We are providing an exclusive opportunity for businesses to hear from global entrepreneur Carl Bates, who is visiting the UK for one week only!
Carl Bates is a global speaker, author, mentor and director. Currently based in South Africa, he is a dynamic entrepreneur from New Zealand who guides small to medium businesses and privately-held companies to achieve extreme business success.
In this one-off event, Carl, author of ‘Laws of Extreme Business Success’ will talk through his ground-breaking game rules for small to medium enterprises. With laws that range from treating your business as an investment, to leadership and building effective teams. His presentations inspire business audiences across the board to take their business or organisation’s success to the next level.
Carl is visiting the UK for only one week and is looking to share his knowledge with businesses in the country, when asked Carl said: “I’m looking forward connecting with shareholder-managers and engaging with business owners in Norfolk and seeing what their challenges are so we can support them. My book is based on stories about my dad and grandparents, who lived and worked in the Lake District. And so sharing with businesses that are close by brings the journey back full circle.”
The evening event takes place on Monday 12th September, 5pm – 7pm at Duke Street Lecture Theatre, Norwich.For further details and how to book your place click here.
Carl is also delivering a half-day training workshop on Friday 16 September, 09;00-12:30 in Norwich. Find out how tomaximise contribution and maximise return on your business.This workshop is an outcomes-focused half-day event that aims to equip the attendee with a deeper understanding of the Contribution Compass and its eight natural energy profiles. To find out more click here.
Between October 2020 and April 2021 more than 180 nations and an international audience of 25 million visitors will visit the UAE for one of the greatest shows on Earth.
Whilst the Expo itself will last for six months, there are three distinct stages to the project: the build (2016- 2020), the event (2020 – 2021) and the legacy (2021 onwards) so opportunities for UK companies be involved are manifold, massive & multi-year.
They are already talking to a number of UK firms who are looking at setting up in the UAE in order to access and service opportunities around Expo 2020 Dubai; the Department of International Trade has a dedicated senior project lead at the Dubai Embassy who is making sure that British interests are front and centre. So, whether it’s Tokyo or Dubai, 2020 promises to be a golden year for the UK – just remember that in Dubai it’s already started!
If you want to participate, all procurement opportunities are being openly tendered through the Expo 2020 Dubai online portal and companies must register there in order to access any tender or spend. Find out more on theirblog.
The British Chambers of CommerceBusiness and Education Summit is an inspirational and interactive forum to exploreissues and will provide the opportunity for delegates to make new connections and engage with latest best practice through expert speakers, panel debates and informative breakout sessions. The programme will focus on three key themes:
21st Century Skills and Education
Technology and Education
Higher Level Skills and Apprenticeships
Nova, Elinor and representatives of the Young Chamber Board hope to see you there!
Norfolk Chamber members can purchase tickets at a 25% discountwith a special promotional code – email [email protected] to access this members-only code.
After a great year for the Norfolk Chamber, we are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for this year’s ‘Excellence in Membership Services’ award at the 2016 Chamber Awards.
The Chamber Awards, now in its 13th year, is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, highlighting the role of business in delivering growth and prosperity for the UK and local communities.
Business Manager Jason Williams said; “It’s great that the Norfolk Chamber has been recognised for all the hard work that the team has put in over the last year. We will build on this success going forward to ensure that our members get the best possible service from us.”
We are delighted to be sponsoring themorning networkingevent at The National Landlord Investment Show in Norwich.Taking place onWednesday 28th September 2016,9am – 3.30pm atNorwich City Football Club, it’s free to attend as a visitor.
Come and meet Landlords, Investors and Property Professionals along with other like minded Industry Leaders to meet new contacts and widen your own network of customers and suppliers.This networking event is designed to give you an opportunity to meet and discuss local issues, share best practice and experiences, with decision makersand experts in the property industry.
The morning networking event starts at9am, with the exhibition opening at9.30am.When you register to get your free tickets to the East Anglian Landlord Investment Show there is an option for you to confirm your place for the complimentary morning networking event, including complimentary tea and coffee.
It’s a great way to start the day and meet new people. After, you are invited to explore the main exhibition and attend the industry specific seminars.Come and meet over 40+ companies exhibiting on the day plus over 10 seminars in two seminar rooms delivered by leading industry experts on subject such as Legal/Evictions, Finance, Buying at Auction, Investment Opportunities plus much more.
The National Landlord Investment ShowLocation:Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1JEDate: Wednesday 28th September 2016Time:9am – 3.30pm (FREE Entry – FREE Parking).
Devolution is about giving our region greater control over key areas of our economy such as spending on roads and transport links, housing, skills and social care.
The Norfolk Chamber Board strongly believes that the devolution deal offers our region a prime opportunity to secure thefunding to enable the local business community to deliver greater economic growth, jobs and a better future for Norfolk, whilst having the ability to make decisions at a local level.
Jonathan Cage, President of Norfolk Chamber said: “We acknowledge that the deal on the table is not ideal, however we appreciate that this is the deal we must work with right now. The deal is only the starting point to help bring additional investment into our county – and we believe that this may lead to more opportunities in the future. It is therefore imperative that we take advantage of this opportunity to claim greater powers for our region and the ability to shape our own future.”
