Gnaw adds the deliciousness and fun into chocolate, with cheeky additions added to their chocolate such as love heart and banana splits sweets. Started back in 2011, the brand and business have grown strength to strength, with the recent success of several awards such as being selected as a finalist in the Norfolk Business Awards 2018 and Finalists in the UK Packaging awards 2018. With the addition of the British Chamber of Commerce Awards, 2018 has certainly been their award Gnawyear!
Starting with supplying their product within the region, Gnaw has now grown extensively, with a strong partnership and trade in France, and a number of other European countries. However, their export does not stop in Europe! They now export globally to Russia and Asia. Praised by the British Chamber of Commerce Judges for having a ‘100% commitment to international trade and with their innovation and locally sourced products are a great advocate for UK produced goods.’
Winning the BCC regional awards requires meeting several key criteria for the Regional Export Business of the Year, details are below;
• The level of exports when compared to the size and sector of the organisation
• The barriers that have been overcome e.g. languages
• The degree to which products/services are new and market non-traditional
• Innovative approaches to establishing and entering new markets.
As the winner of the Regional Small Business of the Year award (Yes, two awards!! Hurray!). Gnaw was commended and highlighted for their progressive knowledge by the BCC Judges for ‘spotting the trends in the marketplace, this forward-thinking company developed a new innovative range.’
They were also highlighted for their progressive approach with the launch of their healthy ingredient’s bars. The Judges work with the guidelines below to judge each submission.
The judges will be looking at:
• What differentiates the company’s products/services from their competitors
• Strong managerial and financial performance
• Innovation
• Potential for growth
• Evidence of the business’s commitment to staff
It is clear Gnaw have worked very hard to achieve these awards. The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is delighted for Gnaw and we wish them all the best in the next stage of the completion. https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/events/chamber-awards
On Thursday 8th November we were at The Boathouse in Ormesby, an absolutely beautiful venue with stunning views over the broads. It was a bright morning and everyone was in good spirits, especially once the speakers were underway.
Mark spoke about how the Post Office supports businesses banking needs through being part of a wide network that have long opening hours and work with most high street banks. Jon brought some much needed post-breakfast energy to the room through his unique approach. Firstly delegates had to greet each other in a low energy way, this was gradually amped up until people were “high tenning” each other and laughing away. His main aim was to highlight how you approach the day has a real impact on your own experience but also other people.
This was certainly not your typical stuffy business breakfast and we certainly enjoyed ourselves, judging by the smiling faces around the room so did all the delegates too!
East Coast Hospice were our feature charity, they are fundraising to build a ten-bed palliative care facility with day care and complementary therapies for the people of Great Yarmouth & Waveney. They currently have planning permission on the 7.54 acres of land they own and the hospice will provide specialist end of life care as well as supporting and training other agencies and carers.
At a recent meeting of the Chamber’s Planning & Development Group, a debate was held with the Highways Agency, Norfolk County Council, Norwich International Airport and various utility companies, including BT, Anglia Water and UK Power Networks on how to unlock growth through infrastructure delivery.
The debate highlighted that whilst there was a certain amount of cooperation between each of the utilities and the public agencies, there was little or no discussion with landowners and the development industry. Most of the utilities planned their capital expenditure programmes for a 5 or 8 year period and did not take into account speculative development. This is clearly a problem when developers are often keen to try and bring forward development quicker than this timeframe, especially when the utilities only consider development as not being speculative if it has planning permission.
The meeting discussed potential ways of working around these problems, including the opportunity for new types of funding and income streams to come into the market. It was clear that it is essential for developers to talk to the utilities at the earliest stage possible. The Chamber Planning & Development Group agreed to continue their liaison with the utilities and would advise the teams of any constraints that they were made aware of that stopped growth from coming forward.
All parties agreed to work together to lobby Government in respect of rail, road and general infrastructure improvements.
Last week two of our favourite colleagues got engaged!
We are super happy for Sam and Jack. Sam and Jack both started working at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce back in 2013 as apprentices. As many of you will know they have both flourished in their careers since then. Jack is now the IT and Data Manager and Sam is the Conference and Events Manager, they are both key members of the team who contribute to a whole range of Chamber of activities.
