Member News

This year has brought dramatic change to how we, and all businesses across the globe operate. Throughout the year we’ve continued to push forward, introducing new technologies to support ourselves and our clients through difficult times. To recognise the hard work and dedication of our team, we decided to enter the Norfolk Business Awards for the first time. We were incredibly excited to even be shortlisted. But to now be able to share that we are finalists in the Small and Medium Business category is a proud moment.  “To be announced as a finalist for the Small and Medium Business Award really is one of the proudest moments of my time at Breakwater. The team have all worked so hard to make Breakwater the business that it is today, they are all so committed to excellence and so diligent in ensuring we meet the needs of our clients.  The fact that we have made the final four out of forty something companies is just incredible as we know we are up against some amazing businesses. We are sad that because of COVID we don’t get to party, but that makes us more determined to keep going and to enter again next year so the team get to celebrate their success.” – John Gostling, Managing Director. We were also pleased to be shortlisted for the Customer Care Award. Although we did not make the final four, we can see the tough competition we had and feel proud to be recognised at that stage.  The Norfolk Business Awards are hosted annually by the Eastern Daily Press (EDP). This year, the awards will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. Although a ceremony is unable to go ahead, we look forward to seeing the results of each category announced on the EDP social media channels on Tuesday 24 November.  Wish us luck! Breakwater IT Team.

It’s a difficult time for small businesses and business owners so the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Norfolk, run by Norfolk County Council’s Library and Information Service, has developed a free programme of business support that can be accessed online.

Alongside the national Reset. Restart programme of webinars run by the British Library Business & IP Centre, the BIPC Norfolk is offering a series of free local 1-to-1 support sessions, workshops and networking events. Delivered in partnership with business training provider MENTA, Reset. Restart is open to all business owners, especially those in the first years of trading.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities at Norfolk County Council, said: “The pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses in the region, the extent of which still remains to be seen, especially as we contend with a second period of lockdown.

“Our local Reset. Restart programme is designed to provide Norfolk businesses with the tools needed to rebuild and adapt to these very challenging times. We may not currently be able to deliver our services face-to-face but these online support sessions are accessible to any business in the county.”

During the two-hour online 1-to-1 support session, businesses will have the chance to review their overall business proposition and discuss how it could be rethought or repositioned in light of Covid-19. They will also be helped to identify and focus on any specific areas of concern and progression.

The series of five online workshops covers topics such as generating new business ideas, digital marketing tools, building customer relationships, and updating business plans. Participants can pick and choose from the workshops or book on the whole series.

There will also be monthly online networking sessions, with the first being held in Global Entrepreneurship Week (16-22 November) on Monday 16 November from 12.30-1.30pm. This first session will give people the opportunity to find out what they can expect from the Reset. Restart programme and to meet some of the MENTA programme tutors.

Global Entrepreneurship Week also sees the return of Start-up Day on Thursday 19 November, hosted by the British Library Business & IP Centre. The day of inspirational talks is aimed at businesses who are just starting out as well as those ready to take the next step, and includes an afternoon networking session from Norfolk.

From 2.45-3.30pm, Kalene Herrington from the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce will be hosting the session on ‘How to help your business thrive during the pandemic’. It will feature insight from Hazel Russell, co-founder of eco-friendly Norfolk company The Wood Life Project, and the chance to ask questions and network with other businesses.

Hazel set up The Wood Life Project with her husband Jimmy, and first sought support from the BIPC Norfolk for help with intellectual property (IP). Hazel says: “We were fortunate enough to get support from the BIPC at the very start of our business journey. We discussed our business and the ideas of the products we planned to launch, and the BIPC team helped us to understand the importance of protecting all of our IP.

“We subsequently registered the trademarks for our name and logo and registered the design rights on all of our product designs. The support we received from BIPC was so valuable; it was instrumental to securing our valuable business assets.”

