Norfolk County Council and the Transport for Norwich (TfN) partnership are asking for feedback on proposed changes on Boundary Road. The aim of this scheme is to provide better connections across the busy outer ring road, making it safer and easier for travelling on foot or by bike.
What’s being proposed and why?
This project is part of a programme of infrastructure changes in the Greater Norwich area, which was agreed by the county council’s Cabinet last year and is funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Transforming Cities Fund. As we deliver these projects, we are carrying out a series of public consultations to help identify any issues for consideration when finalising the plans we put forward for construction.
We are consulting on two options to improve crossing facilities. One option is to upgrade the existing junction at the B&Q car park, whilst retaining the existing pedestrian crossing on Boundary Road near the junction with Vera Road. The other option is to install a new cycle crossing connecting Vera Road to Rye Avenue, which would also retain the existing pedestrian crossing on Boundary Road near the Vera road junction.
Further details on both options are available by following this link where you will find a letter and plans at the bottom of the page.
To better support your business in the future, the Norfolk County Council has commissioned Local First to review access to business finance in Norfolk by understanding your experience with current finance providers.
Please take this opportunity to tell them about your experiences with accessing finance, your relationship with your bank, and whether your business would welcome a new model of community-oriented bank in Norfolk.
Organisations in the United Kingdom are faced with a constant barrage of digital dangers where cyber threats lurk around every corner. Almost half of UK organisations fall victim to cyber security breaches every year, and all are faced with the challenges of building robust defences against malicious actors and how to respond in the event of a cyber incident.
Just over a third of organisations report being insured against cyber security risks in some way, and for most of these organisations their cyber security insurance is part of a wider insurance policy. Less than 10% of organisations overall have a specific cyber security insurance policy, with larger businesses being more likely to have specific cyber security insurance.
Cyber security insurance provides a safety net which is designed to mitigate the financial fallout of a cyber breach, covering costs like incident response, forensic investigation, and restoration of lost data. Many cyber insurance products come with access to a network of security professionals who can assist with incident response, vulnerability assessments, and general cyber security improvements. Access to a knowledge base like this can be invaluable to smaller organisations which may not have this level of expertise in-house.
Insuring your organisation against cyber risk can be a double-edged sword, where the existence of an insurance policy creates a moral hazard of investing less in the organisational security due to a perceived safety net provided by the insurance.
Insurance policies are notorious for their complexity and can be full of exclusions. It is essential that organisations understand their coverage before assuming they are fully covered. Common exclusions include attacks linked to nation state actors, losses arising from critical national infrastructure outages, and losses caused by supply chain attacks. The constantly evolving nature of cyber threats can make it challenging for insurers to keep up, which could leave to coverage gaps when faced with emerging threats.
Cyber security insurance should be seen as a single layer of a defence-in-depth approach to securing your organisation. Insurers will require you to show you take security seriously and are equipped to mitigate as many threats as possible by implementing certain security controls and best practices which can lead to a stronger security posture for your organisation.
Staff awareness training is integral to educate your employees about cyber threats and can cover a wide range of topics including identifying phishing scams and malware traps, creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious activity. 80% of data breaches in the UK involve some form of human interaction, so by training your staff to be more cyber-aware you can significantly reduce the risk of your organisation falling victim to an attack. Regular and relevant training will help to create a culture of security within your organisation.
Incident response exercises are an essential part of an organisation’s cyber security preparedness plan, which typically involve simulations of real-world cyber-attacks that allow your team to test their skills, identify weaknesses in your defence, and refine your response procedures.
Cyber insurance is a valuable tool, but not a substitute for proactive measures. Investing in robust security practices is crucial, and insurance should be seen as a complementary safeguard and not a defensive solution.
The Greatest Christmas Party is coming to Barnham Broom
Get together with friends and colleagues to celebrate the festive season with a taste of The Greatest Show in Barnham Broom’s “big top”. The resort will be hosting spectacular themed evenings throughout the Christmas period, offering delicious food and drink with an exceptional three course dinner as part of the evening.
