The Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust (ABGCT) is proud to announce the achievement of a major milestone: over £3million donatedto charitable causes since its inception in 2019.
Alan Boswell Group has always looked to support as many goodcausesas possible. For over 30 years they had maintained a ‘Charity of the Year’ before setting up the Trust in 2019, with the aim of distributing a percentage of company profits to local charitable causes.
The Trust supports causes in the communities in which the company operates across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire. Over the past six years, it has supported more than 450 charities and community organisations, funding projects that support the arts, community sports and leisure, nature conservation, health and medical care, animal welfare, and vulnerable communities.
Employees are encouraged to actively participate in the charitable initiatives. Staff members can recommend charities that would benefit from funding, organise individual fundraising events that are match-funded, and getinvolved directly by becoming part of the Trust committee.
“Reaching £3 million in donations is a testament to the generosity of our people and the strength of our partnerships with local charities,” said Alan Boswell, Executive Chairman of Alan Boswell Group. “It’s important to invest in our communities, and we’re pleased that the Trust has been able to make a positive impact.”
“We’re forever grateful for the support of the Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust.” said a representative from Mind Over Cancer. “As a small charity trying to fill a much-needed area of support, we rely heavily on the support of organisations like Alan Boswell Group.”
Norwich’s MIGSOLV enables tech firm to launch high-performance 2-hour disaster recovery service
Tech company Core DataCloud is today launching a high-performance cloud-based data backup and disaster recovery service run from the ultra-secure Norwich data centre operated by Norfolk Chamber Gold Patron MIGSOLV.
The new service is aimed at mid-market companies. It provides competitively-priced data backup and high-performance disaster recovery – enabling customers to get their systems fully up and running within two hours. It is based on specialised hardware from Nimble Storage.
Core DataCloud has already had IT systems within MIGSOLV’s Gatehouse data centre in Norwich for two years. The company is now extending its presence within the Gatehouse to deliver the new service.
Sharad Saggar, Core DataCloud’s CEO, explains: “Launching this service is a major step forward for us – enabling us to offer value for money backup and extremely fast, effective disaster recovery.”
Saggar continues: “Every organisation should know exactly how and where its data is being stored. Simply hoping it’s safe somewhere ‘in the cloud’ isn’t good enough, as a cloud service is only as reliable as the hardware and data centre that support it. We’ve selected Nimble’s hardware as the most flexible, scalable and cost-effective platform. And MIGSOLV’s data centre was an obvious choice as one of the most secure in the country, outside London and backed by an agile, customer-friendly team”.
David Manning, Managing Director of MIGSOLV, comments: “We’re proud that our data centre and bandwidth services are playing their part in enabling Core DataCloud to launch its new services. The company is already a valued customer and it’s a great testament to our relationship that it’s expanding its footprint within our facility to support this new development.”
Core DataCloud is an ISO 27001-accredited managed IT services provider which was founded in 1998. It specialises in providing UK and European organisations with backup, disaster recovery and cloud storage services. For more, see www.coredatacloud.com.
MIGSOLV provides IT colocation from its ultra-secure Gatehouse data centre in Norwich. It provides flexible rack space to public bodies and companies from small organisations to large enterprises, backed by an IT migration service and comprehensive, round-the-clock support. See www.migsolv.com.
Nimble Storage, with revenues exceeding $300 million, was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in California. It has more than 10,000 customers in over 50 countries and more than 1,000 employees. The company says its storage systems allow its customers to access data 10 times faster and protect five times more apps than competitor systems. See www.nimblestorage.com.
For moremedia information, interviews or images, please contact: Tariq Khwaja from TK Associates on: [email protected] T: 01932 224 212
Cyberattacks on high-street retailers Marks & Spencer and Co-op have sent a clear message to UK businesses: no organisation is too large – or too established – to fall victim to cybercrime. As threats grow more complex, investing in cyber security management is now essential to protect business continuity and reputation.
We also offer free external vulnerability testing – a valuable first step for identifying potential weaknesses in your publicly accessible systems.
M&S and Co-op Hit by Major Attacks
Over the Easter weekend, Marks & Spencer experienced a serious cyber breach that disrupted its online operations for weeks. Customer names, contact details, and order histories were exposed – causing not only financial losses but reputational damage and shaken customer trust.
