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Norfolk-based Business Mentor, Kathy Ennis, who delivers advice to help entrepreneurs grow their business, was named one of the UKs Top Business Advisers at an awards ceremony at The Shard.
Kathy won first place in the Business Strategy category after being picked from hundreds of advisers from around the UK. She was selected for the outstanding work she does, specialising in supporting single-person business owners to unlock their growth potential.
Kathy, who runs from her office in Old Hunstanton said: “This is huge. To be recognised for the work I do – and love to do – is amazing! Working with Solopreneur businesses is a privilege as I get so close to the business owner I am supporting. Helping them to reach their full potential and grow becomes a very personal mission.”
““Solopreneur businesses are often dismissed as ‘lifestyle businesses’. This Award reinforces my commitment to supporting single-person business owners to create thriving businesses that support them, their families and contribute to the growth of the UK economy. This recognition inspires me to continue to provide support for this often marginalised group of motivated and hard-working entrepreneurs.”
She received the most votes in the Business Strategy category from the thousands of votes cast across 50 shortlisted Advisers.
The are run by small business support platform and membership community. The awards celebrate the country’s hard-working Advisers and are run in association with, a global digital marketing platform that helps small businesses to grow.
Constant Contact UK General Manager and small business founder Erika Robinson said: “When it comes to running your own small business, you are CEO, CMO, CFO and so much more. Finding the right Advisers is critical. Great Advisors, such as Kathy Ennis, the talented winner of the Business Strategy category of this year’s Business Advisor Awards, provide inspiration, direction, and often the confidence they need to push forward. Many congratulations to Kathy from LittlePiggy on helping single-person and small businesses in Norfolk – and across the East of England – thrive.”
Emma Jones, CBE, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation said: “It’s true to say that behind every good business, there’s an excellent Adviser. They are the unsung heroes behind Britain’s growing army of small businesses, and yet we never get to hear about the work they do behind the scenes to cheerlead and support the nation’s small firms.
“These Awards are about highlighting this important work in action, in order to help more small businesses find an Adviser and a clear path towards growth.”
Happy New Year!
Before looking ahead, I want to thank everyone for their continued, unwavering support for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) throughout 2024.
We’re blessed to have the most incredible public backing, and it’s not something we take lightly. Your support helped us enjoy a year packed with highlights, including the opening of our 52nd shop, and first café, and Griff Rhys Jones’ fifth annual Happy Christmas Ipswich event, with the added bonus of smaller, simultaneous shows in Cambridge and Norwich. It was a good year, and our staunch supporters helped in so many ways, spending money in our shops and online, signing up for fundraisers and events, and popping loose change in collection pots. Every single pound makes a difference and is deeply appreciated.
Then, of course, there are the selfless, inspirational volunteers who generously commit their time to help us. We organised three successful thank you days last year, and each represented an opportunity to say that without them, we wouldn’t be in a position to deliver the very best care and support for children, young people and families across East Anglia. Quite simply, volunteers make our work possible, and it’s thanks to such generous support we begin the new year with optimism.
Having had the honour and privilege of being appointed EACH Chief Executive in October, I look forward to working with our brilliant team to do the very best for our much-loved charity and the families we support.
It’s a challenging time from a fundraising perspective, with people’s purses being stretched and so many wonderful causes to support. Like many hospices across the UK, we face complex challenges related to our funding and rely on voluntary donations for the majority of our income. However, despite this, we remain in a strong position, with robust plans and an ambitious vision for the future, with your continued support.
None of this would be possible without you and the contribution you make. To find out more about our work and how you can get involved, please visit our website at www.each.org.uk. You’ll also find links outlining the many different ways to support us, including our full and exciting programme of summer fundraising events. Roll on 2025.
Thank you again – and a Happy New Year from everyone at EACH.
Kevin Clements, EACH Chief Executive
Banham Zoo is thrilled to announce they have been shortlisted for the Great British Wildlife Restoration competition; a prestigious scheme that recognises the incredible work being done to restore native species in the country organised by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
Banham Zoo is proud to be recognised for its ‘Pool Frogs Pods’ project – supporting the recovery of the very rare northern pool frog.
