True North Media
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NorwichDC
NorwichDC is a Norfolk-based colocation and data centre provider delivering enterprise-grade infrastructure from its Long Stratton facility. Operating as a dedicated regional hub for critical IT workloads, it offers secure rack space, dedicated servers, and VPS hosting tailored for businesses requiring reliability, control, and low-latency UK connectivity.
Owned and operated by EUGameHost, NorwichDC combines local accessibility with high-performance infrastructure, positioning itself as a key player in Norfolk’s digital and hosting ecosystem.
The facility is engineered for resilience and scale, featuring dual A+B power feeds, UPS and generator backup, and up to 30Tbps+ anycast DDoS protection, supporting advanced cybersecurity and network protection services for modern online applications and hosting environments.
As a purpose-built Norfolk colocation data centre, NorwichDC enables organisations to deploy and manage mission-critical infrastructure locally while benefiting from enterprise-grade uptime, security, and connectivity standards.
Norfolk Business Breakfast
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards is one of Britain’s most beloved sporting underdogs, whose name has become synonymous with courage, perseverance, and the joy of simply taking part.
Rising to fame as the first ski jumper to represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics, Eddie’s journey from a plasterer in Cheltenham to the icy slopes of Calgary in 1988 is a tale of grit, humour, and an unshakable belief in following one’s dreams – no matter how improbable.
His brave performance has been watched by millions.
Eddie still works inspiring those too young to remember his dogged determination to succeed, and will present on resilience and motivation – and how we can take his learned lessons back to our desks.
Book your spot now for an enlightening and empowering morning of knowledge and networking.
When: Wednesday 17 June, 7:15am registration – 10:15am close
Where: Royal Norwich Golf Club, Norwich, NR9 5JE
Agenda
7:15am
Arrival, networking
7:45am
Breakfast served
8:35am
Speaker
9:45am
Networking and coffee
10:15am
Close
Tourism Business Survey Results
Hear from our experts and special guest speakers which include Cassie Davison – the author of Stand Out Hospitality
Learn more about our independent and confidential benchmarking survey, and find out how we support the sector further at www.larking-gowen.co.uk/tourism-insights
This free event includes a presentation on the analysis of the results and expert panel discussion, the opportunity to network with your peers within the sector, canapes and coffee in the break, and exclusive access to the full data results of the survey before anyone else, with a copy of the results brochure to take home with you!
When: Thursday 21 May – 9:30am – 2:00pm
Where: Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE
If you have any questions about this event, or have access requirements, please email [email protected]
Agenda
- 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Breakfast canapes and networking
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Main presentations and conversations
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Networking
Getting here
Closest parking to our office is available at Castle Quarter, or we are a 10min walk from Norwich Train Station, with bus stops near by.
Please let us know if you have any access requirements.
Finalist – East of England Start Up Awards
The Creative Desk has been named a finalist for Business to Business Start-Up of the Year in the East of England regional final of the UK Start-up Awards.
Being recognised alongside the best businesses in our region is a massive milestone for us.
We are now working towards the regional final in hopes of securing a spot at the national final at Ideas Fest this September.
This recognition belongs to everyone who has supported our growth so far.
HR Forum | Reducing Hidden Performance Gaps with Motivational Maps
Join us to hear from Paul Ward, Personal and Business Transformation Coach at Blue Heron Training.
When people feel engaged and motivated, everything changes. In fact, engaged employees can be up to 25% more productive, are 87% less likely to leave, and can contribute up to 21% more to the bottom line.
Imagine what could shift in your team if people truly understood themselves and each other. By uncovering individual motivators and understanding current levels of motivation, you can start to spot hidden performance gaps and, more importantly, know what to do about them.
Everyone who attends the session will get access to a free motivational map.
This session will give you the insight and confidence to turn that understanding into meaningful, lasting change. This isn’t one you’ll want to miss!
Free to attend. Reserve your spot and join the conversation.
CWA students scoop 17 awards at top culinary competition
Hospitality and catering students at the College of West Anglia have brought home an impressive 17 awards after competing at the prestigious Salon Culinaire competition at Excel London.
The talented group of 10 learners took part in a range of skills tests, including chicken for sauté, flat fish preparation, mixology, table laying and an avocado starter, achieving 3 merits, 2 bronze medals, 11 silver medals and 1 gold between them.
