Spire Solicitors LLP is pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Trick as partner to the firm, to continue its growth strategy.
Emma joined Spire Solicitors LLP in 2015 and specialises in Private Client work (including Wills, Estates, Powers of Attorney, and Trusts). She is a full member of the Law Society Private Client Section, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). Emma is based at our Diss office, where she is also a committee member of the Diss Business Forum.
Alisdair Liddle, Head of Private Client at Spire Solicitors LLP says: “It is with great pleasure we welcome Emma to the firm’s partner team. Emma’s experience, focus on client care and dedication to Spire Solicitors LLP have been invaluable since joining in 2015 and I look forward to continue working with her closely over the coming years.”
Lolcal News is a brand new exhibition celebrating Norfolk’s finest creatives. Featuring 30 local designers, illustrators, artists and photographers, each piece of work is based on a Norfolk related news headline. The concept for this exhibition is that of Norwich designer Sinead Birmingham, who moved back home from London after ten years working the creative industries, and immediately found comfort and joy in the local headlines and Norfolk humour. Sinead has collated Norfolk news headlines over the past year, which include such gems as “Person stuck in bathroom, fire service called in” and “£300 operation by vet on constipated goldfish” were the inspiration behind the exhibition. After collecting a strong selection of news gold, Sinead approached Norfolk’s design talent including; Owen Mathers, who recently completed a mural in Norwich’s Ivy Restaurant, Matt Whitehead, the creative behind Patterns of Play and the OTBC match day programme, as well as her talented designer colleagues at borne, one of Norwich’s leading design agencies. Wanting for the exhibition to remain local in every sense, Lolcal News ticket sales profits and profits from the artist’s prints will be donated to the OPEN Youth Trust (OPEN), a charity which develop high-quality arts initiatives helping children and young people express themselves through creativity. Sinead Birmingham, Lolcal News creator said: “The exhibition is a vehicle for building an even stronger design community within the city. With Norwich University of the Arts’ Course Leaders involved, along with alumni, Sam Harrons from the Shhhh collective and London based Norfolk native designers, the standard of the work will be as high as the headline humour.” All the headlines have been kept under wraps until the private view on 4th April, but until then archive headlines are being featured @lolcal_news instagram account. The exhibition will then be open to the public at OPEN Norwich, from 10.00am – 10.00pm on Friday 5th April and from 10.00am – 4.00pm on Saturday 6th April. Tickets are £5 + booking fee (under 12s free with a paying adult). Available from https://opennorwich.org.uk/whats-on/gigs-events/lolcal-news/ or call OPEN’s Box Office on 01603 763111
The Everline and Real Business Future 50 Awards celebrate the UK’s most disruptive businesses. The annually published list provides definitive analysis of game-changing UK companies and is a major programme to support disruptive organisations that are triggering change in their markets.
The 2014 entries were as diverse as they were brilliant, showcasing businesses poised to revolutionise the way we do just about everything: from the way we shop, to the way we communicate, the way we travel, the way we eat, and even the way we die!
The final 50, which included Norwich-based Liftshare, was announced in the heart of London’s start-up scene and was hosted by comedian Seann Walsh. Liftshare’s founder, Ali Clabburn, attended the event: “The Liftshare team has always maintained a start-up mentality that keeps our thinking fresh and our approach innovative. We established the UK’s sharing economy, which is fast becoming a mainstream movement – Forbes tipped it as the hottest trend for 2014 and the Government is also eager to lend its support. We are hugely proud to have remained at the forefront of this dynamic industry and this award is further recognition that Liftshare is setting trends for others to follow.”
Several other businesses from the East made it onto the prestigious list including Norwich-based Rainbird and ServiceTick, confirming the city’s position as a hub for talent and innovation.
The list was compiled by professor Julian Beer, pro-vice chancellor (regional enterprise) at Plymouth University; serial technology entrepreneur Shakil Khan; Anthony Eskinazi, founder and chairman of Parkatmyhouse; Darren Westlake, CEO of CrowdCube; Cate Trotter, founder of Insider Trends; Matthew Rock, former editor of Real Business and Russell Gould, managing director of Everline.
Russell Gould, managing director of Everline, said: “We had hundreds of high-calibre entries to this year’s Future 50, showing that small businesses are continuing to find innovative ways to drive the UK economy. The UK continues to prove itself as a hub of innovation and we’re really proud to support and celebrate the achievements of these businesses and wish them every success in the future.”
Some tips for turning those valuable interviews into contracts with new clients. Just follow the acronymUPPERand you will be in with a winning chance.
U– USP – what is it and what exactly do you offer – make sure you can describe yourself in the equivalent of a tweet. For example ” I presented BBC TV’s Tomorrow’s World and now offer communications training, ensuring that any media encounter you have is an opportunity not an ordeal.”
