Member News

Historically the biotech and pharma industries were most at risk from insider threats or espionage being carried out by people who infiltrated an organisation to learn secrets or directly steal information, data or intellectual property.  Now though much of the work they do, although resulting in physical products, happens online and the resulting intellectual property, data and information is stored online too. In an industry where the competition is high and the stakes are often higher, as are the rewards, cyber security should be a business imperative – if you work hard enough to create something you should work equally as hard to protect it from threats.  One UK based medical research company was set to begin work on trials of Covid-19 vaccines when it was targeted by the Maze ransomware group, as reported by Computer Weekly.  In this sector media coverage, or past successes, can create a target where there wasn’t one before, so being prepared to defend yourself is a key thing to look at before any announcements or breakthroughs are communicated. Big data growth has made it possible to collate and store vast amounts of medical, trial and genetic information for organisations in these fast moving, high growth sectors.  It’s no surprise then that the most commonly understood threats are focused on data, intellectual property or results from tests and trials.  Biotech and pharma companies tend to have a bias towards protecting technology as it both holds this information and facilitates much of the work being done, but the reality is that their security risks go beyond this. As an example we see further risks once drugs go in to production as raw materials are being shipped and can be identified, essentially giving away some of the hard earned intellectual property.  Production can also be disrupted by cyber criminals who target parts of the supply chain in an attempt to bring down the business through their suppliers. Anything that isn’t within your direct control should be considered as a third party risk, and with the supply chain being so complex and essential to biotech and pharma businesses, due diligence across your suppliers is paramount to more secure business operations.  Cyber security doesn’t stop at the edges of your business, and any potential weakness in a supplier business are attractive to cyber criminals as they can potentially disrupt many organisations with one attack.  You can find out more about securing your supply chain in a series of articles over on our blog. Physical security for businesses operating in biotech and pharma is also a key area of risk.  Very much in the same way that cyber criminals are able to access valuable information, the risk from either being infiltrated by someone out to harm the business or from one of their own staff posing an insider threat further places these businesses under pressure to invest in physical security measures.  Doing this will provide a further layer of defence that isn’t always required in other industries.  Additional layers of protection may be required regarding building access, levels of data or systems access and vetting of new staff and leavers. It is important to highlight that these risks are not just present for the larger firms.  There is a huge global network of start-up and scaleup businesses in this sector and as there appear to be no formal requirements for them to report whether they have been targeted in cyber-attacks, there isn’t an easy way to know how often these organisations are being targeted.  Being nimble in this space is an advantage but that often means that elements of security can be overlooked or compromised as there is often no dedicated resource looking at this aspect.  It is also possible that staff are arriving quickly as the business scales and onboarding doesn’t cover basic security hygiene, which can create risks especially around phishing and ransomware attacks leading to data breaches. The same adaptability and capacity to pivot that is seen in the core business should be harnessed for the benefit of protecting data, intellectual property and systems. Cyber security is often cited as being everyone’s responsibility, and in many ways it is.  However, there needs to be a high level of both engagement and ownership within the leadership team as without this it is unrealistic to expect the wider organisation to play their part in securing the business.  Many leaders in this industry may come from the academic or scientific communities and not bring with them a working knowledge of cyber and information security, and this is where investing in raising levels of awareness and competency across the workforce will provide great benefits. There are two key ways in which this can be done, either by bringing in a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or if there is not the need or justification for this being a full time role many organisations opt for a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO).  A vCISO will enable your organisation to quickly have the knowledge and experience needed to assess your current security position and start shaping what needs to be done to build a cyber security strategy and its delivery. Alongside this, training all staff should be seen as a key part of the cyber security strategy, whether it’s the leadership team who need this support in terms of how to manage security across the whole organisation, or the wider staff team who have low awareness of the everyday risks and need this to become embedded in their roles. If your organisation operates in the biotech or pharma industries and you need support in understanding and managing the risks you face, CyberScale can help you on that journey.

