Tots up £9k for Big C in 2013 and selects Nelson’s Journey as staff charity for 2014
Local insurance brokers and financial planners Alan Boswell Group (ABG) have raised a total of £9k for Big C, their 2013 staff nominated charity. Dress-down days and cakes sales as well as audacious sky dives, endurance cycle rides and an entertaining staff bike race in the Gas Hill Gasp have all contributed to the grand total.
Big C community fundraising manager, Diane Northway, said: “What a terrific sum! Alan Boswell Group’s staff got right behind us this year and did some incredible things, all in the name of charity. The Group has a long association with Big C, raising a staggering £47K in the last decade alone.”
Norfolk children’s charity, Nelson’s Journey, has been chosen for 2014. Their charitable pledge to ‘(bring) back smiles to bereaved children’ is something the 220 staff at Alan Boswell Group can’t wait to support during the year ahead.
Nelson’s Journey chief executive, Colin Lang MBE said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been selected by such a pro-active business. We’re a local charity and gaining support from local firms is vital to our fundraising efforts. It means we can continue to support bereaved young people across Norfolk.”
Nelson’s Journey provides support for children and young people living in Norfolk who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life. The funds they raise are used to improve the emotional wellbeing of bereaved children by: increasing their confidence and self-belief, providing education about the causes of death and enabling families to talk openly about their bereavement.
Norse subsidiary GYB Services has been tasked with clearing the vast amount of debris left by the recent tidal surge and storms along the shoreline from Scratby to Great Yarmouth.
Local BBC Radio Norfolk were keen to find out more about the operation.
Talking on the station, GYB Services’ Building & Engineering Manager, George Jarvis, told said, “The debris consists of damaged marram grass that has entangled general rubbish, demolition debris from the properties that were lost due to the cliffs giving way at Hemsby and all manner of items that have been in the sea for some time. Telegraph poles, trees and metal tanks are just some examples of what we have had to remove.”
“GYB Services has provided man power to litter pick the grass for debris including glass bottles, wires and hazards to the public. To remove the bulk of the debris to land fill we have contracted local company Sutton Services to supply the plant.”
“I was asked ‘why not Burn the rubbish’,” Jarvis said, “and indeed we had the approval of the Environmental Agency to do this and it was our original plan. However, due to weather conditions and the nature of the debris it just wouldn’t be possible.”
GYBS have provided ten man teams to the project, and Jarvis said that the project is estimated to take over four weeks to complete as they move around 350cubic meters of debris a day.
MADE BY WOODSMOKE, a Norfolk-based creative studio, has launched a dedicated guide to architectural visualisation for developers, architects, and estate agents.
The guide demystifies the CGI process—from briefing through to delivery—helping local businesses commission realistic imagery that supports off-plan sales, stakeholder alignment, and real-time design decisions.
Topics covered include:
– When to commission visualisation and what outputs are available
– The step-by-step workflow and review process
– How visuals enable off-plan sales and reduce financial risk
– Software, costs, and choosing the right partner
James Bussey, founder of MADE BY WOODSMOKE, brings architectural training and expertise in film, photography, and CGI to help property professionals tell compelling stories before construction begins.
McKay Medical Services is a new, locally-based first aid
training provider offering high-quality, doctor-led training for businesses,
schools, and community organisations across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Founded by Dr Caitlyn McKay, an NHS doctor with over a decade of frontline
clinical experience, McKay Medical Services specialises in practical,
confidence-building first aid training rooted in real emergencies. Caitlyn has worked
extensively in Emergency Medicine, trauma care, paediatrics, and acute hospital
settings, supporting patients and families in high-pressure, time-critical
situations. Alongside her clinical work, she is an experienced educator,
delivering structured, engaging training to a wide range of learners.
This combination of medical expertise and teaching experience makes McKay
Medical Services particularly well suited to high-risk and safety-critical
workplaces. Training is tailored to the specific risks of each industry,
ensuring courses are relevant, realistic, and directly applicable to the
environments staff work in. This includes sectors such as offshore and
marine industries, construction and engineering, manufacturing, utilities,
forestry, education settings, and organisations with lone workers or
public-facing roles.
Alongside workplace training, Caitlyn is especially passionate about
improving access to high-quality first aid education within schools, colleges,
universities, and community charities. She believes first aid is a life
skill that should be taught with clarity, realism, and confidence — empowering
teachers, students, and volunteers to respond effectively when it matters most.
To support this, McKay Medical Services offers significantly reduced rates
for educational settings and charitable organisations, helping ensure that
cost is not a barrier to high-quality, doctor-led training. Caitlyn is keen to
work with local organisations and the Chamber network to help spread awareness
of these opportunities and reach groups who may not otherwise access formal training.
McKay Medical Services offers a range of FFA-certified, Ofqual-regulated and
HSE-compliant first aid courses, all delivered with a calm, practical
approach and tailored to the real risks faced by each organisation. Every
course prioritises realistic scenarios, clear communication, and professional
boundaries — preparing people for real emergencies, not just box-ticking.
To learn more about available courses or to discuss bespoke training for your
organisation, visit: ww.mckay-medical-services.co.uk
Our Founder, Simon Wingfield, has won a prestigious
award at the Business Awards UK. He won a ‘Business Leader’ award for 2026.
Simon, Founder of Wingfield
Consultants, commented:
‘I am thrilled to win the ‘Best Business Leader
in Consultancy’ category award in my region. It means a lot to win such a
competitive award against my peers.’
5,000 products were entered into this years Licensing Awards 2013, at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane and Icefresh were shortlisted in to the top 6 for Best Licensed Food or Drink Range, alongside the likes of Oreo Ice Cream, Cornetto Chocolates, J20 Confectionary, Pizza Express and Mickey Mouse – some massive brands and great innovation.
Icefresh Foods, a true David vs Goliath story, walked away with the Best Food and Drink range award – the biggest accolade they could ever achieve in their industry!
Brand Manager, Scott, continues the story, “It goes without saying the packaging design has given us the uniqueness that we needed in this competitive environment that has meant hundreds of engaged consumerson social media and hundreds of thousands of sales through Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Very well done to everyone at Naked Marketing for your contribution to making this happen”.
Increase in new business as recovery strengthens in region’s commercial property market
Leading commercial law firm Howes Percival has expanded its property practice with three new appointments in response to a significant increase in new instructions from both local and national clients. Kirsteen Durrant and Kate Evans have been appointed associate solicitors in the property litigation and commercial property teams and solicitor, Katharine Danks has joined the firm’s estates team.
Howes Percival’s property experts act for major retailers, construction companies, farmers and landowners, housing associations, developers and public authorities as well as private individuals and businesses and cover everything from land promotion and planning through to plot sales and dispute resolution.
Kirsteen Durrant has joined Howes Percival’s property litigation team as an associate solicitor working with Jamie Kidd, the firm’s property litigation partner in the East of England. Kirsteen is an expert in property and agricultural litigation and landlord and tenant work – advising both commercial and public sector clients. Kirsteen has particular expertise in dealing with the termination and renewal of commercial leases and is experienced in all aspects of commercial and agricultural property disputes. She was previously a solicitor in Eversheds’ real estate litigation group, based in Cambridge.
Kate Evans has extensive experience in a range of commercial property matters acting for corporate entities, charitable organisations and individuals on the sale and acquisition of freehold and leasehold property. She is experienced in acting for both landlords and tenants on the negotiation of leases and licences and can offer expert advice on property management issues. Kate has joined Howes Percival’s commercial property team as an associate solicitor from Northampton based firm, Wilson Browne LLP.
Katharine Danks has been appointed solicitor in Howes Percival’s estates department. Katharine has experience in acting for both residential and commercial developers and landowners including regeneration bodies, transport providers and developers in various projects and has a particular interest in agriculture and rural matters. She trained and qualified into the real estates development team at Eversheds LLP.
Jamie Kidd, property litigation partner, commented, “I am delighted to welcome Kirsteen, Kate and Katharine to the firm, their appointments increase our capacity to respond to market developments and client requirements. In recent years we have built on our established reputation for property work by bringing in some of the best property experts in the region. As a result, we are able to offer a dedicated one-stop legal service for landowners and the development industry, providing unrivalled expertise to the sector in an efficient and cost effective way.
“The strategy has worked well and, in spite of very challenging market conditions, the team has continued to receive a strong flow of instructions from both local and national companies. Confidence in the property market is starting to grow and we are seeing some very encouraging signs of recovery. With the team we have in place now we are well placed to benefit as the market picks up and as a result, we are expecting 2014 to be an even busier year.”
Howes Percival’s comprehensive commercial property service covers planning and environmental law, minerals and waste, compulsory purchase, village greens, development including strategic land acquisitions, the management of real estate portfolios, property finance, leases and other landlord and tenant matters, property litigation and construction contracts and disputes. The Estates team advises on a wide range of rural and agricultural property matters with a particular emphasis on tax efficient structuring for agricultural and development land.
The team of specialist property lawyers has a national reputation for the quality of their work:
• The 2013 edition of the Legal 500, widely regarded as the authoritative guide to the UK’s leading law firms, awarded the firm top tier rankings for commercial property, property litigation and planning work. • The 2014 Chambers UK Guide (an annual directory of the best lawyers in the UK) awarded Howes Percival top table rankings for its planning, property litigation and environment work. • The 2014 Corporate INTL Magazine Legal Awards (the monthly magazine for business leaders, professional advisers and providers of finance throughout the world) awarded Howes Percival ‘Planning law – Law Firm of the Year in England’ and ‘Editor’s Choice winner of the Landlord & Tenant Law Firm of the Year in England’.
Baggage handling system to be updated at Norwich International Airport Work has begun that will see significant improvement in baggage handling operations at Norwich International Airport. The improvements are being carried out in a live environment to ensure no interruption occurs to passenger services and completion is expected before half term in May. Major benefits for Norwich International Airport and its passengers will be a minimisation of the risk of failure and improvement of the overall system’s reliability. Vanderlande Industries, the UK subsidiary of the world’s leading baggage handling systems provider, was awarded the contract to carry out the work following an extensive site survey that revealed the need for an update of the current system to improve its performance. As a result, Vanderlande used its extensive knowledge and experience to provide a tailored solution that will expand the life of the system currently in operation at Norwich International Airport. Work will include the installation of a new make-up carousel that has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. It will be one of several steps taken to improve the overall system’s performance. Vanderlande, as a company committed to innovation in baggage handling, sees this contract as an opportunity to expand its contribution to the improvement of UK regional airports. The company believes that the update of the current baggage handling system will further improve the passenger experience at Norwich International Airport. Commenting on awarding Vanderlande the contract, Richard Pace, operations director at Norwich Airport said: “Vanderlande Industries was able to provide us with solutions that specifically addressed our needs. The company is helping us improve the operations of our baggage handling system so that we are able to provide a more efficient service to our passengers”.
Our Franchising team spends considerable time and energy being involved in the Franchising industry in the UK (and indeed internationally). This month, Ed Savory and Vicki Mitman attended various British Franchise Association (bfa) forums covering the Midlands and London and the South East.
The purpose of the forums is for franchisors (and now franchisees) together with advisers and experts in franchising to meet and discuss current market trends, debate issues affecting franchising and to promote franchising and the role of the bfa. The forums are held quarterly and during this round the following issues arose:
• Methods for franchise recruitment and how to find good franchisees • International expansion • Engaging in early discussions in order to avoid franchise disputes • Using mystery shoppers • Keeping up to date with the latest technology including, in particular, social media • Increasing the profile of franchising
Ed Savory also attends the Affiliate Forums which is a coming together of industry experts to share ideas, consider changes to law regulation and promote franchising and the role of the bfa. The UK’s franchising industry is surprisingly collaborative and with lawyers, bankers, consultants and other experts all working together the result is a strengthening industry offering a contemporary approach.
Recently, there has been a rise of a new generation of lawyers as several of the older generation near retirement. At the same time, there has been a change at the centre of bfa compliance with Kelly Blackmore-Lee taking over as the Head of Compliance.
Ed comments: “At a time when there appears to be an economic recovery underway, and although the statistics tell us that the [franchising] industry has been immune from the recession, it is exciting to see a fresh look to the UK’s franchising legal and compliance players. The rise of young and energetic advisers is a positive sign for the industry, especially with many of the newer franchises being driven by the entrepreneurial generation in their 20s and 30s.”
At this months Affiliate forum, the following issues were discussed:
• Update on bfa progress • Presentation on the results of this year’s Natwest bfa survey • Looking at brands which have recently become insolvent and considering what (if anything) can be learnt • Franchise exhibitions and trying to restrict non-exhibiting businesses from promoting themselves
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the above please contact any member of our Franchising team.
If you are searching for a job you needto make sure your CV is working for you.
Did you know applicant tracking systems[ATS] are commonly used by big companies?This means its more important than everfor your CV to be ATS compatible.
In today’s fast-paced working environment, many SMEs are facing the challenges of increasing workloads and the need for fresh thinking. Teams are often stretched thin while still striving for innovation, improved processes, and long-term growth. One effective and increasingly popular solution is bringing student interns into the workplace. UEA’s SME internship subsidies make recruiting new talent more cost-effective than ever, ensuring you can accelerate projects that may otherwise be left on the back burner.
Internships enable SMEs to tap into a pipeline of motivated talent equipped with current academic knowledge and practical skills. With the added benefit of subsidised funding, hosting an intern can be far more affordable than many SMEs realise.
How employers are benefitting from SME Internship Subsidies
Recent examples from UEA’s internship programme illustrate just how valuable student and graduate contributions can be across a broad range of industries.
Creative organisations often benefit immensely from the enthusiasm and imagination that interns bring. One student from UEA’s School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing recently joined a local arts organisation for a 12-week internship. During this time, they played a key role in supporting programme and event delivery. Their creative insight not only contributed to content development but also freed up core staff to focus on strategic planning and long-term projects.
In sectors where seasonal work and time-pressured projects are common, interns can provide essential support. A UEA Environmental Sciences student joined a local planning authority to assist with its annual summer survey. Over the course of the internship, the student developed valuable skills in plant species identification, gained hands-on project-management experience, and helped the authority progress vital environmental work during one of its busiest periods. For organisations with fluctuating workloads, interns can be the difference between maintaining momentum and falling behind.
Internships are also highly effective in business and consultancy environments. One Norwich Business School graduate spent six months with a consultancy firm, taking responsibility for finance coordination and supporting day-to-day accounting tasks. Their contribution helped refine internal systems, improved financial accuracy, and supported the organisation through a period of rapid growth. Interns working in operational roles can streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and introduce new ways of thinking that benefit the organisation long after the placement ends.
How subsidised internships work
The UEA Internship Programme is designed with employers – especially SMEs – in mind. The university offers flexible, subsidised models that cater to varying workloads, budgets, and timeframes. Whether organisations need a part-time intern for a few hours per week, a full-time intern for several months, or support for a one-off project, UEA provides cost-effective options that make internships accessible and sustainable.
SME subsidies are available for UEA-Employed internships. This is an easy and convenient way to take on an intern as the intern is paid through UEA payroll and UEA provides the internship contract. We also offer a Host-Employed route for organisations that would prefer to employ an intern directly, although these internships are not eligible for SME subsidies. The subsidised models offered to SMEs mean organisations can bring in additional resource at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire, without sacrificing quality or impact.
How to find out more
From creative arts and environmental science to finance and consultancy, interns across the region are making meaningful contributions that elevate organisations and support long-term growth. For SMEs, internships offer a practical, affordable, and highly effective way to expand capacity while investing in the next generation of talent.
Subsidies are limited and can’t be guaranteed. Internships should start by 31 May 2026 to be eligible for a subsidy. To learn more about UEA internships and how your organisation can benefit, visit UEA Career Central’s employer webpages.