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Business Awards UK 2024 – Norfolk Regional Awards – CEO or Director of the Year (Winner – Simon Wingfield)

Business Awards UK 2024 – Norfolk Regional Awards – Newcomer Business Consultancy of the Year (Winner)

GBBRB Best Businesses in Britain 2024 – News Release

This December, BDH Tullford in Norwich revealed that it had recently made a brand new investment in a state-of-the-art flatbed applicator.

The printer and point-of-sale manufacturer made the investment in the new Bubble-Free Pro Flatbed Applicator to support its national signage project for Waves.

Easy to use and fast, it allows the company to produce the large-format outdoor signs and displays required by the project in a shorter time frame, ensuring that project meets its 2021 deadline. 

Thanks to the machine’s versatility, it enhances the company’s existing portfolio of services. It can be used on any flat surface up to 60mm giving a smooth, wrinkle-free finish, while also adding application tape for simple hanging. Thanks to the simplicity of its functionality, it can also be used by one member of staff, improving the team’s productivity levels. 

Says Director David Hutchins: “We’re delighted with our new flat-bed applicator. The installation and set-up process was rapid and efficient, which meant we could produce high-quality client graphics right away. We’re looking forward to using the equipment on a wide range of projects in the future.”

Get in touch to find out how the new applicator could be used on your next signage project.

On the Government’s announcement of its testing strategy for international arrivals and business rates relief for airports, Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports, said:

“These announcements are a much-needed boost as aviation looks to bounce back from the greatest challenge it has ever faced, with regional airports having been amongst the hardest-hit sectors by the pandemic.

“A robust test-and-release system will boost the safe restart of international travel and increase consumer confidence. We welcome the work of the Global Travel Taskforce and look forward to building on this big step forward by working together on the next phases of pre-departure tests and the use of cheaper and faster testing methods to make international travel ever easier and ultimately eliminate any need for quarantine altogether.

“We are pleased the Government has listened to our calls for business rates relief for airports. The measures announced today will provide much-needed support and we will continue to lobby hard and work with Government on what other steps can be taken to safeguard the UK’s regional airports.”

If you’ve started thinking about whether an electric car might be right for you, you probably have lots of questions. If you’ve never driven electric before, you might be wondering about the day-to-day practicalities of owning an electric car. And with the formal announcement expected soon to bring forward the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-fuelled cars to 2030 – five years earlier than previously planned, this is a subject that many are talking about right now.

So to help our customers make an informed decision we decided to put electric cars to the test and answer some of the most frequently asked questions with the help of Motoring journalist, Andy Russell.

Andy Russell has more than 30 years of experience as a motoring journalist, editor and content provider, for both print and online, and has driven around 2,000 new cars. He has seen huge changes in the automotive world and is particularly interested in new technology and excited about the advent of electric vehicles, having driven his first electrified car at the start of the new millennium. He is also a keen, and hardy, all-year motorbike rider and has passed both advanced car and motorcycle tests.

So, if you are thinking about going electric for your next car but not sure whether to take the plunge, then this video could give you the answers you need!

We cover a range of questions, including some of the main topics:

• What is an electrified vehicle?
• Why are pure electric vehicles becoming more popular?
• How far can an electric vehicle travel on a single charge?
• How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?
• How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?
• How long do the batteries last?
• Some electric vehicles are based on traditional petrol and diesel models. Do they differ apart from the power source?

If you would like further information or you would like us to help you with a finance quotation on an electric car then please get in touch on 01603 381955 or e-mail [email protected]

This summer, the heart of Norwich will beat with the stories of generations past as Age UK Norwich celebrates a remarkable milestone. From 4th – 7th of August, Age UK Norwich will take over The Forum, presenting a dynamic, interactive exhibit showcasing the charity’s lasting legacy and the vital role it continues to play in the lives of older people.

If you have a project that you are thinking about for 2021 or an area of your business that you feel isnt secure enough do get in touch so we can help take at least one trouble off your mind. We specialise in CCTV, Fire Detection, Intruder Alarms & Access Control.

Established in 1989, Dragon Security Systems supplies and installs the very latest electronic safety & security systems in Norfolk, Suffolk and the surrounding areas for a wide variety of clients including domestic, public and commercial. 

We specialise in the design and installation of systems to suit any budget, and our work always comes with an extended and lifetime warranty. Our qualified engineers are available on a 24/7 basis to carry out emergency attendance and repairs; this service is also available for systems previously installed by others. As part of our complete service package, our team can also carry out preventative maintenance checks.

