M+A Partners is pleased to launch its third annual Owner Managed Business (OMB) Survey. The aim of our annual OMB Survey is to canvass the opinion and sentiment of leaders and directors from owner managed businesses across the Eastern Region. We would like to thank the many businesses that contributed to last year’s survey and we hope that you will take part this year. Your opinion and the voice of the sector that you operate within is important to us. The survey will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and will close on Wednesday, 13 December 2017. Click hereto take the Owner Managed Business Survey 2018
Spire Solicitors has scooped the coveted Law Firm of the Year Award at the 2017 LawNet Awards, held at the Crowne Plaza, Heythrop Park Resort, Oxfordshire in front of 210 employees from some of the nations most recognised firms under LawNet.
The Law Firm of the Year award, sponsored by Wilkinson Read & Partners recognises firms who provide a clear, strategic business growth plan and provide proof of sustainable improvements in financial performance, as well as above all, dedication to their market.
Other aspirants for the award included, Biscoes Law Limited, and last year’s winners, Gardner Leader LLP.
James Knight, CEO, commented: “Spire is thrilled to have been recognised as leaders in the LawNet market, continuing our strategic and clear growth since our initial merger in 2013. The past 4 years since Spire was born have now shown award recognised progression, as well as, market success, entirely down to the level of service our firm and all within offer.
Knight continued: “I could write this success is down to multiple factors which you see from other firms, such as infinite events throughout the year, blanket marketing and standard practices; however, this isn’t what we do. We’re fully committed to offering the best service possible as well as striving to be different; meaning our organic growth in the UK market is down to the success of our dedicated 170 strong staff, which all hold the same vision, changing the perspective of Legal-as-a-Service.”
Spire Solicitors has held yet another fantastic year with the recent additions to the team, including Corporate Finance Expert, Matthew Downing, who joined the firm as Partner, previously Head of Corporate & Commercial at Ashtons Legal, who were shortlisted for two awards at this year’s ceremony.
Spire would like to extend their congratulations to other winners and shortlisted firms at the awards dinner.
After the successful merger of Hood Vores & Allwood Solicitors, Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Solicitors and Overbury Steward & Eaton Solicitors in 2013, Spire Solicitors LLP now represents one of the largest, and most progressive legal firms in Norfolk, with a presence of 8 offices across the county and over 170 employees, as well as a portfolio of services for all.
A Trade Mission to Dubai to help small firms make trade links with the fourth largest export market outside the EU takes place from 26th Nov, and Human Capital Department are invited.
According to the British Chamber of Commerce the regions market is worth $197.5 billion for the UK with the Arabic economy still growing at 3.4%, it is the eleventh biggest market in the world with an emerging SME market.
I gabbed the opportunity to join the trade mission having lived and worked in the region for ten years and so understand the cultural differences – first time visitors and tourists can be seduced into thinking its like home only with sunshire but it’s not. Similarly businesses can come unstuck – often consultants and trainers are parachuted in with little knowledege or understanding of the company and country culture.
The ILM Level 3 Award in First Line Management, ILM Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management is a qualification that has been specially designed to give practising or aspiring first line managers a solid foundation in their formal development as a manager.
The Certificate provides a more comprehensive programme that builds and broadens the skills and knowledge gained in the Award (please note candidates may join the Certificate directly and are not required to undertake the Award as a prerequisite). Here organisational change is explored, giving participants a deeper understanding of this critical workplace issue and providing them with the tools to plan for and deal with organisational upheaval. The crucial skill of time management is also explored in the fourth mandatory unit for the Certificate.
Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management
Minimum 20 credits
Minimum 120 hours
Completion within three years
Induction – two hours
Tutorial support – at least four hour
Four mandatory units with a combined credit value of 7
Optional units with a minimum total credit value of 13
Work-based assignment, plus
Change management report
Depending on the units selected, a choice of: work-based assignments, reflective reviews, knowledge reviews, oral presentations, role-play/scenarios, written reports or centre-devised alternatives.There are no formal entry requirements but participants will normally be practising or aspiring first line managers with the opportunity to meet the assessment demands and have a background that will enable them to benefit from the programme.
