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Daniel Connal Partnership launches Juniper Foundation to honour former partner’s legacy

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Multi-disciplinary construction consultancy Daniel Connal Partnership has launched a foundation to honour their late partner, Bob Juniper, and develop the next generation of construction professionals. 

The Juniper Foundation will support professional development through mentoring and give new opportunities to young people interested in a career in the built environment.   

The foundation has been created in the name of former senior partner, Bob Juniper, who died last September. He joined Daniel Connal Partnership aged 15 – when quantity surveying was done with a pen and paper – and spent four decades at the firm, embracing technology and qualifying not just as a surveyor but later as an adjudicator and arbitrator. 

The launch forms part of the firm’s 80th anniversary year, which has seen it pledge to carry out 80 Acts of Good throughout the year across its office locations of Norwich, Colchester and London. 

Robert Dale, Senior Partner at Daniel Connal Partnership, said: “Bob was a mentor to so many of us. He embodied a mindset of continuous learning and curiosity that was truly inspiring and has helped shape the values that continue to guide the business today. The Juniper Foundation is about carrying that legacy forward.  

“As we enter our 80th year, we’re focused firmly on the future. The foundation allows us to invest in our people, build deeper expertise, develop more specialisms, and even better support our clients’ long-term needs and requirements.” 

Bob Juniper spent more than four decades working for Daniel Connal Partnership and was widely respected for his technical expertise and commitment to professional development. Over the course of his career he worked as a quantity surveyor, project manager, mediator adjudicator and arbitrator, and served as a trustee of the brain injury charity Headway. 

The foundation will help formalise many of the development activities already taking place within the firm, including mentoring through professional bodies, training opportunities for staff and support for students entering the construction industry. 

Founded in 1946, Daniel Connal Partnership is a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy providing building surveying, quantity surveying, project management and health and safety services across sectors including commercial, education, health, community and residential projects.  

For more information, visit www.danielconnal.co.uk. 

Q2 Availability: Local SEO & CRO Support – Get More Enquiries, Bookings & Sales

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Have you been meaning to improve your online visibility this year? Or do you feel your marketing should be doing more to bring in new business? If so, we’ve got limited capacity left for Q2 to take on a couple of new clients or projects.

What We Do

At ATK Digital Marketing, we help businesses get found online by the right people, then turn that traffic into enquiries, bookings and sales. Our core services are website SEO (including local SEO), CRO, YouTube SEO, and white-label support for agencies.

How We Can Help

We’re brought in when business owners:

  • Aren’t being found by the right people in Google, or visibility has dropped after website changes or Google updates
  • Are getting traffic, but it isn’t turning into enquiries, bookings or sales
  • Are spending money on marketing, but can’t see what’s driving results
  • Need a clear plan of what to fix first, plus support with implementation
  • Run an agency (digital marketing, web design or development) and need reliable white-label support

Get in Touch

Contact us here or via email [email protected] to chat about how we can assist your local business.

Athena AI – Demonstration Event 9th April 2026

Written by Digital Chamber on .

We’ve been quietly building something serious underneath a former RAF base in Norfolk. The same AI that powered Britain’s first self-driving car, NHS hospital robots, and RAF trials, turned into a full enterprise platform.

Athena is an artifitial intelligence that runs entirely on your own hardware. Nothing goes to the cloud. Nothing leaves your building. Full audit trail. GDPR-aligned by design.

We’re not doing a conventional launch. We’re inviting a small number of Norfolk business owners underground to see it running live. No slides. No pitch deck.

If you’re in financial services, healthcare, legal, or any regulated sector where data sovereignty actually matters — we’d love you to see it in action on the 9th April here at RAF Neatishead. 

Places are strictly limited and by application only. Click here if you’d like to come along https://academyofrobotics.co.uk/athena/

City Greens Launch Discount

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Looking for unique things to do in Norwich? This premium indoor golf venue offers one of the best all-weather activities in Norfolk, perfect for visitors, groups and social experiences year-round.

Use this code for 25% off your first booking until the 28th April:

  • COC25

Play world-famous golf courses on state-of-the-art simulators, whether you’re an experienced golfer or trying it for the first time. It’s an ideal choice for group outings, rainy-day plans, date nights or corporate entertainment in Norwich.

With a stylish lounge setting and a relaxed atmosphere, this indoor golf experience combines sport, socialising and entertainment in one destination. Conveniently located in Norwich, it’s a standout option for tourists searching for fun indoor activities and memorable experiences in Norfolk.

Everywhen entertain the Community Sports Foundation at Yare House

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Everywhen hosted representatives from the Norwich City Community Sports foundation who shared insights into the foundation’s work and how the business can continue supporting it. As long-standing partners, Everywhen has renewed its financial commitment for another three years and contributed football boots to the foundations “Boots for Change” initiative, helping provide affordable sportswear for those in need. The team were also presented with a framed RunNorwich25 medal and photos from last years event featuring the former Hugh J Boswell team in Costume – sparking curiosity about what they’ll wear this year.

