MHA Larking Gowen is pleased to welcome new trainees to the firm.
The students, who will be based across Norfolk and Suffolk, will each be completing either their AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) or ACA (Association of Qualified Accountants) apprenticeship with the firm. Once qualified, they will have the opportunity to take up exciting challenges as they grow their career within the business. Many of our people at the firm started out as trainees and are still with us years later.
Jon Woolston, Managing Partner, said: “We are pleased to welcome our new trainees, who bring with them a host of talent to support the firm across the eastern region. Our flexible training programme will allow them to achieve their chosen qualification and gain work experience to give them a strong background in essential areas of accountancy.”
As a member of MHA, a national association of independent accountants, MHA Larking Gowen is networked throughout the UK and internationally through the MHA membership of Baker Tilly International. Through these connections we can provide our people with potential opportunities for secondments and continued growth in their career.
Jon Woolston, Managing Partner MHA Larking Gowen (centre) pictured with the student intake for 2019.
Residents of Quayside Court in Lakenheath, Suffolk, are enjoying warm homes with significantly lower heating bills, thanks to a new communal ground source heat pump. In partnership with East Anglia’s largest heating company, Gasway Services, part of Flagship Group, Norfolk-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm has completed yet another district heating system.
Owned and managed by housing association Flagship, the 21 bungalows in Quayside Court were built during 1970s. Heating was provided by individual electric storage heaters and a shared oil boiler, which were inefficient and expensive to run. Having completed an award-winning district heating scheme for Flagship in 2017 for 30 flats in Watton, Finn Geotherm were appointed to design and install a similar solution.
The new district heating scheme uses one central ground source heat pump to provide heating and hot water for all homes on the estate. Heat is collected from under the ground via 14 boreholes installed beneath the parking area and two ground source heat pumps generate all the heating and hot water for each home. Every bungalow is individually metered and customers are only charged for the energy they use. The heat pump equipment is housed in a standalone plant room meaning that maintenance and servicing can be undertaken without having to disrupt residents in their homes.
By installing this renewable energy heating system, residents at Quayside Court are enjoying cheaper energy bills – costing around 56% less than before. Energy use has also been cut by 70%, making a significant impact on carbon emissions and providing a more affordable and efficient living environment for Flagship customers.
In addition, the installation qualifies for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a Government scheme which assists with the project’s capital cost by providing quarterly payments for 20 years, allowing Flagship to roll out the much-improved heating systems for more customers in the future.
Charlie Conley, Head of Asset Investment at Flagship, said: “Working with heating experts such as Finn Geotherm and Gasway allows us to explore further opportunities to reduce the cost of living for our customers, and the savings should make a real difference for them. Quayside Court is our second district heating installation and we hope to see many more in the future. It is also interesting that this technology, which was actually developed in 1945, can help towards tackling fuel poverty.”
Guy Ransom, Commercial Director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are delighted to complete this second district heating installation for Flagship, which has had such a positive impact on the residents at Quayside Court. Not only does this system eradicate fuel poverty and create homes that they can enjoy living in, but the system will also significantly reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions. It is a pleasure to be working with an organisation which not only puts its customers at the heart of its operations, but also its environmental responsibilities.”
Key benefits of the project include:
Heating bills cut by 56%
Energy use reduced by 70%
Encourages customers to heat their homes, positively impacting on their health and wellbeing
System lasts three times longer than a conventional boiler
For more information on ground and air source heat pumps and details on Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.
The Maids Head Hotel, in Tombland Norwich, has acquired a rare 1950 Bentley Mark 6, left hand drive convertible, with a Park Ward body. Only four of this particular model were made and only two survive.
The Mark 6 was Bentley’s first post war luxury car and was manufactured between 1947 and 1952.
This is the hotel’s second classic car; earlier this year a 1963 Bentley S3 was purchased and has proved very popular, taking hotel guests on chauffeur driven explorations of the city. The bride and groom at weddings hosted by the hotel are also able to take a spin in the Bentley, with resident chauffeur Dave Currums, and have photographs taken at Pull’s Ferry, at St James Hill, overlooking the Anglican Cathedral and the city centre and in the Market, buying and ice cream.
Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel said: “We are very excited with the addition of this very rare Bentley to the Maids Head’s family. The new Bentley will also be providing classic car experiences for our guests and will, I am sure, be a very popular photography ‘prop’ for our weddings.”
The team at Ellgia are building on their success with key appointments across the business. They have recently recruited Adrian Smith for Head of Operations at Scunthorpe, Mark Goodchild as General Manager for Southern Operations, David Chamberlain as Head of Marketing & New Business Development, Tony Steventon and Christine Heaver.
Adrian joins with a wealth of experience in Senior Management, Operational Delivery, Waste Processing and Fuel Production. He has spent a number of years within Suez in the role of Production Manager delivering 120k tpa of SRF per annum and has spent time running the PFI contract for Biffa in Leicester incorporating both the collection and waste processing businesses. Of late Adrian was the Operations Director for the significant processing and production of SRF at Mid UK.
Jack Lavington Operations Director For Ellgia said:
‘It’s great that Adrian has decided to join The Ellgia team in Scunthorpe, the Team have done an amazing job in helping transition the business from the transfer station to waste processors to product manufacturers. It is all credit to their commitment, dedication and work ethic that we’ve been able to transition so quickly. It is now absolutely the right time to compliment those efforts with the additional skill and expertise that Adrian will undoubtedly bring allowing us to continually develop not only our operational capabilities but also our efficiency and ability to deliver the next stage of our sites evolution’.
‘Ellgia has very quickly become one of the most recognised forces within the recycling community, particularly in the regions of the east of England, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. I’m extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to join the business in a time of significant growth and transformational change. I’m looking forward to working with the already fantastic Team of people at our main processing site in Scunthorpe and with my expertise help to build on the great work that has already been undertaken’.
Adrian Smith Head of Operations
David joins Ellgia having worked on a consultative basis for the past 12 months. Through his hard work, passion for the Business and perseverance he has made a significant contribution not only on the Businesses brand recognition & marketing position but also on the development of new working relationships between key regional partners along with forging strong partnerships with new customers across the entire Ellgia Business. David has a wealth of experience in marketing/design & digital/social media platforms having operated his own Business Origin8 Limited for the past 23 years.
“Having had the opportunity to work on a consultancy basis for Ellgia over the past 12 months, in developing its brand recognition and building NEW and exciting Business Partnerships I’m now extremely excited to now be joining the business in a full-time capacity.
What the last 12 months have demonstrated to myself is that Ellgia as a business will not accept second best, the attitude and aptitude to grow the business from top to bottom is of a Business much bigger than it currently is. The challenge for me is to make sure that we reach the heights we aspire to and I’m very much looking forward to meeting that challenge head on.’
David Chamberlain Head of Marketing & New Business Development
“We are delighted that David has decided to join Ellgia on a permanent basis and look forward to him continuing the fantastic work that he and the rest of the Team have already delivered. We’ve a huge appetite to grow the business and its capabilities and David’s role is an integral part of those ambitions and to build on the incredible growth we have already enjoyed over the past 7 years.”
The way to donate transparently this Christmas! Your Own Network.
There is so much great stuff going on, that those of us that want to reach into our pockets to make a donation are often overwhelmed. And local businesses are no different
Your Own Network offers the solution!
Your Own Network offers the unique opportunity to give direct to a vulnerable young person setting up home for the first time.
And we’re launching our campaign in partnership with Norfolk Chamber of Commerce – they too see the benefit of #transparentgiving. They will be supporting Your Own Place to reach local businesses.
Who wouldn’t want their hard earned cash to go direct to the person benefitting rather than disappear into the company accounts? And it’s no different for local businesses who also want to make a difference at this time of year and may be feeling the squeeze.
How it works:
Young people starting out on life and moving into their own place without family to help them out need furniture and household items. We all know that a house is not a house when it’s empty. Research tells us that if our homes are not furnished and looked after, we are less likely to hold onto them and could end up homeless.
