The UK government has issued guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain (GB) from 1 January 2021. This includes guidance on when the new UKCA mark should be used and how to use it. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-mark-from-1-january-2021 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-eu-market-from-1-january-2021 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain-from-1-january-2021 All those manufacturing and distributing products in the UK should read the guidance and consider what immediate action is needed. You should identify which rules apply from 1 January 2021 and the guidance focusses on goods which are subject to the EU’s “new approach” product safety rules, which includes toys, electrical and electronic equipment, and personal protective equipment. There are different rules for chemicals, medicines, vehicles and aerospace. You should check to see if you need to change your conformity assessment or marking. —————————————————————————- In other news with new legislation being published this week, the ban has now come in regarding plastic straws, cotton buds and plastic stirrers from 1st October 2020. Charging for single use carrier bags is extended in April 2021 to all retailers and the minimum charge is changing from 5p to 10p. Drink containers with straws attached are banned from 3rd July 2021. There are some exemptions and businesses are allowed to use up existing stock obtained before the legislation came into force but only until March 2021.
We are excited to introduce to you our Founder & Principal Consultant, Darren Chapman. Here you can find out all you need to know about the person behind one of cyber security’s up and coming security companies, CyberScale, in a recent 60 Second Interview.
Tell us briefly about your background in IT?
I’ve been in IT for longer than I care to remember (it’s more than 20 years!), in a range of roles from 1st line support through to managing high performing consulting teams. Throughout that time, I’ve had a lot of involvement in security, but also a lot on the productivity side, so I understand that balancing both sides is critical in business.
How do you keep up to date with trends in the industry?
Lots of discussions with peers and peer groups including government and law enforcement, dedicated time for me (and the rest of the team) and a thirst for learning. Podcasts and audiobooks are gold!
What does the future look like at CyberScale?
Bright, exciting, scary and fun. I feel like we’re building something that can really make a difference to our client’s ability to deal with an ever-growing business risk without stifling their ability to do business.
What process is most important in creating a secure business environment?
Understanding what you have and why it is important to your business and your clients. It’s not until you’ve done that that you can really make good decisions about where to put your focus.
Where do you see the enterprise IT department in the future?
Ever changing, ever more critical to the business. IT (and security) should be a business enabler, that’s what it’s there for. Automation is huge, but we’ll always need smart people.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self over a coffee?
Hey 21-year-old Darren – when you create your web design company in a couple of years, and it seems like it’s not going anywhere – stick with it! You’ll be a bit too early, but it’s going to be huge!
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
There’s two – consistently positive feedback from employers and clients over the entire course of my career and building CyberScale from nothing after a huge leap of faith!
You can connect with Darren on Linkedin here or follow CyberScale here
Performance continues to be very good with punctuality in the current 4-week period over 95% across our network. Everything went smoothly last week as schools re-opened and more people returned to work. We were already running a full service everywhere except the intercity service, where most services are running, and the Stansted Express, where an extra 8 services a day were added to the current half hourly service from Monday 7 September. We’ll maintain our daily monitoring to enable us to assess when it’s appropriate to add in the remaining intercity and Stansted Express services.
Travelling with confidence
Across the rail industry, train operators are encouraging customers to “travel with confidence”, reflecting all the steps taken to provide an excellent service for passengers. The actions in our safer travel pledge, which are focused on providing more services and capacity, additional cleaning, making it easier to keep your hands clean and providing information to help you travel safely, are all being delivered. We’ve outlined a number of the extra steps we’ve been taking here at Greater Anglia in support of this commitment in previous updates over the last few months.
Just a helpful reminder that it is mandatory for customers to wear a face covering when using public transport, in stations as well as on trains, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Children under the age of 11 and people with a disability or medical condition which means they cannot wear a face covering are exempt from wearing them. The vast majority of people are complying with the requirements, but the British Transport Police do have the power to impose fines of £100 for non-compliance, if necessary.
We have invested in additional cleaning measures – including more train cleaners, new PacVac equipment for turnaround train cleaning during the day and special testing equipment to carry out random hygiene tests on trains (to help us raise standards even further) – as well as cleaning every single carriage with fogging guns (which disinfect all surfaces, including seats, arm rests, grab handles and windows) to supplement the extra cleaning already being implemented in these high contact areas. We’re also carrying out extra cleaning at stations, where the fogging guns come in handy for larger indoor areas, such as waiting rooms.
It’s still important to observe social distancing. We’ve introduced a wide range of measures to make it easier for customers to do so at stations and on trains – including floor markings, one-way systems, new signs and queuing systems.
We’re looking forward to seeing more and more people taking the train again in the weeks and months ahead.
Thanks again to everyone across Greater Anglia for delivering a very good service to our customers and communities across East Anglia, with valuable support from colleagues at Network Rail, Siemens, Stadler, Bombardier and our other rail industry partners
This year we will be offering you an intimate, private event filled with fun, laughter and plenty of Christmas spirit. Dine in style with colleagues, family or friends with one of our private dining packages.
