Highbury Recruitment have just received notification from the Armed Forces Covenant that they have been accepted to support the future employment of our Armed Forces and their families.
We are excited to share this news with everyone and Highbury Recruitment hope to connect with more companies seeking individuals looking for their next step in the civilian employment market. This will be an excellent asset to Highbury Recruitment Ltd and the Norfolk skills market.
Highbury Recruitment Ltd is honoured to be accepted by the Armed Forces Covenant and to be collaborating with them to support our armed forces. Our commitment is to ensure fair treatment for those who are currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families.
Matt has held many senior positions within the FMCG sector, as well as working with companies from start-up, right through to multinationals on a consultancy basis. Matt has an undergraduate degree from the University of Lincoln in Marketing, as well as an MBA and postgraduate in professional consulting from the UEA.
Akcela director James Adams has worked alongside Matt on previous consultancy engagements, including their work with Tesco CZ. James has expressed his delight in Matt working alongside the business. “Having worked with Matt previously, I am delighted he took us up on the offer to work closer together going forward. Matt embodies what Akcela stands for in the market. He has an excellent history of working at senior management levels, has delivered consultancy projects across a spectrum of businesses and Matt delivers the results. Having Matt work with us doesn’t just help the new clients we will be working with, it also strengthens our offering to existing ones. Matt has a great ability to break complex problems down into their constituent parts, iron out the issues, and put them back together in a way that drives value.”
Speaking of his working relationship with Akcela, Matt outlined his focus and areas he feels he can support clients. “In a post COVID-19 world, now more than ever businesses are looking for external support to ratify their decisions, or define their next moves. Akcela have a great client base of offering support in areas such as segmentation and process redesign. When James and I spoke, and he highlighted the way that Akcela was growing, it was clear that we could build these fundamentals further into the FMCG and food manufacturing arena. It was a great fit.”
South Norfolk Council still has government grant funding available to help qualifying local businesses who have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are available to businesses that have not previously received COVID related grant funding, and the Council is keen to hear from you if support would help at this critical time. The scheme presents a number of support opportunities to help many of the businesses that are important to the local economy in South Norfolk. South Norfolk Council Cabinet member Lisa Neal said: “Supporting the local economy is a priority for the Council and it’s important that people get the help that they need. If you’re running a business in South Norfolk please go onto our website to see if you meet the criteria. Your business may be eligible for a grant.” Some of the businesses that may receive funding are:
Construction and associated industries
Manufacturing operations
Businesses reliant on providing services to premises in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
Small businesses working from a shared space in business rated premises
Businesses classified as being in the Professional, Scientific & Technical Services” sector – e.g. law, accountancy, architecture, research, vets, photography, advertising, quantity surveying etc
Market traders
Applicants for the grant will need to check their eligibility against the criteria set out on the Council’s website. Businesses will be required to provide evidence to support their application and demonstrate a reduction in income due to the impact of Coronavirus.
A Norwich-based food processing equipment specialist has provided state-of-the-art technology to a leading global snacks producer.
Fabcon Food Systems, which is headquartered in Catton, has designed, built and installed a new frying, seasoning and distribution system for snacks experts Calbee UK at the company’s Deeside plant – a move which will support Calbee’s expansion plans.
Daniel Woodwards, Managing Director of Calbee UK commented: “Fabcon Food Systems are a long-standing, valued partner. Their collaborative approach, providing turnkey solutions in consultation with onsite teams, ensures optimal outcomes. Fabcon remains the Group’s go-to supplier and we look forward to working with them in our future expansion projects.”
Trevor Howard, managing director of Fabcon Food Systems added: “Our relationship with Daniel and his team at Calbee Group goes from strength-to-strength and we are delighted with the result of our installation at the company’s Deeside plant.
“Importantly, the new equipment gives Calbee flexibility and will allow them to maintain the high quality of snacks and production they are renowned for. We look forward to working with Calbee in the months and years ahead.”
Founded in 2015, Fabcon Food Systems manufacture, supply and install handling and processing equipment for the food industry. Designed and built at the company’s Norwich factory in the UK, Fabcon’s team of 25 supply systems and machinery to customers in the UK, mainland Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Africa.
The Fabcon Food Systems website is available through www.fabcon.co.uk, whilst Calbee Group’s UK website can be accessed via www.calbee.co.uk
UK Drug Testing, a leading supplier of workplace drug and alcohol testing kits based in Norfolk, is proud to announce the launch of its new range of ultra sensitive drug test kits. Designed to meet the growing demand for early detection and enhanced accuracy, these innovative new drug tests offer even greater reliability for employers and healthcare.
The ultra sensitive range of drug screening tests includes both urine and saliva testing kits that can detect substances at lower concentrations than standard tests. This makes them ideal for safety-critical industries and workplaces where zero-tolerance drug policies are in place.
“Accurate and early detection is key to ensuring workplace safety and compliance,” said Dr Kate Garside a spokesperson for UK Drug Testing. “These new kits offer increased sensitivity, helping employers identify potential issues before they become critical. They’re easy to use, cost-effective, and available for next working day delivery.”
