and more importantly their business/ brand is found, viewed and perceived online. Michael Townsend of Social B aims to cover topics including PPC, SEO, Social Media, Website Content, Blogging, Website Analytics and more.

Be Better at Exhibiting Are you exhibiting at B2B this autumn? Make sure you get the most you can out of exhibiting with Ermine Amies’ of Sandler Training top tips on how to create a preshow strategy for success, making follow-ups much more effective and generating a consistent flow of traffic to your stand.

For more information on FREE training for members and to book your place visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

JULY/AUGUST 2015

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NORFOLK VOICE

World-class connectivity for Britain’s Business Parks.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Based in Cambridge, Bridge Fibre provides premium fibre connectivity to SMEs and larger enterprises.

We have worked extensively to develop services specifically designed for business parks, science parks and innovation centres as well as their tenants. In particular we specialise in providing business-grade internet connectivity services, offering cost-effective, high-speed internet access to meet the demands and requirements of all.

With a team of highly experienced IT professionals who have worked both in-house and with client companies at board level throughout their careers, we work directly with landlords and site management teams across the UK to provide tailored solutions to meet individual requirements. In developing a client base, our aim is to build a network of parks with strong, lasting relationships, whilst regularly

helping them every step of the way to grow and develop into successful communities.

Bridge Fibre are registered suppliers for the connecting cities voucher scheme where companies can apply for vouchers of up to £3,000 towards connection and any construction charges to provide superfast internet connections. We see this as a great

one-off opportunity for companies to get high speed, cost effective internet connections for themselves or as part of the park that they are on.

For more information on how we can help solve your connectivity issue visit www.bridgefibre.co.uk or call us on 01223 755055

Superfast Broadband for Norwich Forget the unpredictability of FTTC, get a fibre delivered and guaranteed connection at a level suitable to your business.

• Claim up to £3,000 towards the installation of business grade broadband • Specialists in group schemes for Landlords • Existing local supplier to Norwich Research Park and Hethel Engineering Centre

info@bridgefibre.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

01223 755055

Switching to superfast broadband… it’s easier than you think.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

In April 2015, Norwich went live as one of 22 UK SuperConnected cities who will benefit from faster and better high grade fibre broadband and Ethernet connections, in selected NR1 – NR9 postcodes.

The scheme allows small to medium sized Norfolk business to claim up to £3,000 to cover the capital and equipment costs of installation or upgrading their broadband (from 20 Mbps – 1 GB), via a voucher scheme that contributes towards the costs of connections.

Swains Plc, one of the UK’s premier providers of telecom and internet services, became the first Norfolk based company to be an approved supplier for this scheme, recognising the Connection Vouchers Scheme represented a great opportunity for Norwich businesses to review their current services, explore alternative solutions whilst enjoying an easy to apply for cash injection of upto £3,000 to improve their business’ communications data speeds.

Barry Ward, Sales Associate Director said, “Swains has always been at the forefront of developments. We want to help more Norwich SMEs work in the fast lane of business by providing the infrastructure, technical expertise and local market understanding they need.

This allows us to provide a well-supported and technically robust service for companies who wish to take advantage of the voucher scheme.

Working together with Norwich and Norfolk based technical talent, strengthens the delivery of the technology that Norwich SME’s needs to thrive. The scheme makes essential faster connectivity even more attainable.”

Barry Ward

Interested SMEs who meet certain criteria, can apply for a voucher by requesting a quote from a registered supplier, then completing and submitting an application form.

Norwich Businesses Go SuperFast Is sl w Broadband hurting your business?

Get up to £3000 off

Ask us for a FREE quote so you can apply for your Broadband Connection Voucher

Call 01603 952 002 or find out more at www.swainsplc.co.uk/gosuperfast Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)

Norfolk’s first Government Approved Installer

PAGE45

NORFOLK VOICE

NEW MEMBERS

New Members.

3sun Academy Ltd 01493 666266

www.3sungroup.co.uk Training Providers/Services

Bulliss & Ridgewell Ltd

Greenwood&Bell

MLM Multidisciplinary Consulting

01379 674515

01603 504340

www.greenwoodandbell.co.uk

www.mlm.uk.com

Marketing

Engineering

Hayfield Group Limited 07778 160063

01553 769687

www.hayfieldgroup.com

www.bullissandridgewell.co.uk

Coaching & Mentoring

N Harvey Bookkeeping Service 07580 739653

www.nhbookkeeping.co.uk Bookkeeping

Book Keeping

Human Capital Department Businesscoms Consultancy Ltd 01733 302 401

www.businesscoms.co.uk

01553 609968

www.humancaptialdept.com Human Resources Consultants

Norfolk Green 01553 776980

www.norfolkgreen.co.uk Transport

Telecommunications

Ironside Associates Ltd Chirp Communications Ltd 07989 949645

01603 702930

www.ironsideassociates.co.uk Security Consultants

Optem Ltd 07739 546888

www.optem.co.uk Business Support Services

www.chirpcomm.co.uk Communications

Kickstart Norfolk 01362 699923

Colour Print

www.kickstartmopeds.org.uk Travel Services

01603 488001

Plain Speaking Agency 01603 487291

www.plainspeakingpr.co.uk Public Relations

www.col-print.co.uk Printers

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd 01268 644259

www.konicaminolta.co.uk Cotton World

Manufacturing

PMP Recruitment 01553 818650

www.pmprecruitment.co.uk Recruitment

01760 336666

www.cottonworlduk.com Clothing - All

ECL Marketing

Leading Business Services Limited 01603 522028

Proserv Controls Ltd

www.leadingbusinessservices. co.uk

01493 652611

Business Services

Energy

01379 640601 Marketing

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www.proserv.com

MEMBERS NEWS

Bidwells and Meeson Williams Phillips merger.

