Member News

NEW DUTCH ROUTE MARKS DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR LOGANAIR’S NORWICH OPERATION

– Airline introduces new weekday Den Helder service almost a year to the day after launching first Norwich International Airport route to Manchester –

Flybe franchise carrier Loganair celebrates two landmark events at Norwich International Airport today (Monday, March 4) – the airline’s first anniversary of operations at the Norfolk-based hub and the launch of its scheduled service to Den Helder.

The new weekday route, the first scheduled operation to fly to the Dutch port city from the UK, is the latest addition to the airline’s schedule of services from Norwich International Airport.

On Monday, March 5, 2012, Loganair launched its first flights from Norwich to Manchester. The new Den Helder route is an extension of the Manchester to Norwich service, which flies three times every weekday and once on a Sunday.

Loganair also operates a direct Saturday flight between Norwich and the Isle of Man, which first took to the skies on May 26, 2012

Then In December last year, Loganair announced it would commence operations this coming spring on a new seasonal Sunday service to Guernsey.

Loganair will take over the route from franchise partner Flybe and is set to increase the number of flights from 19 to 25. Services to the Channel Islands holiday destination start on Sunday, April 28, and will operate until September 29.

The Scottish airline’s Norwich services to Manchester, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Den Helder directly support the employment of 15 locally-based pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

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Roger Hage, Loganair’s director of business development, said: “We are extremely proud, and it is entirely apt, that our first anniversary of operations at Norwich should coincide with the launch of the Den Helder service.

“Despite operating in what continues to be a difficult climate for the aviation industry, everyone at Loganair has worked hard to ensure our services in East Anglia continue to thrive.

“Our success at Norwich can be directly attributed to the efforts of our staff, as well as increased frequency levels and improved schedules we offer to our passengers.”

The first passengers travelling to Den Helder today will board the route’s inaugural flight at 10.20am, arriving in the Dutch city’s airport a mere 50 minutes later.

Loganair expects the Norwich to Den Helder service to act as an important transport link for passengers employed in the offshore oil and gas, maritime and horticultural sectors located in both the East Anglia area and in the Netherlands.

Flights from Norwich will depart weekdays at 10.20am, arriving in Den Helder at 12.10pm local time. Return flights will depart Den Helder at 2.30pm, returning to Norwich International Airport at 2.20pm.

Andrew Bell, CEO at Norwich International Airport, said: “Loganair’s first year of operation at Norwich International Airport has been a great success and we will be working closely together over the coming year to ensure this success continues to build”.

The Manchester, Guernsey and Den Helder services will be operated by Loganair’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Suckling Airways, using a 31-seat Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft. A 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft is used on the Norwich to Isle of Man service.

Fares for the Norwich to Den Helder service start from £79.99 one-way include all taxes and a free checked bag up to 20kgs in weight.

Customers will also receive a generous 6kg cabin baggage allowance as well as a choice of complimentary on-board snacks and refreshments served in-flight.

To book tickets on Loganair services from Norwich visit www.flybe.com or call 0871 700 2000.

On Sunday 10 March, three intrepid members of staff from Steeles Law will embark on the Devil’s Challenge 2013, a gruelling 7 mile 4×4 course over the notorious Devil’s Pit at Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire, to raise funds for the Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Alliance.

The team, aptly named “Balls of Steeles”, includes Tom Bailey, Barrister from Steeles Law’s dispute resolution team; Marija Markovic, Trainee Solicitor; and Alison Beales, Team Assistant.

The Devil’s Challenge course – which consists of such dubiously named zones as “Punishing Obstacles”, “Climbs of Doom” and “Muds of Sorrow” – will involve a combination of running, wading through water and crawling through mud!

Commenting on the team’s forthcoming endeavours, Tom Bailey commented: “Neuroblastoma Alliance UK is this year’s nominated charity for the Devil’s Challenge and they do really vital work for very young children. We are all very excited about the event and very up for the challenge – let’s hope we make it back!”

Tom, Marija and Alison will be joined on the day by staff from Gorleston based office products supplier Pink Office, who are also participating in the Devil’s Challenge.

Anybody wishing to make a donation to “Balls of Steeles” can do so via www.justgiving.com/Alison-Beales. All funds raised will be donated to Neuroblastoma Alliance UK, a charity which funds children’s treatment costs, supports families and funds research into neuroblastoma, the most common cancer diagnosed within the first year of life.

Twenty of the region’s entrepreneurial business leaders joined Price Bailey’s business strategy team for the third meeting of PB Entrepreneurs at the Top of the City, Norwich City Football Club, last week.

The group has formed to meet each quarter, offering strategic insight and peer review to important clients and contacts of the firm who are looking to grow and improve their businesses.

“It’s a natural add-on to our chartered accountancy practice” says firm’s head of strategy and development, and lead business coach Nick Mayhew. “In getting to know our client’s businesses inside out from a financial perspective, we are also in a really good position to help them to build on their strengths and meet wider business challenges. PB Entrepreneurs offers a forum to support that”. PB Entrepreneurs Clubs are already established in London and Cambridge. “There are so many dynamic businesses, and business leaders in Norwich that we are really pleased to be able to extend the club to this area”.

