Member News

Series 2 launches with a real treat – a behind the curtains look at Thursford, famous for its Christmas Spectacular show, weddings and more. A favourite of locals, tourists, and celebrities alike!

Looking back on March 2020, brothers Charlie (General Manager) and George (Project and Marketing Manager) Cushing were positive and thinking, “Thank goodness the pandemic isn’t happening at Christmas!” Cut to December 2020, and they’ve had to plan and orchestrate a completely new, and equally thrilling, theatre-esque experience for their loyal fan-base.

They have a fascinating story to tell. They set out on a journey where they could continue to support other local businesses by minimising the knock-on effect that cancelling their annual event would have on the local economy, and the team of professional performers they hire. The arts have been hit massively by lockdown, and they were determined to provide much needed opportunities where they could. 

They also reflect on the history of Thursford, and how it started with steam engines and broken down fairground rides; what life on furlough was like, whilst keeping future plans in mind; the lessons they have learned about communication, keeping the ‘family feel’ to the business, playing to peoples strengths; and how to diversify quickly! Whilst they are planning for the worst, and hoping for the best for 2021, their youthful energy and fresh ideas are infectious, providing a much-needed jolt of hope for the future of the arts, and tourism in Norfolk.

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 upcoming episodes! Series 2 is shaping up to be a game changer, with Hanks Deli, Adnams, Wivenhoe House Hotel and more, coming soon!

Listen here!

Norwich Study Centre, Flying Classrooms is a British Council accredited English language school in the heart of the city, opposite the Cathedral. For over 20 years, our experienced teachers have been providing personalised English tuition to students from around the world and every student we welcome becomes part of the school community.

Our international connections bring visitors from all four corners of the globe to Norwich, and we would like to develop our relationship with other local organisations to expand our network and find new ways in which our students can be involved in local life.

We are looking for volunteering opportunities with charities or community projects that we can offer to our students who are interested in contributing to our city whilst also developing their practical language and communication skills. If this is something you would like to collaborate with us on, then we would love to hear from you – please contact us at info@flyingclassrooms.co.uk to discuss further.

Proeon are pleased and proud to receive a Highly Commended Award in the closely contested Business Growth category. Cllr Lisa Neal presented the award to Proeon’s Directors at our Hethel Engineering Centre facilities. Thank you to South Norfolk Council for running another very successful cohort of their Business Awards in 2020 despite the current pandemic situation.

“Proeon is delighted to have received this award as recognition of the hard work and dedication that the team here have given in what has so far been a challenging year. Focusing on our clients and projects we have maintained our plan for the business and we are so far succeeding in moving the company onto the next chapter where we will continue to develop our team and broaden our skills here in South Norfolk”

Proeon were commended for demonstrated an excellent performance, providing engineering solutions for a variety of business sectors including Utility, Gas Turbines, Oil & Gas #BSNBizAwards.

Proeon Systems Ltd. are pleased to be working with OceanTools Ltd, following the successful delivery of the first order worth £500,000, Proeon Systems Ltd. confirmed a second order for a further four pressure housing units to value of £250,000. Richard Miller, MD of Proeon Systems commented:

“We are very pleased to have worked with OceanTools on this project. They met the exacting standards required by both Proeon and our customer, and as they delivered a quality product on time and to budget, this has given us the confidence to place a second order with them.”

OceanTools, global leaders in subsea engineering, have secured their second major order with Proeon Systems Ltd, specialist systems integrator based in Norfolk, United Kingdom.

OceanTools have completed the initial contract approaching £500,000, with the manufacture and pressure testing of eight 3000m depth rated pressure housings for Proeon. Machined from super duplex stainless steel and Xylan coated, the deep-water subsea housings form part of a package Proeon is supplying to their client, an oil industry first tier contractor.

The two significant orders are the latest in a series of major pressure housing contract wins for the company. OceanTools recently supported a Tsunami Detection Project in Southeast Asia, delivering Detection Housings to be utilised for early detection of tsunami threat.

Kevin Parker, MD of OceanTools, added:

“We are delighted to work with Proeon to support them with this project. Supplying these units hot on the heels of multiple tsunami detection housings to Indonesia, is great testimony to the design and manufacturing expertise of our team of engineers and support staff. We hope to continue supporting Proeon in the future with their specialised subsea engineering requirements.”

