Member News

We think it’s a good thing for live events and exhibitions

We can all agree that there’s been an awful lot of negativity surrounding GDPR. Certainly businesses need to get their houses in order from a personal data perspective before 25th May. In fact this seems to be the subject of every other email I’ve received over the past few months. You’ll be pleased to hear that this article isn’t intended to scare you to death and then offer to help you carry out an audit, cleanse your data and help you structure a re-engagement email campaign to ask existing contacts to opt in or double opt in to continue to receive your emails. I would hope by now you would have at least considered or preferably already put procedures in place so you comply with GDPR by 25 May.  

In my opinion more rigid, far reaching regulations are well overdue to help protect our personal and business data, anything that reduces the amount of unwanted emails and phone calls I get gets my vote. However these new data protection regulations have left many companies and marketers very concerned about how they will reach their customers and potential customers after 25 May. The truth is that data-based emailing and calling campaigns have already become largely ineffective. We need now to be “magnetic marketers” as our potential audience has taken control of the process seeking out the solutions and products they require rather than being sold to. Subsequently our websites need to be more effective in providing advice, comment and content using blogs, news, articles and video to present products, solutions and communicate to build trust and a rapport. A return then to more traditional business values and level of personal contact that perhaps during this largely digital age we’ve grown unaccustomed to… or have we?

Well while you’ve been busy driving your keyboard and glued to your monitor pursuing an email quest you may not have noticed that face to face meetings such as breakfast meetings, seminar’s, conferences and exhibitions have become much more popular again. In fact many of the industry specific exhibitions we provide client’s stands at have waiting lists or rigid application procedures where stand space is in short supply, allocated on a first come, first served basis. We see GDPR helping to reinforce and grow this trend, proving a real positive in the wake of all the negativity. Face to face marketing, exhibitions and live events have never gone away and are today a stronger new business and marketing tool than ever before.

AFI KLM E&M subsidiary is delighted to announce the signing of a long-term airframe maintenance contract with Braathens Regional Airlines.

Paris, Amstelveen, Norwich, 16 February 2018 – A European leader in the regional jets & narrow body aircraft market and having an internationally acknowledged expertise on the Boeing 737, Embraer 170/190, BAe146/Avro RJ, Fokker 70/100 & Airbus A320 Family, KLM UK Engineering is delighted to confirm its contract with Braathens Regional.

KLM UK Engineering commenced airframe maintenance checks with Braathens Regional on their BAe 146/ARJ fleet during 2017.

Ian Bartholomew, Director Business Development & Sales commented: “We are delighted to have been selected by Braathens Regional to carryout their heavy maintenance checks. We have been supporting Braathens Regional for the last year and look forward to further developing our relationship“.

Ronny Christiansen, Vice President Support Braathens Regional said: “Having been a customer of KLM UK Engineering’s over the last year, we are very pleased to reach this long-term agreement regarding our heavy maintenance programme. KLM UK Engineering has performed a very good quality of work and great flexibility in order to meet Braathens requirements.”

Paris, Amstelveen, Norwich – February 2018 – AFI KLM E&M subsidiary is delighted to announce the signing of a line maintenance agreement with Finnair.

A European leader in the regional jets & narrow body aircraft market and having an internationally acknowledged expertise on the Boeing 737, Embraer 170/190, BAe146/Avro RJ, Fokker 70/100 & Airbus A320 Family, KLM UK Engineering is delighted to confirm its contract with Finnair.

KLM UK Engineering will be supporting Finnair with their Embraer E190 & Airbus A320 Family aircraft providing line maintenance support in Edinburgh commencing early 2018.

Ian Bartholomew, Director Business Development & Sales – ‘KLM UK Engineering Limited will be supporting both Embraer & A320 aircraft for Finnair at our established line maintenance station in Edinburgh. Having been operating at Edinburgh for over 20 years, we are delighted that Finnair are part of our growing customer base and look forward to our future working relationship.’

Member offer – The Fritton Arms Hotel from £75 per night.

The Fritton Arms is please to offer Norfolk Chamber members special corporate rates 

Finalist Best Independent Hotel in 2018 Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards.

A boutique hotel and restaurant set in beautiful parkland on the banks of Fritton Lake, part of Somerleyton Estate. A selection of bedrooms which are elegantly furnished and comfortable with goose down pillows, soft cotton linen and luxury bathroom products. Exceptional food and surroundings with activites on the lake.  Ample complimentary car parking. Close to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Just 35 minutes drive from Norwich. 

Bed and Breakfast Monday to Thursday £75 per night, based on a single occupancy. 

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast Monday to Thursday £100 per night, based on single occupancy.   

To book email: frittonarms@somerleyton.co.uk or call 01493484008.

The Fritton Arms Church Lane, Fritton  NR31 9HA.

www.somerleyton.co.uk/fritton-lake/fritton-arms   

EE’s new 4G home broadband, which combines the 4GEE Home Router with a powerful external antenna and professional installation service was launched on 9th February. It has caused a great deal of excitement amongst people in rural locations struggling with poor broadband speeds and offers a very large maximum data allowance of 200GB for just £60 per month.