We’ve teamed up with Argos so that young people create a wishlist of furniture and smaller household items. Donors – individuals or businesses can find out a bit about the young person on the website and buy them something from their wishlist. This helps to prevent youth homelessness!
This is giving with a difference #transparentgiving #yourownnetwork
What Aaliyah says about the things she has received: “Well I really appreciate the items that I received as had some money problems. I feel so grateful that random strangers want to help out. It’s given me hope”.
A bit more about Your Own Place Your Own Place CIC is based in Norwich and Ipswich and operates across Norfolk and Suffolk. We’re a social enterprise that works with over 150 young people a year to prevent them from becoming the future homeless population. We do this as a sustainable business working with all members of the community to secure a diverse income.
Your Own Place is a member of the Future 50 group.
We were also shortlisted for the FSB Small Business Award in 2018, the Homeless Link Social Enterprise Award in 2018, the EDP Skills of Tomorrow Award in 2017 and the PwC Social Impact award in 2016.
We were founded in 2013 by Rebecca White. Rebecca has recently featured in the Natwest Wise100 women social entrepreneurs in the country.
If I could give my 20 year old self one piece of advice it would be:”GET A QUALIFICATION!”
But wait a minute, I think my parents did tell me that and I think I completely ignored that advice! Many years later, we at TIPS for Good Management (a CMI Approved Centre) are passionate about convincing new managers and young people coming into industry that gaining a management qualification will put them towards the front of a lengthy queue…..
Here’s why, straight from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the leading organisation for Leadership and Management Qualifications in the UK.
CMI qualified managers and leaders make a positiveimpact on businesses helping them to grow and thrive. Research shows that management and leadershipdevelopment leads to 23% increases in organisationalperformance and a 32% increase in employeeengagement.Chartered Managers on average deliver£391k of value to their organisations.CMI membership and resources makes you a bettermanager and leader, improving your career prospectsand getting you to the top of your profession.
Professional Qualifications and Chartered status are crucial if individual managers and organisations are tosucceed.Holding a professional Qualification leads to additionalearnings of £81,000 over a career for individuals.A professional Qualification makes individuals 9% moreemployable.
It’s easy to see the positive benefits of a management qualification, but without it you may well be starting at the back of a very long queue when it comes to career opportunities. We offer personal coaching together with affordable and accessible learning. Queue jumping was never made easier!
Start your qualification today. Don’t hesitate, call now, enquire via our website or e-mail us.
A King’s Lynn manufacturer of male grooming products has doubled exports to Australia after attending a trade show in Melbourne, with support from the Department for International Trade (DIT).
Captain Fawcett, launched in 2010, makes men’s hair and beard grooming products and fragrances which it sells directly to consumers and trade clients. More than 80% of the company’s sales are overseas, with its products available across 35 markets, such as Italy, Holland and Canada.
The business has boosted its sales to Australia – which has a cosmetics market worth $4.2billion, up 2.3% year on year according to market research company, IBISWorld – after taking part in the largest hairdressing event in the Southern Hemisphere, Hair Expo. It attended the trade show in September 2018 with funding secured through the Department for International Trade (DIT).
At the event, the team from Captain Fawcett was able to network with potential distribution partners and showcase its portfolio of grooming products.
After attending the event, the company’s annual sales to Australia increased from £50,000 to £100,000 thanks to deals secured with distributors. Sales are projected to increase by 50-100% over the coming year.
International Trade Advisers (ITAs) at DIT also helped the business understand regulations governing the sale of cosmetics in Australia and helped to draw up distribution agreements with its new partners.
Following Captain Fawcett’s success in Australia, the business has now set its sights on India, as male grooming grows in popularity across the country.
Richie Finney, founder of Captain Fawcett, said: “There’s no better way to establish trading connections than by meeting potential distributors face-to-face.
“Much of our international trading has been forged through establishing one on one relationships with our overseas partners. This way, you’re able to quickly identify if a potential partner is the right fit for the business or not.
