Member News

Leading regional accountancy firm, Larking Gowen, has appointed two new Partners working across its offices in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Giles Kerkham, who has been with the firm since 2000, becomes a Partner within the Audit and Advisory Team leading the Not for Profit and Education practice, while Dominic Carter has been appointed Partner for the firm’s Tax Advisory team. Giles commented, “This is a diverse and exciting sector with a wide range of clients, from care homes and hospices to theatres, cinemas and even zoos. Being promoted to Partner is something I’m extremely proud of. The firm has a strong commitment to this area, and I’m looking forward to leading and developing the team further,” he said. While Giles’ principal focus has been the Not for Profit sector for several years, the team remains a key part of the wider audit team, also working closely with others across the firm. “It’s essential to be able to draw on the knowledge and experience of colleagues with different expertise so that we can provide complete and rounded advice to our clients,” he said. “The way that we collaborate and work together to do this is what sets us apart and differentiates the service we provide to clients. We have excellent and supportive teams and I’d like to continue to develop the first-class service we offer to our clients. “Our ambition is to be the firm that charities think of first, for expertise, service, experience and delivery.” Dominic Carter joined the firm’s Ipswich office as a Tax Director in 2019, supporting the tax advisory offering across the business. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant in national and regional firms. “My role is mainly with larger owner managed businesses, where we have seen a very high demand for tax services, both from a company and shareholder perspective,” he said. “We have been looking at property tax aspects, re-organisations, share schemes and equity rewards. Clients are thinking about how they want to position themselves for the future, and the ability of our team to support them has driven growth for us. “The response to this demand from Larking Gowen has been absolutely fantastic. The growth reflects how we operate as a firm. There is a mindset across all parts of the business and at all levels, to look for opportunities to help our clients and look at their needs holistically.” He said that since lockdown, clients had become more proactive about changing the structure of their companies and planning for the future of their businesses. “COVID has made people think strategically about the future. They’ve had time to contemplate and challenge the way things are done, not just as business owners, but also as individuals. By working together across the firm, we’ve been able to cater for these changes,” he said. Larking Gowen Managing Partner Julie Grimmer said, “I’m delighted to see Giles and Dominic in their new roles as Partners. They have both already made a huge contribution to the firm, and I look forward to seeing their teams going from strength to strength.”  

Barclays Scale Up UK is an innovative programme which aims to enhance the performance and competitiveness of high-potential early-stage businesses with growth appetite as well as growth potential that are deemed to be engines of growth in the UK. The programme is designed to support the companies by helping them formulate, articulate and implement a growth plan for their business through defining and articulating the business value proposition, designing a sustainable business model, enhancing operational and leadership capabilities and strengthening financial literacy. The ethos behind the programme Many founding teams reach a plateau and struggle to grow their business further. They think that they lack funds and resources. But is growth just increase of sales or hiring more people? Often founders fail to tackle difficult questions, focusing mostly on the business and fail to bring their leadership team together and develop a growth plan. Our approach is one of a deep and personal engagement with each founding team and their company (diagnostic meeting, interview, questionnaires, initial assessment, coaching through the programme) that results with a tailored growth plan for each company. We aim to understand and help the early stage business solve the “unique” company-specific challenges being faced by participants. The programme provides access to the latest management thinking, facilitate the sharing of insights about commonly experienced challenges and a range of possible solutions. Find out more here

We are delighted to introduce a fresh new look to Fosters Solicitors across our digital, print and physical branding. Our new logo forms part of this exciting change, supported by a brand-new website and the use of fresh imagery and fonts across all of our communications. Clients and visitors will also see new signage when visiting our Norwich city-centre, Wymondham and Lowestoft branches – as well as across inventory through our key partners, including Norwich City Football Club. With Fosters a key part of its community for over 260 years, it has been important through this process to appreciate the firm’s tradition but understand its continued development and requirement for the brand in a digital age. Commenting on the news, Fosters’ Chief Executive Chris Brown, said: “We are excited to be able to finally share our refreshed brand and new website, which is a culmination of months of engagement and consultation with our colleagues and clients to create our fresh approach. “We feel this is the right time to make these changes, with the firm seeking to build on the growth we’ve experienced in recent years, especially digitally, and we believe this new brand identity will help us unlock further opportunities.” He added: “We have balanced a new strong primary colour and fonts to highlight simplicity, warmth and accessibility, but with a hint to our Norfolk and Suffolk heritage through a supportive colour pallet. “We also want to visualise our core values of transparency, unity and collaboration and the building of relationships, and through the introduction of the message ‘You + Us’, we want to make all our interactions with our clients, partners and community, feel friendly, approachable and easy to navigate.”  

