Chamber Team

Nova Fairbank (AKA The Guru)

As The Guru in the team, how can you help businesses?

As the ‘Holder of the Knowledge’ it’s my role to understand what is happening within the Norfolk business community as well as at a regional and national level. I can then ensure that businesses are aware and kept up to date. Using that information, I can work with the wider business community to identify any barriers to business growth and help, support and lobby on their behalf for change and improvement.

Norfolk Chambers works hard to connect support and give voice to every business in Norfolk  – the key to success is knowledge and building relationships – so we have become experts in finding experts no matter what challenge a business is facing.

So what you need is what we do – just ask!

Your special power is keeping more plates spinning that everyone else – how do you do this – what’s your secret?

My secret is really mundane – notes, notes and more notes.  I often get knowledge overload, so I have become very efficient and methodical in keeping track of the knowledge that I learn and having lots and lots of sub folders on our computer system!

I also make full use of our Customer Experience Team to help me gather the local business voice and to embed more of my knowledge with them to give to the business community.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is snowy mountains, red wine and chocolate –what happens to you when faced with these?

Hmm my work life balance is very much work and more work, but my happy place is a ski slope.  Whether they are red, black or moguls, I love ‘em all! This is of course is always followed by some ‘Apres Ski’ that has been known on nearly every occasion to feature red wine and chocolate…

Your motto is An Informed Customer is a Happy Customer – How do you make sure that you always have the knowledge? How can businesses unlock this skill?

Knowledge is power as they say and the more support and knowledge we can impart to our business community the happier everyone will be. Being able to give them the knowledge they need or connect them to experts, or their peers is a fundamental part of what Norfolk Chambers does.

Business can access this knowledge in several ways. We have our wonderful Customer Experience Team – just pick up the phone or email them and ask; you can visit the Norfolk’s Voice and the Norfolk Knowledge Hub, our free to access digital media platforms; our social media channels have some great advice and information running through them; and our website is another great place to start.

Connected and supported businesses are happy businesses.

Paul Vincent (AKA Mr. Finance)

Norfolk Chambers sets out to connect, support and give voice to its members and the wider business community – what is your role in this mission?

I help businesses with their finance needs and I’m happy to chat through some accountancy options and signpost businesses to talk to the relevant experts if needed.

Your special power is having unstoppable energy – how do you achieve this?

By sleeping, exercising a lot and eating well.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is bikes and running – how often do you spend time with both and how does it make you feel?

Sometimes it is tough to motivate yourself, especially in the winter, but then the effort you have put in during the winter months pays off in the summer. I usually spend about 10 hours + exercising. Signing up for event helps me to stay motivated, as I know that the day of the race will come.

Your motto is ‘Is It Value For Members Money?’ – How do you make sure that Team Norfolk Chambers always give businesses value for money?

My focus is to ensure that members money is spent on delivering member facing activities that encourage member engagement. I also try to ensure the team are out / virtually out engaging with members.

Jack Weaver (AKA The Navigator)

Norfolk Chambers sets out to connect, support and give voice to its members and the wider business community – what is your role in this mission?

The needs and aspirations of businesses in Norfolk fuel the long-term mission of the Chambers. It’s my job to help turn that fuel into momentum – connecting the strategic to the operational and helping lead the amazing Norfolk Chambers team to deliver outstanding service for our members.

As The Navigator in the team, how can you help businesses?

Norfolk businesses are served by a highly skilled and incredibly creative Chambers team. As ‘The Navigator’ I can help businesses by ensuring the crew know exactly what their role is in getting the ship to achieve its mission. A team that is informed, empowered, trusted, and supported will do incredible things for our members. Stretching the analogy to breaking point, The Navigator always has an eye on the horizon to spot opportunities before they vanish.

Your special power is ‘expert generalist’ – what does this mean and how do you put this power into action?

‘Expert generalist’ means being a ‘Jack of all trades’ (no pun intended) but turned up to 11! It means having a comprehensive understanding of as much of the Chambers’ work as possible, ensuring the team understand their role in our mission, have the support they need to deliver outstanding services – and always thinking about the next big thing.

To keep this special power honed, I’m in a constant learning mindset and I live by a few golden rules: ‘listen more, talk less’, ‘surround yourself with people smarter than you’ and ‘fall in love with problems, not ideas.’

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is motorcycles and a sweet tooth – what happens to you when faced with these?

Nothing distracts me more than bikes, and besides spending time with my amazing family, my happy place is carving my way along a twisty road on a summer’s day with my fellow riders. I do my best thinking on my bike and if the day ends with a pint of good beer at an Alpine guesthouse – even better. As for the sweet tooth – all I’ll say is workplace bake sales sell out pretty quickly if I’m in the office.

Your motto is “Make yourself indispensable” – how does this ethos help Norfolk Chambers realise its mission?

My mum told me this when I got my first job at 15. Norfolk Chambers of Commerce has represented the business community for over a Century and the more we match services to business needs, the more members we can connect and support, and the more we increase the volume of Norfolk’s voice at the regional, national to international level – the more indispensable we become for another Century.

