Howes Percival’s Andrew Barnes – a founding member of the ground-breaking Norwich for Jobs initiative – has welcomed the news that over 1,000 young people have been recruited to paid employment and apprenticeships as a result of the project.
The Norwich for Jobs project was established in January 2013 by Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, Andrew Barnes of Howes Percival, City College Norwich, Job Centre Plus and Archant. The aim was to halve Norwich youth unemployment in two years – from around 2,000 young people, aged 18-24, registered as unemployed in the Norwich area, down to 1,000.
The project has been successful in achieving its aim by encouraging local businesses to invest in young people, connecting young people with opportunities to gain skills and employment and focusing the collective efforts of the community to get young Norwich working.
Andrew Barnes, Senior Partner at Howes Percival in Norwich, Steering Group member for Norwich for Jobs and chair of its employer panel commented, “Helping young people get started with their career is vitally important and I’m absolutely delighted that so many local businesses have got behind the Norwich for Jobs project. Reaching the 1,000 jobs target well within two years is fantastic, however, the challenge of reducing youth unemployment continues. We believe strongly that now is not the time to let-up in any way – to the contrary, we want to redouble our efforts, and maintain the momentum. I would encourage local employers to join the campaign and find out how they can contribute to reducing youth unemployment and improving skills in the area”.
Progress To-Date
•1,085 Jobs and Apprenticeships Pledged
•370 Work Experience Placements have been pledged
•1,032 Total number of young people who have entered paid opportunities. – 900 young people have begun employment directly as a result of the project – 132 young people have begun apprenticeships directly as a result of the project
•172 young people have begun work experience placements directly as a result of the project
• 140 Employers are formally backing the campaign so far
• Dozens more have indicated their interest and are in discussion with the campaign
To learn more about the support they could give to young people, businesses interested in joining the campaign can visit www.NorwichForJobs.org.uk
A thorough investigation of a grievance or a disciplinary matter is crucial to determining the outcome of internal proceedings and Tribunal claims and general fairness in the way staff are treated. However most organisations press busy, untrained managers and executives into the role of investigator and even those HR professionals supporting the investigator will often not have received any formal training on how to deal with the tricky issues and judgements that invariably arise in most cases. One thought is that fully trained HR Professionals should act as dedicated investigators with managers reserved as hearings and appeals officers to decide the issues based on the case presented to them. The scrutiny under which an Employment Tribunal will inspect the investigatory evidence is significant. The employee’s explanations and defences must be as carefully looked into as much as the original allegations. Witness statements can be unhelpful as compared with interview notes and the issue of recording meetings is becoming more challenging with the advance of technology with Tribunals ready to hear all evidence including that which has been covertly obtained or includes the deliberations of disciplinary panels. There are numerous minefields to overcome to make a case fair and it all starts with a really good investigation.
In my experience of legal practice I have discovered that many HR professionals have adopted processes and have fairly confirmed views on how things should be done which if tested in a Tribunal are in my view unlikely to be condoned. Questions such as what is the key difference between a grievance and a disciplinary investigation? can employee representatives attend grievance investigation meetings but not disciplinary investigations?, what can employee representatives say and do or not say and do in an investigation meeting?, what and when can you allow witnesses to remain anonymous and what do you say to a witness who says at the end of an interview that they don’t want to be a witness or cooperate any further? and how much of the evidence should you let an alleged “perpetrator” see or know about in advance of an investigation meeting? need to be answered correctly and fairly if an employer is to avoid the risk of constructive unfair dismissal as well as a later finding of unfair dismissal. In addition since the case of West London Mental Health NHS Trust v Chhabra which was decided by the Supreme Court at the end of last year employers also need to be more wary of being the subject of injunctive action. Injunctive action is a powerful tool in an employee’s armoury. If successful an employee may persuade a High Court Judge to halt proceedings against them, rehear or redo an investigation or disciplinary hearing, drop certain allegations and even reinstate them following a dismissal. Certainly injunctive action will significantly delay a case and give rise to unwanted publicity and legal costs which may not to be insured for those employers who have taken out Tribunal insurance cover. The key point is that even where the procedures you operate are not contractual the implied term of trust and confidence requires fairness in the detail of how you go about the investigation, disciplinary and grievance processes.
