Following a thorough audit in December, Prior Power Solutions has received ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certification. Already certified to ISO 9001 for Quality Management, the company has solidified its commitment to providing both a safe working environment for its employees and visitors, and to reducing its environmental impact. The ISO 45001 certification for Occupational Health & Safety reinforces existing proactive leadership practices to improve health and safety for everyone, including through the Coronavirus pandemic. Having undergone a name change and total rebrand in 2020 to reflect the company’s vision of being a leading global player in the field of sustainable power solutions, Prior Power Solutions is supporting its global customers transition to more sustainable and cleaner emission powered products. “ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management is therefore central for Prior Power Solutions” says Daniel Dyball, Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Officer. “Reducing the environmental impact of day-to-day activities is of paramount importance to us. “Through our energy provider, our site in Great Yarmouth is already powered 100% by clean energy. “And since simply reviewing our waste management system a few months ago, we have already diverted 6.5 tonnes of waste from landfill. The company is looking at new ways of identifying waste that could be recycled instead of going to landfill. “One of the new environmental initiatives we are implementing is recycling facilities on site for Covid-19 lateral flow tests and face masks. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about the certificate to display in reception, but an ethos to live and work by every day,” concludes Daniel. James Rix, Managing Director says, “As part of the Moreld group of companies, sustainability is at the core to everything we do. “Whilst we are developing electric-driven equipment and hydrogen introduction systems for diesel engines for our customers to lower their carbon footprint, we are dedicated to adopting sustainable practices in our daily operations.”
A Guide to Self-Build Mortgages Trevor Griffin is our Self-Build Specialist at Mortgage Advice Bureau and gives a guide for what to look out for below. 2021 saw the largest increase in house prices since 2007, that coupled with the government help to build scheme means that even more people are looking to self-build. Approximately 12,000 people in the UK build their own homes every year. For some self-building means that they can invest their own time and effort in to building their dream home, saving themselves money and for other it’s a way of ensuring that their dream home is bespoke to them by engaging specialists to manage and build their self-build. Here at Mortgage Advice Bureau, we provide specialist advice for self-build mortgages helping you to obtain the right mortgage for your project. When it comes to self-build mortgages and self-building, planning is key (in more ways that one). Self-building can be broken down into the following basic steps.
Finding and buying your plot
Planning, costings, financing and laying of foundations
Construction to wall plate level
Building made watertight
First fix and plastering
Second fix through to completion
When you are thinking about self-building then its important to consider your cash flow because self-build mortgages will release funds in stages after completion of each key stage of your build. Also, it’s important to factor in the cost of your mortgage or rent while you are still building and the interest only payments for each stage of your self-build mortgage. Finally, it is also important to ensure you build in a 10-15% contingency and that builders are contracted on a joint contract’s tribunal. Whatever stage you’re at in your self-build journey contact Mortgage Advice Bureau to talk to our specialist mortgage adviser today. Telephone our office: 01603 40 50 70or Trevor directly on 07769 892018Email: trevor.griffin@mab.org.uk
On Saturday 28th May 2022, Norfolk-based community interest company HER Business Revolution will hold a large-scale celebration of the achievements of women and girls. The event ‘Superwoman Fest™ Norwich’ will take place at the Norfolk showground, and the company expects to have up to 5,000 attendants, based on the enthusiastic online response they have received from potential attendants and collaborators.The company aims to share positive stories about the ambition and perseverance of the women they have supported in wellbeing, work and business related struggles. They also invite other companies and businesses to come along and do the same, as stand-holders, partners and sponsors.HER Business Revolution require forward thinking businesses who can platform similarly encouraging stories that might inspire attendants, or raise awareness about opportunities for women where they are underrepresented.There will be also be opportunities for B2B networking and interaction due to the number of current local sponsors and standholders- including Birketts, Hethel Innovation and Face to Face Finance. Students from Norfolk colleges, sixth-forms and universities have also been welcomed to come along and explore their future options in a friendly and inspiring environment, so companies looking for a new, fresh-thinking cohort of staff are encouraged to participate and show off what makes your organisation great. The festival will feature a speakers tent where representatives from companies will get the chance to speak on a range of fascinating subjects, a marketplace with stands you can reserve especially for your business, and the chance to run interactive workshops for the benefit of attendants.