Reset. Restart runs alongside the day-to-day services provided by the BIPC Norfolk, one of 15 regional centres in the British Library’s BIPC Network. The centre offers free and low-cost access to business intelligence, market research, 1-to-1s, training and IP support to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and more established SMEs in Norfolk.

This year, the British Library was awarded £13 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to grow the number of libraries offering business start-up support and to further develop provision within the existing National Network. The BIPC Norfolk was awarded a share of this funding and will use it to expand the range of free business support offered, as well as increasing the number of regional hubs around the county.

Currently the BIPC Norfolk operates from the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library with hubs in King’s Lynn, Thetford and Great Yarmouth libraries. Although libraries are currently closed due to the pandemic, enquiries are being answered remotely and there is a wealth of online support available to businesses.

To book on any BIPC Norfolk events, please see our Eventbrite page.

M+A Partners is a people-focused firm and we continue to support the professional development of our team members to enable them to progress within their careers.

We are therefore delighted to announce a number of promotions across our Tax, Accounts and Payroll teams.

Elizabeth Wilbourn and Isobelle Webster have both been promoted to Senior Managers and Katherine Sellex promoted to Manager within our Accounts and Tax departments. Yip Chong has been promoted to Assistant Manager within our Payroll team.

Elizabeth has worked for M+A Partners for over eight years and provides services for a range of clients, including individuals, small to medium sized companies, partnerships and sole traders, with a particular focus on the agriculture sector. Isobelle joined the firm in 2011 and has worked across the accounts, audit and corporate finance departments. She has accumulated a range of specialist knowledge enabling her to provide commercially aware guidance to clients. In their new roles as Senior Managers, both Elizabeth and Isobelle will work closely with both their clients and teams to help individuals and businesses achieve their long-term goals.

Katherine has a mixed portfolio and undertakes both accounts and tax work. Her clients include individuals, sole traders, partnerships and small companies, with a particular focus on the healthcare sector. Katherine’s ongoing emphasis will be on providing a high level of accounts and tax services to clients, guiding them through complex and changing legislation, whilst providing clear and thorough advice.

Yip has been with the firm for over six years and has completed a Foundation Degree in Payroll Management with The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). As a senior member of the Payroll team, Yip will be working with clients to understand their specific needs and providing guidance throughout the payroll process.

Managing Partner, Jeremy Robson commented: “We value the continued professional development of our team members and make sure we provide those looking to develop their careers with clear pathways for progression. The recent promotions within the firm highlight the many talented individuals we have working here, and I wish Elizabeth, Isobelle, Katherine and Yip every success in their new roles.” 

Georgina Postlethwaite, Sales and Marketing Manager at Maids Head Hotel Norwich is happy to say that the hotel is remaining open for businesses workers.

‘We made the decision to stay open to support local organisations and we will be offering business guests room service of breakfast and dinner. We look forward to welcoming our leisure guests back from 3rd December’.

Following the latest Government guidelines, we are delighted to announce that to support local businesses we will be staying open to provide accommodation to those who are travelling for work related purposes. We are able to provide room service of both breakfast and dinner.We very much hope to be able to reopen our doors for leisure guests from Thursday, 3rd December and we are taking bookings, so please just click on the Book Now buttonRest assured we have followed the Government guidelines and put into place all the recommended COVID-19 secure measures to provide you with that all important peace of mind.We are proud to announce that we have been awarded the We’re Good to Go Industry Standard mark which means that we have followed Government and Industry COVID-19 measures and we have a Risk Assessment in place and processes to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing. See our risk assessment here Hotel Risk Assessment. 