So to learn how to avoid some of the key pitfalls and ensure that your organisation is best placed to avoid injunctions and findings of unfairness come along to the next HR Forum presented by myself and my colleagues from Birketts employment team on Wednesday10 September from 2pm at Dunston Hall. I can guarantee that it will help you reassess and re-appraise the way you go about things.
Increase in entrepreneurial activity at the Park attracted patent attorneys, who expertly combine local knowledge with global connections
“A very exciting time” is how patent attorney Dr Peter Wilson describes the move of Novagraaf to the Norwich Research Park. The international company is the first tenant to move into the Park’s new hub building Centrum, which is to be officially opened later this month.
Novagraaf is an international patent and trademark consultancy that advises clients on Intellectual Property (IP) strategy and management. Its head office is in the Netherlands and it operates globally.
Dr Wilson of Novagraaf, says that he has seen an increase in entrepreneurial activity across the Norwich Research Park and regards it as a focal point not only for the growing life sciences sector, but also for innovative businesses across the region.
“We are seeing a growth of innovation across Norfolk particularly within life sciences, engineering, food research and the energy sectors. This is creating new business opportunities and is a good indicator of future prosperity for the local economy. For smaller companies, IP can be their only asset, so advice on managing this and developing an IP strategy that matches their commercial objectives is very important.
“My colleague Dr Oliver Harris and I have both worked at research institutes on the Park so we understand the requirements of knowledge-based businesses. In addition, our managing director, Tracey Cooke, was previously assistant general counsel, patents, at GlaxoSmithKline and so can advise on what big pharma is looking for in new products. This provides smaller organisations with invaluable insights into how to make an attractive offer to potential partners and customers.”
Dr Harris adds: “We look to provide long-term strategic support to our clients, and our network of contacts across the world can assist those who are involved in international negotiations or trying to protect their IP in new territories.”
A hub for Norwich
Centrum is the new hub building located at the heart of Norwich Research Park. Centrum’s two upper floors provide customisable laboratory and office suites on flexible lease terms ideal for growing companies who wish to enjoy the benefits of being located alongside the innovative businesses and cutting edge research institutes already located at the Park. The ground floor is home to impressive meeting, networking and event facilities as well as a 140 seat contemporary restaurant and café which is open to both Park residents and visitors alike.
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth CEO of the Norwich Research Park says that Novagraaf will be a big asset to the Park. She adds:
“The East of England has found that creating clusters of organisations and businesses with shared interests builds momentum in an industry sector. The Norwich Research Park is well placed to support the growing life sciences sector with world-class research across the academic Park partners and businesses. It provides infrastructure in terms of meeting space and fast IT networking and access to specialist equipment and skills.
“Professional advisors are a vital part of this mix and it is excellent that an international company such as Novagraaf sees the potential that Norwich Research Park offers.”
Dr Wilson agrees: “The new facilities in Centrum will give us space to grow and also offers the right high-tech environment in which to host meetings and workshops. Networking is an important part of growing a cluster, so by encouraging entrepreneurial companies on to the Park, we will be supporting the growth of the life science community.
“We are delighted to be involved at the start of this exciting venture,” he says.
We are delighted to announce that Metalfrog Studios Limited of Horsham St Faith, Norwich is celebrating its 7th birthday today. As a total digital marketing agency, Metalfrog Studios is a business which offers a complete service to help you improve your marketing online.
With humble beginnings (located at Drayton Old Lodge, Norwich, in a single office back in 2007) Metalfrog Studios Limited now has a wide-ranging variety of clients which enjoy a combination of services which include web design, web development, search engine marketing, social media management, email marketing and digital design and logo creation.