Co-op faced similar disruption through a supply chain attack that brought deliveries to a standstill, leading to empty shelves and operational setbacks expected to last for weeks.
These incidents are part of a growing trend. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 revealed that 43% of businesses – over 600,000 companies – reported a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months. SME’s specifically lose around £3.5 billion a year to cyber attacks. Phishing remains the most common threat, but ransomware and supply chain attacks like these are increasingly damaging.
What This Means for Your Business
Larger retailers might have the resources to recover, but for smaller organisations, a similar attack could be catastrophic. Without regular cyber security assessment services or penetration testing, many businesses won’t detect vulnerabilities until after it’s too late.
At Netmatters, we offer businesses a free external vulnerability scan. This is a security assessment performed from outside a network to identify potential weaknesses in its publicly accessible systems and services. It simulates attacks from a remote attacker, looking for vulnerabilities in things like web applications, open ports, and exposed services.
This gives you an easy, no-cost way to gain insight into your risk exposure.
Real-World Results: Theatre Royal Norwich
Netmatters recently helped Theatre Royal Norwich, one of the UK’s leading regional theatres, strengthen their cybersecurity posture after they recognised vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure.
Through a comprehensive audit and implementation of advanced security measures – including cyber security penetration testing and endpoint protection – we helped them:
Identify and close critical security gaps
Minimise operational risk
Build a sustainable, long-term cyber defence strategy
This transformation gave Theatre Royal peace of mind and allowed them to focus on delivering excellent experiences without fear of cyber disruption.
It’s a clear example of how effective cyber security management can protect even the most public-facing organisations.
The Cost of Inaction Is Too High
Cybersecurity should not be treated as a one-off investment or a checkbox for compliance. It must form part of your long-term strategy for resilience. The financial and reputational cost of a breach far outweighs the cost of prevention.
Netmatters is here to help you stay secure with tailored solutions, whether you’re a retail giant or a growing SME. With locations in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, we offer local expertise backed by national experience.
Start with a free external vulnerability test – and take the first step towards securing your business.
Don’t wait to become the next headline.
Visit our Cyber Security page or contact us today to learn how Netmatters can help protect your business from the growing threat of cyberattacks.
If you have chosen your career and want to start work right away, completing your training and qualification whilst in employment, an apprenticeship is for you.
Norwich data centre firm MIGSOLV joins PSTG to offer full tech package to local businesses
Norwich-based data centre operator MIGSOLV – a Norfolk Chamber Gold Patron – has struck a partnership with IT company PSTG to offer a full packaged technology service to local businesses. This includes data centre ‘colocation’, IT system design, computer hardware and support.
MIGSOLV provides IT colocation services from its ultra-secure Gatehouse facility in Norwich – the only major data centre in the Norfolk/Suffolk area. The company provides flexible rack space for public bodies and companies across all sectors securely to site their IT systems. It also provides a service to help customers move into The Gatehouse and comprehensive, round-the-clock support.
Professional Services Technology Group (PSTG) is a provider of computer hardware which provides a comprehensive set of associated services from initial systems design through to support. It operates across many sectors – with particular expertise in health, finance and hospitality – working with vendors including HP, EMC, IBM, Cisco, Dell and Microsoft.
The new partnership enables PSTG to offer its customers a highly secure data centre in the East of England, while it enables MIGSOLV to offer hardware and associated consultancy services. It also enables the two companies to bid jointly for requirements for a full packaged service.
David Manning, Managing Director of MIGSOLV, explains: “The partnership makes great business sense for us, PSTG and our collective customers. We’re now able to call on PSTG’s expertise in computer hardware and related services for clients who want the convenience of an integrated package. We’ve already had customers ask if we can provide a service of this kind. Our relationship with PSTG now makes this possible.”
Colin Woods, Business Development Manager at PSTG, comments: “We need to be able to offer our customers the best data centre services on the market. Our strategy is to team up with independent operators rather than the big players, as we believe that will give our customers better flexibility, value and customer care. MIGSOLV fits the bill perfectly. We’re extremely impressed by the professionalism and security of its Norwich data centre, and I know we’ll work well together to deliver what our customers need.”