During 2021, East Norfolk offered their first ever Football and Basketball Camps to give local children the opportunity to use high quality facilities whilst also increasing their physical activity. The Holiday Activity Fund, which was coordinated by Active Norfolk and supported by Great Yarmouth Borough and Norfolk County Councils helped the College to offer camps in the summer and at Christmas. On the back of the success of the camps, the College decided to provide its own subsidised camps in the October Half Term and is offering them again in February Half Term for Norfolk from 14-18 February 2022 and for Suffolk from 21-25 February 2022 Over 1600 students attend East Norfolk aged 16-19 so why would East Norfolk wish to open doors to younger children? East Norfolk has always been a Community Sixth Form College that seeks to continually adapt and meet the needs of our local community by giving children the opportunity to be inspired by the new 3G Football Pitch that has been constructed during 2021 and our existing high quality double Sports Hall. East Norfolk even a decade ago, was a very different organisation. Long gone are the temporary buildings and the waterlogged football pitch and even the outdoor quad areas have been replaced with new IT classrooms and presentation spaces. This means there is a world of opportunity for sports and other activities for locals. This year we will be increasing our work with and for our local community and want to expand our offer in the evenings and weekends. If you would like to book a place for your child at one of the camps please do get in touch via our website www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk or by contacting admissions@eastnorfolk.ac.uk

Fosters Solicitors is delighted to introduce a fresh new look across its digital, print and physical branding. A new logo forms part of this exciting change for the East Anglian firm, which will be supported by a brand-new website (www.fosters-solicitors.co.uk) and the use of fresh imagery and fonts across all of its communications. Clients and visitors will also see new signage when visiting the firm’s Norwich city-centre, Wymondham and Lowestoft branches – as well as across inventory through its key partners, including Norwich City Football Club. With Fosters a key part of its community for over 260years, it has been important through this process to appreciate the firm’s tradition but understand its continued development and requirement for the brand in a digital age. Commenting on the news, Fosters’ Chief Executive Chris Brown, said: “We are excited to be able to finally share our refreshed brand and new website, which is a culmination of months of engagement and consultation with our colleagues and clients to create our fresh approach. “We feel this is the right time to make these changes, with the firm seeking to build on the growth we’ve experienced in recent years, especially digitally, and we believe this new brand identity will help us unlock further opportunities.” He added: “We have balanced a new strong primary colour and fonts to highlight simplicity, warmth and accessibility, but with a hint to our Norfolk and Suffolk heritage through a supportive colour pallet. “We also want to visualise our core values of transparency, unity and collaboration and the building of relationships, and through the introduction of the message ‘You + Us’, we want to make all our interactions with our clients, partners and community, feel friendly, approachable and easy to navigate.”

Greater Anglia passengers can now enjoy new state-of-the-art trains across the whole of the network as new commuter trains entered service between Ely and King’s Lynn. New trains are now in service on every single route in the Greater Anglia network, with many routes operated exclusively by new trains. The new trains went into service on the King’s Lynn route on Monday 7 February, when the company started running extra services as commuters carry on returning to the office. In the new timetable, two services every weekday are running to King’s Lynn. The new trains are scheduled to run as the 06.18 King’s Lynn to Liverpool Street and 19.07 Liverpool Street to King’s Lynn, both via Cambridge and Ely. The new electric commuter trains on the King’s Lynn route have been made in the UK by Alstom, who are supplying 133 five-carriage trains which can be coupled to run as ten-carriage trains. Each carriage of the new Alstom Aventra Class 720 trains is longer with more seats than carriages of Greater Anglia’s old trains. They have USB and plug points, fast free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, improved accessibility features including an accessible toilet on every train, passenger information screens and dedicated cycle spaces. The trains are the first in the UK to have underfloor heating which works with an overhead heating and ventilation system to improve passenger comfort and increase foot room for passengers sitting in window seats. They feature regenerative braking which delivers energy back into the electrical supply network, rather than wasting the energy through heat, as is the case with conventional systems. Some are already in passenger service on routes between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge, Hertford East, Southend Victoria, Southminster, Braintree, Clacton, Ipswich and Colchester Town. Ely to King’s Lynn is the final route on the network to see the new trains. Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia client and programme director said: “We’re very pleased that customers between Ely and King’s Lynn are now able to enjoy our new trains. “We know from customer feedback that customers enjoy the added comfort, the plug and USB sockets and other improved features these new trains have. “We’ll continue rolling out new trains in the coming months as part of our plan to replace all our old trains with brand new trains.” There are already new trains operating all services on the Norwich–London Intercity, Stansted Airport–London Stansted Express, Norwich–Cambridge/Stansted Airport, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Sheringham, Ipswich–Cambridge, Peterborough, Felixstowe and Lowestoft, and Marks Tey –Sudbury routes. The company is continuing with enhanced cleaning and sanitisation paying particular attention to high touch areas such as push buttons and grab handles. The company is also asking passengers to continue to wear face coverings on trains and stations, following government advice to wear them in busy places.