Bickerston – holds up to 18 people
Colton – holds up to 30 people
Kimberley – holds up to 60 people
Barford – holds up to 90 people
Please see the PDF file below for more information on the individual pricing of the Christmas 2020 packages available.
Costs are per person attending. Subject to Government guidelines.
Enquire now by Call Sarah Jones, Business development manager on 07449 805801 or email [email protected]
Hatch Brenner Solicitors is delighted to welcome the Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury and Professional Negligence team from fellow Norwich Solicitor firm Morgan Jones Pett into the Hatch Brenner Solicitors team.
Following the retirement of David Jones as a Director in Morgan Jones Pett, the entire Clinical Negligence team from Morgan Jones Pett are transferring to Hatch Brenner Solicitors on Theatre Street, Norwich.
From 1 October 2020, top Clinical Negligence Solicitor Sara Westwood will be appointed as a Partner at Hatch Brenner Solicitors. She will be joined by her Morgan Jones Pett team comprising experienced Chartered Legal Executive Simon Bransby, along with their assistants Donna Wright and Hayley Harbord.
Colin Cook, Hatch Brenner Head of Dispute Resolution commented: “We would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Morgan Jones Pett Clinical Negligence team as they join the Hatch Brenner Solicitors Dispute Resolution team. Having known Sara and Simon for many years via the Personal Injury community, it is very exciting to have their talent and nationally-recognised expertise within our team. We admire their practical and professional approach to cases and they have a first-class reputation.
“Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury and Professional Negligence legal support are specialist areas, and we are delighted to be offering a heavy-weight provision of experience, accreditation and expertise to our clients. We feel the two teams complement each other, and it will be great to be able to offer a much broader clinical and medical negligence, personal injury and professional negligence practice alongside our existing services, under the Hatch Brenner Solicitors banner. We will continue to champion access to specialist rehabilitation services and family support alongside compensation.”
Sara Westwood, Clinical Negligence Specialist Solicitor added: “Simon, Hayley, Donna and I would like to extend our thank you to the entire Hatch Brenner team for the warm welcome we have received. We are delighted to be joining such a friendly firm with a broad spectrum of legal services, which also has national reach within Clinical Negligence thanks to the combination of our specialist knowledge and experience.”
Solicitor Sara Westwood is amongst the select few specialist solicitors in the UK to be appointed to both the AvMA panel (Action Against Medical Accidents) and Law Society Panel of Clinical Negligence Specialists. She is also a Senior Litigator member of APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) and has over 15 years of specialist experience. She has a particular interest in gynaecological and obstetric claims, orthopaedic cases and A&E errors. In her spare time she enjoys badminton, boating and enjoying meals with friends.
Simon Bransby is a Chartered Legal Executive with over 30 years experience specialising in personal injury and clinical errors across a wide range of injury law cases. Outside of work, Simon enjoys cycling, running, music and cooking.
Sara and Simon have both been listed in the Legal 500 and Chamber and Partners Legal Directories as clinical negligence and personal injury specialists for the East Anglia region. They both regularly volunteer as legal advisors to the Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Their experience complements Colin Cook’s impressive accreditations which include being APIL accredited as a Senior Litigator Personal Injury Specialist and Brain Injury Specialist, a Law Society accreditation for Personal Injury and being listed in the Spinal Injuries Association list of accredited Personal Injury Solicitors for 2019/20 and the Headway Solicitors Directory since 2015. Colin is also on the board of trustees for Headway Norfolk & Waveney and is a member of the Norfolk & Norwich Medico Legal Society, Eastern Region Brain Injury Forum and the Norfolk Area Brain Injury Forum.
Indigo Swan is an energy consultancy based in the centre of Norwich. They are looking for a passionate Account Manager to work as part of the Energy Contract Enthusiast Team who negotiate and manage electricity and gas contracts for our business clients.
Job Purpose
To provide excellent customer service to existing and new business clients, assisting them with their energy contract management needs. To ensure clients feel well supported and informed at all stages of the electricity and gas contract negotiations. To be trusted and respected by colleagues, clients and suppliers.
Main Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of clients by regular contact throughout the year to build strong relationships and help with any queries
Manage and renew contracts based on our high service levels
Ensure client contracts are renewed at the most appropriate time
Carry out wholesale pricing data entry and analysis
Professionally liaise and negotiate with energy companies to get the best prices for clients
Generate pricing reports and present recommendations to clients
Ensure contract administration is compliant with internal and external processes
Keep up to date with energy industry developments
Regular communication with clients about upcoming industry or contract changes that may affect them
Support Indigo Swan’s continued growth by achieving personal and team sales targets
Support the Client Services team with any complex account management queries
Cross sell our full product range to existing and new clients
Represent and promote Indigo Swan at Industry and Client events and meetings
Support the Client Discovery team with campaigns
Develop your own prospects converting them to new clients
Work with business introducers – answering their queries, reporting on the progress of their prospects & assisting with the decision-making process and preparation of the contracts
To find out more about the benefits, tools and support availble visit their website here.
