This week we were honoured to receivean envelope stamped with 10 Downing, inside was a message of congraluations from David Cameron, Prime Minister on Norfolk Chamber celebrating our 120th year anniversary this year.
The official date of our anniversary is marked by our AGM on 7th October 2016, on this date in 1896 we were incorporated as Norwich Chamber of Commerce, before later changing to Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
Read the Prime Minister’s message of congratulationsbelow:
“I am delighted to offer my warm congratulations to the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce as you celebrate your 120th Anniversary.
The Chamber is an important forum for businesses to voice their opinions on local and national issues, as well as providing your members with the opportunity to engage with Government policy.
The Chamber has a strong record of campaigning for local infrastructure development, playing an important role in lobbying for improvements to the A11. You (Caroline Williams, Chief Executive)have also done impressive work on youth unemployment, particularly as a founder member of the Norwich4Jobs campaign, which secured the backing of 162 employers and helped over 1,700 young people into paid employment.
I hope you all take the opportunity to celebrate the Chamber’s many achievements, and that you can continue to support local businesses for many more years to come.”
To commemorate our 120 years we have a dedicatedwebpage to share the research undertaken.Take a tour of our President’s Board from 1896; read a brief history of Norfolk’s key industry sectors; find out more about the 120th celebrationevents; and find information on ourChamber Community Fund raising moneyto improve the opportunities and career options open to young people across the county.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Francis Martin as its new President, succeeding Nora Senior who stands down after three years in post. Francis, who will be the business group’s first President from Northern Ireland, was officially appointed at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting after serving as Vice President since 2013.
Francis is a Partner in BDO Northern Ireland, and has over 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and business advisory locally and international. Formerly President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he was recently awarded Northern Ireland Dealmaker of the Year 2016.
Commenting on his appointment as BCC President, Francis Martin said:
“Drawing on the local and regional perspectives of the Chamber network, which represents businesses of all sizes and sectors, supporting over 5 million employees in the UK, the British Chambers of Commerce is a leading commentator on the UK economy. I will, during my term as President, be proud to champion the British Chambers of Commerce as an influencer of Government as it shapes policy and legislation at this critical time for the economy of the UK.
As the UK faces unprecedented change, Chambers of Commerce, and the views of the members they represent, are more important than ever before. I look forward to engaging positively with all Chambers in the Accredited Network, which do a wonderful job engaging and supporting their local communities. In my tenure as President I intend to work with my colleagues across the Network – not just to hold the government to account – but to work with them for the benefit of businesses around the country.”
Outgoing President, Nora Senior, said:
“During my tenure as President, I sought to focus on making it easier for companies to trade internationally; strengthen the links between business and education; and raise the profile of the Chambers of Commerce as a national and global business network. In the three years I have been President we have seen progress on each of these fronts.
“I leave proud of the progress made in expanding our overseas network, which now has over 20 countries in membership, and of the evolution of our skills agenda. It has been a privilege to chair a Board of such diverse and rich experience and to help steer the BCC through the challenges of a dynamic Chamber movement and uncertain economic environment.I am confident the Chamber movement will go from strength to strength under Francis’ stewardship.”
Acting Director General, Adam Marshall, added:
“Both myself and the entire BCC team look forward to working with Francis, as we look to tackle the big questions facing the UK economy and the Chamber Network.”
London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, has welcomed the launch of the Thames Vision, a framework for developing greater use of the river for trade, transport and leisure over the next 20 years.
Available atwww.pla.co.uk,The vision for the tidal Thameshas been produced by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and covers 95 miles of the tidal Thames, running through London to the North Sea.
Currently, up to 5 million tonnes of freight is moved on the river every year, keeping more than 250,000 lorries off the roads. The UK’s busiest waterway for freight, it is home to the country’s second biggest port.
The vision report sets out a number of goals for increased river use including increasing business at the Port of London to its highest ever level (handling 60-80 million tonnes of cargo a year) and more goods being moved by river so that over 400,000 lorry trips will be taken off the region’s roads.
Ms Shawcross said: “This blueprint for the future of the Thames can make an important contribution to the Mayor’s aim of encouraging greater use of the river for the transport of passengers and freight.”
With 96% of UK imports/exports by volume coming in or leaving by sea, the port is seen as an essential part of the UK’s infrastructure, both now and in the future.