P– problems and concerns. make sure you have researched their needs and concerns before you go to the meeting. Can you solve the problem or need? Are they most concerned about price, quality, timescale or safety for instance. Make sure your offer takes these concerns into account.
P– prioritise – you only have 10 mins!! Make your most important points first – think what is the one thing you want them to remember if they remember nothing else, and start with it. If they digress bring them back.
E– examples, testimonials. People are not convinced by what you say – credibility comes with what you DO, so give brief examples of your experience and track record.
R– result, solution. Explain how you can help them. Be clear, concise and demonstrate your competence. Your testimonials and evidence of experience will cement this.
Over the last 15 years The Learning Partnership have delivered some of the most popular and effective STEM Inspiration physical classroom activities and competitions for Schools in the UK, including the Race for the Line Model Rocket Car National Competition with 78,000 students across 400 secondary schools involved this year alone.
The initiative is a whole year group project for Year 7 students and designed to promote STEM learning and assist teachers in bringing to life – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subject matter within the Year 7 curriculum. Students work in small, inclusive teams to design and build a model rocket car from kits supplied by TLP and, in parallel, explore, discuss and understand STEM concepts such as aerodynamics, Newton’s Laws of Motion, as well as computer programming through the use of a Micro:bit to measure performance. Partnerships with RAF, Army and Navy are in place to support the programmes – which this year meant they delivered 1000-person days to support qualifying events and races.
This is way above their expectations as it is one of the fastest growing national STEM programmes. Model change: Due to a previously unforeseen contractual restraint the joint forces have asked us to train 2 teachers in each school and supply the STEM programme management for those schools.
TLP is seeking local business support to make the competition ‘Free at the point of entry’ for schools and to enable the joint forces to continue in their role as Regional and National Finals hosts. For a school and all Year 7 students to participate costs £600. However, in times of limited budgets participation by the school is now dependent on securing external financial support – ideally from a local STEM business.
Our aim is to recruit 500+ STEM businesses to make a tax-deductible grant to a school near them.
In return for their support and in conjunction with The Learning Partnership the business will link with the school – be invited to the school race event and invited to join the STEM employer village at the regional finals with 30+ secondary schools and career advisors attending and have their logo on the regional event promotion material. As well as inspiring young people into STEM and helping close the “STEM Gap”, your support will also enable a range of new and exciting dynamics and valued interactions between your business and your local schools.
Sponsoring Companies will benefit from a 66% discount on a Dendrite employer channel linked to all Schools in their geographic zone.
If you would like to help, then please contact:
Phil Atkins UK Business Development Director The Learning Partnership [email protected] www.thelearningpartnership.com www.dendrite.me Tel: 01869 346609
University Technical College Norfolk is holding an Employer-led Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event on Thursday 4th April 4-7pm for 13-18 year olds and their parents to educate them on STEM careers and the opportunities available.
If you’re a STEM business and would like to attend please go to their eventbrite page to register your interest. They also have stand places available, if you’d like one please contact UTCN – [email protected]
The RICS has developed a range of regional one-day CPD conferences aimed at providing property professionals across the built environment, land and commercial property streams with essential guidance that they can use in their daily practice.
On 17 April, this conference will be held in Birmingham, offering property professionals the opportunity to not only update their professional knowledge and skills, but also the chance to network with other property professionals within the region.
With a mixture of plenary sessions and focused streams delegates, will be able to tailor their day across a choice of 18 sessions. The broad programme offers an in-depth examination of the developments, challenges and opportunities affecting the industry, from updates on building regulations, residential and commercial property to planning and environment to disputes and risk management across land, built environment and commercial property.
Abate Pest Management Services of Morley near Wymondham has been crowned the Small Company of the Year at the British Pest Management Awards (BPMA). The awards ceremony took place last week during PestEx, the UK’s largest trade exhibition and conference for the pest control industry, held at London ExCeL. Abate Pest Management was shortlisted for the award along with five other UK pest control companies.
Abate Pest Management Services celebrates its 20th year of operations next month and recently they achieved EN 16636 CEPA certification, which is the European quality standard for pest management services. This was added to their triple ISO for quality and environmental and accreditations with CHAS and Safe Contractor for health and safety.
The company also operates to BRC, M&S, Tesco, SALSA, Soil Association, Organic and Red Tractor standards, which allows the business to service food grade operations.
During the past 12 months, Abate has seen a significant uplift in contracts, especially businesses within the food chain, Housing Associations and delivered a number of specific bird proofing projects. Like most pest control businesses, the summer of 2018 influenced growth in the domestic market with a record number of wasp nest emergency call outs.
