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Norwich-based consultancy crowned ‘Most Trusted’ in the UK!

Local independent energy consultancy, Indigo Swan, have won a prestigious national award at the 2019 Energy Live Consultancy Awards (TELCA).

The company who were praised by the judges for their “strong statistics and good evidence”, won the ‘Most Trusted UK Energy Consultancy (SME)’ category last week. It’s the third time the energy enthusiasts have been recognised with this esteemed accolade in the last five years.

Emily Groves, Founder and Executive Chair commented: “We know that to provide a world class service we must be trusted by every organisation and person we engage with, whether they are a client, an employee, an energy supplier or the wider business community. I’m tremendously proud that we have won this award 3 times as it shows that trust is at our core and continues to resonate as we grow and engage with a greater number of organisations.”

James Groves Managing Director added: “Trust in your vision, trust in your values, trust in your team and your clients will trust in you. At Indigo Swan we are so proud to have been awarded the Most Trusted Consultancy (SME). I once read that Trust is built with consistency and to have been awarded as the most trusted within our sector 3 times over the last 5 years is the type of consistency that makes me so proud of all the Swans and allows our clients to know they are in safe hands year after year.”

The distinguished awards have been identified as being one of the most coveted in the UK. They evolved through a need to recognise and celebrate creativity, innovation and those pushing the boundaries of excellence.

The team at Indigo Swan were joined by more than 360 people at the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) on Wednesday 26th June for a glamourous black-tie awards ceremony, which was followed by an after party on London’s luxurious yacht, the Silver Sturgeon.

Lee Ratcliffe, one of the employees who attended the event, commented: “It was an absolute honour to be asked to represent Indigo Swan at the TELCAs and the evening didn’t disappoint! It was great to spend some time with my team outside of work, meet new people and bring home the ‘Most Trusted Consultancy’ trophy!”

Find out more here https://indigoswan.co.uk/blog/most-trusted-consultancy-2019/

Launch of programme supporting lower category ex-offenders to turn their lives around

Thursday 4th July saw the launch of New Life Ambassadors for Change, a pilot project which aims to improve the life chances of recently released ex-offenders in Norwich. Working in partnership with the High Sheriff of Norfolk Lady Clare Agnew, Charles Watt, former High Sheriff of Norfolk, together with Norfolk Community Foundation, Norwich Prison and the Department for Work and Pensions, will pilot a series of innovative projects aiming to plug the gaps for vulnerable prisoners when they re-enter society. Currently there is relatively little support available for ex-offenders when they leave prison, and those most determined not to re-offend, deemed low risk, are often those who receive the least support on their release.  Charles Watt has been successful in securing funding to help enable vulnerable ex-offenders to be securely housed and supported throughout their first year after release, helping them to turn their lives around. The series of pilot projects will examine how best to support them, offering vocational training, introducing potential employers and increasingly secure employment prior to leaving custody, helping ex-offenders make a positive contribution to society. Norfolk Community Foundation is working with Charles to create essential funding to plug these gaps and closely measuring and monitoring results of the pilot projects to ensure that they are making the most impact, helping to remove the constant obstacles that ex-offenders face. Find out more

CIS receives President’s Award of Occupational Health & Safety

CIS, an Acteon Company that installs conductors and piles for the oil and gas and nearshore marine construction industries, has been awarded the prestigious President’s Award for Occupational Health and Safety from the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).   

The President’s Award recognises CIS for earning its 10th consecutive Gold Medal, which is awarded in honour of an organisation’s commitment to preventing accidents and ill health.    

14 Years Without A Lost-time Incident

Since opening its doors in 2005, CIS has executed more than 1,500 pile and conductor installation operations for the nearshore marine, subsea, and oil and gas industries around the world. During that time, CIS has operated without a single accident or Lost Time Incident (LTI).

