Member News

Business leaders in Suffolk have reported fundamental changes in working practice and recruitment, following the impacts of lockdown and Brexit.

A survey carried out among attendees at Larking Gowen’s Business Breakfast at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, found 35% of respondents saying recruitment had become more difficult over the last 18 months, with 55% saying they’re now recruiting staff from a wider geographic area than before.

On working practices 80% of respondents reported a permanent change following lockdown.

The event, entitled How To Retain Great People, which took place on Tuesday 14 September, was attended by 54 business leaders from around Suffolk.

Larking Gowen Partner Ian Fitch, who was co-presenting the event, said there was also a widespread recruitment problem across many industries. “Businesses across a range of sectors are struggling to find and retain good people. The pool for workers has dropped significantly for various reasons.”

“Employers need to think about how to retain great people, otherwise they will go to work for a competitor. The pandemic has shown that employees have earned the right to be trusted. Some are more productive at home, and we’re seeing more and more companies who are allowing greater flexibility.”

One of the attendees was Paul Day, Managing Director of logistics firm Turners (Soham) Ltd, which operates more than 1,850 vehicles across 32 sites.

Mr Day said: “At the moment retention of people is the most important thing. It’s not only drivers, it’s warehouse operators, packhouse operators and support services.

“We’ve been massively impacted by a shortage of drivers. They need to be valued and paid appropriately. It’s about knowing people and having management present on the ground, all one team.”

Mr Day said the driver shortage was caused by a number of factors, including the lack of EU drivers, a long period without training and testing, and a surge in activity levels as lockdown was eased.

Robert Baxter, Managing Director of Chassis-Cab Ltd, the DAF franchise holder for East Anglia, said demand for servicing, repairs and parts was at a permanent high level.

“With the lack of drivers, it’s even more important that the trucks are on the road as much as possible,” he said, adding that recruitment, including finding apprentices had become increasingly difficult across the business.

Larking Gowen Partner Becky Ames, also presenting, spoke about how employers can motivate staff by talking to them and finding out what they’re looking for from their job.

“A good employee value proposition can’t just be monetary, and often depends on what stage of their career they’re at. If they’re younger it might be about learning and development or perhaps autonomy and responsibility. Older employees, or those with families might be looking for greater flexibility.

“Ultimately, the key is to talk to your people and find out what they value. Your business needs a wide range of employment options, a big enough offering to suit each individual,” she said.

At Barnham Broom we offer our fully-inclusive Signature Meetings Package to event organisers looking for an environment to stimulate fresh ideas and encourage productivity.

The package is specially designed to incorporate all the needs of your delegates from the outset and maintain energy levels throughout.

From our award-winning chefs to our first-class meetings and events team, we will strive to make every meeting a success and will be on-hand to help during your time with us.

Whether you are planning a board meeting, full-scale conference or product launch, our dedicated events and conference team will work with you to create a bespoke package. Our purpose built facilities and high class service, all set in a superb location, make Barnham Broom an ideal place to hold a conference or business meeting.

We offer a choice of purpose-built conference and banqueting suites so you can create exactly the right space for your event. Whether it’s a breakfast, lunch, evening or an all-day event, you’ll enjoy the uninterrupted peace and quiet that will enable you to focus on the issues at hand. Our suites are equipped with LCD projectors when required, screens, flip charts, telephone points and free Wi-Fi.

Greater Anglia (GA) will continue to operate train services in East Anglia for the next five years after their owning group, Abellio, signed a new contract with the Department for Transport (DfT) to run rail services across the region.

The new National Rail Contract (NRC), begins on Sunday 19 September 2021, when the current Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (‘ERMA’) with the DfT ends, and will run to 20 September 2026. It replaces the previous franchise agreement, which was set aside at the start of the pandemic when train operators were underwritten by the DfT, as passenger numbers fell markedly when travel restrictions were put in place.

The new contract will see the continuation of Greater Anglia’s major investment programme to deliver better rail services for the region including :

• Completion of their transformational project to introduce new trains across the entire Greater Anglia network
• The continuation of their extensive upgrade programme for stations and maintenance depots in the region
• Further initiatives to maintain the record-breaking high levels of punctuality they have delivered over the last 18 months 
• Ongoing improvements to customer service standards, ticketing, accessibility, timetables and energy efficiency

Greater Anglia will also be fully focused on maximising the return of passengers to the rail network and supporting the sustainable economic development of the region, as the UK recovers from the pandemic.

