Member News

Alan Boswell Group win Best Landlord Insurance Provider award

For the second year running, Alan Boswell Group have been crowned Best Landlord Insurance Provider at the National Landlord Investment Show awards.

The awards celebrate excellence within the private rented sector, and this year was hosted by comedian Jon Culshaw. The winners were chosen by a combination of public votes and a panel of industry experts, including senior management from respected property organisations such as Property Investor News, iHowz and George Ellis Property Services.

Heath Alexander-Bew, Director at Alan Boswell Group, said:

“This award recognises our continued commitment to offering landlords excellent products and customer service, and is also testament to our customers and introducers who believe in what we do. I’d like to thank them all for their ongoing support and loyalty.”

Since winning the award for the first time in 2018, the group also took home the award for Best Landlord Insurance Provider at the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) in April of this year. They’ve also retained their status as a Gold Trusted Merchant on independent review site Feefo, maintaining an average score of 4.9/5 for customer service.

Looking for landlords insurance?

Alan Boswell Group have industry-leading products and a multi-award-winning service for Landlords – click here to read an article about the covers every landlord should know about.

They include:

• Landlords building insurance
• Rent guarantee
• Portfolio landlord insurance
• Airbnb insurance

And much more.

Here to help

If you’d like to speak to a Landlords insurance expert, you can call Alan Boswell Group on 01603 216399.

TaxAssist joins a select group of only four franchisors in receiving the award for seven years running.

TaxAssist Accountants has once again been awarded 5-star franchisee satisfaction from WorkBuzz following positive feedback from its network of more than 200 franchisees.

This led it to receiving above the average benchmark results for key areas of the survey which inform the final Franchise Satisfaction Benchmark report. These include training and support, franchise system, culture and relationships, leadership and general satisfaction.

The satisfaction benchmark is provided by WorkBuzz, a leading independent franchise consultancy. It works by inviting existing franchisees to participate in an anonymous online survey, which asks them 29 questions about their franchise ownership experience.

Using a consistent methodology, the franchise is assigned an overall satisfaction benchmark score and the highest performing franchisors are recognised at the Best Franchise Awards.

Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive Director at TaxAssist Accountants, said: “It was a pleasure to once again read so many positive comments from our franchisees, which allowed us to achieve this prestigious accolade for the seventh year in a row.

“We are extremely proud of the successful TaxAssist business model and the support we provide and receiving 5-star franchisee satisfaction is testament to the hard work of our dedicated team, which has now grown to 60 at the Support Centre in Norwich.

“We will not be resting on our laurels as we have read all of the comments in detail and we will consider and address any issues or suggestions made.”

For more information about WorkBuzz and the Best Franchise Awards please visit www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

Sir John Fenn (Rob Knee from the Paston Heritage Society) unveiled, on its 547th anniversary, a facsimile of the Paston Letter dated 22 November 1472, which gives the first mention of the Maids Head, the name of the inn that had taken over from the 13th century Murtle Fish. The facsimile is located just outside the entrance of the Maids Head’s Wine Press Restaurant.

Rob Knee was at the hotel to give a costumed Paston talk about the work of antiquarian Sir John Fenn from Dereham, who edited, over eight years, a volume of some 200 of the Paston Letters that had come into his possession in 1771. The volume was published in 1789 and the initial print run of 750 sold out within a week.

The Paston letters and papers were found in 1735 by Norfolk historian Francis Blomefield in the muniment room at Oxnead Hall, which had been the main seat of the Paston family since the 1480s. William Paston, 2nd Earl of Yarmouth, the last representative of the family, had died in 1732.

The first mention of the Maids Head was in a letter written by John Paston recommending the inn as a good place to stable a horse: ‘if he tery at norwyche ther whyls, it were best to sette hys horse at the Maydes Hedde.’

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel said: “I would like to thank the Paston Heritage Society for the gift of the facsimile of the 1472 letter. We have much enjoyed working with Rob Knee and his colleagues to mark the Paston Footprints project with events to celebrate Norfolk Day and the hotel’s November ‘birthday’ and look forward to further activities in 2020.”

For more information about the Paston Heritage Society and the Paston Footprints Project see www.pastonheritage.co.uk and www.thisispaston.co.uk .

For more information about the Maids Head Hotel see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk, t. 01603 209955.

On Thursday 21st November Karl Sandall, Chief Executive Director of The TaxAssist Group, met with Sajid Javid and raised a number of issues concerning the small business community.