We wish them well and can’t wait for the big day!!
Norwich School has been awarded Norfolk Chamber’s highest level of their Young Chamber Enterprise Recognition Award.
The Chamber’s Young Chamber Enterprise Recognition Award is an award recognising and celebrating education establishments in Norfolk that are committed to improving the employability skills of young people in our region.
Bearers of this award will have evidenced a clear understanding of the local business needs and will be working to equip students with the necessary skills as well as creating opportunities for students to engage with local organisations. An education establishment with the ‘Commended’ Gold Tick will have shown the most commitment to student employability outcomes and has gone above and beyond in delivering a culture of enterprise.
Norwich School were able to show their commitment to enterprise engagement across the life of their students. The Young Chamber judges were particularly impressed with the sustainable and focussed programmes that were in place to encourage students to consider their future opportunities in the world of business, which is why they awarded the ‘Commended’ level.
Norwich School is delighted to be ‘Commended’ in the Enterprise Recognition Award. Tom White, Head of Economics and Business Enterprise said:
“We’re very pleased to receive this award as it is the outcome of a sustained team effort. Norwich School approaches enterprise education from a wide angle. My colleagues have carefully put together a curriculum that is rich with work experience, community service, careers fairs and enterprise activity days. We have the active support of governors, parents and local business enhancing what we can offer in school. I am grateful to all the mentors, advisors and business people who have contributed to this success.
“The Enterprise Recognition Award also highlights the high level of engagement we see from our pupils. In the classroom and their clubs, societies, competitions and Young Enterprise companies, our pupils show a commitment to enterprise. They are frequently resilient, creative, dynamic and entrepreneurial. Congratulations on their achievements.”
Presenting the award, Glyndwr Thomas, Finance Business Partner at Aviva and Board member of Norfolk Chamber’s Young Chamber Board said:
“Recognising Norwich School with this award is fully deserved. Their commitment to embedding an enterprise approach is admirable and the evidence of the positive outcomes this creates is particularly encouraging. Giving our young people the skills and the opportunities to work with businesses and to prepare them for the world of work is critical to the success of Norfolk enterprise.”
Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance and Public Affairs and a member of the Young Chamber Board said:
“One of Norfolk Chamber’s key priorities is helping to bridge the gap between business and education. Our Young Chamber programme is designed to help create stronger business engagement with schools and support the raising of young people’s aspirations and soft skills.
“We are delighted to be able to award ‘Commended’ status to Norwich School. They have an active agenda of engagement with the local business community and are very proactive in ensuring their students have access to business engagement opportunities, such as supporting Norfolk Chamber in the delivery of our B2B event, as well as running their own Young Chamber group, where the students deliver their own business breakfasts.”
Norwich School is particularly keen to help support other schools to achieve an Enterprise Recognition Award, commenting on this, Nicola Hill, Assistant Head said:
“We would be delighted to talk with any school who would be looking to put themselves forward for this award in the future – we worked together with many colleagues in our own school to put ours together and would enjoy helping other schools to do the same.”
That’s the question Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is asking. Always committed to stimulating debate the Chamber is asking you if the Norfolk brand is a help or a hindrance when it comes to marketing.
Famously, Aviva scrapped its 200 year old trading name of Norwich Union with the objective of growing the brand, and helping it to compete on a global scale. The strategy was that ‘Aviva’ would appeal to an international market more than Norwich Union.
By the same token, Bernard Matthews have proudly trumpeted Norfolk as the very essence of a successful brand. Being branded ‘Colman’s of Norwich’ has kept people as keen as mustard in that international organisation’s products. But then, whilst Start-Rite have not put a foot wrong in their marketing, they’ve never added Norfolk to the branding.
Now comes the exciting news that Hoseasons have commissioned a £1 million TV advertising campaign to promote their 28,000 places to stay across the UK & Europe, and it features entirely Norfolk scenes.
Simon Altham, Managing Director of Hoseasons describes the commercial as a “marvellous showcase for Norfolk’s tourism offering”.
Hear his views on how the Norfolk brand has given Hoseasons a competitive advantage at the Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast.
