Norfolk Voice 38

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Unlocking 2017 A new year that will bring new challenges and new opportunities

Our Big Interview with John Whitehead, MD of Alan Boswell Group

Bobby Burrage, The Click, has the Last Word

Plus... Member News / International / Policy / Events NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

MARCH/APRIL 2016

JANUARYFEBRUARY 2017

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Contents 03

04/05

06/07

08/09

12/13

14/15

16/17

18/19

20/21

22/24

26/27

31

32

34/37

38/39

40

41

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CONTENTS

Welcome!

Well 2016 was an interesting year wasn’t it!

I use the word interesting rather tongue in cheek. It is well known that as a business community we like certainty in order to be able to plan our growth and our investment in both plant and people, and we have not had that in 2016. It is however great to see that, after a slight pause following Brexit, Norfolk businesses are once again moving forward… if rather cautiously.

Despite the political fun and games, the Norfolk Chamber had a pretty good year.

We had lots of fun celebrating our 120 year anniversary, finishing off the year being able, with your help, to support three projects which will support Norfolk’s young people with disadvantages, a continuing passion of ours - see page 13.

Our membership goes from strength to strength giving us the muscle power to be heard loud and clear at a local political level but also in Westminster. Recent events have shown, however, that our voice needs to be even louder and more insistent if we are to ensure that we build on the Norfolk we all value and not get pushed to the back of the line again. Our MPs event on 3 February, see page 35, is a good way to start so please do support us. Our networking events across Norfolk are becoming legendary, for all the right reasons, so do check out our forthcoming events on page 34.

CHAMBER NEWS

MEMBER NEWS

CHAMBER POLICY

MEMBER NEWS

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

FEATURE

BUSINESS SUPPORT

MEMBER NEWS

CHAMBER EVENTS

MEMBER NEWS

VIEW FROM THE BOARD

COVER FEATURE

FOCUS ON FINANCE

THE BIG INTERVIEW

MEMBERSHIP

NEW MEMBERS

THE LAST WORD

CHAMBER’S GOLD PATRONS

So what does 2017 hold? I am definitely not going to make any key predictions… but we have reviewed what we think are the big issues facing Norfolk businesses this year, see page 6. What you can be sure of is that the Norfolk Chamber and its network will be doing all we can to help you connect to new customers, upskill your staff, help you trade internationally, improve the local environment and help support our young people.

What is certain is that 2017 will have its ups and downs but after all, that is why we are in business, to embrace new challenges!

Norfolk Voice is a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce publication.

From all here at Norfolk Chamber we wish you a very prosperous 2017.

nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2384 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ADVERTISING

Norwich Office: 9 Norwich Business Park, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6DJ Tel: 01603 625977

John Neilson, Commercial Director Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 07813 874 970 email: john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk

ALL EDITORIAL AND GENERAL ENQUIRIES:

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

FEATURE EDITORS

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

John Dean & Francis Griss email:deangriss@btinternet.com DISCLAIMER: Distinctive Publishing or Norfolk Chamber 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 Chamber.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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How do you plan for the New Year?

As I write, 2016 is drawing to a close… the time of year when everybody starts to reflect on the previous 12 months, looking back on what has happened, and to start making plans for the next 12 months. I don’t think anybody could have predicted how we would be finishing 2016.

Who would have thought we would be leaving the European Union, have our second female Prime Minister, and to top it off President Elect Donald Trump would be getting ready to redecorate the White House! Whilst it may have been impossible to see this happening, what the last 12 months has surely taught everybody in business is that the only thing we can be certain of is that nobody can tell you exactly what will happen in the future.

With this in mind, how do you plan? A good question.

However for most of us who are busy doing the day to day job of supplying services and goods to our customers, we rarely get time to develop long term business strategies, never mind have time to create flexible adaptable strategies which we are constantly

reviewing and developing to meet ever changing market conditions. Yet this is what we now need to do.

As a member of Norfolk Chamber, one major benefit you have is that you are not alone. We can all learn from each other, with large global enterprises, to SMEs, to recently established start-ups all being in the Chamber membership. We have a real opportunity to ensure that best practice, new techniques and initiatives are spread within the membership so that we all succeed in these difficult trading times.

Whilst 2017 is no doubt going to be challenging whilst Brexit is being played out, it is also going to be quite an exciting time for our region. The NDR is planned to be open at the end of the year, the new rail franchise will start to develop, offshore wind farms will start construction, and further work on the promotion of Sizewell will continue.

The region has an exciting growth plan and it is essential if we are going to achieve this, that we all pull together to promote the benefits of both living and working in Norfolk.

Christmas at John Lewis.

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Jonathan Cage

President, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Norfolk Chamber Members TalkTapas!

John Lewis staff show off the latest fashion trends

Christmas came early to John Lewis on Thursday 1st December as over 70 Norfolk Chamber members and guests joined us for an exclusive shopping evening.

Guests were greeted with a welcome reception in the Place to Eat Restaurant, complete with festive drinks, nibbles and plenty of networking opportunities.

The store remained open until 8pm, while John Lewis offered a host of special activities and promotions to get everyone into the festive spirit.

The ‘Gift Gurus’ were on hand to take the stress out of Christmas shopping by offering a personalised shopping experience to all.

All who attended were entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a festive hamper. Dale Eagle, Regional Freight Services Ltd, and Melanie Howarth, Able Care Agency Ltd were the lucky winners of this year’s prizes!

Towards the end of 2016, Norfolk Chamber members joined us at Revolution de Cuba in Norwich for an evening of informal networking over cocktails and traditional tapas.

The event opened with an icebreaker to introduce delegates to each other. They were then treated to a selection of delicious

Like the sound of these events? Take a look at more upcoming events to kick off your New Year on page 34.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

tapas dishes, followed by an opportunity to network freely with each other.

Our next After Hours Event will be the popular ‘Superbowl Challenge’ on Thursday 26th January 2017.

Book individually or as a team: norfolkchamber.co.uk/events

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ChamberNews

Book now for the British Chambers Annual Conference 2017!

Networking opportunities

Join a high-level audience of business decision-makers, policy makers and the Chamber network on 28th February at the QEII Centre in London, for the British Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference.

A top-class programme that includes senior political personalities, business leaders, decision makers and opinion-formers from across the

Previous Speaker, Jeremy Corbyn MP

Expert panel debates

United Kingdom will discuss the following key themes:

network with other businesses and Chambers from across the UK.

n Growing Business in the Regions and Nations

Speakers at last year’s conference featured, amongst others:

n Brexit: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity n Keeping the UK Competitive – vision 2030

As Britain’s biggest and best ‘B2P’ – business to politicians – event, the BCC Annual Conference is an excellent opportunity for Chamber staff and members to keep up-to-date with the latest issues affecting British business, as well as

n The Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor

of the Exchequer

n The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the

Opposition

n The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State

for Business, Innovation & Skills

5 Visit www.bccconference.co.uk for more details of the event programme and to book.

Make sure you book before the 10th January 2017 for our early bird Chamber rate of £119 + VAT (a saving of 25%)!

Members get Festive in Norwich.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Businesses explore their ‘entrepreneurial mindset’.

Norfolk Chamber Members gathered at Great Yarmouth Racecourse for our last Business Breakfast of the year in Great Yarmouth.

Over 90 members joined us armed with Christmas jumpers for a morning of festive fun at Sprowston Manor at our annual Norwich Christmas Breakfast.

We had a variety of Christmas themed networking activities, including an ‘A-Z of Christmas’, a Christmas song drawing game and a Christmas Movie Quiz.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Featured charity East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices were very grateful for the amount of donated gifts and food from delegates to give to those in their hospices who are in need of a little magic this Christmas.

Our next Norwich Business Breakfast is on 23 February - see page 34.

The theme of the breakfast was based around Global Entrepreneurship Week and aimed to inspire an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’; enabling new opportunities and bringing innovation into your business.

The event was opened with a presentation from John Clare, Technicus Consulting, on behalf of our sponsors Norse. This was followed by our popular networking activity ‘Speed Safari Networking’.

Once guests had been treated to a delicious Full English breakfast, it was time to hear from our guest speaker Robert Ashton,

Barefoot, who expressed that to be successful in business, you need to have an entrepreneurial mindset; entrepreneurship is not a job, it’s a vocation!

Does this sound like an event you’d like to attend? Bookings are still open for our next Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast, on 19th January 2017.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Unlocking 2017.

A new year that will bring new challenges and new opportunities.

With the seismic events of 2016 behind us, it’s time to focus on how we build on them and seize the opportunities that the new year will bring us. As ever, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce will play a significant role in supporting, informing and representing the county’s businesses throughout the year. From networking, to training, to lobbying on your behalf at the highest national level, we’ll be keeping you up to date and up to speed with the issues that matter most to Norfolk.

And what will matter most to you in the new year? Here are our thoughts on three big issues that will be high on the agenda for 2017.

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Revolution in technology for business

Opportunities in international business

Connectivity for better business

Internationally and regionally the need for ever improving business communications remains paramount. 2017 will see the Chamber focus on our ‘Revolution in Technology’ campaign. It’s not just about understanding the latest technology, but more importantly helping our members to understand how it can be used to develop their businesses. Offering solutions to combatting cyber crime is very high on our agenda. Our region has seen some outstanding engagement by ‘early adopters’. Now we need to educate and encourage more ‘traditional’ companies to maximise the opportunities afforded by technology. One way we can do this will be through championing the work of TechEast and the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor, to enhance our tech sector.

International developments, notably the Brexit vote and the USA election, have had, and will continue to have, an impact on exchange rates.

Whilst there’s an irony in that a post Brexit ‘weak pound’ sounds like bad news, the fact is that our exporters will emerge as more competitive.

It’s an opportunity that the region’s businesses should grasp.

Chamber membership is all about connectivity, from the numerous networking opportunities, through training programmes such as The Chamber Sessions and The Training Room, to major political events that help give the region’s businesses a voice in the national debates. We’ll be here to represent you.

Our technology sector is as innovative and world class as any. Key to its development, and the growth of its customers, is awareness of what technology can do for businesses. We’ll be here to inform you, both throughout the year and with our headline Talking Tech event in September 2017.

As to the changes in the USA, the value of the pound could create more opportunities for UK companies to trade there, and encourage American businesses to invest here. We’re in uncharted waters but positivity will be vital; there will be openings, and we’ll be here to support.

Find out more about how our International Trade team can help you on page 17, or call us on 01603 729706.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

“2016 was a busy year for the Chamber, as we celebrated our 120th Anniversary. Now, we shift our focus to 2017 and these three key themes will be embodied throughout our work and lobbying to help make a difference for Norfolk’s businesses.”

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

CoverFeature Key events for 2017 will include:

The MPs Event Always one of the most important events in our calendar, the 2016 gathering saw more than 100 Norfolk businesses take part in this key debate.

2017 promises to be just as great an opportunity for Norfolk commerce to be heard. Hosted by the BBC’s Carole Walker the event will take place on Friday 3rd February, at The Holiday Inn, Norwich North.

It’s a vitally important and spirited occasion, giving members the exclusive chance to talk face to face with decision makers; a real opportunity to have an influence on the policies that shape our region and impact on our commerce.

Visit norfolkchamber.co.uk to book now for Friday 3 February, Holiday Inn Norwich North.

B2B Exhibition B2B is a significant event in every Norfolk businesses’ year. Every year has raised the bar, but 2016 was the most successful B2B ever. And 2017 is set to break even that record.

This essential event features over 100 top local businesses exhibiting their latest products, services and ideas.

Over 750 visitors enjoy top quality networking, exclusive offers and insightful talks and training.

It’s a ‘must do’ occasion and speaks volumes about the connectivity of the Chamber.

Make a diary date now Thursday 12 October, Norwich City Football Club.

Here comes 2017.

Let’s do business!

Written by Pete Goodrum JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Freebridge Community Fund supports seven special causes.

Freebridge Community Housing have donated almost £6000 to seven community groups across the region as part of their vision for ‘supporting a better West Norfolk’.

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Community groups which promote health and wellbeing, the environment, support residents or bring communities together can apply for up to £1000 for projects that have a positive impact within West Norfolk.

Recipients were invited to lunch with the judging panel made up of staff and tenants, where they had the chance to share their charities cause and the plans they have for the donation.

Tony Hall, Chief Executive of Freebridge, said: “This fund is all about helping people, and it reflects our vision of supporting a better West Norfolk. The local

nature of the fund gives us the opportunity to offer support to the grass roots level that needs it most.

“Once again this year we have allocated funds to some much deserving and hard-working charities, who will use the money to improve the lives of many people in our region.”

One such charity is Friends in Bereavement, a free confidential service which offers comfort and support to the bereaved. They received £800 from Freebridge and these vital funds will help the charity to continue their work.