The port handled over 45 million tonnes of goods and materials in 2015 and provided employment for 43,000 people, of whom 27,000 were directly employed in port operations.
The report includes forecasts that total inter-port trade will increase to between 56 and 93 million tonnes in 2035, depending upon low or high assumptions. For comparison, the largest tonnage ever handled in the Port of London was 61.6 million tonnes in 1964.
The proposed Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution Deal was published on 17 June 2016. Since then, all of the councils in Suffolk, along with Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk,South Norfolk Council and the New Anglia LEP have endorsed the deal. The other councils in Norfolk have decided not to go ahead with a combined authority at this stage.
The deal involves having an Elected Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk and a combined authority – where councils join together to make collective decisions on matters that affect the combined authority area.
Devolution would mean greater control locally over the decisions that impact on all our lives – decisions about Norfolk and Suffolk made in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Specifically, the proposed deal could mean control of more than £1bn of funding to improve Norfolk and Suffolk; enable us to create 95,000 jobs by 2026, deliver around 200,000homes over the lifetime of the dealand provide the skills that employees and businesses want.
As part of the Devolution process, local authorities in Norfolk and Suffolk have undertaken a Governance Review to look in depth at the pros and cons of joining together. They have published proposals for how a new combined authority could work, called a Scheme of Governance. They are now required to consult local people, businesses and organisations as to what they think of the Scheme of Governance.
The consultation responses will be sent to the Secretary of State who looks at these, alongside the Governance Review and the draft Scheme of Governance. They will then decidewhether a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk shouldbe set up.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. As the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal progresses, it is essential that the business community are seen as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk. I would therefore encourage as many businesses as possible to complete the online consultation to ensure that the Norfolk business community has a strong voice.”
The consultation period ends on Tuesday 23 August 2016.
If you are a Norfolk business and want to hear more about the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal, you can attend a free breakfast which is being held in Norwich on Thursday 28 July 2016. For more details and to book your free place click here.
The British Business Awards is organised every two years by the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. This prestigious event convenes the rollers and shakers of the British business community in China, and is hosted at Ministerial level to highlight the work, success and innovation of British businesses in China.
This year UK Trade & Investment is sponsoring the ‘Best New Exporter to China Award’ to recognise and celebrate those British companies forging new, sustainable trails in China, and encourage more to follow in their footsteps.
It is open to companies who can demonstrate sustained exporting to the China market for at least 3 years and the positive impact this has had on the UK economy.
The judges will look for evidence of:
How the applicant identified their market in China
How the applicant adapted to the China market – either their product/service and/or their approach to exporting
Growth in export volume
How the applicant has realised a sustainable model for exporting its product/service to China
The strength of the applicant’s strategy for how to build on its achievement and sustain further growth
The greater significance/wider impact of the applicant’s exporting on industry and key influencers in China
If you would like to go for this fantastic promotional opportunity, please apply online here before 28 July 2016.
After months of tough negotiation, Suffolk and Norfolk are very close to securing a Devolution Deal with government that could help further transform our economy and create even greater opportunities for jobs, investment and growth.
Public consultation on the proposal has just started, and will close on 23rd August.
As part of this process, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, together with Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce, are hosting three business engagement events, to give businesses in the East the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of devolution, and have their voices heard loud and clear in the decision-making process. Around 150 businesses have already signed up to attend.
The three events taking place are:
Tuesday 26th July, University College Suffolk: 8.00-10.00am, Waterfront Building, Ipswich IP4 1QJ. Speakers: Mark Pendlington, Chairman, New Anglia LEP; Andy Wood OBE, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group; Dr Peter Funnell, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday 28th July, Norwich University of the Arts: 8.00-10.00am, Ideas Factory, Norwich, NR2 4AE. Speakers: Mark Pendlington, Chairman, New Anglia LEP; Andy Wood OBE, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group; Caroline Williams and Jonathan Cage, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
Friday 29th July, West Suffolk College: 8.00-10.00am, Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3RL. Speakers: Mark Pendlington, Chairman, New Anglia LEP and Matt Moss, Chair, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce in Bury St Edmunds
Businesses will also have the opportunity to co-sign a letter from Mark Pendlington and the Chambers of Commerce to Andy Wood, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group, giving their endorsement for the Devolution Agreement for Norfolk and Suffolk. The letter will then go into Government as part of the wider consultation process.
