At Blue Heron Training, we believe great workplaces start with great people. That’s why we’re excited to host an upcoming HR Forum featuring Pippa Byrne, HR Director at Yapily, who will be sharing insights from her remarkable 30-year career dedicated to leading and supporting people.
Pippa has worked with teams across some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including The Body Shop and Hugo Boss as well as supporting organisations through her own HR consultancy.
Today, she shapes the people and culture strategy at Yapily, helping a fast-paced fintech scale with heart, clarity, and purpose.
True to her people-first approach, Pippa’s compassion extends beyond the workplace. She is also the proud and loving owner of 37 rescue dogs, including three she brought home from Northern Cyprus.
What You’ll Gain from This Session
This webinar will be an honest, practical, and engaging conversation about what it really takes to build a people-focused organisation. You’ll come away with:
Real career reflections from Pippa’s 30 years in HR
Straightforward strategies for putting people first in your own business
Practical ideas for creating cultures where growth, engagement, and innovation thrive
Opportunities to connect with other HR professionals through interactive breakout sessions.
This session is perfect for HR professionals looking to be inspired, gain practical insights, and learn from real-world experience.
Join Us
This event is free to attend and open to Norfolk Chambers members and the wider HR community.
Secure your spot and join the conversation. We’d love to see you there. Book here.
Latest Job Vacancies: BEST WESTERN Brook Hotel are looking to recruit new team members to join their busy Hotel in the following areas…
Housekeeping – looking to recruit 2 room attendants on a permanent basis working anything from 9am to 4pm (sometimes earlier, depending on how busy the Hotel is) from 3 to 5 days a week including Saturdays. Experience preferred but not essential as full training will be given.
Bar – looking to recruit a part time bar attendant working flexible hours depending on the needs of the business so from 15 to 30 hours a week approx, includes evenings and weekends plus more hours could also be available for weddings and events at the Hotel. Restaurant – looking for full and part time waiting staff to join our friendly team, flexible hours including evenings and weekends
To apply for any of the above positions please send you CV and covering letter detailing which position you are interested in applying for to the Hotel at 2 Barnard Road, Norwich, NR5 9JB or email [email protected]
National Grid
will shortly begin a series of drone flights along the proposed Norwich to
Tilbury route to help improve understanding of the landscape and environmental
conditions along the corridor, using advanced technology that reduces the need
for on-the-ground surveys.
The drone
surveys, carried out by Stirling X, a Norwich-based company with fully
certified pilots under enhanced permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) will record video footage of the route from heights of around 100 metres
(approximately 330 feet). The footage will give project teams a clear,
up-to-date view of the landscape and environmental features along the corridor,
helping to identify opportunities to reduce impacts on people, wildlife and
habitats.
The drones will
capture only footage directly relevant to the route and surrounding landscape.
They are not equipped or intended to record any personal or property-specific
information, and no identifiable individuals will appear in the video. This
ensures the survey remains entirely focused on environmental and engineering
data needed to inform the project’s planning and design.
Because of the
permissions granted by the CAA, the drones can cover long distances while
maintaining high safety standards and minimal disturbance. Flights will take
place in sections of around 5–10 kilometres, with each drone passing over an
area just once. The drones will not fly directly over residential properties
and will generally operate at a height that makes them barely noticeable from
the ground.
Each flight will
be managed by a qualified pilot, with trained observers stationed at intervals
along the route to monitor the drone’s progress. Operators will work primarily
from public rights of way and other accessible areas for take-off and landing, minimising
any impact on local communities and landowners.
The surveys are
being coordinated with local airfields, including Wattisham, to ensure safe
operations. The drones produce only a low level of noise, comparable to an
electric lawnmower during take-off and landing and will be quieter once at
operational height.
The video surveys will be begin in Norwich and work southwards, taking several days to complete the first phase. The footage will be used by National Grid’s environmental and engineering teams to support planning and design work for the Norwich to Tilbury project, part of The Great Grid Upgrade.
We are very pleased to introduce our new Head Chef, Luke Grimbly – his first shift tonight and he has already introduced a delicious special for the Restaurant this evening so we hope you enjoy the changes Luke will be bringing over the coming weeks… Best Western Brook Hotel, Norwich To make your reservations in our restaurant call us on Norwich (01603) 741161
bmi regional is the ‘easiest airline to book’ in the UK The bmi regional website is the easiest airline to book according to research undertaken by the editorial team of Daily Telegraph, based on the number of mouse clicks and time taken to book a flight.
Comparison of the online reservation processes for 12 short-haul UK airlines serving domestic and European destinations found that bmi regional customers can confirm a seat with just six mouse clicks – four fewer than the closest competitor, while the booking process takes just five minutes – one of the fastest times. Here is the original article: https://bit.ly/120cNVw
In addition, bmi regional is the UK’s most punctual scheduled airline for the eighth consecutive year, according to independent research by FlightOnTime.co.uk using Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.