Whether it’s driving piles for foundations in the nearshore marine construction market, installing pin piles for subsea marine contractors or conductors for oil and gas wells, we are extremely vigilant when it comes to safety,” said James Chadd, Managing Director CIS. “Our mission is to ensure that our industry has a bright and buoyant future.  One of the ways we aim to achieve this is to ensure that it is safe. As we enter our 14th year of operation, this award is particularly meaningful because it also represents the fact that our dedication to safety has produced an outstanding performance history, without a single safety or Lost Time Incident. Our people are the driving force behind our health and safety management system, which is the foundation of this achievement. I am extremely thankful for their efforts, each and every day, to make health and safety a top priority.”

The RoSPA Awards criteria takes into consideration not only accident records, but the entrant’s overall health and safety management systems, recognising practices, such as strong leadership and workforce involvement. For CIS, this means that the company demonstrates outstanding commitment to protecting the health and safety of all employees and customers. 

Accountancy firm brings life-saving equipment to the community

East Anglian-based accountancy and business advisory firm MHA Larking Gowen is extending its company wellbeing programme to reach beyond the doors of its offices.

The firm is in the process of fitting defibrillators to the outside of all seven of its offices in the region. The life-saving machines have already been installed at its Norwich, Ipswich and Diss offices and will shortly follow at Fakenham, Holt and Cromer.

Andrew Butcher, acting chair of the MHA Larking Gowen staff forum, who is co-ordinating the installation of the equipment, said the idea to put a defibrillator into the Norwich office had originally come from a member of staff through the firm’s wellbeing suggestion scheme.

“We thought it was an excellent suggestion, so we put it to the board who loved the idea and asked for it to be rolled out on to all our sites”, said Andrew.  “We then thought, why should our wellbeing programme stop at the doors of the office. If we have something that is available to benefit our staff, visitors and clients why should it not benefit others as well?

“The next step was finding appropriate sites outside our buildings to position the equipment so the public could readily find it and make use of it in an emergency. All our machines except the one at our Ipswich office will have 24-hour access for the public.”

“The nature of the Ipswich site meant that it had to be placed inside the security fence so won’t be accessible at night.”

The firm’s Colchester site already has a defibrillator nearby.

Defibrillators are publicly accessible at a number of community locations within the region. In an emergency you can find the location of your nearest defibrillator by dialling 999. The operator will direct you to the location and give you a code to access the machine.

If you are at the site of a defibrillator people can dial 999 to get an access code. The machines are easy to use and you don’t need training. You will receive clear spoken instructions and a patient will not receive a shock unless they need it.

“The machines are being installed by Cardiac Science Corporation, who have been very helpful throughout the whole process,” said Andrew.

To find the location of your nearest MHA Larking Gowen office, go to www.larking-gowen.co.uk

Aston Shaw Shortlisted for Mid-Tier Firm of the Year Award at British Accountancy Awards 2019

Aston Shaw are finalists at the British Accountancy Awards 2019. The firm has been shortlisted alongside six other accountancy firms from around the country for the Mid-Tier Firm of the Year Award; the ceremony on 25th September 2019 in London.

In order to make the shortlist for the British Accountancy Awards 2019, Aston Shaw had to demonstrate to the judges that as a firm they add significant value to clients across all service areas. They were required to provide evidence to a panel of industry experts that shows how the services provided have been fundamental in enabling clients to achieve their specific business goals, increase revenues and satisfy and delight their customers.

The awards are recognised as the industry’s most highly regarded accolade. They pinpoint professional development and highlight those that have demonstrated excellence in their profession and so we are very proud to have been shortlisted for such a sought-after award.

Being a finalist in this category is recognition of our focus not just on business growth and profit but on becoming a well-respected firm that makes a positive impact.

Dominic Shaw, Director, said: “I was very happy to learn that our firm has been shortlisted. The entire team has worked hard to make the firm what it is today. It’s fantastic that our hard work has been recognised”.

This prestigious award will be presented to one of six exceptional finalists at an awards and dinner ceremony in London on 25th September.

