Here are this year’s highlights from the team: Nova Norfolk Chambers of Commerce has had a very busy but highly successful 2023, despite the economic challenges, a cost of living crisis and just the one Prime Minister this year! We’ve been listening to the feedback from the Norfolk business community and have put new, exciting events into our calendar, such as the inaugural Business Hub at the Royal Norfolk Show in June, and we’ve recently launched a new initiative, Co.Solo, designed to support the sole traders; the entrepreneurs and business consultants. We have, of course, also delivered everything you would expect from your local Chamber of Commerce, from networking and netwalking, to Bank of England lunches, Net Zero events, Co.next events, skills events and of course, our classic B2B Exhibition, which for its 25th anniversary, was our biggest and best event yet! As a leading business membership organisation, our reach across the Norfolk business community continues to grow: this year, our website has now topped 1 million engagements with over 280k visits, and our combined audience across social media is now over 30k! Our dedicated team has delivered 110 events, with over 2000 delegates, this year and has some exciting plans for 2024. We have continued to work in collaboration with our fellow regional Chambers of Commerce, driving and influencing policy on behalf of local businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex through Chambers East. Work is now underway to produce a manifesto of business needs in anticipation of an expected general election. Norfolk Chambers has not stood still on our digital innovation work and we’ve been working hard with our local developers to bring the second phase of our ‘Digital Chamber’ online. We will be looking to test this work with a ‘Chambers Champions’ user group in the new year, before launching it in the Spring. So get ready to join the revolution on how you interact digitally with Norfolk Chambers! As Norfolk Chambers evolves and grows, we have had some significant changes in our team. We celebrated the arrival of a new Chief Operating Officer, Jack Weaver, in May and have welcomed new Customer Experience Team members, an Events Manager, a new Marketing and Comms Manager, as well as an LSIP apprentice – all with skill sets and unique experiences that will help us drive the future success of Norfolk Chambers. So, as 2023 draws to a close, we would like to thank all those amazing individuals who have supported and helped us along our journey so far and celebrate the new team members who have already joined us and those who will join us as we continue to grow to support the needs of the Norfolk business community. Finally, the biggest highlight for myself and our Chambers Team has got to be our dynamic, brilliant, and successful business members. They are the fundamental reason why Norfolk Chambers does what it does. So thank you for another fabulous year, and we look forward to continuing to connect, support and give voice to every business in Norfolk in 2024. Merry Christmas & a Happy Prosperous New Year. Nova Jack
Pretty simple really – joining Norfolk Chambers in May! It’s genuinely a privilege to be the COO here and two things continue to amaze me. Firstly, the innovation, diversity, resilience, ambition and community spirit of Norfolk’s businesses. Secondly, the team here at the Chambers connecting all those organisations and supporting them. Andrea, Ben, Caroline, Dean, Ethan, Julie, Katie, Nova, Paul, Rick, Sam and Shelley go above and beyond every day, and they are true superheroes.
If I had to pick specific highlights it would be our first ever Business Hub at the Royal Norfolk Show, our 25th Anniversary B2B Exhibition, the Bank of England Lunch…and getting a new coffee machine for the office. That last one makes a real difference.
We’ve done so much this year I can’t believe it’s only been 7 months for me. I can’t wait to see where we are when it’s been a year! Bring on 2024.
Rick (Me) Having joined the Team six weeks before B2B, I wanted to make an immediate impression and so for me being part of the biggest and most successful B2B yet has to be a highlight for me. I’ve been working on the marketing strategy and plans for 2024 and they are both exciting and ambitious, I’d like to thank the team for making me feel so welcome and supporting my new ideas. We are heading into 2024 stronger than ever and I’m looking forward to working with members to make sure you get maximum value from your membership and if you are not a member now really is a good time to join the Chambers business community. I am already seeing a spike in engagement and traffic on the website and Social Media, it’s been lovely to get feedback from the business community that they are seeing more of the Chambers now than ever. We are lucky to have such an amazing variety of businesses in Norfolk, and those businesses are lucky to have such a passionate Chambers team that I am looking forward to working with in 2024. Watch this space as lots in the pipeline. Have a great Christmas break and see you in the new year! Andrea
It’s been another busy year at Norfolk Chambers for me – moving into my 3rd year working for the Chambers, it still amazes me how many brilliant businesses I come into contact with for the first time. Sharing their stories and supporting them and their business is my top priority and I love hearing about new initiatives that businesses are coming up with when facing some really tough times.
Our Focus Engagement Groups have been really insightful, and I’m so pleased these are continuing into 2024. It’s so important to bring the whole of the business community (not just our members) together to discuss important topics and look to ways in which we can support them. Another step forward for us as Account Managers has been in dividing the county up into 4 quarters meaning that the Account Managers are more focussed in their areas and that businesses have a point of contact.
My area includes North Norwich up to the North Norfolk Coast and I’ve had some really positive meetings around looking to engage more in those areas. A new North Norfolk regular networking opportunity is going to start in February and I’m also looking forward to doing more around Norwich Airport area.
I’m also really delighted to be working closely with our Gold Patrons and Strategic Partners, these businesses bring something unique to our membership and it’s important that we recognise the fantastic work they are doing and the support they give to the whole of the business community.
Finally I have to mention the amazing team at Norfolk Chambers – thank you to each one of you for your support.
As the year ends, I cannot help but look back at my first year at Norfolk Chambers and say WOW, we have achieved so much this year and I’m so proud of the team and all their achievements. For me, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my South Norfolk businesses and building a great support network as well as great friendships.
Co.next has gone from strength to strength this year and none of that would be possible without the constant support and cheerleading from our Co.next Board members and the young professionals of Norfolk. We have some big events planned for 2024 and are kicking off the year with our first event on Thursday 18th January on Management vs Leadership a night with Co.next.
I can’t end the year without mentioning the Co.next Oktoberfest event which was without a doubt one of my favourite moments so far in my role as Co.next Programme Lead – we had an absolute blast! We will be back for Oktoberfest 2024.
Thank you so much Norfolk Business community for being so welcoming, caring and supporting!
Katie I am not sure how I put into words my last 9 months at Norfolk Chambers, but here goes: it has been a privilege to be welcomed into the West Norfolk business community. I look forward to growing this and getting more West Norfolk businesses engaged. I have loved being part of such a great team at Norfolk Chambers. We might be remote workers, but there is always someone there should I need them. I guess my biggest highlight of 2023 has to be Launching Co.Solo at B2B this year I am not a great public speaker, but once I got started, it was easy as I am so passionate about Co.Solo, we had our first Co.Solo Christmas party at the start of December it might have been small, but I can’t wait to see where we are this time next year. Sam
I started 2023 away from the chamber travelling Asia for 4 months so I can only thank the team for welcoming me back so easily mid-way through the year. This was a highlight for me of course experiencing the rest of the world, but also being able to return to the international team and hit the ground running once again as if I never left. I was able to complete a lot of new training and catch up on the Joys of Brexit (😊) quickly and easily to be in the position to help all our brilliant international clients once again. – Here’s to 2024!
Julie Reflecting on 2023 and all the different clients we’ve worked with, I think my highlight was 29 ATA Carnets in 2 days for one client back in February 2023! Photo of the year: Even in the short few months I have been with the Chambers there have been some great moments, so picking the photo of the year, is near impossible. Having had our Christmas party yesterday I think this team photo and our photo following B2B are the only choice. This is your Chambers team that work so tirelessly in the background to deliver on what you need from your Chambers. These people are the real superheroes of the Chambers. Thanks for reading. We’ll be picking this up in the new year, Merry Christmas everyone! Rick Notley Marketing & Communications Manager