Below is a quick walk through of all the good practice we have introduced  to provide our guests with that all important reassurance:

• In and out routes of the Hotel and managing the flow of guests
• Automatic entrance doors (arriving soon)
• A thermal imaging camera to check the temperature of all guests and staff
• An App to download for ease of check in and check out
• Infra red hand sanitisers available at all entrances and throughout the Hotel
• Meticulous deep cleansing plans in place for ALL areas of the hotel
• Health and safety champions appointed in each department
• Branded masks for staff to wear
• Work place assessments written and available on request for all areas of the hotel
• Electrostatic cleaning system purchased to deep cleanse all rooms and public areas every day, bedroom doors “sealed” after cleaning
• Thoughtful social distancing measures throughout the Hotel and WinePress Restaurant
• Running maps and Norwich maps to be able to go and explore the outdoors
• Flexible cancellation terms

If you would like to discuss this with a member of the team then please give us a call on 01603 209955, or email reservations@maidsheadhotel.co.uk. We are offering flexible cancellation terms and we will of course continue to take direction from the Government.

Our AA 2 Rosette WinePress Restaurant and Bar sadly will not be open but we will be able to provide a “knock and drop” service of both breakfast and our casual dining menu for guests to be able to dine in their own rooms. Please note that following Government guidelines face masks are also now mandatory, kindly wear your face covering when entering or exiting, and whilst moving around our hotel. .

We look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to welcome you soon.

From all the team at the Maids Head

In what has been a very challenging year for so many businesses, Credo is delighted that it’s work to support a wide range of companies and SMEs has seen them land a prestigious national award.

With the current covid restrictions, the awards ceremony was switched from its usual glamorous location in central London to being held online, but for the Credo team this hasn’t taken any of the gloss from being named Broker of the Year over some very strong competition.

Credo MD Ian Tims commented “I am absolutely delighted that Credo have won this prestigious award, and it is testament to the hard work of our team to ensure we are offering the best advice and service to our customers”.

Credo Asset Finance is in it’s 20th year of trading and at the heart of this has been a real focus on customer service and listening to the needs of our clients. This has led directly to the development of a range of unique products and access to a wide-ranging portfolio of lenders which ensures we can tailor a finance solution whatever the individual or businesses circumstances.

“It was also important that we expanded our digital footprint to better meet the needs of tech-savvy individuals, and to ensure that our customers can communicate with us through which ever channel they prefer to use – be that in person, over the phone, or digitally” explained Ian.

We are saddened that our Founder, Simon Gray, who passed away in September from a short battle with cancer is not here to celebrate with us, but we honour him with this award and will carry on his legacy to help many more businesses secure the funding they need to succeed and grow.

To reduce social contact, the Government has ordered certain businesses and venues, including non-essential retailers, to close or restrict how they provide goods and services during the national lockdown.

Non-essential retail includes clothing and homeware stores, betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods. 

Non-essential retailers can only continue to operate for pre-ordered click-and-collect, mail order/phone order and delivery services. Council officers are visiting premises to provide advice and check regulations are being followed. If you wish to trade in this way, please remember:  

• Customers must pre-order goods, either online, by phone or by post, and must be given a future timeslot for socially-distanced collection or delivery.
• Goods must be collected or delivered off the shop premises and social distancing must be maintained.
• Customers are not allowed to enter the shop at any time.
• Shop doors or market stall shutters must be kept locked except to allow the temporary passage of goods for pre-ordered socially-distanced collection or delivery.
• Signage should be placed on the shopfront to say it is closed and only operating for pre-ordered click-and-collect, mail order/phone order and delivery services. Feel free to download this signage and put inside your window.

Help us to build back better after the pandemic – that’s the message from Norfolk County Council’s leader to the Chancellor.

Council leader Councillor Andrew Proctor has written to Rishi Sunak, ahead of the comprehensive spending review later this month.

The letter says:

Dear Rishi

Thanks for all your support over the last few months, which has helped us to protect and support our communities during the first phase of the pandemic. I also welcome your economic measures, including the extension of the furlough scheme and additional help to the self-employed.

In the current circumstances, I appreciate why you are planning a one-year comprehensive spending review this year, but you know that we need far more certainty for our long-term funding especially for all aspects of adult social care. Recognising, but remaining concerned, that longer term solutions to adult social care and children’s social care funding have been delayed, we need additional, one-year support to cope with the spike in demand that followed the initial lockdown phase and which is currently moving through our system.