If you, your small business or company are interested in sponsorship opportunities or becoming a stand holder, click here to read our sponsorship brochure. For more information, contact events@herbusinessrevolution.biz
For many people, the start of a new year is time for both celebration and reflection and, at Layrd Design, we’re no different. Join us as we share some of our highlights from the past 12 months, before looking ahead at what’s in store for 2022. in our latest blog we discuss our successes and challenges in 2021 and look forward to 2022. Read the full article below. https://www.layrddesign.co.uk/post/2021-the-year-in-review
As a Department of International Trade, East of England Export Champion based in King’s Lynn, Captain Fawcett is honoured to feature in the portfolio of British businesses being showcased by the Trade Secretary, The Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP in the current negotiations to establish an important free trade agreement with India. ‘As a company that with the assistance of both the DIT & UKIBC is registering a number of our simply ‘First Class Gentlemen’s Grooming Requisites’ with a view to importing into the world’s fastest-growing market. We welcome this hugely exciting initiative. UK-India Free Trade AgreementHow the East of England could benefit: The East of England is an export powerhouse, sending nearly £30bn of goods abroad in 2019 – £449m of which went to India. An FTA with India could provide easier access for exporters such as King’s Lynn-based gentleman’s grooming specialists Captain Fawcett, stimulating businesses across the region and boosting its economy by up to £224m in the long run. An FTA which reduces India’s huge import taxes of up to 60% on dairy products and more than double that on other UK goods would be great news for firms like Volac, based in Cambridge, who produce dairy nutrition products, or the region’s specialist industrial equipment makers, who already export over £34m-worth of goods a year to India. The East of England is a hi-tech centre of excellence, from Cambridgeshire’s world-renowned life sciences experts to innovative scientific equipment producers in Suffolk. Companies like medical device firm CMR Surgical would benefit from an FTA which allows greater co-operation with Indian researchers as both countries strive to build back better from coronavirus. The East’s services sector already has a global reach, exporting £179m-worth to India in 2019. Opening access to India’s expanding market offers huge opportunities for law firms in Peterborough, accountants in Southend-on-Sea, or transport, storage, and logistics experts in Bedfordshire.
The roll out of Greater Anglia’s new trains is continuing in 2022, with the first one to enter passenger service this year going into operation on the Southend Victoria – London line, as the train operator continues the programme to replace its entire fleet with brand new trains, giving further improvements in accessibility. The introduction of the latest UK-built electric commuter train brings the total number of new trains in the Greater Anglia fleet to 103. New trains are now running on every route on the Greater Anglia network apart from between Ely and Kings Lynn, where they will be introduced later this year. The new trains are longer with more seats, plug and USB sockets at every seat, free fast wifi and climate controlled air conditioning. They also have improved accessibility features on every train, such as accessible toilets, wheelchair areas, passenger information systems, call for aid buttons and priority seating – these seats are available to anyone but those who can stand are encouraged to offer them to others around them who may have a non-visible impairment, be pregnant or less able to stand. The arrival of more new trains means that more of the train operator’s old trains have been retired and that, as a result, Greater Anglia’s entire fleet now meets modern accessibility standards. New trains with low floors and retractable steps which bridge the gap between the train and platform run on the majority of Greater Anglia’s regional, intercity, and Stansted Express services. Greater Anglia’s other new trains, which have two wheelchair spaces and one accessible toilet per five carriage train, so four wheelchair spaces and two accessible toilets when running as ten carriages, operate on routes in Essex and on West Anglia services. Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Engineering Director, said, “With the removal of old trains from service, and more brand-new trains entering service regularly, our transformation of the railway in East Anglia has reached another positive milestone. “This will make it much easier for people to travel with confidence on our network in future.”