Gillian Porter from Friends in Bereavement said: “We had been to other places to try and get funding and then we were recommended that Freebridge may be able to help. This grant will go towards continuing to allocate supervision and for the training of our staff.”

Aston Shaw sponsors artist's exhibition.

Image Display create bright new look for Electronica 2016.

When it comes to semiconductors, sensors, printed circuit boards, connectors or displays, the Electronica exhibition is the best place to find out first which components, systems and applications are made possible by the latest developments.

More than 2,700 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors converged on Messe Munchen, to see the entire world of electronics on show in Germany.

To maximise their impact, Chamber member Image Display have been working with Norwich based HolyStone (Europe) Limited, in collaboration with their advertising agency, One Agency.

This year Image Display retired their previous stand design, which although it had served them well for four successive shows, was beginning to look a little dated.

In its place they rolled out a new, more contemporary design which incorporated some appropriate modern technology and innovation.

Aston Shaw were this year’s corporate sponsors of renowned local artist David Dane’s latest exhibition ‘Visions’.

It has been two years since David last presented an exhibition of his distinctive paintings. A long-term client of Aston Shaw and much loved Norfolk resident, David’s depictions of the Norfolk Broads and surrounding rural landscape have been displayed worldwide.

In 2015, David suffered the worst possible tragedy, the loss of his beloved son. This has forever changed the artist’s life and has had a major influence on David’s craft; his most recent works invoke an undeniable sense of spirituality. ‘Visions’ was very much in homage to his late son, William.

Over the past forty years or so, David has been interpreting the Broadland scenery in his own mystical style. His remarkable talent has propelled him to become one of the best-selling artists of fine art prints in the UK. His most famous piece is the ‘Romantic Mill’ which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies.

Discounted healthcare plans for your employees. Visit www.norfolkchamber. co.uk for details.

David Dane Aston Shaw director Dominic Shaw said: “We are really proud to be associated with David and to have the opportunity to support him and his extraordinary talent.”

‘Visions’, a new collection of original paintings and high-quality Giclée prints, was held at one of the most beautiful venues on the Norfolk Broads, “The Boathouse”.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

MemberNews Andrew Smith becomes a Partner at the Practice.

Eye Film rebrands and launches new website.

Norwich based video production company, Eye For Business, has completed a major rebrand and now Eye Film is launching its new website just in time for the release of its latest TV project, Bare Roots, coproduced with Mustard TV as part of BBC East’s ‘Inside Out’ Programme.

Managing Director Charlie Gauvain said: “Having been around for over 40 years the company’s reinvented itself many times over. But, after Frank Prendergast, the founding director, died in 2013, it’s taken a while to come to terms with losing someone so important and to identify the direction in which we wanted to go. We are bringing together the two strands of the business: one area working primarily on broadcast projects and the other producing high quality corporate video and training services. The new

Eye Film Video Production

Andrew Smith, centre

‘Bare Roots’ as Eye Film refer to the eight minute film, formed part of the BBC’s ‘Inside Out’ programme following a chance meeting between Eye Film and an entrepreneur who created, designed and built a vertical, soilless growing system in his own kitchen, sparked an interest in this potential agricultural revolution.

Paul Robinson Partnership LLP have announced that Andrew Smith has become a Partner at the Practice, alongside Bruce Hart and Simon Nicholas.

Eye Film, based in Norwich but operating across the UK, produce everything from feature films to television documentaries, promotional films to training videos and everything in-between. Telling stories for over 40 years, they help their clients capture the power of video marketing with engaging, creative and dynamic approaches.

The Practice has been running for more than 40 years and Andrew has built strong relationships with local businesses for the past 20 years. Having been an Associate for the last 8 years, it is with great pleasure that he is now a Partner.

rebrand and website sees these two come together and we’re excited to have a raft of new projects to celebrate with.”

Norfolk Skills and Careers Festival returns for 2017.

The Norfolk Skills and Careers Festival is back for its second year on 8-9 March 2017 at the Norfolk Showground. The interactive event is aimed at 14-24 year olds to help inspire them for their future career and to demonstrate the various options available. It will be the only major skills and careers event to take place in Norfolk in 2017.

Andrew said: “I’ve always valued the faith and support the partners have given staff, allowing everyone to work to their strengths on all types of projects, whether it be a contemporary architectural brief, interior design or technical detailing.”

“This has allowed me to enjoy running all types of projects, especially in recent years developing my conservation remit.

Alongside Bruce and Simon, I intend to encourage and drive this and help to build upon our architectural portfolio with our strong national workload in the holiday and leisure industry.”

Last year’s event attracted 52 schools from across the county and over 2800 students attended in total.

The Festival will be structured around all the major employment sectors and had over 50 businesses exhibiting.

To book your stand or to find out about sponsorship opportunities visit: www.norfolkskills.co.uk

Great networking opportunities at our breakfasts, informal evening events and business exhibitions. Visit www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/events to book.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

9

Advertising

Winter weather.

Every year thousands of homes are badly affected by winter weather.

In many cases the inconvenience, distress and cost caused by damage can be prevented. By carrying out a simple visual inspection of your property every year, you can tell very easily if something doesn’t look right. For example be on the lookout for: n Slipped slates or missing tiles on your roof,

insurers will expect you to keep your home in a good state of repair, to keep policy coverage fully in force

n Plant life growing out of your gutters - this

will prevent damage to brick and plasterwork from overflowing rainwater

n Check on metal water tanks to ensure they

are not corroding, the cold weather can cause issues which lead to leaks

n A rotted fence or leaning wall – prone to

collapse when the wind blows!

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These visual checks cost nothing and give you the opportunity to call in a tradesman or carry out maintenance works to prevent damage.

If your home is affected by the winter weather you should contact your broker or insurer as soon as possible, if you suffer damage that is likely to be subject to a claim. If you are a Hugh J Boswell client our helpful claims team will be able offer support and expert advice on what needs to be done. It might also be useful to review your policy

documents to ensure you have sufficient cover.d how this affects you and your business.

Contact us, and keep up to date with more fundraising, through Twitter, Facebook, phone or by visiting www.hughjboswell.co.uk.

A chartered insurance broker with values

Independence • Trust • Customer Commitment Professionalism • Innovation

0576 Chamber Ad 2016 V0_2.indd 1 NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

08/12/2016 17:55 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

What are Tech Innovators developing?

This month’s article focuses on some of the leading tech companies (namely Apple, Google, Facebook and Snapchat), and particularly the patents they are filing and the technology that they are developing. Several fields of technology crop up regularly including smart home connectivity, machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience optimisation. select any of four respective virtual buttons or twisting your thumb and forefinger together to turn a virtual dial up or down.

There is also a patent describing how (possibly using additional sensors or pressure pads linked to a transmitting electronic device) physical contact can be recorded on one device and communicated to, and recreated on another. Such a system would aim to recreate physical contact (for example holding hands) when the users are not in the same location.

Apple Machine learning and artificial intelligence technology is prevalent in Apple’s recent patent filings, specifically the ability to predict desired outcomes by interpreting a user’s library of personal information stored both on a physical device and in the cloud. For example, the device could predict future destinations, or preferred routes to a destination based on interpreted user data and the time of day, weather etc.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is also a recurring topic with Apple filing a patent for a mobile app that acts as a central IoT Hub for all IoT consumer devices. This would provide a single communication and control platform for all connected devices, and bring consumers one step closer to the fully integrated, mobile-controlled smart home.

Google are also filing many patents related to smart home technology, including software which uses advanced voice recognition to operate home appliances, safety detection systems which send alerts to your smart device if motion/ smoke/wind/water are detected and several patents on how integrated neural networks can be used to interpret user behaviour and predict future commands.

Facebook Facebook is continuing to enhance its user experience by filing numerous patents on the topic of content generation, specifically how to improve the targeting of advertisements, how content that may be mutually of interest to two or more connected users can be displayed interactively and how embedded content and videos can be better accessed across multiple electronic devices.

Given Apple’s advancements in machine learning/AI technology, a future IoT Hub could potentially learn to make automatic decisions based on historical user preferences and currently available data, for example automatically optimising the energy efficiency of appliances based on typical use, and automatically ordering replacements of depleted household supplies with no user input.

Slightly further from its core business Facebook has also filed a patent for wearable technology, specifically a flexible strap system for a head-mounted smartphone display suggesting that Facebook may be planning to launch a version of its platform that can be viewed/ navigated through a virtual reality head mount.

Google

A recent Snap patent describes a video communications service (such as FaceTime or Skype) but that incorporates an automatic payment platform. For example, an advisor charging by the hour could be called by a client who would be automatically charged the correct

A number of Google’s recent patents explore ways of electronically recognising, transmitting and even recreating physical actions, for example pressing your thumb against any of your four fingers to JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

professional fee for the length of the call upon completion.

Object and facial recognition also appear to be important topics for Snap, being the topic of several recent patent filings. One such patent has been filed describing how the recognition of objects could lead to the generation of automatic filters or advertisers’ content (eg a coffee cup recognised in a Snap image or video could generate a coffee brand’s filter/advert).

Patents for facial recognition software able to blur out individuals who have selected privacy settings have also been filed. This could potentially mean that Snap Live Stories that have been filmed in public places (eg a concert) may be able to recognise other users that appear in the background and automatically blur their faces before

going live if the recognised user has selected the relevant privacy setting. It could be an interesting development in the often-debated topic of online privacy.

End note Given the sheer volume of R&D projects within these companies, no doubt some of these patents will not be developed beyond the concept stage, but equally some may shortly end up on our smartphones in the not-too-distant future. To discuss protecting the new technological developments within your business, please get in touch with the ip21 team.

Richard Jones MBA DipPC CMgr MCMI Business Relationship Manager for ip21 Ltd

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A specialist Intellectual Property company that moves with the times At ip21 we pride ourselves on offering a full range of IP services, as well as IP advice and support tailored to the commercial benefit of our clients.

• Patents • Trademarks • Licensing • Design Rights • Litigation • IP Strategy • IP Valuation • IP Budgeting

Snap Inc (Snapchat) Intellectual Property Specialists Offices in Norwich, London, Chelmsford and Bury St Edmunds Tel: +44 (0) 1603 457008 Email: info@ip21.co.uk www.ip21.co.uk

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Hundreds of students explore careers through ‘Your Future’.

In 2016, Norfolk Chamber supported more than 1,250 students to explore their future careers and understand more about local businesses.

Thank you to all the businesses involved (too many to mention here!) and the following educational establishments for partnering with

us: Wymondham College, Open Academy, Old Buckenham High School, University Technical College Norfolk, Great Yarmouth College.

If your school is interested in our support to deliver a Your Future Career Event for FREE please contact Philippa Bindley: philippa.bindley@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Get your business in the Heathrow supply chain.

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Peter Brown, Jonathan Cage, Chris Spinks, Alistair Willis and Karen Paterson

Chamber launch Transport & Infrastructure Group.

Norfolk Chamber has launched a new Transport and Infrastructure Group. The aim of the group is to consider all aspects of transport and infrastructure that impact on Norfolk businesses being able to grow. They will look to lobby and influence the decision makers to gain improvements for the benefit of business in Norfolk and ensure that the views of business are heard.

Members of the group include Norse, Aviva, Westcotec, Jack Richards & Sons and is chaired by the Chamber President, Jonathan Cage, Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers.

All agreed that reliability of Norfolk’s transport systems is paramount to most businesses. The group also want to look at how technology will play a key role in

the future of transport. Topics to be covered at future meetings include: improvements to the A47; Norwich city connectivity; rail links from both Norwich and King’s Lynn to London; and how to make the most of the A47 and A11 growth corridors.

Jonathan Cage said: “We want to ensure that Norfolk has transport infrastructure that is fit for the 21st century. Journey time reliability, safer roads and fast efficient rail services would enable local businesses to deliver economic growth and jobs for our region.”

If you have a Norfolk transport or infrastructure issue that you would like the group to consider, please email details to: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Jonathan Cage, President of Norfolk Chamber said: “It is important that Norfolk businesses, especially SMEs, take advantage of the opportunities that large scale projects such as the expansion of Heathrow could deliver. Whilst a large scale international company is likely to be the lead, there are still plenty of opportunities for Norfolk based companies to subcontract and supply specialist knowledge, skills and demonstrate good use of innovation and technology.”

Visit www.heathrowairport. com/about-us/partners-andsuppliers

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ChamberPolicy

Chamber Community Fund supports three local projects.

In uncertain times, what can the Bank of England do?

It is true that our policies alone can’t deliver prosperity, but we can lay the foundations for it.