This project aims to safeguard the enigmatic northern pool frog from extinction by rearing and breeding pool frogs on-site at Banham Zoo and then releasing them back into the wild. Working with our project partners, Natural England, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and ZSL, we aim to create innovative and groundbreaking frog habitats at the zoo to bolster the wild populations of this very noisy and sun-loving amphibian.
The Great British Wildlife Restoration has been organised by BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing work taking place to tackle the drastic decline of our native species and will urge politicians to act now for our nature.
Richard Finney, founder of Captain Fawcett Ltd, based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has been honoured with the prestigious Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours List in recognition of his outstanding contribution to International Trade and to Charity. This honour highlights Richard’s leadership in expanding British enterprise globally along with his dedication to charitable causes. These include men’s mental health, homelessness, and children’s welfare. A key initiative is the annual BarbersRide charity motorcycle ride, co-founded with Xavier Berrell and Colin Petrie, and now entering its ninth consecutive year, which has to date raised over £180,000, for children’s charities such as Alder Hey and Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospitals and ‘Make-A-Wish’. In his acceptance of the MBE, Richie is quick to emphasise that this esteemed recognition is not his alone, but rather a reflection of collective dedication and team work. “In the guise of Captain Fawcett, I am but truly honoured to have been awarded ‘Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ — Huzzah! However, this highly esteemed accolade should and will be shared, for I am but the conductor of a hugely professional and incredibly creative orchestra of talent that has in turn contributed so much to Captain Fawcett’s ongoing success. Together, we are building something both disruptive and extraordinary to boot.” Founded in 2010 at a kitchen table in Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, Captain Fawcett has grown to become a beacon of British quality and craftsmanship in Gentleman’s Grooming and Hair Care, exporting to 48 countries and earning a reputation for its award-winning products and distinctive character. Beyond business, Richie has driven Captain Fawcett’s commitment to social responsibility, with initiatives like ‘BarbersRide’ becoming a flagship of the brand’s mission. This award serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a community, celebrating the combined efforts of the entire team, suppliers, distributors, partners, and stakeholders around the globe, who have all played essential roles in Captain Fawcett’s remarkable story. “Life isn’t a straight track. It’s full of pot holes, detours, steep climbs and alarming descents,” reflects Richie. “As such, it’s important that you surround yourself with a motivated team who both subscribe and add to the brand ethos and believe in it as fiercely as you. Getting this formula right, will result in the remarkable. For in truth, one’s journey is defined by fellow travellers who are willing to take the road with you. Teams grow, people come and go, however, every individual adds to the creative whole. This honour isn’t mine alone; it belongs to my stalwart companions who share the weight and lift one another when we stumble. Step by step, we press on together.” As Richie accepts this prestigious honour, he hopes that his story will serve as an inspiration to others, as indeed others have inspired him, proof that with a commitment to hard work, a dash of good fortune, a certain amount of resilience, and having the right people in your corner, your dreams can become reality. Richard Finney MBE looks forward to continuing the company’s growth. “Captain Fawcett has always been about forging lasting relationships. It is people who cement the sturdiest of foundations, the cornerstone of Captain Fawcett’s success is in supporting communities, and expanding the horizons of UK trade,” he says. “I look forward to the challenge. Here’s to 2025!” For more information on Captain Fawcett, please visit www.captainfawcett.com
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Age UK Norwich is taking steps to ensure the continued success of its valued clubs. Starting in February 2025, a modest £5 club fee will be introduced for clubs.
This decision comes as a result of rising operational costs, including venue hire, utilities, staffing, and essential resources. “The impact of these increasing costs, coupled with the end of previous funding, is significant,” explained Jamie Price, Head of Operations at Age UK Norwich. “We are committed to preserving our vital services, and this small fee will help us achieve that goal. However, even with the fees, it is highly unlikely we will recover full costs for any of the clubs we run.”