The first formal public consultation period ends on 23 August, so there is still time to get your opinion heard – click here to have your say.
However continued support from businesses is still needed to ensure that the business voice is clearly heard and this golden opportunity becomes a reality. In addition to completing the consultation survey it would help the business case if you added your business voice to that of the Norfolk Chamber by submitting your own letter of support to Andy Wood, the Independent Chair of the East Anglia Leaders Group, to be sent to the Secretary of State. Click here for a suggested outline template for your letter.
Norfolk needs additional funding – this is a route to get that funding and it is on the table now. Let’s grab it with both hands.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is preparing the Local Plan Part 2: Detailed Policies and Site Allocations, which, once finalised, will allocate land for new development and apply policies to meet local needs in the Borough up to 2030.
As part of this process the Council is seeking suggestions from the business community of what should be included in the plan.
This is an opportunity for developers, landowners, individuals or other interested parties to suggest sites for allocation for development for housing (including gypsy and traveller sites), employment, retail, tourism, community facilities, green infrastructure or other types of development.
Sites or localities/areas may also be suggested for special policy treatment (e.g. protection, designation or particular requirements for their development, etc.), and other matters suggested for inclusion in the Detailed Policies and Site Allocations document.
Following the Brexit vote and the economic uncertainties faced by business, it is now more important than ever to take part in the QES to ensure that the Norfolk business community has a clear voice on our local and regional economy. What is the impact of Brexit on your organisation? Have you had to amend your recruitment plans? Are you exporting more or less?
Today (Monday 22 August) is the first day of the fieldwork period for the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES). It is the largest independent business survey in the UK and is used by the Bank of England and the Chancellor to plan the future of the UK economy. It is also closely watched by the International Monetary Fund.
Key findings in the previous Q2 2016 survey relating to Norfolk:
Even before the vote, both business confidence and economic growth had softened in Norfolk. The Q2 survey results, which were captured just before the vote, suggested that many businesses had been operating in something of a holding pattern for some time.
Overall, the figures for both the services and manufacturing firms indicate continued low levels of growth. However, in the run-up to the referendum remained fairly static across many indicators, and slackened in others.
In the Norfolk manufacturing sector, the balance of firms reporting improved export sales rose to a percentage balance of -11 from -25. The balance of advance orders returned to 0 from -33 in Q1.
There was a significant rise in Norfolk manufacturers looking to invest in training – up 27 points from -9 in Q1 to 18 in Q2.
The balance of Norfolk manufacturers reporting improved cash flow fell significantly to -26, from -10 in Q1. The national average was 4 points.
Ahead of the referendum, services companies in Norfolk reported a drop in both export sales and orders (-9 and -9, down from 9 and 3 respectively)
Domestic sales and orders for Norfolk’s manufacturers fell considerably, whilst the services sector remained consistent in sales and saw a small growth in orders. For manufacturing, both home sales and orders fell to -15 points, whilst in the services sector sales remained the same at 21 points, and orders increased 8 points to 19.
The successful Employer Training Incentive Pilot which has helped numerous businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk with training costs for staff,has this month increased the amount per learner meaning businesses can claim more funding.
Under this scheme businesses canreceive cashback towards staff training, apprenticeships and qualifications.Businesses can claim 25% cashback on additional training up to £1,500 per learner (previously £1,000).It is only available until 28th February 2017 to businesses that employ less than 250 people (globally) to help Norfolk and Suffolk SMEs to grow.
ETIP Funding can be clamed back on business trainingNorfolk Chamber has recently launched namedThe Training Roomwith half-day workshops on social media, marketing, personal development from experienced trainers.
The scheme
is available to SMEs across Norfolk and Suffolk
offers a 25% return against cash paid on additional training made by the employer to a maximum claim value of £1,500 per learner; for Level 3 & 4apprenticeships and qualifications this rate rises up to 40%
gives the businesses control regarding the choice of provider used to train their staff and the training required
Eligible training must be additional i.e. non-mandatory and used to enhance productivity, efficiency or vocational effectiveness.
Training can either be
an apprenticeship (over 19 years of age)
an accredited Qualification Level 1-4
non-accredited training
For more information about ETIP and how to apply please click here.
A change to the apprenticeship scheme in England was announced by the Government in the summer budget 2015. The purpose of the levy is to help the government reach its target of an additional 3 million apprenticeship starts in England by 2020. They say that employers who are committed to training will be able to get back more than they put in by training sufficient numbers of apprentices.
As we near the 6 April 2017, when the levy will come into effect, a new document about apprenticeship funding has been released.
New funding system comes into effect on 1 May 2017 for any apprenticeships started after that date(to declare liability for the levy on April’s payroll)
15 tiered funding bands range from £1,500 to £27,000 based on the type of apprenticeship framework, to manage the tendency of prices to creep up
Employers will co-invest 10% of training costs, with the government paying the remaining 90%, including those who have not contributed to the levy
How will this impact on Norfolk employers?