By targeting sustainable, low inflation, we aim to smooth the process of adjustment, stabilising growth and supporting jobs in the wake of much larger forces.

Rebecca White, Your Own Place CIC, Mike Smith-Clare, Cathy Cordiner-Achenbach and Pamela Simpson, The Bread Kitchen CIC, Robert Lancaster, Mancroft Advice Project

Throughout our 120th Anniversary year in 2016, we encouraged our members to donate to our Chamber Community Fund. The aim of the fund was to help support projects which help Norfolk’s young people, aged 16-25, who are facing particular challenges in accessing employment or training, or developing their skills.

We are delighted to announce that, thanks to your contributions, as well as the Chamber matching donations pound-for-pound, we have awarded nearly £6,000 to three projects in Norfolk. The successful projects are: n Mancroft Advice Project – to run the UP! Project

which aims to support young people in Norwich to help them become more employable and closer to or in employment or training. This will be done through 2 hour intensive sessions with young people to cover mentoring, interview and CV skills, as well as peer support. Each young person will attend an average of 3 sessions a year, providing sustained engagement to make a real difference.

n The Bread Kitchen CIC – to run monthly ‘Skills

Days’ in Great Yarmouth with marginalised young people. These days will provide relevant training in a range of areas such as conflict resolution, establishing positive relationships, independent living, money management, and preparing for employment.

n Your Own Place CIC – to support unemployed

young people in the Norwich area who are at most risk of homelessness with supported work tasters and guidance. The organisation will create bespoke frameworks to suit the young person’s needs, and employ a Project Coordinator to support them through each day.

Chamber awarded New Anglia Youth Pledge Marque.

Norfolk Chamber are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the New Anglia Youth Pledge Marque, by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. We have been recognised for our commitment to apprenticeships, work experience, and active support for the Enterprise Adviser Network.

This new scheme wants to recognise the contribution of businesses to enhancing the life and work prospects of young people across East Anglia. The Marque is awarded to businesses who are committed to support

the future workforce, better align skills with enterprise, and in turn grow our economy.

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive at Norfolk Chamber, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the New Anglia Youth Pledge Marque. We have been committed to supporting young people for 120 years and counting. I encourage our members to look at how their organisation can help develop young people, and embrace it as an opportunity not just for them but also for your business.”

For more details and how to apply for the Marque, visit: newanglia.co.uk/new-anglia-youth-pledge-marque

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Evidence from a range of measures that the Bank looks at suggests uncertainty has been higher than normal since the June 2016 referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

Yet, despite that, the economy has continued to perform more strongly than many – including the Bank of England – had expected.

For some contacts I talk to – especially at smaller companies – this will come as little surprise: many of them are simply getting on with doing business for the time being.

Businesses have also seen the cost of borrowing fall. But those businesses will only invest if they are confident about the outlook. And, as I said earlier, some tell us they remain quite cautious.

A survey carried out by the Bank’s network of Regional Agents and completed by many companies here in East Anglia suggests investment by companies will be at best stable or maybe a bit lower in the year ahead.

By Phil Eckersley

The Bank of England’s Agent for the South East and East Anglia

To read the full article, visit bit.ly/uncertaintimes Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Advertising

Companies to be supported by innovative strategy.

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The Government has announced a series of funding initiatives to support its Industrial Strategy and help companies develop new services and products.

Ministers say that the idea is to help companies take bright ideas from concept to hard commercial reality.

The plans include: n increases in government

investment worth £2 billion per year by 2020 for research and development, to ensure British business remains at the cutting edge of scientific and technological discovery

n a new Industrial Strategy

Challenge Fund to back priority technologies – such as robotics and biotechnology – where the UK has the potential to turn strengths in research into a global industrial and commercial lead

n a review of current R&D tax

incentives to ensure the global competitiveness of the UK as a home for scientists, innovators and tech investors

Prime Minister Theresa May told the recent CBI Annual Conference: “It is a new way of thinking for government – a new approach.

It is about government stepping up, not stepping back, building on our strengths, and helping Britain overcome the long-standing challenges in our economy that have held us back for too long.

“It is not about propping up failing industries or picking winners, but creating the conditions where winners can emerge and grow.

“It is about backing those winners all the way, to encourage them to invest in the long-term future of Britain.”

The new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, overseen by UK Research and Innovation, will back projects covering a number of priority technologies and help Britain build on existing strengths in research and development.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The Government has been consulting on how the fund can best support emerging fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence, industrial biotechnology and medical technology, satellites, advanced materials manufacturing and other areas where the UK has a proven scientific strength and there is a significant economic opportunity for commercialisation.

To realise the full economic potential of these new technologies, the Prime Minister also announced a review of the support for organisations undertaking research through the tax system.

The Government’s business and tax reforms since 2010 have already delivered one of the most competitive corporate tax regimes in the world by cutting corporation tax and increasing R&D tax credits – from £1 billion to almost £2.5 billion a year.

Research shows each £1 spent on R&D tax credits stimulates between £1.53 and £2.35 of additional investment in the UK.

It is a new way of thinking for government – a new approach. It is about government stepping up, not stepping back, building on our strengths, and helping Britain overcome the long-standing challenges in our economy that have held us back for too long.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

FinanceFocus PROFESSIONAL BOOKKEEPING THAT YOU CAN RELY ON

Lloyds Bank Cardnet would like to introduce The Clover™ point of sale system which offers a smarter way for SMEs to accept payments.

Clover allows businesses to accept a broad range of payments, keep track of your business, and get the customer insight you need to work smarter, allowing you to spend less time on operations and administration, and more time making your business a success.

Clover combines considered design with a user-friendly interface to fit right into your business. Clover is powered by cloud-based software in a choice of two levels, Terminal and Register. Software updates are automatically delivered to your Clover device, so you’ll always have the latest version and strongest security features.

• Quality Bookkeeping Services • Tax Returns • Limited Company Accounts • Payroll Services • PAYE • Plus many other accounting services

01603 812 568

www.mabarton-bookkeepingandaccounts.co.uk 41 Central Crescent, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 3EP

Please see https://lloydsbankcardnet.com/payment-services/ face-to-face/clover/ for further details.

If you would like to speak to Lloyds Bank about how we can support your businesses card acceptance requirements, please get in touch with me on 07809 585074 or email me at suzie.stubbing@lloydsbanking.com and I would be delighted to introduce my colleagues who can support in this specialist area.

Suzie Stubbing

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Autumn Statement 2016 Philip Hammond failed to produce any big surprises with his first Autumn Statement.

The most important news on income tax is the increase in personal allowances. Raising the personal allowance over the last 6 years has already taken 4 million people out of income tax altogether and this will accelerate with another increase to £11,500 from April 2017. This, coupled with a rise in the national living wage to £7.50 per hour, means good news for low earners.

The Chancellor has also committed to increasing the higher rate tax threshold from the current limit of £43,000 to £50,000 by the end of Parliament, which will benefit middle earners.

It was also widely reported that salary sacrifice schemes would be brought to an end in this year’s Statement. However, the most valuable schemes available, including childcare, cycle to work schemes and arrangements relating to pensions, have, for now, been given a reprieve.

Looking to the future, we expect to see some significant changes that will affect the wider economy including tax avoidance sanctions and deterrents, and plans to make taxation fairer between business entities. Impending consultations would suggest that a shake-up concerning benefits in kind is also imminent.

On the subject of changes, we are waiting with bated breath for January 2017 when the Government will publish its response to the Making Tax Digital consultations and provisions to implement the previously announced changes.

Chloe Bliss, Tax Senior

Although the details of the Statement were fairly predictable, Philip Hammond did surprise us with his final announcement - that this was his last Autumn Statement.

For a moment he had us all thinking that he was stepping down, but it turned out that, going forward, the Autumn Statement will be replaced by an Autumn Budget giving us more time to consider the implications of the announced changes before they are upon us.

This does mean that next year we get two Budgets (one in spring and one in autumn), with the following spring Budget being replaced with a spring Statement.

We will see if this will mean double changes in 2017.

If you have any queries with regards to this, please contact me at chloe.bliss@larking-gowen.co.uk or call 01603 624181.

This article is designed for the information of readers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, information contained in this article may not be comprehensive and recipients should not act upon it without seeking professional advice. Larking Gowen is registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ©Larking Gowen.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Brexit reflections, from the BCC Director General.

By Dr Adam Marshall, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)

No one, least of all myself, can yet predict either the political endgame or the ultimate economic impacts of the transition that lies ahead.

Most of the pronouncements we have seen and heard so far are little more than political warning shots, with the heavy artillery and the precision weapons held in reserve for later. They may make waves in the British and international press, but until Article 50 is triggered by the end of March 2017, and the exit process is well underway, many of these positions are just speculative.

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There are a number of areas that are of prime importance to business:

Trade There is universal agreement across government that Britain’s future is as “a trading nation”. Yet that is where the consensus ends. Many Brexiteers want a full exit from the EU customs union, eschew access to the single market, and favour the conclusion of free trade agreements with our traditional allies and the Commonwealth. Others speak more cautiously about maintaining single market access, particularly in sensitive sectors like financial services, and prioritising an in-depth agreement with the EU over free trade agreements elsewhere.

There are a number of nations who will want to do a trade deal with the UK in future - although most are careful to say that this can only take place after we leave the EU. Even where there’s a will, there is caution - which will likely keep talks informal for now.

What’s most interesting is that, in this era of protectionism and conflicting interests, many also express a private belief that doing a trade deal with the UK will be

easier than doing a deal with the EU, as one country is easier to reach agreement with than 27.

So there are some who believe that there is a real opportunity to increase the flows of two-way trade between the UK and a range of other countries, something that we must continue to explore. Our growing network of British Chambers and business groups in markets around the world will be key partners in helping to seek out intelligence and opportunities in this regard.

Labour market Of all the Brexit-related subjects we’re dealing with, this is the most pressing one for many of the UK and multinational firms we speak to, and possibly the most frustrating for me.

We continue to call for guarantees for existing EU workers in the UK. It’s the right thing to do for our businesses, for the economy and for the individuals concerned.

Ministers, even those sympathetic to our arguments, demur. They insist on their responsibility to British citizens living elsewhere in the EU, and that formal guarantees can only be made when both issues are resolved. The issue with this “bargaining chip” approach when it comes to existing EU workers is that businesses are left with unacceptable levels of uncertainty about their workforce planning.

My present worry is a short-term crackdown on non-EU skilled workers and students - so that ministers can say they are making progress on migration. We will have to fight this as a business

community, to protect both the interests of our firms and the universities and colleges that serve as anchors for many local economies and as links to many markets around the world.

Regulation Good news here. Regulatory stability, at least in the short-tomedium term, looks to be the order of the day. Businesses around the UK, and those they trade with around the world, cite potential regulatory instability during the Brexit transition as a key concern.

Ministers have, to date, sensibly spoken of maintaining regulatory equivalence for a period of time, including bringing forward a Great Repeal Bill, to transpose all existing EU law into the UK statute books before we leave the European Union.

The early talk is of making regulatory change as painless as possible - a good aspiration when compared to the long history of burdensome, resource-sapping regulatory change that businesses have often faced.

EU funding Here, the Chamber Network has already had a significant - if incomplete - win. Following on from our protests about the impact of the potential withdrawal of EU funding for key local growth projects, research collaborations and infrastructure schemes, Chancellor Philip Hammond responded with a swift Treasury guarantee for all projects signed off by Autumn 2016.

This will keep many local projects, as well as match-funded schemes

Are you considering trading in new markets? Don’t miss our free events on Doing Business in Saudi Arabia and Japan - see page 37 for more details.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

for trade with other countries, going until the end of the current parliament in 2020.

Taxation and customs Indirect taxes, such as VAT, and questions of origin, are important concerns for UK companies doing business across Europe and beyond - during the Brexit transition.

While the UK itself is very likely to adopt much of the EU Union Customs Code as a point of departure, there will be opportunities to sharpen and improve some elements of this in the interests of our importing and exporting firms. While it is still very early days, the Chambers of Commerce plan to engage at both political and technical levels to achieve a good outcome for businesses and the Chambers that support them.

The Prime Minister and her team have a real chance to craft a bespoke set of arrangements that are both advantageous to UK firms and acceptable to our trading partners in the EU and beyond.

The diverse businesses in the Chamber Network are – rightly – focused on the impact of our transition on their own business models and prospects. They expect HM Government and the Bank of England to deliver stability of markets, further clarity on the timetable for transition, and firm action on those matters that are entirely within Westminster’s gift.

Calm, rational consideration is the order of the day.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

InternationalTrade International Trade Training Courses.

Whether you’re just getting started at exporting, or looking for a refresher, these sessions will help you feel prepared to do business internationally.

Forthcoming dates and topics:

International Trade Services.

