Member News

Prof Jonathan Jones, of The Sainsbury Laboratory at Norwich Research Park, has been selected as a 2025 Wolf Prize Laureate in Agriculture along with Professors Jeffery L. Dangl and Brian J. Staskawicz “for groundbreaking discoveries of the immune system and disease resistance in plants.”

The Wolf Prize is awarded annually to exceptional individuals across scientific and artistic disciplines. In science, the prize is awarded in Medicine, Agriculture, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. Now in its 46th year, the Wolf Prize has recognized 382 scientists and artists worldwide for their transformative contributions.

Prof Nick Talbot, Executive Director at The Sainsbury Laboratory said, “Crop diseases claim up to 30% of the global harvest each year and controlling them sustainably is critical for food security. The Wolf Prize in Agriculture 2025 recognises the contributions of three exceptional scientists whose work has been critical to our understanding of plant immunity. We now have the knowledge to develop durably disease resistant crops, which will be of huge benefit to humankind.

“I am very proud that the work at The Sainsbury Laboratory by Professor Jonathan Jones has been recognised in this way. Our institution has now won the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for agriculture twice in its 35 year lifetime, which is an extraordinary achievement. I am also pleased that Professor Brian Staskawicz and Professor Jeff Dangl, who have served on our advisory board, have also been recognised for their outstanding contributions.”

This marks the ninth Wolf Prize in Agriculture awarded to a scientist in the UK of which the last three were consecutively awarded to scientists based on their work at Norwich Research Park.

Prof Jones said, “It’s wonderful to see this recognition of the importance of understanding the basic mechanisms that underpin plant disease resistance; without that knowledge, we will not be able to establish durable disease resistance in our crops.

“I’ve been very lucky to have received sustained funding from David Sainsbury’s Gatsby Foundation over more than three decades, and from BBSRC and the EU, and to have had the privilege of working with an outstanding diversity of international talent whose brilliance, dedication and hard work underpinned the discoveries that this Wolf prize recognizes.

“The Sainsbury Laboratory on Norwich Research Park has been a fantastic location for a research career. Many thanks to my wonderful colleagues, our greater research community and our many outstanding advisory board members (two of whom are my cohonorees) that have enabled The Sainsbury Laboratory to become an incredible engine of discovery.”

To mark International Women’s Day, the Women in IASP (International Associations of Science Parks) held a global meeting to discuss some of the important issues facing women in science. Women in IASP is a group that was set up to share knowledge and increase the visibility of women in innovation communities worldwide.

Moderated by Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership at Norwich Research Park in the UK, the audience heard from Dr. Bindu Nishal from Agri Innovations and One Health at IKP Knowledge Park, India and Prof Keo Shirley Motaung, CEO of Global Health Biotech in South Africa.

One of the key points for discussion was the global issue of how to close the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Dr Nishal shared her experiences running the SheLeads in Science programme, which aims to foster gender diversity, support professional growth and promote innovation at IKP.

She spoke about the ‘inexplicable gap’ that currently exists with women being significantly underrepresented in STEM. In 2023, around 29% of the worldwide workforce in STEM fields were women compared to around 49% of the total employment in non-STEM fields.

Despite graduating at higher rates than men, women are less likely to study in STEM fields, are less likely to take a career in STEM and those that do tend to leave their careers earlier than men. She also explained that women in STEM are published less and are typically underpaid.

Prof Motaung highlighted the need to encourage grassroots efforts and mentorship to promote innovation and improve women’s participation in STEM. From her work, she believes that gender diversity fuels innovation and research advancements and that inclusivity is key.

To address this, she suggested joining mentorship, coaching or advocacy programmes, supporting policies promoting women in STEM and spreading the word to encourage more interest in STEM as a career choice amongst young women.

Commenting on the event, Roz said, “What a great session we had today ahead of International Women’s Day. It was fantastic to host two international speakers and hear their inspirational stories which will encourage us all! I truly hope that 2025 will be a year where we see more women in technology and innovation spaces and where we make significant progress in closing the gender gap.”

Bioscopic, a company that has emerged from research conducted at the Quadram Institute at Norwich Research Park, has been named as one of the #21towatch awards in Cambridge. The awards recognise the people, companies and ‘things’ they create, across Cambridge and the East of England, that are setting the standards in innovation and entrepreneurship across the world.