We here at Naked Element are very pleased to announce that Emma Gooderham is our new Commercial Director. Having previously supported other software companies to grow and develop through marketing strategies, sales plans and identifying potential new clients, she is the ideal person to guide Naked Element in our own growth. As a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, as well as one of only a handful of Chartered Directors in the county, she is well placed to add her expertise to our Norwich-based tech company. After consulting for us back in 2015 it was clear that Emma and Naked Element were a good fit, as she loves what we do and how we do it! “Naked Element develops software to solve business problems through a variety of innovative ways – automating business processes, developing applications that talk to each other, share information and monitor performance. They even create new digital products and services” Emma explains “But it’s also the way in which Naked Element works that makes them different. Using an agile approach to development projects, working closely with clients to demonstrate software and get feedback regularly throughout the project, they can adapt as they progress. It really is a client-centred approach and these are the reasons I love Naked Element and am so pleased to join!” Having worked with every type of company from start-ups to big financial businesses, Emma will use her years of experience and business acumen to identify and really engage with prospective clients, as well as develop a long term strategy for growth. If you have a software project on your ‘to do’ list for 2017, why not contact Emma directly? Email her at [email protected] Call her on +44 (0) 1603 383458, or +44 (0) 7900 603703 Or you can just connect with her on LinkedIn and she will get in touch with you!
Norwich-based IT firm Tiger Eye Consulting are delighted to announce they have won the support contract from 1st March 2017 to support BLM with their iManage software solution.
BLM, a leading insurance and risk law specialist with 13 offices across the UK and over 1600 staff, has a strong remit of both national and international work, acting for a breadth of international organisations and handling high profile multijurisdictional cases.
The iManage software suite forms a key part of their IT strategy and Tiger Eye are now working closely with the IT team at BLM, led by Abby Ewen, to look at infrastructure, upgrade and mobility projects in 2017 to support staff with their key technology requirements.
Darren Broughton, Head of IT at BLM, explained, “We’re going through a significant period of change in our systems and infrastructure, and we need technical support partners who are able to understand the issues including and beyond the DMS. Dave Wilson and Matt Cleverdon’s combined experience in the sector gives us that confidence.”
The unique combination of expertise at Tiger Eye, with Directors Dave Wilson’s two decades of experience of iManage solutions, and Matt Cleverdon’s long career both as an IT Director inside law firms and as a subject matter expert at HP, gave BLM the confidence that Tiger Eye would deliver the level of expertise and customer service they required.
Dave comments, “We’re already enjoying working with BLM, and are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”
About Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye is a niche IT consultancy, specialising in Work Product Management, and an EMEA Partner of iManage, DocsCorp, Mimecast and Microsoft, implementing cutting-edge IT solutions across Europe. We focus on providing high calibre consultancy from an experienced, senior team, working in close partnership to plan bespoke solutions that meet all our customers’ business needs, and provide expert technical support and customised development solutions to our iManage customers.
We’ve designed a tasty new website for Hiltfields, a high quality food products manufacturer. Our brief was to redesign the website to promote their range of food expertise more effectively and increase online enquiries.
The client is very satisfied with the results, especially with lots of new website enquiries. You can see the brand new site at www.hiltfields.com
East-Anglia-based Alan Boswell Group has reported further expansion this month, following the launch of its new business, Alan Boswell Risk Management.
The move brings three new faces to the group and enhances the range of business insurance services available to clients, helping them to comply with the law and avoid disruption to their business.
Two new engineering surveyors, Gary Murphy and Terry Hammond, and a risk management administrator, Shannon Waters, join risk management advisers John Neil and Gavin Dearsley, to provide a comprehensive suite of services.
With a wealth of experience across a range of industries, Terry and Gary have significant mechanical knowledge and are qualified to carry out essential engineering inspections. Both are able to perform Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), PSSR and LEV statutory inspections, as well as offer general advice and inspections under The Provision of Use and Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
By using one company to advise on insurance, provide risk management advice and carry out inspections, businesses can rely on Alan Boswell Group to coordinate the whole process.