January 2017

Many of you who know the International Trade Team at Norfolk Chamber will be fully aware of the documentation service that we provide, especially our online service ‘e-zCert’. But for those of you who don’t know us too well – we offer a lot more than just documentation assistance.

Our services are not just available to members of Norfolk Chamber – any exporting company in Norfolk can obtain our help and guidance, however members receive up to a 50% discount on the cost of the services.

with 99% of the work being carried out by email within a week. We can also arrange for an interpreter to be available to you for meetings, conference calls or events.

Here are the highlights about our most popular services:

Letter of Credit Service

Stationery We hold stocks of most of the blank forms that an exporter will need, such as Certificates of Origin, EUR1s, ATRs, Country specific Invoices like Caricoms and C16s, Shipping and Dangerous Goods notes, Incoterms Booklets and much more. No need to search the internet for suppliers, as we store them all here at our Norwich office, where you can either collect them, or we can send them out in the post to you the same day that you order.

Training We deliver a wide range of training courses relating to International Trade. Some of these courses are now accredited, so when a delegate attends six of these sessions they receive a Foundation Certificate from the British Chambers of Commerce. Topics cover export documentation, letters of credit and other payment methods, customs procedures and much more. The courses are repeated twice a year, so if you can’t make one date, it won’t be long before we run it again.

Translations We have a huge database of qualified, registered translators who are regulated by either the Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translators and Interpreters. Our service is renowned for its speed,

Are you losing out on potential business by avoiding the use of Letters of Credit? This could be because you don’t understand their use, have heard worrying stories about payment being delayed, or simply have no idea how to use them. With the exception of full payment in advance, Letters of Credit are one of the most guaranteed forms of payment. We provide a service that takes your L/C and deals with everything on your behalf – you don’t have to worry about a thing. The service includes everything from arranging the shipment, preparing the documents and, where necessary, getting them certified and legalised, liaising with the bank all the way through to the final payment, which goes straight into your bank account.

ATA Carnets A carnet is a customs document that acts as a ‘Passport for Goods’ which are exported temporarily.

If you are taking part in an overseas Trade Fair or Exhibition, you may be able to use a carnet to simplify the procedure of taking the goods through customs, without having to lodge large deposits of money to cover the duty. A carnet could also be used if you are taking Commercial Samples overseas for demonstration purposes. When you pay duty for temporary exports, it can take several months after the goods have returned, to claim this back from customs. The carnet cost simplifies this process and can be considerably less than the duty you would normally pay. It eliminates the hassle of getting through customs in the first place.

Visit norfolkchamber.co.uk/export for more information, or get in touch with the team by calling 01603 729712 or emailing export@norfolkchamber.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

11th

Understanding Exporting*

25th

Letters of Credit / Methods of Payment*

February 2017 8th

Customs Procedures and Documentation*

8th

Preference Rules of Origin*

15th

Export Documentation*

Courses marked with * form part of the British Chambers of Commerce Accredited Courses

Hear from our members what they think…

“As a company that has received two Queen’s Awards for Export in recent years, we are keen to source training to enhance our knowledge and procedures to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations for international trade. We have attended several courses organised by The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce which are proving to be beneficial for our business operations and will hopefully assist us to trade successfully overseas for many more years to come.”

James Eman, Applied Acoustic Engineering Ltd To book, visit norfolkchamber. co.uk/export

Get 25% off training through the ETIP Scheme until end of February 2017 – visit norfolkchamber.

co.uk/etip

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Local travel group donates volunteering hours to Independence Matters.

Doosan Global Business Forum

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Independence Matters has been chosen to receive volunteering hours as part of a local travel group’s anniversary celebrations.

Production Bureau wins two industry Awards at the EVCOM Live Awards In London.

Premier Travel has branches throughout East Anglia and is celebrating a milestone 80 years in the travel industry by donating volunteering hours to help community projects and charities in the region.

Production Bureau recently scooped two Awards at the Events & Visual Communication Association (EVCOM) Live Awards held at Supernova in London.

Production Bureau were successful in two categories: AV/Production Supplier and Use of Venue. The Awards recognised the company’s execution of the Doosan Global Business Forum, held during July 2016 at The Gleneagles Hotel. Production Bureau

Jo Peacock and Steve Cox from the travel group met with staff and members at Dereham Community Hub in 2016 for a tour of the building and to decide how the volunteering time should be used. It was agreed that they would help with a number of outdoor tasks including painting external doors ready for the winter.

transformed the resort’s tennis centre into a high specification conference space for the prestigous event.

Their reputation for delivering such creative production for a wide variety of high profile events during 2016, has seen Production Bureau grow their team significantly. The company now employs 60 staff across two sites in Norwich and Edinburgh.

New website launch.

Growth leads to double appointment at TaxAssist Accountants Norwich Shop.

Norwich small business specialist, TaxAssist Accountants on Aylsham Road, is celebrating a double appointment to its five strong team. The practice, part of the Norwich-based franchise of independently owned businesses providing tax and accountancy advice to small businesses across the UK, has made the appointments follow a period of significant growth.

Norwich Print Solutions have announced the launch of their new website: www. norwichprintsolutions.co.uk.

The aim was to create an engaging and user friendly site which clearly demonstrates the wide range of exceptional value, high quality products and services they offer.

Robin Johnson took over TaxAssist Accountants in Norwich in 2012 and, in the face of challenging economic conditions, has seen a ten per cent rise in business year-on-year and client numbers top 400.

In response, he has appointed Jennie Douse and Liz Andrews, who each have a wealth of knowledge in the industry, to join the team as accountant and bookkeeper respectively.

“At a time when demand for our services continues to grow, I am delighted to welcome Jennie and Liz to our team – they are already proving to be real assets and we’ve had great feedback from our clients,” said Robin.

“Alongside the new staff members, we’ve also introduced a cloud-based solution for clients which allows us to do things quicker and provide real time information, as well as quarterly and annual reports. It’s proved really popular with many of our existing clients

Robin Johnson and I’m confident more and more clients will come to us with the new technology in place.”

With the new staff appointments and technology, Robin is looking to recruit further in the new year and is also planning to open a second shop in the city.

TaxAssist Accountants Norwich is a local business itself, operating across Norwich providing tax and accountancy advice and services to over 400 small businesses.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Have you got a good news story to share?

Chamber members can publish on our website for free!

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

MemberNews

Local marketing firm makes an exhibition of itself.

Nothing artificial about this digital marketing relationship.

One way to grow a business is by spotting a new niche and diversifying. That’s exactly what one local forward-thinking marketing agency has done with the launch of their new website inkonfabric.co.uk.

For the past three years, Example Marketing and Web Design has been working with businesses across Norfolk to help get them noticed by potential customers. One aspect of that work is helping business owners get the most from exhibiting at trade fairs and events.

Owner Emma Raines said: “We’re often contacted by businesses who’ve booked space at a trade show, but have no idea how to make the most of the opportunity. One of the things we help them with is making sure their stand has impact and looks great – first impressions are really important.

Through researching options available for good value exhibition kit that can be reused at a number of different events, we identified the Ink on Fabric range as one of the very best solutions.”

Fabric exhibition stands are fairly new to the market. The basic design is a lightweight aluminium frame with a printed fabric cover that’s simply slipped over the top and zipped in place.

They’re proving to be an excellent alternative to traditional pop up curve stands and roller banners.

Chamber member, Metalfrog Studios, have joined forces with Easigrass. As the ‘number one’ award-winning artificial grass company worldwide, Easigrass said it makes absolute sense to appoint a digital marketing partner that is also committed to excellence at every stage of the customer experience.

Introducing the next generation of fabric exhibition stands

Help EACH achieve their vision for families in Norfolk.

The building at Quidenham is old and the charity can’t develop the site more than they already have. EACH believes families in Norfolk need to receive the very best services and to do this they need a 21st century building to provide 21st century care.

The nook will be five-miles south of Norwich and provide a central hub, serving families across Norfolk with specialist care both in the hospice, the family home and community.

The new hospice will offer services unavailable or extremely limited at Quidenham including a hydrotherapy pool, music studio and larger and more accessible outside space.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is appealing for businesses to help them achieve their vision to transform children’s palliative care across Norfolk and reach more families at a time they need it most.

EACH cares for children and young people with lifethreatening conditions across East Anglia and supports their families. The charity has outgrown it’s current hospice in Quidenham - restricting the care they are able to offer. The nook appeal aims to raise £10 million to enhance these services, including a purpose-built hospice called the nook.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

There are plenty of ways your company can support the nook appeal and help families at an unimaginably difficult time: n Sign up for the nook business network and join more

than 30 local businesses who have already pledged to raise money

n Partner with EACH and choose the nook appeal as

your charity of the year

For more information on the nook appeal please visit www.each.org.uk

Easigrass said: “Metalfrog is going to become pivotal in creating a new set of custom-designed, customer focused web designs Alongside, this it is already improving our failing search engine positions, and is looking at ways of bringing business to our business, across the Internet.”

“We are extremely proud of the calibre of Easigrass products and of the strong brand we have created over time. Easigrass now has UK national coverage with a 31-strong franchise network and works closely with the likes of top retailer John Lewis. Our international network can be found in South Africa, New Zealand, The Middle East (Dubai and The UAE), The Balearic Islands, Singapore, Malaysia and is set to start expansion into Europe this year. Our vision is to make Easigrass a household name for artificial grass worldwide.

£1 million worth of Legal Expenses Cover included in your membership, visit norfolkchamber.co.uk/ connections/memberbenefits

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Stopping SMEs getting in a spin.

Norfolk Voice speaks to Alan Boswell Group’s John Whitehead about the challenges facing the county’s small businesses in the year ahead.

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“When businesses come to their first review, three years down the line, they often find that they’ve not got the right scheme. They may have quickly introduced a scheme several years ago in order to remain compliant – and avoid the huge fines if they’re not – but they now realise it is not right for them. Maybe they bought all the bells and whistles but they did not really need them – and that can be expensive.

“2017 is a big year for small businesses,” says John Whitehead, referring to the approaching autoenrolment pension scheme deadline.

As Director of Alan Boswell Group, he’s in the perfect position to know.

Having worked in financial planning for nearly 30 years, he’s gained plenty of experience. A brief glance at his CV shows that prior to joining Alan Boswell Group in 2001, he was responsible for financial planning for a national legal firm before it was acquired by the Norwich-based Group.

Lots has happened since then: he’s had three children, represented Norfolk at county-level cricket and coached Brooke Cricket Club Under-9s to a Norfolk Alliance Championship Trophy win. Alan Boswell Group has also continued to expand, most notably with the recent acquisition of S-Tech Insurance Services Ltd. in Cambridge. The last decade also saw The Pension Act of 2008 become law, heralding the introduction of auto-enrolment legislation.

As such, he and his team have been at the coalface with auto-enrolment pension schemes. And the crux really comes this year, as SMEs across the country are required to put schemes in place by the 2018 deadline.

The reason being that, with an ageing population, the State Pension is already under pressure to meet demand. As the population

ages, there will be a shortfall in pensions. To ease the strain on resources, businesses with more than one employee must put an auto-enrolment scheme in place.

Employees automatically join these schemes, so they start saving for their retirements. But it’s often not as easy as buying an off-the-shelf solution.

“2017 is the peak year for microbusinesses,” John explains.

“Companies with fewer than 50 employees need to set up an autoenrolment scheme by law, and it’s likely they’ll need support with that.

You cannot assume it does not apply to you and is not going to happen.

“Whatever type of business you are, whether you have part-time workers, casual workers or workers in the field, auto-enrolment applies to you.

“Unfortunately we’ve found that many organisations take the view that it does not apply to them and if they ignore it, it will go away.

However, unless you really are a one-man-band it does apply to you.

“We’re also seeing people leaving it far too late. You have to have a scheme in place by early 2018 at

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

the latest, but it takes three to six months to get it all set up.”

Having implemented schemes for hundreds of businesses across the country, Alan Boswell Group has plenty of experience in getting it right.

“It’s not a simple process,” he continues. “Even businesses with big payrolls find it a minefield. They need expert support in this area to get the right scheme. Plus, you need an automated payroll system, but not all companies have one and still pay cash. If you do not have an automated system, you are in trouble when it comes to bringing in auto-enrolment.

“If you have an HR department, it also helps to get them involved.

However, we are finding that a lot of smaller companies do not have HR departments, which is why bringing in specialists like us is so important; we can help you communicate the changes to your employees as well as management.”

But the challenges don’t just lie with businesses that have yet to put a scheme in place. John explains that some organisations find they need ongoing support:

“And no business is static either.

It may grow and mature and your requirements will change with that; you may need assistance to find a more appropriate scheme in a couple of years. We can help you with that review process, to identify what your employees need and want from their pension scheme.”