The annual #21toWatch awards are one of the most recognised entrepreneurship awards in Cambridge and the East of England, featuring in many publications including Forbes and many investor and startup magazines.

Bioscopic is harnessing the research carried out on the gut microbiome by a team of scientists at the Quadram Institute. They discovered that infant gut bacteria could hold the key to protecting humans from serious diseases and conditions in adulthood and that there could be a way to reintroduce those bacteria into humans by replicating their compounds.

This breakthrough discovery could have significant implications for improving the health of people, specifically against diseases like cancer. The good bacteria found in an infant’s gut feeds off the breast milk it receives from its mother in the early months of its life. This friendly bacteria protects infants in their early stages of life and are associated with increased immunity to a number of conditions including things like asthma, cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organisation at Norwich Research Park, said, “It’s fantastic news that Bioscopic has been selected as one of the #21towatch for 2025. We have worked closely with Chris and his team to help them develop their business, so it is very rewarding for them to get this recognition that should help accelerate their path to market.

“The East of England is becoming renowned globally for innovative thinking and ground-breaking research. Initiatives like #21towatch really do help to raise the profile of the discovery work that is being conducted across our region. Bioscopic will act as a role model for the many other emerging companies we have at Norwich Research Park who are looking to have a positive impact on the world we live in whilst also creating new jobs and contributing to the regional economy.”

#21toWatch is run by cofinitive, who collate lists of the people, the companies and the ‘things’ throughout the year and assesses each submission based on innovation, challenge, influence, viability and memorability. 

Norwich Castle Museum  for the Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards – OOOE Sponsor of best B & B and Guest House – 

B&B and Guest House of the Year Winner: Belle Vue Guest House & Cottage

Sponsor: Out of Office Events

JUDGES SAID: The care and attention to detail throughout the property are evident in every corner, making it impossible to find anything to criticise.

Hosted by Visit East of England . Amazing insparational people at this event that work in the hardest industry in both counties. Hospitality. Id like to thank them all.
Out of Office Events – Event Management & Live Entertainment Provider – we were thrilled to partner with the castle and visit east of england in creating the lighting , sound and stage that transformed the rotunda into a fantastic award space.

This Easter, families are invited to join the Chantry Code Breakers at Chantry Place Norwich –with The Great Eggscape from Easter Island – a free, fun-filled, interactive experience that promises thrills, creativity, and plenty of surprises. 

Taking place on April 8th-9th and 15th-16th, The Great Eggscape challenges children to join the Chantry Code Breakers on a mission to save Easter. The naughty Easter chicks have stolen the Easter Bunny’s precious eggs and hidden them on the mysterious Easter Island. It’s up to the little adventurers to crack the code, get crafty, and help the Easter Bunny reclaim what’s rightfully his! 

This free event will feature interactive crafting experiences where children can take part in solving secret codes and create their own air-dry clay characters inspired by the adventure. With sessions running every hour from 10am to 4pm, each child will be guided through a creative journey to help rescue the stolen eggs. Expect plenty of fun surprises along the way! 

Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “We will be working with the Chantry Code Breakers to inspire little ones to get creative and help the Easter Bunny find his eggs, encouraging them to solve challenges and unleash their imagination. Whether crafting their own unique characters or engaging in hands-on activities, we can’t wait to see what they come up with. This interactive experience is the perfect way for children to have fun, learn, and enjoy a creative adventure at Chantry Place.” 

Limited to 24 children per session, The Great Eggscape offers all participants a hands-on and personal experience. Don’t miss the chance to let your little ones explore, create, and enjoy this exciting Easter rescue mission. Plus, every child will take home a special memento to remember their adventure and continue the fun at home. 

For more information on The Great Eggscape and other events at Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/events 

Chantry Place is home to stores including Apple, Flannels, Frasers, H&M, Mango Urban Outfitters and Zara. 

For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/news  

Banham Zoo is celebrating a historic milestone as four maned wolf pups were born in January 2025 – the first maned wolf birth at the zoo in 20 years.

This exciting event makes Banham Zoo one of only a handful of UK zoos to have successfully bred this Near Threatened species as part of a vital conservation programme.

