Member News

Abate Pest Management recently worked with Stonbury, specialist contractors to the water industry, on the 1953 Dennington Water Tower in East Suffolk to replace bird netting as part of the tower’s refurbishment project.

Abate was awarded the project due to their bird proofing specialisms and that they are Safecontractor and Chas accredited. Health and Safety would certainly play a big part in this project, especially when the water tower is nearly 200ft tall.

“Even before the survey began a full health and safety induction was given” said Jon Blake MD of Abate. “Like any project where we work at height, safety measures such as double lanyard clipping to ladders automatically takes place.”

The water tower project included a complete guano clean of the outer void, which is the area between the outer wall and the huge water tank. When the clean was complete all of the wires and fixings were replaced and new finer gauge netting was installed. Jon also said, “as the tower is fitted with communication masts, we also installed zips at access points to allow engineers to unzip the netting rather than just cutting into it, this will reduce additional maintenance in the future.” 

Working at heights always gives a different outlook in pest control, the team certainly had some amazing views over the Suffolk countryside. 

Visit our website to view more images from this project and to learn more about our bird poofing services. 

On November 1st, NANSA is supporting disabled people to take part in a fashion show organised by Karen James-Welton also known as The Fabulous Miss K who runs her own vintage and stylist business and Sarah Henry who runs The Vintage Shed.

NANSA has worked for over 60 years to improve the lives of people in Norfolk with physical, sensory and learning disabilities.

NANSA is a local independent charity and believes that all people with disabilities are entitled to full inclusion in society.

NANSA aims to empower people in Norfolk with disabilities to achieve their life aspirations. 

The show follows a sell-out fashion show held earlier this year which was based on the idea of having a women’s vintage fashion show for all, to highlight the need of making fashion accessible and wearable no matter what.

NANSA were delighted to be asked to take part in the show and are thankful to Karen and Sarah who supported 3 of NANSA’s Train and Trade trainees modelling their own clothes at the fashion show.

Tom Garrod, NANSA Chief Executive, who attended the show earlier in the year commented: “The NANSA trainees excelled in their catwalk performances and the increase in their self-confidence was clear to see.

These young women are no different in their interest of fashion than any other woman and there is no reason for others to perceive them any differently. NANSA actively seeks opportunities to challenge the perceptions of disability and to offer every client the chance to achieve whatever they want to achieve in life and it’s great for us to work with partners like Karen and Sarah to enable this to happen”

The event was such a success that another fashion show is planned for November 1st and is being held at The Oaklands Hotel, Norwich. NANSA will be supporting 4 trainees modelling their own collection taken from a selection of items donated to their 5 charity shops based in and around Norwich.  

Sarah Henry said “Due to their excellence on the catwalk at the first show, the trainees were part of the pre shoot which advertises the Every Woman Vintage Fashion Show taking place next month.”  

NANSA’s Head of Charity Trading, Amanda Lockwood, commented:

“Charity shops provide the ideal opportunity for people to buy into the “anything goes” fashion trend we are currently seeing. Our trainees love working with fashion.  Being asked to provide models and show our collection at the “Every Woman Vintage Fashion Show” means that NANSA can be part of challenging the perception of who fashion is for. Fashion should be for everyone and we are passionate about making this a reality.”

If you would like to support NANSA by attending the fashion show, please follow the Facebook link for tickets and more details or search Facebook “Every Woman Vintage Fashion Show”.

https://www.facebook.com/everywomanvintagefashionshow/

Tickets are also available from NANSA’s Magdalen Street charity shop. Details can be found on the NANSA website: https://www.nansa.org.uk/shops.aspx

TaxAssist Accountants expands Support Centre

Growing Franchise takes a further suite at Broadland Business Park

The TaxAssist Group, the award-winning national network of accountants for small businesses, has expanded its Norwich Support Centre, moving into a second suite at Bankside 300 on Broadland Business Park.

TaxAssist, which has more than 220 franchised areas in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Australia, and operates from over 300 shops and offices, moved its Support Centre to Broadland Business Park at the end of 2014 when it took a suite of 5,033ft2 (468m2).

Their new expansion sees them increase by an additional 4,797ft2 (446m2) by taking the neighbouring second floor suite.

Karl Sandall, Chief Executive of the TaxAssist Group, said: “We chose to move our Support Centre to Broadland Business Park with an eye on expanding our operations when the need arose.

With the many exciting UK and global developments ahead for the TaxAssist network in the coming months, the time has come to do just that as we grow our existing team of 45 highly experienced staff.

We are confident the modern serviced offices offered by Bankside 300 will continue to play an important part in our expansions.”