They have already introduced new electric trains on their intercity and Stansted Express services and new bi-mode trains on their regional services in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the Marks Tey to Sudbury line, with all 58 trains from Swiss manufacturer Stadler already in service. Meanwhile the first 29 of their 133-strong fleet of 5-carriage electric commuter trains for services on the Great Eastern and West Anglia routes (built by Alstom, formerly Bombardier, in Derby) are now available for passenger service, with more and more services in these areas progressively benefitting from the state-of-the-art trains.

Greater Anglia have also improved service frequency on a number of routes in recent years; introduced other timetable enhancements, such as the Norwich in 90/Ipswich in 60 services and the Norwich to Stansted Airport direct service; carried out many improvements at stations – with Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich all winning “Best Station” awards in recent years; introduced smart ticketing; worked closely with communities – including Community Rail Partnerships and station adopters – to enhance stations and services in line with local needs; improved accessibility for disabled customers; improved integrated transport links and achieved better environmental performance – with reduced energy usage and increased biodiversity at stations.

In addition, the GA teams have delivered a very reliable service for rail travellers throughout the challenging pandemic period.

Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Greater Anglia, commented :

“We’re pleased to have agreed our new National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport. We’re looking forward to continuing the positive transformation of train services in our region, completing the roll out of our new train fleet, maintaining recent excellent performance and further raising customer service standards. Our team is fully committed to keeping up the ongoing cycle of improvements in East Anglia and delivering the best possible service for customers and communities on a consistent basis.” 

Greater Anglia (GA) will continue to operate train services in East Anglia for the next five years after their owning group, Abellio, signed a new contract with the Department for Transport (DfT) to run rail services across the region.

The new National Rail Contract (NRC), begins on Sunday 19 September 2021, when the current Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (‘ERMA’) with the DfT ends, and will run to 20 September 2026. It replaces the previous franchise agreement, which was set aside at the start of the pandemic when train operators were underwritten by the DfT, as passenger numbers fell markedly when travel restrictions were put in place.

The new contract will see the continuation of Greater Anglia’s major investment programme to deliver better rail services for the region including :

• Completion of their transformational project to introduce new trains across the entire Greater Anglia network
• The continuation of their extensive upgrade programme for stations and maintenance depots in the region
• Further initiatives to maintain the record-breaking high levels of punctuality they have delivered over the last 18 months 
• Ongoing improvements to customer service standards, ticketing, accessibility, timetables and energy efficiency

Greater Anglia will also be fully focused on maximising the return of passengers to the rail network and supporting the sustainable economic development of the region, as the UK recovers from the pandemic.

They have already introduced new electric trains on their intercity and Stansted Express services and new bi-mode trains on their regional services in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the Marks Tey to Sudbury line, with all 58 trains from Swiss manufacturer Stadler already in service. Meanwhile the first 29 of their 133-strong fleet of 5-carriage electric commuter trains for services on the Great Eastern and West Anglia routes (built by Alstom, formerly Bombardier, in Derby) are now available for passenger service, with more and more services in these areas progressively benefitting from the state-of-the-art trains.

Greater Anglia have also improved service frequency on a number of routes in recent years; introduced other timetable enhancements, such as the Norwich in 90/Ipswich in 60 services and the Norwich to Stansted Airport direct service; carried out many improvements at stations – with Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich all winning “Best Station” awards in recent years; introduced smart ticketing; worked closely with communities – including Community Rail Partnerships and station adopters – to enhance stations and services in line with local needs; improved accessibility for disabled customers; improved integrated transport links and achieved better environmental performance – with reduced energy usage and increased biodiversity at stations.

In addition, the GA teams have delivered a very reliable service for rail travellers throughout the challenging pandemic period.

Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Greater Anglia, commented :

“We’re pleased to have agreed our new National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport. We’re looking forward to continuing the positive transformation of train services in our region, completing the roll out of our new train fleet, maintaining recent excellent performance and further raising customer service standards. Our team is fully committed to keeping up the ongoing cycle of improvements in East Anglia and delivering the best possible service for customers and communities on a consistent basis.” 

GoGoDiscover’s 21 T.rex sculptures have stomped off the streets after nine weeks of bringing colour, fun, discovery and beautiful art to Norwich this summer. Discover the impact that the trail had in numbers and when the T.rex will return with teeth…

GoGoDiscover has been delivered by local  charity, Break, in partnership with Wild in Art. Based on the number of trails maps printed, distributed and digitally downloaded from the Break website, the GoGoDiscover project team estimate a minimum of 300,000 visitors took on the trail this summer.

The free trail has raised thousands in fundraising for children’s charity Break, who provide lifelong support to children and young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care. The charity has seen a big increase in visitors to their website, as well as increased engagement across all Break and GoGoDiscover social media channels.

Talented local and national artists decorated the 2 metre sculptures and nearly 50 volunteer trail rangers gave up their time to help support Break and look after the T.rex.

Artist Sophie Li-Rocchi is Head of Art at Gresham Prep school and this year designed and decorated two T.rex – Dino Hunter and SNAP!, and said: “It has been wonderful to be involved as an artist on the GoGoDiscover trail. I had loads of fun painting SNAP! and Dino Hunter in lockdown, and it has been an absolute pleasure to see them on the streets of Norwich this summer. Every time I have walked past them, it has been brilliant to see so many people with trail maps and completing the trail, with lots of selfies being taken on the way! It has obviously been a great success for Break and has certainly provided people with an excellent excuse to explore the streets of Norwich, my favourite city, engage with art, and, of course, meet some pretty friendly dinosaurs along the way! The trails not only provide some great family friendly fun, but also provide artists with a brilliant source of inspiration, with fantastic opportunities to create and exhibit, whilst supporting a brilliant cause. I can’t wait to see them out again next year!”

21 businesses from across the region sponsored the T.rex sculptures.

Chantry Place is a presenting partner of GoGoDiscover and had three T.rex at the Centre this summer, including one it sponsored. Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “GoGoDiscover has been incredibly positive for Norwich this summer with many locals and tourists visiting the T.rex across the city and in the Centre. We’ve really enjoyed having them and seeing all the positive reactions and smiles they have had from all ages – and they have certainly brought lots of colour and fun to Norwich. We love supporting Break’s fundraising charity trails and we can’t wait to see the T.rex sculptures back next year in even larger numbers and the new Steppe Mammoths across the county. It is a great way for people to explore all the gems we have right here on our doorstep, support tourism and the local economy, and, most importantly, raise funds for this wonderful charity.”  

And, the GoGoDiscover dinosaurs won’t fade into extinction. They will return this October Half Term for one week only for a special ‘Farewell for Now’ event at Norwich Cathedral, which coincides with Dippy the Diplodocus’s last week in Norwich.

Then in the Summer of 2022, the dinosaur sculptures will return with even more T.rex in the city, while Steppe Mammoth sculptures will take over Norfolk and link to the discovery and exploration of Norfolk’s deep history coast.

A GoGoDiscover 2022 Learning & Community Programme, in partnership with Dipple & Conway Opticians, is also taking place and the smaller T.rex sculptures, named Breakasaurus, will join the larger sculptures on the GoGoDiscover trail in Summer 2022.

Peter Marron, GoGoDiscover project manager for Break, comments: “This trail could not have come at a better time to help boost the city and its wonderful retailers and tourism, and we have had many businesses telling us that the dinos have brought them extra footfall and trade. It also has been wonderful for families to come together and all ages have enjoyed seeing these beautiful pieces of art – everyone seems to love the T.rex. We are so excited to bring an even bigger trail to Norwich and Norfolk in 2022, raise more vital funds for Break and work with some new sponsors and artists. The schools project is an integral part of the success of our trails and we can’t wait to see all the creative talent and ideas from all those involved.”

Many of the T.rex and Steppe Mammoth sculptures will be auctioned off at the end of next year to raise much needed funds for Break.

For more information about Break visit break-charity.org

Text TREX to 70085 to donate £3. Texts cost £3, plus one standard rate message. #GoGoDiscover

To better support your business in the future, the Norfolk County Council has commissioned Local First to review access to business finance in Norfolk by understanding your experience with current finance providers.

Please take this opportunity to tell them about your experiences with accessing finance, your relationship with your bank, and whether your business would welcome a new model of community-oriented bank in Norfolk.

Market Demand Survey

We really value your contribution and it should take no longer than 4-5 minutes of your time.