Rostrons

There is also a synergy in Bidwells’ Planning team with the addition of Jonathan Phillips and Paul Semple from Meeson Williams Phillips. Jonathan is an acknowledged expert in the leisure and retail sectors acting for clients throughout the UK including the Azzurri Group, Dominos, Gordon Ramsay Group, Pizza Express and Stonegate Pub Company and Paul brings over 30 years’ experience of the public and private sector in Oxfordshire.

01603 619166

www.rostrons.com Accountancy Services

SG Corporate Services 01603 760 866

www.sgcorporateservices.co.uk Business Services

Small Claims Solutions 01603 959789

www.smallclaimssolutions.co.uk Debt Collection

Tudor Lodge Consultants

Meeson Williams Phillips has joined forces with Bidwells, in a move which has led to the creation of one of the largest multi-disciplined property consultancies in Oxford.

The move forms an important part of Bidwells’ business strategy which is to focus on the “Golden Triangle” (Oxford, Cambridge and London) – one of the most important clusters of science, technology and innovation in the world.

It brings together complementary expertise, particularly in the science, engineering and digital sectors where Meeson Williams Phillips has a strong representation from their occupier consultancy, as well as instructions on 10 business and science parks, including the globally important Harwell campus in Oxfordshire.

Over the last few months, Bidwells has expanded its Oxford office to meet the needs of its growing client base. The firm currently advises 12 Oxford Colleges, the University of Oxford as well as many businesses and land owners in the city and surrounding area.

Commenting on the merger, Patrick McMahon, Senior Partner at Bidwells said: “This is a perfect professional and cultural fit for us, as the move enables our clients to now access some of Oxford’s leading commercial and planning experts, as well as one of the country’s leading leisure and retail planning consultants.”

David Williams added: “As a team, we all felt there was an excellent synergy between our two firms, in terms of both culture and ambition and we believe the only changes our clients will see are positive ones - such as the enhancement of services.”

07792 331915

www.tudorlodgeconsultants.com Social Media

Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd

Cotton World leading the way with Eco Corporate Clothing.

01328 864633

and use public procurement to help support innovative businesses and products.”

www.wildfrontier-ecology.co.uk Consultants (Business/Management)

Your Own Place CIC 07530 028446

www.yourownplace.org.uk Social Enterprise

The Norfolk based clothing manufacturer Cotton World is proud to offer a collection of Eco Corporate Clothing, Workwear and Schoolwear constructed from industry leading Recycled fabrics.

George Freeman MP for Mid Norfolk and Minister for Life Sciences has featured the company’s Eco clothing in his Local Business Spotlight, commenting: “These items are sustainable and available at a competitive price and it seems to me that this great example of innovative business could be a great way to hep us reduce the environmental footprint of our public services

The Eco Corporate Clothing and Workwear adheres to the Global Recycle Standard (GRS).

Managing Director Gary M. Holley explains “we are leveraging the expertise of our Indian partners to provide a range of Recycled Cotton and Polyester blends to fulfil the varied needs of clients keen to bolster environmental credentials. We are able to offer product manufacture bespoke to client specifications from our facilities in the UK and India, alongside print and embroidery services on to readymade garments.”

Inspired by the Eco Schools initiative, part of Keep Britain Tidy, Cotton World is also commited to making Eco Schoolwear accessible and affordable to parents.

The company is an active member of the national Schoolwear Association, and is working closely with leading UK uniform manufacturers to offer blazers and jackets constructed from 100% post consumer Recycled Polyester, which have received Intertek Green Leaf certification, alongside Eco trousers, skirts, shorts, polo shirts and sweatshirts.

JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE47

NORFOLK VOICE

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF

A week in the Life of...

Jack Edwards - Membership Administrator

Monday

First thing on the agenda

this morning... Tea! After a hectic weekend of watching Norwich triumph over Ipswich in the Championship PlayOff Semi-Final I make a somewhat quiet start to the week by reading through my emails and publishing any stories that have been submitted on our website over the weekend. At 9am we have a short weekly staff meeting to keep one another informed of what we’re doing throughout the week.

The rest of my day consists mainly of working on our website. I’m concentrating today on ensuring the imagery on certain sections of the website is looking presentable and replacing anything that isn’t up to standard.