James Allen, partner at Roche Chartered Surveyors, said: “TaxAssist’s expansion into the final available suite in Bankside 300 is very good news indeed.

This is a highly successful business that fits Broadland Business Park’s profile very well and underlines the popularity of the Park for companies looking for Grade A office space in a very attractive landscaped environment.”

TaxAssist Accountants is one of the largest networks of franchised accountants specifically servicing the small business sector.

In July 2018, the UK network had over 69,000 clients and gross recurring annual fees in excess of £45 million.

There are over 200 franchises operating across the UK, with a further 200 territories still available. If you’d like to find out more about operating a TaxAssist Accountants franchise, please call 0800 0188297 or visit the website www.taxassistfranchise.co.uk

Police have issued a warning to businesses to be vigilant to cold callers following two incidents in Norfolk and Suffolk. It comes after a company based in Harleston, Norfolk received a call on Monday 17 September from someone claiming to be ‘Sergeant Mark Shepherd’ from Suffolk Police and asked to speak with the director. He then stated he ‘was doing a campaign involving going into schools and talking about safety issues and requesting sponsorship’. When the call recipient declined, the caller put the phone down. On Wednesday 26 September a company based in Hadleigh, Suffolk received a similar call from someone claiming to be ‘Mark Shepherd’. He stated he was from the media department of the police and was asking for charity donations. When challenged he stated he was a freelancer and provided an invalid phone number. Later in the day a further call was received from a man to a sister company which shares the same address and was answered by the same member of staff. The man was challenged after he repeated his request to speak to a director and he then gave his name as ‘Steven Gerrard’ before the call was ended. Officers have this advice: Never give out personal information about your bank account to anybody over the phone. If someone calls claiming to be a police officer, ask for their identification number and police force. Hang up and call 101 using a different phone. If you can’t use a different phone, wait at least five minutes before calling back. A genuine police officer will not mind waiting while you check. Police and banks will never ask you to give out personal details such as account numbers or PIN numbers. If you have given out information which could compromise your bank account security in any way, call your bank to cancel your cards as soon as possible. Never hand over money to someone at the door to be sent off elsewhere. Anyone with concerns about such calls should contact Norfolk Police on the non-emergency number 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

 Cold Calling Alert – Cold callers offering to sharpen and coat blades and tools – 27 September 2018

Businesses need to be aware of cold callers visiting premises offering to sharpen and coat tools and blades. This follows an incident where a member of staff at a company was approached by individuals offering this service quoting a price ‘per unit’. The cold caller also offered a free sample of the service which was accepted. Following this an agreement for a number of items to be sharpened and coated was agreed. Since then the company has been invoiced for a vastly inflated amount as the cold caller is stating the unit in the ‘per unit’ price relates to ‘per centimetre’ not ‘per item’. Always be very wary of claims made by cold callers to your premises and never agree to services, buy items or for return visits if approached in this manner. If you are looking to contract work out only deal with reputable companies you have researched and chosen yourself, and always obtain a written quotation from them in advance of the work commencing. If you receive a cold call to your business from someone offering to sharpen and coat tools or blades we would advise that you decline the offer, ask the cold caller to leave your premises and then report the incident to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

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Business Companion has advice on how to spot and avoid scams targeting businesses

If statues could talk, what stories would they tell?

We were pleased to welcome some local legends to the studio recently:

The iconic City Hall Lions…

Polymath and author Sir Thomas Browne…

Anchoress and theologian Julian of Norwich…

The mysterious feral child Peter the Wild Boy…

One of Shakespeare’s original players, the comedian Will Kempe…

Well they weren’t literally in our studio – but they were here in spirit! 

10 of Norwich’s most historic statues have been given the power of speech. Talking Statues is an exciting project designed by Sign London and led by production agency Creative Nation. Just by swiping your smartphone you can hear these statues telling their stories!

We at JMS were delighted to be able to record some of those stories. We welcomed into our voice booth comedian Adam Buxton; writer, poet and director Molly Naylor; local comedy duo The Nimmo Twins; writer and broadcaster Keith Skipper; poet and writer Luke Wright; and BAFTA Award Winning actress Olivia Colman. Zoe Telford and Stephen Fry also contributed their vocal talents to the trail. 

So next time you are wandering around our UNESCO City of Literature take a moment to pause and listen to some of the fascinating tales our county’s heroes have to tell.

If you are looking to record audio or hire a studio, give us a call on 01603 811855 or visit https://www.jms-group.com/ to find out more.