Sajid Javid, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was in Norwich on 21st November and took the opportunity to visit the TaxAssist Accountants Support Centre to meet Directors and Senior Managers to learn more about the concerns of small businesses.

“It was a very worthwhile meeting, during which we discussed a number of really important issues”, said Karl.

“The TaxAssist Accountants network of over 350 shops and offices looks after the needs of more than 75,000 small businesses across the country, and we used the time we had with the Chancellor to highlight a number of key concerns on their behalf:

• IR35 and the changes scheduled for April 2020
• The disproportionate costs and impact of compliance on small businesses
• The advantage online businesses have compared to the high street as a result of the business rates system which is in need of a review to ensure a more even playing field
• The lack of tax incentives for small businesses and the proposed cap for Research & Development tax credits which will hit innovative small businesses
• The future for inheritance tax following ministers’ comments surrounding it’s future
• The lack of support available to small businesses to help them comply with Making Tax Digital, such as access to compliant software and good internet speeds
• The current arrangements for apprenticeship funding, which don’t help small business owners nurture new talent

“We are proud to represent small businesses, the ‘lifeblood’ of the UK economy and we will take every opportunity we get to speak up for their needs and concerns,” added Karl.

Balaji Krishnamurthy launches small business tax and accounting service from 91 Bolton Road, Bury

Balaji Krishnamurthy, joined the TaxAssist Accountants network in September, and has already sourced and fitted out his welcoming shop ready to meet with clients.

“I was very lucky to spot the ideal shop, in the ideal location so quickly,” explained Balaji. “It ticks all the boxes in terms of being highly visible and accessible and offers plenty of parking. I would encourage all small businesses owners and individual taxpayers in the area to pop in for a free initial consultation to learn more about our services.”

Balaji worked in the financial services sector for a number of years, initially in investment banking, before moving onto audit work with a Big 4 company where he qualified as an accountant.

“I extensively researched opportunities available to me for the next step in my career,” stated Balaji”. “I was keen to operate my own practice and found TaxAssist to be the perfect match for my aspirations. I am able to run my own accountancy practice while at the same time being a part of one of the largest accountancy groups in the country with a well-established brand name.

“I have a broad range of experience working with companies of all sizes, but it is small businesses that I am passionate about and I am looking forward to adding value to these businesses in my local area.”

Balaji’s shop joins an established network of over 225 TaxAssist Accountants shops nationwide.

SOUL Church has been given the go ahead to start work on a brand-new church building on the site of the former Family Life Centre. Working closely with architects, Fielden and Mawson, the church has just received planning permission and is now looking to break ground as soon as possible.

“We have a real passion to reach the hurt and the lost and this will be a home for the people of our city, with community facilities, indoor and outdoor play parks, a sensory area, café and so much more, as well as a 1,000+ seater auditorium for our services and events. We trust God will bring his plans to fruition and we have faith that as we act in accordance with his will, we will see miraculous things taking place,” confirm Pastors Jon & Chantel Norman, who lead the church.

With upwards of £7m needed for the first phase of the works, the team are thankful for the generosity of church members, as well as the input and selfless giving of those in the community and from other churches in the area and beyond.

If you’d like to find out more about the project or to make a donation, please visit www.soulchurch.com.

As the nights get darker and the temperature drops, Norfolk Community Foundation has once again launched its annual Surviving Winter appeal, providing vital support to help vulnerable people across Norfolk get through the cold winter months. The onset of the winter months can be a worrying time for many people in Norfolk. The combination of bad weather, colder temperatures and the effects of rural poverty can be a tangible, sometimes disastrous, combination for vulnerable individuals and families. The aim of the Surviving Winter appeal is to provide essential support to people who are struggling and in serious need, to stop them from failing into crisis. How is the Appeal helping? Together with the Foundation’s partner organisations Age UK Norfolk, homelessness charity St Martins and local foodbanks who work tirelessly on the ground to support those in need across the county, the Foundation is once again taking action this winter. From providing support to help rough sleepers off the streets long term, to helping families heat their homes and keep their children warm, to alleviating loneliness amongst isolated older people who may have no-one else to talk to, the Surviving Winter appeal will transform local lives. For some, this support could mean the difference between life and death. Donate now to change lives The Surviving Winter appeal needs urgent help from local people and businesses to support the most vulnerable in our communities. Donate online quickly and securely, or alternatively please make a cheque payable to Norfolk Community Foundation and send it to Norfolk Community Foundation, St. James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1TN, or telephone us on 01603 623958. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference to local lives.