Cathal O’Connell, CEO of bmi regional, said: “Making travel hassle-free for all of our business and leisure customers is a priority for us and that includes developing a smooth booking process. We’ll continue to seek more ways to ensure that flying with bmi regional is easy, such as thirty-minute check-in, our ‘bags fly free’ policy and serving complimentary in-flight refreshments.” bmi regional operate daily services to Aberdeen from Norwich International and passengers can enjoy complimentary in-flight food, refreshments and bar service; and 20kg hold baggage allowance at no additional cost. Please visit www.bmiregional.com for full details.
Train operator Greater Anglia is playing a pivotal role in helping achieve some of the aims in the East Anglian Rail Prospectus, which was launched a year ago to make the case for regional rail investment in East Anglia. The company, which took over the main regional franchise in February 2012, helped to coordinate and draft the prospectus and has spent the subsequent 12 months working with regional stakeholders to secure some of the upgrades targeted for the period up to 2019. Greater Anglia has prepared an update on the status of these initial objectives, which shows that significant collective progress has been achieved. Of the twenty one priorities highlighted, twelve are either agreed or already being implemented, seven have seen positive progress and two have seen limited progress and need more stakeholder work to ensure tangible upgrades are delivered by 2019.
Notable successes have included:
Approval either secured or pending for the Bow Junction re-modelling, Ely North Junction upgrade, planned Felixstowe – Nuneaton enhancements (though some more work to be done on the Felixstowe – Ipswich section), West Anglia third track from Lea Bridge – Angel Road and Gospel Oak – Barking electrification rail infrastructure schemes
Train service annual punctuality up to 92.8%
Station refresh schemes delivered at over 90 stations
Print-at-home ticketing and mobile ticketing now being trialled on a number of routes on the Greater Anglia network
Work is also underway to look at rolling stock upgrades (though these are linked more to the long term Greater Anglia franchise), more frequent services from the Lea Valley to Stratford, earlier and later trains to Stansted Airport, more frequent Cambridge – Stansted Airport and planning to fill key gaps in local services (especially Ipswich – Peterborough, though again this is linked to the long term Greater Anglia franchise).
The two schemes where limited progress has been achieved to date is on the two infrastructure schemes relating to improved journey times and capacity on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford and London).
Today’s East Anglian Rail Summit drew together the influential and extensive alliance of MPs, local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Chambers of Commerce, who have all joined forces to highlight the importance of rail upgrades in East Anglia and campaign for the improvements set out in the East Anglian Rail Prospectus – both for the remainder of this decade and in line with a 20 year vision of rail services in the region.
Commenting on the progress made against the priorities in the prospectus Ruud Haket, Managing Director for Greater Anglia said:
“Greater Anglia remains passionate about playing its part in delivering major upgrades to train services in East Anglia in both the short and long term to meet customers and the region’s aspirations. We’ve been instrumental, alongside other stakeholders, in making real progress on a number of the aspirations and aims we set out last year, with a number of infrastructure schemes agreed, significant improvements in train performance delivered, station improvements implemented and ticket purchase made easier.
However, we have more to do to ensure tangible upgrades to capacity and line speeds on the GEML and rolling stock enhancements are delivered before the end of this decade.
All of us involved in the region-wide alliance of stakeholders (including MPs, local authorities, LEPs, Chambers of Commerce and rail user groups) need to continue to work together to ensure we achieve the aims laid out in the East Anglian Rail Prospectus. We look forward to continuing to partner with regional stakeholders and Network Rail to secure the best deal for our railways.”
Holly wreaths are a classic symbol of Remembrance and Welcome,
Holly Wreaths carry a timeless beauty that makes them meaningful in two very different, yet equally heartfelt settings. Honoring a loved one’s grave to adorning the front door during the festive season.
This is Week 4 of behind the scenes of the furniture. The Norfolk Broads inspiration has put together two versatile occasional tables for anyone’s fancy
Due to a late group cancellation we arre able to share a fantastic deal with you this Sunday only!
Who wants a cheap deal for a room on Sunday here at the BEST WESTERN Brook Hotel, Norwich? £39 B&B for any of my friends here onNorfolk Chamberso letus know and feel free to share with your friends!! Super Sunny Sunday Stay 🙂www.brookhotel.co.uk
We have launched a new Twitter account to give an insight into the busy life of a Trainee Solicitor at Leathes Prior. Regular updates featured from Sabina Haag, Mark McWilliams, Steve Wilson, Tej Thakkar and Cailan Thomas with their views on the different departments they are in. The tweets will be work related but the social side will also be shared so you can truly understand what life is really like as a Trainee.
Recent tweets @LeathesTrainees
Mark: Won a case as advocate at the Employment Tribunal two months ago. It feels great to finally post the compensation to my client.
Tej: This week I am collecting all of the evidence into a court bundle and advising the client on their case.
Steve: I have just drafted a Management Agreement from scratch
NFC tracking can assure businesses with the ‘what, where and when’ in a number of scenarios. It’s the obvious choice for companies needing to get the bigger picture on staff check-ins, inventory whereabouts and many more real-life work scenarios.
Any system that lets you in on a real reflection of what is happening within your business will reward you handsomely in saved staff expenses and wasted man hours. In order to thrive in troubled times, anything that helps to identify areas for improvement is worth a closer look.
So what’s NFC all about and how can it tell you what you need to know, when you’re nowhere near your business?