I know that Northern colleagues have spoken up for additional resources – but it’s important not to forget the East, which is a net economic contributor and, therefore, making a positive return on your investment.

Economic support and recovery will rightly be a key focus of your plans for the next year. I am keen to see opportunities where we can work together to support the skills agenda and accelerate our infrastructure projects – whether roads or broadband – which will revitalise the economy and offer hope to the thousands who are already losing their existing jobs.

I am sure you realise that support for social recovery is equally vital. Councils have played a key role in supporting the thousands of additional people who came forward for help during the first wave in Norfolk and this new level of need is not going to subside quickly.

Continued hardship funding will be required for those who, by no fault of their own, have lost their jobs, seen their earnings plummet or their businesses, especially small businesses, decimated. This funding should be channelled through councils as the most effective way of supporting our communities.

I would also welcome a marker about future intentions. A commitment now that next year’s comprehensive spending review will finally address the issue of sustainable long-term funding. We continue to support our vulnerable residents such as adults with disabilities and poor mental health, but our resources are finite without having to raise taxes disproportionately and so that certainty would be appreciated by all councils.

With the right blend of investment in social care and community support, economic recovery and infrastructure, Norfolk can help you to build back better and ensure there is a positive legacy from this traumatic pandemic.

I would be very happy to speak to you about more detailed examples of where, with appropriate support from Government, we can work together and deliver on our shared objectives of economic and social recovery.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Andrew Proctor

Leader

Did you know a health and social care worker is attacked every 30 minutes in the UK?

Today we launch the https://safepointapp.com/every30minutes

In this week’s episode James and Mark talk about ways businesses can increase sales performance during lockdown and extended furlough. As usual they end up with 3 top tips, and along the way they make reference to Toy Story 4, Kurt Cobain and, yet again, the film The Matrix!

You can subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, or listen below.

Don’t forget, if you have missed the special interview episode with Sue Liburd MBE, and Andy Nicol, on diversity in the workplace, this unmissable episode is still available to listen to Listen here

• Break charity launches Coffee Break van during lockdown, offering real work experience to young care leavers
• Working on the van has given Jack Nicholls, 21, new hope. Jack shares his story this Care Leavers Week (26th October – 1st November)

A mobile coffee van business, launched by charity Break in September 2020, is giving young care leavers the chance to gain real work experience and new skills to improve their employment prospects.

The Coffee Break project supports young people aged 18 and over after they have left the care system and are living independently.  By helping them acquire new skills, it aims to boost their confidence and help them secure paid employment; enabling them to go on to live fulfilling, independent lives.  

An idea developed by Break, a leading children’s charity in East Anglia, the mobile coffee van is currently based in Norwich two days a week, serving hot and cold drinks, sweet and savoury snacks.  The van is staffed and managed entirely by young care leavers with guidance from trained barista and project manager Joe Walden.

One of the young people who has been instrumental in launching and running the initiative is Jack Nicholls, 21, from King’s Lynn.

After living in care for most of his teenage years, Jack moved to his own flat in 2017 and has received ongoing support from Break’s Moving On Team.  In recent times, his confidence and self-belief had suffered after a series of bad job experiences.   But after joining the Coffee Break team and with the additional support of Joe Walden Enterprise and Youth Development Lead at Break, or the ‘the coffee van man’ as he’s affectionately nicknamed, Jack has broken this cycle, discovering newfound confidence and a sense of purpose.

Joe Walden Enterprise and Youth Development Lead from Break explains; “The world of work can seem scary and daunting for any 18 year old, but for someone leaving the care system, with no family support around them, it comes with lots of extra challenges.  The Coffee Break van means young care leavers can discover what they’re really capable of, by engaging them in ‘real’ work, offering training opportunities and the chance to learn new skills which they can take with them for life, all offered in a safe space.  If someone is late for work, or they make a mistake, we address it and we help them learn from it without destroying their confidence.  It’s all carried out in a supportive way, without the fear of potentially losing that job.”