Mark Pendlington, Chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a defining moment for our economy and everyone that lives and runs a business here. We have a massive opportunity to bring even greater prosperity, more funding and release even more potential from Suffolk and Norfolk. Devolution can bring decision making from Whitehall to our doorstep so we can focus on our priorities of making the East the best place to live, work and learn.
This is a rallying call that will leave the Government in absolutely no doubt that we are up for the challenge of building on our successes and achievements so far and driving forward our ambitions.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. This Norfolk Devolution event is an ideal opportunity for the business community to ensure they are fully aware of the issues and for national and local Government clearly hear their opinions. It is essential in these discussion and those going forward that the business community are seem as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk”
Dr Peter Funnell, immediate past president, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Suffolk Chamber of Commerce believes that devolution offers new and important opportunities for the businesses community in Suffolk and Norfolk.
In particular, the focus of devolution on infrastructure investment has the potential to offer long-term benefits for the competitiveness of the two counties within the UK and in international markets.
Critically, we also see devolution as creating new opportunities to work with the Mayor and Combined Authority to ensure that the voice of business informs decisions and priorities, and that the economic and social contribution of business is recognised, acknowledged and supported.”
The latest group of Future50 companieswere revealed at a launch event at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft this week.
We were delighted to learn that no fewer than eight of our incredible members had beenrecognised and selected as part of the 2016 Future50!
Future50 Chamber Members:
B2B Cashflow Solutions Ltd-Aprivately owned and independent commercial finance, business banking and financial project management consultancy.
Creative Sponge Ltd-Advertising. Branding.Marketing. Design. Digital.And all the rest.
Diesel Dynamics Ltd-DDL specialises in providing dual-fuel systems for diesel-engine applications including agricultural machinery, plant, commercial vehicles, generators and marine craft.
Finn Geotherm UK Ltd– Specialist heat pump and heat recovery company based in East Anglia,with installations teams covering the whole of England and Wales.
Lintott Control Systems Ltd– Leading innovative designer and manufacturer of engineered Chemical Dosing systems, Intelligent Process Control Systems and Supervisory Control andData Acquisition Systems across numerous industrial sectors.
Norfolk Norfolk Railway Plc-Heritage Steam railway operating from Sheringham to Holt via Weybourne. Provides attraction for tourists and local residents.
Future50 is an exciting new business growth programme that’s designed to recognise Norfolk and Suffolk’s most innovative companies.They highlight the region’s ‘ones to watch’ to help them accelerate their growth ambitions through quality business advice, innovative multimedia business suport and access to grant funding.
A free trade deal between the EU and Canada has moved a step closer after the European Commission formally proposed that an agreement between the two should be signed.
Described by Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström as a milestone in European trade policy, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the most ambitious trade deal ever concluded by the EU.
With CETA removing the majority of customs duties, EU firms will potentially save hundreds of millions of euros each year in duty payments. Removing customs duties will also benefit European consumers, by reducing prices and increasing the range of products imported from Canada.
The agreement will also introduce mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates for a wide range of products, from electrical goods to toys. To obtain a certificate valid for Canada, EU firms will therefore have to get products tested only once – in Europe.
CETA will also boost trade in services, with new opportunities available for EU companies working in a range of sectors including maritime services, telecommunications, engineering, environmental services and accountancy.
The deal will make it easier for service suppliers to travel between the EU and Canada and will facilitate the recognition of qualifications for regulated professions such as architects, accountants and engineers.
EU companies will also be able to bid for public contracts in Canada at all levels of government: federal, provincial and local. Canadian authorities will publish all relevant calls for tender on a single website, making it easier for European firms to identify opportunities.
Assuming the EU Member States agree, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA this year, before it formally enters into force.
Norfolk Chamber delivered one of a series of three breakfast events in conjunction with New Anglia LEP to discuss the topic of Devolution and its importance to Norfolk businesses.
Devolution offers Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire an exciting opportunity to have more control over its funding and greater local decision-making over a range of services vital to our long-term growth. The public consultation is underway and we want the Government and local authorities to hear the powerful voice of business and understand your views.
The speakers at the event were the leaders of East Anglia’s devolution bid, including Mark Pendlington, New Anglia LEP Chair and Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams. The audience of business leaders challenged them to justify the case for business. Concerns included the elected mayor, adding another layer of government, and the Government’s motivation for Devolution.
