Member News

Money can be one of the biggest causes of stress in relationships, but it doesn’t have to be. When you and your partner talk openly about money, you’re not just planning your finances; you’re building trust, teamwork, and a shared future.

Here are a few simple ways to make those conversations easier (and maybe even enjoyable).

1. Start with Openness, Not Judgement

We all have different money habits and histories. Instead of focusing on who’s “good” or “bad” with money, try exploring why you each handle it the way you do. Maybe your approach was shaped by childhood, past experiences, or just different priorities. Understanding where each other’s coming from makes those chats a lot smoother.

2. Share Your Goals

Whether it’s buying your first home, planning a dream holiday, or building a nest egg for the future, talk about what really matters to you both. When you’re working towards shared goals, saving and spending decisions become much easier (and far less likely to cause tension).

3. Create Regular Check-ins

Money shouldn’t just be a topic for when something’s gone wrong. Think of it like a monthly team meeting, a chance to sit down, grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine!), and talk about what’s coming up, where you’re at, and how you both feel about it. Regular chats keep things open and honest.

4. Be Honest About Debt and Spending

Honesty is everything. If one of you is feeling stretched or spending more than you’d like, talk about it early before it becomes stressful. You’re a team, and teamwork starts with transparency.

5. Get Professional Help if You Need It

Sometimes it helps to bring in a neutral expert, especially for bigger decisions like mortgages, pensions, or investments. A financial adviser can help you both feel confident, supported, and on the same page about your next steps.

6. Keep Money Conversations Positive

Money chats can get tense fast, but they don’t have to. Try to keep the tone positive and focus on what you can do together. Swap “we can’t afford that” for “how can we make that happen?” It’s amazing what a shift in language can do for motivation and harmony.

Talking about money doesn’t have to cause arguments; it can actually bring you closer. At Planit Financial, we’re all about helping couples plan confidently for the future.

Wingfield Consultants had the privilege of working (pro bono) with Field of Joy, supported by the Norfolk Community Foundation (the Good for Good scheme), to help them plan their growth journey for the next five years.

Field of Joy is a social smallholding in a magical meadow in Reepham, Norfolk. They work with adults and children, improving wellbeing and reducing isolation. Their work aims to forge friendships and connections with each other and nature. 

On the plan provided:

Caitlin @ Field of Joy: ‘It’s absolutely amazing. Thank you so much Simon we are so grateful, this will be so hugely helpful to us’. 

Liz @ Field of Joy: ‘Wow, what a resource – thank you Simon!’.

Lauren @ Norfolk Community Foundation: ‘This is just fabulous. Thank you so much for smashing it again for a brilliant local organisation. What a great tool Field of Joy now have when applying for funding and to support their long-term strategy’.

https://www.fieldofjoy.org/

https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/

https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/good-for-good/

Our Founder, Simon Wingfield, has become a Mentor on the Institute of Directors (IoD) Mentor Connect platform. The platform is designed to connect members looking for support and guidance on their leadership journey with those that want to share the benefit of their experience.

Simon commented: ‘Having obtained my ILM Level 5 Effective Coaching and Mentoring accreditation last year (with my ILM Level 7 accreditation to follow shortly) and having mentored individuals on the ‘Help to Grow: Management Course’ scheme, I was motivated to continue my mentoring practice with the IoD.

Wingfield Consultants have pivoted our value proposition to include both coaching and mentoring, in addition to consulting, to support our client base. This platform provides us with additional opportunities to develop and grow our practice with more mentoring of executives and senior leaders’.   

https://www.iod.com/mentor-connect-platform/

Many local businesses spend time on marketing tasks that seem important in the moment. Like updating parts of the website, rewriting a few lines of text, or trying something new they saw online. But even with all that effort, the results often aren’t there.

That’s usually because the work started in the wrong place. A stronger approach is to step back and decide what your business is trying to achieve. Clear goals give direction, and they’re the starting point for any effective online marketing.

At ATK Digital Marketing, before we improve a website to help a business attract more enquiries and sales, we make sure everyone is working towards the same outcome.

