Louis Hilldrup-Boorman has been appointed as Events Assistant Apprentice by the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. Louis is studying for a level 3 NVQ and BTEC diploma in Marketing and is hoping to gain the work-based qualifications after an 18-month stint as part of the Chamber team.
Commenting on his appointment, Louis said: “I am very excited to be working with the Chamber. This is the ideal place to build my experience in event strategy, planning, promotion and delivery, because the Chamber is so well known for its superb event management. The team is great to work with and I am really enjoying my work here.”
Abi Charter, Senior Events Co-ordinator at the Chamber, said: “We are delighted to have Louis on board. He is already proving to be an invaluable member of the team here and has delivered a number of events. Event management is all about organisational ability, efficiency and attention to detail, all with a smile, and Louis has shown he has these qualities in abundance.”
Norfolk Chamber is supporting the National Apprenticeship Scheme, which provides businesses with an opportunity to appoint valuable staff members looking to gain a work-based learning qualification.
Train operator Greater Anglia is providing extra late night trains, additional carriages and a Saturday frequency of service on Sundays for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Special Games timetables and informative leaflets on Olympic travel arrangements are available at stations giving details of the extra services operating to destinations including: Bishops Stortford, Harlow, Cambridge, Cheshunt, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Hertford East, Ipswich, Norwich, Shenfield and Southend Victoria, and many intermediate stations served by these routes. On Sundays more trains will operate, with a revised Saturday timetable running on key routes serving the Games.
During the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Greater Anglia will be providing an average of around 150,000 extra seats each day on trains across its network serving London Liverpool Street, Stratford, other East London stations and the East Anglia region.
Details of train times for the Games and advice on travel is available on-line via the Greater Anglia website at: www.greateranglia.co.uk
Greater Anglia will have additional staff at key stations during the Games, to assist customers with their enquiries and to provide support to the existing customer service teams. Based at Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, Shenfield, Romford, Ilford, Tottenham Hale, Harlow Town, Bishop’s Stortford and Cambridge stations, in addition to the extra staff at the ready at London Liverpool Street, Stratford and Cheshunt, the teams will be easily identifiable in smart magenta tabards, and with their Olympic handbooks at the ready. Their main focus will be to provide customer service assistance, give information concerning Games related activity and support other Greater Anglia employees during the busy Games period this summer.
Upgrades to customer service information screens at some Greater Anglia rail stations means that passengers travelling to the Games will benefit from additional travel information concerning Olympic events. Greater Anglia identified 15 key stations for upgrade including Cambridge, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Ipswich and Hackney Downs and has installed new plasma screens to enhance the provision of customer information. The screens will be used to keep passengers updated on any travel-related issues getting to the Games, in addition to the usual train running information provided by the existing customer information screens.
An extensive independent survey has found that attempts to make a mobile phone call in locations across Norfolk are likely to be unsuccessful nearly one in five times. Norfolk County Council commissioned the survey earlier this year to establish a true picture of mobile voice and data coverage in the county, with the goal of using the information to work with mobile providers to improve coverage and tackle ‘not spots’. The survey was carried out between February and March this year and saw a specialist company, AWTG, appointed to gather information on the extent and quality of mobile phone coverage throughout the county. The survey was conducted along more than 3,400 miles of Norfolk’s roads but also at 30 railway stations and main railway lines, enterprise zones and popular tourist sites and destinations. The key overall findings from the survey show:
Phone signals for making voice calls in Norfolk were identified as a particular issue, with only 82% of call attempts being successful. The call failures happened throughout the county across a broad range of locations and for all operators
Mobile data (3G and/or 4G) services were available in around 91% of locations surveyed
Attempts to browse the web and stream video using mobile data were successful around 85% of the time, but web browsing success rates were considerably lower across all operators on 3G
4G data download speeds were good compared to the national average, particularly on EE, however 4G coverage issues were widespread which could impact on people’s experience of using the service, particularly indoors
Tom Garrod, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee, said: “People have been telling us for some time that phone signal around the county isn’t good enough. While the survey shows Norfolk is comparable to the rest of the UK in some respects, it’s clear there is still considerable room for improvement, particularly in enabling people to make phone calls wherever they are in the county. “We’ve made it clear that this isn’t just a fact finding mission for us – we want to use this information to make a difference and improve mobile phone coverage in Norfolk. We’ve already made the four main mobile network providers the offer of installing their mobile infrastructure on more than 200 public sector buildings and structures in the county, which was warmly received, so we now need to match these structures with the ‘not spots’ identified in the survey.”