With your help, this insight will be reviewed to create a feasible solution to increase finance availability for your business.

James and Mark chat about the new challenges facing businesses emerging from furlough with a growing need to manage hybrid teams working from home and the office. They provide 3 top tips and take inspiration from John Seddon’s book Freedom From Command & Control, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s New York Time’s bestseller Extreme Ownership, and 1970’s American disco group The Village People!   We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast!    Show notes: Freedom From Command & Control Extreme Ownership  

Listen here!

Norfolk County Council’s Adult Social Services are advising businesses in Norfolk to be aware that their employees carrying out works at any kind of care home will be required, from 11 November 2021, to prove that they are double-vaccinated. From this date, proof of vaccination with an approved COVID-19 vaccine will be necessary for entry.

Councillor Bill Borrett, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health said: “The mandatory vaccine regulations will help to ensure that all care home residents, who may be vulnerable to COVID-19 are better protected against the virus.

“We also hope that the local businesses, who are valued providers of services to our care homes across the region, will be able to support us with this new requirement.”

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccine regulations apply to any person working in a CQC-regulated care home in England which provides nursing or personal care, subject to certain exemptions.

The list of persons includes:

• All workers employed directly by a care home (on a full or part-time basis)
• All workers employed by an agency and deployed by a care home
• Volunteers deployed in a care home.
• Anyone going into a care home to do other work, for example healthcare workers, tradespeople, CQC inspectors, hairdressers and beauticians.

There is still time for anyone who has not yet had their vaccination(s) to get them before the deadline, provided they get the first vaccine by 16 September. A list of vaccination centres with locations is available online at: https://norfolkandwaveneyccg.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination-programme.

Norfolk walk-in clinics appropriate for current vaccine status and age can also be found at: https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/WalkIn/

Unfortunately, care homes will be unable to admit unvaccinated persons after 11 November 2021 unless the individual is exempt for the following reasons:

• Medically exempt
• Providing emergency assistance
• Carrying out urgent maintenance work

If individuals have been vaccinated by the NHS in England, they can demonstrate their vaccination status using the NHS COVID Pass service via one of the following methods:

• NHS App
• NHS website – www.NHS.uk
• NHS COVID Pass letter

An NHS appointment card cannot be used as proof of vaccination status.

Individuals vaccinated in Scotland can find information on how to obtain a record of their COVID19 vaccination status from www.nhsinform.scot

Individuals vaccinated in Wales can find information on how to obtain a record of their COVID-19 vaccination status from www.gov.wales

Norfolk County Council is aware that some people will have been vaccinated in Northern Ireland and in other countries outside Great Britain. The government is working on a solution for accepting evidence of this and will provide further guidance as soon as possible.

We at Breakwater are excited to share that our Cyber Security Conference will make its physical comeback on Thursday 9 December following the online event in 2020! The event will be held at The Space, Norwich, 08:30 – 12:00. Book here.

Cybercrime continues to rise exponentially. With new threats emerging daily, we want to help keep you and your business safe. That’s why we hold this annual conference. It is designed to educate, inform, and inspire change in the way you approach cyber security. We’ll be joined by professionals in the field who will share their stories and expertise.

You don’t need to be an IT or security expert to attend. Just a will to protect your business from cyber threats.

Keynote Speaker

Now is the time to get excited as we’ll be joined by tech expert, author and presenter, Jamie Bartlett.

Jamie is the author of three books: The People Vs Tech (2018), Radicals (2017) and the best-selling The Dark Net (2014). He founded the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at the think-tank Demos, where he specialised in online social movements and using machine learning to study the impact of technology on society.

He is also a regular commentator on national and international media outlets, and a regular writer on technology for The Spectator.

Jamie is an expert in cyber security, digital transformation and technology and is set to deliver a fascinating and insightful talk. Details on his talk will be revealed as we get closer to the event so keep your eyes peeled!

In addition to our keynote speaker, Jamie, we will also welcome experts from other experts in the field. This includes our event sponsors, Datto.

Event Details

Thursday 9 December 2021 | 08:30 – 12:00 | The Space, Norwich | Book here

Ticket Information Tickets are free for all businesses to attend. There is no limit on the number of tickets you can book so get your team involved and learn how to keep them safe online! If you have any questions about the event, please get in touch: events@breakwaterit.co.uk | 01603 709300

A new electric vehicle strategy is set for discussion next week as county councillors consider practical ways to help boost the uptake of carbon cutting electric vehicles across Norfolk.