OPEN Youth Trust:  Conference and Event Manager – Role Profile 

Main Place of Work/Location:            20 Bank Plain, Norwich, NR2 4SF 

Responsibilities:                                 Booking and managing conferences and events 

Responsible to:                                   Head of Operations

About the Trust

OPEN is a multi-purpose venue, in the heart of Norwich, committed to delivering world class live music and outstanding conference facilities, which funds OPEN Youth Trust, a charity that provides opportunities that make a positive difference to the lives of young people in Norfolk.

About the Role

Permanent – 40 hours per week including some evenings and weekends to reflect the needs of the Trust.

You will work with the wider events team and be responsible for sourcing, booking and managing a portfolio of conference and events using the OPEN Venue and its variety of rooms.

You must be a proactive and highly organised individual with the skills and experience, energy and commitment to help generate and manage the commercial income from the conference and events related activities of the OPEN Youth Trust. You will demonstrate an approachable demeanour with excellent communication skills and a passion for customer service.

Salary and Benefits

£20-22k (dependant on experience)

Pension and private health scheme

Reporting Structure

The jobholder will report to the Head of Operations and work alongside the Live Events Manager (responsible for music, comedy and public events), the operations, hospitality and technical teams, ensuring a seamless account management experience. 

Competencies, Skills and Experiences

• Essential                                      
• Business Development/Sales                     
• Event management background                 
• Customer focused                          
• Commercially and financially aware
• Planning and Organisational skills   
• Self-motivated                                           
• Team player                                              
• Desirable
• Licensing knowledge
• Charitable affiliation
• Catering/hospitality experience
• Technical understanding
• Marketing background
• Line Management experience
• Ability to work on one’s own initiative 

As an OPEN team member, you will be:

• Professional, friendly, fun and caring
• Positive, ambitious, proactive, customer focused
• A team builder, celebrating success, demonstrating commitment and pride
• Passionate and knowledgeable about OPEN’s core objectives and values

Main Purpose of the Role        

As part of the events team, the Conference and Events Manager will have the following main objectives

1.     To promote and sell the conference and events facilities within OPEN to both local and national markets

2.     To book and administer all conference and events bookings using the Artifax booking system

3.     To work closely with the wider team ensuring all information supplied is accurate, complete and applicable for each event

Detailed Responsibilities:

Events

• Managing administrative functions to ensure specific events are delivered efficiently and effectively
• Develop a portfolio of daytime or evening events for conference clients
• Consulting with the Head of Operations and Head of Hospitality and the wider team to review arrangements for all venue bookings
• Passing on technical requirements of the hirers and putting clients in touch with the relevant technicians and duty managers
• Develop the business to ensure that the individual requirements for each event are met, dealing with any issues that may arise
• Developing events from proposal right up to delivery, ensuring that the precise requirements of the client are handed over to the delivery team and understood  
• Booking a range of events throughout the year within budget, that meet or exceed expectations financially and to the satisfaction of the client
• Setting, communicating and maintaining timelines and priorities for each event that you develop
• Communicating, maintaining and developing client relationships so that they want to return
• Managing external and internal supplier relationships 
• Ensure that the highest levels of customer service are delivered and maintained at all times
• Work with the Head of Operations and Head of Finance on the commercial calculators for each event to ensure profitability within set margins
• Work with the Head of Finance on post event treasury and reporting
• Work with the Head of Marketing to ensure that all public events are added to the Trust’s website and promoted accordingly
• Liaise closely with the hospitality team regarding specific catering requirements on events

Account management

• Achieve agreed financial sales targets for Conference and Events 
• Work with the Duty Managers to ensure a seamless handover of events
• Manage the relationship between OPEN and the client successfully in order to retain their business and achieve cross sales of other facilities and services
• Attend regular networking events and exhibitions to promote and market OPEN’s facilities
• Sell the benefits of the outstanding technical and hospitality facilities of the venue to prospective clients
• To create a record of all new business, prospecting and related activity for the Head of Operations each month
• Conduct regular market research and develop an awareness of the local Conference and Events markets., to develop new business income streams and help determine strategies to increase sales.

Over and Above

Every day try to add to the Team Culture to make sure others feel supported and enjoy the benefits of your valuable professional skills and experiences.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to carry out other duties and responsibilities of a similar professional nature to those described above.

Most of all enjoy your work because your efforts will make a positive long-term difference to the lives of many young people in Norfolk.

This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.

How to Apply

If you want to make a positive difference, help secure financial self-sufficiency and sustainability for the Trust and are able to work in innovative ways, visit our website www.opennorwich.org.ukto download an application form or pick one up from the venue’s Box Office.