Also commenting on the results of the mobile phone coverage survey, Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:
“Norfolk Chamber and our members welcome the work that the Digital Innovation & Efficiency Committee has done to map the actual mobile signal coverage in our region.
“We have a diverse and innovative business community in Norfolk, however if we want to be seen as a place to do business and be able to compete at a national and international level, we need to further improve Norfolk’s mobile signal infrastructure. The survey has now made available actual data that can be used by businesses to make informed decisions about which provider will suit them best. The data will also allow Norfolk Chamber and the County Council to lobby for greater investment for our region which will allow businesses the connectivity they need to do business on the move and generate more economic growth and jobs.”
Norfolk County Council will also start work on plotting the information collected onto an interactive map that will be available on the council’s website. This will allow people to see which of the four major providers – EE, Telefonica/O2, Three and Vodafone – have the best coverage by area and for their needs. This map and more detailed information about the outcome of the survey is due to be available to coincide with the next meeting of the council’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee, where the outcome of the survey and next steps will be discussed. The committee will meet on Friday, 11 May at County Hall in Norwich.
An update to the apprenticeship system which will allow levy-paying organisations to transfer funds to another employer has been welcomed by business leaders.
Transfers are being introduced from next month to give levy-paying employers more flexibility in how they spend their apprenticeship service funds.
It means levy payers can work with other employers to help them take on apprentices, increasing the skills base in their supply chain, sector or local area.
Those who opt to transfer funds will do so on a monthly basis for the duration of the apprenticeship.
At the end of this month, levy-paying employers will have access to their transfers allowance in their apprenticeship service account.
A transfer estimator tool will help them calculate the apprenticeships they could fund through a transfer to another organisation.
They will then be able to agree to fund apprenticeships in one other organisation.
Employers that do not pay the levy will be able to register for an apprenticeship service account, enabling them to receive a transfer and start adding details of their apprenticeships to this account.
In June, once approved by the sending organisation, the first payments will be paid for apprenticeship starts added in May.
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager at Norfolk Chamber said:
“With an ongoing skills gaps in Norfolk, and many businesses reporting hiring difficulties in the latest Quarterly Economic Survey, we are encouraged by this development. We hope it will mean that more levy funds can be fully utilised in the region. Going forward, we would like to see further flexibility on what organisations can spend their levy funding on.
For more information on Levy-transfers, businesses can:
With just under 12 months to go until the UK’s departure from the EU on 29 March 2019, new trade figures have revealed exports of UK goods and services at a record high.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK goods and services exports increased in 2017 faster than imports – up 12.1% and 9.3% respectively. As a result, the trade deficit narrowed significantly by £12.1 billion to £28.6 billion from £40.7 billion.
Overall, UK exports of goods and services have increased by 12.1% to £622.1 billion.
Annually, the UK’s current account deficit was £82.9 billion (4.1% of gross domestic product (GDP)) in 2017, a narrowing of £30.7 billion from a deficit of £113.6 billion in 2016; this is the narrowest deficit as a percentage of GDP since 2011 when it was 2.4%.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “It’s clear evidence that UK companies are succeeding on the world stage, and as an international economic department we are banging the drum for the growing demand for our goods and services.”
He pointed out that non-EU countries continue to be the main destination for services exports (£171.4 billion), making up 61.3% of all exports in this sector.
Mr Fox also highlighted work done by the Department for International Trade (DIT) as it has now set up 14 working groups across 21 countries to strike trade deals and strengthen commercial ties with key trading partners.
Manufacturing output for June 2012: -2.9% on the month, -4.3% on the year
Commenting on the manufacturing output figures for June, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“While many expected a large decline in manufacturing output in June due to the Queen’s Jubilee, the decline was less than some predicted, and less than the ONS implied in its provisional GDP estimate for Q2 2012. However the decline is disappointing, and the latest index of production indicates that manufacturing output will record a 2% fall in 2012, and the economy as a whole will be in negative territory.
“Longer-term trends in manufacturing are still disappointing. Manufacturers and businesses in other sectors are adjusting to a more difficult reality of weaker growth prospects. But British businesses have considerable potential to make progress, and it is down to the government to help them fulfill this. As the government continues with steps to reduce the deficit, and problems in the eurozone continue, more action is needed to help the economy return to growth.