The theme of the afternoon was growth – learning from the examples of high-growth companies including Zappos and SpaceX, as well as high-growth clients. Attendees worked through their own plans, before wrapping up with an hour focussed on the business growth plans of one particular member. Dr Vince Forté, the subject of the specific case study, said “It was such a privilege to be able to present our business case and receive so much valuable advice – all those top business brains working for me!”.

The group meets next in Norwich on 11th June, to discuss ‘Winning Strategies’.

Ashton KCJ Solicitors has announced that it will be supporting three local charities through a charity of the year partnership. From April 2013, the firm will be supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, Magpas and Norwich based Nelson’s Journey.

Each year, staff at the firm vote for the charities they wish to support. The firm aims to raise at least £10,000 during the year through activities such as dress down days, cake sales and by staff taking part in sporting events.

The firm has already exceeded its fundraising target for its current charities: EACH, Big C and Headway. The funds have been raised by staff taking part in a 125 mile bike ride, a sky dive, Santa Runs, Hats for Headway and much more.

Edward O’Rourke, CEO at Ashton KCJ, says: “We are delighted to be supporting three new charities this year, each of which provide vital services and support in the local communities where we live and work”.

Sue Bailey, Associate and Chair of Ashton KCJ’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team, added: “We recognise that the current climate is making fundraising for charities more and more difficult. We will be mobilising our staff to get involved in as many fundraising activities as possible throughout the year.”

A report published by the Legal Ombudsman today (28 February), entitled “The Costs of Separation”, has featured highly in today’s news. The report found that divorce lawyers have the highest number of complaints from clients, compared with other areas of law. The report also found that some divorce lawyers are failing to advise their clients to settle financial matters out of Court, therefore resulting in unnecessary costs.

Emma Alfieri from Steeles Law’s family team commented that she is “not surprised” by the report, having heard stories of previous experiences from her own clients, and added that, as a family lawyer, “you must provide your client with a fee estimate at the outset, and keep clients regularly updated with issues that arise later on during the case, which may have an effect on the initial fee estimate”.

However, Emma also feels that some media reports have been “an unfair generalisation”, based on the actions of a small number of unscrupulous individuals: “Nowadays we find that very few cases proceed to Court. The focus is now on settling matters out of Court, using alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation. An application cannot be made to the Court until mediation has been attempted. Where mediation is not appropriate, or parties do not feel that they wish to attend, we can offer what is known as a “round the table meeting”. This is where both clients attend a meeting with their legal representative, in different rooms. This is another way of encouraging settlement without the use of the Court.

Family lawyers are now trained in this way and follow a code of practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems.

At Steeles Law we recognise that costs are an issue for clients going through divorce and separation. With this in mind, and due to the need for our clients to have certainty as to their costs, we have recently launched fixed fee divorce packages, which allow our clients to know from the start exactly how much the divorce is going to cost them.

We suggest to all clients that they attend one of our offices for an initial consultation and then, at that meeting, we can advise them whether they would qualify for a fixed fee service. This very much depends on the complexities of the case and bearing in mind that everybody’s circumstances are different. For example, a person wishing to bring a divorce (without children) would be offered a fixed fee of £650 plus VAT, plus Court fees of £385.

Emma Alfieri commented: “We also ask clients for partial payment at set times during the process. This enables clients to budget and know from the outset how much the whole divorce is going to cost. We also provide fixed fee financial settlements for clients wishing to finalise financial matters.”

For further information about fixed fees please contact a member of our family team on 01603 598000 or email [email protected].

Our next open morning will be on Saturday 16th March, 9-11am.

A year group of students will act as your guides and you will have the opportunity to visit a Boarding House, all the Teaching Departments of the College and the Music, Drama and Sports facilities.

The Principal, senior staff members and Admissions Office staff will be available to welcome you and discuss the opportunities that the College can offer your son or daughter.

We look forward to welcoming you here!

www.wymondhamcollege.org

https://twitter.com/WymondhamCol

Pure Resourcing Solutions has expanded its Norwich team with the appointment of Emma Saunders who joins the recruitment consultancy’s Accountancy Division.

Joining the company’s Norwich office, Emma brings over 10 years experience in specialist consultancy recruitment to the role. She previously worked for Hales Group and has recruited in the Norwich and Norfolk market dealing with a range of organisations ranging from SME’s to large blue chip organisations.

On joining Pure Resourcing Solutions, Emma said: “My approach to recruitment is very much in line with Pure’s ethos of taking the time to understand the client’s business needs and expectations whilst providing a fast turnaround of quality candidates. It is great to be working with a team that takes an honest, committed approach, and places such an emphasis on developing long term client and candidate relationships, to achieve the best quality service.”

Emma, from Briston, will be responsible for temporary accountancy vacancies across Norfolk. These include Credit Controller’s, Ledger Clerk’s, Bookkeeper’s, Payroll, Accounts Assistant and Part Qualified Accountants.