  A Greater Anglia train. Credit: Greater Anglia Rail services will be extremely limited this Saturday with last trains leaving London by 5.30pm and disruption continuing into Sunday due to a third day of strikes. Greater Anglia is asking people to only travel if absolutely necessary and reminding them that there will be no trains – or rail replacement buses – back to the region in the evening. The company will be running a heavily reduced timetable with no trains on regional or branch lines. A skeleton service with far fewer trains and seats than normal will operate on some routes to and from London Liverpool Street, from 7.30am on Saturday, with last trains leaving London between 3.25pm and 5.30pm. It is possible that some stations may have to be closed at very short notice due to a lack of staff – in which case trains would not be able to call at them and there would be no rail replacement bus service to them either. Passengers should expect severe disruption, plan their journeys in advance and make alternative plans where possible – especially if they are going to concerts and festivals across the region this weekend including Red Hot Chili Peppers at the London Stadium, Mick Jagger at Hyde Park and Ed Sheeran at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening. On Sunday, disruption from the 24-hour strike will have a knock-on effect with first trains starting later than usual, between just before 7am to 7.30am. Full service will not be restored until early afternoon. All normal Sunday evening services should run as normal. Timetables for this weekend are now available on the Greater Anglia website. Train drivers’ union ASLEF has called another 24-hour strike among Greater Anglia train drivers for Saturday 2 July. Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “Please only travel if it’s absolutely necessary on Saturday when strikes are due to take place. “If you do travel, you should expect severe disruption, so plan ahead and make alternative travel arrangements if you can. “We will not be running any of our usual evening services, so if you’re going out to a festival, concert or event, please make alternative arrangements. “We’re not replacing services cancelled by strike action with buses – after the last trains have departed there will be nothing available until Sunday morning, when services will be starting later as the effect of the strike ripples through to the next day. “We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers by this industrial action. “Work is continuing to try to resolve the dispute as soon as possible.” The RMT industrial action on Saturday includes Network Rail signal and maintenance teams as well as Greater Anglia’s conductors, train cleaners, catering and station staff. Anyone who has pre-booked tickets to travel on strike days can change them, use them to travel on the day before or up to two days after their original travel date, or apply for a refund by going back to their original retailer. Passenger assistance will be available at all stations which are staffed. Greater Anglia will provide alternative transport for people needing passenger assistance from stations which are unstaffed but still served by trains. There will be no alternative transport from stations where no trains are running on Saturday. Travellers needing passenger assistance are strongly advised to contact Greater Anglia’s passenger assist service if travel is absolutely necessary on strike days. More information about how industrial action will affect rail journeys and how to apply for ticket changes or refunds are available on the Greater Anglia website. There will be no services running on the following routes on Saturday 25 June:

• Between Norwich and Cambridge/Stansted Airport, Sheringham, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth
• Between Ipswich and Cambridge, Peterborough, Felixstowe and Lowestoft
• Between Marks Tey and Sudbury
• All other branch lines: Hertford East to Broxbourne, Braintree to Witham, Southminster to Wickford, Harwich Town to Manningtree, Clacton/Walton-on-the-Naze to Colchester, Colchester Town to Colchester, Meridian Water to Stratford.

A very limited and much reduced service – with fewer trains running and so fewer seats available – will run starting at 7.30am and finishing at 6.30pm on the following routes:

• Norwich to London Liverpool Street intercity service – one train an hour, with first and last trains from Norwich to Liverpool Street at 08.00 and 16.00, and first and last trains from Liverpool Street to Norwich at 08.30 and 16.30.
• Colchester to London Liverpool Street stopping service – one stopping train an hour plus one intercity service an hour, with the first and last stopping services from Colchester to London Liverpool Street at 07.30 and 16.25 and from London Liverpool Street to Colchester at 08.00 and 17.00.
• Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street – two trains an hour with first and last trains from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street at 07.30 and 17.13, and from London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria at 07.47 and 17.30.
• Stansted Express Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street – two trains an hour, with first and last trains from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street at 07.42 and 17.12 and from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport at 08.10 and 17.40
• Cambridge to London Liverpool Street with the first trains from Cambridge to London Liverpool Street at 08.20 and 16.20 and from Cambridge North to London Liverpool Street at 09.13 and 16.13. First and last trains from Liverpool Street to Cambridge/Cambridge North at 08.25 and 16.25/15.25.

The company will make an announcement about which services will run on Saturday 2 July as soon as plans for that day are complete and those details are available.