Rail industry joins charity to encourage rail users, including key workers and staff to have a cuppa and a catch up with those they care about as the charity’s annual campaign launches
Greater Anglia station staff join Norwich, Ely and Cambridge volunteers on Monday 17 January providing tea bags for Brew Monday
In a bid to power through the cold winter months, Greater Anglia has joined Samaritans to encourage rail users, including key workers and rail staff to share a cuppa and a catch up with someone they care about for Brew Monday on 17 January. Whilst the third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’, the charity is highlighting that there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ as people can feel a range of emotions any day of the year. Although winter is thought to be one of the harder seasons with dark days and frosty nights, Samaritans volunteers hear similar concerns all year round from those that contact the charity. The main concerns include mental health and illness (46 per cent), family (34 per cent) and loneliness (28 per cent)*. To ensure nobody struggles alone, on Brew Monday or any other day, Samaritans and Greater Anglia are reminding everyone to check in on friends, family or colleagues. It doesn’t need to be a Monday or a cup of tea, it’s about connecting and really listening to each other. On Monday 17 January, Greater Anglia staff will be joining Samaritans volunteers at Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely stations to hand out teabags and talk to passengers about the importance of reaching out and talking. Samaritans volunteers will be at the stations between 7am-9am and again between 5pm-7pm. Volunteers from Norwich Samaritans will be at Norwich station between 2pm-6.30pm. Greater Anglia staff are also invited to take part in a virtual event with Norwich Samaritans to find out more about the charity and learn some important listening tips. Matt Wakefield, Greater Anglia Head of Safety, Security and Sustainability, said: “We’re really proud to be supporting Samaritans’ Brew Monday campaign at Norwich, Cambridge, Cambridge North and Ely stations and spreading this important message to our passengers. Samaritans has worked in partnership with the wider rail industry for more than 10 years encouraging the public and our staff to recognise the power of human connection and start a conversation which could save a life.” Julie Bentley, Samaritans’ CEO said: “We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year. Throughout the various lockdowns and restrictions, the pandemic has shown us that staying connected with others has been a vital part of getting people through difficult times. We know the impact talking and listening can have, and a cup of tea and a chat won’t solve everything, but it can be a start. You don’t have to have all the answers or solutions, you just need to listen and start a conversation which could just be the support that someone needs.” The Brew Monday support comes as part of the rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and partnership with Network Rail. Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police to reduce suicides on the railway for over 10 years, having trained over 24,000 rail and BTP staff to look out for passengers and make conversation if they feel someone might be vulnerable. Find out more at samaritans.org/brewmonday or join the conversation on social media using #BrewMonday and why not make a donation while you’re there, you could help save a life.
Investment Managers’ Assistant An exciting new opportunity has arisen at Charles Stanley! We’re looking for someone to provide a high standard of administrative support to a successful investment management team based in Norwich. Find out more here!
Greater Anglia is making further temporary changes to its weekday timetable from Monday 10 January, in response to fewer passengers travelling. The company is going to replace the current temporary weekday timetable which was implemented just before Christmas with a Sunday-style timetable on most routes – but with earlier first trains mostly consistent with a normal weekday timetable and more trains at peak times. The busiest services will be operated with eight- or ten-carriage trains. No changes will be made to regional route service frequency apart from removing four additional peak services on the Norwich to Great Yarmouth route, meaning an hourly service on most routes or two-hourly on the Ipswich to Peterborough route, as normal. The Norwich to London Liverpool Street intercity service, which operates with 12 carriage trains, will become hourly. The weekend timetable will remain unchanged. Passenger numbers at Greater Anglia have fallen again in recent weeks – and are currently at 40-50 per cent of pre pandemic levels, having increased to around 65–70 per cent in the autumn. Peak-time passenger numbers are currently around 30 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.” They fell after the Government advised people in December to work from home whenever possible – which remains current guidance until at least the end of January – and as fewer people have been travelling, given the recent significant increases in coronavirus cases across the region. However, the new timetable allows for some growth in passenger numbers, with about 74 per cent of pre-pandemic services continuing to run. Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “The pandemic has changed our railway over the past 21 months. Working patterns have altered, so we currently have fewer commuters and business travellers and we are now entirely funded by the Government – and ultimately taxpayers. “We are accountable to our customers and to taxpayers. We want to provide a reliable and punctual service for our customers, which also represents the best possible value to taxpayers. “We’ve been closely monitoring and reviewing our passenger numbers and have designed a timetable which more accurately represents the level of customers who are using the trains. “We’ll continue to monitor passenger numbers and make adjustments if necessary, by either increasing the length of trains or adding extra services. “We are determined to continue running a reliable and punctual service for all our customers, as we have done throughout the pandemic.” Customers are reminded to check before they travel using the Greater Anglia website or app, which will include revised train times. Greater Anglia has a range of measures in place to keep people safe while travelling including good ventilation with either air conditioning which sucks in fresh air every six to nine minutes or opening windows, as well as doors which open at stations. The company is continuing with enhanced cleaning and sanitisation paying particular attention to high touch areas such as push buttons and grab handles. Anyone who wants to travel on a less busy train can check which trains have fewest passengers using the less busy trains tool on the Greater Anglia website. The company is thanking the high number of customers who are wearing face coverings on trains and stations, which is once again mandatory. Greater Anglia will continue to monitor the situation and adjust the timetable as necessary.
Happy New Year and a big welcome to our new specialist Diversity and Inclusion associates, Kate and James. They will both be partnering businesses in their Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging agendas. Want to hear more? Give us a call on 01603 904 011 or have a read of our case studies: www.ignitepeoplesolutions.co.uk/
There are many ways that you can become a greener driver. Even small changes such as removing a roof rack can improve your fuel consumption, therefore reducing your impact on the environment. Here are ten top tips to help you reach your goal in reducing your carbon footprint in 2021. As people are looking to tackle climate change, it is understandable why many people are looking to improve their driving habits. The UK government has set out a plan to ban the sale of new cars and vans that are wholly powered by petrol and diesel by 2030. This does not mean that you have to make the switch to a full electric vehicle straight away. Small changes such as saving fuel and maintaining your car can not only help you protect the environment, but can also save you money in the long term. 1. Checking your tyre pressure Running your car with under-inflated tyres means that your car uses more fuel to turn its wheels. This leads to higher fuel consumption, higher emissions and means to you having to fill up more often. The best way to address this is by finding the optimum tyre pressure for your car. You can check this either by looking in the log book of your car, finding the sticker at the bottom of the driver’s side door, or checking online. Please be aware that you may have to factor in other elements that can affect your car, such as passengers and additional load in your vehicle. 2. Driving at a constant speed Staying to the speed limit on the roads can help you save money at the pumps. Did you know that driving at 80mph can increase your fuel consumption by up to 25% than cruising at 70mph. Heavy braking and bursts of acceleration will see your car burn more fuel than cruising at a constant speed, which means that planning ahead and anticipating what is coming ahead is vital if you are looking to reduce fuel consumption. 3. Turn off your engine Surprisingly your car produces most pollution when it is running idle or at slow speeds under 15mph. Turning off your engine whilst sitting idle in your car is a simple solution for making your driving habits more economical. 4. Reduce unnecessary weight in your vehicle Leaving your golf clubs in the garage can help reduce your fuel consumption. Did you know that a medium sized car’s fuel consumption will increase by 1% for every 25kg of additional weight that it is carrying, therefore it is essential to only carry the essentials if you are looking to become a greener driver. 5. Remove roof or bike racks As mentioned above, additional weight can have a negative impact on fuel consumption. But have you considered what is on the outside of your car? Roof and bike racks can be helpful tools for those who need them, but most they just add weight to your vehicle. However it is not just weight, they can also increase the aerodynamic drag of your vehicle. By extra items on the outside of your car can reduce fuel consumption by around 20% when driving at motorway speeds. You can also increase your wind drag by closing windows, especially when driving at higher speeds on dual carriageways and motorways. 6. Reduce your use of air conditioning Although air conditioning is sometimes an essential luxury for comfort, it can increase your fuel consumption by up to 20%. Using the re-circulation option on your air conditioning can help reduce this. Other options to reduce the need for air conditioning while parked are to find shaded areas, or use a windscreen cover. Driving with your windows open is recommended, but only at slower speeds up to 40mph. As outlined above, it is actual more fuel efficient to use your air conditioning at full power than having your windows open when driving at motorway speeds. 7. Plan ahead and combine trips Instead of making multiple trips throughout the day. Instead of making multiple trips to the supermarket, school and gym and back why not plan ahead and combine them all into one journey. Planning your journey for optimum fuel consumption by avoiding areas with heavy traffic, roadworks and traffic lights with the help of navigation tools and apps can help you have a greener journey. 8. Consider car sharing Sharing a journey with someone else can help you reduce your carbon footprint. By picking up friends and colleagues, you are essentially taking another car off the road, and even share fuel costs meaning that you can save money. 9. Maintain your car Keeping your car well maintained is not only good for the safety of you and your passengers, but can also improve the efficiency of your car. By having your car frequently serviced with oil checks and new air filters, it will help your cars performance. As mentioned above, finding the optimum tyre pressure for your car can also improve your fuel consumption. 10. Making the switch to an electric car With the UK government setting out plans to ban the sale of new cars and vans that are wholly powered by petrol and diesel by 2030, and the advancements in electric car technology, have you considering about switching to an electric car? Electric cars are not only significantly cheaper than petrol and diesel cars, but are also often cheaper to run without sacrificing the comfort and performance of a fuel based vehicle. With more and more electric vehicle charging points popping up around the country in places such as supermarket car parks, and electric car only charging stations, it is easier to keep your new electric car running. Of course you can cut out the need to charge when out and about as you can also recharge your electric vehicle at home.