Jack and a team of five other young people aged between 17 and 21 have kickstarted the project.  Mentored by Joe, they created a business plan, sourced suppliers, created the branding, designed the layout of the van and considered all the health and safety implications of launching a mobile catering business.  They have also completed barista and food hygiene training; skills and qualifications that can help them find work in the future.  

Joe adds; “The Coffee Break van is not just about serving lattes.  Our young people have gained real business skills that will benefit them for life.  Last summer, they joined forces with the UEA Business School to devise a business plan, assessing the project’s viability and costing it all up.  They drew up a bid for funding and presented their case to the Break board of trustees and corporate supporters.  In July, the funding was approved and by the end of August everything was set up and ready to go. These young people have essentially launched a business.  Something many of them thought they would never achieve. And it’s all been done during a global pandemic.”

Part of its Staying Connected services, Break aims to roll out the Coffee Break project to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough too where the charity it also continues to offer support to care leavers after the age of 18, and for as long as they need it.  There are also plans to start a small-scale coffee roastery in Norfolk, supplying the van as well as Break’s charity shops. 

Break’s Coffee Break van is available to hire.  If you’d like to book it for your office or organisation, please contact coffee@break-charity.org

Ashtons Legal has appointed Sheila Small as a commercial property partner in the firm taking the total number of partners to 36. She is joined by a further 350 staff across East Anglia and Leeds. It is the firm’s second partner appointment in three months – Andrew Skuse joined the residential property team in August.

Sheila specialises in strategic land and development work. Sheila has moved to Ashtons from her role as in-house counsel for a land promoter and developer in the east of England. Her background and experience gives her considerable insight into the full spectrum of work involved in both commercial and residential development schemes, from initial scoping and viability prior to land acquisition through to planning, delivery and disposal. She also has experience of large-scale infrastructure projects, predominantly in the health and education sectors, which together with her knowledge of development work will prove invaluable to Ashtons’ existing client base.

Sheila says: “I am really pleased to have joined Ashtons Legal’s thriving commercial property team in Cambridge. The team has a great reputation, good feedback from legal guides Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners and I am looking forward to working with such a dynamic and progressive team of lawyers”.

Sheila adds: “My previous experience has given me the opportunity to look at legal implications from a different perspective and I am excited to be able to share my insights into development work and the local and regional property markets with a broad range of clients”.

Edward O’Rourke, CEO at Ashtons says: “Sheila’s appointment enables us to strengthen further our property presence in the Cambridgeshire area. I am delighted that in these tough times we are stable and strong and able to attract new talent to the firm”.

Whilst COVID-19 has dominated the conversation of late, and many of us had almost forgotten about the ‘B-word’, movements around Brexit have continued. With the deadline of 1 January now looming, MHA Larking Gowen, chartered accountants and business advisors, has an online Brexit Hub. Their team of experts will be compiling their insights through blogs, helpsheets, podcasts and more!

Recent additions to the Hub include brochures on Customs Grants Extension and Authorised Economic Operator Status, as well as the following blogs:

• UK Global Tariffs post-Brexit may be good news for the agricultural machinery sector
• Brexit: What are you waiting for?
• Is your farm fit for Brexit?
• How can the manufacturing industry prepare for Brexit?
• VAT on Brexit
• The agricultural subsidy of the future. Will it be a success?
• The future of the Basic Payments Scheme
• Is the agricultural sector about to be thrown under the bus?

Partner at MHA Larking Gowen and Brexit expert, Chris Scargill, recently launched a new Bitesize Brexit podcast as part of MHA Larking Gowen’s Insights series. Episodes so far include:

• Government funding for training on customs declarations
• UK warehousing and duty problems
• Tariffs, and how they may impact you

You can visit the dedicated Brexit Hub at www.larking-gowen.co.uk/brexit-hub/

If you have any questions about Brexit and how it affects you and your business, please get in touch with your usual MHA Larking Gowen contact, or alternatively, call 0330 024 0888 or email enquiry@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you want to contact our team directly for advice or support, you can reach out on Our People page.