Image: Stuart Low ,OceanTools Machine Shop Manager, with the prepared Pressure Housings ready for delivery.

We at Breakwater IT are excited to to be bringing cloud-based CCTV management to our service offering through our new partnership with CamCloud.

Who are CamCloud? CamCloud was founded on the idea that video surveillance solutions are complicated, expensive, and difficult to manage. They’ve made it their mission to deliver a solution that is easy-to-use, reliable and completely cloud-driven. Therefore, it requires no specialised on-premise systems. A direct connection is set up between the camera to the cloud with 24/7 recording. In addition, all footage recorded is encrypted. The CamCloud portal then allows you to access your CCTV footage at any time, wherever you are. This can be done via desktop or mobile app. Our new partnership As a CamCloud partner, you can gain access to their solutions and support directly through us, your local IT provider. We can therefore deliver cost-effective CCTV solutions to suit your needs and budget. We’ll be offering a range of packages based on how long you would like the footage to be stored for. Additionally, we will also be offering packages that include CCTV camera. If you choose to purchase a camera through us, we’ll spread the cost over 36-months with no upfront cost. Here are the key points: By choosing cloud CCTV, you’ll experience a range of benefits including:

• Cost-effective CCTV to keep your premises safe
• Expected uptime of 99.9% via Amazon Web Services
• 24/7 access to footage via a desktop or mobile app
• 24/7 encrypted recording
• Software is always up to date and secure
• No on-premise hardware needed
• Choose a package to suit your budget, including cameras

Special Offer Until Friday 28th May, if you purchase a CamCloud package with us, we’ll cover the setup fees! This includes setup of the portal and installation of the cameras*. Our packages start from as little as £9.95 per month for the CamCloud management portal. For further details on pricing and specification, download our product brochure below or get in touch for a chat today! Download Product Brochure 01603 709300 | enquiries@breakwaterit.co.uk | Visit our website   *Camera installation is included in the offer where cabling is already in place. Any additional cabling will be charged at an hourly rate.

The Skills Support for the Workforce project has been running in New Anglia for two years with overwhelming success and already supported over 200 companies and upskilled 1323 learners.  The project supports learners in employment, at risk of redundancy or up to 3 months from being made redundant.

This ESF project provides fully funded training across all sectors and Steadfast Training, the prime contractor, work with a number of approved partners to achieve this. 

Due to current COVID restrictions, provision is delivered remotely via tutor-led ‘virtual classrooms providing the company and learner with flexibility of attendance.  Steadfast Training’s schedule includes courses such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint from Introduction up to Advanced, Level 2 Principles of Team Leading, L2 Certificate in Customer Service, ILM Level 3 Award in Management, Introduction to Mental Health & Wellbeing etc.

As part of the project and on behalf of New Anglia LEP we have been commissioned to carry out a survey with regards to training needs in Suffolk & Norfolk.  Please could we ask you to take a few minutes to complete the attached link:  ssw@steadfasttraining.co.uk

In this weeks episode of Impromptu Business Chat James and Mark share their professional experiences on the key traits of successful family businesses. They reflect on the recent Meghan and Harry “debacle” and end with 3 top tips whilst drawing inspiration from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, thrash metal band Anthrax and US comedy smash Modern Family.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, please like us, and leave a comment. We would love to hear what you are enjoying about the podcast, and it helps others to find us!

Listen here!

Applied Acoustic Engineering (AAE) has announced the launch of their next generation USBL system, Pyxis USBL.  Taking its name from the constellation Pyxis Nautica  –  the mariner’s compass  –  Pyxis USBL takes the best of AAE’s subsea acoustic tracking technology with a highly advanced inertial navigation system (INS) from one of the most respected names in the industry, to create a state of the art, inertially aided Ultra Short Baseline system capable of accurate subsea tracking with survey grade performance.

The combination of AAE’s Sigma 2 acoustic protocols and SBG Systems high precision Navsight Apogee Marine INS brings together two leading names in the field of marine technology, resulting in AAE’s most accurate and long range positioning system to date, and in the process providing many time, cost and performance benefits to global survey operators.