Applications must be made by email only.  Please send a completed application form and covering letter to HR@opennorwich.org.ukby 5pm on Friday, 12 October 2018. Successful candidates will be invited to attend interviews during the week commencing 15 October and any job offer will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check and references.

For further information about the role please email Alex Walters, Head of Operations alex.walters@opennorwich.org.uk

World-class data centre MIGSOLV has partnered with data networking expert Next Connex to provide customers with unprecedented access to Jisc’s super-fast Janet Network.

The UK’s national research and education network, Janet, has more than 18 million users in colleges, universities and research centres, who utilise it to connect to the internet and securely share information. MIGSOLV’s connection with Next Connex will provide rare access to Janet for other public-sector and commercial organisations.

“We’re pleased to be working with Next Connex to offer such an opportunity.” said David Manning, Managing Director at MIGSOLV. “The Janet Network opens up a vast new marketplace for businesses who provide secure online services. As we provide enhanced connectivity to more than 250 carriers, this super-fast network is another great service for our world-class data centre.”

Outside the education sector, the Janet Network is widely used by public and third sector organisations, including government departments and scientific bodies. For similar organisations like charities and NGOs, connecting to it can provide a way to create relationships, share information and become involved in national and international programmes. As part of the Government’s digital-first strategy, the Janet Network may provide commercial companies with a secure way to supply their online products and services to otherwise hard-to-reach public sector customers.

“Our joint connection offers customers access to a high quality and resilient network that’s used to support the best in UK research and innovation.” said Richard Auld, Commercial Director of Next Connex. “We’re delighted to be helping MIGSOLV provide such an opportunity through their top-class facilities.”

Next Connex design, build and support bespoke high-performance network infrastructure and specialise in integrated data networking and hosting solutions. MIGSOLV’s Gatehouse in Norwich is a world-class data centre which houses and protects data and hardware for organisations in sectors including IT, energy and cryptocurrencies. The partnership will allow customers to quickly obtain a dedicated high-speed link to the Janet Network through MIGSOLV facilities.

For more information call 01603 510323 or visit www.migsolv.com

A CNC Milling Programmer at Norwich based engineering firm Thurne Middleby Ltd has fought off tough competition to secure a place in the prestigious national finals of the WorldSkills UK Competitions. Jacob Wiggett will join finalists from all over the UK to compete in front of over 70,000 visitors at WorldSkills UK LIVE. Taking place from 15 – 17 November at the NEC, WorldSkills UK LIVE is the country’s largest experiential skills, apprenticeships and careers event and is free to attend.

“We are very proud of Jacob for reaching this stage of the competition and wish him all the best for the final”, said Dean Folkard, Production Manager at Thurne-Middleby Ltd. “His skills are making an important contribution to our in-house manufacturing capabilities and he has our full support in his preparations for November’s final.”

Dr Neil Bentley, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “I offer my congratulations to Jacob and Thurne-Middleby. Our competitions equip apprentices and learners with the lifelong, world-class skills that will drive up training standards to the highest level to help boost UK productivity and competitiveness.”

WorldSkills UK Competitions are run in over 60 skill areas and are proven to help people go further, faster in their training and chosen career. The WorldSkills UK Competition in CNC Milling is run in partnership with Semta.

Spire Solicitors LLP is pleased to welcome Protima Sikdar-Wood as Partner at Spire Solicitors LLP, joining the Norwich Commercial Property team.

Protima is an experienced Commercial Property solicitor, with a particular interest in the not for profit sector.  Having qualified in 2005, Protima went on to work at Morrisons Solicitors LLP in London where she oversaw the Not for Profit Sector of the Firm.

Protima deals with general commercial property work which includes secured lending, commercial property development transactions and investment portfolios. She works closely with charities and other not-for-profit sectors in connection with their real estate assets and also will be working with the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team dealing with the property aspects of joint ventures and the acquisition and disposal of businesses.

In addition to her legal work at Spire Solicitors LLP, Protima is a Trustee of Emmaus Lambeth, a charity whose mission is to work together to overcome homelessness and exclusion.

Following her appointment, Protima commented: “I am delighted to be joining Spire and to be working in the Norwich office, as part of the Commercial Property team. The firm has shown large growth in the last 5 years and I am confident my skill set and practice interests will be beneficial to the growth strategy, continuing to solidify Spire Solicitors LLP as one of the most recognised law firms in the area.”

James Knight, CEO, commented: “Protima has a wealth of experience alongside an impressive track record in high-value transactions and will be a continued asset to our highly regarded Commercial Property Department, which is now one of the largest specialist teams acting on commercial property matters in Norfolk.”