Whatever type of business you are, whether you have part-time workers, casual workers or workers in the field, auto-enrolment applies to you.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

BigInterview John Whitehead Director Alan Boswell Group

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Advertising

Are you ready for a CRM System?

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Ok, that sounds strange coming from a company that sells its own CRM solution, but hear me out.

I can tell you honestly that, unless you can set aside some time to get your strategy right, there is really no point.

I’ll start with an example. When you go on holiday, you do a lot more than just buy some swimming trunks and a snorkel and hope for the best.

You plan, decide on the best time of year for everyone, and consider hotels and resorts. Will the location and hotel be good for the whole family? Or is it more of a romantic getaway? How will you get from the airport to the hotel? What will you do when you get there? How much money should you take?

There are a whole host of questions you ask and plans you need to make.

Your holiday strategy will become a blueprint for you and your family’s two weeks off, so you want to make sure you get it right.

So why isn’t it the same when you’re buying a CRM system for your business?

So many times we hear how a business needs a CRM system, but when you dig a little deeper and

actually look at the plans behind the decision, there are no clear objectives or goals.

Of course we all want “more sales” or “increased profit” or “better efficiency.” We even use phrases like these in our own mission statement: “Increase your sales; make more profit; grow your business.” But so what?!

CRM is more than a system, it’s an approach to how you run your business. A CRM system should be a corner stone of your business strategy with achievable goals and deliverable objectives that pay dividends both financially and emotionally.

How, exactly, is that CRM solution going to do those things for YOUR business?

Why? When you start out looking for your new CRM solution, you first need to look at exactly why you need that system. Who in your business is going to use it? What do they need it for? How will it fit it with what they’re already doing?

Once you’ve answered this, however, you’ve only got the barest outline of how your system will be configured.

There are more questions to answer.

What?

Now that you know why you need a new CRM, you have to think about

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

the goals you want to achieve with it.

What are these goals? What will you use to measure whether or not you have met them?

With some clear objectives and ideas for metrics to gauge your progress, you’ll be able to flesh out that rough configuration outline with key points and goalposts.

How? With this more detailed blueprint, you’ll be able to speak with your CRM provider to go through what you need the system to do and the key attributes your system will need to be logging. This blueprint will give your account manager something to build on.

something that is only half fulfilling its promise.

Sure your sales might increase and people might be working a little more efficiently, but you’ll never know if it is down to the CRM system or just coincidence.

Trust me, I’ve seen enough CRM implementations start off without clear goals that end up struggling and occasionally failing to know that taking this time is always worth it.

If you have any questions about OpenCRM, please get in touch. I would love to hear from you. Find us at www.opencrm.co.uk or drop us a line at hello@opencrm.co.uk

They will be able to work with you to go even deeper into the details of how your CRM system will function and how your team will utilise it.

This will give you a system that is tailored to your business and that can give you measurable goals to make sure it continues to earn its keep.

But if you aren’t willing to take the time to review your needs and focus internally on what you need to do, there’s no point in buying a CRM system.

If you aren’t sure what you do best, where you can do better, and get some targets set to measure your improvement, your CRM system won’t really be working for you.

You’ll just be paying money out for

Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

BusinessSupport

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Shared Offices from £210 per month

Shared Laboratory from £695 per month

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07/12/2016 13:43:31

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Call today for a no-obligation chat.

creativesponge.co.uk 01603 622766 Design • Branding • Digital

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

23

Advertising

By 2019 80% of all internet traffic will be video,

Is your business prepared for a future in video?

so if you’re not already using video you could quickly fall behind. But where do you start? Like all good marketing you need to have a plan and ideally a strategy for your video content, this should sit alongside your marketing plan.

The great thing about video is that it is so versatile and material can be repurposed and repackaged.

You can also start creating a video archive for your business which will save you money in the long run.

And let’s face it, when it comes to ‘social’, video is already everywhere you look so with a little bit of training/practice you can produce some of the video content yourself.

So don’t wait, start filming now.

Charlie Gauvain is MD of Eye Film with over 20 years’ experience as a TV producer and is a regular speaker on video planning and strategy.

Enhance your digital marketing

www.eyefilm.co.uk info@eyefilm.co.uk 01603 727750

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Constitution Motors

Financial benefits for company car drivers

Financial benefits for companies

Company car drivers using the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for business can anticipate an increase in their pay packet equal to an average of over £4,000 every year.

If you’re looking to upgrade or implement a fleet of company cars, then the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the potential to save your business thousands of pounds a year.

Thanks to the Outlander PHEV’s Intelligent Technology, the ultra-low emissions of only 42g/km means that company car drivers choosing the Outlander PHEV will pay just 7% tax as BIK compared to the 25% or more that most business users will pay.

Because of its outstanding emission levels, a company purchasing an Outlander PHEV is able to write down 100% of the cost of the car against its profits chargeable for Corporation Tax in year one.

Not only will Outlander PHEV company car drivers be receiving a boost to their pay cheque but they’ll be benefiting from a staggering 156mpg*, exemption from Road Tax and, if making a commute of less than 30 miles, be able to make journeys for pennies. *Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

This is compared to a traditional company vehicle where a maximum of 18% per annum of the cost is allowable to write down against the profits chargeable for Corporation Tax. This is reduced to only 8% on vehicles with a CO2 level exceeding 130g/km.

142 Constitution Hill, Norwich, NR3 4BB t: 01603 788800 www.constitutionmotors.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

BusinessSupport

Intelligencia Training issues cyber security warning following major breaches.

Cyber security specialists Intelligencia Training have issued a warning about the dangers posed by criminal hacking in the aftermath of a series of major incidents.

Late November and early December saw several large organisations confirming that their systems had been breached by hackers seeking personal details of customers, including financial information.

Now Intelligencia Training, which runs the Cyber Stars initiative to help organisations large and small to prevent breaches, says that organisations must do more to prevent the human error that allows hackers to breach systems.

Nick Atkinson, Commercial Director, said: “The recent string of incidents shows that every organisation is vulnerable, even the large ones who you would imagine have effective security in place.

“Ninety per cent of major organisations have suffered a cyber breach and smaller organisations are similarly at risk.

“Alarmingly, 93% of cyber breaches are down to human error. This is not so much a technology problem as a human problem. Organisations have got to get away from the ‘it won’t happen to us’ mentality. “ Nick said that hackers could gain access if employees: n Open emails from suspect

sources, including spam emails which may purport to be selling

something but are actually sent by hackers n Visit websites they do not know

or trust n Broadcast personal details on

social media n Give passwords to people who

call pretending to be from their company’s IT department.

Nick said: “We have to change the complacent culture prevalent in many organisations.

“Our Cyber Stars programme seeks to inculcate security awareness at all levels of organisation because cyber security is not just a management responsibility, it involves absolutely everyone.”

The Cyber Stars programme, which has been designed and developed by cyber security experts, is an on-

site one day course which gives an organisation understanding of cyber security to enable it to operate safely online. This is the only programme of its kind backed by a nationallyrecognised qualification.

Intelligencia Training is already working to improve cyber security at many large organisations including with financial institutions and local authorities.

Nick said:“An organisation could have the most robust cyber security plan in place but if staff aren’t adequately trained to implement it by following basic housekeeping rules and being able to recognise a threat, the organisation becomes very vulnerable.”

You can find out more about Intelligencia Training Limited and its products at www.intelligenciatraining.com

An organisation could have the most robust cyber security plan in place but if staff aren’t adequately trained to implement it by following basic housekeeping rules and being able to recognise a threat, the organisation becomes very vulnerable.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

25

How Chamber membership can help y Chamber membership is not the same thing to all companies, and for every business the key to making sure that membership benefits your business is to look at it as a means of achieving your business objectives for the year (and those yet to come).

For this you need to look at every benefit at your disposal and ask yourself “How can my business take advantage of this.”

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Promoting your business

Saving money

Growing your customer base

For many businesses, making more people and businesses aware of what they do is a key aim. Whilst traditional advertising routes are of course still an option, Chamber membership makes a whole host of other routes open to reach new people and business leaders across the county. With our established presence on social media, and through this magazine which has a readership of over 10,000, your business has an excellent opportunity to raise your profile.

Part of what helps a business to grow is not just getting more customers, but also having support for when things get tough or ‘the unexpected’ happens. To support you, the Chamber offers a number of fully funded or discounted business services to help you through all kinds of business situations.

Networking - a word that inspires equal part excitement for some as it does dread for others!

Whilst communication is increasingly done digitally, face-to-face interactions and meeting new people are still a key part of any businesses’ success. We put on a range of exciting events, over 70 a year, all designed to meet the everchanging needs of the business community in Norfolk. For example our event styles include:

n Upload news, events, training course, blogs,

or offers to our website: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

n Content is shared out through our social

media channels: over 1,000 Facebook likes, over 7,000 Twitter followers, and over 3,000 Linked In group members

n Free 24/7 HR advice line and document library n Free 24/7 Legal advice line & £1million worth

of legal expenses insurance

n Save costs on utility bills through Chamber

Energy (see page 28)

n Discounted AA breakdown insurance n Discounted employee healthcare plans.

n Business breakfasts n Informal evening events n Conferences n The largest B2B exhibition in Norfolk

(save the date – 12 October 2017!)

n All content you submit on our website is

considered by the editor of the Norfolk Voice magazine, potential to be seen by over 10,000 people in Norfolk.

“One of the key benefits for us has been that, because Greenwood&Bell is a new business and we’re from out of the area, being welcomed into Norfolk’s business community has been really important for us. The Chamber gives us a portal into the ebb and flow of business in the region, issues, opportunities - and we’ve made some great friends too.”

Having a voice

Developing staff skills

No matter your business location, sector or size, there are many external environmental factors that you have little control over which affect your business. We strive to be the collective voice of business in Norfolk, to lobby on your behalf to create a better business environment for all. For example, key issues we have been consulting members on and lobbying government are:

Up-skilling your workforce is crucial to any business looking to grow as skill stagnation can lead to problems in the future. The Chamber run a number of free taster training sessions and half-day paid training across a number of topics that we have identified as being in demand from our members.

n Mobile Coverage n Broadband Speeds n Impacts of Brexit n Infrastructure improvements such as roads

(e.g. A47) and rail

Mark Greenwood, Partner, Greenwood&Bell

Topics include: n Email Marketing n Networking n Social Media n SEO n Time management n …and many more – see page 36

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Feature

you achieve your aims this New Year.

Hear from some of our members what they value most about their membership.

Stephen Drake

Hannah May

Jo Beales

“We are long-standing supporters of the Chamber, particularly the Norwich Economic Breakfast. In an age of social media it is so easy to get trapped behind a screen and the breakfast meetings allow you to meet people face-toface and from businesses of all sizes, which is attractive to us. It also appeals to us that the events feature all sorts of businesses from all sorts of sectors which means that you are not talking to competitors all the time.

“I think that the chamber is a very supportive organisation, particularly for businesses just starting out and in their infancy.”

“Being part of the Norfolk Chamber has had numerous benefits for us at inVoke Marketing.

They’ve been fantastic for providing us with advice and guidance to utilise business opportunities from networking and exhibition events, through to ensuring our staff are kept up-to-date with the latest knowledge and skills from experts at The Training Room. It’s amazing to be part of a huge community of like-minded business people, to share professional links and expand our B2B prospects. The variety of both formal and casual networking opportunities provided by the Norfolk Chamber is both exceptional and key to our recent development as a business through the relationships we’ve built. The Chamber’s online platforms have also been a great tool to increase our company exposure with ability to share our news within a wide network of Norfolk’s business community.”

“Tobar has benefited massively from becoming a member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. Many of us have attended the various international courses from all different departments and at all levels within Tobar. We have become an authorised Custom Warehouse and we are all very proud of what we have accomplished. We now serve 60 countries and feel confident in doing so.

The delays are now minimal with the export documentation that we have to provide and collate due to the knowledge we have gained via the Norfolk Chamber. There is a wealth of experience to be had within the Chamber and with people who are keen to help and support.

Their service is really second to none. Tobar has certainly grown and developed well within the exporting industry.

Emily Groves

Ben Handford

“Norfolk Chamber has really helped us build new relationships in the local business community.

Our brand is more prominent, our name is more recognised and it has facilitated Chamber Energy, which is a new initiative to work with Chamber members to help them make better decisions when it comes to their energy suppliers.”

“The biggest benefit of being a Chamber member has been the opportunity to meet potential suppliers and customers at networking events.

It is so important to meet people face to face and the Chamber has allowed us to do that. Also, we have used the HR toolkit, which has helped us get our policies right.”

Managing Director of Steeles Law Solicitors Ltd

Founder and Managing Director, Indigo Swan

Social Marketing Exec, InVoke Marketing

Director of Naked Marketing

Export Sales Assistant, Tobar Group Holdings Ltd

“Our Marketing and Sales department has become a regular visitor taking advantage of the “Be Better” free Chamber sessions. New ideas have been created and a fresh outlook on marketing and customer service has been enjoyed.”

We are currently supporting over 950 businesses in Norfolk. Do you want to know more about how we can help your business grow and succeed? Call our membership team today on 01603 625977 or email membership@norfolkchamber.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

27

Chamber Energy Drive down energy costs Spend time more productively Professional, trusted, local partner Exclusive Chamber discounts

IndigoSwan

MemberNews

Tiger Eye announce most successful year to date.

Tiger Eye have announced that 2016 has been their most successful year to date. Launched by Dave Wilson in 2005, over the last decade Dave has grown the business to currently 12 members of staff. Tiger Eye are a niche IT consultancy, specialising in document and email management for professional services firms.

Tiger Eye are one of only a handful of official UK iManage Partners - iManage is the global marketleading software solution for document and email management. In 2016 Tiger Eye have taken on a growing number of customers, and a significant number of large support contracts.

To support this growing customer base, several new staff have joined in the support team and in project management, handling the day-to-day project coordination of new customer roll-outs. Among them, Cerys Burcher is managing Tiger Eye’s recently launched legal knowledge management software Blueprint, as well as looking at expanding both the local and European customer base. “It’s fantastic to be working with such a genuine and friendly team, in such an exciting and innovative sector,” she said.

Winners of the Top of the Bench Sprowston High School Sixty young scientists from across the region were invited to the ‘Top of the Bench’ Science Investigation Day, where they were tasked with chemical conundrums around the theme of the Olympics.

The Tiger Eye team in Chapelfield Gardens, outside their offices Managing Director Dave Wilson said: “Our new customers talk about how they are drawn to our partnership approach. Matt Cleverdon (Strategy & Innovation Director) and I take the time to really get to grips with what people are looking to achieve in any new implementation, and what they expect from their support partner. People come to us for solid, professional advice, based on decades of experience in the industry.”

Local logistics company continues to grow and expand despite Brexit uncertainties. to September 2016 think UK economic conditions are improving, compared to the 48% that cited improving conditions before the EU referendum (survey period March to May 2016).

Rob McIndoe, Finance Director, said: “Despite the fall in economic confidence following Brexit, we’re confident that there are more export opportunities out there for UK businesses. We provide excise and bonded warehousing and together with our location, means we can offer our clients a great logistics service to help them maximize the export opportunities that are on the way.”

New staff at Johnston Logistics UK Due to significant growth, local logistics firm Johnston Logistics UK (JLUK) has taken on eight new permanent members of staff.

The new staff have been recruited across all sections of the company and include a compliance officer, warehouse pick and packers, customer services, sales and marketing and bond office administrators, plus an application developer.

According to the latest JobsOutlook survey by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, 23% of UK employers plan to take on more permanent staff in the next three months despite a fall in overall economic confidence. Just 25% of employers surveyed in July

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Winning formula for Top of the Bench young scientists.

The Government recently announced plans to grow exports and bring a £2.9 million boost to the UK economy. The new International Action Plan for Food and Drink will see the Government and industry working together to boost food and drink exports over the next five years.

Johnston Logistics UK’s site now extends to 130-acres with 640,000 sq ft of warehousing. It operates the only public bonded warehousing in Norfolk and along with its location at Snetterton, just off the A11, it is ideally placed to help those food and drink producers looking to export their goods abroad through the East Coast ports.

Johnston Logistics UK can provide a solution for small businesses looking to store a few pallets right through to large organisations needing bespoke storage and logistics facilities.

The main aim of the event, which has been hosted at Briar Chemicals for more than 15 years, was to challenge budding young scientists to undertake experiments they had not witnessed before, and draw clear conclusions from their results.

A team of four students from Years 9-11 at Sprowston Community High School were victorious at the ‘Top of the Bench’ East Anglian heats and will go on to compete in the national finals later this year.

Headteacher Andrew John said: “I am absolutely delighted with the success of our students being the regional winners in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Top of the Bench Competition. We have one of the best science faculties in the county, and I am so proud of their latest achievement. A superb team effort.”

The winning team of four from Sprowston Community High School will go on to compete in London at Easter and the pupils are very much looking forward to the challenge. 15 schools took part in the event, with Bury St Edmunds County Upper in second place and Gresham’s School in third.

Is your school interested in making more links with local businesses? Join our Young Chamber membership from just £350 + VAT

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Advertising

Norfolk’s most exclusive venue.

A magnificent Palladian house at the centre of a 25,000 acre privately owned estate on the north Norfolk coast, Holkham is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Leicester. In addition to offering a stunning backdrop for weddings, the setting offers an exclusive and prestigious venue for corporate events, including directors’ meetings, conferences, ceremonies, presentations, product launches, dinners, company parties and team building days.

Holkham is within easy reach of Norwich and Cambridge, with good road and rail links to London.

Where can you hold your event? The options are extensive, ranging from the panoramic parkland, various state rooms in Holkham Hall, marquee options in the park or walled garden and even Holkham Beach can be included in your plans.

For exclusivity, the newly-opened, dedicated events venue, The Lady Elizabeth Wing, adjacent to Holkham Hall is a unique and stunning, contemporary space which works flexibly for small or large numbers. It is the perfect venue to impress and entertain your guests. The Lady Elizabeth Wing is suitable for a variety of functions and behind the scenes are all the professional facilities that organisers and caterers need to ensure an event runs smoothly and efficiently.

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The use of the Lady Elizabeth Wing can also be combined with the state rooms in Holkham Hall offering a juxtaposition of an historic backdrop against a contemporary setting. The Marble Hall is a spectacular introduction to the magnificent

building, with its ceiling rising to a height of over 50 feet and a screen of columns running around evoking ancient Roman grandeur and is a stunning location for a large reception with drinks and canapés. Elsewhere, the opulent Saloon, with its great master paintings and crimson wall hangings and the dramatic Statue Gallery with its collection of classical statuary, are perfect for entertaining.

and offers everything you would expect from a traditional, English inn serving delicious, locally sourced food, much of it grown and raised on the Holkham Estate. Other opportunities for accommodation are available through a network of north Norfolk hotels or for those looking for something a bit different, ‘posh camping’ under the stars can be arranged.

Small formal lunches and dinners can be served in the South Dining Room or Drawing Room, using our own recommended caterers who have been carefully chosen for the quality of the food, competitive pricing and friendly and helpful service.

Our highly experienced events team have successfully organised events for many companies and organisations, including Red Bull, Christies, Break Charity, Scira Offshore Energy, the European Landowners’ Organisation and Barratt and Cooke.

The estate-owned Victoria Inn is perfectly located on the coast road in Holkham village

To discuss the opportunities available, please contact Alan Miller, email a.miller@holkham.co.uk.

Norfolk’s Most Exclusive Venue A unique and contemporary indoor events space for weddings, corporate events, conferences, presentations, product launches, ceremonies, dinners and team building days.

The Lady Elizabeth Wing, Holkham Estate, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1AB www.holkham.co.uk 16998U_Holkham_NorfolkVoice_Ad2.indd 1 NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

25/10/2016 14:35 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Membership has many benefits Are you making the most of them?

Ensure you access all the benefits available to you as a Norfolk Chamber member, these include: Business Support

Find New Customers

Influence Change

Access Advice

Free HR Online Document Library

Networking Events

Representation

HR Advice Line

Access our 70+ events a year to network with other Norfolk businesses.

Ensure your voice is heard at a local, regional and national level.

Free 24/7 HR advice line, whenever your business needs it.

Raise Your Profile

Chamber Campaigns

Legal Advice Line

Join our campaigns for better broadband, mobile, infrastructure, and help us inspire Norfolk’s young people.

Free 24/7 Legal advice line.

Over 500 HR documents available to view and download whenever you need them.

Free Legal Expenses Insurance £1M worth of legal expenses insurance to cover the cost of representing your business should you become embroiled in certain legal disputes.

AA Breakdown Cover Up to 64% discount available to our members.

Primary Care Health Plan A very affordable absence and risk management tool, as well as an excellent employee benefit.

Promote yourself through our website and social media.

Upload your news/ blogs/events/offers to our website and we will share them over social media.

Norfolk Voice Free editorial in our bi-monthly magazine.

Online Directory Improve your SEO through your company listing as well as being found through our directory search.

Chamber Member Logo Use our logo on your website and literature.

Join the Norfolk Chamber today from £8.25/month To find out more and join online visit:

www.norfolkchamber.co.uk Or contact us on 01603 729704 or membership@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Quarterly Economic Survey Take part in the QES which is used by the Bank of England and the Chancellor to plan the future of the UK economy

International Support Export Documentation Being a member gives you a 50% discount on our export documentation service.

Translation Service With this, language differences don’t need to be a significant barrier to International Trade.

Chamber FX We offer a leading Foreign Exchange and International Payments Service with exclusive discounts and services to our members.

Tax Advice & Protection Free 24/7 Tax advice line and Tax investigation insurance.

Chamber Sessions Free weekly training across a range of topics such as; Marketing, Social Media, Leadership etc.

Export Training Whatever your exporting role, we have a course that will help you and your company succeed.

Cooper Lomaz Sponsors Nelsonspirit Future Leaders Crew.

Stuart Rimmer appointed CEO and Principal of the new East Coast College.

Great Yarmouth College and Lowestoft College are on course to combine their complementary strengths, and will be offering an even wider, richer range of technical and professional opportunities to school leavers, adults, higher education students and the business community from the next academic year.

Stuart Rimmer, current Principal and CEO at Great Yarmouth College, has been appointed to the role of CEO of the soon to be incorporated East Coast College once it is formed in March 2017.

32

Stuart is using the time ahead of merger to enhance relationships with both staff and students with a view to harmonising the best elements of both colleges.

He is fully supported by Andrew Thomson, ChairDesignate of East Coast College, Tina Ellis, Chair of Lowestoft College, Rob Evans, Chair of Great Yarmouth College and Mal Cowgill, Interim Principal at Lowestoft College.

Stuart is looking forward to leading the new organisation; “We will be able to enhance the

Stuart Rimmer training, bespoke courses and apprenticeships offered to employers, and build even stronger partnerships with industry.

“We will be creating an organisation with a combined annual turnover of around £30 million, which will enable further investment in learner resources and facilities, with a greater capacity to engage regionally, nationally and internationally with partners, bringing greater benefits to both our students and local communities.”

Stuart brings a wealth of education sector experience and knowledge to East Coast College, having held senior leadership positions at Newcastle and Lancaster Colleges, as well as Great Yarmouth College.

Finn Geotherm becomes Constructionline accredited.

Renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, has become accredited by Constructionline – the leading provider of procurement and supply chain management services.

Constructionline is a resource for public and private organisations, such as health trusts, housing associations and private companies, looking for high quality suppliers and contractors. In order to qualify under the Constructionline scheme, contractors must complete rigorous health and safety compliance and provide details of its business competence. The accreditation provides reassurance for public and private organisations that they are dealing with the best suppliers in the industry.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

The Nelsonspirit Future Leaders Crew is a leadership programme for Norfolk young people aged 16/17 who aspire to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Nelsonspirit is offering high potential sixth formers, selected from schools across the county, the opportunity to work and learn together as a ‘crew’ in close engagement with the leaders of today. Over 12 months and 7 half day meetings, the crew will be exposed to master classes and mentoring with MDs and CEOs from business and charities. The crew will also enjoy bespoke workshops on leadership development, and, the opportunity to deliver a leadership project in a charity.

Charlotte Cooper, CEO of Cooper Lomaz, said: “I am delighted that Cooper Lomaz is sponsoring this fantastic programme to help inspire and grow young leaders into the leaders of the future. As a business leader myself, it is an honour to be able to help young people develop the skills necessary to become a leader, too.”

Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are very pleased to become Constructionline accredited. Having already been working with a number of public and private organisations, Constructionline will simplify the tender and appointment process, enabling us to continue installing more great energy-saving, heat pump systems for our customers.”

Norfolk Chamber members can get their news stories in this magazine for FREE by uploading them to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

East Anglian recruitment company Cooper Lomaz is proud to be a sponsor of the inaugural Nelsonspirit Future Leaders Crew, a fantastic programme for young people in Norfolk.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Founder and Chairman of Nelsonspirit, Nigel Cushion, said: “Leadership is the key ingredient that takes businesses and communities forward, and it is fabulous that the five pilot schools have engaged to help us inspire young people and select the leaders of tomorrow.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Make The Forum your venue The Forum offers a unique and inspiring location for business events, exhibitions, fairs, conferences, performances, promotions and more… right in the centre of Norwich.

THE AUDITORIUM

THE ATRIUM

OUTSIDE SPACE

The purpose-built auditorium has tiered seating for 120 people and is perfect for multi-media presentations, training sessions, networking meetings, debates and even small theatrical and musical performances.

This stunning public area provides over 400sq metres of flexible floor space and is available for hire in part or as a whole. It has a capacity of up to 300 people seated and space for up to 30 exhibition stands.

The Forum’s outside space is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in Norwich. The amphitheatre can be used for large scale extravaganzas through to smaller events such as markets and charity promotions.

CAR PARKING 7am – midnight

POPULAR VENUE

Around 5,000 visitors a day

TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT OUR VENUE HIRE TEAM ON 01603 727950 theforumnorwich.co.uk | The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1TF

Diary Dates.

Networking Events Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast Where: Great Yarmouth Town Hall When: Thursday 19 January, 07:30 – 09:30 What: Start the year right with some New Year networking. Join us for our first Great Yarmouth breakfast of 2017, looking at the topic of infrastructure in the local area. Book your place at this event to network with a wide range of local businesses over a delicious breakfast. This breakfast event is perfect for businesses in the area or looking to broaden their business network contacts.

Sponsored by Norfolk County Council. Members only event.

Annual Business Ratepayers Consultation

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Where: Norwich When: Monday 23 January, 17:30 – 19:30 What: Norfolk Chamber is delighted to be working in partnership with the Norfolk County Council to deliver the annual Business Ratepayers Consultation event. This event provides local business ratepayers with the opportunity to learn more about the County Council’s budget planning and prospects for 2017/18 - and to discuss the impact of this on the County’s delivery of key services as well as the impact on the economy. Come

and join this forum for business and Council leaders to contribute to and shape the debate around the benefits and impacts of these issues. Free to attend.

Super Bowl Challenge 2017 Where: Hollywood Bowl Norwich When: Thursday 26 January, 18:00 – 20:00 What: Our Super Bowl Challenge continues to be a success year on year, taking up all the lanes at Hollywood Bowl Norwich.

Whether you want to strengthen the connections in your team or make new ones, this event offers a fun, relaxed environment to get your business name out there and show off your skills on the lanes. The evening will consist of bowling, a buffet and a medal ceremony to crown the best! Book a lane now for a team of up to 8, or as an individual or small group to be placed into a mixed team!

Members only event.

Growing Apprenticeships in West Norfolk: A Business Breakfast Where: Dukes Head Hotel, King’s Lynn When: Friday 10 February, 08:00 – 10:00 What: Book now for the first West Norfolk Breakfast of 2017. During the morning we will be joined

by Mark Reavell, The College of West Anglia. Mark will be covering the wide range of changes to the organisation and funding

of Apprenticeship programmes in England from April 2017 and highlight the challenge from the Government to employers and providers to grow the numbers of Apprentices significantly by 2020. If you’re looking to take on apprentices, already employ them or just want to know more this breakfast is a must attend.

Members only event.

Norwich Business Breakfast Where: Norwich When: Thursday 23 February, 07:30 – 09:30 What: Join us for a morning of business networking over a delicious breakfast. Make new contacts and catch up with existing ones after the busy Christmas period. Members only event.

Special Events MPs Event 2017 Where: Holiday Inn Norwich North, Norwich When: Friday 3 February, 15:00 – 18:00 What: Bringing together Norfolk’s MPs to discuss key issues affecting the region, The MPs Event returns at a new venue of Holiday Inn Norwich North. Last year more than 100 influential Norfolk businesses took part in the event - and your company should be one of them!

This is your opportunity to raise Norfolk’s profile in one of the most important political forums we host.

Members only event. See more on page 35.

For more information, to see a full list of events, or to book visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/events

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

HR Forums HR Forum Where: Norwich When: Wednesday 1 March, 14:00 – 17:00 What: Join the Norfolk Chamber for an afternoon of accessing specialist knowledge essential for any HR Professional or business owner. Open to all businesses.

International Events Doing Business in Saudi Arabia Where: Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich When: Tuesday 28 February, 14:30-16:30 What: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world. It accounts for 25% of the Arab world’s GDP. Join us for our FREE international event, Doing Business in Saudi Arabia, sponsored by Barclays.

Doing Business in Japan Where: Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich When: Tuesday 28 March, 14:3016:30 What: Japan is the world’s third largest economy in the world bigger than the UK and Germany combined. Join us for our FREE international event, Doing Business in Japan, sponsored by Barclays.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ForthcomingChamberEvents Network with MPs at high profile event.

Date: Friday 3rd February, 3pm-6pm Venue: Holiday Inn Norwich North, Cromer Road, NR6 6JA Book now:

norfolkchamber.co.uk/ events

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Norfolk Chamber’s high profile policy event is back for its fifth year. Bringing together Norfolk MPs and business leaders to influence and discuss your business concerns.

Last year’s event was a huge success covering key issues affecting the region. With 2016’s referendum vote and the uncertainty sweeping businesses across the nation, this year’s event is set to be a key evening for your diary.

This year we have BBC Political Correspondent Carole Walker hosting the event, covering a range of important topics for business with Norfolk’s MPs. Ask your questions and get the answers direct from the MPs.

Looking to get more exposure for your business? Why not book a stand space at this event? For further details please email the events team:

events@norfolkchamber. co.uk

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

35

Annual Business Ratepayers Consultation event.

Date: Monday 23 January, 5.30pm 7.30pm Venue: Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich Audience: Business leaders and CEOs from across Norfolk interested in hearing about proposed changes to business rates Free to attend

Caroline Williams, Simon George, Dr Wendy Thomson at last year’s event Norfolk Chamber is delighted to be working in partnership with the Norfolk County Council to deliver the annual Business Ratepayers Consultation event.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

This event provides local business ratepayers with the opportunity to learn more about the County Council’s budget planning and prospects for 2017/18 - and to discuss the impact of this on the County’s delivery of key services as well as the impact on the economy.

Fiona McDiarmid, Saul Humphrey Come and join this forum for business and Council leaders to contribute to and shape the debate around the benefits and impact of these issues.

Dr Wendy Thomson, Managing Director, as well as other senior leaders from the County Council will outline its budget planning and prospects for 2017/18; how it has been supporting business and its plans for next year; as well as information and discussion regarding the proposed localisation of business rates in 2020.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Expert and affordable training.

The Chamber Sessions.

Chamber Training offers a wide range of training solutions to help you unlock the potential of your workforce and boost your business performance. Our courses are designed to help you grow as a professional, and as a business.

Join us to: n

Improve your selling and customer relation skills

n

Keep updated with traditional and online marketing trends

n

Develop your professional skills and build on your communication style

n

Learn networking and managerial skills

FREE weekly bitesize training over breakfast or lunch delivered by Chamber members, for Chamber members.

All training delivered at Norfolk Chamber’s Norwich Office.

Half and full day training courses are now available at Norfolk Chamber’s office in Norwich.

There is a special discount for Norfolk Chamber Members.

36

Building Rapport with Clients

Public Relations (PR)

Tuesday 6th June, 09:00-12:30

Tuesday 27th June, 09:00 – 12:30

Ermine Amies, Sandler Training

Thursday 16th November, 09:00 – 12:30

Business Writing

Workplace Wellbeing

Suzy Pettican, Reflection PR

Friday 10th May, 09:00-12:30

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Tuesday 7th November, 09:00-12:30

Tuesday 18th July, 13:00-16:30

Huw Sayer, Business Writers Ltd.

Sean Clark, Clark St James

Create profitable Google AdWords campaigns

Social media for business

Wednesday 29th March, 09:00-16:00

Jonathan White, Desire Marketing

How to Get the Most from Your Marketing Budget Tuesday 21 February, 08:30 – 10:00

Get Your Business Seen in More Search Results

Friday 10th May, 13:00-16:30

Tuesday 26th September, 09:00-16:00 Matt Brown, One Vision Ltd

Thursday 9 February, 12:30 – 14:00

Speaking & Presenting with IMPACT Friday 5th May, 09:00-12:30

Tuesday 28 February, 08:30 – 10:00

Tosin Ogunnusi, MPowermentLtd

Attracting and Retaining Skilled Staff

Wednesday 13th September, 13:00-16:30

The Art of Networking

Holly Stibbon, 101Smart Ltd

Friday 24 March, 09:00-12:30

Tuesday 21 March, 08:30 – 10:00

Essentials for email marketing Wednesday 22 February, 09:30-13:00

Thursday 19th October, 09:00-12:30

Finance for non-financial managers

Be Better Online

Ian Hacon, Yellow Brick Road Solutions

Thursday 23 March, 12:30 – 14:00

Friday 12th May, 09:00-12:30 Julian Hammond, TIPS for Good Management

Time Management Tuesday 4th July, 09:00-12:30

Make your LinkedIn profile work for you

Serving Your Customers through Social Media

Ian Hacon, Yellow Brick Road

Wednesday 1 March, 09:00-12:30

Tuesday 28 March, 08:30 – 10:00

John Davy, Dojo Media Consulting

Book now at www.norfolkchamber.co.uk £125+VAT for members, £150+VAT for non-members

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Book now at www.norfolkchamber.co.uk exclusive and free for members

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ForthcomingChamberEvents

Free International Business Events.

Our next series of ‘Doing Business in…’ events, sponsored by Barclays, focuses on opportunities in Saudi Arabia and Japan.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world.

It accounts for 25% of the Arab world’s GDP. Benefits for UK businesses exporting to Saudi Arabia include: n growing diversification within Saudi economy n massive government investment in transport, infrastructure,

healthcare, education and energy

n common use of English in business

Secondly, Japan is the world’s third largest economy in the world - bigger than the UK and Germany combined. Incentives for UK businesses exporting to Japan include: n stable place to do business

n highly educated consumers who are early adopters of new products

and services

n strategic stepping stone for other Asian markets

n large and rich consumer market based in urban areas

n strong political, trade and social ties between the 2 countries

n Tokyo conurbation is the world’s largest at around 35 million

Doing Business in Saudi Arabia, Tuesday 28th February Doing Business in Japan, Tuesday, 28 March 2017 Both events 2:30pm to 4:30pm at Holiday Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich. Visit our website to book.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

37

Raise your business profile with sponsorship.

Norfolk Chamber is renowned for organising high quality businesses events, catering for every person and business style. Our 70 events a year are attended by over 3,000 delegates with all including the opportunity for networking.

Whether you are looking for training, networking, briefings on topical issues, or want to entertain clients, we have an event for you and your business.

Why sponsor a Norfolk Chamber event? n A cost effective way to gain valuable brand

exposure for your company

n Benefit from your company branding being

on event publicity and PR produced by the Norfolk Chamber for a growing network of Norfolk businesses

n Take advantage of the exposure that the

Norfolk Chamber media channels can reach

n Let the experienced Norfolk Chamber events

team organise an event for you whilst you reap the benefits of being an official event sponsor

Event sponsorship varies according to the type, size and nature of the event: HR Forum – held quarterly and delivered by experts for HR professionals or SME business owners responsible for the legal & HR aspects of the business.

Business Breakfasts – held quarterly in Great Yarmouth and Norwich and twice a year in West Norfolk. Featuring a keynote speaker of particular interest to the business community and plenty of networking opportunities and activities.

Large Scale Events – The Norfolk Chamber hold a number of large scale, high profile events throughout the year that feature national speakers and boast influential delegate lists.

These range from half day conferences, to the

To discuss a fully tailored sponsorship package, please contact Philippa Bindley, Events Manager on 01603 729703 or philippa.bindley@norfolkchamber.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

largest business to business exhibition in Norfolk held annually at Norwich City Football Club.

Exhibit at a breakfast – There are exclusive opportunities for Chamber members to exhibit their business at Chamber events subject to availability.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Abacus FMEC 07776 126 631 Consultants (Business/ Management)

Anglia Partitions Ltd 01553 691202 www.angliapartitions.co.uk Partitioning

Attleborough Academy (01953) 452335 https://aan.norfolk.sch.uk/ Education

Back to Basics Outdoor Education 01493 444114 www.back-to-basics.org.uk Team Building

Badger Associates Ltd 01508 536013 www.badgerassociates.co.uk Recruitment

Charles Stanley 01603 671500 Financial Adviser

Constitution Motors Ltd 01603 788800 www.constitutionmotors.co.uk Car Services

Cornwall Energy Associated Ltd 01603 959886 www.cornwallenergy.com Energy

Dexters Recruitment Ltd 01493 718696 www.dextersgy.co.uk Recruitment

Different Dimensions 07786289787 www.differentdimensions. co.uk Technology

Eagles Scaffolding Ltd 01493271796 www. eaglesscaffoldingltd.co.uk Building Contractors

Emma Roache Co-active Coach 07956679967 www.emmaroache.com Coaching & Mentoring

Enterprise Rent A Car 01603 484384 www.enterprise.co.uk Car Hire

Eye Film 01603 727750 www.eyefilm.co.uk Media

Feel Well Therapy 07957350396 www.feelwelltherapy.co.uk Coaching & Mentoring

Flagship Group 0845 258 6148 www.flagship-group.co.uk Housing Associations

Focus 4 Fitness 07904975084 www.focus4fitness.co.uk Health Services (inc Private)

Hornbeam Accountancy Services Limited 01603 720424 www. hornbeam-accountancy.co.uk Accountancy Services

It’seeze Norwich 01953 861168 www.itseeze-norwich.co.uk Website Designers

Just Helping Children 01892 710155 www.just4children.org Charities

Maven Consultants Limited 07714133888 www.mavenconsultancy.com Consultants (Business/ Management)

Michael Stiff Film & Animation 07979674429 www.MStiff.co.uk Video/Television Production

Mindspan Global Ltd 01508 558922 www.mind-span.co.uk Coaching & Mentoring

NetworkChristina 07495666155 Consultants (Business/ Management)

38

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

NewMembers Padgate Services Limited 01603 438076 www.padgateservices.co.uk Consultants (Energy/ Environmental)

Paston Sixth Form College 01692 402334 www.paston.ac.uk Training Providers/Services

Plumstudy Tutoring 07769 171808 www.plumstudy.co.uk Education

Power Mechanical Limited 01493 602649 www.pow-mech.com Oil & Gas

Precision Refrigeration 01842 753 994 www. precision-refrigeration.co.uk Refrigeration

Pruce Newman Pipework Ltd 01953 605123 www.prucenewman.co.uk Construction Maintenance/ Refurbishment Work

RichardJDesign 07709338039 www.richardjdesign.com Graphic Design

Rowandell Management Ltd 07747 611111 www.rowandell.org.uk Project Management

Seeds Advertising Films LTD 07769345268 www. seeds-advertising-films.co.uk Advertising

Your new business could be here for as little as £8.25 a month.

Call 01603 729704 to speak to our membership team today.

39 Seetec Business Technology Centre01603 614 493 www.seetec.co.uk Training Providers/Services

SmartPA 07495 475128 www.smart-pa.com Business Services

The Recruiting Office Ltd 01603 283420 www.therecruitingoffice. co.uk Recruitment

Xiasma Ltd 01603437370 www.xiasma.com Software Developers

Starlings Transport & Storage Ltd 01692 403698 www. starlingstransport.co.uk Transport (Haulage)

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

MemberNews US2U Consulting's Rachel Blackburn Kicks Off Mentoring Programme.

New appointments as company grows.

A Norwich based marketing agency has recruited new staff as the business continues to grow.

40

Desire Marketing’s experience is in line with the recent JobsOutlook survey from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation that found almost a quarter (23%) of UK employers planned to take on permanent staff between October and the end of the year.

Desire Marketing is a full service marketing agency based in The Union Building in Norwich. The company was founded in 2013 and recently merged with fellow Norwich based company Traded Network Ltd. The expertise of both companies allows Desire Marketing to offer a complete digital and traditional marketing service to businesses of all sizes.

Managing Director Jonathan White said: “We have found that, over the last few months, more companies are investing in marketing. Despite

Desire Marketing team

uncertainties following the Brexit vote, it’s not all doom and gloom. Businesses are realising that marketing will continue to play an important part in their business plans.”

Chloe Hewson has been recruited to deal with one of the company’s niche marketing areas – wedding promotions. They have been working with The Best Western Brook Hotel in Bowthorpe, to promote their wedding packages. The four-month campaign was successful as there was an increase in bookings.

The company is also continuing to support the apprenticeship programme with the recruitment of Rebecca Thompson as a business administration apprentice. This role will take much of the day to day administration away from the directors, freeing up their time to focus on new business acquisition and customer support.

Airport scheme for passengers with hidden disabilities.

Norwich Airport has been working closely with numerous local charities to help make air travel accessible to all and improve the Special Assistance Service offered at the airport. As part of this commitment the airport is pleased to announce the introduction of a new scheme to assist passengers with hidden disabilities.

From December 2016 coloured wristbands are now available free of charge for passengers and any friends, family or colleagues travelling with them to wear as a discreet sign to airport staff that additional support may be required whilst travelling through the airport.

Jamie Price, Norwich Airport’s Security Manager commented: “Working with passengers who have or are affected by hidden disabilities

such as autism, hearing impaired or sight loss can really help ease their fear of air travel. As a result we have made many changes to our Special Assistance Service including providing the opportunity to talk with us, on a one to one basis, ahead of travel to try and alleviate any anxieties or fears they may have about using the airport. We are also able to facilitate a ‘trial run’ at the airport before their chosen flight which has already proven to be successful. We are keen to improve the airport experience for anyone travelling with a hidden disability and the new wristbands available for passengers who wish to wear them, is just another step towards improving the overall passenger journey through Norwich Airport.”

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Laura Key and Kasia Mydlik Having assisted in the development and launch of City College Norwich School of Higher Education's Mentoring Programme, Rachel Blackburn kicked off her role as Mentor to two business students in an Executive box at Carrow Road, home of Norwich City Football Club.

Laura Key and Kasia Mydlik (pictured) were eager to be mentored by Rachel after learning of her own story and experiences in business, including founding US2U Consulting.

Rachel plans to meet the mentees several times over the coming year to provide guidance and advice in line with the agreed targets and objectives for the programme.

Laura commented on the first meeting: "It was really motivating and energizing. I will be putting your communication advice into practice immediately!"

"I am so appreciative of not only the way you have taken us under your wing but also of your generosity with your time and resources" said Kasia.

Be part of Norfolk’s premier business network - join today norfolkchamber.co.uk

The pale blue wristbands are available from the Special Assistance desk located just inside the terminal building.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ViewfromtheBoard

Fully engaged with West Norfolk – across the age range.

For the first issue of 2017 we talk with Heather Garrod, Chamber Board member and President of West Norfolk Chamber Council. She’s changed her business direction in recent times. We learn about that and how she’s very much in touch with West Norfolk - across a wide range of age groups.

Heather is a native of West Norfolk, and has lived for some years in West Walton.

After a short time as a manager in the Civil Service where she was involved in IT and training she became an Area Director with a recruitment chain.

She then took the plunge and set up on her own. “I’d acquired a lot of experience in recruitment and I set up my own business, HS Recruitment Ltd, in King’s Lynn”, she says, before going on to explain that, “I subsequently started another company HS Care Ltd dealing mainly with residential care homes and learning disability homes.”

As a Chamber Board Member, Heather has recently been actively involved with several key issues in the region.

“King’s Lynn becoming a Business Improvement District has been a major achievement for the town.

I was involved in the first attempt, when we only narrowly missed it, and to see it now confirmed is a great thrill.”

She’s also involved in promoting tourism for West Norfolk. “From the lovely Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton, through King’s

Lynn and all the villages across to Downham Market we have a wealth of hotels, B&B’s and leisure facilities. We also have wonderful scenery and a fantastic heritage.

Letting people know that, and encouraging visitors here is so important for our local economy.”

The King’s Lynn Festival is important to her as she is on the Board as part of her West Norfolk Chamber President role. “The Festival continues to blossom, going from strength to strength. Right now we’re busy working on increasing the diversity of it, to embrace music and the arts. It’s about involving galleries, poetry, and, very importantly, attracting younger people.”

Heather is very much in touch with younger people. She’s a school governor, and works with a range of other schools to help pupils get the best out of life by improving their communication and interviewing skills.

Coaching and training is something she now concentrates on having made another career change in 2013.

“I closed down my recruitment businesses to focus on educating people about behavioural styles.

Heather Garrod As well as working with school pupils, I train business people in what I call ‘Leading a Spectacular Life’. I believe that we’re all capable of maximising our potential and achieving whatever we desire.

However, we can be helped to achieve it if, for instance, we learn to converse with others in their style.

It makes for successful business communications.”

Heather practises what she preaches and is an avid networker, making the

Nine more business women from Eastern region graduate .

Nine more business women have graduated from the highly successful Women’s Leadership Programme, run by professional recruitment specialists Pure to help support more women across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire to develop their leadership style and progress on to more senior roles.

First established in 2014, Pure runs the Women’s Leadership Programme twice a year in conjunction with strategic HR consultancy People & Performance. It is designed to help

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

women into the senior managerial jobs below board level.

organisations across the Eastern region to create a balanced talent pipeline and to ultimately achieve inclusive leadership at both executive and board level.

This year’s programmes have coincided with the Government announcing that the next review on improving female representation in leadership positions will have an increased focus on getting more

Lynn Walters, co-founder and director at Pure, said: “There has been a refreshing emphasis on people talking about increasing the number of female leaders, rather than just women on boards. This hasn’t just been from government ministers looking at large multinational organisations but also from many high-profile people in our region.

“For example, Richard Tunnicliffe, Director of CBI in the East, recently called on businesses

most of, and promoting, the benefits of Chamber membership.

As our conversation draws to a close she reflects, and sums up her busy life by saying “I suppose that working with junior school children, right through to sixth formers, as well as the business community, I really do engage with all ages.

It’s good to be in touch with people doing business today, and those that will be our business men and women of the future.”

MemberNews of all shapes and sizes to look beyond boards and to help more women progress from entry-level to senior management positions.

I completely agree. As a region, we need to take steps to build a pipeline of women progressing into leadership roles. This is the core reason we created this programme in the first place.

Diversity is widely understood to be fundamental to the sustained growth of any business and having a more balanced talent pipeline will lead to increased future profits and help boost our regional economy.”

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

41

LastWord Name: Bobby Burrage Position: Creative Director Company: The Click Bobby is also co-founder of lifestyle brand Nor–Folk, a Board Director at the Norfolk Chamber, husband to Fiona and Dad to Stanley.

Bobby’s clients include The National Centre for Writing, The Institute of Psychoanalysis, National Trust and, more locally, Norwich Cathedral and University of East Anglia.

To celebrate ten years of The Click, Bobby and Fiona created and launched their own brand called Nor–Folk in 2015. The company designs and sells apparel, homewares and regularly collaborate with other like-minded innovative brands.

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

One of my first jobs was working on a farm, shovelling muck out of animal sheds for £2.50 per hour.

After that, my entrepreneurial spirit took over and I turned to painting pictures of the Norfolk Broads and selling them to tourists in the summer holidays.

be PM for a day, I would likely appoint successful business leaders, entrepreneurs and creative visionaries to make decisions instead of the clueless floppy-haired public school boys who have never done a proper days work in their life.

Sorry for the rant but, after 2016, I just can’t take politics or democracy seriously!

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

What can you see from your office window?

I’ve been running The Click for 12 years now and we’ve always set out to benchmark our success against our London peers. Being the best at what we do in Norwich has never really interested us – being the best we can possibly be is far more rewarding. So, I guess, staying focussed on the standard of the wider industry is our biggest challenge.

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

Firstly, that is the last job I would ever want! However, if I was forced to

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

I’m fortunate to have a fantastic view from my studio on Pottergate.

I can see across the rooftops to Mousehold Heath and around the north part of the city of Norwich.

The sprawling terraced housing creates a mesmerising tapestry.

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

It may sound annoyingly sickening, however, I genuinely love what I do. I meet inspirational business people, entrepreneurs and get to learn about so many different things with each and every project. I love the diversity.

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

I’m pretty confident in my own ability – this helps to reassure clients when we’re making critical decisions on their behalf. I like to think that I’m a nice guy – I do my best to make time for people and, where possible, help others. And, finally, no matter what, I will meet an agreed deadline – delivering on my word is important to me.

the bat. Oh, and surround yourself with great people.

Who do you admire most in business?

Working in the creative industries, you’re continually exposed to the mega-brand of Apple. Steve Jobs was clearly the main man but I’m also a big fan of Jonathan Ive. He’s a creative human being who is incredibly talented, hugely driven and an all round visionary.

What was your biggest mistake in business?

I once signed a lease on an office jointly with another company. They went bust, disappeared and I was left responsible for all of their liabilities. Luckily, I managed to find a way out of the situation but it proved to be a really valuable lesson.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

It may sound like a cliché but you have to love what you do, believe in it and be prepared for the long haul.

Not all businesses make money off

“What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

It may sound like a cliché but you have to love what you do, believe in it and be prepared for the long haul.

NORFOLK VOICE • THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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