Recently Abate also announced their UK franchising plans to build a network of Pest Management operations throughout the UK. Currently they service clients in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and have operational work in parts of Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, making it an ideal time to expand.
Jon Blake, Managing Director of Abate, said, “We are delighted to have won this award which was independently judged by a select panel of industry experts. The 20 years of hard work has paid off and we are looking forward to our continued future growth. It doesn’t happen without a team and I am proud of everyone at Abate, especially my wife Jill who has supported and encouraged me to succeed.”
The waste recycling facility operated by Norse Commercial Services on the outskirts of Norwich has begun a major £8 million redevelopment aimed at increasing capacity and throughput, and expanding the range of materials that can be recycled.
“The expansion will save Norfolk’s councils considerable amounts of revenue as we will be able to handle much more waste and avoid unnecessary landfill,” said Norse Operations Director Dave Newell. “In addition there will be significant environmental benefits in that it will enable us to process waste quicker, and handle new waste streams in the future,” he added.
The expansion will include an extension to the existing building, together with new advanced processing machinery and the latest mobile plant.
This is yet another substantial investment by Norse, aimed at improving waste recycling services within Norfolk,” said Commercial Director Ruth Metcalf. “With pressure on local authorities to increase the amount of waste recycled, this commitment to providing a state-of-the-art facility within the county will mean that Norfolk is at the forefront of addressing environmental concern over sustainable waste management.”
It comes on top of a record year of growth for the company in terms of new business, all of which contributes much needed revenue to Norfolk County Council that will help safeguard vital frontline services,” she added.
Building work has recently started with completion planned for the end of July 2014. Installation of cutting-edge technology equipment and machinery will then be installed and commissioned during August and September.
Norse’s sister company NPS Group are to act as consultants and project manager for the construction of the new facility, with R G Carter carrying out the ground-work and building.
Tidy desk, tidy mind, may not be an ancient adage, but nor is it an old wives’ tale that a cluttered workspace affects productivity and therefore has a negative impact on profitability. If your desk resembles a landfill site, here are our top five reasons for decluttering:
Make a good impression
It’s not just your bosses who will notice if your desk always looks like you just emptied your bin over it, your colleagues will too. Technology company , Brother UK, carried out a Workplace Organisation Survey, where they quizzed more than 2,000 UK office workers to uncover the effect that a disorganised desk can have on everyday life. 20% of professionals surveyed said that a workmate’s messy space had a negative impact on how much they were able to get done in their working day. Untidiness can affect people’s perception of you; 40% of the office workers Brother talked to said that they thought a messy desk must mean that their workmate was disorganised, and, when it comes to their perception of junior colleagues, the stat shot up to 75%. That’s bad news for those just starting out in their career who want to make a good impression on their team but just can’t seem to keep their clutter under control.
Look after your health
Many of Brother’s survey-takers admitted that their messy desk negatively affected their mood, with 31% saying it increased their stress and a massive 49% that it changed the way they felt about going to work each day. But it’s not just mental health that suffers. Workplace equipment can be 400 times dirtier than the average toilet seat, and if your desk is covered in clutter, you or a contract cleaner is going to have to move everything to clean it properly and remove all those lurking germs.
Work more efficiently
If your desk is in a mess, it stands to reason that you are going to struggle to find things. Whether that’s a memory stick, a specific file or maybe just your pen, every minute you spend looking for items isn’t just an unproductive minute, it’s also a distraction that interrupts your train of thought. You’re also more likely to flit from one task to another if there are reminders spread all over your workspace. Just as a plethora of open tabs on your PC will send you off on more tangents than you will find at a geometry convention, so will an abundance of paperwork or Post-it notes.
Save money
It’s easy for stuff to get lost when it’s buried amongst a tonne of junk. One in five of those surveyed told Brother they’d misplaced something of value thanks to their disorganised workspace, with 17% losing an item worth somewhere between £50 and £200. Proof that being messy can be an expensive business!
Get that promotion
30% of Brother’s survey-takers said they believe that a tidy desk is part and parcel of presenting a professional image at work, and one in ten bosses admitted that a messy workspace could well make them think twice about promoting one of their employees. So, if you’re hoping to scale the career ladder or get a raise, it may be time to de-clutter.
Embrace a clear desk policy and spend the last five minutes of your workday tidying away those files. You’ll start the next day more positively, you’ll stay healthy, and you may even get promoted!
To find out more about our daily office cleans and other contract cleaning services call us on 01206215300.
Despite the last century’s closure of the county’s iconic breweries, Norfolk has well and truly bounced back. There are now 44 breweries in the county, and a further 27 in neighbouring Suffolk.
A spate of recent awards has confirmed the status of the region as one of the nation’s top beer locales.