For pricing details or further information, advice or guidance please do not hesitate to contact us on contact us on 01603 610586.
also available:ILM Level 3Award in Leadership and Management
Breakwater have formed a partnership with the American company, Aruba. Aruba Networks specialise in wireless technology including wireless LAN switching, remote networking and network management.
Aruba networks are a leading provider of next generation solutions for network access to the mobile markets. Breakwater recognised that more and more businesses need wireless capabilities to perform regular tasks and quickly identified Aruba as an ideal enterprise to form alliances with. Aruba successfully worked on many major projects including Heathrow, Terminal 5, where their technologies are now in full force. The solutions Aruba can offer dramatically lowers operational costs but greatly improves productively for remote workers, guest access and all of today’s mobile business professionals.
Who uses Aruba?
• Five of the world’s top engineering schools • More than 500 major retail chains worldwide • Three of the world’s largest software companies • Every major social networking company • Over 30 of the world’s largest stadiums and sports arenas • The most widely deployed wireless LAN by the U.S. military
Aruba are based in California, USA, but have operations globally. Breakwater are proud to be the only partner locally and are delighted to be able to offer the solutions to their customers.
Seven business women have graduated from the highly successful Women’s Leadership Programme, run by Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) and People & Performance Ltd to help support professional women across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire to develop their leadership style and progress to more senior roles.
The Women’s Leadership Programme was first developed by professional recruitment specialists Pure, in conjunction with strategic HR consultancy People & Performance Ltd, in 2014 and over 30 organisations across the region have already participated.
The latest graduates to complete the programme are from both public and private sector organisations in the region including Suffolk-based Events under Canvas, Buckles Solicitors based in Peterborough and Victory Housing Trust based in Norfolk. The job roles of those graduating ranged from Learning and Development Managers through to Head of Finance. The seven exceptional graduates will now join a growing alumni network, developing across the East of England, of previous programme graduates and employer sponsors. This will provide a great forum for them to continue to build their leadership skills, boost their confidence and to develop a network of like-minded professionals.
A special graduation event took place at Paddocks House in Newmarket on Thursday [21 April] where the delegates and alumni network heard from guest speaker Steve Turpie, business transformation expert and founder of Bright Stars charity speak about the power of vulnerability in leadership.
Lynn Walters, Director at Pure, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our latest graduates and I hope that the programme has boosted confidence, developed their leadership skills and helped them on their own personal journey of becoming some of the best business leaders of the future. I would also like to praise the employers who have sponsored our latest graduates for taking such a proactive step to help to develop their female talent and on working with them to address any potential barriers or unconscious bias within their organisation’s progression pipeline. Diversity is widely understood to be fundamental to the sustained growth of any business and having an equal gender ratio within the talent pipeline will create more meaningful, purposeful businesses of the future.
The Women’s Leadership Programme consists of two modules which take place over a six-month period, encompassing a mixture of coaching, seminars and inspirational guest speakers.
Pure is offering the chance for one aspiring female leader, working at a deserving organisation in the East of England, to receive a part-funded place on the next intake of the Women’s Leadership Programme, with modules in running in June and September. The full cost of the programme is usually £2,750 but this will be reduced to £1,375 for the chosen delegate. Applications are open to charities, social enterprises or not-for-profit organisations across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex or Cambridgeshire. To apply for the place, or to nominate a member of your team, email lucy@prs.uk.com by 29 April with details of why you, or a colleague, should be awarded the sponsored place.
It has been announced that the Royal Norfolk Show Ball 2018 will raise funds for Norfolk’s cancer charity, Big C.
To inspire the ball’s ‘Roaring Twenties’ theme, Big C team members and volunteers visited Norwich’s Maddermarket, which was itself founded as a theatre in 1921, for a celebratory photoshoot.
The team rifled through the Maddermarket’s treasure-trove costume department and were kitted out in dazzling 1920s flapper dresses, beads and boas for the ladies and dashing period evening wear for the gentlemen.