“More QE is not the most effective remedy. The government should concentrate on aggressive deregulation, infrastructure spending, ensuring the Funding for Lending Scheme is successful, and steps aimed to help manufacturers, and other businesses, export.”
Senior Government Ministers have met leading UK and Chinese industrialists at a global business summit in London, timed to take advantage of the Olympic Games and aimed at fostering trade ties with China, the world’s second largest economy.
The China Entrepreneur Club, which groups the leaders of businesses that account for around 4% of China’s GDP, has partnered on this event, which is one of 17 global business summits taking place during the Games, organised by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
Among the companies attending from both countries will be SOHO China, Bosideng, Jaguar Land Rover and Net-a-Porter.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “We have been working to increase our already strong bilateral ties with China, expanding our range of co-operation and adding 60 new staff across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s China Network.”
In figures recently announced by UKTI, China moved up to third place as a source of inward investment projects for the UK, with pride of place going to a consortium led by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, which is acquiring UK gas company, Wales and West Utilities.
The total value of this deal, including the debt component, is almost £2 billion.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey, said: “This is an exciting time for the UK, as we welcome visitors from around the world for the Olympics. This is a chance for us to showcase not just our capital and our nation’s sporting heritage, but also the investment opportunities on offer – especially in the energy sector.”
Coinciding with the Summit, the Building Research Establishment has announced that British companies have won over £600,000 of construction contracts for the Beijing Green Building Park, and Chinese retailer Bosideng has opened its first overseas flagship store, on London’s Bond Street.
This £35 million investment will create 40 new jobs.
Norfolk Chamber are thrilled to launch the first two events in a series of summer evening networking in Norwich. We are putting together a programme of ‘After Hours’ events designed to get our members networking in a relaxed and informal setting; paired with fun activities in Norwich’s top entertainment venues.
The first After Hours event kicking off this series is our Pub Quiz, taking place at Earlham Arms on Thursday 31st May. The evening will put your general knowledge to the test with a variety of quiz rounds where the topics and questions have been chosen by Chamber staff. You will also get the opportunity to enjoy some wine and tapas whilst getting to know your colleagues and fellow Chamber members a little better. You can enter as an individual to be placed in a mixed team, or rally up a team of up to 6 max. Full details.
Following our Quiz we’re taking you to a new venue in Norwich: Bowling House. This boutique venue opened its doors in March 2018 and on June 14th we’ll be taking over the lanes for Business & Bowling. Bowling House hosts 5 intimate lanes, perfect to get you building relationships with your teammates and competitors. Plus you’ll be able to continue the networking over an appetising tasting selection from their new menu! Full details.
So what are you waiting for? Book your places today to make sure you don’t miss out!
We’ll continue to launch our summer of fun throughout the coming weeks, including the return of our annual Look the Business fashion show event! If you want to keep up-to-date on our latest events you can sign up to our mailing list here.
On Thursday morning, Norfolk Chamber hosted another busy and thought-provoking business breakfast in a very sunny Great Yarmouth. We welcomed a room full of local businesses to Great Yarmouth Racecourse bright and early to make new business connections and hopefully instigate interesting discussion regarding the topic of the morning: Inspiring Norfolk supply chains for a project set to help create a Fossil Fuel Free Future.
Kindly sponsoring the event were Associated British Ports, who offer a range of services to support key regional industries in East Anglia, including the off-shore wind industry. We were pleased to welcome Dan Whyshall, who provided an informative overview to the company and the contribution it makes to the UK economy. In fact, ABP provides 5,300 jobs in East Anglia alone, delivers 500m tonnes of freight annually and contributes £360 million to the region’s economy. If you would like to find out more about this dynamic business, check out this video which encapsulates it brilliantly.
After a tasty and filling breakfast and lots of interesting discussion taking place around the room, giving delegates a chance to get to know one another and find out a bit about all of their various industries, it was then time to welcome the guest speaker for the morning. Susan Falch-Lovesey, Local Liason Office and Skills Champion at Vattenfall joined us to discuss how local businesses could be at the centre of the ground-breaking and impressive off-shore project, Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas.
Susan began by setting the scene and explained Vattenfall’s ethos and mission: to help create a Fossil Fuel Free Future, within one generation. The business, which is owned by the Swedish states, embodies this vision and keeps it at the heart of all of its projects, which include ground breaking Fossil Fuel Free Steel at industrial scale (Hybrit) and an E-Mobility charging system within thousands of charging stations across Europe (INCHARGE).