Alongside the excitement of The Greatest Christmas, the brilliant Agent Orange will be playing live music on selected dates and each event will also include a set from the resident DJ, ready for you to dance the night away in the festive Barford suite and themed marquee.
Tickets are now on sale. To book call 01603 759 393 or email [email protected]
Bespoke private events are also available: With four versatile event spaces, Barnham Broom can comfortably cater for groups of any size, ranging from two to over two hundred. All the rooms will be decorated for the festive season and a range of dining options are available for groups, meaning Christmas parties can be curated to suit individual requirements.
Creative Sponge has appointed a new Creative Director and Client Services Director in a reorganisation of its leadership team.
Agency founder Alex Tosh will again lead the agency on a day-to-day basis backed by Patrick Hennings and Martin Betts.
Patrick will take responsibility for Sponge’s Studio team and its output as Creative Director, while Martin will take overall responsibility of client relationships and oversee their projects as Client Services Director.
Joining the agency in 2017 as Art Director, Patrick has a wealth of experience working on branding and digital projects across multiple industry verticals.
He graduated from Colchester School of Art and has previously worked for one of the country’s leading property marketing agencies, undertaking projects for major residential housing developers.
Martin joined Sponge in September 2018 as Senior Account Manager before becoming the agency’s New Business Manager.
He spent 20 years working in journalism, publishing, and communications, before moving into agency-side marketing roles.
Alex, who launched Creative Sponge in 2004, said: “I’m excited to appoint Patrick and Martin as Creative Director and Client Services Director and help give the agency a fresh perspective and approach.
“They and I share a vision that will see us concentrate on the agency’s great pedigree and strength for developing powerful branding, exciting advertising campaigns, and engaging digital projects.
“We’ve seen a noticeable recent upturn in interest from existing and new clients regarding new projects, so making these key appointments, as well as adding another designer to our Studio team in the coming weeks, means we can look forward to the future in confidence.”
In today’s hyper-connected world, supply chains are the lifeblood of global commerce. Many businesses rely on an extended network of suppliers to deliver products, systems, and services to enable them to deliver their product to their customers. The intricate nature of these networks creates a vast attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit however, and the consequences can be devastating. Imagine a domino effect, where a security breach at one supplier ripples through your entire network disrupting operations, exposing sensitive data, and eroding customer trust. The potential impact this could have on your organisation is immense.
What is supply chain management?
Supply chain management involves overseeing the entire production process from start to finish, including the delivery of the final product to the consumer. From a cybersecurity perspective, supply chain management focuses on ensuring the safety of the interconnected network of organisations, processes, and technologies involved in bringing a product from conception to delivery.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of cyber-attacks as a result of vulnerabilities within the supply chain. These attacks have targeted third party software providers, website builders, third party data stores, and hardware providers. The 2023 Cybersecurity Breaches Survey found that only 13% of businesses review the risks posed by their immediate suppliers.
Securing the supply chain
It is vital to understand the cybersecurity threats within your supply chain before implementing security measures.
Why might someone attack your supply chain? (Financial gain, disruption, espionage)
Who are the likely attackers? (Cybercriminals, competitors, state actors)
Where are the exploitable weak points in your supply chain?
What would happen if these vulnerabilities were exploited? (Financial loss, reputational damage, operational disruption)
Once you have identified the critical aspects of your organisation that require the most protection, establish a repeatable and measurable approach for assessing the cybersecurity of your suppliers.
Pinpoint the data, systems, and processes most crucial to your business.
Create tiered security profiles for supplier based on the potential impact they could have on your assets, defining increasing security requirements for each tier.
Decide how to assess your suppliers using a combination of techniques including surveys, interviews, site visits and independent audits.
Develop strategies for managing non-compliant suppliers, including continued assessments and remediation plans.
Implement standardised contract clauses addressing cybersecurity expectations and potential scenarios.
It is important to note that a single assessment will not be enough to guarantee your cyber security standards are being met. Regular monitoring of your supplier’s cyber resilience will help you identify any gaps and work with your suppliers to address them before they are exploited and become an issue.