In response, Mark Pendlington said: “This is about bringing local control and local decision-making here and having business around the table, not just influencing decisions but voting on their priorities.”
He insisted that the four authorities (Norwich, Breckland, North Norfolk and Great Yarmouth) which rejected devolution would not be left behind. “It’s not us against them, and we are not going to say that none of the money is going to come to those parts of Norfolk,” he added.
Andy Wood, who chaired the negotiations with Government, advised that East Anglia should follow the lead of other devolved regions. “This is happening. I don’t think we can afford to be left behind, even if we don’t like some bits of it,” he said.
Also speaking at the event was Chamber President, Jonathan Cage who said: “Norfolk Chamber is backing Devolution. There are so many benefits for business and the local community. Norwich and Norfolk will drop down the rankings, when compared to other regions, if we don’t take advantage of all opportunities.”
The Norfolk & Suffolk Devolution deal would bring £25m a year over the next 30 years to spend on new roads, transport links and a further £100m over the next 5 years for affordable housing. Norwich and Ipswich would receive an additional £30m each over the same period.
Emphasis was put on how important the support of the business community will be to the awarding of the Devolution deal. The call to actions was for those businesses at the meeting to sign the Devolution letter and for as many Norfolk businesses to take part in the consultation by completing an online survey by the deadline of 23 August 2016.
Holly Lane, a popular route between Reepham Road and the B1149 Holt Road, will close from Monday 1 Augustfor the rest of the month to allow the diversion of a deep gas main.
Drayton Lane will be temporarily reopened to provide an alternative route, but the difficult bends close to Horsford make this an unsuitable diversion route for HGVs, whose drivers should divert via Norwich ring road. Drayton Lane is crossed by the route of the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) and temporary traffic lights will be in place to allow construction plant to cross safely.
Also from Monday 1 August, access to the control tower area of Norwich International Airport will no longer be possible using Old Norwich Road, Horsham St Faith, which is being closed where it is crossed by the NDR (beyond the Aviation Museum entrance, which will not be affected). Access will instead be via Bullock Hill.
Preliminary work, including moving street lights,will begin next week on adding a segregated left turn lane to the north-west roundabout at the Postwick junction. This phase of workwill have minimal impact on traffic.
On Monday 8 August Buxton Road will be closed for three days for utility service diversions. This is a reduction from a five-day closure originally proposed. Cyclists and pedestrians will be allowed through the closure.
The British Chambers of Commerce along with other organisations attended the Prime Minister’s SME roundtable to discuss the Industrial Strategy, and the vote to leave the European Union.
BCC President Francis Martin attended on behalf of the Chamber Network, and informed the Prime Minister that many businesses remain confident in their future success, but are keen for stability for our markets and economy, clarity on the timetable and approach to our future relationship with the EU, and action on the many issues that require urgent decision to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.
Francis also emphasised the role that the Chamber Network plays in helping businesses to export all over the world, not just in getting goods to markets overseas but also through our Global Business Network, which connects firms with Chambers and opportunities in dozens of markets around the world
Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Our organisation covers businesses of every size, in every part of the country. We have seen first-hand that the ‘business’ view is not monolithic – Many of our members are taking stock and making the best of the decision to leave the EU, seeking the opportunities on offer as well as considering the challenges.
“At the roundtable today we urged the Prime Minister and her new government to focus on the priorities for our member businesses – clarifying the UK’s future trading relationships, the existing EU regulatory framework, and the stability of the pound.”
On Industrial Strategy, Francis Martin added:
“We are supportive of the proposed Industrial Strategy, but it needs to have a broad-based focus that encourages a partnership between business and government, focusing on areas such as the large skills gap in our workforce and infrastructure projects, that benefit every business.
“The government must in particular address the long-standing underinvestment in the UK’s infrastructure. This means action on transport, broadband, and energy generation, which is absolutely vital in driving long-term growth.”
Highways England are surveying the road surface along the A47 from New Cut roundabout to Guyhirn roundabout at various locations around King’s Lynn. This will be at Hardwick Interchange, from Monday 8 to Monday 15 August, working on weekdays only.
The surveys will be done overnight, using mobile slow-moving hard shoulder or lane closures. Where the A47 is not a dual carriageway, traffic lights will be used.