UK Drug Testing continues to support UK businesses with expert advice, rapid delivery, and a wide range of fully certified drug testing products. Whether you’re running routine workplace drug screening or need rapid results in a healthcare setting, these new kits provide peace of mind with industry-leading sensitivity.
Norwich Theatre is partnering with the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce through their Co.next programme on a brand new event Mastering Public Speaking (9 May) in Norwich Theatre’s newest studio space.
Hosted in Studio 4 at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, this event is open to young professionals aged 18 – 35 and Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders.
Run by Joesph Arkley from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), the session will provide young people with an opportunity to get to grips with the art of public speaking. They will learn about voice, body language and listening, throughout the 3 hour session which will conclude with the opportunity to put their learning into practise with a chance to speak on the Playhouse stage.
Caroline Ellis, Account Manager at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said:
“We are extremely excited to partner up with Norwich Theatre to bring young professionals across Norfolk the opportunity to hear first-hand from Joseph Arkley from the Royal Shakespeare Company to help encourage and empower our Co.next audience.
“This event will help break through the stigma around public speaking while building confidence by focusing on voice, body language and listening, which are all fundamental parts of public speaking. I personally believe these are all important skills to support them to grow in confidence and further their careers, which is what Co.next is all about.”
Jack Weaver, Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, also comments:
“Co.Next is fast becoming THE network for young people in business in Norfolk, and I’m delighted to see more collaborations like this with Norwich Theatre to engage and empower those starting out on their career path. Public speaking, whether it’s to a handful of people in a presentation or an entire conference doesn’t come naturally to many people (myself included). Yet it’s a really important skill to hone if you want to pitch for new business, sell an idea to an investor or set out your business case to decision makers. 2024 is going to be an exciting year for Co.Next and I’d encourage anyone interested in finding out more to reach out to the Norfolk Chambers team.”
This is the start of the growing partnership between the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and the Co.next programme, which will provide more opportunities for young professionals and Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders.
Norwich Theatre’s Young Cultural Leaders is a free programme that is designed to give young people between 18 and 30 the chance to gain practical skills and learn how to help shape and define leadership. Recruiting for the 24/25 cohort will start in summer 2024.
Hayley Murrow, Creative Learning Partnerships Manager at Norwich Theatre, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Co.next; they share similar core values to inspire and empower young people to make change; this is what we aim to do with our Young Cultural Leaders programme. This new partnership should provide further opportunities to connect and have our Young Cultural Leaders meet and network with Norfolk businesses.
“Public speaking is an essential skill for anyone, and this session is sure to be an exciting and interesting opportunity to learn from a practitioner from the RSC.”
The Young Cultural Leaders is one of the five groups that make up the Creative Assembly, a collaborative approach to creative leadership that involves audiences, participants, artists, stakeholders, communities and partners that represent the make-up of the theatre’s region to co-deliver Norwich Theatre’s Creative Experiences Strategy.
A new chair is being sought to lead the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board and play a pivotal role in overseeing the delivery of multi-million pound transformational investment in the town.
The opportunity for an individual to lead the board comes at an exciting time for King’s Lynn, with an additional £20M announced for the town in the Spring budget.
This funding is further to the £25M Town Deal funding announced in 2020, which is now being delivered across a range of aspirational projects, overseen by the board.
King’s Lynn Town Deal Board brings together a diverse range of individuals representing the community, businesses, and statutory agencies such as local authorities. Membership includes representatives from all tiers of local authority, Members of Parliament, local businesses, Chamber of Commerce , Business Improvement District, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the College of West Anglia.
Interim Chair Vicky Etheridge commented:
“This is a great time to be joining the board. Not only are we seeing the impact of the Town Deal projects which are gathering pace in their delivery, we also now have the fantastic opportunity to play a crucial role in creating a long term plan for King’s Lynn and accessing £20M in further funding.
“Whoever is appointed chair will be able to use their skills and expertise from their role in the community or private sector, to guide and lead the board through the next exciting stage, and help to shape the future for King’s Lynn.
“We are looking for someone who is forward thinking, open-minded, collegiate, constructive and has an entrepreneurial spirit.
“Whilst the role is voluntary, the rewards are enormous, as I know myself from my experience on the board. If you are our next chair, then you will be able to make a significant difference for our town, benefitting people today, and long into the future.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in becoming the chair to please do apply. You will get to be part of a strong team, and you will be fully supported by officers.
“I look forward to meeting and working with our new chair soon.”
The requirements of the role include 12 meetings each year, plus meeting preparation and other work. Officer support is available to help the chair deliver the role, and champions on the board lead on specific projects.
The closing date for applications is Friday 3 May with interviews taking place on Friday 17 May.
First Intuition, a leading accountancy training provider, is delighted to announce the return of its highly anticipated Accountancy Academy. Aimed at 15 – 19-year-olds interested in knowing more about a career in accountancy and finance, the free academy offers the opportunity to learn what it is like to work in an accountancy role and what is needed to get to a job in it.
