No turning back: UK CEOs are approaching a purpose tipping point
Commitments to purpose and ESG are rising as CEOs make stronger connections to business strategy and growth. But there is work still to do.
PwC’s 25th Annual CEO Survey reveals a growing trend towards more purposeful business practices, including a greater focus on trust, transparency and personal accountability from CEOs on issues such as climate change and inequality.
There are also interviews with a number of leading CEOs providing their perspective on agenda-setting issues. Here is the link to the UK CEO survey report and interviews.
You can contact PwC to discuss any of the topics raised in more detail via www.pwc.co.uk
On Saturday 28th May 2022, Norfolk-based community interest company HER Business Revolution will hold a large-scale celebration of the achievements of women and girls. The event ‘Superwoman Fest™ Norwich’ will take place at the Norfolk showground, and the company expects to have up to 5,000 attendants, based on the enthusiastic online response they have received from potential attendants and collaborators.
The company aims to share positive stories about the ambition and perseverance of the women they have supported in wellbeing, work and business related struggles. They also invite other companies and businesses to come along and do the same, as stand-holders, partners and sponsors.
HER Business Revolution require forward thinking businesses who can platform similarly encouraging stories that might inspire attendants, or raise awareness about opportunities for women where they are underrepresented.
There will be also be opportunities for B2B networking and interaction due to the number of current local sponsors and standholders- including Birketts, Hethel Innovation and Face to Face Finance.
Students from Norfolk colleges, sixth-forms and universities have also been welcomed to come along and explore their future options in a friendly and inspiring environment, so companies looking for a new, fresh-thinking cohort of staff are encouraged to participate and show off what makes your organisation great.
The festival will feature a speakers tent where representatives from companies will get the chance to speak on a range of fascinating subjects, a marketplace with stands you can reserve especially for your business, and the chance to run interactive workshops for the benefit of attendants.
If you, your small business or company are interested in sponsorship opportunities or becoming a stand holder, click here to read our sponsorship brochure. For more information, contact [email protected]
An energy efficient communal heat pump installed by Attleborough based heating firm Finn Geotherm, has been shortlisted in a prestigious national awards scheme.
The £1.4million district heating project has been installed by Finn Geotherm on the Grange Farm estate in Felixstowe for Flagship Group housing association. The installation has just been shortlisted in the Renewable Energy category of the National Energy Efficiency Awards, which aim to recognise best practice within the energy saving and efficiency industry.
The installation comprises a six-phase ground source heat pump project for 113 homes at Grange Farm. The system provides heating and hot water for each property from a central heat pump. The project has cut heating bills for residents, as well as energy use and carbon emissions, all by 70%.
Guy Ransom, Commercial Director at Finn Geotherm said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for our installation in Felixstowe. This project has made a huge impact not only in ensuring homes on the estate are adequately and efficiently heated but also in delivering cheaper bills, and reduced carbon emissions and energy use. It was a privilege to install the system and to be shortlisted for a prestigious national award is testament to the hard work of the entire team at Finn Geotherm.”
Madeleine Jefferies, Head of Housing at Newtide Homes (Flagship Group’s housing provider), said: “Fuel poverty is a serious issue which can affect the wider community, and we’re always looking at ways to make our tenants’ homes more affordable and giving people some breathing space when things get tough. Our tenants in Felixstowe have already seen a difference in their prices and we’re delighted that we can help to make a difference.”
Winners of the National Energy Efficiency Awards will be announced in February. For more information on renewable heating and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.
Liftshare, the UK’s largest lift sharing platform, surveyed 500 of its members and discovered that almost half (48%) of them will be changing the way they travel to work after the lockdown lifts.
Here is a breakdown of how people’s commuting patterns may change based on our survey’s results (graphs on page two):
• WFH to increase by 552% • Cycling to increase by 71% • Walking to increase by 8% • Lift sharing to fall by 6% • Train travel to decrease by 36% • Bus travel to decrease by 30% • Driving alone to decrease by 20%*
*Environmental impact: If travel were to change in the way that this survey suggests then the 20% reduction in car alone commuters would save 1 million tonnes of CO2/year.