As a tightly coupled, factory fitted package, Pyxis USBL is a portable, calibration free system able to immediately operate from any vessel as soon as the work site has been reached.  The MEMS based INS does not fall under ITAR regulations, and the range restricted option means the whole system can be shipped unhindered and without export control to almost anywhere in the world.  A feature of the Pyxis system is the ability for the operator to deactivate the range restriction in the field under an export-controlled regime.

A spokesperson for SBG Systems commented “AAE and SBG Systems have collaborated for several years on different projects and have established an excellent relationship. We are thrilled that Applied Acoustics has selected our Navsight Apogee OEM high performance system to be integrated into the first-ever USBL to embed a MEMS INS”.

Available with short range omni-directional or long range directional transceiver options, the versatility of Pyxis USBL makes it ideal for very shallow operations such as diver monitoring, for deeper applications where ROV’s and AUV’s might be deployed, and for tracking short or long range towed sensors such as magnetometers and side scan sonars.

TaxAssist Group directors hosted a series of nine virtual interactive meetings to update franchisees with network developments.

With COVID-19 still preventing face-to-face regional meetings, Group Operations Director, Sarah Robertson; Group Commercial Director, Daren Moore and Group Business Development Director, James Mattam recently completed a second series of virtual regional meetings.

Regional meetings are a chance to provide a network update, detail new initiatives, discuss future plans and opportunities and receive feedback, to ensure that every franchisee is engaged, informed and supported, so that they can take full advantage of all of the help and services on offer to them through the Support Centre.

James explained: “It was great to catch up with the network, and we’ve had productive questions and comments plus some good feedback that has really highlighted how effective these events are.”

The following key topics were covered during the meetings:

• Software and Practice Management – The continuing move to full digitalisation and automation, as well as the opportunities that are available to the network coming from the next phase of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital initiative.
• Future service lines – Supporting clients with our expanding range of services including the introduction of ‘Business Insights’, which provides valuable help and advice to businesses as we start to move past Covid-19 and look to the future.
• In-House teams – Development of existing payroll and tax insourcing teams to support the network – and the imminent roll out of new services including, Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and personal tax.
• Winning new business – The increase in new business start-ups and established businesses looking to switch accountants due to lack of service and reinforcing the plans for marketing spends for the year ahead.

Amersham-based TaxAssist franchisee Bari Singh, who attended the South East meeting said: “The regional meeting was an eyeopener. I was particularly interested in ‘Business Insights’ to help clients. This combines the three accounting activities for a good modern finance function, Compliance, Business Partnering and Financial Planning Analysis. I can see all three elements in the way we have bundled our services in this offering. This is the best way to help businesses achieve long term success.

“The overall takeaway for me, is that change is coming, but that if we can work together and adapt and use the change to our advantage, then there is a great opportunity to come out of what is an uncertain future, better than we went in.”

If you share a passion to help local businesses, a TaxAssist franchise provides the systems and support you need to be successful. Regular Virtual Discovery Days are available to attend, where you can find out more about the technical, marketing and business development support on offer. Call 0800 0188297 to register your interest.

Karthik Vasanthakumar has opened a shop at 58 Croydon Road in Caterham

Karthik Vasanthakumar joined the TaxAssist Accountants network in October 2020 and has now opened his first shop in Caterham.

Running his own practice has always been a goal for ACMA-qualified Karthik, who is now relishing meeting with clients and being his own boss.

“I had more than 13 years’ accountancy experience before I joined TaxAssist, in both industry and practice and worked with a range of clients from different sectors. I have a real understanding of the needs of small businesses and am looking forward to sharing my expertise and making a difference to the lives of individuals and businesses in my local community,” said Karthik.

“I enjoy networking and meeting with existing and new clients, explaining what services we offer and how I can help them. I’d encourage anyone interested in finding out more to contact us for a free initial consultation, either by telephone, zoom or face-to-face – whichever is preferred.”

Karthik recently had his car liveried in TaxAssist branding, further advertising his services within his local territory and has already been contacted by interested observers.

“The car is incredibly eye catching and I always get a lot of positive comments when I arrive anywhere, and it’s generated a number of enquiries,” added Karthik. “Do come over and have a chat to me if you see me out and about!”