To maintain the quality and accessibility of its programs, Age UK Norwich is actively seeking support from the local community. “We rely heavily on donations and grants to fund our work,” said Price. “We invite local businesses and organisations to consider sponsoring us. By partnering with us, you can directly contribute to the well-being of older people in Norwich.”
How to Sponsor Age UK Norwich:
By sponsoring Age UK Norwich, businesses and organisations can demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and make a positive impact on the community.
Contact Our Fundraising Team Today!
Want to make a difference? Contact our fundraising team to discuss sponsorship opportunities, donation options, or volunteer roles.
01603 496333
Age UK Norwich| Corporate partnerships
Let’s work together to ensure a brighter future for older people in Norwich.
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the employment community faces a unique challenge: bridging skill gaps while simultaneously providing robust support for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country.
In an era where businesses are struggling with skills shortages, the solution may lie in the untapped potential of our veterans.
According to GOV.com, with over 2 million veterans living in the UK and more than 13,000 individuals leaving the armed forces each year, the workforce is ripe for the inclusion of these highly trained individuals. The skills acquired during military service—leadership, teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving—are not only applicable in the armed forces but are invaluable in civilian roles across various sectors.
We are thrilled to announce that we have been Highly Commended in the Conveyancing Firm of the Year Midlands category at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2024. This recognition is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and client-focused approach of our entire team.
The Modern Law Conveyancing Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and outstanding achievement within the conveyancing industry. Being acknowledged among the best is a significant honour and reflects the hard work we put into every aspect of our conveyancing services.
Over the years, we have strived to ensure that our clients receive the highest standard of care and professionalism. This commendation highlights our commitment to delivering a seamless, efficient, and personalised service for all our clients, whether they are buying their first home, selling property, or navigating complex legal matters.
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team, whose unwavering dedication and passion make achievements like this possible. We also owe this recognition to our clients, whose trust and confidence drive us to continually improve and innovate.As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to setting new benchmarks in conveyancing excellence. We look forward to continuing to serve our community with the same dedication and integrity that have brought us to this point.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to achieving even greater things together!
The last twelve months has brought significant political and economic change globally. Major shifts in power in the US and the UK, coupled with a significant overhaul to economic policy has led to uncertainty for many businesses heading into the new year.
Southgate Global shares its expectations and predictions for those operating in the supply chain, and how organisations can best adapt to these in 2025.
Rising Costs
The new Labour government’s October budget has meant rising costs for businesses operating across all sectors in the UK. The increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent along with an upcoming rise to the minimum wage in April, has added a significant financial burden on the upfront running costs for organisations, with some specifically impacting the supply chain.
From April 2025, it’s expected that employers will have to pay an additional £770 in NICs for each minimum wage worker, or an extra £900 for each employee on median earnings. These changes have left many organisations looking for ways to cut costs or look at increased efficiencies.
While automating operations can help reduce labour costs significantly in the long term, for many companies, the expected ROI from automation projects is too low according to McKinsey and Company, with the payback period more often longer than the lease on the warehouse being automated.
According to Southgate Global, organisations will instead look at how they can improve the efficiency of their warehouse operatives and maximise their productivity. Southgate understands that automation is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. Instead, by optimising manual tasks through innovative but relatively inexpensive equipment when compared to automated alternatives and ensuring the interface between warehouse operatives and implemented automation is streamlined, companies can enhance productivity and ensure they are running at optimum efficiency.
Iain Lennard, Chief Commercial Officer at Southgate Global, said: “Rising costs will be a problem for every business across any sector in 2025. So, it is more important than ever for organisations to ensure that their people and equipment are maximised.
“We’re expecting businesses to undertake significant reviews of how they’re currently operating, and in doing so, identify any major touchpoints costing them time and money. This could take a variety of forms, from reviewing equipment readiness to analysing workflow processes.”
This is an area that Southgate works hard to offer solutions to in both its Design Service Team, which helps to identify bottlenecks and streamline workflows, and its equipment provision. For example, its Mobile Powered Workstation (MPW) is specifically designed to boost workforce productivity. With its own integrated power system used to power laptops, barcode printers or scanners, the MPW allows operatives to walk and work anywhere in the warehouse, maximising efficiency and streamlining workflows.