CCN achieves SMAS Worksafe Pro (SSIP) Certification

Written by Digital Chamber on .

We’re pleased to announce that CCN has been awarded SMAS Worksafe Pro certification, a recognised SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) accreditation!

This is an important milestone for our business and reflects the processes and culture we’ve built around health and safety. SSIP accreditation demonstrates that our health and safety practices have been independently assessed and meet recognised industry standards.

For our clients this provides further reassurance that:

  • We operate in line with current health and safety legislation
    Risk management is embedded into every day
    We take a proactive approach to protecting everyone involved with our works

Health and safety isn’t just a requirement, it’s a responsibility. Achieving SMAS Worksafe Pro reinforces our commitment to:

  • Delivering work safely and professionally
    Continuously improving our processes
    Building trust with clients and contractors

While we’re proud to have achieved this certification, we see it as part of a wider journey. We’ll continue to invest in our people, systems, and standards to ensure we consistently deliver safe, high-quality work.

If you’d like to learn more about our approach or discuss how we can support your next project, feel free to get in touch!

BrightPeak launched following strategic acquisition of WS Training

Written by Digital Chamber on .

The UK’s skills and vocational landscape has been bolstered by the official launch of BrightPeak, a collective of specialist training providers united by a shared mission to support learners and employers to grow, succeed and thrive.

The formation of BrightPeak follows the strategic acquisition of WS Training by Coniston Peak, the parent company.

The Suffolk-based provider now joins forces in a powerful national partnership alongside Midlands-based Workpays and the North-East’s Orangebox Training Solutions.

Together, these three established brands form the core of the BrightPeak collective, creating a formidable national footprint dedicated to social mobility and vocational excellence.

For nearly 30 years, WS Training has been a cornerstone of excellence in East Anglia. This move strengthens the provider’s capacity to deliver its core services across apprenticeships, commercial training and its highly-regarded supported learning (SEND) provision.

With Suffolk centres in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Haverhill, WS Training will now collaborate with its new BrightPeak sister companies to maximise opportunities for learners and employers across England.


Alex Glasner, CEO BrightPeak and Anne Wright, CEO BrightPeak. Picture: BrightPeak

Jane Wood, the outgoing Executive Chair of WS Training, is retiring after three decades at the helm. Under her leadership, the provider became a vital part of the Suffolk business community, earning her an invitation to 10 Downing Street for services to education.

“After 30 years of owning and running WS Training, I am confident that joining BrightPeak is the right path for us,” said Jane. “They share our values, respect the strength of the team, and are committed to building on our success.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved – from our regulatory turnarounds to our expansion into SEND support – and I am confident the business will thrive as part of this collective.”

WS Training joins BrightPeak at a time of significant momentum. In 2024, the provider expanded its SEND provision with a new dedicated centre in Lowestoft, and its apprenticeship achievement rates continue to outpace the national average.

The formation of BrightPeak facilitates a powerful collaboration between WS Training, Workpays (acquired in 2021), and Orangebox (acquired in 2025). This alignment is designed to accelerate growth and ensure that training programmes continue to bridge the skills gap in local economies nationwide.

Alex Glasner, Founder of Coniston Peak and the driving force behind BrightPeak, said: “We are so glad to have WS Training join our wider family as we officially launch BrightPeak.

“Jane has stewarded this company to being one of the most important training providers not just in the East of England, but across the UK.

“BrightPeak is about a collective of specialists coming together. Success is driven by people and a passion for making a difference, and by uniting WS Training, Workpays and Orangebox, we are creating a partnership focused on growing together. We are looking forward to learning from the WS Training team to carry out our shared core mission.”

Day-to-day operations at WS Training will continue as normal, with the existing team remaining focused on delivering high-quality training and support to their learners and employer partners under the new BrightPeak umbrella.

*For more details about WS Training visit www.wstraining.co.uk.

Wading In – Brand-New South American Habitat Announced at Banham Zoo!

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Something exciting is stirring at Banham Zoo, and it’s set to make a splash!
Work has officially begun on a brand-new South American habitat that will soon welcome two incredible species: the world’s largest rodent, the Capybara, and the gentle rainforest giant, the Brazilian Tapir.
 
This exciting redevelopment will turn an underused area of the zoo into a vibrant, mixed-species habitat designed to encourage natural behaviours, provide exceptional standards of care, and create meaningful opportunities for visitors to connect with wildlife.
 
Every element of the design, from naturalistic landscaping to high-quality indoor facilities, has been carefully considered with animal welfare at its heart.
 