The individual results were:
Oscar Ramsey-Weeks – Flat Fish Prep, Merit; Mixology, Merit
Liv Sherman – Table Laying, Merit; Mixology, Silver
Willow James – Mixology, Bronze
Charlie Noyce – Mixology, Silver; Chicken, Silver
Brooke Mason – Mixology, Silver; Flat Fish Prep, Silver
Holly Page – Table Laying, Silver; Mixology, Gold
Caiomhe Friel – Chicken, Silver
Silvia Kchedukhieva – Avocado Starter, Silver; Chicken, Silver
Ella Brunec – Mixology, Silver; Chicken, Silver
Felicity Egan – Mixology, Silver; Chicken, Bronze
The competition gave students the chance to put their skills to the test in a professional setting, showcasing the high standards being developed at the college.
Aimee Jay said,: “Seeing our students compete at Salon Culinaire and achieve such strong results was fantastic. They showed real professionalism, skill and determination throughout the day, and I am incredibly proud of how they represented CWA. Competitions like this are so valuable because they give learners the chance to test themselves in a high-pressure industry environment and build confidence in what they can achieve.”
The College of West Anglia would like to congratulate all the students who took part and thank the staff who supported them in preparing for the competition.
Delta Fire Factory Tour & Networking
Join us for your chance to see around the Delta Fire award-winning factory, just East of Norwich, for a morning of introductions and networking opportunities.
But the event begins with an ‘inside-track’ tour of their state-of-the-art facility , showing the Solar PV array that covers the roof, battery storage and how that renewable energy can cover 100% of the production line you will see, utilising robot manufacturing to make world-leading firefighting hoses and equipment.
Depending on circumstances, there may even be a chance to operate one of the demonstration fire-fighting setups they have on display.
Taking every avenue to reaffirm their leadership in environmental stewardship, Delta Fire are a true exemplar in what can be achieved even in a sector not traditionally considered easy to decarbonise.
This is YOUR chance to see how advanced this facility is. Numbers are limited so early booking is advised: https://www.ticketsource.com/carbon-charter/delta-fire-factory-tour-networking/2026-05-14/10:00/t-gllegex
Case study: Key person insurance in action
Every business relies on at least one key person whose skills, knowledge, or relationships are essential to day‑to‑day operations. If that person were suddenly unable to work, the impact could be serious—especially for smaller businesses. Key person insurance provides financial protection during these moments, offering vital support to cover lost income, maintain stability, and fund replacement or recruitment. It gives businesses the breathing space they need to recover and continue operating, even in Every business relies on at least one key person whose skills, knowledge, or relationships are essential to day‑to‑day operations. If that person were suddenly unable to work, the impact could be serious—especially for smaller businesses. Key person insurance provides financial protection during these moments, offering vital support to cover lost income, maintain stability, and fund replacement or recruitment. It gives businesses the breathing space they need to recover and continue operating, even in the face of the unexpected.
If you’d like to find out how key person insurance could protect your business, visit our website or get in touch with our team today for a confidential discussion.
Breakthrough – Supporting Small Businesses
Breakthrough Social Enterprise are a central government funded organisation who support small businesses and individuals alike. I joined them on a free AI skills & leadership bootcamp not so long which I’ve posted about in my other updates.
It was an interesting course which exposed me to lots of discussions that, as a sole trader, I don’t normally have the opportunity to join in. Not only did I learn plenty along the way that I have already put into practice, but the things I have learnt also help me to better understand some of my customer’s different needs and challenges. All of this is excellent for enabling me to tailor my support packages either through language skills, supporting people relocating to France, people already in country who would benefit from help with understanding medical support options, business people negotiating their way through discussions and more besides.
The support from Breakthrough didn’t stop there though. Just recently Breakthrough have been working with me to strengthen my business plan which has really helped me As a sole trader, I am my business. I don’t have a Commercial Manager, Marketing Manager, IT Manager or HR Business Partner to consult – I have to wear all those hats myself at the same time. A little external ‘critical friend’ challenge from Breakthrough or from some of my discussions with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce are just what I need to help shape my thinking.
Top tip: Speak with the team at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and other sources out there about your business, your hopes, fears, dreams and ambitions and they can help you get more from your business.
Whatever your motivation, whether you are starting from new and always wanted to learn the language, whether you are more experienced and want to develop your conversation, you might be looking for guidance in-country with healthcare or house buying or perhaps you are looking for support for your business, give me a call with no obligation on 07930 444 078 or email me on [email protected] anytime.