If you have less than 50 staff you will be able to access 100% funding for the cost of Apprenticeship Training from the Government for 16 to 18 year olds and 19 to 24 year olds who have previously been in care or have an Education, Health and Care Plan
You will pay 10% of the cost of Apprenticeship training if you have more than 50 employees and do not have a pay bill in excess of £3m per year
Regardless of your size, you will receive an additional £1000 funding for each apprentice you start aged 16 to 18. (£500 at 3 months and £500 at 12 months)
Regardless of your size, you will receive an additional £1000 funding for each apprentice you start aged 19 to 24 who has previously been in care or who has an Education, Health and Care Plan. (£500 at 3 months and £500 at 12 months)
If you have a pay-bill over £3m you will pay the levy at 0.5% of your pay bill monthly. The levy paid will be topped up by 10% and you can spend this money within 18 months on Apprenticeship training through the digital system.
You will be able to apply to become anEmployer-provider and deliver all or some of your training directly to your staff or others.
Commenting on the funding guidance for the Apprenticeship Levy, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“Norfolk businesses will welcome the news that the Government will fully-fund 16-18-year-old apprentices, and that the co-investment rate for non-levy payers will be set at 10%.
“It is disappointing however that businesses will have to wait until October, just six months before the proposed implementation date of the Levy, for details of the technical rules. Indeed, the timescale seems very compressed for a complex policy that relies on a major IT set-up.
“The Government’s apprenticeship target is laudable, and businesses see them as a vital way of narrowing the skills gap. But the focus must be on high-quality apprenticeships rather than purely as a numbers game. We look forward to inputting our member views in this complex area going forward.”
In summary, the balance of the key points in the new document are:
Small employers will not have to pay any training costs for younger apprentices (16-18)
In December 2016, there will be further employer guidance from HMRC on how to calculate and pay the apprenticeship levy
Graduates or others with Higher Level Qualifications can be funded to do an Apprenticeship so long as the learning is materially different to their existing qualifications
Final funding arrangements will be announced in October 2016
The national AGE grant will continue to be available till the end of the academic year 2016/17. As this is devolved in Norfolk and Suffolk, we assume, but it has not yet been confirmed that this will be the case for the local scheme as well. Click here for details
A new register will be set up and all training and assessment organisations will be required to register if they want to deliver Apprenticeship training or assessment. (RoAPT). The register will initially open in October and then 4 times a year
If you are a training provider, it is proposed that:
You will receive an additional payment to that agreed with the employer for delivery of £1000 for each 16 to 18 year old learner and each 19 to 24 year old if they have an Education, Health and Care plan or have been in care.
You will be responsible for administering payment of the £1000 employer incentives (above) in the initial period of the new system
You will be able to access additional funding of up to £150 per month to support learners with additional needs
20% of the total cost of the Apprenticeship Training will be held back until completion in the employer’s digital account to prevent overpayment in the event that the apprentice does not complete
There are only 9 days left for businesses to have their say on the Norfolk & Suffolk Devolution deal.
Devolution is about giving our region greater control over key areas of our economy such as spending on roads and transport links, housing, skills and social care.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“The Norfolk Chamber Board is strongly in support of the concept of Devolution and what it can do for Norfolk and Suffolk’s economy. Historically, Norfolk has lagged behind the rest of the UK in terms of investment but we are at last starting to be recognised as a growth area and need to build on this.
“Devolution offers Norfolk a prime opportunity to secure a funding to enable the business community to deliver greater economic growth, jobs and a better future for Norfolk as a whole, whilst have the ability to make decisions at a local level. What is on the table is not ideal, but it is what we have to work with right now. It is also only the starting point to help bring additional investment into our county. We need the business community to be heard on this issue loud and clear.”
Norfolk is undertaking consultation into the devolution ‘deal’ before it is finally taken to Government for approval. It is vitally important that the government is aware of the level of support from the business community and we would ask Norfolk businesses to take action in two ways:
2. Take few minutes to complete the online Devolution consultation – take part now
Our region is on the verge of securing from Government a transformational change in the way our economy operates, which includes the biggest devolution of decision-making for a generation and a significant package of new investment for the Norfolk and Suffolk economy.
This includes:
£25m a year for 30yrs to invest in new infrastructure and growth projects. (Total of £750m, of which 40% is revenue spending against which we can borrow further significant sums)
£130m for new homes
Local control over a £225m transport budget and £20m skills budget
Devolution will help to realise the ambition to boost the economy of the East to over £43billion.
The deadline for this first stage of business support is 23 August 2016 – add your voice to that of the Norfolk Chamber by taking action now.
Norfolk Chamber arelooking for businesses in the engineering sector to support University Technical College Norfolk with a careers day on Tuesday 20 September 2016.
Are you able to volunteer your time by taking an exhibition stand and speaking with students in Year 10-13 about future career opportunities?
The exact timings for the event are yet to be confirmed but will be between 9am-4pm.If you are interested in taking part please email[email protected]by 31 August 2016.
This is one of many free careers events Norfolk Chamber will be hosting over the next school year, through Your Future contract with the Careers and Entreprise Company. To find out how you can get involved as a school or businessclick here.