Brian Finnerty of the National Farmers’ Union, East Anglia said: “The best beers require the best ingredients and we are right in the heart of the best barley-growing region in the world. That’s where the beer supply chain starts.”
The inspirational Dawn Leeder won Imbibe’s Innovator of the Year. She and Phil Cutter of the Murderers co-founded Norwich City of Ale and have developed it into a leading force in the beer and pub world.
At the North Norfolk Business Awards, the maltsters Crisp scooped the award for business growth, having developed their support and service to craft brewers, making them into valued advisors as well as suppliers. By way of further testament, of the 33 winners at SIBA’s national Beer Awards, 20 of the breweries use Crisp’s malt.
At the North Norfolk Business Awards, Norfolk Brewhouse won the small business category, and a few weeks later a silver at the SIBA’s national Beer Awards. Then to add to its tally of success, the Hindringham brewery has just been named East of England Co-op’s Producer of the Year.
Lacons’ recent triumph was the winning of Champion Winter Beer of Britain for its Audit Ale. The award is from the Campaign for Real Ale.
Wolf Brewery was another winner at SIBA’s national Beer Awards, taking home a gold for ‘Sirius Dog Star’.
Green Jack Brewing also did well at SIBA’s national Beer Awards – winning a bronze medal for ‘Lurcher’.
At the International Brewing Awards Woodforde’s went for gold with ‘Volt’
“It’s widely acknowledged that cereal growers in our region produce the finest quality barley, including the celebrated Maris Otter variety,” said Brian.
“The East of England remains a centre for this crucial crop, thanks to its combination of soil composition, climate and farming expertise. This ensures that barley grown here meets the exacting standards of maltsters such as Crisp.”
Much of the barley malted by Crisp is on the company’s historic floor maltings. The malt is then used by the region’s brewers to produce exceptional beers.
Adrian Dyter, managing director of Crisp says, “The 200 plus farmers who supply us are – literally and figuratively – true experts in their fields. The quality of grain they produce allows us to create exceptional malts. In the hands of skilled craft brewers, these result in beers packed with flavour and character.
“We are so very lucky to have City of Ale to showcase the amazing beers brewed in the area. The ten-day celebration has had a big impact over the years, inspiring many other city-wide beer festivals, and earning well-deserved recognition for Dawn and Phil. They were the first to create a city-wide beer festival back in 2011 – and the event has gone from strength to strength.”
All of the recent award-winners will be at the City of Ale launch on Thursday 23rd May celebrating the excellent ales that they have – in some measure – helped to bring to pub-goers. City of Ale runs from 23rd May to 2nd June, with nearly 50 pubs taking part, running events, being part of the Ale Trails, and serving the region’s fabulous beers.
Northampton, Newcastle and Sheffield South-based TaxAssist Accountants franchises have recently celebrated this landmark anniversary.
The TaxAssist Accountants franchise has been operating successfully in the UK for 24 years. Three of its longest standing franchises, who recognised the potential of the business model in the very early days of the franchise’s inception, are now celebrating a milestone anniversary after becoming firmly established in their local small business communities.
Brother and Sister franchisees Keith and Katherine Loader’s Northampton-based practice has grown into a team of eight and has been operating from a shop in the town since 2008.
“Over the years the business has successfully navigated its way through many changes within the industry” said Keith.
“Recent years have seen the development of many cloud-based bookkeeping software packages, and numerous applications for tablets and smart phones. TaxAssist Accountants has partnered with companies such as QuickBooks Online, to find solutions to prepare its clients for these industry enhancements and for the next big challenge, Making Tax Digital.
“With the industry constantly changing, every small business should have the support and backup of an accountant like TaxAssist Accountants. I would like to thank the Directors and all of the staff at the Support Centre for their help and assistance over the last 20 years.”
Newcastle-based David Ingram is also full of praise for the franchise: “I’ve had a fantastic journey with TaxAssist Accountants since being made redundant and deciding to do something independently and suitable to my skills.
“From the very first moment, I was impressed with the team at TaxAssist and the way they operated the franchise as a kind of family. There have been many changes of personnel over the years, but that family feel has stayed. At all times I have been very happy being a part of the franchise and look forward to many more happy years!”
Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive, said: “My congratulations go to the three franchises celebrating 20 years of successfully operating their TaxAssist Accountants practices. The franchise and the accountancy industry in general have developed enormously over this time, and it is reassuring to hear that stalwarts of the network remain happy and engaged in continuing to develop their practices with us. More than 1/3 of the network has been with us for 10 years or more, and the longest serving franchisee at present has been with us over 22 years – a testament to our brand presence, training and support.”
The third franchise celebrating 20 years with TaxAssist Accountants is Sheffield South, operated by business partners Tim Cook and Robin Milnes.