Photo credits – EACH – The Duke and Duchess meeting Chloe Bowes and mum Nadia Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) at Milton on Thursday, 23^rd June 2022. The Duchess is Royal Patron of the charity, and this year marks the ten-year anniversary of her patronage. This was The Duchess’s first public visit to the hospice in Milton and it was the first time The Duke had accompanied her to see the work of EACH. The Duke and Duchess toured the hospice, which was opened by Diana Princess of Wales on 1st August 1989, and met with children, young people and families who use services through EACH. They were invited to take part in art activities with families, in addition to touring the hospice grounds and meeting long-term staff members and volunteers. EACH Chief Executive Phil Gormley said: “We very much enjoyed welcoming Their Royal Highnesses to Milton. It was The Duchess’s first public visit to Milton and the very first time we had the pleasure of welcoming The Duke to one of our hospices so it was a very special, memorable and momentous day for everyone connected with EACH. “The Duchess met our fantastic staff and volunteers at Milton, who work tirelessly with children and their families needing our services. They had the chance to explain the difficulties they have faced in recent years, particularly in light of the pandemic and the isolation they have felt through shielding. “The visit was the perfect opportunity to celebrate ten years since Her Royal Highness became our Royal Patron. Throughout the decade, The Duchess has been immensely supportive by championing our cause. Her continued support comes with warmth, empathy and understanding, including beyond public view, and her Patronage is enjoyed and appreciated by everyone at EACH. “We are extremely thankful and consider ourselves honoured and very lucky  to benefit from her hard work, generosity and support.” Since becoming Royal Patron in 2012, The Duchess of Cambridge has played a vital role in raising awareness and understanding of children’s hospice services across East Anglia and the rest of the UK. From hospice and shop openings to meeting children and families, The Duchess’s profile has projected EACH and the importance of children’s hospice services onto a national and international stage. The visit took place during Children’s Hospice Week, a national week to raise awareness of the vital work of children’s hospices across the country. This year’s Children’s Hospice Week started on Monday and finishes on Sunday (20th to 26th June). The theme for the week is #ForTheChildren- showing how important each individual child is to the expert care children’s hospices provide. EACH currently provides care and support for more than 580 children, young people and family members across the region, with 211 currently using services through Milton. To find out more about EACH visit www.each.org.uk.

• Eletre hyper-SUV makes world public debut later this week
• With Emira and Evija, Eletre completes ultimate three-garage from Lotus
• Emira GT4 race car also makes public dynamic debut tackling Goodwood Hill Climb
• Emira and Evija also in action on track
• “We can’t wait for another exceptionally busy and very successful Goodwood” – Matt Windle, MD, Lotus Cars

  One of the world’s most eagerly anticipated performance cars, the Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV, will make its world debut in public later this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Unveiled on 29 March, the bold, progressive and exotic EV has the soul of a Lotus and the usability of an SUV. It will take centre stage on the all-new Lotus stand at the UK’s biggest four-day annual showcase of motoring and motorsport. And if last year’s event is anything to go by – when car fans queued round the block to see the all-new Emira, unquestionably the star of the show – the Lotus stand will be a huge attraction once again. Goodwood also marks the public premiere of the ultimate three-car garage from Lotus, as the Eletre will be joined on stage by the beautiful Emira sports car and the pioneering Evija hypercar – a whole new generation of Lotus performance road cars. And creating a four-car family will be the Emira GT4; the race car was unveiled just last month, making its dramatic dynamic debut on the test track at Hethel, the home of Lotus since 1966. The Emira GT4 will be in the thick of the action on the iconic Goodwood Hill Climb on Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday, as will the Emira and Evija. And look out for Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, who will be behind the wheel and on the Lotus stand at selected times during the event. Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: “Last year we were the featured marque at Goodwood Festival of Speed and all eyes were on the Emira. The attention it attracted and the deposits we took on the stand were phenomenal. Fast forward 12 months… another Festival, another new car from Lotus. The Eletre is equally as exciting for us; the most significant milestone yet in the ongoing transformation of Lotus and something genuinely different to everything else on the market. We can’t wait for another exceptionally busy and very successful Goodwood.” The Lotus Eletre – which can also be seen in the event’s Electric Avenue showcase – is the first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from more than 70 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle car for the next generation of Lotus customers. The company’s famed expertise in the fields of ride and handling, steering and optimised aerodynamics have been carefully and respectfully evolved. The Eletre takes the heart and soul of the Emira and the revolutionary aero performance of the Evija, and reinterprets them as a hyper-SUV. A bold new dimension to the Lotus performance car portfolio, the Eletre delivers a significant number of firsts for Lotus – the first five-door production car, the first model outside sports car segments, the first lifestyle EV, the most ‘connected’ Lotus ever. And yet it remains a true Lotus, a beautiful car ‘carved by air’, packed with pioneering technology, genuine sporting performance and simplicity of purpose, designed and developed by a passionate and global team. The Eletre is 4WD, has a battery capacity that’s over 100kWh and with power range from 600hp to 900hp. A 350kW charger will deliver a 400km (248 miles) range in just 20 minutes. The car’s target maximum WLTP driving range is circa 600km (373 miles). It also comes with the ability as standard to accept 22kW AC charging which, where available, reduces the time plugged in. Technology includes the most advanced active aerodynamics package on any production SUV, and intelligent driving technologies such as the world’s first deployable Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system in a production car. Add in a dynamic walk-up sequence that delivers a moment of theatre every time the driver approaches the car, and it’s clear the Eletre is making a simple statement – this is Lotus reinvented, the birth of a new icon into the Lotus stable. Production starts at an all-new state-of-the-art factory in China at the end of this year and first customer cars will arrive in Europe in spring 2023. The Lotus Emira GT4 marks the start of an exciting new era in performance GT racing for Lotus. It is the first new model from Lotus Advanced Performance, the bespoke vehicle and experiential division of the business launched earlier this year. The first year of production is already sold out. The return to world motorsport is a key pillar of the company’s transformation from a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand. Each Emira GT4 customer will receive a homologated performance machine, hand-built with lightweight motorsport components and equipment to meet the latest safety regulations. The advanced composite bodywork makes the car exceptionally lightweight, and is coupled with Toyota’s race-proven 3.5-litre V6 engine and optimised GT4 aerodynamics derived from the road-going Emira’s advanced exterior design.

