We did. In Thetford Forest. Honest. Whilst the sun beat down and our crew, in shorts, wolfed-down their picnic lunches, crystalline flakes were flurrying from a clear blue sky, the branches of the dense conifers began to turn white, and thick streamers of snow slid eerily into drifts. For this feat of alchemy we must thank our friends at Snowboy, whose white landscapes have adorned many a feature-film, and the Elveden Estate, whose trees grace hundreds of homes and town squares come Christmas. And the reason JMS turned the forest white? Sorry, it’s a secret for a month or two. But it’s sure to be magical. Just like snow in June.
One of the goals for Naked Element in 2016 is to make more of their Norfolk Chamber of Commerce membership. We’re doing well so far, it’s early February and we’ve already attended our second event. Both events have yielded interesting new contacts with plenty of potential for both Naked Element and Norfolk Developers.
The venue for this year’s annual Norfolk Chamber MPs event was a marquee in the grounds of the Marriott hotel. Following an introduction by chamber CEO Caroline Williams, Emma Hutchinson, Political Correspondent at ITV Anglia, took over introducing the MPs and chairing the event. The format was differing groups of MPs discussing issues such as linking Norfolk nationally and globally, economic growth and young people and skills. After the discussions, led by Emma, questions were invited from the audience.
The questions and discussions were wide ranging and incorporated the state ofthe A47 (described as a third world road as you leave Great Yarmouth), rural broadband, lack of housing, spending while interest rates are low and, as you would expect, the potential Europe exit. I was also interested to learn that offshore wind is a growing industry in North Norfolk and that the NHS still sends and receives a lot of faxes.
Much to my surprise I was very impressed with the light-hearted approach and attitude of the MPs and the number of questions which actually got straight answers. There was plenty of conviction and not much sitting on the fence.
My overall impression was that it was an exceptionally good event and I’ll be back next year. Hopefully it won’t be a Friday afternoon and Clive Lewis will be available too.
Tito Clark, a business management degree student at City College Norwich, has launched a new branding agency with a distinctive mission: to help launch the professional careers of design students and recent graduates.
Mr Clark set up his Brand 21 agency after learning from friends that graphic design graduates were often finding it hard to break into the industry for which they have trained.
The agency employs talented young graphic designers on a freelance basis, providing graphic design for everything from company logos, to business cards, flyers, T-shirts, menus and other printed materials. Brand 21 also offers branding services, web design and marketing consultancy.
As well as looking to make Brand 21 successful as a business, Mr Clark says that there is a strong element of social enterprise running through his company:
“From talking to my graphic design friends I could see that there was an issue of students and recent graduate designers needing experience and projects to show on their CV. The idea of setting up a businesses that could really help with that appealed to me.”
The journey to setting up Brand 21 originated during the first year of Mr Clark’s BA (hons) Business Management degree course, in which students had to complete a project related to starting up a new business.
This inspired Mr Clark to go further and during the summer holidays he began working on setting up his own business for real. The 20 year old from Norwich recalls: “I just really enjoyed the process of starting up a new business” and Brand 21 quickly took shape.
Mr Clark, who is now in the second year of his degree, has gone on to devote a lot of time and energy outside of his studies to developing the business. To date Brand 21 has secured work for three current design students and two graduates, undertaken for a wide variety of clients.
Mr Clark has developed Brand 21 with support from the StartUp Lounge at City College Norwich, which provides advice and support to students wishing to set up their own businesses as well as opportunities to network and learn from local businesspeople.
Tito Clark, Managing Director, Brand 21, commented: “I am really enjoying the process of starting a business and seeing it grow. Brand 21’s designers are highly motivated to establish their reputations and build up their portfolios, so we are able to offer clients an excellent and very competitive service. The aim now is to grow our client base and in the process support our designers to progress in their careers.”
Starting a business? Use Norfolk Library & Information Service’s free subscription to MINT to find out info about your competitors or find new customers.
MINT MarketINTellegence
Mint UK is a comprehensive database of UK Company and business intelligence. It includes information on companies’ financials, management and corporate structures, plus additional intelligence such as news and industry research.