The business continues to thrive and has survived through successive recessions – without any external funding. It now supports a dedicated team of 14 personnel. These team members are not only knowledgeable in multiple aspects of the business, but they are hand-picked to work at Metalfrog because they also exude commercial awareness and an appreciation that our clients are paramount to our continued success. They also empathize with clients who necessarily have not had previously good relationships with their marketing partner.
Although some people have left the business, the management team is more or less as it was at the beginning. This means our marketing messages have never wavered, our customer service has improved, and our attention to our clients remains focused and strong.
Although not perfect, our buzzword at The Pad is Improve.
We always try to improve as individuals (all the way through the team, both in personal development and in the way we deliver our part of a project to our client). Equally, we improve our technologies and practices for creating strong, powerful and unique messages for our clients’ and their clients. We improve our responses, our support mechanisms and the way the business improves in general. We take nothing for granted in our business.
We look forward to working with you for the next 7 years and we welcome all comments.
We are constantly growing which means we always have capacity for new business. If you are interested in finding out how we could make a positive difference to your business, why not get in touch by calling us on 01603 861830, checkout our website – https://www.metalfrog.co.uk or email us: [email protected]
Find out why we really are an agency with a difference!
Yes indeed the Health and Safety at Work act is 40 years old on the 31st July!
But what has it achieved I hear you ask?
Much of the press around Health and Safety relates to the ‘Nanny State’, its Boring, it’s a waste of time, the compensation culture etc etc
But let us reflect on the facts below….. (facts provided by the HSE, opinion by me Sarah Daniels Chartered Practitioner)
148 workers were killed at work, a rate of 0.5 fatalities per 100 000 workers- this has been coming down steadily over the last 40 years; from 1974 to 2013 by 85 % to be exact; something to be really proud of; how many of you remember the Olympics – the Health and Safety legacy was that no one died in the construction of the games; a huge step forward and a pat on the back for Team GB
78 222 other injuries to employees were reported under RIDDOR, a rate of 311.6 per 100 000 employees. This is a drop of some 77% to 2012; again something to be mighty proud of! 175 000 reportable injuries (defined as over-7-day absence) occurred, according to the Labour Force Survey, a rate of 610 per 100 000 workers. This is a difficult figure to compare to 1974 as the parameters have changed, as has the way we work. But it is generally in a downward trend. Ill health- the tough bit of Health and Safety!
1.1 million people who worked during the last year* were suffering from an illness (long-standing as well as new cases) they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. 0.5million of these were new conditions which started during the year*. This is fortunately in decline
A further 0.7 million former workers (who last worked over 12 months ago) were suffering from an illness which was caused or made worse by their past work*. 2291 people died from mesothelioma in 2011 and thousands more from other occupational cancers and diseases such as COPD. These diseases are as a direct result of work many years ago, and should now be going into decline, Asbestos has been banned for the last 14 years- but of course it is still present & often hidden in buildings Enforcement
I am from an Enforcement background ( I left over 15 years ago) but enforcement is about protecting all of us- the HSE & Local Authorities have a tough task with dwindling resources; it would be great if every employer & every employee accepted their Health and Safety responsibilities; but some sadly flout the law!
So 574 cases were prosecuted by HSE in England and Wales. With a further 105 cases being prosecuted by local authorities in England and Wales (Environmental Health & Fire Officers) – some may think we need more prosecutions? I think more personal responsibility and education! 27 cases were prosecuted by the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland. 13 503 enforcement notices were issued by all enforcing authorities. These are a mixture of improvement & prohibition notices; many of these are public documents. We also now have the Fee For Intervention Scheme in place which allows the HSE to recoup the time it takes in rectifying significant & material breaches found by its inspectors.