The pups were born to first-time parents Enya and Thiago, and all four are thriving under their mother’s care. Now one month old, they are beginning to explore their surroundings while being closely monitored by our expert zookeepers to ensure their healthy development.

A Crucial Conservation Achievement

Maned wolves are classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, road collisions and human/wildlife conflict across South America. This successful birth represents a significant step forward in the conservation of the species, strengthening the European Breeding Programme (EEP) in which Banham Zoo proudly participates.Only three UK zoos have successfully bred maned wolves in the past year.

This birth highlights Banham Zoo’s ongoing commitment to conservation, animal welfare, and species survival.

Maned wolf pups typically remain with their mother for up to a year, learning crucial survival skills before gaining independence – making this an important period for their development.

We are also proud to acknowledge the support of Towergate Insurance, whose generous sponsorship of the maned wolves will allow us to make critical improvements to the habitat, enhancing the care and well-being of these magnificent animals. It also supports our continued involvement in vital breeding programmes, ensuring the long-term survival of this rare species.

“We’re delighted to sponsor the habitat of the maned wolf pups and congratulate Banham Zoo on their breeding success of this near threatened species. It’s fantastic to see such an achievement happen in East Anglia, a region that we’re deeply proud to operate in. As a regional insurance broker, we take great pride in the achievements of the local communities and look forward to watching the pups grow in their wonderful habitat that we’re thrilled to support.”

Kirsty Wainwright-Noble, Towergate Insurance.

“The birth of four maned wolf pups is an incredible milestone for both Banham Zoo and the conservation of this unique species. It is the first maned wolf birth here in 20 years, making it a significant achievement – not just for our team but for the wider efforts to safeguard the species. Formally listed as near threatened in 2015, in recent years, the populations have decreased rapidly, and it’s believed they are at threat of extinction.

With only three UK zoos having successfully bred maned wolves in the last year, moments like this truly highlight the vital role zoos play in protecting and preserving endangered wildlife for future generations. The pups are already out and visible, and wecan’t wait for our guests to share in the joy of seeing them. We hope that births like this will inspire the next generation of zookeepers and conservationists.”

Deborah Harris, Animal Manger at Banham Zoo

Watch the Pups & Support Conservation

Banham Zoo is releasing exclusive footage to mark this incredible occasion, offering the public a first glimpse at these rare and special pups.

Watch the pups start to life here: BZ – Maned Wolf Pups Video.mp4

Kids Go Free Promotion This Easter

Come and see the maned wolf pups this Easter with our incredible Kids go free offer!

Simply book online ahead of March 30th using the code KIDSGOFREE at checkout, just in time for Easter.

Find out more about the Kids Go Free promotion here: zsea.org/banham/easter-holidays-kids-go-free

We invite visitors to come and witness this landmark conservation success and learn more about how Banham Zoo is working to protect endangered species like the maned wolf.

https://www.zsea.org/banham

This is the second year of the Norfolk Rural Business Awards after a very successful launch year. 

This year’s awards are now open for applications until 21^st April.

The categories are:

• Best Rural Community Initiative
• Best Farming Innovation Adopter
• Best Food and Drink Producer
• Norfolk’s ‘unsung hero’
• Best Farming Champion
• Best Emerging Talent
• Best Rural Tourism Attraction
• Best Sustainable Land Use
• Best Rural Business

Full details with the application form, links to short videos featuring last year’s winners and category criteria are available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/business/norfolk-rural-business-awards

All winners will be announced at the Royal Norfolk Show on the 26^th June.

Vdepot is an established fulfilment partner to a variety of exciting ecommerce companies, ranging from start-ups to international brands in the food, fashion, alcohol, homeware, beauty and leisure sectors. Vdepot offers bespoke services and software for inventory management and order fulfilment, which frees up our clients’ time and headspace to focus on growing their businesses. 

We’re looking for a driven and self-sufficient marketing manager to join our team. Hybrid and part-time working options would be negotiable for the right candidate.

Competitive salary disclosed on application.

Key responsibilities

• Website: keeping our website content up to date so that it continues to be relevant, interesting and useful to prospective clients. Maintaining our high Google rankings for industry search terms. Managing the relationship with our web agency to ensure continued high performance. Writing and sourcing content for our Resources section.