In order to better understand the results, we also asked people to give us written feedback about their desired future commute, which proved rather illuminating. Here is a small sample of the hundreds of responses we received:
“I hope to cycle to a local office three miles away one day a week, work from home another day and if needed commute to the main office one day a week.”
“This lockdown has proved that we can work from home and I will only go to the office for certain meetings, where closer interaction is needed. On those occasions, I will drive my car.”
“I will commute by car, as the bus only runs once an hour where I live, also not keen to use public transport due to Covid-19.”
“Ideally I would like to work from home but being realistic, I will not be able to do that full-time when lockdown is lifted. Therefore, I would like to lift share with others. It is interesting to see that pollution levels have dropped since the lockdown began due to less traffic on the roads. I would like to continue to do my bit for the environment as well as save myself and like-minded people money.”
“Liftshare due to long commute – reduce costs, better for the environment and it makes the journey less boring”
“A bicycle ride along empty country roads because it is zero emissions and I can get fit and improve my mental health.”
“Walk, I hate the environmental impact of driving, particularly alone, but currently have no other option. Also find it very tiring.”
The survey results clearly indicate that Covid-19 and the ensuing lockdown have had a significant impact on people’s plans for commuting in the future. Over the past few weeks, Liftshare has been helping organisations to prepare for the return of the workforce using its innovative technology. Liftshare’s Smart Mobility Scoping tool gives organisations a strategic overview of their staff’s commuter routes, and Liftshare has also created a tool to help advise employees on the best routes to work in relation to social distancing. For more information about Liftshare, this survey and/or how we are helping businesses prepare for the return of the workforce, please contact [email protected]
Norfolk youngsters looking for a Sixth Form place now have the opportunity to apply for a brand new fully-funded Scholarship.
‘The Nelson Scholarship’ is for a Sixth Form place at Langley School, and it has just launched in conjunction with Norfolk business Nelsonspirit, whose founder Nigel Cushion will provide leadership support alongside work experience and mentoring opportunities to the successful Scholar.
Four values – academic curiosity, confidence, kindness and integrity – are celebrated at co-educational independent school Langley and it’s these qualities that the entry criteria will seek out in applicants.
Langley Headmaster Jon Perriss comments, “We’re thrilled to see The Nelson Scholarship in its first year. There are some inspiring future leaders and young stars in Norfolk, and we will be working closely with Nelsonspirit to discover and support the Scholars. Our aim is to offer youngsters the highest level of academic, co-curricular and leadership opportunities during their all-important A-Level years.”
For a Sixth Form place in September 2022, applications for The Nelson Scholarship are now open until Wednesday 26th January 2022. Full details are available at langleyschool.co.uk/sixth-form/the-nelson-scholarship/.
The team from Gascoynes were delighted to be able to volunteer for Wymondham in Bloom. Unfortunately the weather didn’t go in our favour, nevertheless we were able to help with cleaning the bins and with the litter picking. It’s a privilege to be able to give something back to the community and we’d like to thank Kim and her team for making us so welcome. We hope our small contribution helps the town to achieve an award in 2025!
Tiger Eye are delighted to announce that Norfolk and Waveney Mind has been selected as the organisation’s charity of the year for 2022.
Following a staff vote, Norfolk and Waveney Mind was selected for its vital work in the local community, providing advice and support for those experiencing problems related to mental health. Norwich-based IT specialists Tiger Eye are passionate about supporting positive work-place mental health and wellbeing and have received a number of awards and accreditations for their internal wellbeing scheme. The organisation hopes to make a difference to the lives of people within Norfolk and Waveney by supporting the charity with their vital work.
Whilst part of the Mind network, Norfolk and Waveney Mind are an independent charity who raise their own funds. Tiger Eye will fundraise for the local mental health charity throughout the calendar year through a number of events and activities and look forward to generating crucial funds for the cause where possible.