Working days lost 27 million days were lost overall in 2011/12* due to work-related ill health or injury (17 days per case). 22.7 million due to work-related ill health and 4.3 million due to workplace injury. A more recent estimate for injuries indicates that 5.2 million days were lost in 2012/13 (no data is available for ill health). The biggest areas are Stress & Musculoskeletal – both preventable; and like fatalities and injuries these cases involve a real human cost. People need to understand the consequences of their actions, to themselves, to the business and to society as a whole. As the Economic costs to Britain is…. Workplace injuries and ill health (excluding cancer) cost society an estimated £13.8 billion in 2010/11 (based on 2011 prices). This is jaw dropping- and can be money better spent!
A great step forward in PR for Health and Safety in April 2012 has been the Mythbuster series https://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/ we regularly tweet these out from @NewsfromRedCat you do wonder what some people think is Health and Safety!
Another plus from the HSE has been making lots of its resources free! Yes free including templates and guidance; you do need to understand your requirements so may need external help- but there is a wealth of information at www.hse.gov.uk.
And lastly the HSE also launched a Consultant’s register; www.oshcr.org so you can check the background / qualifications etc of your external Health and Safety Consultant- if they are not on the register you need to ask them why!
So I will be celebrating the fact that the Health and Safety at Work Act is 40 years old; I still have a copy from my training days- it is a great piece of legislation – it has not been altered in all those years, because it is succinct to the point and ensures the Health, Safety & Welfare of us all at work!
East Anglia, August, 2014: Long established leading accountancy firm, Aston Shaw and fast growing newcomer Morgan Woods have joined forces; bringing together more than 50 years of experience in servicing individuals and businesses both big and small across East Anglia. The merger, which is taking place in August 2014, will create an exciting new entity, operating from 5 offices (Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, Dereham and Great Yarmouth) and employing 70 staff. Jointly heading up the newly combined firm will be Mark Noakes (former Managing Director of Morgan Woods) and Dominic Shaw (former Director of Aston Shaw).
Under the terms of the deal, the new firm will maintain the name of Aston Shaw. However the service offering will represent the combined range of specialisms and capabilities from both firms – a comprehensive selection of accounting, audit and tax advisory services; along with targeted strategic business guidance and support. A key motive behind this venture is to amalgamate the traditional expertise and experience of Aston Shaw, with the innovative and modern practices embraced by Morgan Woods – ultimately resulting in the provision of a more efficient and comprehensive service for both individuals and businesses operating in the modern business environment.
The changing nature of the industry has been one of the main driving forces behind the merger and both firms are among the few that have been able to retain value, despite the economic climate. The union plays an important role in the firm’s expansion strategy, enabling the impressive growth rate experienced over the last year to continue. Through economies of scale as well as the exchange and consolidation of expertise and resources – the quality and efficiency of service can be optimised. The new firm’s geographic footprint will also offer clients more accessibility to services and personnel.
Mark Noakes, Managing Director of Morgan Woods comments: “The real beneficiaries of this merger will be the clients, who will profit from the strengthening and expansion of the new firm’s capabilities. I am very excited to be leading the next chapter for what are already two impressive accountancy practices and creating a dynamic new model for our current and future clients.”
Dominic Shaw, Director of Aston Shaw comments: “It is a bold and an exciting move forward for both Aston Shaw and Morgan Woods. Our combined expertise will make the amalgamated firm well equipped to provide companies and individuals with the highest level of service. We extend a warm welcome to the clients and staff of Morgan Woods as they join us.”
The announcement of the merger comes at a time when the accountancy market is entering a period of rapid growth after the economic downturn back in 2008. Based on last year’s UK market report published by Key Note, it is estimated that between 2013 and 2017 the market for accountancy services will grow by nearly 20% and it would seem that Aston Shaw is ahead of the curve. It is expected to take 3 months to complete the merger process; however business will continue as normal during the transition period.
Launch Event: To launch the newly merged and re-branded firm, Aston Shaw will be holding an ‘Open Week’ at each of the five offices commencing Monday 11th August. During this week, existing clients are encouraged to pop in to see our new brand and to discuss any queries regarding this exciting step forward.
We are thrilled to welcome visitors to Banham Zoo this Easter holiday for a brand-new, animal egg extravaganza.