Says Risk Management Adviser John Neil: “Routine engineering inspections are vital to minimising the risks our clients may face. While these are a legal requirement, they also keep the working environment safe and reduce the chances of disruption, thereby reducing their chances of an insurance claim. Our services are already proving popular and we are currently in the process of recruiting a third risk management adviser to meet with demand!”
Group MD Chris Gibbs comments: “We’re always looking to enhance the range of services available to our clients. As such, the expansion of our Risk Management business to include engineering inspection was a natural move. Now our clients don’t need to juggle different companies for insurance, risk management and inspections – they can get a complete package from us, safe in the knowledge they’ll receive the same quality service they’d expect from any part of the Alan Boswell Group.”
The expansion follows the group’s acquisition of Cambridge-based S-Tech Insurance Services Ltd in November last year, bringing the company’s total headcount to in excess of 300 people.
To find out more about Alan Boswell Risk Management, visit www.alanboswell.com/risk or call 01603 967900.
Pure is offering the chance for one aspiring female leader, working at a deserving organisation in the East of England, to receive a part-funded place on its highly successful Women’s Leadership Programme starting in June.
Applications for the sponsored place are open to female managers and Directors working within social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, early stage start-ups and SMEs across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
The place on the programme has been sponsored by the Blossom Charity, which supports women in the East of England to be the best they can be. The aim is to make this course more accessible to local organisations which may not have had the budget to develop their talent pipeline in this way.
Lynn Walters, Director at Pure, said: “We’re delighted that Bridget McIntyre, founder and trustee of the Blossom Charity, has chosen to sponsor a place for the third year running. Bridget has been a regular guest speaker at our Women in Leadership events. Having held several Board positions, including UK Chief Executive of Royal Sun Alliance, and currently sitting on the Boards of Adnams, Jarolds and Saga as a Non-Executive Director, she talks passionately about how attending a leadership course made a huge impression on her life. Being able to make similar opportunities available to other women was just one of her inspirations behind creating the Blossom Charity and associated social enterprise Dream On.”
The Women’s Leadership Programme has already supported more than 60 aspiring female leaders in the region. It was first developed by professional recruitment specialists Pure and People & Performance Ltd in 2014. It is designed to help women strengthen their leadership skills, develop their confidence and grow their network.
Lynn added: “It’s extremely positive to see more and more employers realising that diversity and inclusion is vital for innovation and to gaining a competitive advantage. However, there is still work to be done. A survey by Birketts and PwC revealed that one in eight employees in East Anglia felt they had experienced overt barriers to their career progression because of their gender. Our aim is to inspire organisations across the region to create inclusive work environments where any barriers to progression are removed and everyone can work in a way that makes them feel productive and engaged. Not only does this programme help women to develop their authentic leadership skills, it also equips them with the ability to work with their employers to dig out any problems, find positive solutions and to build a pipeline of more women progressing into leadership roles.”
Previous companies to have benefited from a sponsored place include the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Rand Europe and Fauna and Flora International. All delegates involved in the programme remain part of a strong alumni network developing across the East of England.
Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “I have been delighted with the way that the leadership programme has given my team member the time and opportunity to explore issues around leadership and personal development with other very bright young women. The facilitation on the programme has been first rate and I believe the participants have benefitted significantly by being involved.”
The Blossom Charity sponsored place is offered for the programme which starts in June. It includes four days of facilitated learning and two individual coaching sessions. The full cost of the programme is usually £2,950 but this will be reduced to £1,475 for the chosen delegate. To apply for the place, or to nominate a member of your team, email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter.
This isn’t a new direction for us, it’s just a wonderful acknowledgement of the work we’ve already been doing to support our neurodiverse clients in ways that are flexible, empowering, and truly personalised.
I’ve seen firsthand how different brains bring different strengths, and that’s why our services are all about embracing those differences. Whether it’s creating workflows that adapt to your unique rhythms, building project systems that feel right for you, or simply being a support system when things get busy – we’re here to help every step of the way.
This accreditation is just an “official stamp” on our mission to make sure everyone, including our wonderful neurodiverse clients, feels heard, understood, and set up to thrive.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far – let’s keep breaking down barriers and making work, work for everyone!
This apprenticeship standard is designed to equip process operators with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to work effectively in a dynamic food and drink manufacturing environment.