Peter Freeman of Internet Service Provider ‘FreeClix’ said “The use of antennas to increase the signal to an indoor router is nothing new, the industry has been using this solution in rural locations for people with 3G technology for over a decade.

It’s brilliant news that EE have packaged this widely available consumer-grade technology with a large data allowance at such an economical price point for customers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help the thousands of rural businesses who also want an affordable data package they can use with secure business class hardware enabling them to meet their connectivity needs.”

Whilst being a good news story for many rural homes, the EE 4G home broadband solution is not available to business customers as the monthly data allowance is only available on a consumer tariff to individuals. Currently the largest monthly data package available to small businesses from EE is 120GB at a cost of £90 per month.

Pete continued “At SimRush we only use EE data sims in our 4G hardware. EE has the fastest and most reliable network across the UK, but it’s completely ridiculous that I can’t supply my small business customers with the same amount of data as a consumer can have – from the same provider! EE needs to stop discriminating against the rural business community; EE needs to wake up and step up, rural businesses need EE to provide them with as good a deal as consumers can get to enable them to connect, grow and contribute to the rural economy”

Pete also cautioned business owners against using the home solution hardware to connect their businesses to the internet. “Speed is of course at the forefront of any business owners mind but the 4G connection is only part of what a business needs to provide fast and reliable internet access to its users. Public IP addressing is usually a must, failover or back up connections also need to be considered.”

Security of your and your customers data is of the utmost importance when considering the best connectivity solution, particularly with the new accountability requirement in the GDPR requiring businesses to implement appropriate technical measures to ensure and be able to demonstrate that data processing is performed in accordance with the GDPR.

“Managed WiFi is becoming increasingly necessary to protect business and private data whilst offering guests access to the internet whilst on your premises. Consumer grade equipment is not the path to take for business networks as it does not offer the management facilities required; they don’t have the right tools in the box”

Celebrate Norwich Sunblinds’ 40 years in business with their £40 offer.

Spend £150 or more with Norwich Sunblinds and get £40 off.

The offer is valid on any blinds, curtains or shutters ordered by 28th February to the value of £150 or more.

Book a free in-home appointment to view fabric samples and get a quote.

Norwich Sunblinds also offer commercial blinds and will be happy to visit you to discuss solutions for your office or commercial premises. As the blinds are made by hand, we can help with large and unusual spaces.

This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Click here for details of our Norfolk Showrooms

KLM UK Engineering & Finnair Sign Line Maintenance Agreement

Paris, Amstelveen, Norwich – January 2018 – AFI KLM E&M subsidiary is delighted to announce the signing of a line maintenance agreement with Finnair.

A European leader in the regional jets & narrow body aircraft market and having an internationally acknowledged expertise on the Boeing 737, Embraer 170/190, BAe146/Avro RJ, Fokker 70/100 & Airbus A320 Family, KLM UK Engineering is delighted to confirm its contract with Finnair.

KLM UK Engineering will be supporting Finnair with their Embraer E190 & Airbus A320 Family aircraft providing line maintenance support in Edinburgh commencing early 2018.

Ian Bartholomew, Director Business Development & Sales – ‘KLM UK Engineering Limited will be supporting both Embraer & A320 aircraft for Finnair at our established line maintenance station in Edinburgh. Having been operating at Edinburgh for over 20 years, we are delighted that Finnair are part of our growing customer base and look forward to our future working relationship.’

Freebridge welcomes tenants to new homes in North Wootton

Freebridge Community Housing are delighted to have handed over the keys to nine brand new homes in North Wootton, following the completion of a second phase of work to replace a number of prefabicated houses with modern, thermally efficient properties.

This second phase of work, which follows on from the first finished last year, includes one 3 bedroom house, four 2 bedroom houses along with four 1 bedroom flats.

Lewis Pratt and Georgia Long, along with their one-year-old daughter Harper, are among those tenants who’ll be making one of the brand new two bedroom properties their home.

After coming from a one bedroom property on Anmer Terrace the location and size of the new property was a blessing for a young family.

Lewis said: “Once we had Harper everything had to change. When this home came up it was a shock, from where we had come neither of us ever thought we would be so lucky to end up in a place like this.

“I used to live on Blackthorn Road when I was younger and knew of Priory Road, I can’t believe how much better it looks now. It’s a better area for families, we’ve already been able to take the buggy out on walks in the woods.”

Freebridge Community Housing Chairman, Andy Walder, was on hand to pass them their new keys and officially welcome the family to Priory Road.

Andy said: “Having the chance to meet Georgia, Lewis and Harper, and hearing what it means to them to have such a fantastic new home, really does do so much to highlight the importance of the work we do at Freebridge.

“It’s a real pleasure to welcome all of the new tenants here to North Wootton. Freebridge are passionate about developing homes and creating opportunities for people within West Norfolk and we will continue to support the needs of the community by providing this much needed housing in a place where people want to live.”

As with the previous work completed the new homes were built in conjunction with a number of partners including local construction and building maintenace firm TM Browne.

BUSINESSES across Norfolk and Suffolk are invited to showcase themselves on the East of England Energy Zone stand at the UK’s largest offshore wind conference and exhibition this summer.