Please email [email protected] for an application form, or if you have any questions please call Aimee Konieczny on 01603 625522 to discuss the position further.
Inspired by a recent conversation with a listener, this week’s podcast makes reference to Austin Powers, Tony Robbins, Michael Heppell and Ghandi, as James and Mark provide 3 top tips on how to reclaim your mojo in business and in life. Yeah baby! Listen here.
This attitude has gathered momentum during lockdown; shoppers have really appreciated and supported small businesses for both treats and essentials. From buying quirky bits and bobs at independent stores, to nipping into a family-run bakery – choosing local helps our communities get back up on their feet.
A survey has found that ‘more than 80% of people in a Norfolk town would feel more inclined to support independent businesses’ after the coronavirus crises. This is great news, since over 60% of small/medium-size enterprises believe they’ll be out of business by April 2021. Now really is the time to celebrate our little independents!
Shop local: it’s a tiny switch to make, but it makes a world of difference. Let’s take a look at the bigger picture.
What does it mean to shop local?
‘Shop local’, ‘shop small’, ‘support independent businesses’. These phrases have flooded our vocabulary, news stories and hashtags. Instagram has even introduced a ‘support small business’ sticker, which allows you to share your favourite independents with friends. But what does it actually mean?
Shopping local is the act of people (like you) choosing to buy your produce/clothing/day-to-day items from a business that’s local, rather than going to a larger retailer. Wondering what the benefits might be? There’s plenty.
Supporting your community
Did you know that for every £1 spent with an independent business, between 50-70p circulates back into the local economy?
Plus, local businesses are owned by people who live in your community. That means they’re more invested in the community’s welfare and future.
The Lanes are home to over 300 independent shops, cafès, restaurants, galleries and pubs. So, we’re truly spoilt for choice here in Norwich.
‘Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.’ How does it benefit the environment?
Popping into a local shop in the city centre reduces environmental impact (and quite significantly!). Here’s how:
Local bakers, farm shops and green grocers offer produce with a short field-to-fork journey. This food doesn’t create large carbon footprints by overseas plane travel or long truck trips. There isn’t a need for packing facilities or refrigeration, either.
So, fuel consumption and air pollution are minimised – whereas food from the supermarket may have travelled over 1500 miles to reach your plate. Better still, locally-sourced food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging. A win-win situation!
The wonderful makers
Independent businesses are a breath of fresh air. They breathe originality and variety into communities, particularly those that are populated with generic stores.
Another amazing thing about independent businesses is that they are run by people, not by boards or algorithms. You get to know the makers, along with all their passion and hard work, and they get to know you too. We think it’s more fun this way!
Shop local, support local, love local
At Goodery, we have a big heart for this. That’s why we connect local farmers, ethical businesses and conscious consumers. We do this with zero emissions and as little waste as possible.
If you’re a local supplier who wants to sell your products on our site, we’d love to hear from you. Just click here to get in touch.
We love combining forces with people who are passionate about the local community and organic food (our team really does share the same DNA!).
Let’s get to know team member, Ellie, with a fire-round of questions.
Q: We’re so grateful to have you managing our socials. Thank you for all your hard work. How did you get connected to Goodery? A: It’s such a pleasure. I genuinely love everything about Goodery, it doesn’t feel like working at all!
I’d ordered a box before and I loved the company’s produce and values. I joined the team shortly after I went on a walk with my friend Matti, who leads customer service; he was talking about work, and I said I’d love to be a part of it. Here I am!
Q: You’re also a business owner. Can you tell me about that? Woah, it’s so strange being called a business owner! So, I recently started a tasty vegan takeaway from my home kitchen. Maple Spinach is a one-woman business (cooking, cleaning, marketing, customer service), and I absolutely love it.
Q: What do you think is wrong with the world? The abundance of environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, disposal of waste, etc.
I think there’s lack of education about what is really happening. While I do think individuals have responsibility to stay informed on the matter, I believe that the government needs to step up and address the environmental crises.
Q: What do you feel you want to do to help fix it? Working for, supporting and shopping from Goodery really makes a difference. A lot of the people I cook for are non-vegan, too – cutting down on meat consumption is such a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. I want to continue having important conversations with people who might be unaware of how poorly the planet is. I also want to reduce my waste significantly. I hope to get rid of single use plastics completely!
Q: What’s one thing you’re grateful for? Family. That includes my church family, Goodery family and friends. Q: If you could wave a magic wand and change anything about the world, what would you change? Why? I’d align all the hearts in the world to be passionate about combating discrimination. I think that so many (if not all) problems stem from this.