As the nights get darker and the temperature drops, Norfolk Community Foundation is once again launching its annual Surviving Winter appeal, providing vital support to help vulnerable people across Norfolk get through the cold winter months. The onset of the winter months can be a worrying time for many people in Norfolk. The combination of bad weather, colder temperatures and the effects of rural poverty can be a tangible, sometimes disastrous, combination for vulnerable individuals and families. The aim of the Surviving Winter appeal is to provide essential support to people who are struggling and in serious need, to stop them from failing into crisis. How is the Appeal helping? Together with the Foundation’s partner organisations Age UK Norfolk, homelessness charity St Martins and local foodbanks who work tirelessly on the ground to support those in need across the county, the Foundation is once again taking action this winter. From providing support to help rough sleepers off the streets long term, to helping families heat their homes and keep their children warm, to alleviating loneliness amongst isolated older people who may have no-one else to talk to, the Surviving Winter appeal will transform local lives. For some, this support could mean the difference between life and death. Donate now to change lives The Surviving Winter appeal needs urgent help from local people and businesses to support the most vulnerable in our communities. Donate online quickly and securely, or alternatively please make a cheque payable to Norfolk Community Foundation and send it to Norfolk Community Foundation, St. James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1TN, or telephone us on 01603 623958. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference to local lives.

MHA Larking Gowen is delighted to be named Best Employer in this year’s Norfolk Business Awards.

The awards, attended by more than 500 guests at the Norfolk Showground Arena, was hosted by TV actor, James Nesbitt, star of Cold Feet, Murphy’s Law and The Hobbit.

MHA Larking Gowen is one of the UK’s top 40 accountancy and business advisory partnerships. It was established in Norfolk more than 130 years ago and has six of its eight regional offices based in the county.

The firm was shortlisted for the award last month along with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Holkham and Liftshare.com.

Jon Woolston, Managing Partner at MHA Larking Gowen said: “The awards have been a fantastic event and we’re delighted to be recognised as Norfolk’s Best Employer, especially after being up against such strong competition.

“Passion for our People is one of our core values, and where we believe the success of our business lies. For us, it’s more than just a slogan.

“We have worked hard to make Passion for our People a reality because it’s the skills, energy and dedication of our teams that make everything else happen in our business.”

Head of HR, Amanda Ninham, said: “Wellbeing is central to everything we do and is the focus for all of our people practices, from training and development to rewards and recognition and our relationship with our local communities.

“Our Wellbeing programme is successful through buy-in from the leaders in our organisation, and making a high level of care and commitment, to each and every one of our people, central to our culture.

“This award is an excellent result and shows that working hard to make our business the best possible place for people to work, pays dividends. It’s very rewarding.”

In the Best Employer award, judges were looking for evidence of opportunities for personal growth, a rewards strategy that drives performance, strong values embedded in the organisation, a positive culture which recognises and values difference, and strong talent attraction and retention strategy. They also looked at the entrants’ approach to wellbeing and mental health, and their support for the local community.

This year’s Best Employer award was sponsored by Pure and Birketts.

Photo left to right – Senior Marketing Advisor Fran Mallen, Partner Phil Moy, Head of HR Amanda Ninham, Partner Chris Scargill, Accountant Sarah Lambert and Managing Partner Jon Woolston.

We hope you have seen publicity about Passport to Puppetry project for Norfolk Chamber members to pay £250 to sponsor access to theatre for youngsters in need of smaller whose family circumstances make it really difficult to pay for tickets. We are offering 10 lucky Chamber members free tickets to our private viewing of the show to an invited audience. Come along and find out why we believe so passionately that live Puppet Theatre and creative learning can both delight and inspire all children, and why it is so worthwhile making it easier to access for those who are otherwise variously excluded!