Continuous Improvement
Evaluate your framework and its components on a regular basis and adjust the process accordingly so that it provides the correct level of risk/reward for your organisation. Once the initial assurance of your supply chain is complete , it is important to understand that the risks to your business are constantly evolving. Stay informed about new threats and use the knowledge gained to update your supply chain’s cybersecurity measures.
Securing the supply chain is a crucial task that requires a collective effort from everyone involved. Collaborate with your vendors, share threat intelligence, and participate in industry forums to stay ahead of the curve. Adhering to established industry standards like ISO 27001 can provide you with invaluable guidance and demonstrate your commitment to security.
Cybersecurity is not a destination but an ongoing journey. It is crucial to continually evaluate your practices, adapt to evolving threats, and invest in ongoing training and awareness programs. By prioritising supply chain security, you can build your resilience and safeguard your business against any potential cybersecurity threats.
The B2B Exhibition returns on Thursday 14 October and is Norfolk’s largest business-to-business exhibition. Free to attend and attracting hundreds of businesses on the day, B2B is a highlight on the Norfolk events calendar.
The Co.mmunicate hub is the place where businesses can talk one-to-one with business specialists to help grow their business. Experts from a range of specialisms will be available for 15-minute slots throughout the day (more information on who and how to book coming soon). The hub is part of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce’s Knowledge Hour, which encourages businesses to allow employees to take 1 hour a week for learning and development.
Matthew Downing, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial at Spire Solicitors LLP, said: “Norfolk Chambers does a great job of supporting local businesses throughout the year and this event will be an excellent opportunity for the local business community to finally see each other again after such a long time apart. We are proud to be sponsors of the Co.mmunicate Hub, which incorporates Knowledge Hour and Norfolk Knowledge Hub, and we look forward to seeing you all at our stand on the day.”
For exhibitors and visitors, the event gives the opportunity to meet new potential clients, catch up with existing contacts and have a presence at this prestigious event.
Alongside the Co.mmunicate hub, you can also meet a plethora of businesses in the exhibition, take part in speed networking sessions throughout the day, go to a free workshop or seminar, relax in the Proudly Norfolk food hub and join us for the B2B after party (ticketed event).
Free tickets to the exhibition are now available so that you can gain fast-track entry on the day. Register here: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/b2b
Rhino Building Supplies, Acle are very proud to be associated with East Anglia Brickwork Ltd in their drive to support young people wishing to begin a career in the construction industry as apprentice bricklayers. Darren Critchlow, Director of East Anglia Brickwork Ltd, Zoe Gabriele of Rhino and Gary Smith the onsite apprenticeship teacher & mentor met for a chat about their exciting new apprenticeship programme.
So tell us a bit about the apprenticeship programme:
I wanted to bring in qualified brickwork teachers willing to work on a live site mentoring and laying bricks/blocks alongside apprentices. We have set up the programme based on 4/5 apprentices with 3 or 4 bricklaying mentors onsite. We plan to build the programme each year – adding 4/5 apprentices. The apprenticeship is 2 years training to achieve the new brickwork standard level 2 which has taken the place of the old NVQ level 2 qualification. The training is all on site and the benefit of having a qualified bricklaying teacher is that the theory work can also take place onsite. This means that on wet days when they are unable to work onsite – they will then use the onsite classroom for theory – allowing the apprentices to utilise the good weather days to polishing up their practical skills.
We are keen to expand into multiple programmes and to do this we are looking for:
Brickwork Teacher – willing to teach theory on the wet days and work hands on mentoring and laying bricks alongside the apprentices on dry days. This position will be full time employment with bonuses for each apprentice that achieves qualification of the programme.
Bricklayer Mentor – willing to work hands on mentoring and laying bricks alongside the apprentices. The benefit to this is that they will be able to pass on knowledge and watch the apprentices develop into a quality bricklayer with all the key principles to improve our industry. This is a full time, self-employed position with bonuses for each apprentice that achieves qualification of the programme.