Every year, First Intuition centres extend a warm invitation to local students to participate in their free Accountancy Academies. These academies serve as a valuable platform for aspiring individuals to gain a deeper understanding of the accountancy sector and the diverse job roles it offers, to help them identify if it is the right career path for them. Attendees will also learn about the different paths they can take into a career in accounting, how to put together a winning CV, and hear directly from accountancy employers.
“Our Accountancy Academies are back, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome students eager to learn more about careers in finance and accounting,” said Gareth John, Director at First Intuition. “Whether students are already set on pursuing a career in accountancy or simply curious about the industry, our academies are designed to provide valuable insights and guidance.”
The Accountancy Academy, spanning two days, is facilitated by First Intuition’s experienced tutors, each with expertise and experience working in accountancy roles. The academies have helped thousands of students learn more about the types of roles in the industry and determine whether a career in accountancy aligns with their skills and aspirations.
Key topics covered during the academy include:
Careers in accountancy
Getting started in the field
Study pathways
CV writing and interview tips
Employer Q&A forum
The upcoming Accountancy Academies will be hosted both in-person at First Intuition centres and online, to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of students and ensure everyone has access to the sessions. Find a list of the locations, dates, times and recommended age of attendees for the upcoming academies here.
First Intuition encourages all school and college students interested in exploring careers in accountancy and finance to attend these informative sessions.
Feedback from students who have attended previous academies include:
“Thanks for providing the opportunity with the Accountancy Academy it really has helped me gain wider knowledge into the profession.”
“I would like to say thank you to everyone from FI for this opportunity, it has been an immense help.”
“All the sessions were amazing and have really helped me with my decision to become an accountant!”
“This opportunity has inspired me to apply for an accountancy apprenticeship.”
At Zip Water, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our water solutions help our global customers meet their sustainability and ESG targets by:
Inspiring a refill culture
We aim to make bottled water a thing of the past with drinking water solutions, such as HydroTap, that pour filtered boiling, chilled, and sparkling drinking water on tap.
HydroMe takes this one step further, allowing access to flavour-enhanced water with just a few clicks.
Reducing energy demands
Energy-saving modes, that consume less energy in times of low usage, and patented technology make our water systems exceptionally efficient.
Our unique PowerPulse technology maintains stored boiling water to within 0.2 degrees of set temperature, meaning our products pour the perfect boiling drinking water every time whilst minimising power consumption.
Eliminating water waste
Using water to chill water? Not cool. Our innovative air-cooling process eliminates the need for water in the cooling process. This means the only water used by our taps is what ends up coming out of them.
As an EcoVadis Silver awardee (placed in the top 8% of companies ranked), we are also dedicated to internal sustainable practices, from our fully recyclable packaging to our growing electric fleet of HydroCare vehicles.
We’ve also partnered with GivePower.org to support communities around the world with access to clean, purified water. Every time a HydroMe user pours a drink, they collect points. Earn enough to level up, and we’ll donate money on your behalf.
High and consistent energy levels are crucial for personal and business success. This week James and Mark give 3 top tips to help improve energy levels drawing inspiration from motivational legend Jim Rohn, cycling hero Tommy Voeckler and Pavlov’s salivating dogs.
Norwich-based commercial property consultants, Roche Chartered Surveyors has retained its title as Norfolk’s most active firm for the seventh year in succession, in the commercial property sector’s leading awards. The title is awarded by the Estates Gazette for the firm conducting the most transactions across all sectors of the commercial property market and has now been won by Roche every year since its inception in 2013.
The Norfolk award follows Roche’s success in regaining the Estates Gazette’s regional award as the East of England’s leading firm in the retail sector, again based on the number of transactions arranged during the year, for an impressive 9th time in the last 10 years.
To cap Roche’s success, one of the firm’s partners, Adrian Fennell, won the Dealmaker Award for the individual involved the most transactions throughout 2019, the third member of the Roche team to receive this accolade in recent years.
Sam Kingston, Managing Partner of Roche Chartered Surveyors, commented “The Estates Gazette Awards are widely acknowledged in commercial property as being market-leading and are a reliable reflection of activity during the past year. We are therefore extremely proud and pleased to have retained our title as Norfolk’s most active firm and the regional retail crown. The Awards reflect a huge amount of effort by everyone in the firm and the extent of our activities in all the main commercial sectors including retail, leisure, offices, industrial and warehousing. Adrian Fennell’s individual Award is thoroughly deserved and a great achievement in an extremely difficult retail market. The commercial property markets face unique challenges at present but we are extremely busy advising clients and concluding deals, with activity picking up since the start of the lockdown.”
We’re proud to announce that we’ve achieved CHAS Elite status — the highest standard of accreditation offered by CHAS. This includes both the SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) certification and the Common Assessment Standard, meaning we’ve met rigorous requirements across health & safety, environmental practices, quality management, and more.
Being CHAS Elite accredited demonstrates our unwavering commitment to operating safely, ethically, and professionally at every level.
💬 This is more than a badge – it’s a reflection of how we operate, every single day.
A huge thank you to our management team for their dedication in securing this accreditation, and an even bigger thank you to our teams in the field, your commitment to safety, quality and professionalism is what made this possible.