Your goals might include:

• Increasing monthly sales
• Generating more qualified enquiries
• Growing revenue from online search
• Building an email list
• Improving visibility in your local area

Once your goals are clear, it becomes easier to work out what your website and digital channels need to do to support them. You can then identify what is realistic, where the gaps are, and what might be blocking progress.

This simple shift helps you focus your time and resources on the tasks that make the most difference, rather than feeling overwhelmed by long to-do lists or the latest marketing trends.

If you would like to learn more about how a clear digital strategy can help your business grow, find out more here, or contact us to see how we can help.

Our Founder, Simon Wingfield, has volunteered to be a Trained Mentor on the Digital Boost Scheme. He has already started mentoring (pro bono) via this scheme.

Digital Boost is a movement that is on a mission to ‘…democratise business support and ensure that no small business or charity fails because they couldn’t get expert support’. Access to support is one of the biggest barriers facing businesses when they are looking to start or grow their businesses. Volunteer mentors provide a free lifeline to small businesses; it is both free and easily accessible.     

Simon commented: ‘Having obtained my ILM Level 5 Effective Coaching and Mentoring accreditation last year and my ILM Level 7 accreditation this year, I am motivated to support UK SMEs via Digital Boost. This follows my continuing support for businesses and individuals with the Enterprise Nation and Institute of Directors mentoring schemes that I participate in’.

Our Founder, Simon Wingfield (and by extension Wingfield Consultants), has become a certified partner to Agile Group. Agile Group are the UK’s largest ILM coaching and mentoring centre. Since 1999, Agile Group has been at the forefront of transforming lives and careers through professional coaching, mentoring, leadership, and management training. Recognised as a trusted partner in growth and success, they offer programmes designed to meet the unique needs of both individuals and organisations.

Simon commented: My entire coaching and mentoring accreditation journeys were with Agile Group. Having now obtained both ILM Level 5 and ILM Level 7 Effective Coaching and Mentoring qualifications (with two wonderful cohorts), and pivoting Wingfield Consultants to Consulting | Coaching | Mentoring, now was the time to accelerate our value proposition to SME clients with a partnership with Agile Group.

I’m delighted to become a Certified Partner (joining some other great partners) with an organisation that shares our commitment to transforming lives and careers. This reciprocal partnership will enhance our collective models, methods, tools, techniques, and skills to deliver the best experience and support to our clients’.

Our Founder, Simon Wingfield, recently obtained his ILM Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors. Plus, obtaining membership of the City and Guilds of London Institute (MCGI). 

The qualification is designed for senior managers or Human Resources (HR)/Organisation Development (OD) professionals who wish to develop their expertise and credibility in the fields of Executive or Senior level coaching and mentoring, or to establish coaching at an organisational level. They are also ideal for professional coaches and mentors seeking to enhance and accredit their experience with a nationally recognised qualification.

https://www.i-l-m.com/learning-and-development/management/coaching-and-mentoring/8589-level-7-certificate-and-diploma-for-executive-and-senior-level-coaches-and-mentors

https://www.i-l-m.com/assessment-and-resources/post-nominals

Hi, I’m Jo. I’m a freelance copywriter based in north Norfolk.

I’ve just joined the Chambers of Commerce so I thought I’d pop in and introduce myself.

I’ve only been in business for a few months and the Chamber has been such a fantastic place to meet people and get support.

Thanks to everyone who has made me feel so welcome 😊

So, what do you need to know about me?

I’m an award-winning former BBC journalist. I used to be the political reporter at BBC Norfolk.

I’ve worked on Look East, Politics East and have reported live on the BBC News Channel.

Before that, I read the radio news, produced programmes and ran the news desk. I did a bit of presenting and was even a runner on Treasure Quest a few times!

I’ve covered pretty much every type of story from the Westminster Bridge attack to arthritic penguins.

New Life

But at the end of last year, I decided to walk away from my career after 20 years as a reporter and start my professional life all over again.

My life changed after I had my two children. I was missing too much of their lives while reporting from one side of the county to the other.

So, I left my job and started my own copywriting business.

It’s been a steep learning curve. There are days when I’ve wondered if I’m doing the right thing. But there’s always a feeling of excitement to be doing what I love and working with incredible people.

One thing I’ve discovered is that no-one really knows what a copywriter is. Which is fair enough as it is a weird job title.