To find out more about the awards, and to view the full shortlist, please visit: https://www.britishaccountancyawards.co.uk/shortlist-2/

www.astonshaw.co.uk

Pure promotes Jodie Woodrow to Business Director

Pure, the East of England’s leading professional recruitment specialist, has promoted Jodie Woodrow to Business Director.

Jodie originally joined Pure in 2005, co-founding and managing the company’s Ipswich office. She has continued to play an integral role in the development and success of Pure and its purpose of supporting the growth of organisations in the Eastern region over the last 14 years. Having specialised in senior accountancy appointments, Jodie has more recently been focussed on developing Pure Executive, which specialises in Board level appointments. 

Lynn Walters, Executive Director at Pure, said: “Our people are at the heart of our business and Jodie has been instrumental in the successful growth of our Ipswich office and the launch and development of Pure Executive. We’re pleased to have been able to reward her hard work, dedication and contribution to our business.”

Jodie Woodrow added: “I am delighted to have been promoted to Business Director. Since I joined Pure, I’ve had the opportunity to grow our business alongside our energetic and progressive leadership team and to continue my professional development by taking on new, exciting challenges like developing the Pure Executive brand. I have had great a role model in Lynn, who has championed me, providing tremendous support and encouragement to help me progress to Business Director.”

Pure Executive specialises in Board level appointments across a range of sectors and has a strong track-record supporting privately owned organisations, non-profit and listed businesses. Over the last four years, it has appointed over 90 Directors to the Boardrooms of some of the Eastern region’s most established brands.

Ambitions realised in Chesham and Hemel Hempstead

Andrew Twynam has recently sold his practice to experienced accountant Amit Joshi

When he joined TaxAssist Accountants in 2012, Andrew Twynam had a plan. Work for five years, build his practice up, then sell, to enable him to pay off his mortgage – which he has just achieved after the successful transfer of ownership to Amit Joshi FCCA.

Andrew and Amit had both endured years of commuting and the frustrations of the corporate world before discovering TaxAssist to their mutual benefit.

Andrew had been a finance director for a big city firm but was looking for a better quality of life.  “It’s a familiar story. I had four-year-old twin boys and was leaving home before they were up and getting home when they were in bed. I was really only seeing them at weekends, which put a lot of strain on the family,” explained Andrew.

“I was in a taxi on my way to a charity function in London and I passed a TaxAssist Accountants shop. It looked incredible and, already aware that TaxAssist Accountants is a franchise, I started some research the next day. I was looking for business opportunities and although at the beginning I was very sceptical, I spoke to lots of franchisees who confirmed what I’d been told, and this seemed like the right opportunity for me.”

Amit, who has attained vast experience in accounting over the last 19 years, was keen to leave the corporate and city life behind too, so started looking for opportunities where he could work for himself and build his own asset.

”Ready for a change from my usual commute into central London and having seen the shops on the high street, I started to do my research into TaxAssist and attended a Discovery Day,” said Amit. “It was during my research that the Support Centre informed me that a practice was for sale close to where I live. This seemed a good fit for me, so I was introduced to Andrew and started my due diligence. I liked what I saw and decided this was just what I was looking for. Andrew and I seemed very likeminded, the business was successful, with good working practices in place, all of which made my decision to purchase his business an easy one!

“I attended the February 2019 Initial Training Course and have now spent a few months in the business. While it has been hard work, I have no doubt it has been the right decision for me. I am looking forward to working with the great team I have and to developing the business further.”

For Andrew, an exit strategy had been a key consideration even before joining TaxAssist. “I don’t think I would ever have joined the franchise if there wasn’t a fairly clear exit route,” explained Andrew. “For me it was never the plan to be a TaxAssist franchisee until I retired. That’s what really attracted me to the model, it had a beginning, a middle and an end. The Support Centre gives you a path to follow and supports you every step of the way in helping you to build up your practice and when the time is right, to sell.”

TaxAssist Accountants currently has several practices for sale. Please click here for more information.