Clive Evans, Director of Income Generation and Communications at Big C says “A big thank you to the Maddermarket for helping us to celebrate our announcement as next year’s Norfolk Show Ball charity. Thanks also to the City College Hair and Media Make-Up students who did a wonderful job in creating an authentic look and the UEA who provided volunteers for the shoot. We are really looking forward to being transported back in time to the atmospheric ‘Roaring Twenties’. It is a fascinating and glamorous era and it promises to be a fabulous event.”
Funds raised from the Royal Norfolk Show Ball will go towards a new Big C Community Centre in Norwich which is scheduled to open late 2018. The four existing Big C Centres in Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) provide emotional and practical support and information for anyone affected by cancer in the local community. Each year approximately 8,000 people are given a cancer diagnosis in Norfolk and Waveney. In 2016, the number of visits to Big C’s centres increased by 12%, compared to the previous year.
In 2015, over 1,000 people in Norwich were diagnosed with cancer. Currently the Norwich area is served by Big C’s acute centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, which last year provided support more than 15,000 times.
Mr Evans continues, “Cancer affects us all in different ways and supporting people affected by cancer is integral in optimizing their health and wellbeing. Big C has a long history of providing outstanding services to help people through their cancer journey. This new community Centre, in addition to our current centre at the hospital, will mean that more people will be able to access Big C support where and when they need us most.
“We are currently seeking corporate sponsors to support the Norfolk Show Ball and we would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in joining with us to help raise funds to help local people affected by cancer.”
The 2018 Royal Norfolk Show Ball will be held at the Norfolk Showground on Friday 22nd June.
Corporate sponsors interested in supporting Big C at the Norfolk Show Ball, please contact fundraising@big-c.co.uk / 01603 619900. Tickets are now on sale for the event, please visit norfolkshow.big-c.co.uk to find out more.
To learn more about the work Big C does to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney, please visit www.big-c.co.uk
Barford+Co, established in 1974, has a reputation for providing personal, high-quality agency, planning and professional services to a range of corporate and private clients, local authority and developers throughout Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and into Hertfordshire to the south, and Northamptonshire to the west.
Brown & Co, Property & Business Consultants, already employs 220 staff and will now be operating from 13 UK offices from the Humber to the Thames together with offices in Poland, Romania and the Caribbean.
Shelia Smyth, Director at Barford+Co will become a partner in the Brown & Co business. She commented “All the team here in St Neots are pleased to be joining Brown&Co. We have an enormous amount in common and I believe that all our clients can only benefit from such a friendly and professional merger”. Charles Whitaker, Managing Partner at Brown&Co added “This merger gives us a major presence throughout the Cambridge, Peterborough and Bedford triangle. Our intention in due course will be to amalgamate the St Neots and Huntingdon offices together, which fits with our strategy to develop larger centres of excellence, offering our full range of services to create and add value to our client base spanning agriculture, land, commercial and residential property”.
Former president of the Great Yarmouth Chamber and Director of the Norfolk Chamber, Gary Williams, has recently re-joined the Chamber of Commerce with his growing Great Yarmouth based, consultancy business, COS Solutions Ltd.
COS Solutions calls upon Gary’s 35 years in senior management roles in Oil, Gas, Renewable and Marine businesses, having successfully started and grown numerous award winning companies and steered them to success both domestically and internationally. Gary, along with some likeminded associates, is working with a number of companies around the UK and locally to help secure sustainable growth in new markets, sectors and regions.
One of the areas that SME’s and start-up’s struggle with is finding the time to pull themselves away from the day to day running of the business and create a strategy for business development, and then of course, to implement this. COS Solutions can help with this many ways, from independent advice, strategy revue and down to earth, sleeves rolled up involvement in helping businesses achieve their potential. With 35 years of networking under our belt we can open those doors.
We also provide support in other areas through the associates we work with and whether this is IT, raising finance, bid writing, HR support, client meetings, to mention but a few, we can provide the right person to help and within, we believe, a very affordable budget.
Having held a number of non-executive directorships within trade and membership associations in the past, Gary is keen to become re-involved in this area and is currently seeking roles that his experience in building and running businesses and practical problem solving will add value to other organisations.
Gary stated “I suppose at heart I am an entrepreneur, I love meeting and working with people and the challenge and enjoyment I get out of securing increased but sustainable growth for any business, is one of the reasons I get out bed in the morning”.