Something eggstraordinary is happening at Banham Zoo! Mysterious giant eggs have appeared throughout the park, and we need your help to find them all!
An Easter Adventure Awaits
Adventure around Banham Zoo, spotting five GIANT inflatable animal eggs: including a tortoise, snake, flamingo, vulture and penguin egg.
Fun for All Ages
Get stuck into an incredible live Easter stage show in partnership with Go Awesome, go wild at our zoo fun fair (a first for Banham Zoo), and delve into the world of conservation with expert-led animal talks, all while encountering hundreds of animals, from the majestic Amur tiger to our brand-new Maned wolf pups born this year.
And if that wasn’t enough, visitors can enjoy a selection of delicious treats from exclusive Easter holiday food trucks.
“At Banham Zoo, we’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new GIANT egg hunt as part of our exciting Easter Gone Wild activities line-up. This family-friendly trail is designed to not only entertain but also engage children with wildlife conservation in a fun and interactive way. As they explore the zoo, searching for the inflatable animal eggs, they’ll discover fascinating facts about the animals that call our zoo home, all while learning about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. We hope this hands-on experience sparks curiosity and a love for animals in the next generation of conservationists!”
Tickets for Easter are available to purchase online with more information at:
Being called a Stress Scientist was a joke, literally. One of the other dads at the school gate asked me that dreaded question “what do you do”?
I explained that I use biobmarkers to measure your stress and then coach you to perform higher in a sustainable way using science… “so your a Stress Scientist then”. He worked in Marketing and I built a brand. Here’s the brief intro to what I do…
In the spotlight this month is the Alison Mantripp vessel for Alicat Workboats, a well-established business in Great Yarmouth, specialist boat builders for the marine industry. When compared to some of the fun merchandise we offer, the Mantripp boat may not be the most, shall we say, Instagrammable of jobs (unless you’re a boat enthusiast). So why did we love it so much? It brought together two of our major skill sets into one project, showcasing our experience in graphics application and the time-honoured, highly technical skill of engraving. We printed and applied the vinyl seen on the ship’s outer surfaces and engraved the internal control panels. These are the very fundamental aspects of signage and engraving and, perhaps, some of the most important elements of what we do. This was a real team effort between different departments and that’s exactly what we love.
A Model Example
One of our favourite things this month has been our sponsorship ofMerrivale Model Villagein Great Yarmouth. The seasonal attraction is a firm favourite in the town and holds very special memories for those of us who grew up here. To have our very own tiny sponsor board amongst the other local businesses has been a true delight! Have you been?
Promotional Banners
Something we don’t shout about very often is our printed promotional items, such as large roller banners, small table-top banners, feather flags, PVC banners, branded tablecloths, exhibition stand graphics, vinyl posters up to A1, and much more. We can also fulfil your paper printing needs with business cards, leaflets, flyers, menus, invitations, brochures, business cards, stationery and a whole host of other items. If you have an event coming up, need some new catalogues for your business, are running out of business cards or need an eco-friendly pop-up banner, then ask us.
What We’ve Been Loving in March
Sara has been enjoying the audiobook by ex-Dragon Sara Davies MBE, We Can All Make It. Davies’s book tells the story of how she built her multi-million pound business from her room in student halls from the ground up, on becoming the youngest Dragon in the Den and how she has become one of the biggest business names in UK households. Her story is an inspiration and certainly worth checking out in audiobook or traditional hardback.
Amber Shares Her Journey
February saw our Clothing Manager Amber represent This is Effective during an event hosted by East Coast College. As a former student of EEC, Amber shared her post-college journey to a cohort of Level 2 and Level 3 Business students. From joining her parents’ business straight from education to starting her own equestrian clothing brand, Jockey and Jill, Amber’s story proved motivational to the students soon to finish their own journeys at ECC.
Our Biggest Bundle Yet
We’re now releasing our biggest clothing bundle – ever! There are huge savings to be made with this bundle. Contact us to discuss your workwear requirements today.