New Head of Fundraising for Local Cancer Charity, Big C

Norfolk and Waveney cancer charity, Big C, has appointed a new Head of Fundraising. Carole Slaughter joins the team from Jarrold, where she worked for 16 years, 15 as Marketing Manager. Carole says, “Big C was one of the first charities I worked with during my time at Jarrold, when the Big C Support and Information Centre was being built at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. It has now come full circle and I go into my new role with enthusiasm for the challenges ahead. I have joined the charity at such an exciting time, with the recent launch of the Nearer to Home Appeal for a new central Norwich support centre and the In Good Company corporate partnership programme, both of which will make such a difference to those affected by cancer in our community.”   Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C, says, “We warmly welcome Carole to Big C. Big C is at a key point in the charity’s development and are we are looking to strengthen our relationships with local business and our community support base. We are delighted that Big C is to benefit from Carole’s excellent local networks and experience in management and organising community fundraising and events.”   To learn more about the work Big C does to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney, please visit www.big-c.co.uk

MENTA’s Hires Commercial Manager

MENTA has extended its management team by creating the role of Commercial Manager and has hired former Greene King Brand Portfolio and Innovation Controller, Sarah Brindley.

The new role is designed to broaden the reach of the business support organisation by building upon its existing links with business leaders across East Anglia and further connect the entrepreneurial spirit of the region.

Sarah has worked with some of the world’s most recognisable brands as well as running her own styling business.   

MENTA CEO, Alex Till says “I’m thrilled that Sarah is bringing her brand and commercial connections to MENTA, these are exciting times for the team as we prepare to launch a series of new business products that include a range of remote learning and business support portals.

Sarah said “I am delighted to be appointed as Commercial Manager for MENTA and I am really looking forward to helping MENTA and the businesses that they help, flourish and grow. I am excited for what the future holds and to be part of the MENTA community of entrepreneurs”.

Sarah’s new role will include business development and working on the expansion of MENTA’s patron package.

MENTA existing patrons include – Ensors chartered Accountants, Atkins Thomson, Fleximize and HS direct.

To speak to Sarah about working with MENTA, please email sarahb@menta.org.uk

Hopkins Homes to sponsor the Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards 2019

Award-winning developer Hopkins Homes has a strong track record of supporting local causes and has now been announced as the headline sponsor for the Eastern Daily Press’ Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards 2019.

The East Anglian housebuilder has developments throughout Norfolk and two years ago announced a £500,000 charitable fund. The fund supports charities and groups throughout East Anglia via small grants, charity votes and one-off donations as well as separate funding for the conservation of war memorials in the area. In addition, last winter, Hopkins Homes created a £150,000 Winter Crisis Fund to help alleviate some of the difficulties vulnerable people face when the weather gets colder. In Norfolk this included a £30,000 donation to the Eastern Daily Press’ Surviving Winter campaign and a rapid intervention fund.  

Joshua Hopkins of the Hopkins Charitable Fund said: “At Hopkins Homes we are committed to supporting local charities and organisations, ensuring we build thriving communities as well as homes, which is why we felt sponsoring the www.hopkinshomes.co.uk  

Pictures: Jamie Honeywood @EDP

Are your contract terms fair?

The Compettionand Markets Authority ( CMA) currently has a campaign to highlight to businesses about fair contract terms. There is information on their website with guidance and a quiz to take .

Have a look at:

https://fairterms.campaign.gov.uk/

Great Yarmouth Young Trader Markets

Great Yarmouth Borough Council are launching a new scheme for people aged 18 to 30 with something to sell on the marketplace. 

Young Trader Markets will take place on Wednesday and Friday weekly or monthly depending on the trader’s preference.  As part of the scheme a young trader will have access to one to one business support and help getting set up on the marketplace.

https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/youngtraders

As part of the wider Go Trade initiative, we are looking for any organisations who work with people in that age bracket to help us connect with them; alternatively take part in a launch event in September outlining your business and what you can offer Young Traders who want to take part.

Please get in touch with Stacy Cosham via stacy.cosham@great-yarmouth.gov.uk for more information.