Enquiries: [email protected]

Tel: 01603 783958

Website: www.dragonsecurity.co.uk

Southgate recently ran a promotional campaign with its customers providing an alternative ‘rainbow’ packaging tape to their usual tape donating a percentage of each sale to the NHS. Southgate chose The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, being the local NHS Trust, donating £5,000. The campaign was inspired by a project the company had worked on with a client who replaced their packaging tape with a rainbow tape on gift packages sent to key workers across the UK making the packages feel very personal. Craig Turner, Managing Director at Southgate said: “The Southgate Rainbow Tape initiative was a great campaign for us, and it allowed all of our team to feel like they had an opportunity to contribute towards a worthy cause. It was refreshing to see how many of our customers brought into the programme and the team at Southgate are have been very cheered by the final contribution from their efforts.” Darren Smith, Head of Marketing at Southgate added: “For us it was all about raising awareness of the great work that the NHS are doing. We thought as most people would be spending more time at home and ordering more online, it would be a great reminder to help protect the NHS and stay alert.” Steve Barnett, Chairman at QEH said: “It’s wonderful to receive this donation and particularly at this time of year.” Caroline Shaw, CEO at the Trust echoed Steve’s appreciation adding: “It’s such an honour and we’re incredibly grateful.” QEH hope’s to work closely with Southgate in the coming year as part of their corporate mission to engage and work with local communities help improve the health and clinical outcomes of their patients.  

Attleborough based multi-service contractor Anglian, has appointed Glenn Dickerson as regeneration and enabling manager, heading up the company’s existing Earthworks and Remediation division. Glenn joins Anglian with a wealth of experience, having worked in land and water remediation for 30 years.

A former RAF air trafficker, Glenn was instrumental in setting up the environmental division at Stuart Well Services, a specialist in dewatering, groundwater and remediation equipment. The division was one of the first in the country to offer expert land and water remediation services at a time when the Environment Agency had just been established, and saw Glenn and his team working all over the UK. He was subsequently promoted to joint managing director but left the company two years later to set up his own remediation firm. This move saw Glenn expanding his expertise into other associated trades such as demolition and asbestos surveys and removal.

In 2020, Glenn joined John F Hunt as operations manager. Involved in undertaking a series of large-scale regeneration projects, Glenn has worked for clients including the Coal Authority, Harworth Group and Henry Boot Developments.

Glenn Dickerson, regeneration and enabling manager at Anglian, said: “I am delighted to have joined Anglian and be working with the team to build on the company’s already successful Earthworks and Remediation division. Anglian offers a one-stop-shop for clients with services such as demolition, asbestos removal and earthworks working together seamlessly on projects and I am really looking forward to being a part of this. Even after 30 years, I still love the variety of the job and the value that our work brings to enable clients to repurpose and use precious land.”

A multi-service contractor, Anglian’s divisions include Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, Anglian Scaffolding, Anglian Earthworks & Remediation and Anglian Waste Recycling. For more details, see Anglian Demolition & Asbestos Ltd.

With reports of inflation hitting a 40 year high in April and costs for energy, food and fuel continuing to rise, employees are looking to their employers to help them with the rising cost of living and it is hard to know exactly what the best strategy is.

Pressure has been put on employers to increase salaries as a way of supporting their employees but for most employers, this is not possible.

Employers do have a role to play and following a recent CIPD Reward Management survey, 96% believe organisations should provide a fair and liveable wage, 87% believe organisations should support in-work progression to help people increase their earning potential and 71% believe organisations should offer support with financial wellbeing by offering and signposting benefits and financial education.

What is the effect on employees?

Organisations may risk an unengaged and distracted workforce as worries of costs of living concerns increase.

Money and people’s mental health are very much connected, money is a fundamental factor in all our lives, so it is no wonder that one affects the other. It is understandable given the current climate for people to feel anxious about their financial circumstances when there is such economic turbulence. When people feel like this it can overwhelm them, which then has a knock-on effect on other areas of their lives such as work, where people may become disengaged, demotivated and exhausted.

A recent survey by a financial wellbeing platform Mintago found that 36% of millennials felt that money worries had impacted their work performance.

What action should employers take?

Supporting your employees to have a decent standard of living contributes to being a responsible business and paying as a minimum the real Living Wage, demonstrates this.

Pay increases, whilst beneficial, are not the only way to help employees with the cost of living crisis, especially when employers are also under a financial strain.

We have often seen companies offer to support their employees’ mental well-being, so why not offer financial well-being support as well? It can be a valuable and relatively low-cost benefit to offer and may already be an option with current providers that you are using.