22% off the latest Roller and Vertical Blinds. This February, you can save 22% on the latest Roller Blinds and Vertical Blinds.. To celebrate the launch of the latest fabrics, designs and colours, we’ve made the cost of owning these new blinds much more affordable with a friendly 22% off for 20222. www.norwichsunblinds.co.uk

First Intuition celebrates the launch of two new courses, Awareness of Digital Finance and Understanding Data Analytics, by offering free informational sessions as part of its Digital Technologies Week. The award-winning accountancy training provider is expanding its portfolio of training courses to continue to be at the forefront of providing valuable training for the accountancy and finance industry. First Intuition will host events during Digital Technologies Week, taking place from 21 – 25 February 2022, to raise awareness about the growing importance of digital technologies in the finance industry and how businesses can start their upskilling approach. The role of digital technologies and data analytics are becoming increasingly critical for finance professionals. Finance now encompasses a magnitude of new digital products, digital businesses, finance-related software, and novel forms of digital based customer communication and interaction. Chief Executive of First Intuition, Gareth John, comments “It is clear that automation, AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, data analytics and data visualisation, aren’t replacing human ability but are amplifying human ability allowing accountants to add more value and to have more impact. These technologies are dramatically changing the roles that finance professionals play and the skills they need.” It is imperative that businesses keep abreast of these changes and trends to stay competitive, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. As a result, First Intuition is launching a week of free informational content for employers on this topic during its Digital Technologies Week. Including speaker forums, focus groups, blogs, and other useful insights into the rapidly mainstream field. Events include: The Growing Role of Digital Technologies and Data Analytics in Accountancy and Finance Thursday 24 February 2022 – 08:30-10:00 – Register here This session will discuss the way in which accountants and other finance professionals are increasingly exposed to a variety of digital technologies. Expert speakers and panellists will take a closer look at these new digital technologies, how they are changing roles, why they are important for the growth of the industry, and what employers can do to keep up with these changing technologies. Digital Technologies and Data Analytics Forum Friday 25 February 2022 – 08:30-10:00 – Register here This session will introduce First Intuition’s new courses that will give structure and clarity to how finance professionals can ensure their teams understand the implications of digital finance technologies. As well as start to harness the benefits they offer in terms of improved efficiency, cost control and revenue generation. First Intuition, in partnership with Generation CFO, have designed and developed its new ‘finance-flavoured’ programmes to help accounting and finance professionals gain a better awareness of the digital technologies which are relevant to the finance world. As well as the impact they are having on the business environment, and how the finance professional can provide insight and impactful support for business decision-making. Details of the two new courses are below: Awareness of Digital Finance This programme provides a broad overview of a variety of digital finance technologies, and the opportunities they offer to accounting and finance professionals. The course is designed to be a non-technical programme and provides a good starting point for accountants to build awareness across the increasingly important area of digital finance. Understanding Data Analytics This programme goes deeper into each capability of Data Analytics, Advanced Analytics and Data Visualisation, including looking at their methods, skills and tools. This is a non-technical programme but includes guidance for further technical learning and learning pathways. The course is designed for those wishing to progress from the Awareness of Digital Finance programme to focus on data analytics. Find more information about First Intuition’s Digital Technologies week here. For more information about First Intuition’s new courses, please contact

We are delighted to be partnering with local mental health charity, Norfolk and Waveney Mind as our official charity for 2022. The need to support ourselves, colleagues, family and friends couldn’t be more-important, with up to 84% of people thought to experience a mental health problem at some point during their lifetime The partnership will see Fosters organise and volunteer at fundraising events, and help raise public awareness of the importance of mental health and the work of the local charity. Ashley Bunn, Director of Strategy and Development at Norfolk and Waveney Mind, explained the importance of their work: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind are busier than ever, 60% of adults and young people who did not experience poor mental health before the pandemic, are now experiencing mental health issues.” Fosters’ Chief Executive Chris Brown, added: “Norfolk and Waveney Mind have for years undertaken great work in our community and the need for their services has never been higher. When our staff nominated Mind to be our Charity of the Year, the commitment and enthusiasm to get involved in such an important issue was huge. It means alongside our fundraising efforts, we can be involved in some of their important and engaging activities throughout 2022.” To learn more about the charity and its work, please visit their website. For more information about Fosters’ events and work in the community, please visit our Community page.  