Global Offshore Wind 2018 will take place at Manchester’s Central Convention Complex, from June 19 to 20. More than 2,500 professionals from across the UK and Europe are expected to attend, with exhibitors showcasing all sectors of the offshore wind industry.

As part of partnership efforts to drive investment and business in offshore wind across the region, Norfolk County Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Waveney District Council are organising a stand to promote the diverse and experienced supply chain in the area.

Branded as the East of England Energy Zone, the unique, 42sqm custom-built stand has space to accommodate 10 local businesses, who will each have their graphics printed onto custom-built pods with individual lockable cupboards doubling-up as display counters.

This unique business community stand also features a four-metre central tower giving visibility throughout the exhibition hall. A reception desk will be manned throughout the show allowing companies the flexibility to leave their display and visit potential customers. To further attract visitors to the stand, an interactive touch-screen will promote stand sharer presentations and film footage.

Locally-based businesses which have already confirmed their places include Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, Proserv, Rhenus Offshore Logistics, OrbisEnergy, SCORE and EEEGR (East of England Energy Group). Four spaces are left on the stand.

Cllr Graham Plant, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “With some of the largest offshore wind farms in the world being planned and built just over the horizon, the sector is vital to the regional economy and offers huge business and job opportunities.

“As England’s offshore energy capital, and a growing offshore wind hub, it is crucial that Great Yarmouth has a high-profile presence at this international event to help capture further growth and jobs for the borough and its communities. For businesses, having a place on our unique, high-profile stand puts you at the forefront of these efforts and helps you to raise your profile with the key people in the world of offshore wind.”

Positions on the stand are priced at £2,500 plus VAT, including an exhibition visitor pass and freight of literature and display items. For further details or to secure your position, please contact Cheryl Stockwell at Waveney District Council on 01502 523219 or cheryl.stockwell@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

Further expansion for successful accounting network

Perth-based business partners Steve Herlihy and Tricia Kingston are launching a new service for small business clients after acquiring the Master Franchise rights for TaxAssist Accountants in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Keen to increase services within the buoyant small business sector, Steve and Tricia spotted the opportunity TaxAssist Accountants offers clients to benefit from standardised systems and processes, developments in integrated cloud-based technology, and emerging trends in accounting services.

Steve, Director: “The small business sector in Australia includes over 2 million businesses, employing 40% of the population and representing just under 30% of all industry profits. Our move to franchising offers the ideal vehicle through which to service this broad sector through a network of local offices”.

“There is no other packaged accounting and tax service for small business that offers the unique TaxAssist style of open and welcoming shop front offices, which is why we see the growth opportunity as so significant.” Tricia, Director, added: “With strong support from the TaxAssist Accountants team combined with a proven franchise model and the marketing power of a global brand, means we have a fantastic opportunity that will attract accountants keen to establish their own practice under the TaxAssist Accountants name.”

Steve and Tricia will open a pilot TaxAssist Accountants shop in Perth, while starting to promote the franchise opportunity within their development area. Their base in Perth will become the Support Centre for a network of franchisees, who will receive technical, marketing and business development training and support.

With more than 220 franchised areas in Australia, the UK and Republic of Ireland operating from over 300 shops and offices, TaxAssist Accountants is one of the largest network of franchised Accountants specifically servicing the small business sector. In January 2018, the network had over 76,000 clients and gross recurring annual fees in excess of £51 million (A$90 million).  

Local accountancy firm Aston Shaw, provided its staff with free lunches throughout January in an attempt to keep the winter blues at bay.

Staff based at Aston Shaw’s Norwich office in The Union Building, Rose Lane have been enjoying hot, freshly prepared meals at the Rooftop Gardens restaurant recently, courtesy of their employer. Mark Noakes, the firm’s Director behind the initiative, commented: “January can be a tough time of year for many, it’s cold, dark and summer feels a long way off. We wanted to keep spirits high, and what better way to do that than with good food? We have a restaurant on the top floor of our building, so it seemed a shame not to make use of it.”

Just some of the hearty winter meals to be had by staff included Steak & Ale Pie, Beef Stew and Bangers & Mash. As staff looked forward to tucking in to a delicious free lunch each day, Director Mark Noakes quickly noticed a positive change in the office atmosphere: “Our offices have always had a positive energy about them, a unique vibe I think you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. This energy has been amplified over the past month and I think I speak for the majority of business owners when I say there are few things as satisfying as seeing your employees feel good about coming into work.”

The free hot lunches proved such a success that Aston Shaw have decided to continue providing meals for staff at a subsidised rate, branding it the ‘Aston Shaw Staff Canteen’. Mark Noakes, added: “The response was so positive that we’ve decided to make the initiative a permanent staff benefit by continuing to offer meals at a subsidised rate, allowing staff to have a healthy, filling and nutritious lunch for around the same price point as a supermarket meal deal”.

It was amazing to hear the news that our brilliant and creative team here at Eye Film have just been nominated in five categories for the forthcoming Royal Television Society East Centre Awards 2018 in the categories of Best Factual Programme, Post-Production Craft Skills, Promotional Film, Short Film and the Diversity Award. Fingers crossed!