Logistics and Supply Chain Challenges
Global instability has also caused uncertainty within the supply chain over the last year, which is expected to continue well into 2025. War in the Middle East and Eastern Europe has placed an additional strain on organisations internationally, impacting key shipping routes. For example, the rerouting of ships around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope equates to a roughly 30 per cent increase in transit times. This has impacted the supply chain on an international level and added substantial additional cost and time pressures on businesses.
Gavin Rawson, Head of Logistics at Southgate Global said: “Global instability is likely to continue well into 2025, sustaining the current increase in lead times to Europe from Asia and adding to global shipping challenges.
“Southgate has navigated this too through forward planning, ensuring it has the capacity to carry a greater volume of stock of material handling equipment and packaging equipment, as well as diversifying its sourcing strategy, bypassing many of these supply chain issues and related costs.
“In terms of UK trends and impacts, transport companies are struggling to cope with the reduction in volumes following the post-pandemic boom and several have gone out of business as a result. Therefore, innovation will remain a priority, players investing in improved shipment tracking and communication, as well as greater choice for customer consignments such as smaller vehicles or vans will be the winners.”
Southgate is facilitating these market changes with products such as its Dock Levelling Ramp designed to enable vans and trucks up C1 7.5-tonne classification to easily access full-sized loading docks. In recent years vans have become one of the fastest-growing category of delivery vehicle. So the Southgate Dock Levelling Ramp, together with the Southgate Van Loading Trolley solution, not only speeds up cargo handling times but also ensures fewer final mile journeys with more optimally loaded vehicles. “This provides logistics operations greater agility, affordability, faster delivery, and improved sustainability. A real win snatched from adversity,” he concludes.
Sustainability
Following the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), where global leaders discussed sustainable development, there is now even more of a pressing focus on organisations to consider how they can operate more sustainably. And with warehousing activities contributing roughly 11 per cent of the total GHG emissions generated by the logistics sector across the globe, it’s more important than ever for businesses to consider how they can incorporate sustainable practices into their warehouse workflow.
Heading into 2025, Southgate Global predicts its customers will shift their focus from replacing broken or damaged parts in machinery and equipment to repairing them instead. Harshad Gorasia, Chief Operating Officer at Southgate Global noted: “Sustainability has become an integral part of business strategy. Companies will focus on reducing carbon footprints and using recycled materials. This in part will be pushed by government regulation as well as business customers and consumers becoming more prescriptive on what and how they expect suppliers to behave. However, cost reduction will still be a major consideration when it comes to the final decision. Nevertheless, given that sustainable practices can also lead to reduced capital costs in some instances, it is clear why this will be a trend into 2025 and beyond.”
According to Southgate, while it has previously been the default response to replace rather than repair equipment such as trollies and carts, the feasibility of repairing means it will become a first response. For example, Southgate’s Technical Services Team offers servicing for packing and material handling equipment, whether the product is supplied by Southgate or not, as well as renovation and repair services, helping its customers meet their specific fulfilment challenges while reducing their impact on the planet.
The new year will bring new pressures, priorities and demands for all businesses in any sector. It’s now more important than ever for organisations to be ready to adapt and plan ahead to mitigate operational challenges in 2025.
As 2024 draws to a close, we at Taylor Investigations are taking a moment to reflect on what has been an incredible year of challenges, triumphs, and growth. From solving intricate cases to building stronger relationships with our clients, this year has seen us push boundaries and continue our commitment to delivering exceptional investigative services.
Unravelling Complex Cases
This year brought a diverse array of cases to our doorstep. From fraud and workplace theft to personal matters, family trees and identifying biological family members and tracing investigations, our team worked tirelessly to uncover the truth.
Embracing Technology
2024 saw an ever-increasing role of technology in our operations. We adopted new tools and software allowing us to stay ahead. We also invested in enhancing our cybersecurity measures by working with a new IT provider, ensuring client data and case information remain safe and secure.