Caroline Williams, Chief executive of the Norfolk Chamber said “Businesses need to understand that using the ‘Norfolk brand’ can enhance their offer. It’s a point of difference, and separates them from the generic nationals. It can make their offering entirely unique. We’ve put Norfolk at the heart of what we do. We’re the Norfolk Chamber and proud of it!” Join the debate.
Funding awards of over £50,000 are available for projects lasting up to two years. The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) will encourage the economic development of UK coastal communities by giving them funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs.
The government has committed £27.8 million to support the CCF in 2013/14 with money generated by the Crown Estate’s marine assets. The Big Lottery Fund is delivering the CCF on behalf of Government, operating under the name Big Fund. CCF is a UK-wide programme but there are some country specific requirements and priorities. Information about these is contained in the help notes to accompany the application form.
The following types of organisation can apply:
charities
voluntary and community sector organisations
social enterprises, including cooperatives and community ownership initiatives
local authorities
development agencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
local enterprise partnerships in England
private sector companies.
Opening and closing dates for 2013/14The Coastal Communities Fund isopen for applications from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales from12 March 2013. The programme opens for applications from projects in England on 3 April 2013.You can downloadhelp notesand astage one application formthis section of the BIG website as well asquestions & answersand information on State Aid.
Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the country priorities- each country has its own unique requirements and in order to have the best possible chance of getting funding you must demonstrate how you meet these.
Applicants will be required to submit a stage one application by:
The New Anglia Skills Deal Programme is an opportunity for employers, alongside training providers, to seek funding for project proposals that address a gap in – or barrier to accessing – training provision. Skills Deals funding is available to co-fund projects that will raise skill levels, create jobs and drive enterprise and economic growth in Norfolk and Suffolk. Expressions of Interest in this funding are now being invited.
Norfolk Chamber recently welcomed Phil Eckersley, the Bank of England’s Agent for the East of England to Norwich City Football Club, where he provided on off the record overview of the UK economy, including the impact of Brexit on the economy, since the Referendum in 2016.
In front of over 80 business leaders, Mr Eckersley answered questions on growth, investment, productivity, trade barriers and the international potential for the UK. He also noted that the Bank of England stands ready to meet both the opportunities and the challenges that may arise from Brexit.
Commenting on the lunch, Fiona Ryder, President of Norfolk Chamber said:
“It was a fantastic opportunity for Chamber members to hear the latest thoughts directly from the Bank of England and we would like to thank Phil Eckersley for joining us for lunch and providing some very relevant economic insight.”
Norfolk County Council wants to create a Norwich Western Link to improve travel between the A47 and the western end of Broadland Northway (formerly the Northern Distributor Road) and to tackle transport problems in the area. They published four potential routes for a Norwich Western Link earlier this month and have now made further information about them available to coincide with the consultation opening. You can find out more about the options online via www.norfolk.gov.uk/nwl or by coming to one of their staffed events taking place in local communities throughout the consultation period. A full list of these events is below. Once you have looked through this information, there are a number of ways you can respond to the consultation. If you are responding on behalf of an organisation or in an official capacity, they would encourage you to respond in writing, as follows:
Tuesday 11 December at Taverham Village Hall (12-6pm)
Wednesday 12 December at Hall for All, Weston Longville
Friday 14 December at Salvation Army Church, Fakenham
Tuesday 8 January at Aylsham Town Hall
Thursday 10 January at Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Hellesdon
Friday 11 January at Great Witchingham Village Hall
Monday 14 January at The Costessey Centre
Tuesday 15 January at Dereham Memorial Hall
Wednesday 16 January at Honingham Village Hall
It’s really important that they receive your views on the four options for a Norwich Western Link – all the consultation responses will be used to help them identify a preferred route for the Norwich Western Link in Spring 2019.
Your response to the consultation must be in before midnight on Friday 18 January 2019.
Last Thursday night was one of Norfolk’s biggest events in the annual business calendar, with our gold Patron’s Anglian Water sponsoring the event, and over five hundred people attending from the business community. This certainly showcased the talent and innovation in our county. Host, Katherine Ryan certainly added a new dimension to the evening and demonstrated a real fondness for the county too, as well as being a great hostess!
We are so happy for our members who won the category’s below, a very big well done!