EN is celebrating 40 years and we would love your help to mark this special anniversary. Since opening in 1982, thousands of students have studied at the college and progressed to amazing careers. We would love to hear from former students, parents and former staff with their memories and photos of EN throughout the last four decades. We would also like to hear from members of the local community who might have pictures or articles relating to the college from across the last 40 years. Share your story through art, photos, paperwork, podcasts, video or in writing and later in the year we will add your story to our 40 years celebration online gallery. Everyone who takes part will be sent a 40th anniversary gift and we will also keep you up to date with latest news from EN and give you the chance to be involved in our celebrations in August. By sharing your story you will inspire the students of today and for the next 40 years. Please join in by contacting marketing@eastnorfolk.ac.uk

Accountancy training firm, First Intuition, has launched its first Accountancy Salary Guide to help provide benchmarking information on salaries at different levels in accountancy careers. Data collected from First Intuition’s clients between May – June 2021 form the findings on average salaries, rewards and benefits, and retention across different regions of East Anglia. The results indicate that there are significant regional differences in pay across East Anglia for trainee and qualified accountants across all levels. The Accountancy Salary Guide 2021/ 2022 not only provides a model for salaries to ensure businesses remain competitive within their market, but they also mark a point to monitor change before the effects of the pandemic took hold. Gareth John, Chief Executive of First Intuition explains the motivation behind the Accountancy Salary Guide. “Clients often approach us wondering whether their planned salary bands are in line with those offered by other organisations in their local area. In response to this, we conducted a confidential survey of salaries offered by the employers that we work with across East Anglia.” The survey data covered questions on what firms pay their employees at different stages of qualification, the rewards and benefits they offer and what affects these, as well as retention rates 12 months after qualifying and techniques used to retain staff. Some notable findings include:

• Cambridge has the highest average salary in East Anglia at £29,047 across all levels of accounting
• Suffolk (excluding Ipswich) has the lowest average salary in East Anglia at £24,800 across all levels of accounting
• £16,174 is the average salary for school leavers across East Anglia
• £20,814 is the average salary for graduates across East Anglia
• 86% of employers still have 90% + of their intake 12 months after qualifying
• 91% of employers pay the same for apprentices and non-apprentices at the same level
• Increased Responsibility is the most popular method used to retain staff
• 40% of employers do not reward employees for passing exams
• Around half of respondents’ use advancing in competency/ capability and passing exams as a measure for setting monetary rewards
• On average, employers pay newly qualified AAT staff moving onto higher level qualifications 8% more than graduate entrants starting those qualifications without having done AAT

The spring/ summer of 2021 provided the perfect opportunity to collect this benchmark data on accountancy salaries before the impact of recent upward pressure on salaries took hold. The accountancy and finance industry is already seeing changes in salaries across all levels as low retention rates, high recruitment competition, and lack of qualified staff is fuelling wage pressure. This data is therefore not only a great guide for salaries, but it also represents a good starting point to monitor change before the impacts of the pandemic took root. First Intuition hope to continue to monitor average salaries year on year, not only to offer guidance and information but to track change. Download the full East Anglia Accountancy Salary Guide 2021/ 2022 here: https://www.firstintuition.co.uk/fihub/accountancy-salary-guide/. First Intuition is an award-winning training provider that has been training accountancy students for AAT, ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW exams for over ten years. With training centres across the UK, First Intuition offers first-class attention to student care and customer service. First Intuition delivers classroom courses, distance learning options, accounting apprenticeships, as well as a post-qualification education programme.

Great Yarmouth town centre is at the heart of life in the borough. Thanks to funding from the Future High Streets Fund, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has a unique opportunity to create a safer, cleaner, greener space for residents and visitors to enjoy. The work will bring together a multi-million-pound programme which also includes the new covered market, a new library and learning hub in the former Palmers building, and fresh investment in restoring and repurposing our historic buildings. Our aim is to create an active and flexible town centre that has the potential to adapt to host both daytime and evening events, such as market days, theatrical performances, seasonal activities, and art displays. You can learn more about the proposals at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/new-town-centre and give your views there using our online survey. The consultation runs until Monday, March 14, 2022.