Photo – Guy Ransom, commercial director for Finn Geotherm with Jandré Smuts, Head of Estates at ZSEA in Tropical House. The award-winning Banham Zoological Gardens in Norfolk is celebrating 10 years of keeping inhabitants warm in its Tropical House facility thanks to a renewable heating system installed by experts Finn Geotherm. The system is estimated to have saved around 170 tonnes of C02 during this time when compared to an oil boiler. Set in 50 acres, Banham Zoological Gardens is run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), a conservation and education charity. Tropical House is its South American inspired paradise, which is home to sloths, butterflies, birds and reptiles in a lush green enclosure with pathways and a waterfall. With the inhabitants used to living in temperatures of 25°C+, it is essential the building remains consistently warm. For the past 10 years, Tropical House has been heated by a Dimplex LA TU 60 commercial air source heat pump specified and installed by Finn Geotherm. The heat pump’s fan unit is located just outside the building and works by taking energy from the air to heat water which is used for Tropical House’s underfloor heating and air distribution units mounted in the ceiling. The system is ideal for this kind of application as the heat pump runs in long cycles to maintain a steady temperature. By installing this renewable energy heating system, ZSEA has been able to efficiently heat Tropical House all year round with a system which uses more than 70% less energy than an oil boiler. At the same time, as providing reduced heating bills, the system is also making a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions, having saved an estimated 170 tonnes of C02 since its installation when compared to an oil boiler – something that is a key part of ZSEA’s environmental strategy. The heat pump installation was awarded a National Energy Efficiency Award in 2013 as an early example of a ground-breaking renewable heating system. A new colourful storyboard has just been erected at Tropical House to explain to visitors how the system works. Jandré Smuts, Head of Estates at ZSEA, said: “The Zoological Society of East Anglia is committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually strive to improve our energy efficiency. The heat pump fits in perfectly with our aims to minimise the consumption of electricity for producing heat and is a step towards reducing our carbon footprint. Finn Geotherm have provided us with an excellent system and great technical support over the last 10 years.” Guy Ransom, commercial director for Finn Geotherm, said: “We are delighted to see that 10 years on, our heat pump installation is continuing to provide the ideal habitat required for Tropical House’s residents, during even the coldest winters. Over the past decade, Banham Zoo has not only made significant savings on its heating bills, but also saved a huge amount of carbon emissions by choosing a clean, green heat pump.” Tropical House also boasts other eco-conscious systems including an irrigation system for the extensive planting provided by roof water collection tanks, triple glazed translucent roofing sheets to provide natural light whilst retaining the heat and an inbuilt thermostatically controlled roof venting system to provide natural cooling during the summer. For more information on ground and air source heat pumps and details on Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