Apprentices – Anyone of any age keen to pursue a career in brickwork. The programme accommodates up to 6 months paid trial period before committing to the full-time employed apprenticeship. This is basically up to a 6-months probation period where they will learn labouring and basic brickwork skills. This allows us to get to know the candidate and the candidate can get a good feel for the company and our principles. The apprenticeship is fulltime employment for 2 years with the opportunity to progress as a bricklayer with East Anglia Brickwork Ltd.
Why did you want to do this and include mentors to bring along new people?
“Gary Smith our Teacher on site worked training apprentices at RG Carters Academy for 15 years and I was trained by him when I completed my apprenticeship at RG Carter. I hold the same passion as Gary for helping people who are passionate about the trade I love. I also like the fact that we have created an opportunity for the more experienced bricklayer to become a mentor and not worry about having to lay a quota of brick or block to make their days money. It’s a great option to put less stress on their body and mentor the apprentices who will in turn cover the quotas to make the programme works on a financial basis – making this programme sustainable ” – Darren
“Darren is now running a successful brickwork contracting company and providing work for approx. 45 bricklayers and for that I am really proud and happy to be involved in this idea working as a mentor for these apprentices.” – Gary
“I always wanted to be a bricklayer when I was young but I struggled to get an apprenticeship. At that time I was taken on by RG Carter and completed my NVQ L3. These days it has all changed and classed as a brickwork standard L2. I enjoy seeing others progress and do well and in my experience investing time into development and training can only be for the good. It does give a certain amount of loyalty but even if the guys when they finish move on to work for others or start their own business or move away we would have done our bit to help improve the industry” – Darren
“The apprentices I met on site at the time of my visit all seemed keen to learn and be involved. Cameron told me that East Anglia Brickwork were the last people he tried and was starting to lose hope as every previous phone call had said they were not taking on apprentices” – Zoe
What is a key benefit to this type of apprenticeship programme?
“Darren and Gary both told me that they both recognised that even with the apprenticeships it was a challenge to spend time to observe the proper skills without designated mentors. With some apprenticeship schemes the apprentice would be sent away off site to college and taught there but apart from photographs it was hard to get a feel of the flair or competency of the individual. Training and working alongside the apprentice’s day in day out was so much easier and brings about lots of positives. We personally and strongly believe this is the best type of apprenticeship to offer in brickwork”
Does the programme run every day?
“In the trade when you are faced with wet days as a bricklayer often you have to pack up but the beauty of this scheme is we can now do theory work in a designated classroom based on site resulting in them continuing their learning and maximising the weather issues we face in our trade.” – Gary
“On the site I visited this is still work in progress as they intend to include a covered area just outside the classroom to allow for practice sessions. I spoke with my cement supplier Southern Cement who were also happy to get involved and offered a free pallet of cement to assist with the course.” – Zoe
Can most building methods be covered in this way?
“Definitely, for example in Norfolk there is a preference for Flint work in many areas of the county but finding someone who is able to train people in how to do this can be problematic. We have some great flint layers in our company. We often have flintwork projects which we can include within the programme – this is where the mentors can help and it gives the apprentices a broader range of experiences which they can then draw upon throughout their careers.” – Darren
Has there been any help to you in setting this up?
The opportunity for funding via Government Schemes is there now in regard to apprenticeships but there has been some setting up costs. Rhino have offered to help us to communicate what we are doing and support us with materials. We have set up a container on site as our classroom and fully furnished it, providing full toolkits for the apprenticeships. We also employ quality officers which a lot of other contractors do not provide because we recognise that the quality of our work needs to be good. Our aim has always been to be the best brickwork contractor we can be and create a great working environment with a team feel. Now our aim has grown to train and create the best bricklayers in our area for EAB and our industry.” – Darren
What would you say to anyone who may be interested in getting involved?
“I would say drop me a line. I think there are a lot of willing people out there who may not have considered this type of career but want to work hard and gain a qualification – this is a huge opportunity for you. I also really encourage mentors and trainers who are keen to pass on what they know and are genuinely interested in training others to get in touch. The most important piece of this programme is the mentors – the programme doesn’t work without mentors. We are able to employ you on a full time basis or on a self employed basis and we really need your level of expertise. My email address is [email protected]” – Darren
A new cohort were, this week, welcomed onto Larking Gowen’s professional accountancy training programme. The thirty-three, recruited as pandemic restrictions have eased, will mostly be working towards their AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) or ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) qualifications at the firm’s offices across Norfolk, Suffolk and North Essex.
“Our annual apprenticeship programme offers the full breadth of experience and professional support – the foundations for a varied and fulfilling career,” says Managing Partner, Julie Grimmer, who, this week, celebrates 37 years with Larking Gowen, after herself joining as a trainee.
Julie continues, “Many of our partners and employees joined as trainees and are still with us years later. I offer warm congratulations to these talented young trainees. My colleagues and I very much look forward to working with them.”
Larking Gowen has a one-hundred-year tradition of training local A-level and university students for their professional accountancy examinations – a tradition interrupted only by the war years.
Business owners, people thinking of setting up on their own, or individuals who are looking to turn a hobby into their career are being asked to share their thoughts on pop-up spaces: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7CQ8NJX
Respondents are asked to think about what type of facilities they might need from a pop-up space, and more generally, what business support they would welcome. The feedback gathered in this survey will directly inform a project looking at pop-ups in King’s Lynn that is being led by Discover King’s Lynn, the King’s Lynn BID.
Vicky Etheridge, Manager of Discover King’s Lynn explained: “The research that we’ve carried out through Vision King’s Lynn over the last few years, and from the BID’s own work with businesses in the town, has revealed a real interest in, and appetite for, pop-up spaces.
“We know that pop-ups are a great way of giving small businesses a launch pad to trade and thrive and so we are really keen to look at what we can offer here in King’s Lynn.
“But we need help from businesses and potential traders to tell us what they need, what they think, and what they would like. Whether you’re in business now or thinking of setting up, we want to hear from you – please do have your say.”
The closing date to take part in the survey is 5pm on Sunday 24 October.
Earlier this year, £25M in Town Deal funding was announced for King’s Lynn and seven Town Deal projects have now been approved by the government. Business cases and detailed plans for each of these projects are now being developed, and engagement and consultation – such as this survey – will help to shape the plans.
Local cancer charity, Big C, has been awarded gold accreditation as a Best Employer Eastern Region 2021.
Best Employers Eastern Region is a biennial programme comprising an employee survey provided by co-founders ERAS Ltd, that measures employee engagement, company culture and development, across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Big C was also further recognised receiving the ‘Alex Pearce Award for Most Improved’.
The judges’ comments were, “Big C scored well in terms of overall engagement and survey participation and the judges gave them solid scores in all categories. Unsurprisingly, the Big C operates a clear set of values and has used the motivational maps to understand the engagement drivers of its employees. Its standout is its commitment to inclusion and diversity, particularly in encouraging the recruitment for those with disabilities and focus on learning and individual progression.”
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C, said, “This accreditation celebrates and reflects the teamwork, passion and commitment shown by everyone at Big C, as we together meet our mission to provide outstanding and constantly improving cancer support services, when and where they are needed. The 2021 results demonstrated a 25% increase from the 2018 survey scores which is very rewarding given the challenges that we, along with many other organisations across the region, have been facing through the pandemic as a charitable organisation and team.
“We believe in putting our people at the centre of our organisation and this recognition will be valuable in strengthening our employer brand and helping us to attract the best future employees as we grow.”
Calling RCP “a driving force for change in its sector”, the judges praised the company’s “interesting and dynamic approach towards solving problems and assuring optimal customer satisfaction”.
They added that the business has “a strong track record of quantifiable and measured success across commerciality, team focus and sustainability” and commended the “impressive” team for leading the charge on “sustainability, technology, equality and diversity”.
They also called director Sarah an “exceptional leader”.
“This award means so much,” said Sarah. “It’s so rewarding to be recognised as part of the community.
“We’re really proud of what we do and the ways we’re changing the industry.”
She went on to say how proud she is of the RCP Parking team, stating “this award is for them”.