The project will roll out in two phases. First to arrive will be the capybara, bringing their famously relaxed charm and love of lounging to their brand-new home. Meanwhile, specialist infrastructure is being prepared behind the scenes for the Brazilian tapir, ensuring the habitat is perfectly suited to these remarkable rainforest residents when they join the group.
 
In the wild, capybaras thrive in social groups and rely on water to stay cool and safe, while Brazilian tapirs, often known as “gardeners of the forest”, play a vital role in seed dispersal, helping to regenerate tropical ecosystems. By welcoming these species, Banham Zoo will shine a spotlight on the biodiversity of South America and the urgent need to protect these habitats for future generations.
 
Josh Hunter-Harl, Director of Sales and Marketing at ZSEA, said,
“As a conservation and education charity, this is a really exciting step for Banham Zoo and a brilliant example of how we’re continuing to invest in both animal welfare and visitor experience.
 
Capybara and Brazilian tapir are fantastic, characterful species, and this new habitat will not only give them a great home but also give our visitors a fun and memorable way to connect with South American wildlife and highlight the importance of protecting it.
Guests will be able to see the habitat take shape over the coming months, following the journey from construction through to animal arrivals, as part of our ongoing investment in enhancing habitats and creating more immersive visitor experiences.”
 
A huge thank you to City College Norwich students who are donating labour building the capybara house, MKM for the donation of building materials, and Anglian Metal Roofing for the donation of roofing materials and labour.
 
Visitors can look forward to watching the transformation unfold in the coming months, with sneak peeks, construction milestones, and, of course, exciting arrival updates shared along the way.
 
Big changes are coming to Banham Zoo, and they’re going to be wild!

Wading In – Brand-New South American Habitat Announced at Banham Zoo!

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Something exciting is stirring at Banham Zoo, and it’s set to make a splash!
Work has officially begun on a brand-new South American habitat that will soon welcome two incredible species: the world’s largest rodent, the Capybara, and the gentle rainforest giant, the Brazilian Tapir.
 
This exciting redevelopment will turn an underused area of the zoo into a vibrant, mixed-species habitat designed to encourage natural behaviours, provide exceptional standards of care, and create meaningful opportunities for visitors to connect with wildlife.
 
Every element of the design, from naturalistic landscaping to high-quality indoor facilities, has been carefully considered with animal welfare at its heart.
 
The project will roll out in two phases. First to arrive will be the capybara, bringing their famously relaxed charm and love of lounging to their brand-new home. Meanwhile, specialist infrastructure is being prepared behind the scenes for the Brazilian tapir, ensuring the habitat is perfectly suited to these remarkable rainforest residents when they join the group.
 
In the wild, capybaras thrive in social groups and rely on water to stay cool and safe, while Brazilian tapirs, often known as “gardeners of the forest”, play a vital role in seed dispersal, helping to regenerate tropical ecosystems. By welcoming these species, Banham Zoo will shine a spotlight on the biodiversity of South America and the urgent need to protect these habitats for future generations.
 
Josh Hunter-Harl, Director of Sales and Marketing at ZSEA, said,
“As a conservation and education charity, this is a really exciting step for Banham Zoo and a brilliant example of how we’re continuing to invest in both animal welfare and visitor experience.
 
Capybara and Brazilian tapir are fantastic, characterful species, and this new habitat will not only give them a great home but also give our visitors a fun and memorable way to connect with South American wildlife and highlight the importance of protecting it.
Guests will be able to see the habitat take shape over the coming months, following the journey from construction through to animal arrivals, as part of our ongoing investment in enhancing habitats and creating more immersive visitor experiences.”
 
A huge thank you to City College Norwich students who are donating labour building the capybara house, MKM for the donation of building materials, and Anglian Metal Roofing for the donation of roofing materials and labour.
 
Visitors can look forward to watching the transformation unfold in the coming months, with sneak peeks, construction milestones, and, of course, exciting arrival updates shared along the way.
 
Big changes are coming to Banham Zoo, and they’re going to be wild!

Why Traditional Job Boards Still Matter in Modern Recruitment

Written by Digital Chamber on .

Are traditional job boards becoming obsolete?

Despite the rise of social media recruiting and AI tools, traditional job boards are still playing a key role in connecting employers with active job seekers.

The challenge isn’t reach – it’s managing application quality. Clear, optimised job adverts, targeted placement, and multi-board strategies can make a big difference in attracting the right candidates.

In our latest blog, we explore why traditional job boards still matter and how to use them more strategically.

📖 Read more here:  

https://spiderrecruit.co.uk/news/traditional-job-boards-recruitment/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=norfolk&utm_campaign=trad_job_boards&utm_content=norfolkchamber 

Strengthening Energy Sector Collaboration with the University of East Anglia

Written by Digital Chamber on .

The University of East Anglia (UEA) and
the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) are working in partnership on this exclusive one-hour lunchtime webinar – taking place at 12:00pm on 20 April 2026.