Scorching temperatures, sizzling burgers and great company awaited members of the Norwich Research Park community who joined Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP (AIP) at their community summer barbecue sponsored by Chadwicks and Fortus. The event was held on the grass and terrace area just outside the Centrum building attended by over 200 guests, from businesses and park partner organisations, who joined in the fun with networking, games and great food from the Genuine Dining Company. Roz Bird, the new Chief Executive of Anglian Innovation Partnership commented, “Well done to the whole AIP team, and the catering team at the Centrum building, for organising an excellent first summer barbecue for our Norwich Research Park community. It is so important for us to help the people that work at Norwich Research Park to meet, talk, explore opportunities, and inspire each other with all the amazing science and business activity taking place. Roz continued, “It was a great opportunity for me to introduce myself to lots of members of our community in one go and I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone over the coming weeks and months!” AIP LLP also held a raffle to raise money for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice, and one lucky winner received a luxurious dinner and stay kindly donated by the Park Farm Hotel. Representatives from the hospice charity attended the event to sell cookbooks, and poetry books, and raise money for this great local cause. The AIP team is working on plans for a whole series of Norwich Research Park events for the community to help companies and researchers on the park to network, collaborate and promote what they do. Ensure you don’t miss out on all the park’s news and events by following AIP LLP and Norwich Research Park on social media and subscribe to the AIP LLP newsletter. For further info about up-coming events contact AIP LLP’s Associate Director of Community Development and Services, Alexia Mlynarska. This event was sponsored by Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP, Chadwicks and Fortus. Chadwicks is one of our Park businesses. Chadwicks understand that wealth management is about more than just money. It starts with building strong and successful relationships with their clients. Fortus are business advisors and accountants. With over 40 years of experience and a decade of that as part of a top 20 accountancy firm. Fortus deliver a much wider range of bespoke support and advice.

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge has hailed the “incredible” work of children’s hospices in a personal message of support during this year’s national awareness week. Her Royal Highness is Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). She was writing at the start of Children’s Hospice Week, which has been led nationally by Together for Short Lives, the umbrella charity for children’s palliative care. It began yesterday (Monday, 20^th June) and runs until Sunday (26^th June). The theme for this year’s awareness campaign is ‘For The Children’ and The Duchess has asked the public to join her in thanking the 54 children’s hospices across the UK. She wrote: “For any parent, coming to terms with the news your child has a life-threatening condition and may die young is heart-breaking and incredibly frightening. Families can often feel isolated, but having the support of a children’s hospice means they don’t have to face that future alone. “Every day, the UK’s 54 children’s hospices are a vital lifeline for families caring for a seriously ill child, and over the last ten years I have been privileged to see first-hand the incredible work they do. “This year, the theme for Children’s Hospice Week is ‘For the Children’, reminding us all that as well as providing expert care, children’s hospices bring joy, fun and play to brighten each day and help families make the most of their lives together, no matter how short. “This Children’s Hospice Week, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the extraordinary work they do and thank them for the life-changing care and support they provide to children and families going through the toughest of times.” EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. The Duchess is celebrating her tenth anniversary supporting EACH, having become Royal Patron in January 2012. In the decade since, she has seen first-hand the support children’s hospices provide to families caring for seriously ill children. Her maiden public speech came when officially opening The Treehouse, in Ipswich, in March 2012. She then cut the ribbon at The Nook, EACH’s hospice in Norfolk, in November 2019. This came after attending the launch of a fundraising appeal in 2014 and visiting its former hospice near Norwich, Quidenham, in 2017. The Duchess also paid a return visit in June 2020, joining families to plant a new patio garden and transform the terrace area at The Nook. She sourced sensory plants and flowers for it ahead of her visit, which came during Children’s Hospice Week. Among many other visits and events, The Duchess has also previously visited Milton and opened EACH’s shop in Holt, Norfolk, in March 2016. Children’s Hospice Week is the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice services across the UK. The Duchess has lent her support every year, including very personal written and filmed annual messages of support. EACH Chief Executive Phil Gormley said: “Children’s Hospice Week is a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the incredible work children’s hospices do for children and families facing the unimaginable. “It is an important week for our staff and volunteers, as well as the children, young people and families who need our care, and we very much appreciate and value The Duchess’s support. “In the last decade, she has been a wonderful Royal Patron. Her interest and profile has projected our charity and the importance of children’s hospice services onto the national and international stage and it is appreciated by everyone at EACH. “For all involved, it is a huge privilege, as much now as in January 2012.” Andy Fletcher, CEO for Together for Short Lives, added: “The Duchess of Cambridge, as Royal Patron for EACH, is a fantastic ambassador for seriously ill children, their families and the children’s hospices they rely on. “The Duchess’s support for Children’s Hospice Week over many years has helped raise awareness, so more families understand the lifeline care hospices provide, and all they do to bring joy and fun to families’ lives – giving them the chance to be parents, not carers. We join The Duchess in celebrating the lifeline care children’s hospices provide for families facing the unimaginable. “As The Duchess says, hearing the news your child will die young is heart-breaking. Families often tell us they feel isolated and alone, and just don’t know where to turn to for support. That’s why children’s hospices are so vital. “Everything they do is ‘For The Children,’ helping families make the most of every moment, whether that’s for years, months or only days.” Photo Credits – EACH