The event is at Norwich Puppet Theatre https://www.puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/puppetry/hansel-and-gretel

An introduction to Lone Workers Over 20% of the British workforce are considered lone workers. From care workers to estate agents, lorry drivers to farmers, lone workers face unique risks with little to no oversight. If you employ anyone who works on their own, including part time workers, contractors and freelancers, you may have legislative responsibilities over their wellbeing. How Safepoint Works The Safepoint lone worker solution is comprised of a user-friendly app (for iOS and Android), and a robust guardian portal (available on all modern browsers). With the Safepoint solution, organisations can monitor their workers’ safety, wherever they are. Through the Safepoint app, workers can create ‘tasks’. During the task, the worker’s location (along with other vital safety information) is monitored in real time and shared with the guardian portal. The Safepoint portal allows an organisation’s ‘guardians’ to quickly and easily view the location and status of their entire lone working team. Should a worker require help, they can easily use Safepoint to trigger a silent alarm. An alarm will also be called if the worker does not check in as safe by the end of their task. Once an alarm is triggered, the worker’s assigned guardians will be immediately notified and they can use the Safepoint portal to see their worker’s location -as well as other vital safety information. Guardians can use this information to make swift, informed decisions. Partnership with What3words What3words is a brilliantly simple way to describe location. It has divided the world up into a grid of 3m squares that can each be identified by three simple words. So, for instance, the Safepoint HQ can be found at ///calm.gives.comet. When Safepoint heard about What3words, they knew it could be an invaluable tool in keeping lone workers safe. For a company using Safepoint, responding quickly to an emergency alarm could mean the difference between life and death. Safepoint’s partnership with What3words makes it easier to relay location information to the emergency services and first responders. The Takeaway Safepoint was conceived as a boldly innovative lone working solution. This means, reliable, user-friendly software with transparent, contract-free pricing. Now, by partnering with What3words, Safepoint hopes to continue that tradition of innovation and user-focus. What’smore, Safepoint hopes to save lives, and help workers feel safer wherever they are.   An embeddable public video demonstration of the partnership in action can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xcIewLRP8c&feature=emb_title

Paul Robinson Partnership, a long-established Chartered Architects practice, comprising a diverse and skilled team of architects, architectural technologists, building conservationists, and interior designers is reflecting on an incredible 45 years in business.

Founded back in October 1974, by Paul Robinson and Len Gooch, the then Gorleston based Practice quickly attracted a loyal customer base thanks to their ever-growing reputation for robust and cost-effective design services.

The Practice quickly saw expansion to new premises on King Street, Great Yarmouth and welcomed seasoned architect Peter Dean as a third partner, Peter bringing with him a wealth of experience and RIBA accreditation.

With business going well and the order book filled with National clients – an opportunity arose to relocate the team to the Vicarage next to St Nicholas church, in Gt Yarmouth.

The expansion continued with the addition of a fourth partner, Maynard Grout, who joined in 1988, adding to the Practice’s technical skills and National and International client base.

Reflecting on his time as Partner, Maynard said, “I’ve always pushed the Practice towards functional designs, and I am proud of our reputation.”

In 1998, the Practice was sadly rocked by tragedy with the untimely death of its partner Peter Dean in a road traffic accident. His high standards of professionalism and ethics, from which the company’s reputation is built upon, is still reflected in the Practice today.

In 2003 and 2008 respectively, founders Paul Robinson and Len Gooch enjoyed their much-deserved retirements, paving the way for a new chapter with Simon Nicholas and Bruce Hart becoming Partners shortly after.

Simon Nicholas joined the Practice as a junior architectural technician in 1981 and Bruce Hart as a senior architectural technician in 1988.

Both have worked their way through the ranks and remain Partners in the Practice to this day, with Simon credited as the longest-serving member of Paul Robinson Partnership having clocked up a very respectable 38 years’ service to date.

Maynard Grout stepped down in 2013; however, he still has active involvement from time to time and assists with specific surveying projects.

The Practice continues to have a diverse team, varying in skills and experience, led by the management team including Craig Liversidge, Steve Lucas and Andrew Smith.

During his impressive 23 years at the Practice, Andrew has honed his skills and expertise in the building conservation field. Within his role of Building Conservation Manager, and provides consultancy as standalone or as part of an overall service.

Simon Nicholas, PRP Partner, said “It is such a privilege to witness the incredible journey Paul Robinson Partnership has been on throughout the years. Architectural trends and markets have always influenced the business, but we have continued to deliver a range of stunning and award-winning designs for our clients throughout our 45 years.”

Following the consolidation of the Great Yarmouth and Norwich offices, after more than 40 years in Great Yarmouth, in 2017 the team moved to a new home at Octagon Business Park, Little Plumstead, Norwich.

Since its inception in 1974, Paul Robinson Partnership has completed circa 10,000 projects and worked with a diverse range of clients across multiple sectors.

Paul Robinson Partnership looks forward to many more successful years delivering design solutions which embody its clients’ visions.

www.paulrobinsonpartnership.co.uk