NFC can be simply explained and you’ll have seen it work most likely in your local supermarket with the barcode system.
Think of NFC (Near Field Communication) as a programmable, tiny chip that talks to your phone. Put your phone (or any phone) over the chip and the phone will carry out the action it has been programmed to do.
This means an app on the software developers phone tells the chip to what you want it do – store information, open a programme, access some software etc. Whenever this NFC chip, and the user’s phone come in contact, the chip carries out that action.
With NFC tracking, the software is set to record the details of every check in. Reports can be gathered giving information on individual worker’s activities. You can find who has competed what activities, the time of the round, the routes, the actions and so much more besides.
NFC tracking gives you the 360 degree view you need to get the complete picture on all activities and more accurate information equals better control.
It can help:
• highlight problem areas and help plan a more streamlined approach • see actions in real time • breakdown individual activities • gather data for a range of reports
NFC is the emerging big brother of QR codes and set to grow. Why’s it so simple? Why does it make such sound business sense?
From your workers’ point of view it is simplicity. No more time sheets. It’s a paperless system, recording to a remote database. Wherever they are, and whenever they check in, the information is stored ready for an approved administrator to access. Any system that cuts down on effort and energy and merely requires a ‘tap’ has the mobile user’s vote.
And for you – the business owner? No more wasted £’s paying staff who don’t attend. Reports you can send your client as proof of attendance. It makes the checking in and out of venues, areas, people and articles a breeze.
Got something you need to track? NFC is the solution.
To see how NFC tracking can work for your business please view our NFC section here
Trainee Solicitor Laura Tanguay and Associate Solicitor Jean Parkinson comment on the proposed injunction to prevent nuisance and annoyance.
The Government’s plans to create Injunctions to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance (“IPNAs”) have been featured in the news recently, raising concerns that (to quote the Telegraph) “Children could get in trouble with the law simply for being ‘annoying'”. However. what is this new weapon in the armory and is it, as some believe, just in essence an ASBO by another name?
What are IPNAs?
IPNAs, along with a number of other potential measures, have been introduced by section 1 of the new Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill 2013 – 2014 (“the Bill”). Further to being debated at its second reading last month, the Bill is currently being considered by the House of Commons.
The aim of an IPNA is likely to be familiar to most people, in that it seeks primarily to stop the engagement or threat of engagement in “conduct capable of causing nuisance of annoyance to any person”. It is capable of being granted against anyone aged 10 or over and, perhaps surprisingly, can be granted for an unlimited duration.
Whilst there are those who will suggest that this is simply a new name for an old remedy, there are some subtle differences between an IPNA and the soon to be replaced ASBO. Perhaps most importantly is the fact that the wording serves to widen the parameters within which an order could be granted. Unlike an ASBO, the IPNA does not restrict itself to the “act” of nuisance or annoyance: section 1 of the Bill provides that an IPNA can be granted if it is proved on the balance of probabilities that the person has engaged, or threatens to engage, in conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person.
As drafted, this means that at one end of a broad spectrum, a court could grant an IPNA against a 10 year old child who may in the future engage in conduct that is annoying to any person. ‘Nuisance’ or ‘annoyance’ have not otherwise been defined in the Bill and no examples of conduct that would reach this threshold have been provided.
Consequences of breaching an IPNA
Part 5 of the Bill sets out new grounds for absolute possession of secure tenancies (i.e. the eviction of tenants from their council homes). Clause 84A(1) states that a court must make an order for possession in the event that it is satisfied that any of a number of conditions have been met.
One of these conditions is when “a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house” is in breach of an IPNA.
Therefore, if a 10 year old is in breach of his or her IPNA, this could lead to the eviction of an entire family from their council home. Equally, similar to the housing provisions under ground 2 to Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1985, the responsibility extends to the behaviour of visitors to the property, and the IPNA is therefore wider in its implication than the ASBO in this regard.
Voices of concern
Last month the Public Bill Committee heard representations from JUSTICE, an independent law reform and human rights organisation, who voiced several concerns about the new Bill.
JUSTICE aver that the criminal standard of proof should apply to legal findings about whether or not anti-social behaviour is likely (i.e. it should be beyond reasonable doubt rather than on the balance of probabilities).
The organisation were also of the opinion that the ‘nuisance and annoyance’ threshold was much too low, and suggested that it be replaced with the ‘harassment, alarm or distress’ test which is currently used in other legislation. There have also been suggestions put forward that the use of these orders may be used inappropriately to essentially criminalise young children.
Comment
What remains certain is that anti-social behaviour continues to be a problem which needs to be tackled; whether IPNAs can provide the solution will only be determined following the passage of time. They will arguably continue to be seen by some as a very draconian measure – not least because they can be granted indefinitely (or for a period of up to 12 months in the case of under 18s) and because it appears that there is no safeguard of reasonableness which you would usually expect to see in legislation of this kind. Advocates for action on anti-social behaviour, however, are likely to take the view that this type of sanction is exactly what is needed to enable the judiciary to provide a short, sharp shock to those guilty of anti-social behaviour.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this article, please contact Laura Tanguay or Jean Parkinson.