Mint contains information on over 5.5 million companies, including 1.2 million unincorporated businesses.
Using Mint you can combine search criteria to find companies with specific profiles. For example, it’s simple to find insurance companies in Norfolk or food companies across the UK with a turnover between £5 and £50 million. Use Mint’s search criteria, in any combination, to find companies that you want to sell to.
Use Mint to give your business a competitive advantage:
Find out who your competitors are
Find out more about the companies you’re talking to
Find all the companies in specific areas of interest
Norfolk libraries are offering 200 free MINT database searches to support the development of business and marketing plans.
Visit: The Business library, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium library, The Forum, Norwich
Chartered
Accountants and Tax Specialists, M+A Partners, is delighted to announce exam
success and promotions across its Norwich and Cromer offices.
The three
promotions comprise Kieran Flood to Chartered Accountant, Lauren Yates to Tax Adviser
and Chloe Southgate to Senior Accountant.
The recent
promotions reflect an ongoing focus on investing in career development and
helping individuals reach their potential and are testament to the hard work
and dedication of Kieran, Lauren and Chloe.
Phil Webster,
Chief Operating Officer at M+A Partners, said:
“These
promotions are well-deserved and highlight the depth of talent we have within
the firm. It is wonderful to see individuals progressing from Trainee through
to Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers, with each one optimising
the support and clear pathways for progression we are invested in creating.
Developing
and nurturing the capabilities of our team is a key element of our values as a
firm – they play a crucial role in our future and delivering an excellent level
of client service. The fresh perspectives and knowledge of our recently certified
team members are invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve.
I would like
to wish Kieran, Lauren and Chloe every success in their new roles.”
Ian Barber,
Partner at M+A Partners’ Cromer office, said: “Chloe’s recent promotion and
exam success consolidates the expertise we have within our Cromer team. It has
been rewarding to see the professional development of Chloe, which reflects her
work ethic and ambition, and I am delighted to be able to recognise her
contribution to the firm. Congratulations Chloe and I look forward to seeing
you thrive in your new role.”
Kieran Flood
– Chartered Accountant
Kieran joined M+A
Partners in 2018 within the accounts department after completing his A-levels.
He has successfully completed his ACA qualification and has been promoted to
Chartered Accountant.
Lauren Yates – Chartered Tax
Adviser
Lauren joined M+A Partners in
September 2021, after graduating with a Biochemistry degree from the UEA. She
qualified as a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians in August 2024
and has now completed her CTA qualification. She has been promoted from Trainee
to Chartered Tax Adviser.
Chloe
Southgate – Senior Accountant
Chloe joined the
Cromer office as a Trainee Chartered Accountant in early 2022, after working
for another small firm for a number of years where she completed her AAT
qualification and gained full MAAT status.
Chloe has just
completed her ACCA qualification and is now a Chartered Certified Accountant.
Jarrolds are proud to announce that they are the winner of the Best Independent Department Store at the Drapers Independents Awards 2024. The judges praised Jarrolds as “a true cornerstone of the city that is innovating and doing something different”.
The awards celebrate independent fashion retailers excelling in areas such as sustainability, innovation and exceptional customer service.
John Adams, our retail managing director at the Jarrold Group, said:
“This award is a testament to how we have continued to stand out in a competitive environment. We are proud of our ability to deliver an unrivalled experience while remaining a beloved destination for our community of shoppers in Norfolk and beyond.
As we look to the future, we are excited to unveil more developments – the upcoming expansion of our spa retreat is the beginning.“
He added: “Our achievements are made possible by the passion, creativity and hard work of colleagues across the store.“
The Drapers Independents Awards
The Drapers Independents Awards celebrate independent fashion retailers across the UK and Ireland which are doing business better – becoming more responsible, sustainable and digital savvy, while offering customers high quality, beautifully designed products, and stellar service. Judges of the Best Independent Department Store category were looking for: a strong fashion edit and buying strategy appropriate for target customers; high standards of service; an in-store environment that complements the brands on offer; and evidence of a strong business plan and financial success that demonstrates the store is at the top of its game.