In April there were already 2631 electric vehicles registered across Norfolk, however there are big differences between parts of the county with 22% of those in South Norfolk and only 5% in Great Yarmouth. There are also relatively few public chargers, with Norwich home to 44 of the 198 currently across Norfolk as a whole.

Cllr Barry Stone, Chair of the Infrastructure and Development Select Committee and Member Champion for Carbon Neutrality 2030, said: “We are looking to make sure that the benefits of switching to electric vehicles are realised as quickly as possible in the county. Switching to electric vehicles has been identified in the latest draft Local Transport Plan as one of the most effective policies in reducing carbon emissions from transport.

“While we can’t make that happen on our own, the strategy identifies things that we can do to accelerate take up and help remove some of the barriers to electric car ownership, specifically regarding charging.

“We want to make it easier for people to charge their electric cars at home, seek funding for more public charge points in Norwich, and make it easier for local communities to access public chargers across the county.”

The electric vehicle strategy is one part of the work underway by the county council to achieve its ambitious target of net zero carbon by 2030. The strategy will complement other sustainable transport initiatives to boost active travel and cut carbon outputs, such as the hire schemes for e-scooters and e-bikes in Great Yarmouth and Norwich, and new zero emission buses.

The report to be considered by the committee highlights that the county council can play an important role in helping to increase the uptake of electric vehicles by not only ensuring that the necessary charging infrastructure is in place but also by setting a good example to local businesses and organisations as a result of electrifying its own fleet.

The strategy also proposes placing a requirement on developers to ensure every new home with a parking space has access to an electric vehicle charge point.

The new Electric Vehicle Strategy will be discussed by the Infrastructure and Development Select Committee when they meet on Wednesday, 15 September. Read papers for the meeting online.

A new cohort were, this week, welcomed onto Larking Gowen’s professional accountancy training programme. The thirty-three, recruited as pandemic restrictions have eased, will mostly be working towards their AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) or ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) qualifications at the firm’s offices across Norfolk, Suffolk and North Essex.

“Our annual apprenticeship programme offers the full breadth of experience and professional support – the foundations for a varied and fulfilling career,” says Managing Partner, Julie Grimmer, who, this week, celebrates 37 years with Larking Gowen, after herself joining as a trainee.

Julie continues, “Many of our partners and employees joined as trainees and are still with us years later. I offer warm congratulations to these talented young trainees. My colleagues and I very much look forward to working with them.”

Larking Gowen has a one-hundred-year tradition of training local A-level and university students for their professional accountancy examinations – a tradition interrupted only by the war years.

What a year it’s been. Like all businesses, the coronavirus pandemic has brought us our fair share of challenges. But we’ve been overwhelmed by the support of our team, clients, candidates and business partners. And if this extraordinary period has taught us anything it’s that with teamwork and collaboration we can weather any storm. Here are just some of our highlights from the past 12 months.

Pure in numbers

Over the past year, we’ve found 1,258 people new positions and helped more than 450 clients recruit new team members. We’re really proud of these numbers, especially considering the uncertainty the pandemic has brought to the job market. We’re also proud of how we’ve embraced the challenges of adapting the recruitment process to cope with this, including carrying out virtual interviews, recruiting and onboarding.

Promoting within Pure

Due to their incredible commitment and achievements, and the way they’ve been living the Pure values, we’re delighted to announce that we’ve promoted the following people:

• Mark Wishart is now a Senior Managing Consultant
• Fiona Cooper, Ruben Davis, Caroline Meeson and Jenny Saban are now all Managing Consultants
• Emily Colby and Laurie Smith are now Senior Recruitment Consultants.

Here’s what their colleagues had to say about them.

Mark Wishart – by David Culley, Director at our Cambridge office

‘Mark has all the traits of a great consultant. He’s competitive, resilient and a real grafter – he always does his best and never quits. Driven by quality, he gives as much time as he can to support his clients and candidates and has shown a keen interest in supporting and mentoring less experienced consultants.’