Julie Wilson, Admin Services Director at Tiger Eye, added: “As a business, we aim to create an environment where staff feel able to talk openly about mental health, encouraging positive mental health through the appointment of our mental health champions team, as well as the delivery of awareness training and workshops. It is no surprise that Norfolk and Waveney Mind was chosen as our charity of the year, as the business’s values are shared by our staff, and we are all looking forward to supporting this charity over the coming months.’
Norfolk and Waveney Mind support those within the community with their mental health and wellbeing from prevention support to crisis support. The charity offers an extensive range of mental health services, along with associated training, advice, and information, working to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, support people in recovery, and champion better services for all.
To learn more about Norfolk and Waveney Mind click here.
We are delighted to be partnering with local mental health charity, Norfolk and Waveney Mind as our official charity for 2022.
The need to support ourselves, colleagues, family and friends couldn’t be more-important, with up to 84% of people thought to experience a mental health problem at some point during their lifetime
The partnership will see Fosters organise and volunteer at fundraising events, and help raise public awareness of the importance of mental health and the work of the local charity.
Ashley Bunn, Director of Strategy and Development at Norfolk and Waveney Mind, explained the importance of their work: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind are busier than ever, 60% of adults and young people who did not experience poor mental health before the pandemic, are now experiencing mental health issues.”
Fosters’ Chief Executive Chris Brown, added: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind have for years undertaken great work in our community and the need for their services has never been higher. When our staff nominated Mind to be our Charity of the Year, the commitment and enthusiasm to get involved in such an important issue was huge. It means alongside our fundraising efforts, we can be involved in some of their important and engaging activities throughout 2022.”
Accountancy training firm, First Intuition, reveals a host of virtual events and resources ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2022, to give students and businesses the opportunity to learn more about accountancy apprenticeships.
First Intuition reveals its programme of apprenticeship-related events and resources to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2022. Between Monday 7th– Friday 11th February, the accountancy training firm will be hosting a number of virtual events and Q&A opportunities, as well as publishing testimonials and a podcast. These events and resources will be useful for employers, young adults, parents, and school and college teachers who want to understand the way that apprenticeship programmes operate in the accountancy and finance sector, and to hear first-hand from those who use the programmes. The events and resources are free and available to anyone.
It is hard to overstate the transformational impact that apprenticeships have had on the way that entry-level accountancy trainees are recruited, onboarded and supported towards their qualification. In just five years, First Intuition’s proportion of learners who are apprentices has increased from 5% to 85%. This covers accountancy students working in practice, for businesses in industry, and in public sector organisations such as the NHS.
First Intuition is committed to educating businesses and students about the benefits of apprenticeships in accountancy to ensure all trainees and employers have the best chance at prospering. That is why First Intuition centres across the country have organised a comprehensive programme of apprenticeship-related resources that has something for everyone. Some of the resources released during National Apprenticeship Week include:
For employers:
· Virtual Event: The Value Apprentices can bring to a Business – Employers will have the opportunity to hear from Triple Bottom Line, a business that recently made the switch to using apprentice
· Virtual Event: Building Your Talent – For businesses using apprenticeships to learn what they can do to ensure their apprentices are utilised to their full potential
· Apprenticeship Case Study: Greene King – Managers at Greene King answer questions about why they decided to move to the apprenticeship programme and their experience working with apprentices
For students:
· Student Event: Career Guidance and Interview Tips from a Recruiter – Students can hear career guidance and top tips from a recruiter at Goldhawk Associates
· Student Webinar: Ask a Graduated Apprentice – Hosts will be joined by a panel of recently graduated apprentices as they discuss their experiences, what it is like being an apprentice, and life after graduating
· Testimonial: Current Apprentice – Students currently studying on an apprenticeship programme share what it is like to be an apprentice and why they choose this route of education
· Testimonial: Graduated Apprentice – A fully qualified accountant who recently completed an apprenticeship share their experience on the programme and life after qualifying
· Student Podcast: Life after Graduating as an Apprentice – Hear a graduated apprentice speak about their experience of life as a qualified accountant
These will add to the wide selection of resources about accountancy apprenticeships already available on the First Intuition website. Including information on accountancy apprenticeship programmes, incentives, apprenticeship testimonials, and the programme’s First Intuition offer.