We are looking to collaborate with companies and build new partnerships in the Norfolk and Norwich area, so we can support more people on their cancer journey. People like Ann and Bill. Our corporate partners make a crucial contribution to our work at Hope for Tomorrow and enjoy the benefits of an association with us. So, whether you are a small business wanting to support a specific project or a large company looking for a strategic relationship, we can tailor an innovative corporate partnership to match your needs. A relationship with Hope for Tomorrow will benefit your company including your staff, customers and shareholders, whilst ensuring mobile cancer care is delivered to people when they need us most. Together, we can support our communities together. Please find attached our Corporate Brochure, which will give you an idea of ways we can work together. If you have any questions, please contact Kara our Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager on karaframpton@hopefortomorrow.org.uk or 01666 333343. Please join us and help to make a difference to someone’s life in your local community The impact of your support could be huge and effect many lives in Norfolk and Norwich. It costs £212 a day to keep ‘Amara’, your local mobile cancer care unit on the road and could enable up to 20 patients a day, receive their vital cancer care treatment closer to them. Thank you so much.  

This summer sees a unique opportunity to be involved into the world’s first collaborative electric aircraft build project. This is based around the NUNCATS CIC vision of “connecting the world’s remote communities in an affordable, sustainable way using rugged electric aircraft, the Electric Sky Jeep, that is run and maintained by the local community”. It will run from 4th July for 6 weeks, with different teams each week. Each team will be involved in a different stage of the build. It all starts in Norwich, summer school, gaining hands on experience in building this pioneering project. According to Engineering UK, almost half of young people know little or nothing about what engineers do. Furthermore, perceptions of engineering careers are distorted with many viewing them as complicated, difficult and dirty. The Summer School journey starts in our local secondary schools, colleges and specialist education providers, phase 1 of the educational journey, informing and demystifying engineering and manufacturing careers, phase 2 application and preparing for work, an opportunity for young people to submit their CV and attend an interview to secure their place in the summer school. Places will be offered to young people from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, including those with an EHCP or learning difficulties. giving everyone with an interest in engineering an equal opportunity to benefit from this unique opportunity. These young people will be supported by not only a team of experienced, enthusiastic engineers and instructors but some of the Aviation Engineering degree students. This will all take place in the unique space that is the International Aviation Academy adjacent to Norwich Airport, a local facility dedicated to aviation training. This will allow young people to be exposed to engineering at its best, but also learn about the rapidly developing zero emissions aviation revolution, and how it can save and improve lives in the developing world. While there is a widespread lack of awareness of what engineers do, there is also a shortage of skilled engineers with many job vacancies remaining unfilled, and a distinct lack of practical opportunities to learn engineering disciplines in schools. One of the key themes that was highlighted by employers in the DfE’s Employer Skills Survey 2017 was a shortage of technical and practical skills sought by prospective employers. Without practical experience, many aspiring engineers find themselves excluded from the job market. This project offers hands-on experience and STEM learning opportunities for young people showing an interest and aptitude in engineering, giving them a rare insight into the world of electric travel and green initiatives. By engaging with young people from all walks of life and raising their interest in a career in STEM and engineering, we will pave the way for future engineers and innovators. This is a great way to connect the Social Enterprise: NUNCAT’s and Action Community Enterprises (ACE) CIC, Education: International Aviation Academy, East Coast College, ACE, CCN and UTCN. Also, Saxon Air Charter Ltd and Vattenfall. The Summer School is offered free of charge thanks to the contributions of the above organisations and is open to anyone at all under the age of 25. Year 11/12/13 applications will be prioritised, but it is not restricted to these age groups.

Making the most of the space you have is vital in the hospitality industry. Get it right and you can boost numbers through the door, enhance customer experience and maximise profits. To help you get it right, we’ve put together 5 simple tricks that you can use to make your venue more versatile. 1. Let there be light

Light is key to setting a mood, so adjustable or dimmable lighting is essential for creating a more adaptable space.

During the day, make the most of natural light before transitioning into bright lighting for the afternoon. As the sun sets, dim the lights and opt for warm toned bulbs to generate a cosier atmosphere.