Fiona Cooper – by Paul Sheldrake, Business Director at our Ipswich office

‘Fiona is one of the most diligent and hardworking consultants I’ve ever worked with. She’s always positive, is a fantastic team player, and is universally liked and respected by candidates, clients and her colleagues. She’s also happy to take on extra responsibilities, including being the mental health first aider for our Ipswich office.

Ruben Davis – by Scott Woodrow, Director

‘Ruben is our first experienced tech hire. And he’s been absolutely key in helping us establish and develop our new technology, marketing and digital areas. All in all, he’s thoroughly deserving of this promotion.’

Caroline Meeson – by Tom Earl, Director at our Norwich office

‘Caroline joined Pure in 2009, and it’s fair to say she’s now part of our DNA. She’s worked across three offices taking on many different tasks which shows her versatility and flexibility. Her hard work, dedication and passion for delivering on behalf of her customers is something she should be really proud of. She’s also undertaken several projects for us and is a driving force behind business development for the office and, in particular, for the finance team.’

Jenny Saban – by Scott Woodrow, Director

‘Jenny’s tenacious and focused and has been key in helping us increase our technology, marketing and digital revenues. She’s also helped us win and deliver important accounts in Cambridge.’

Emily Colby – by Tom Earl, Director at our Norwich office

‘Emily made an immediate impact at Pure with her positive approach. She always goes the extra mile, and her clients and candidates have nothing but positive comments about her levels of service and genuine desire to help. She’s a true team player and every day it’s clear how much she loves recruitment. Her energy and passion is infectious, and she lives and breathes the Pure values.’

Laurie Smith – by Paul Sheldrake, Business Director at our Ipswich office

‘Since she joined us in early 2020, Laurie’s been exceptional. The pandemic’s meant she’s spent most of her career with us working remotely, and she’s shown tremendous resilience and tenacity during lockdown.’

Recognising excellence

Every year we hold the Pure Awards to celebrate members of our team who’ve gone above and beyond at work. The awards are based on our Pure values (‘delivers’, ‘teamwork’, ‘supports’, ‘quality’, ‘innovates’ and ‘rewards’), and people are nominated by their colleagues. Here are this year’s winners alongside the value they were nominated for, and the reasons for their nomination.

Award: Pure delivers (‘Energy and determination to achieve best results’) Winner: Lucy Plumb ‘Lucy offers support whenever you need her – whether you need help with CV formatting, getting a tricky job posted in the right place or flagging up new candidates, she never seems too busy to help.’

Award: Pure teamwork (‘Believing in the power of teamwork’) Winner: Katherine Bell ‘Kath is always there to help with anything – she’s genuinely the nicest person. No matter how busy she is or how much of a workload she has, she’ll be there to help you out, make suggestions and generally support you however and whenever she can.’

Award: Pure supports (‘Committed to helping people achieve’) Winner: Annette Wyld ‘Annette is Pure’s unsung hero, along with all her finance team. She’s always supportive and helpful, and ready to go the extra mile.’

Award: Pure quality (‘Integrity and trust at its core’) Winner: Becky Wilson ‘Becky’s being nominated for her teamwork, collaborative and supportive approach, tenacity and determination. And also for the business she drives for the wider team, and the depth and quality of her business and candidate relationships.’

Award: Pure innovates (‘Forward thinking and innovative with an eye to the future’) Winner: Nadia Mullins-Hills ‘Nadia goes the extra mile in everything she does. She’s driven by quality and integrity, and she’s been an absolute star over the last 15 months.”

Adding to our team

As well as recognising our current team, increasing demand in recruitment across our region means we’re also adding some new faces to the Pure family. We’re delighted to welcome:

• Victoria Lumley, Senior Recruitment Consultant for accountancy roles, based in Chelmsford
• Julie Ottloangui, Recruitment Consultant for professional office roles, based in Cambridge
• Harry Severn, Recruitment Consultant for software roles across the region
• Karolina Solarz, Recruitment Consultant for marketing roles, based in Ipswich
• Giles Dawson, Recruitment Consultant for accountancy roles, based in Norwich
• Sophie Francis, Recruitment Resourcer based in Cambridge
• Kai Macdonald, Marketing Assistant
• Ella Bell, Business Administrator.

We’re really proud of the hard work and dedication our people have shown over the past year, in spite of the personal and professional challenges we’ve all faced. Here’s to an even more happy and productive 2021 to 2022 for all our people, clients and candidates.