Member News

Business Professionals from across the Eastern region came together in April 2021 at this webinar,  organised by the get in touch with us.

In celebration of Scale Up Week, Scale Up New Anglia have created a series of online events giving you the unique opportunity to learn about the support, programmes and development opportunities available to you and your business across our region.

Hear from the people that not only deliver the programme but from those that have lived it as well. These events offer the unique chance to ask questions and truly gain an understanding of what the programme can offer you and your business and compare and discuss them in an open and honest forum with other like-minded businesses.

Explore the events and book your places below:

Monday 17th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – The Sounding Board 1pm – 2.30pm

Aimed at established businesses facing big decisions, this is your chance to find out about this unique support opportunity that goes beyond peer-to-peer engagement. The Sounding Board will introduce to your ecosystem people who have taken businesses to the next level and beyond – think of it as peer-to-peer on steroids!

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Innovate UK EDGE 3pm – 4.30pm

In this session, Senior Innovation & Growth Specialist and Scaleup Director, Chris Ellis, will introduce you to the St John’s Innovation Centre Cambridge team and talk through the eligibility criteria for the portfolio of fully-funded support available to businesses driving growth and internationalisation through innovation.

Tuesday 18th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Goldman Sachs GS10KSB 1pm – 2.30pm

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme is designed to provide high-quality, practical education and business support to leaders of high-growth small businesses and social enterprises across the country. Designed by business education experts and run in partnership with leading UK universities and business schools, the programme is fully funded for all participants.

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Elite & AIM 3pm – 4.30pm

ELITE is the largest international SMEs network and private market connecting companies with capital and AIM, part of London Stock Exchange, is the world’s most successful growth market – empowering companies, investors and the economy. In this session, they will each present how they help founders and entrepreneurs fulfil their growth ambitions and potential.

Wednesday 19th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Silver to Gold and Mastermind 3pm – 4.30pm

Silver to Gold and Mastermind are SUNA’s dedicated fully-funded learning and development pathways for local businesses looking to scale up. In this session find out how both pathways, which are a mix of peer to peer and structured learning sessions, can give you the ability to expand your business and network with like-minded people in our region.

Thursday 20th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Tech Nation 1pm – 2.30pm

Tech Nation is the UK network for ambitious digital tech entrepreneurs and our vision is to make the UK the best place to imagine, start and grow a digital business. Lead by Entrepreneur Engagement Manager, Thea Goodluck, find out how Tech Nation supports entrepreneurs to grow faster through knowledge, connections and structured growth programmes, having supported the likes of Zoopla, Monzo and Deliveroo.

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Innovate UK Exemplas 3pm – 4.30pm

Are you an innovative company? Are you Growing? Are you interested in expanding internationally? Would you benefit from impartial, external innovation and growth support to help you reach your goals? If so, this is the seminar for you!

In this week’s episode of Impromptu Business Chat, James and Mark chat about the challenge for businesses and their people returning from furlough, including changes to anxiety, confidence and motivation levels.  As always they end with 3 top tips, and along the way they take inspiration from Motivational Maps, Sir Clive Woodward and Mohammad Ali.

You can learn more about motivational maps here.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast!

Listen here!

Ashtons Legal has advised easyProperty on an £800k fundraise to secure finances for its future growth.

easyProperty is part of the well-known easy family of brands owned by easyGroup. easyProperty is seeking to transform the way people sell their properties with technology and agents throughout the UK and is planning significant growth over the next 12 months through its franchised business model. This recent funding secures the funds required for this planned expansion of the business.

The team at Ashtons who advised easyProperty on the legal issues surrounding raising of funds was led by partner James Tarling and included members of the firm’s specialist franchise team. Investors came on board through the Seedrs crowdfunding platform with matched funding coming from the Government-backed British Business Bank Future Fund loan scheme.

David Brierley, easyProperty CEO, comments: “Working with James and his team was a pleasure and nothing was too much trouble despite the very tight deadlines we ended up working to and the need for calls with multiple participants dotted around Europe“.

James Tarling from Ashtons adds: “It has been great working with David and his team as they take such an iconic brand into a new market. We have worked with many businesses as they scale their business for future growth despite the significant challenges in the corporate marketplace over the last year. We look forward to continuing to work with the easyProperty team as they expand their business over the coming months and years”.

At St Edmunds Society we know that every person is different. We know that mainstream education isn’t for everyone, and we pride ourselves on doing things a little differently. We support young people who may have felt challenged or out of place in a mainstream environment. At St Eds we offer a range of exciting vocational training courses such as Catering and Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, Carpentry, Tiling, Construction, Painting and Decorating and Mechanics.