Essentially, I find out what makes your business unique. What makes you stand out from the crowd.

Be that your incredible product, your ethos, your staff or the reason you started in the first place.

What makes you special?

As a journalist, I know that people love hearing stories. It’s how we’re wired to connect to each other.

And I know exactly how to tell them. It’s what I’ve spent my career doing. And I want to hear yours.

Because that’s what will make you connect with your customers. They want to know who you are and then they trust you.

When they trust you, they buy from you, over and over again. Because even in the age of AI and internet shopping, we still need a human connection.

So, let’s explore your story. Then I turn it into simple, engaging words that you can use on your website, socials, emails and more.

I can write blogs that build relationships and turn buyers into believers.

Whatever you need me to do, I’m here to help.

I want to celebrate the spark that brought your brand to life. The idea that pushes you to keep going, even when it’s lonely and stressful and tough.

Because meeting new people and finding out what makes them tick is the reason I do what I do. And I love it.

Fancy a chat? Drop me a line [email protected] or call 07853 141335.

I can’t wait to hear from you.

Our Founder, Simon Wingfield, has recently been made a Fellow of The Institute of Leadership (FIoL).

The Institute of Leadership: ‘Fellow (FIoL) status recognises leaders with substantial experience and contributions to leadership practice.

Achieving Fellow (FIoL) status of The Institute of Leadership positions you among the most respected professionals in the global leadership community’.

https://leadership.global/

https://leadership.global/choose-your-grade/fellowship-fiol/

In today’s fast-paced hiring market, relying on a single job board can limit your reach, slow down your recruitment efforts, and even cost you top talent. While one platform might seem sufficient at first glance, expanding your strategy to include multiple job boards can provide significant advantages for both employers and job seekers.

Read our latest blog to hear how maximising your recruitment reach doesn’t have to be complicated – or expensive: https://spiderrecruit.co.uk/news/multi-job-board-benefits-are-you-still-using-just-one-board/

Our Founder, Simon Wingfield, has recently been made a Fellow (FABM) of the Association of Business Mentors.

ABM: ‘To qualify to be a Fellow (FABM) of the Association of Business Mentors (ABM), applicants must meet the following criteria:  

Business Mentoring Experience: You must have completed at least 30 hours of business mentoring in the last 2 years with a minimum of three businesses. This ensures that members have recent, relevant experience in supporting businesses through mentoring.  

1. Business Leadership Experience: Applicants should have started, run, or held a significant operational role in a business. This demonstrates practical business experience, enabling members to provide informed guidance based on real-world challenges.  

2. Professional Indemnity Insurance: Fellows are required to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI) to protect both themselves and their mentees from potential professional liability claims. Whilst the ABM does not mandate a specific minimum level of cover, it is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you hold is appropriate and sufficient for the scope of your mentoring work.  

3. Completed an ABM ILM 7 Exec Coaching & Mentoring qualification OR an Acknowledged Prior Learning (APL) application.  

4. Continued Professional Development: Carry out a minimum of 20 hours of CPD a year. Upon acceptance, members will gain access to their ABM Members Area, which includes a CPD tracker as well as a variety of skill development resources in alignment with the ABM’s core competencies.

5. Supervision: Complete a minimum of four hours of Supervision a year (group or 1-2-1)’. 

ABM: ‘We’re delighted to welcome you as a Fellow (FABM) of the Association of Business Mentors (ABM). 

As a Fellow, you’ve reached the highest level of professional recognition within the UK’s only association dedicated to raising the standards of business mentoring. Your commitment reflects not only excellence in practice, but leadership in shaping the future of mentoring’. 

https://associationofbusinessmentors.org/

https://associationofbusinessmentors.org/about-us/membership-for-mentors/abm-fellow/

Diabetes affects more than 5 million people in the UK — meaning most workplaces include someone living with the condition. But would you or your team know what to do if a colleague experienced a diabetic emergency?

Our latest blog from First Class First Aid explains how to recognise the warning signs, what immediate steps to take, and why first aid awareness makes such a difference in keeping everyone safe at work.

Head this way to read the blog: Recognising a Diabetic Emergency: What Every First Aider Should Know | First Class First Aid