For a more radical transition, such as transforming a cheery café into an edgy bar, think about introducing hidden lighting. Illuminating shelves and the bar, which masquerades as a serving counter during the day, will help to switch up the feel of the room, particularly if you opt for coloured or neon lights.

Candles and fairy lights can also be used in the evening to separate day from night. For winter evenings, you may want to consider lanterns and a real open fire.

2. Be creative with colour

The colour of a room can set a mood, but what if you want that mood to change? One solution is to choose colours that work well together while also changing with the light.

For instance, bright pops of colour look great when offset by darker walls – no matter what time of day it is. During the day, some soft furnishings in sunshine yellow will be picked up by the natural light, brightening up a darker wall of blue or purple. But when it comes to night, the darker colour of the walls will help to create a more intimate atmosphere, particularly when combined with soft, warm lighting.

3. Use soft furnishings

Curtains and rugs can really change the way a space feels. Rugs with chairs gathered round them can create intimate spaces in a large room while curtains can be pulled to instantly make a room feel more secluded.

You should also think about how you can use lighting and fabric to alter your hospitality space. You can create a dramatic effect for evening events by hanging fabric from the ceiling, which can then be lit up in different colours to form an interesting backdrop. Fabric can also be draped over existing furniture, such as seating, to change a dining chair into something worthy of a wedding feast.

4. Rearrange your furniture

No-one wants to move all their furniture every evening, but being able to clear a few tables from the centre of a café to create a dance floor can be useful.

Alternatively, furniture can be used to make more intimate spaces in a larger room. To transform your large events space into something suitable for daytime meet-ups, position cosy armchairs and sofas in little groups. This helps to create ‘nooks’ within the room that will make your customers feel more comfortable.

Think about the type of furniture you need too. If your cafe morphs into a bar at night, add some seating at the counter, in addition to some comfortable armchairs to make it more flexible.

5. Divide the room

Rather than moving your furniture, you could move the rooms themselves. This is easily possible with the use of room dividers. These could be opaque or solid and can help you to transform the dimensions of the room to suit the occasion.

There are a huge number of designs to choose from. You could fit ceiling to floor blinds that you can open and close, install movable panels, add wooden or glass screens, or introduce curtains that you can draw to section off an area for a snug feel.

Want to make your hospitality space more flexible?

Our talented team would be happy to discuss your needs and the solutions available.

Simply call 01223 952992 or email info@layrddesign.co.uk

Plants are not just nice to look at. They can also boost wellbeing and productivity. To find out more about the benefits of bringing nature indoors, we spoke to Ruscha Fields, founder of The Good Plant Company and one of our innovative collaborators.

As employers attempt to coax workers back into the workplace, supporting employee well-being and comfort has never been more important.

One way to promote this is to strategically introduce greenery into business environments. Known as ‘biophilic design’, this discipline aims to boost workers’ moods and enhance productivity by strengthening connection to nature.

A passionate advocate of biophilic design is Ruscha Fields, the founder of The Good Plant Company and one of our collaborators. We sat down to talk with her to find out more.

What exactly is meant by biophilic design?

Biophilic design is all about enhancing and embracing our innate connection with nature. It focuses on bringing natural elements into typically unnatural environments, such as offices. It incorporates different aspects of nature into the workplace to make you feel relaxed and grounded.

Why has this type of design become more important?

In the past there was a trend for very minimal, stark and clinical workplaces. But we’ve all found that these spaces are not good for our creativity or mental health. This has become especially important in the post-pandemic period as many of us have grown used to the comfort of working from our own homes. Employers are therefore now working to replicate this feeling in the workplace.

What are the best plants to use in a commercial space?

Tropical plants survive really well indoors. You can’t really use English plants and trees because they depend on British weather conditions to thrive.

In areas with good natural light, you can opt for plants from the Ficus (fig) family, for instance the Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) and Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant). Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) are also beautiful additions. If there is less natural light, you can try Dracaena (Dragon Plant), Kentia Palms or Zamioculcus Zamifolia (ZZ Plant).

Places such as meeting rooms can be more complicated as they may not be in use much and the lack of light can be difficult for plants. In these cases we use high-quality silk replica plants or introduce natural substances, such as wood, or moss pictures to the room.

Can you give an example of a project The Good Plant Company has worked on recently?

We recently worked with Layrd Design to add biophilic elements into an office space. We chose some succulents and Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens), which were placed in either concrete pots or teal-coloured ones on side units and windowsills. We also used some big-leafed Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant) and Philodendron (Sweetheart Plant) in pots on metal stands to add some lush greenery at eye level.