To contact Karthik visit his website www.taxassist.co.uk/caterham  or call him on 0203 456 3737.

If you share a passion to help your local small businesses, a TaxAssist franchise can provide the systems and support you need to be successful. Regular Virtual Discovery Days are being held, where you can find out more about the technical, marketing and business development support on offer. Call 0800 0188297 to register your interest.

As applied acoustic engineering (aae) has always known, industry diversification and changes in standards and practices, often necessitate an adjustment in the outputs of associated technology providers. The award winning manufacturer of marine geophysical survey systems long ago identified the shift in business activities of its core customers from traditional offshore oil & gas projects to the burgeoning global offshore wind industry, and has spent time channelling their experience in marine survey practices to remodel and enhance their product portfolio to better serve the needs of this industry. Realigning the highly regarded range of Dura- Spark geophysical sound sources, the UK based company now offers a complete array of systems in tune with the specific requirements and demands put in place by the offshore wind operators.

New for 2020, two lightweight sparkers have been added to the Dura- Spark product line, complementing aae’s existing systems and creating an extended family of negative discharge sparkers. Featuring twin banks of 40 electrode tips, the Dura- Spark L80 can operate in 40 or 80 tip mode, offering energy outputs of either 100 Joules or 200 Joules per shot; ideal for very shallow areas, and coastal & estuarine surveys. Its uniquely small footprint and low power consumption makes it particularly useful on board smaller survey craft with limited deck space and minimal lifting equipment.

The Dura- Spark L200 features twin banks of 100 electrode tips that can be fired at up to 500 Joules per shot concurrently, independently, in flip-flop mode or with a combination of fire delay or split fire delay. This flexibility, together with selectable source depth, allows the sound source to be used in both shallow and deeper waters for multiple marine geophysical data gathering applications.

In service since 2016, the workhorse of the Duraspark range of sparkers continues to be the Dura- Spark UHD 240/400. These proven sound sources can be found across the globe, acquiring the high resolution seismic data required for renewable energy installations, offshore oil & gas surveys and for the research and study of areas of scientific interest. With the ability to operate at energy levels of up to 2000 Joules per shot, these are extremely flexible tools with the capability of working within many project scenarios.

Making its first appearance during the second half of 2019, the Dura- Spark UHD 400 + 400 sits at the head of the Dura- Spark family and is the most sophisticated system in the range. Consisting of twin decks of 400 electrode tips, the operator is able to tune the source from the vessel to fit the required function and data requirements. Each deck can be fired independently from the CSP power supply, in flip flop mode, combined with fire delays or a split fire delay. Utilising the fire delay functions, the signatures from the 2 decks can be combined to bubble form the acoustic signature, creating an extremely clean pulse at high energy outputs, resulting in sparker data of the highest quality and resolution.

All Dura- Spark systems from aae feature negative discharge, long life electrodes designed to provide the consistently stable, repeatable sound pulses required for high resolution sub-bottom geophysical surveys, while keeping operational maintenance to a minimum.

Jugdev Dhillon has opened a new shop at 57 Foregate Street, Stafford.

It’s been a busy few months for TaxAssist Accountant Jugdev Dhillon, who only joined the network in October 2020, but has already opened a shop and bought out a neighbouring practice.

“I’ve certainly hit the ground running, and experienced the busiest part of an accountant’s year, the tax return season, which has been a great introduction to running my own practice,” said Jugdev.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting and getting to know clients, including many new business start-ups, to explain more about how we can assist them with a whole range of business services, and let them know we are here for a lot more than just tax returns. We also talk clients through a range of software solutions to help them to select the right package for their needs. I’d urge anyone interested in finding out more, to contact us for a free initial consultation.

“I’m so pleased with the new shop, which looks superb and will act as a showcase for the practice for which I have ambitious growth plans. To help facilitate this, I’m currently advertising for a bookkeeper as I’m keen to expand our friendly team of staff.”

To contact Jugdev visit his website www.taxassist.co.uk/stafford or call him on 01785 251585.

If you share a passion to help your local small businesses, a TaxAssist franchise can provide the systems and support you need to be successful. Regular Virtual Discovery Days are being held, where you can find out more about the technical, marketing and business development support on offer. Call 0800 0188297 to register your interest.