Drapers has been the leading authority on fashion retail in the UK and Ireland since 1887. With an industry leading magazine and online resources, it provides news, analysis, commentary and data and is known as the most trusted, independent, influential voice in fashion retailing.
Wingfield Consultants are a winner in the Business Circle Awards for 2025!
The company were awarded ‘Business Growth Consultancy of the Year –
Norfolk’.
Business Circle:
Business Circle is the essential resource for small
businesses, entrepreneurs, startups and decision-makers seeking comprehensive
global business insights. Through their innovative news website and quarterly
magazine, they offer a wealth of industry trends, emerging market updates, and
expert analysis. Designed to keep businesses informed and ahead of the
competition, Business Circle empowers entrepreneurs with the
information they need to make sound decisions and drive sustainable business
growth.
Simon, Founder of Wingfield Consultants, commented:
‘We
are delighted to win an award in the consultancy category in the Business
Circle Awards. To win a prize in our own sector,
and for it to be for our home county of Norfolk, is very special.’
The local branch of national builders merchants – MKM Building Supplies are the latest company to pledge its support to the nook, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) fundraising appeal for a new purpose-built children’s hospice in the heart of Norfolk.
MKM Building Supplies, based at Vulcan Road, Norwich, have a proud history in supporting a number of charities including EACH with Paul Attoe, Branch Director, along with three friends taking part in a 24-hour golf marathon last year raising in excess of £4,500 for the charity.
Paul and his team at Norwich have signed up to the nook business network scheme, pledging to raise at least £10,000 over the term of the appeal. The nook business network asks for companies small, medium and large throughout Norfolk to commit to raising either £10,000, £15,000 or £25,000 over the duration of the appeal in return for a number of benefits and support that the charity will provide.
As well as committing to raising funds, MKM are allowing EACH to promote the nook appeal on the back of six company trucks that deliver daily throughout Norfolk, in the hope that the promotion will encourage others to support the appeal.
Paul Attoe, Branch Director of MKM Building Supplies Norwich said: “EACH are a brilliant local charity and the work they do for children and families is vital, so we at MKM want to support them as much as we can. We hope that by encouraging our staff, customers and clients to join us in our support of EACH, their plans to build a new children’s hospice will become a reality as soon as possible.”
Gary Cook, the nook appeal corporate fundraiser, said: “We’re delighted Paul and his team at MKM have once again decided to support EACH and have signed up to our corporate scheme for the duration of the appeal.
“To make our vision of a new hospice for local life-threatened children and their families a reality we need the support of all sectors of the Norfolk community – individuals, schools, community groups as well as the business sector, so MKM’s support is fantastic and we very much look forward to working with them.”
Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the appeal or the nook business network should contact the Norfolk Fundraising Team on 01953 666767 or [email protected] or for more information on MKM Building Supplies please visit www.mkmbs.co.uk
Last year we were approached by Halls’ Garden Centre about production of three TV Commercials for their online storeGardensite.co.uk. They asked us to create some modern, stylish commercials that would really stand out from their competitors’ commercials, showcase their ever-changing offers and highlight the ease of purchasing online.
Our team of copywriters came up with a selection of concepts, and once everyone was happy with the final creative we began preparing for the shoot!We sourced a gorgeous location to film in, and luckily (despite being shot in November!) the weather held out for us! We filmed using the Arri Amira, which has a wide dynamic range and allowed us to record more detail in highlights and shadows. The camera sensor processes footage with a cinematic quality that complements skin tones and adds a more realistic, natural feel to the footage.
To show the convenience of shopping online, we created an interesting transition between the digital world and the real-world environment of the garden; the visual ‘swipe’ effect by which the lady changes the products in her garden through the window mimics the swipe effect of a touch screen.
We decided to utilise a ‘doughnut’ technique across the three commercials – the top and tail of each commercial would remain the same, but the middle section can be altered to show different offers depending on season and availability. Combining the visual ‘swipe’ effect with the graphical insert of the tablet made for a great way to mix the sophistication of a live action commercial with the flexibility & cost of a graphics based ad!