COS Solutions is looking forward to bringing the knowledge and experience it has to other businesses in the region, not just in the energy sector as all of this is, of course very transferable to all sectors.
Exciting opportunities – 2 x Project Manager posts
Passionate about property and devoted to development, you’ll discover all kinds of inspiration here on the beautiful East Norfolk coast. Our area is rich with heritage and famous for its unspoilt beaches, charming villages and breathtaking countryside. You will be at the heart of ambitious plans to shape a future every bit as exciting as Great Yarmouth’s storied past.
Great Yarmouth is firmly in the centre of the European shipping and offshore energy industries. The town boasts world-class knowledge in the offshore industry, with deep water outer harbour. Great Yarmouth boasts a growing retail experience and leisure market which the Borough Council is at the heart of supporting.
Our current projects:
Exciting project opportunities within the Project Management Office include:
· Town Centre redevelopment in line with the Masterplan.
· Seafront redevelopment, incorporating the potential delivery of a new leisure centre for the Borough.
· Preservation of the Venetian Waterways and Boating Lake, having secured more than £1.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.
· Preservation and renewal of the historic and nationally significant Winter Gardens.
Role:
As a member of our newly developed and expanding Project Management Office, you will enjoy a real influence on the continued growth and prosperity of the borough. Roles will be instrumental in the economic growth of the Borough with varied remits.
Project Manager:
Degree standard & PRINCE2 essential
2 Posts – Permanent and 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
Full Time or Part Time – all applications considered
Band 7: £28,485 to £31,601
The Project Manager role will have responsibility for a varied portfolio of projects, particularly in relation to the delivery of the Town Centre Masterplan, with the opportunity to expand and develop within the team. Your knowledge and experience is key and should include: PRINCE2 project management, an ability to process complex information, deliver against competing deadlines, communicate amongst many internal and external stakeholders, as well as influencing, persuasion and negotiation skills.
For this role, it is the pride you take in achieving ambitious goals that will set you apart.
The role will be in line with priorities identified in the Council Corporate Plan and the economic growth of the Borough, and regeneration projects.
For an informal chat, please contact Michelle Burdett on 01493 846812 or Kate Watts 01493 846547.
Closing date: 8th December 2017
Presentation to Panel will be held on 4th January 2018 and, if successful, you will be invited to attend an interview on 5th January 2018.
We offer a friendly working environment with attractive terms and conditions including generous holiday entitlement, flexible working and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The Council operates an equal opportunities policy and we welcome applications from all parts of the community and all personal circumstances. We are open to any potential applicant, whether the post holder is seeking temporary employment for a specific period of time, or has specific circumstances that means full time work is impractical (those returning to work after a period of time off / requiring school hours / compressed week).
Norfolk County Council is excited to host a free Work and Health Event at The King’s Centre in Norwich on 2 February 2018 from 9.15am to 4pm (lunch included).
This free event is for businesses that would like to improve the health of their workforce. Stress, depression and anxiety, as well as some physical conditions such as back, shoulder and knee pain are amongst the biggest causes of absence from work.
Improving the health of your workplace will not only reduce the number of working days lost, it will also create a happier workforce with higher morale and better mental health. This can lead to increased productivity and better staff retention rates.
Featuring prominent speakers, including the Chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, as well as workshops, you will have the chance to:
Learn how to deal with workplace health issues
Explore different forms of workplace health provision
Understand how to increase your disability confidence
Find out the tools available to help assess your company’s health needs
Learn how to address skill shortages in your workplace
Find out about untapped labour markets to help survive labour shortages
Network with other businesses
Our new workplace health provider, Thriving Workplaces, will also talk about their innovative free service that aims to support businesses to improve their workplace health.
Their range of services includes: Strategic workplace health analysis, digital diagnostic tools, workplace health champion training and support, policy development, mental health first aid training. They can also facilitate access to NHS Health Checks for employees.
To secure a place at this free event, please book here by Friday 19 January 2018 where you will find more details including an outline agenda for the day.
If you have any questions about the event please email michele.taylor@norfolk.gov.uk
This event is brought to you by Norfolk County Council’s Public Health department in collaboration with the Employment and Skills team.