Employee Assistant Programmes (EAP) are a key investment for many businesses. They are somewhere employees can go to get support in a variety of areas including mortgage advice, financial planning, debt management and often also offer a counselling service. Normalising conversations about money worries can often help people with tackling what is in front of them.

Private healthcare, interest-free loans, saving schemes, salary sacrifice and looking at discounts for lifestyle benefits such as gym memberships may also be a great benefit to employees.

It is often more about educating people as to the best ways to manage their money and how to get the most from it, which can then prove to be a life-changing benefit.

Attracting and retaining staff

When people are looking at their current employers or future employers, they are looking at the whole package that is on offer. Businesses are becoming more creative with the rewards that they offer, whether that be in relation to working hours, the location of where their employees work, or their benefits.

Since the pandemic, a lot of people have become used to working from home and not having the travel costs associated with going into the office. With the increase in travel and fuel costs, some people are now not able to afford the daily commute. So, the attraction of having a hybrid or working from home option is appealing to a lot more people, it also reduces costs for business!

This doesn’t work for every business, however promoting options like car sharing, cycle to work schemes or offering discounts for parking / public transport could help to save employees money and also promote physical health, as well as contribute to the commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).

The situation we currently find ourselves in is not predicted to disappear anytime soon, so educating and supporting your employees as to how best to manage their situation may help their well-being and in turn, keep them motivated at work.

If you have schemes available within your organisation, then remember to promote and communicate them. Highlight what you have available for staff and encourage people to use them.

If you wish to discuss any options or need support, please contact a member of the MAD-HR team who will be happy to help.

This text was originally written by MAD-HR Ltd. Copyright © 2022 MAD-HR Ltd. All rights reserved: https://www.mad-hr.co.uk/blog/cost-of-living-increases-what-can-hr-businesses-do-to-support.

Image provided by MAD-HR

A multi-million pound programme of road maintenance will continue into 2021 with major schemes getting underway in Great Yarmouth, Downham Market and Stalham.

The improvements have been made possible thanks to the £22m highway funding for Norfolk that the Department for Transport announced in May 2020, to fund schemes in the 2020-21 financial year.

Norfolk received more than any other local authority in the East of England for maintenance and repairs to the county’s roads, bridges, pavements and cycle paths.

At £1.2m the mechanical and electrical upgrades for the 90-year-old Haven Bridge in Great Yarmouth is the largest scheme to be funded as part of the £22m programme. Some upgrade works were completed in the autumn, but other work, which will resolve many of the issues caused by the lifting bridge’s ageing equipment, is set to start in February and is expected to take 13 weeks to complete.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: “Despite the added difficulties brought by the pandemic the highways team has completed an impressive amount of work over the past year. The extra money for Norfolk means we can do more to maintain and improve our highway network to help support sustainable growth.”

Two key resurfacing schemes are due to be starting in March with a £140,000 scheme in Downham Market to resurface the approach to the level crossing on the A1122, and in Stalham, Stepping Stone Lane will be resurfaced at a cost of £165,000. Across the county the maintenance work will not only repair roads but help to prevent potholes opening-up in the future.

The £22m funding award is in addition to Norfolk County Council’s existing highways capital maintenance budget of £38.6m for the year 2020-2021. Two other major road resurfacing schemes on the A1066 near Thetford, and A1122 near Marham were also made possible by a successful bid for £3.5m from the Department for Transport’s Challenge Fund, which was confirmed in February 2020.

Credo are delighted to be shortlisted for the 6th year running in the category ‘Asset Finance Broker of the Year!’

In 2020 we were thrilled to be ‘Highly commended’ but we would love to win the big trophy in 2021!

For Credo to be in with a chance of winning this National Award we need people to leave testimonials stating why we should win this award. It could be that we have helped you with finance recently or in the past, or that we have had an association with you in someway?

Whatever this may be we would love some positive feedback, and would be incredibly grateful if you would fill in this quick form (remember to tick Credo Asset Finance)

Please complete your testimonial here

Thank you, let’s hope 2021 is our year!

Happy New Year from Layrd Design.

As we start the first working week of 2021, we have reviewed the past 12 months at Layrd in our latest blog.  2020: A Year in Review

To say that 2020 didn’t panned out as anyone expected is an understatement – but it hasn’t all been doom and gloom. In fact, there have been plenty of positives to be grateful for over the past year.

In this article, we take a moment to celebrate some of Layrd Design’s 2020 highlights and look ahead to what’s in store for 2021.

https://www.layrddesign.co.uk/post/2020-the-year-in-review