Please send your email address to Jade for the Microsoft Teams link:  [email protected]

Hosted by Dr Jade Stalker, The Energy Sector Champion at Norwich
Business School, this informative session will provide practical
guidance on how the energy sector can effectively engage with UEA including who
to connect with, in what capacity, and how to build meaningful partnerships
that support both business growth and staff skills development.

During the webinar, we will explore opportunities to
collaborate with UEA’s Research and Innovation team (RIN), covering knowledge
transfer partnerships, consultancy opportunities,
and other funding avenues supporting research &
innovation activities. We will highlight the vital role that strong
partnerships between industry and academia play in driving innovation and
advancing the energy sector.

UEA’s Head of Student Opportunities will further outline the
many ways your organisation can connect with emerging talent. This includes
advertising vacancies through CareersCentral at UEA, offering student
internships, year-in-industry placements, graduate roles, and more. The
Head of Apprenticeships will outline apprenticeship opportunities.
Finally, you will discover how to showcase your company and industry
expertise at UEA careers and employability events, helping you raise your
profile among highly skilled students and graduates.

The webinar will take place via Microsoft Teams and will include
dedicated time for Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and
explore opportunities specific to your organisation.

Please send your email address to Jade for the Microsoft Teams link:  [email protected]

Do You Need Both AEO and SEO? What Local Businesses Need to Know

Written by Digital Chamber on .

AEO, GEO and similar acronyms have been around for a while
now. What’s becoming more common lately is how often they’re being sold to
businesses as separate bolt-on services on top of SEO, as if they’re something
completely new.

In reality, AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is largely an
evolution of good SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). It’s another layer on top
of the same foundations.

The SEO Foundations That Still Matter

SEO is about helping the right people find your business in
Google when they’re searching for the services you offer, and giving them a
reason to click through.

For local businesses, that usually comes down to a few basics:

  • Clear service pages that explain what you do, who it’s for, and where you work
  • Page titles and headings that match what customers actually search for
  • Content that answers the questions people ask before they call or book
  • A site that loads quickly, works well on mobile, and is easy to navigate
  • Consistent business details and trust signals, especially reviews

If these foundations aren’t in place, it’s hard to get consistent results from any SEO work, and it also makes AI visibility much less
likely.

What AEO Means in Practice

AEO is about whether your business can be used as a trusted source when people get answers in:

  • Google AI Overviews (the AI summary that appears on some searches)
  • LLM tools (Large Language Models) such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and
    Perplexity

These systems don’t create your business information. They pull from what already exists online and depend heavily on signals like
clarity, structure, topical relevance, and trust.

That’s why businesses that perform well in traditional search often start to show up more in AI answers too.

Do You Need AEO as a Separate Service to SEO

As a business owner, you shouldn’t need AEO sold to you as a separate service alongside SEO.

An experienced SEO consultant, freelancer or agency should
already be doing work that supports both Google search visibility and AI
visibility. They might not market it as “AEO”, but the foundations and the
practical work are the same, just applied with more focus on how answers are
now being pulled into AI results.

If your SEO foundations aren’t right, you’re unlikely to
show up consistently in Google AI Overviews or in LLM tools either.

So if you’re being told you need to pay separately for AEO
on top of SEO, it’s worth asking what that actually includes, and whether it’s
genuinely new work, or the same SEO fundamentals under a new label.

What Local Businesses Should Prioritise First

If you want visibility in both Google and AI-led results,
focus on the fundamentals that make your business easy to understand and easy
to trust.

  • Core pages that do their job properly: home, key services, service areas or
    locations (where relevant), and contact. Make it obvious what you do, who
    it’s for, and what the next step is.
  • Content that answers real questions: pricing approach, areas covered, timescales,
    what happens next, and the things people need to know before they call or
    book.
  • A solid technical foundation: pages that load quickly, work properly on
    mobile, use HTTPS, and don’t have obvious errors. Make sure Google can
    crawl and index your key pages, and that your sitemap is submitted in
    Google Search Console.
  • Clear structure: headings that make pages easy to scan, internal links to key
    related pages, and FAQs where they help. If you want to go a step further,
    basic schema can help search engines and AI tools interpret content more
    reliably.

Once these are in place, AI visibility should be supported through the same SEO approach, not treated as a separate add-on you need to pay
for twice.

Need Our Help?

At ATK Digital Marketing, we focus on getting the SEO foundations right first, then
building on them to improve visibility across Google search, Google AI
Overviews and LLM tools.

If you’d like the full breakdown, examples, and a longer
checklist, read our guide: SEO vs AEO – Why You Need Both, but Not as Separate Services

If you’d like a second opinion on what you’re being sold as
“AEO”, or want to sanity check whether your current SEO covers it, contact us today.