First Intuition pride itself on delivering the best accounting apprenticeship programmes possible. Working with hundreds of employers to support them in the introduction and delivery of their apprenticeship programmes, along with supporting apprentices to give them the tools to build their future and ensure they get the most from their apprenticeship. You can find more information about the accountancy apprenticeship programmes First Intuition offer here.
People across west Norfolk are being asked to join in this year’s Love West Norfolk Day which is focused on the theme of ‘celebrating and protecting our beautiful west Norfolk environment’.
Taking place on 14th February, the fifth Love West Norfolk Day will provide an opportunity to highlight the natural beauty of west Norfolk, as well as some of the ways that individuals and organisations can protect the environment. And, the Love West Norfolk logo has gone green for this year to mark the theme.
One way in which people can get involved in west Norfolk’s special day is through a photography competition that is launching today (Friday 21st January). People are being invited to share their images of beautiful west Norfolk scenery to win one of three prizes and all of the images submitted will also be published on Love West Norfolk’s social media throughout Love West Norfolk Day. People can enter the competition through the website: Love West Norfolk
In addition, competitions for west Norfolk schools are set to take place with junior and secondary pupils invited to come up with ideas to protect the environment, and infants asked to draw a picture of a beautiful west Norfolk place. There will be prizes for the children, and the winning entries will be published after Love West Norfolk Day.
On the day itself, people can also join in by taking ‘one step’ towards protecting their local environment, such as by picking up one piece of litter. And, anyone wishing to organise a community litter pick on Love West Norfolk day can – subject to availability – access Love West Norfolk litter pick kits from the borough council.
It is be hoped that once again social media will be filled with the #lovewestnorfolk hashtag on Love West Norfolk day as people join in the celebration and share pictures and comments. Organisers are keen to hear from both individuals and organisations who also may wish to highlight some of the work that they are doing to protect the environment in west Norfolk.
A Love West Norfolk day engagement pack will be available online from 1st February with all the ways that people can join in with this year’s Love West Norfolk Day.
James Bagge, Love West Norfolk Ambassador said: “Love West Norfolk Day gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate our wonderful part of the world, and this year, we’re focusing on the beautiful natural environment which is in abundance here.
“As well as celebrating this environment, we felt it was also important to consider how we can protect it, and the difference we can all make, which is timely coming after last autumn’s COP26.
“As always, what makes Love West Norfolk Day so successful is the many, many people who get involved by adding their voices to our special celebration. I would ask people to please, once again, join us on 14th February and let’s highlight this very special area.”
The Love West Norfolk campaign is organised by the West Norfolk Strategy Group which includes the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Freebridge Community Housing, the QEH, the College of West Anglia, King’s Lynn Police, Norfolk County Council, and Community Action Norfolk. The campaign is also working with partners Discover King’s Lynn and Visit West Norfolk.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the day, including getting involved, can visit Love West Norfolk and follow the Love West Norfolk social media channels: Twitter @LoveWestNorfolk Facebook: @LoveWestNorfolk Instagram: love_west_norfolk and LinkedIn: Love West Norfolk.
These special themed days are hosted throughout 2023 by Delia and Chef Alex Mackay. Your day includes coffee and cake on arrival, followed by a live cookery demonstration from Alex. This is followed by a three-course lunch and a tutored wine tasting with our wine expert Jason Banner from Peter Graham Wines. Delia and Alex will be happy to sign books, both old and new.
Delia, Alex and other specialists will also take part in a Q&A session and after that tea is served and there will be a goody bag to take home as a memento of your day.
Our Food and Wine workshops are the perfect gift for anyone who loves food and wine and would like to learn more.
Ignite your workforce and start a community engagement project this year!
Community engagement takes a strategic approach to the interactions and relationships between your business and the local community to try to influence outcomes for both.
When you engage with your local community, it can help you develop a more socially responsible business and make more informed decisions.
Get in touch to arrange a call to explore further: [email protected]