Norfolk Chambers offers a lot of support, advice, and resources to its members – what is your role in this mission?

From a skills perspective that businesses are able to access the skills required for future growth by enabling relationships with training providers, and providing a platform of discussion around business needs.

As The Coach in the team, how can you help businesses?

Listen, react, enable and support and advise.

Your special power is project planning and process – why is this important

It’s all about plotting out the journey, then help to keep things moving along the right path

Your kryptonite is chocolate – what happens when you are faced with these?

I overindulge

Your motto is stick to the plan. How will this help when supporting businesses we work with?

With no plan there is no direction

Victor Ling (AKA ‘The Networker’)

Norfolk Chambers sets out to connect, support and give voice to its members and the wider business community – what is your role in this mission?

As a business owner, I fully understand what it is like to run a business – both the upsides and the challenges. My role is to help network the members to get the most out of each other.

As The Networker in the team, how can you help businesses?

I built my own business by networking extensively and building up a reputation. As the lead on Strategic Partners and Gold Patrons, my aim is to make sure that everyone gets great value from the membership and sponsorships.

Your special power is ‘Business Acumen’ – what does this mean and how do you put this power into action?

I understand that every penny spent needs to be accounted for and deliver a return of investment. Having run my own business, I can empathise and help with business advice.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is 80s & 90s music (combined with a bad singing voice) – what happens to you when faced with these?

I sing – absolutely awfully. I do love the 80s though – from Queen to Meatloaf, Prince to Iron Maiden. Don’t ever let me get me near a microphone, but if I had to, my go to song would be “Dead Ringer for Love” by Meat Loaf.

Your motto is “You Can Have Everything In Life You Want, If You Will Just Help Enough Other People Get What They Want” – How does this help Norfolk Chambers and local businesses?

It is a quote by Zig Zigler, widely considered to be one of the best sales people in the world. Sales can be seen as a dirty word, but in reality it is about helping people. I will never ‘sell’ a Chamber Membership – but I will help you to be a member if I feel it will be a great fit for YOU.

Norfolk Chambers offers a lot of support, advice, and resources to its members – what is your role in this mission? 

In my role, I predominately look after our West Norwich and Norfolk members and you can find me at The Place in King’s Lynn most Wednesdays – drop me an email and I’d love to chat with you about how we can support you and your business.

As The Encourager in the team, how can you help businesses? 

As the Encourager my role is to engage and encourage collaboration between our members. I love to connect members and see their relationships build and develop. I’m always looking for new ways to introduce members and one way I love doing that is at our events.

Your special power is growing relationships – why is this important? 

My passion is to see businesses and individuals grow, develop and achieve their goals. By growing relationships means I can really get to know each and every business and use our Chamber team and resources to help support and collaborate.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is Chinese food – what happens to you when faced with this?

After a busy week, there is nothing like a Chinese takeaway on a Friday night, and Winnie the Pooh is everyone’s best friend!

Your motto is “ when it rains, look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars” explain what that means to you

Always look for the good in everyone and every situation.

Shelley Rudling (AKA ‘The Trailblazer’)

Norfolk Chambers sets out to connect, support and give voice to its members and the wider business community – what is your role in this mission?

My role is to curate and deliver innovative events and workshops that amplify the voices of Norfolk businesses, foster collaboration, and drive economic prosperity. As a passionate advocate for community building, I am committed to creating a space where businesses of all sizes can thrive.

As the Trailblazer on the Norfolk Chambers team, I’m passionate about helping businesses connect, learn, and thrive!

I believe that events are a powerful way to bring people together and spark innovation, so I’m excited to work with the team to create inclusive, informative, and engaging events for our business community. I’m also always looking for new and innovative ways to support businesses, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any ideas or feedback!

My superpower is Neurodivergent Vision!

It allows me to see potential and problems differently than most people, which helps me to come up with new and innovative solutions. I’m passionate about using my superpower to help the Norfolk Chambers team support businesses and the community in new and exciting ways.

My Kryptonite, Dogs, gin, and weight training.

When I’m faced with any of these things, I give in and enjoy them. I can’t be without my cute Chihuahua, a well-made gin and tonic, or a challenging weight training workout.

Your motto is ‘Follow your passion, and it will lead you to your purpose.’ – How does this help Norfolk Chambers and local businesses?

As a neurodivergent individual, I’ve always seen the world differently. I’ve always been drawn to new ideas and innovative solutions. That’s why my motto is “Follow your passion, and it will lead you to your purpose.”I believe that when we follow our passions, we are more likely to be successful and fulfilled. We are also more likely to make a positive impact on the world around us. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping Norfolk businesses succeed. I want to see them follow their passions and achieve their purposes. I believe that when businesses do that, they make Norfolk a more vibrant and prosperous place for everyone.

Norfolk Chambers sets out to connect, support and give voice to its members and the wider business community – what’s your role in this mission?