Tuesday

This morning I’m putting my skills in using Excel to the test. I will be pulling different reports from our CRM system and manipulating them through Excel to calculate our membership figures for this month. These figures are then passed onto our Assistant Accountant to merge into the Management Information report that is then submitted to the CEO. My afternoon will be spent sending out the 48 hour email ready for our ‘Chamber Catch-Up’ event on Thursday.

Wednesday

Jack Edwards

I hobble into work this morning, stiff as a board after playing 5-a-side football last night. Today I will be setting up any new members that have come in over the past couple of days. This task will see me setting up their membership, creating their event booking login and then putting together their welcome packs.

Thursday

They’ve let me out of the office! This morning I’m on my Fire Marshall training course, learning how to safely cope with evacuating the building, knowing which hydrants are best for different types of fires etc.

I arrive back at the office this afternoon just in time to sit in on the Business Manager’s ‘Chamber Catch-Up.’ We will be welcoming some members of the Chamber at our offices to sit down and explain what the Chamber can offer to help their businesses.

Friday

Today is the Chamber staff meeting. This is an extended meeting where we all get together to discuss how the month has gone. We also use this as an opportunity to brainstorm or plan anything that we have coming up over the next few months.

I end my week by checking my diary, and creating a to-do list for the following week before heading home for a nice relaxing weekend.

Alan Boswell Group awarded five stars. accolade unmatched by any other landlord Insurance provider. The awards recognise excellence in the private rented sector and the group is hopeful they can hold on to the title they first won in 2013.

Alan Boswell Group, a Top 20 UK independent insurance broker and financial planner has quietly gone about becoming one of the country’s top brokers for Landlords Insurance.

With more than 17,000 landlord clients, the business, formed in 1982 by Chairman Alan Boswell has built its customer base through a focus on both product and service.

This attention to detail has now been recognised by the industry with defaqto, the leading provider of independent research into financial products, awarding the group the highest possible defaqto rating, 5 stars, for three of their Landlord Insurance policies. No other company has more.

We have listened to our customers to deliver a product that, we feel, is outstanding in terms of quality of cover.”

Heath Alexander-Bew, Director of Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers, said “Our defaqto ratings reflect the effort we have put in to our policies.

The group have also been the recipient of Service Supplier of the Year from the Landlords & Lettings Awards for the past two years. An

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

But industry awards don’t tell the full story and the group has committed to finding out how their customers feel about their service levels and the quality of their products. Using third party review company, Feefo, to obtain real customer reviews they have been thrilled with the response from their clients. “It is early days but we currently have a service level score of 99%” said Heath.

The company are now investing in updating their online quote system and hiring a new team member dedicated to working with letting agents to improve service levels in this area of the industry.

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Advertise your business in Norfolk Voice Covering all of the major business areas in Norfolk (Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King´s Lynn & Lowestoft) Contact Kurt Blakey on t: 0845 887 3826 e: kurt.blakey@distinctivegroup.co.uk

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JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE49

PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

THE LAST WORD

The last word.

Name: Richard Pace Company: Norwich International Airport Job Title: Operations Director and

General Manager Biog: After 5 years in the Royal Air Force as an Air Traffic Control Officer, Richard joined Norwich International Airport as a civil air traffic controller in 1995. He was appointed as the General Manager Air Traffic Services in 2006 and progressed to Operations Director in 2009. Richard was promoted to General Manager in April 2015.

What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

My first job was a Royal Air Force Air Traffic Control Officer in 1989 and the salary was circa ÂŁ12k per annum.

What do you always carry with you to work?

I always carry my phone, tablet, emergency grab pack and chargers.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

As a smaller regional airport the biggest challenge is around proportional regulatory charges and in particular when significant capital expenditure is required to meet new regulatory requirements. The cost burden is disproportionate for regional airports.

If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business?

Whilst Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates are set (currently) at a national level, I would argue that they have a disproportionate impact on ticket fares from smaller airports. Hence, if I was Prime Minister I would abolish APD for regional airports.

All domestic and commercial flights are taxed on each leg of the journey and is commercially challenging for domestic services.

What can you see from your office window?

My office overlooks the main passenger apron and I can see across the airport.

If you could do another job, what would it be?

If I had not followed an aviation career my other interest was Law and a career as barrister or solicitor would have been very attractive.

As a business person, what are your three main qualities?

High degree of specialised operational and commercial knowledge in the airport sector Attention to detail Ability to balance the commercial decisions with the operating requirements of an airport.

What was your biggest mistake in business?

This is a difficult question to answer as the airport environment is highly regulated and

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

risk management is part of daily business and we strive to avoid making mistakes as far as practicable. That is not to say that I do not make mistakes. Every business will review staff and structure on a regular basis and sometimes staff who are beneficial to the business cannot be retained.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

I have not run my own company but based on my experience, have a credible and realistic 5 year business plan based on sound market research which stands up to scrutiny and understand the assumptions that the plan is built upon. Have total self-belief in the success and potential of your business and be prepared for many closed doors and setbacks before success is achieved.

Who do you admire most in business?

I admire Sir Peter Rigby as a successful self made businessman and now that Norwich airport is part of the Rigby Group I am learning a great deal from the opportunity to work for such a prominent and successful business man.

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