Do you think biophilic design will be a long-lasting trend?

Yes, I do. The new comprehension of the importance of well-being is not going to go away. Employers now understand that this is one way that they can positively invest in their employees’ well-being and people are now more understanding about wanting to incorporate things into your life that make you feel good. Biophilic design is therefore here to stay.

Let Layrd Design and The Good Plant Company transform your space

To turn your corporate space into an urban jungle and incorporate biophilic design into your workplace, get in touch today. You can call the Layrd team on 01223 952992 or speak to The Good Plant Company on 01223 750200.

Hydrogen is set to play a key part in the government’s policies for delivering Net Zero by 2050. The East of England is taking a central role through a first-of-its-kind hydrogen cluster centred on core electrolyser projects, say hydrogen experts Hydrogen East as they unveil their vision for what it may look like. Norfolk and Suffolk in particular, say the body, can make a significant contribution in bringing clean hydrogen’s potential to the surface, supporting the Hydrogen Strategy laid out in the Energy Security Strategy earlier this year. The east is a forerunner in the race to net zero, with its hydrogen capabilities already being spoken about in Westminster. Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, delivered a speech on the “The Future Hydrogen Economy” as part of a debate in the Houses of Parliament on 14th June and then went on to say: “Whilst I understand the rationale behind the Government’s cluster-driven approach to the hydrogen economy, the regulatory framework must be sufficiently flexible to ensure that smaller scale projects in decentralised areas like the East of England are able to realise their full potential. In East Anglia we have a real opportunity to be a major producer, user and exporter of hydrogen. We have an abundance of resources, infrastructure—both on land and at sea—that can be readily retrofitted, and developers keen to step up to the plate, provided that the right policies are in place. That way, we can not only more readily realise our decarbonisation goals but create new and exciting jobs for local people”. The region aspires to become the UK’s Clean Growth Region, as originally outlined in the Local Industrial Strategy. Energy giants, including ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, have already received the go ahead for projects in the offshore wind sector as well as new nuclear being developed by EDF at Sizewell C. All projects are set to bring a magnitude of opportunities, investment, and further energy integration to the region. Hydrogen East look to lead the development of a clean hydrogen cluster in the East of England, strengthening the foundation of an attractive region that is primed and ready for the development of diverse hydrogen projects. Initially, the proposal outlines six “core” electrolyser sites across Norfolk and Suffolk, paving the way for development and improved infrastructure to be implemented and then further scaled as the demand for clean hydrogen grows. Nigel Cornwall, Director for Hydrogen East, said: “Hydrogen is such a versatile element and, with the ability to be deployed across a variety of sectors, we should be looking to it as a powerful tool that can aid us in the transition to Net Zero.” “It should be considered as a complement to electrification and increased roll-out of renewable generation. Already, a number of demonstrator projects are on-going around the country testing hydrogen for heat, power and transport in regions such as Aberdeen and Teesside.” “Here in the east, we need to establish our hydrogen pathway in a way that aligns with its distinct characteristics, including pathways into nuclear power, offshore wind and major energy hubs like Bacton,” he concluded. Andy Holyland, General Manager for Hydrogen East, explains, “the East of England has always been a key contributor in delivering the nation’s energy requirements and the integration of hydrogen will only further bolster this position, providing energy flexibility and security. Discussing what a proactive hydrogen cluster in the east could deliver: “Through analysis of local assets and data and continued engagement with local stakeholders, a cluster could identify opportunities whereby concept designs illustrating viability can be produced. Supply and demand could be balanced and add real value. In addition, projects will be de-risked through the establishment of multi-stakeholder collaboration, engineering studies and demonstration projects. Cluster commitments and guidance would support further research, developing business models, raising investment and sourcing appropriate funding. Through the clean hydrogen cluster, the hydrogen economy could be scaled and grown over time to maximise potential and build bespoke energy networks.” “Through the development of a hydrogen cluster, we can create touchpoints with a variety of different sectors, supply-chains, and organisation types, ensuring the East of England leads the way and doesn’t accept the prospect of being an adopter of second or third generation technology and assets” he said. Hydrogen East would like to invite anyone interested in joining a consortium to contact us and explore how our vision for the East of England can align with your organisation With the promise of hydrogen in the region, Hydrogen East’s team is growing rapidly and are on the lookout experienced analysts and project managers to join their growing team as the sector gains momentum. For more information, please visit https://hydrogeneast.uk/. Contact Andy Holyland on andy.holyland@netzeroeast.uk