“One of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to this approach to doing business abroad is arranging the logistics of travelling and ensuring we meet with the right kind of people when we are there. With DIT support, we’ve been able to visit markets such as Australia to raise the profile of our brand, build relationships and increase our market share. If we can do all of this and succeed, so can others.”
Thinley Topden, Head of Region for DIT East of England, said: “Accessing distribution networks in overseas markets can be a significant challenge for local businesses looking to export. Captain Fawcett’s ambition and admirable entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with DIT helping to secure funding for it to attend the Hair Expo, has meant they’ve been able to face those challenges head on.
“DIT offers a range of support to help businesses wherever they may be on their exporting journey. From advice and training, introductions to valuable international contracts or to help with travel funding.
“We have a network of International Trade Advisers based on the ground in the East of England, and we encourage local firms to get in touch.”
Companies looking for support should call 01707 398 398 or email eastinfo@mobile.trade.gov.uk. They can also visit great.gov.uk, which has information on live export opportunities and includes general information on exporting and events.
OK so we’re a bit early – consider this a timely reminder to start booking your Christmas digital advertising now! It may be four months away, but the busy Christmas period is probably something you’re starting to think about. The same is true of all the major brands across the UK, so now is the time to secure your digital signage advertising slotsbefore they sell out.
Timing is everything when trying to book on our digital screens, it’seven more important at peak times like Christmas. Companies like yourselves, especially in the retail sector, launch their big Christmas campaigns from the second week of November onwards. They’ll be starting to buy up large numbers of our space soon; some have started already!
The great news is that it isn’t more expensive to book during the busy Christmas period, but there are fewer advertising slots available due to high demand.It’s not too late to promote your business on our digital screens in prime locations across Norfolk, but you’ll need to get cracking!
A team of TaxAssist Accountants from the South of England will be using pedal power for Tour de TaxAssist – a three-day cycling challenge across East Anglia – to help increase awareness of Type 1 diabetes and to raise funding for the charity JDRF UK
Charlie Walker from Bedford, Nadeem Iqbal from Walthamstow, Robin Johnson from Norwich North, Martin Thomas from London Victoria, Jeremy Gilks from Norwich South, Eliott Betts from Bury St Edmunds and Tony Hall from Beverley, will saddle up in their London & Zurich and TaxCalc sponsored jerseys on 12th September for the 233 mile ride, which starts at Charlie’s TaxAssist Accountants Bedford shop and ends there three days later.
The magnificent seven will be covering the 87 miles from Bedford to Swaffham via King’s Lynn on the Thursday, followed by the 81 miles to Bury St Edmunds via Norwich on 13th September, while the final day will see them cover the 65-mile home run back to Bedford. Over the three days Team de TaxAssist will also be using TaxAssist’s growing network of shops as pitstops by visiting those in Bedford, Norwich, Cambridge, King’s Lynn and Bury St Edmunds.
Charlie, who came up with the idea of the Tour de TaxAssist, said: “As a keen cyclist and having Type 1 diabetes for 40 years, I recognised the great business networking opportunity provided by cycling. Tour de TaxAssist, therefore, provides the perfect chance for me to combine my passion for cycling and raising money for JDRF.”
The charity is very close to the hearts of TaxAssist Bedford, and the funds raised from Tour de TaxAssist will go towards helping find a cure so that children don’t face a lifetime of painful insulin injections five times a day and more.
Norfolk Community Foundation, together with the Eastern Daily Press, is excited to be bringing together local Thetford leaders to launch a new community funding initiative, Thetford shines brighter. The breakfast launch will take place on Thursday 17th October from 8.00-9.30am at Thetford Garden Centre, Kilverstone. There, Norfolk Community Foundation will be sharing their research into the key issues facing Thetford communities and discussing where there are gaps in local support. Those consulted include representatives from local charities and community groups, local councils, housing associations, police, health services, and local residents via a street questionnaire. Bringing together a wide range of voices ensures a strong community response so that support will be targeted where the need is greatest in Thetford. Significant funds have been secured from local people and the Foundation is inviting local leaders to prioritise issues and raise further funding at the launch. Initiatives to improve local lives can then be planned and initiated, with their impact closely monitored to ensure they are making a real difference. Claire Cullens, CEO of Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “We’re excited to be working with the Eastern Daily Press and the Thetford community to identify and tackle the key issues facing the local area, helping to transform local lives. Working together, we can make a real difference and help Thetford shine brighter.” The launch is a key opportunity for businesses and leaders to demonstrate that they care and want to take action in Thetford. Those who would like to attend are invited to contact Tessa Clarke at Norfolk Community Foundation via tessaclarke@norfolkfoundation.com or telephone 01603 623958.