Training and Development
Staying ahead in this industry means constant learning. This year, our investigators undertook various training and attended conferences, exchanging knowledge with other leading experts in the field. We also welcome 2 new members to the team in Ben and Steve. We believe that a well-trained investigator is an effective one so training is always key for our team.
Community Engagement
This year, we also took steps to give back to the community. Our team partnered with local initiatives such as Norwich BID and their ALERT system and Charlotte took park in the Legal Walk raising money for NCLS and Citizens Advice. We are also continuing our partnership with Norfolk Community Law Service, where we provide free process serving and person tracing for their clients. This initiative allows us to support vulnerable individuals and ensure they have access to the justice and services they need. Since we began in June 2023, we have carried out 7 process serves and 18 traces with a value of £1,845 for the NCLS.
Leadership Recognition
In April 2024, Charlotte, was re-elected to the Governing Council of the Association of British Investigators. Charlotte also led the planning for the first-ever Professional Investigators Conference, which was a huge success and set a new standard for industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Planning is well underway for the Professional Investigators Conference 2024
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we head into 2025, we remain committed to being the trusted, professional, and thorough investigative firm our clients have come to rely on. We are also thrilled to announce that a new team member, Debbie, will be joining us in January 2025 as an Investigator and Process Server. Debbie brings extensive experience in forensics and crime scene investigation, and she holds the Level 3 Private Investigator award. We are confident she will be a fantastic addition to our growing team.
We would like to thank all our clients, partners, and supporters for being part of our journey this year. Your confidence in Taylor Investigations drives us to be the best at what we do.
Happy New Year, and we look forward to working with you in 2025!
Is your business involved in imports and exports, or do you collaborate with international stakeholders or clients? Find out more about how your business and colleagues could benefit from the range of languages and support on offer from the
The UEA evening language programme is open to members of the public, UEA students and staff. are now on offer too – a recent enhancement to this successful programme which has been running for over 30 years. Sessions are delivered by language specialist tutors, many of whom are native speakers and come from all around the world.
The programme currently offers Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, German, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Russian and British Sign Language.
It is true that English is used a lot within the business world. However, many people speak “Globish”, a simplified version of English which means some important nuances may be lost in the process. Making the time and the effort to learn a foreign language (even just some basic phrases) also sends a very positive message, as it implies that you want to understand better and are not intending to view everything from your own standpoint. Last (but not least), learning a language is fun, and can be a great team building exercise.
The UEA Language Programme can also help you to avoid cultural faux pas by helping you understand the business culture of the country you are dealing with. Erin Meyer* gives a very striking example: “Presenting to Londoners or New Yorkers? Get to the point and stick to it. Presenting to Belgians, Spaniards, or Germans? Spend more time setting the parameters and explaining the background before jumping to your conclusion.” The impact of cultural differences on interactions and processes can make a real difference.
*(Erin Meyer, Affiliate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD)
For the standard evening programme, classes take place in-person, on the UEA campus, usually from 6:15pm to 8:15pm. Terms are 10-weeks long and run three times a year (beginning in January, April and October).
Bespoke training can also be offered specifically for businesses, tailored to your specific needs and requirements. The Language Programme team would be very happy to chat to you about devising a training package for your business.
The aim is to make language learning an enjoyable and rewarding experience. All four communicative skills are tackled (speaking, listening, reading and writing), but for businesses classes can focus more particularly on certain skills depending on your specific needs. There is a maximum class size of 15 people, creating a nice learning community where people feel comfortable to give it a try in a safe space.
Registration is now open for evening classes starting in January. Registrations close on Wed 1 January.
Learning a language is a gateway to a different culture. Some students are driven by short-term objectives, such as a holiday, or longer-term ones, such as communicating with a partner’s family in their own language. But the benefits can also be professional – beyond the ability to communicate in the language itself, taking a class can increase students’ confidence in speaking, ability to improvise and adapt to new situations, teamwork and problem-solving skills. It also grows people’s mindset and cultural intelligence.
Contact the UEA Language team to discuss your requirements: