Turning strategy into action – What does your business need to grow? Join us to help shape the delivery plans for the new Economic Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk. The strategy identifies the key themes and opportunities for the region’s businesses and now we need you to help us create the delivery plans. You’ll have a chance to tell us what activity is already under way in your business and what you have planned for the coming years.
Following two successful events in West Norfolk and Norwich this is the final consultation in the event series.
This event is now sold out. Please email [email protected] to be added to a waitlist.
The Big Debate returns in 2025, providing the perfect stage for local businesses to engage in BBC Question Time-style discussions on the most pressing challenges shaping our county’s economy and future. Featuring a panel of local business leaders, MPs, and policymakers, this is the ideal platform for you to share your perspectives and have your say on the decisions that matter.
This year’s we’ll be covering the following topics:
Norfolk’s Brand: Perception of Place – How can we enhance and communicate Norfolk’s identity to drive growth and investment?
Support for business growth – What initiatives can best empower businesses to thrive in 2025 and beyond?
Skills, recruitment, talent retention, Workplace Health, and Wellbeing – Strategies to build and sustain a dynamic, healthy workforce in Norfolk.
Impact of Tax and Public Finance on Business – Focusing on financial policies and their effects on our local economy.
Why Attend?
Engage in meaningful debate –Participate in thought-provoking discussions on the key issues impactingyou and other Norfolk businesses.
Network with key decision-makers and influencers – Use the breakout sessions to enjoy a warm beverage and connect with MPs, policymakers, and fellow business leaders.
Drive Change – Ensure your voice is heard in shaping policy and action in Norfolk.
What to Expect
Insightful panel discussions – Dive deep into today’s most urgent business challenges with experts and policymakers.
Interactive Q&A Sessions – Ask the questions that matter to your business directly to senior decision-makers.
Networking Opportunities – Elevate your brand, build relationships and collaborations that can help shape the future of your business.
13:30 – Sponsor Talk – Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia
13:35 – Debate 1: Norfolk’s Brand: Perception of Place How can we enhance and communicate Norfolk’s identity to drive growth and investment?
Nick Steven-Jones (Jarrold Group)
Steffan Aquarone MP (North Norfolk, Liberal Democrat)
Mike Rigby (Eastern Promise CIC)
Mark Bousfield (Aviva)
14:05 – Debate 2: Support for Business Growth What initiatives can best empower businesses to thrive in 2025 and beyond?
Jamie Minors (Minors and Brady)
Chris Starkie (Norfolk County Council)
Samantha Graham (AIP LLP)
Neal Smith (Crown Commercial Services)
14:35 – Refreshment Break (Teas, Coffees, and Cakes by Bread Source)
15:10 – Debate 3: Impact of Tax and Public Finance on Business Focusing on financial policies and their effects on our local economy
Claire Mackintosh (Norfolk Community Foundation)
Jonathan Denby (Greater Anglia)
Neil Orford (Lovewell Blake)
David Chaplin (Chaplin Hotels)
15:40–Debate 4: Skills, Recruitment, Talent Retention, Workplace Health, and Wellbeing Strategies to build and sustain a dynamic, healthy workforce in Norfolk
Clive Lewis MP (Norwich South, Labour)
Chris Perry (Swarm Group)
Dean Pierpoint (Norfolk Chambers)
Have your say
This is your chance to actively participate in discussions that shape Norfolk’s business future. Ask questions, share insights, and engage directly with a panel of decision-makers and local leaders driving change in our region.If you need any further information, please reach out to us at:events@norfolkchambers.co.uk
Come along to the free launch of Norfolk Skills and Careers Festival on Monday 8 January 2018, 8am-9am at The Ideas Factory, Norwich. Join us to learn more about the festival and network with business over a coffee and pastry.
Hear from the organisers of the region’s largest careers events, as well as students who have been involved and learn how you can help to inspire, motivate students.
Find out how your business can support this non-for-profit event by taking an exhibition stand, sponsoring or volunteering.
Be part of the largest skills and careers event in Norfolk, with 70 employers, 4,500 students, 100+ careers represented across the two days. The event takes place 7 & 8 March 2018 at Norfolk Showground. For more about the festival visit https://norfolkskills.co.uk
Join us for a morning of Christmas fun and networking!This event is designed to help you make the right contacts ready for the New Year. In a relaxed setting, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious breakfast whilst enjoying some themed networking activities to help you break the ice.
You can also bring a present to place under the Christmas tree for Break Charity!
DON’T FORGET:We are also having a Christmas Jumper Competition! Wear your best and you could win an early Christmas gift from Norfolk Chamber!
A delegate list and agenda will be emailed to you two days prior to this event, please ensure you register early to feature on the published delegate list.
Unfortunately this event is now fully booked. To be added to a cancellation list, please email details to [email protected]. Thank you.
This year’s Annual Conference will bring together senior decision-makers, business leaders, young entrepreneurs and opinion formers, to discuss a number of key themes, including the Future of the Workforce, The Future of UK Trade, Managing Business Risk in uncertain times, and Diversity in the Workforce. The event also falls on International Women’s Day and this will form a theme throughout the day.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to network with businesses across the U.K and hear from expert speakers, who last year included Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP (Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) George Osborne MP (former Chancellor of the Exchequer), Greg Clark MP (Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), Andy Street CBE (Conservative Mayoral Candidate for the West Midlands), John Holland-Kaye (CEO, Heathrow) and Liz Nicholl (CEO, UK sport).
Join us for a free special networking lunch for your chance to connect with other businesses in West Norfolk. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded businesses, share bright ideas and expand your professional network. Also hear about Norfolk Chamber’s exciting new plans to enhance its involvement, presence and service offering in West Norfolk providing better member benefits for businesses in the region. We’ll be joined by guest speaker, Matt Sykes, an expert trainer with over 20 years of sales experience. Matt will guide you through the right way to approach networking events and equip you with top tips on promoting yourself and your organisation, generating more sales leads and effectively following up with your new found contacts. This event is open to businesses with a registered premises or those that operate in West Norfolk. Book your free place today
Book a stand
Interested in taking an exhibition stand at this event? The stand package is £75+VAT and includes your event ticket. Email us
Join Norfolk Chamber for our business breakfast in Norwich. In usual Chamber style, we will be providing:
A luxury Norwich venue
Lots of coffee and a full English breakfast
Our trademark networking activities
Hear from Laura Watling Memberships manager at Liftshare who will be speaking on the subject of the Norwich Sharing City campaign.
The rest is up to you! You will meet lots of other Chamber members at popular, and often sold out, Norwich Breakfast and hopefully leave having made new business connections.
Book a stand
So far, we have the following business taking a stand and allowing our delegates to find out a bit more about the work they do in Norfolk:
Interested in taking an exhibition stand at a business breakfast and showcasing the work your business is doing? The stand package is £75+VAT and includes your event ticket Email us
Sponsor this event
Want more exposure for your business? Sponsoring an event puts your logo in front of our 900+ members and more! Sole sponsorship is £550+VAT. More information here
This event is now Fully Booked. We’re bringing back the annual After Hours Event, our Pub Quiz. We’re inviting Chamber members to popular destination, Earlham Arms in Norwich’s Golden Triangle, for an evening which will put your general knowledge to the test and where you’ll enjoy getting to know your work colleagues and fellow Chamber members a little better. The evening will also include a variety of quiz rounds presented by Chamber staff, wine and tapas!
So rally up a team (of up to 6 people) from your workplace and join us for a night of Trivia and Tapas at our Pub Quiz! We will also be putting together mixed teams, so if you fancy coming along in small groups or as an individual you will be joining forces with your fellow Norfolk Chamber members!
Join Norfolk Chamber for a new event series in King’s Lynn that delivers expert led training sessions by Norfolk Chamber members. Start your morning with 30 minutes of networking over coffee and pastries, followed by a free 60 minute training seminar to boost your business performance. Free to attend. Open to Norfolk Chamber members and non-members for a limited time. Hear from Martin Peckitt from Plumstudy Education as he examines the fundamental purpose of using project management and will provide guidance on how to practically utilise new skills back in your workplace. This session will also briefly explore how to manage your time and plan more effectively using project management methodology.
Workplace wellbeing has a direct correlation to engagement, performance, motivation, and satisfaction – but how can you develop an approach that truly embeds wellbeing within your culture? In this session Michelle Gant, The Engaging People Company will help you find out how you can develop your own targeted approach to wellbeing and get practical tips and ideas to improve workplace wellbeing within your own organisation. This session is open to both Chamber members and non-members in West Norfolk and will be delivered by Michelle Gant, The Engaging People Company. About Michelle: Michelle Gant is the Director of The Engaging People Company which is built upon her passionate belief that happy, engaged people create business success. She is committed to supporting organisations to protect and maintain wellbeing and to create a culture where people are empowered to talk about their wellbeing. Michelle is also a qualified and experienced coach and believes coaching is a powerful tool for wellbeing.
With our After Hours series we like to take you to all the new and exciting hot-spots around the city. This summer, Norfolk Chamber are taking you to Chambers Cocktail Company for a fun evening of networking with a twist! You’ll get the chance to try your hand at making one of their delicious cocktails from their new menu – and that’s not the best part! We’ll also bring you a fresh delivery from Brick Pizza to enjoy whilst you network with fellow Norfolk Businesses. Bring your colleagues, clients and fellow business relations for an informal evening of entertainment and good food. Cocktails, pizza and new business relationships… what more could you want?! The team at Chambers Cocktail Company have trained and worked in some of the most exclusive bars and hotels around the country. They are experts in making new flavours and unique serving styles to give you a memorable experience. Check out Chambers Cocktail Company.
It’s back! The Norfolk Chamber Summer BBQ hosted by MIGSOLV – this year featuring ‘Tastes of Norfolk’
Attended by over 100 members in 2017, our Gold Patron’s MIGSOLV will again be hosting a FREE summer BBQ at their world-class Gatehouse data centre in Norwich.
This year’s events will feature a ‘Tastes of Norfolk’ theme with a locally sourced BBQ, Norfolk hog-roast, wine and beer from our region and even ice-cream made right here in Norwich! Vegetarian options and soft drinks too.
Everyone’s welcome to attend, relax and celebrate the summer! To embrace Norfolk’s growing tech sector, the event is also welcoming members of TechEast. A number of MIGSOLV’s key partners will also be on hand to help businesses protect their IT and data.
The event begins at 5pm with free parking and a large marquee.
Optional Guided Tour Ever wondered how a world-class data centre houses and protects business’s vital IT and data?
Join MIGSOLV for an optional guided tour of the Gatehouse’s facilities, including its high-tech security, climatically controlled data halls, links to global networks and enough power generation for 8 days off-grid.
The MIGSOLV team and some of their key partners will also be available to answer your questions and explore ways you can protect your business’s IT and data.