The reason behind Susan joining us in Great Yarmouth was to inform local businesses about Vatenfall’s latest project taking place on our very own coastline. As part of the Government’s Green Growth Strategy, Vattenfall are putting plans in motion to develop a wind farm powerful enough to sustain electricity supply for 10% UK households. As you can imagine, a project of this magnitude will need a lot of support, so Susan spoke to attendees about Vatenfall’s mission to get as many local organisations involved in the project as possible, hoping to have over 600 contracts in place ready to submit an application for the project. Susan was keen to highlight the message from Rob Lilley, Procurement Manager, that although they would be co-ordinating the project, it would be local business who would be building it and making the aspirations of Vattenfall a reality, as they believe ‘local knowledge and expertise are so important’.
After taking some questions from the guests, it was then time to close the session. Our delegates left to continue with their working day hopefully having made new business connections and feeling more informed, and perhaps inspired, by the innovative project soon to be taking shape on Norfolk’s coastline.
For more details about supply chain opportunities for Vattenfall’s project, take a look at the presentation from Thursday morning or visit their website to find out how you can get involved.
If you are interested in coming along to one of our Great Yarmouth business breakfasts, visit our events page or email us. The next one coming up is on Thursday 21st June 2018.
On Friday 20th April 2018, local MPs, the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce came together to launch new job campaigns in three key areas across Norfolk.
First thing that morning, Sir Henry Bellingham, MP for North West Norfolk launched West Norfolk for Jobs in King’s Lynn, followed by George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk in Dereham launching Breckland for Jobs and finally, Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk also launched Breckland for Jobs in Thetford.
The two campaigns aim to help young people aged between 18 to 24 secure work, which will help the local economies, build better communities and reduce youth unemployment.
In West Norfolk 1,021 young people are claiming some form of benefit and are without a job; In Thetford it is 383; and in Dereham it is 531 – West Norfolk for Jobs and Breckland for Jobs are looking to halve these figures.
Julia Nix, DWP District Manager for East Anglia said:
“We are aiming to get employers and businesses to really think about how they can help a young person into work. It could be as simple as an hour to do a mock interview or a big thing such as work experience or an apprenticeship. All these things will be a huge difference to helping people get a job.”
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:
“We are very privileged to be asked to support both the West Norfolk for Jobs and the Breckland for Jobs campaigns and we want to help make them successful. We believe that the local business community is the key to achieving this. There are many ways in which businesses can get involved and we are asking them to offer their services no matter how large or small their contributions. This is a great opportunity for local businesses to support young people in their area and perhaps help create their future workforce.”
Can your business help?
Could you support a young person by offering mock interviews, CV advice, information and advice on your industry? The initiatives will also be able to help you find suitable candidates to apply for any apprenticeship or jobs you need to fill.
If you would like more information on how you can get involved, please contact:
Norfolk Chamber’s annual technology conference, Talking Tech, returns Wednesday 19th September at The Space Norwich.
Talking Tech is a half-day conference bringing together local and national speakers for an interactive and inspiring event. The morning is made up of keynote speakers, lightening talks, workshops, a tech themed exhibition and over 180 business attendees.
The theme for 2018’s conference is future thinking; we want to explore the way businesses and their workforce will rapidly change with new and innovative technology. What’s coming and how do we prepare for it? If you can answer that then we want to hear from you.
For the first time Norfolk Chamber are asking businesses to send in their applications and suggestions for topics and speaking slots at the event that fit the all-important future thinking theme. If you want to get involved then click here to find out more!
Commenting on the opening of the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS), Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“We hope that the Funding for Lending scheme will incentivise banks to lend and address some of the problems faced by Norfolk businesses in accessing finance. We’re pleased to see a more imaginative approach to providing cheaper lending to businesses and it is a welcome step forward.
“However, the real test for the scheme will be whether the funding reaches fast-growing or new enterprises, particularly those that have had difficulties accessing the finance needed to start-up, develop and expand. While the scheme will provide cheaper lending, it remains to be seen whether it will extend beyond those companies that would have qualified for loans in the first place.
“To help those new and growing businesses, so vital to achieving economic growth now and in the future, the government needs to consider more radical measures to solve the access to finance puzzle. The creation of a state-backed business bank would help companies that have been unable to get credit from banks, so they can start-up, invest, expand and create jobs.”