As the business hub manager it’s my job to be the ambassador for the Norfolk Chambers and to facilitate collaboration, development and growth between our members and across the business community, both in the city and across the county.

As The Facilitator, how can you help businesses?

I create and maintain a safe, inviting and engaging space where business owners and managers can visit, work and collaborate with their peers/associates. The business hub is designed to be an office ‘home from home’ for both members and non-members, who need the flexibility of a multi-faceted workspace in the city centre, complete with friendly, on-hand business support and of course, bottomless cups of the best coffee!

My superpower is…unflappability!

Is that even a word? It is now! Even when you’re prepared, things don’t always go according to plan, but I’ve learnt to manage that by quickly taking control of the things I can. Honesty and transparency wins the day, so being able to communicate calmly and effectively when the spanner does get thrown unceremoniously into the works is the default position for me.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is Toblerone, dogs, line-dried bedlinen –what happens to you when faced with these?

If I can get all of those at the same time then life just doesn’t get any better!

Your motto is Life is a gift, that’s why it’s called the Present!

Make the most of every day, its challenges, its opportunities and its rewards.

Norfolk Chambers offers a lot of support, advice, and resources to its members – what is your role in this mission?

My role within the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is to highlight the incredible stories and successes across our diverse range of sectors, organisations and members.

As The Storyteller in the team, how can you help businesses?

I’m incredibly curious  –  about life, people, business and how everything is connected. I love building relationships, connecting, and supporting people wherever I am and whatever I’m doing.  As the Co.next Account Manager, I’m excited to continue developing this programme for Norfolk’s young professionals.

Your special power is the relationship builder – why is this important?

Connections are the catalyst that spark incredible collaborations. They drive innovation and inspire great things. If I can play a part in this process, then I have the best job, supported by a fantastic team behind me.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is cheese – what happens to you when faced with this?

After the cheese sweat, I get really, really happy—then I have to walk/bike/run it off!

Your motto is “Creativity is intelligence having fun”, explain what that means to you…

What is life without creativity? Ideas and innovation wouldn’t happen without that ‘spark’ of inspiration! I’m always looking for that!

As ‘The Brand Man’ in the team, how can you help businesses? 

With the power of strategic thinking and a sprinkling of creative flair, I help businesses elevate their brand through positioning that resonates with the customer and a consistent visual look and feel. I take the time to listen, understand goals and challenges, and then craft a strategy that speaks directly to the target customer. Think of me as the GPS for the brand journey… minus the annoying robotic voice. 

Your special power is ‘blue sky thinking’ – how do you do this – what’s your secret? 

I don’t like to follow anyone else’s rules, not even my own. Just because something has always been done a certain way, it doesn’t mean that’s the way it should be done now.  I like to politely ask the question ‘so what’ and then run from there.  I get most of my best ideas whilst soaking in a hot bath, which can be quite awkward during group brainstorming sessions on Teams and Zoom. 

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is accumulating various sports injuries– what happens to you when faced with these? 

The sad reality is that I’m getting too old to compete at the level I once was, but I still the game.  One day I will eventually hang-up the boots, but that is not this day.  So long as I can get my hands on Deep-Heat and painkillers, I will continue to put my body through hell and highwater. 

Your motto is ‘Your Brand is whatever your customers think it is’ – How does this help Norfolk Chambers and local businesses? 

This essentially means you need to ‘walk the walk’ if you’re gonna ‘talk the talk’.  So, this means that the Norfolk Chambers mission statement of connecting, supporting and giving a voice, isn’t just a statement, it’s a reality and something that should be mixed into the sauce of all marketing and brand work I deliver. 

Catherine McAndrew (AKA ‘The Creative’)

Norfolk Chambers sets out to connect, support and give voice to its members and the wider business community – what is your role in this mission?

As a proud generalist, my role is varied – exactly how I like it!

I support the Chamber team with marketing, digital content, and events. Collaborating closely with The Communicator, I assist in the ‘marketing of us’ and the ‘marketing of what we do’, utilising social media, our website, newsletters, and other communication platforms.

As The Creative in the team, how can you help businesses?

As a county, we have a variety of innovative businesses from small to large, all doing great things and I’m here to shout about it.

Your special power is ‘Creativity’ – what does this mean and how do you put this power into action?

It’s crucial for me to keep the Chamber’s content relevant and engaging for Norfolk’s Business community. This involves staying updated with new creative tools and trends to keep it fresh. Essentially, I get to do the fun stuff.

Your ‘Kryptonite’ is Running, Cycling and Guinness  – what happens to you when faced with these?

I believe that Guinness is the perfect post-run treat to rehydrate (don’t tell my coach). Yet, after a few miles and a pint or two, the combination leaves me feeling a little sleepy at the bar.

Your motto is ‘Content is King’  – How does this help Norfolk Chambers and local businesses?

It may sound like a cliché but for me, the content I put out there must be quality over quantity. Before hitting that post button, I always pause to ask: is this valuable to our Norfolk business community?

My focus is deliver content that is tailored for our community’s needs and interests; prioritising relevance and engagement that is unique to the community.