• Online presence: maintenance and continued optimisation of our Google & Bing Business Profiles, LinkedIn profile and online advertising campaigns.

• Sales process optimisation: supporting our head of sales with the development of bespoke proposals for clients. Keeping proposal templates up to date and working closely with the team to continually refine our lead nurturing approach. Gathering feedback and testimonials from our client base to support our marketing and sales efforts. May occasionally be required to support with answering sales enquiries in busy periods.

• Industry engagement: staying informed on news, events, regulations and competitors in the logistics and fulfilment sector. Researching and booking relevant trade shows for Vdepot to attend/exhibit at.

• Marketing & industry materials: updating or preparing new digital and print materials that our sales and client support teams can share. For industry materials, this often includes reading and distilling government-issued documents on changing legislation for that sector and how our clients might need to adapt their processes. Overseeing the production of event materials and creating presentations for our business development team.

• New services: working with our service development team to launch new online products we have planned over the next 12 months, by creating marketing content and materials.

• Client communications: working with our client support and operations teams to ensure we’re sharing important service updates to our client email list in a timely manner. 

Essential qualities

• At least 4 years’ experience in marketing roles
  

• Proactive and self-sufficient: while other departments will request support from you, you will be responsible for setting and managing the company’s marketing priorities, and reporting back to the senior management team on marketing performance
  

• Exceptional attention to detail, particularly with written communication
  

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or with a professional qualification in marketing
  

• A working knowledge of WordPress, Mailchimp, and Google tools: Analytics, Search Console and Ads

• Willing to occasionally travel by car or train for trade shows and networking events

Desirable qualities

• Experience in B2B service marketing or SaaS marketing

• Knowledge of the fulfilment and logistics sector

• B2B sales experience would provide useful context for many aspects of this role

• Experience in marketing for ecommerce companies

• Understanding of how Brexit has added new challenges for international ecommerce companies

Apply now

Please send your CV to hello@vdepot.co.uk along with your notice period and availability for interview.

General entry is now SOLD OUT! 

If you’ve secured your place in Run Norwich 2025, why not make your miles count by running for Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District. 

Date: Sunday 7th September 2025

Location: Norwich City Centre

Celebrating 10 years of Run Norwich!

By running for CADAT, you’ll be:

Helping us provide free, vital support to people facing financial hardship. 

Supporting workers struggling with employment & legal challenges.

Making a difference for families dealing with housing & debt issues. 

Its simple to get involved! Simply CADAT team on your General entry for Run Norwich 10k profile. Share your journey & inspire others. Make every step count for those in need. 

Contact us for more information at events@cadat.org.uk or visit https://www.runnorwich.co.uk/ to learn more. 

The countdown is ON! 

In just three weeks, we’ll be at the Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition – and we can’t wait to connect with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals. 

This event is all about networking, collaboration, and business growth, so whether you’re looking for fresh marketing insights or just want to say hello, be sure to stop by our stand! 

Where? Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition

When? 26th March 2025

Grab your tickets now!

Leaping Hare Renewables are passionate about developing the next generation of installers. Not only are they supporting apprenticeships through CWA but they are also offering apprentices additional paid leave to pursue Duke of Edinburgh to Gold award. Founders Matthew & Katharine Kemp believe that developing all-round confidence through experiences such as DofE is key to success, not just in business but in life too.

Apprentice Electrician Hope is “really grateful for the support and encouragement to achieve the Gold DofE award” which she will complete this summer. Successful completion of Gold DofE also normally means an invitation to Buckingham Palace!

Leaping Hare Renewables design and install renewable home energy and heating systems. They are delighted to be part of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and are looking forward to making great use of the Hub and the Networking opportunities the Chamber provides.

In celebration that Spring is around the corner, throughout March, the WinePress Restaurant is offering 3 courses for the price of 2* on their Rosette dining experience. See a sample menu here.

Head Chef, Ali’s, new Rosette Menu lands on Thursday, 20th March. Here’s a tantalising sneak peak of the Scottish langoustine. Keep an eye on our socials to discover more.

Tables can be booked either by calling the WinePress Restaurant on 01603 272010, or by going online.
QUOTE:SPRING25

For a more informal dining option, choose from our Classics menu, which is served daily from 12.00 – 9.30pm. 

*Offer available from 1st to 30th March 2025 only.