County Broadband is looking to work with new housing developers to ensure their homes can access Hyperfast, future ready broadband.
We have secured a £46million investment from Aviva Investors, which we are using to deliver this network to homes across Norfolk.
Hyperfast broadband is delivered by Fibre to the Property (FTTP) and delivers connectivity that is only available to 8% of the UK – homes with this type of broadband access are highly desirable to new home buyers.
As technology evolves, homes will require future ready internet connections to keep up with the demands of streaming, gaming, multiple device sharing, download and uploading – only Hyperfast FTTP broadband will ensure that your newly built homes can keep up with these demands.
County Broadband is looking to build this type of next generation broadband network in your new housing development to enhance the selling potential of your homes.
Please contact Graham Day on 07850 971222 or email graham.day@countybroadband.co.uk and join us on our journey to make Norfolk Hyperfast.
This November, Design and Marketing Executive Charlotte Baxter, celebrates a year working for successful Norwich-based marketing agency Full Mix Marketing.
We sat down with the digital and graphic design specialist to hear about her experiences working in a growing agency.
Congratulations Charlotte on your anniversary! Tell us about yourself and how you began with Full Mix Marketing?
As a child, I was always the creative type, drawing and designing things whenever I could. Originally from the Wirral, I studied design at the University of Derby before moving to Norfolk with my partner. I’ve worked exclusively as a graphic and digital designer, first in a busy digital creative agency, then a national photography brand, before joining Full Mix Marketing.
Despite being a young company, Full Mix already had an impressive client list and a growing reputation. Our Managing Director Sarah West is really passionate about marketing, delivering results and doing things right. I saw an opportunity to work for varied clients, use all my skills and develop new ones. It’s been great to be an important part of something going places!
What does your role entail?
We have a number of clients for which we provide ongoing marketing and others for whom we deliver individual elements or projects. Naturally, my role is creative, I build websites, design print materials, create ad campaigns and provide artwork for social media etc. As so much modern marketing is digital, I’m also an experienced coder, constructing websites so they not only look great but function well too. However, everything we do is a team effort, playing to the strengths amongst my colleagues.
What’s been your most enjoyable project this year?
We recently rebranded a luxury travel group, which I thoroughly enjoyed. We really got to know them and their customers so we could create a strong design brief from which I worked. I got to be very creative with my concepts and the feedback from the client was excellent.
As a Graphic Designer, branding is one of my passions. Whatever the business, it can be incredibly powerful. It was my main focus at University and my first job in Norwich was working on small branding projects.
What has been the biggest challenge this year?
Probably the most challenging and rewarding aspect has been developing new digital skills. It’s such a vital part of marketing and design now to understand how things work online. For example, search engine optimisation has to be considered right from the start with website design.
Fortunately, Sarah is very big on learning, keeping up to date and developing new skills, so we always find time to do so. As our own marketing says, we really want our client’s businesses to shine online!
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
Full Mix and the team are growing. I’ve some really talented colleagues. We’ve exciting new clients and many more we’ve delivered great results for. It’s nice to be part of something which is not only developing but I feel we can all influence where it’s heading.
Personally, I just want to continue honing my skills and learning new ones. Over this past year I’ve really grown as a designer. At the centre of everything we do is effectiveness and I’ve learned how to think like a marketer whilst creating like a designer. Other than that, I’m looking forward to planning my wedding and finally finishing our garden landscaping!