Director of Pure Resourcing Solutions, Gill Buchanan, said: “Emma has solid experience in the accountancy sector, coupled with an impressive recruitment background. She is a motivated professional who will make a valuable contribution to the team – it’s fantastic to have her knowledge and expertise on board as we move into 2013.”

Pure’s Accountancy division covers the full spectrum of accountancy positions from accounts clerical – Purchase and Sales Ledger Clerks – to board level – Finance Director and CFOs – on an interim, contract and permanent basis. Our client base covers commercial businesses – from local SME owner-managed businesses to Blue Chip companies such as Aviva, Greene King, AXA, ARM and Willis – Public and Third Sector bodies – Charities, NHS, Housing, Education and Local Authorities – to firms of Accountants, ranging from small local firms to the Big Four.

The Click Design Consultants are delighted to announce that they have been appointed to create an advertising campaign for the National Trust.

The campaign will aim to highlight the breadth of offer, encourage repeat visits and communicate the Trust’s great outdoor experiences – as well as showcase the wonderful properties. Launching in May, the campaign will run across the East of England.

Creative Director, Bobby Burrage comments:“We’re extremely proud of our client list. Year on year it becomes evermore diverse with a wonderful array of organisations. It’s an honour to be able to name the National Trust as a client and we’re very excited about starting work with them.”

View The Click’s work here.

Bigfork have just designed and launched the new website for Archway Events, East Anglia’s leading corporate hospitality and events management company. The new website has a greatly improved navigation system combined with a modern, image led design promoting corporate dinners, sporting events, parties, golf days, theatre nights and so much more. You can see the new website here.

Bigfork Ltd

www.bigfork.co.uk

t: 01603 513080

The Leathes Prior Employment Team represented Blakeney Manor Hotel at Norwich Employment Tribunal, in the defence of a constructive dismissal claim brought by a long serving manager.

Rejecting the claim without criticism of the Hotel, Judge McMahon held that the employer had at all times acted reasonably and that the manager had not been entitled to resign and consider herself unfairly dismissed.

Dan Chapman, Head of the Employment Team, appeared before the Tribunal as the advocate, and the case had been prepared by Catherine Hepworth (shortly to qualify as a Solicitor).

This summer Air Malta will again operate weekly charter flights to/fromseven regional airports in the UK between May and October 2013. In linewith demand and operations in previous years, Air Malta will operatecharter flights to/from Birmingham and Cardiff with two flights every weekon Tuesdays and Fridays, and weekly flights on Tuesdays to/from Bristol,Exeter, Newcastle, Norwich and Glasgow airports.

These charter flights increase accessibility to the islands from regional UKairports and thus offer travellers the opportunity to travel out and backfrom their nearest home airport. Furthermore, such flights also attract theinterest of the Maltese traveller to visit family and friends in various citiesin the United Kingdom. The operation of such regional services was madepossible thanks to the support received from tour operators and traveltrade partners in the areas.Commenting on these services, Philip Saunders, Chief CommercialOfficer said, “Air Malta is building on its position in the UK as a leader inthe market to Malta. Our summer charter operations further confirms theairline’s commitment to boost incoming tourism to Malta from the UK, andto bring Malta closer to their home. These flights also make it much easierfor the Maltese market to visit the British regions.”Air Malta operates such charter services as a supplement to the regularscheduled services to/from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, andlikewise offers 20Kgs for checked in baggage and up to 10Kgs as handluggage allowance for each passenger. Seats are available also for salevia the airline’s portal www.airmalta.com and via the international Call-Centre on 00356 21 66 22 11.

Norwich International to Malta operates 07 May – 22 October 2013.

Tour operators that will take allocation on the flights and offer package holidays are listed below: Belleair Sunspot/Mercury Direct Thomson Thomas Cook Cosmos Prestige Holidays Classic Collection Flexible Trips Superbreak

Flights and package holidays from Norwich International to Malta can be booked via your local travel agent.

Norwich International Airport’s travel show has been re-scheduled to take place on Saturday 23rd February from 9am to 3pm in the airport terminal building with free entry and free parking for all visitors in the short stay car park.

The event, now in its fourth year, is a great way to start planning for your 2013 holiday and offers local holidaymakers the perfect opportunity to meet and talk with tour operators and airlines flying from Norwich International and to pick up brochures including Fly Norwich 2013 which is being launched at the event.

Over 25 tour operator, airline and business stands including local hotels, and flying schools will be on hand throughout the day to chat, offer first-hand destination and product advice on their Norwich departures.

There are also great opportunities to save money with exclusive offers and fantastic booking incentives available on the day including 5% off and free Norwich airport parking for all holidays booked.

Plus, the chance to win fabulous prizes in the Grand Draw being held at 2.30pm with the main prize a fabulous holiday for 2 to Lake Garda, other prizes in the draw include; short break to Isle of Man, return flights to Aberdeen, holiday vouchers, flying lessons and much more. Additional free to enter competitions will be taking place throughout the day with many more great prizes to be won.

A must visit event for all your travel needs from Norwich International!

For further details please call 01603 428700