The first commercial aired from the 27thJanuary onSky AdSmartchannels in selected postcodes.
Interesting in knowing more about Sky’s AdSmart delivery method?View our Sky AdSmart presentation.
Naked Element are proud to be part of the forthcoming Digital City Walk. Held over five days, the trail aims to encourage young people to visit Norwich tech businesses to find out more about what they do and what it might be like to work in the tech industry.
Norwich is a Tech City and younger people should be made aware of the opportunities available in our Fine City. We are at No. 1 on the map, along with Axon Vibe, Sean Clark Ltd and Applin Skinner. Our colleagues Rainbird AI are at No. 7 and Neon Tribe are at No. 11.
The walk takes place during half term between the 15th and 19th of February and we will be available every day except Thursday. Come and say hi and find out what we’re all about!
A BIG welcome toCiscoe’s Pan Asian & Sushithe latest Norfolk based business to jump on board our Digital Signage networks across Norwich! Using our network of screens Ciscoe’s are looking to increase brand awareness of the restaurant and reach out to those food fanatics looking to indulge their tastebuds with bursting flavours from the Far East.
Norwich is a great place to eat out, Ciscoe’s Pan Asian & Sushi is located right in the heart of the city centre, offering fine dining selections of gourmet dishes from around the world. Ciscoe’s serve the very best of Asian flavours by using traditional and modern recipes specialising in Japanese, Korean & Vietnamese food.
Their Executive Chef Francisco “Cisco” Papica’s professional career spans over three decades, as an up and coming chef he was educated by some of the world’s greatest. As a young man Ciscoe travelled the world learning how to create traditional dishes from the country of origin he was visiting. His travels through Europe eventually brought him to our beautiful city, where his talents were spotted by foodie entrepreneur Ian Cooke, and together they founded Ciscoe’s Pan Asian. Ciscoe’s personal dedication to the traditions and skills of Japanese cuisine is balanced by his creativity within the varied cuisines of the Pacific Rim: It’s exactly this that makes Ciscoe’s Pan Asian a unique experience that their dedicated customers enjoy over and over again.
It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside one of our favourite and most exciting restaurants in Norwich, the entire team at Ciscoe’s shows great passion towards it’s product, service and customers from the chefs, front of of house and it’s owners. Voted as a top 10 sushi chef in the UK, offering a great in house dining experience and a delivery service through Just-Eat.co.uk or their own app, the experience of dining at Ciscoe’s Pan Asian & Sushi will blow both your mind and your tastebuds.
The ad can be seen on our ‘Domination Circuit’ comprising of four screens with a weekly audience of 450,000+ people.
Greg Murphy a Certified Accountant and Roddy Comyn a Chartered Accountant were awarded the Master Franchise Licence for TaxAssist Accountants in the Republic of Ireland and haven’t looked back as they have seen the franchise go from strength to strength. They celebrated the event at their Annual Conference which was held at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin, which as well as being a motivational and informative event also rewarded the top performing franchisees across their network of 26 franchisees.
Overall 2014 has seen fantastic growth in numbers in the Republic. In 5 years of operation TAD Ireland have now passed the 5,000 clients mark, and more importantly they have also gone past the €5,000,000 fee bank mark.
Greg Murphy comments, “Prior to joining TaxAssist Accountants myself and Roddy were partners in a local practice in the Fairview region of Dublin. Whilst the practice was successful in its own right, we were both ambitious and wanted to develop a national brand across Ireland.
TaxAssist offered a distinctive brand and clear approach to marketing and it was one we were sure would work well in Ireland, even in a recession – as has been proven right. Where the franchise model adds value, is the strength of the brand and the high visibility of the shop-front premises.
As a Master Franchisor I have been given the tools, support and experience I need from TaxAssist UK to make the business successful in Ireland and I think that TaxAssist Ireland is a great blueprint of how the franchise model can work in other countries. We’ve all very much enjoyed building the brand over the last 5 years. Here’s to the next 5 years of success and more!”.