LazyLawn® seeks landscapers for licence opportunity as company grows

LazyLawn® is searching for business people, landscapers and home improvement firms in various areas to join its growing team, as the UK’s biggest artificial grass brand looks to train exclusive local licensed installers.

After recently being awarded Which? Trusted Trader’ status, LazyLawn® needs professional licensees to add to its professional network of accredited installers. Installing at iconic locations such as Center Parcs, Canary Warf, Liverpool One and Hilton Hotel, LazyLawn® is trusted throughout the UK, and has also installed for many celebrities including Sam Bailey, Amanda Holden, and The Real Housewives of Cheshire’s Ward family.

The increasingly popular brand LazyLawn® supplies over 10,000 gardens with artificial grass in the UK every year, with demand increasing by over 20% in the last 12 months. Offering a comprehensive range of artificial grass, plus new products LazyResin® and LazyBorders™, LazyLawn® is looking for the perfect licensees to take on lucrative areas as it seeks to expand.

Amanda Ford became a LazyLawn® licensee in 2013 with her husband Hayden. Amanda commented: “Becoming a LazyLawn® licensee is the best thing our company has ever done. “We were asked by a customer to install an artificial lawn and we thought this could be a great avenue to explore further. We were blown away by the quality of grass LazyLawn® offered. “Having the LazyLawn® brand, PR team, marketing team and technical people behind us was the support and guidance we needed and within two years we were crowned LazyLawn® Licensee of the year!”

Andy Driver from LazyLawn® said: “Demand for our products is growing extremely fast and we are on the lookout for new members for the team. “This is the ideal opportunity for those wanting to develop an existing landscaping business, with full training and support provided for each appointed licensee. “With the introduction of new products and many awards won, we are excited about adding to the team to offer every area of the UK the LazyLawn® experience.”

The successful licensee will benefit from full training and technical support, preferential prices, the right to use the LazyLawn® name and trade mark, access to marketing materials and much more.

For further information on this opportunity please contact Temi Kucuk from LazyLawn® on 01572 766 912/07591 204 463 or email: temi@evergreensuk.com For more information or the application page, visit https://www.lazylawn.co.uk/trade-license-opportunities.html.

The Maids Head Hotel was delighted to host the Grand Norwich Duck Race Auction of large painted ducks on Thursday 20 September. We are very pleased to announce that we managed a successful bid to buy Edith, our racing duck, for the hotel.

Masterminded by auctioneer Elliot Symonds, the evening raised £4000 for Break, an inspirational Norfolk based charity which supports young people, children and families in need.

Edith, who raced in the Grand Norwich Duck Race on 26 August, is a tribute to Edith Cavell; this year is the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Edith Cavell monument in Tombland and the opening of the former Edith Cavell Home for District Nurses (now part of the Maids Head).

Susan Hendry painted Edith for the Duck Race.

Kicking off their ‘better taste, less waste’ campaign signalling a revolution in pet-food packaging, Naturediet unveiled their vibrant environmentally conscious packaging at PATS Telford 2018.

The centre-piece of their PATS presence, we knew the importance of the eco-conscious Tetra Pak containers and partnered with Farrows Design, ensured this formed an integral part of Naturediet’s event from design to build. With advantages in ease of transportation, reduced waste, a lower carbon footprint, smaller CO2 emissions and not least leaving plastic behind, there was plenty to shout…or rather bark about. To draw attention to the big impact of this little package, we created a bespoke big-brother Tetra Pak, proudly welcoming visitors to the show and sign-posting to the array of products waiting on the stand!

Embodying their environmental efforts within the event, we worked closely to reuse and repurpose components of our previous projects with Naturediet to maximum effect. With bold type and rich colouring, the packaging paired brilliantly with the crisp white brick and natural wood tones of the stand. Integrated lighting ensured a consistently bright welcoming space, with bespoke display stands offering up 360° views of the products to visitors. Adapting these displays with custom product holders ensured a snug uniform fit, for maximum impact.  Meanwhile clean back-lit branding displayed the Naturediet logo, with their promise of ‘the finest food – naturally’ arguably taking on new meaning with this launch.

An industry battling wastage & the challenge of good environmental practice in fast paced often transient events, we were delighted to play a part in Naturediet’s pioneering campaign as we are further inspired to deliver better events, with less waste.

If you like this story, check out more great content here. Planning your own exhibition or event? From product launches & specialist trade shows to conferences and brand experiences, we want our clients to ‘expect extraordinary’ nothing less.

Get in touch today to see how we can help you achieve your events success!