As you can imagine work experience is very important to us here at St Eds, as it is another way for our young people to gain direct hands-on experience in the workplace. We are connected to many amazing businesses in the community that have seen lots of benefits from working with us such as:

• Recruitment strategy – getting ahead of competition by bringing enthusiastic young people with fresh ideas into the business.
• Helping business to develop a loyal and talented workforce.
• Shaping the skills of young people from the local community.
• Generating good PR for business, and brand loyalty.
• Giving established members of staff the chance to develop their skills in mentoring and coaching young people.

If you are able to offer work experience opportunities for any of our students, please contact Megan Howitt, Study Programme Officer.

megan.howitt@st-eds.org.uk

01603 622035 or 07591 203412

The series finale is a chat with Karen Hester, Chief Operating Officer of Adnams brewery in Southwold. Karen describes her story as ‘from mop to top’ – starting her career at Adnams as a cleaner, she’s now an award winning, glass ceiling breaking COO.

She chats to Chris about all things lockdown, pivoting, the digital revolution, stay-cations, the importance of wellbeing coming out of the pandemic, and much more, but this episode is really about the story of Karen’s personal journey into the world of business, and of her successes along the way.

Karen started her career, as a young woman, in the army, in part to help escape a turbulent childhood home. When she became pregnant, she was forced to leave, whilst her husband, also in the army, could stay. So, she sued the MOD, and won! Her case is still cited to this day in reports and teaching, and this experience also led to her personal pursuit of justice for all, and her current role as a magistrate.

Karen later joined Adnams as a part-time cleaner, where her potential and work ethic was spotted. She began working her way up, gaining experience in all areas of the business, including logistics, and has spent decades breaking down the barriers that society puts up around women in business, and smashing stereotypes, particularly around executive roles for working mothers.

During her trailblazing career, she has overseen multi-million pound rebuild projects with a focus on sustainability; has been voted East of England Businesswoman of the Year; and has been given an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk.

Despite all of the focus on her success as a woman in a male-dominated world, she does not believe that women should be given roles they don’t deserve, believing that giving a woman the role of a director BECAUSE she’s a woman is just as insulting as NOT giving it to her because she’s a woman! She speaks candidly about the challenges women need to overcome in order to reach their potential, including resisting imposter syndrome, and combating emotional bias in decision making.

This episode is a must-listen, not just for business leaders, but for anyone interested in the role gender plays in the workplace, and anyone in need of a little bit of inspiration, and motivation to succeed!

Visit Adnams here 

If you are enjoying Tourism Business Chat, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss out on series three which launches soon! 

Listen here!

Leading business-to-business marketing agency Full Mix Marketing have settled into city-centre offices as they look to support more businesses in 2021 and beyond. Following a move to offices in the centre of Norwich in September 2020, the successful full-service marketing agency have reported a positive start to the year as they help businesses promote themselves through and beyond the pandemic. “Though the easing of restrictions has taken longer than many hoped, even businesses relatively unaffected by the lockdowns appear keener than ever to get going. It’s exciting working with new and existing clients to ensure their marketing makes the best of the recovery” says Sarah West, co-founder and Managing Director. Full Mix Marketing’s new offices on Thorpe Road in Norwich have given them more space and made it easier for clients to visit. The move from their previous location in Cringleford, Norwich, was prompted when their lease became due for renewal. “At the time we were helping our team return safely to working part-time in our offices following the first lockdown. It’s hard to focus on the future during a crisis but it was something we saw as essential. We’re glad we did as it’s put us in an even better position to support businesses with their marketing” say Sarah West. In March 2020, as the restrictions on businesses required their team to work from home, Full Mix Marketing unveiled a new website and rebrand focusing on their expertise in marketing for businesses who work with other companies (known as business-to-business or B2B). “Most agencies focus on consumer marketing, but we’ve always wanted to work with the fantastic businesses who make or supply the goods and services other businesses rely on. Businesses behave differently to consumers, so we focus on delivering a full-mix of marketing which turns this to our clients’ advantage” adds Sarah. Full Mix Marketing was founded in 2016 with the aim to deliver the right mix of marketing to create meaningful results for their clients. This ranges from creating marketing strategies and brands, to delivering marketing including social media, websites, search engine optimisation, graphic design and content marketing. The company has subsequently become one of East Anglia’s leading business-to-business specialist, providing marketing for companies in sectors including manufacturing, engineering, technology, business services and logistics. The agency’s rebrand and move to larger premises has created the opportunity to put their stamp on their offices with a client meeting room, staff breakout area and new signage. “It was a proud moment when the roadside sign went up! The team celebrated with socially distanced sushi. However, we really feel for all those businesses forced to close or downsize during the pandemic. Both as a business and individuals, we feel we all need to play our part in helping them recover” adds Sarah. Now in their fifth year, the agency has long-term relationships with a number of clients who lead in their fields, including an increasing number of businesses from London. Key members of their team will also soon celebrate similar anniversaries with the agency. “Nothing would be possible without our team. They’ve all been outstandingly supportive throughout the last year and a real rock for our clients. It’s important to state just how important they are” concludes Sarah. More details of full mix marketing, the marketing they deliver and the sectors they serve can be found at https://www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk/

East Norfolk Sixth Form bring a new Level 4 course in Business Administration that targets both existing learners and those already working that wish to increase their qualifications. 

This is a ground breaking qualification that is affiliated with four Universities, Lincoln, Birmingham, University of Suffolk and University of Sunderland.  This gives direct entry onto their Business related Degree courses into year 2 and saves learners 33% of the University tuition fees. This is a brilliant opportunity for those learners in the region that would find University prohibitively expensive.

Anglian Water’s Innovation Shop Window Evolution

We’re sharing an exciting update on the evolution of 

We know that the global challenges we face can feel daunting, but we also know that when we work together, towards a common goal, we can do anything we set our minds to. We want to make the east of England the healthiest, happiest, and most prosperous place to live in the UK, resilient to climate change and with a landscape rich in wildlife.

Carrow Road is set to fully re-open for conferences, meetings and events from Monday, May 17.

The facilities at Carrow Road officially opened on a smaller scale on Monday, April 12, hosting small business meetings, weddings and wakes for a maximum of 15 people.

The next step on May 17 will see Carrow Road able to host larger numbers for business events as part of step three in the government roadmap out of lockdown.

With Delia’s Canary Catering available, flexibility and vast spaces, onsite complimentary car parking and a robust safety policy in place, our unique venue is the ideal place for all conferences, meetings and events needs.

All of our menus are created from Delia’s published recipes and her team of chefs work tirelessly in recreating these recipes to Delia’s exacting high standards.

Everything is freshly prepared in-house to ensure that Delia’s Canary Catering is truly memorable and a very important part of the overall special and unique event experience.

Carrow Road is a COVID-secure venue, with social distancing and other measures in place to keep all guests safe throughout their visit.

For our conference, meeting and events information guide, click here.

To find out more about our venue, visit the Delia’s Canary Catering or call us on 01603 218704.

Businesses, residents and visitors are being invited to have their say on the future of Downham Market. An initial three-week consultation has been launched today, to get some general views about Downham Market and also to gather some specific ideas about future uses of the historic Town Hall. Opportunities Downham Market will be the route for consultation, engagement and communications around plans, investment and potential improvements for the town.  Opportunities Downham Market hopes to encompass various funding programmes and schemes that could benefit the town. These include, but are not limited to, the Welcome Back Fund, the Community Renewal Fund/UK Prosperity Fund and the Levelling-up Fund. Opportunities Downham Market will bring together various partners, including the town, borough and county councils, business representatives, health representatives, and young people. Cllr Jenny Groom, Mayor of Downham Market, said: “I am delighted to say that we have been working in conjunction with the borough council and other partners to give the people and businesses of Downham Market a chance to have their say on the way Downham Market develops in the future, particularly in response to the impact of Covid-19.   “Today, we launch our first consultation with business residents and visitors to give everyone a chance to put their ideas forward.” To take part in the consultation visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QRVSQLS. The survey closes at midnight on 28 May. Cllr Groom continued “It has been so refreshing to work with the borough council and we hope to come up with some great initiatives and ideas that will not only attract funding into the area, but will benefit Downham Market and its economy.” A Downham Opportunities Partnership is being established, to review feedback from the consultation and to start to pull together plans for the future development of Downham Market as a place to live, work or visit and of course invest.  The results from this survey will support the development of a strategic plan for Downham Market, to address and reverse the long-term impacts of Covid-19, particularly where they relate to the high street and town centre. A website is being developed to ensure ongoing engagement with anyone who wishes to be involved in shaping the future of the town. The initial phase of consultation is being funded through the government’s Welcome Back Fund.  Cllr Jenny Groom concluded, “We really want to hear from people, to see what they think of the town, what the positives are and where the areas for improvement might be.  There are lots of opportunities to explore as we look for ways to encourage people back to the town centre, to capitalise on the opportunities presented by people who are now home-working rather than commuting, and of course to develop our tourism offer as more people are likely to be holidaying in this country for a while. We also have a fabulous, historic town hall, which is currently underused. We want to hear people’s ideas for how that valuable asset can be put to better use. We need to have plans ready so that we can secure any funding that might be available.”

This week brings us a new member of our team!

Shield Health & Safety would like to welcome Ellie as our Marketing Co-ordinator.

She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Best of Luck Ellie!