Are YOU our next apprentice?
We are growing rapidly and are now looking to hire a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice. We would love it if you could share to your network if you know of someone in the NR30 and surrounding areas who might be interested in gaining valuable skills in a full-time, paid position: https://lnkd.in/eRgziEeX
Alan Boswell
Group (ABG) announced today that Andrew Thompson & Associates (AT&A), an
East-Suffolk-based commercial insurance broker established in 2010, has joined
the Group. This follows the company’s purchase of two Norfolk-based brokers,
Priory Insurance Brokers and The Insurance Centre, in 2024.
AT&A’s
staff and premises will be retained, while their clients will benefit from the
additional support and services of the 450-strong financial services group. This
acquisition, alongside ABG’s office in Bury St Edmunds, bolsters the Group’s
presence in Suffolk.
Commenting on
the purchase, Andrew Thompson, Founder of AT&A, said, “We’re excited to
join Alan Boswell Group and remain committed to providing the same care and service
our clients are familiar with. Being part of a larger brokerage means we will
benefit from an increased presence in the market and additional resources and
expertise, enhancing the service we deliver.”
Alan Boswell, Executive Chairman of Alan Boswell Group, said, “We’re
pleased to welcome AT&A to the Group and look forward to working with the
team. AT&A shares our values and commitment to delivering exceptional
service to clients, and we’re confident that Andrew and the team will be a
fantastic addition to the Group.”
Air Malta commenced Norwich summer flying programme 4 weeks early. Excited holidaymakers descended on Norwich International Airport yesterday for the first Air Malta holiday charter flight of the summer 2014 season direct to the sunshine island of Malta. A welcome addition to the April flying programme following Air Malta’s decision to offer four extra departures from Norwich this April to accommodate the noticeable increase in demand for off-peak holidays from regional airports. Andrew Bell, the airport’s CEO commented “It was great to see the Air Malta aircraft land at Norwich yesterday, Malta is an exceptionally popular destination from our region and we are pleased that Air Malta has increased their service and enhanced the travel options from Norwich International Airport this spring”. Air Malta flights operate every Tuesday through to 21st October 2014 with holidays and flights available through numerous tour operators and travel agents. Flights are also bookable on www.airmalta.com
Leading offshore safety training provider Falck Safety Services (Falck) has joined forces with aviation provider SaxonAir in Norwich to offer helicopter safety training to correspond with new offshore regulations.
Falck, which is based in Aberdeen and Teesside, will provide specialist safety courses at SaxonAir’s Business Aviation Centre Headquarters at Norwich International Airport ahead of new UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) helicopter regulations, introducing Category A Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS).
The new EBS equipment was recently approved by the UK CAA as part of a series of measures to increase the safety of offshore helicopters. The new course and equipment are now an industry requirement due to the updated guidelines which come into force on 1 September 2014, and stipulate passengers will not be allowed to sit on the inside seats of a helicopter travelling to and from offshore installations without EBS. From 1 January next year, all passengers will be required to wear the device.
Colin Leyden, managing director for Falck said: “The latest UKCAA safety requirements for offshore helicopter transportation are an important step forward. Falck has been closely involved with the process surrounding the EBS system development, with rigorous training and testing carried out ahead of launching the course.”
“The training at Norwich will ensure that companies comply with the new regulations, putting the safety of offshore workers at the forefront of their operations. Our partnership with SaxonAir in Norwich will allow us to deliver seamless and quality training to individuals based or living in the East Anglian region.”
Falck Safety Services, which delivers realistic training in a safe and controlled environment using state-of-the-art industry standards, has recently invested more than £3.5m in its UK training facilities. The firm, which has 32 training centres across the world, has strong industry expertise servicing the global oil and gas, shipping, renewable energy, military and aviation industries, and last year trained over 340,000 people.
SaxonAir’s £6.5m Business Aviation Centre is strategically located to serve the Southern North Sea energy sector and currently handles over 50,000 offshore passengers and 700 tonnes of freight movements per year.