Member News

Attleborough based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, has been shortlisted in four categories in the prestigious National ACR & Heat Pump Awards.

The sought-after National ACR & Heat Pump Awards celebrate excellence in innovation, projects, installations and environmental successes in the air conditioning and refrigeration and heat pump industries. They bring together manufacturers, end users, distributors, heating engineers, ACR contractors and consultants from across the country.

Finn Geotherm has been shortlisted in four categories:

• Heat Pump Installer of the Year
• Domestic Ground Source Project – for the first installation of a communal ground source heat pump for domestic use in the East of England by housing association Flagship Group. The system installed at Orchard Close in Watton, is delivering domestic heating and hot water for 30 flats. It has cut Flagship customers’ heating bills by two thirds, creating annual savings of hundreds of pounds.
• Non-domestic Ground Source Project – also for the Flagship Group district heating scheme at Orchard Close, Watton.
• Domestic Air Source Project – for a heat pump system installed at a South Norfolk home. The installation was the second air source project completed by Finn Geotherm for this customer when they moved into a new house.

Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for four awards in the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards, which recognise the country’s most significant heating companies and projects. We are particularly over the moon to have been shortlisted twice for the district heating project at Flagship, which is both a testament to the forward-thinking strategic approach of Flagship and the hard work and skill of the team at Finn Geotherm in delivering the best possible solution for the organisation and its tenants. We thoroughly enjoyed working together on this project and hope we can soon be celebrating its success together too!”

Winners of the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards will be announced on 18th January 2018 at a black tie event in Liverpool.

For more details on both of the projects which have been shortlisted, see https://finn-geotherm.co.uk/case-studies/. For information on ground and air source heat pumps and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

Enterprise-Level Print Security and Easy On-Site Service Multilayered, enterprise-level print security, including HDD overwrite and data encryption, secures critical business information. Authentication The X3280 Series supports authentication through 802.1x, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Lightweight Direct Access Protocol (LDAP) and Kerberos technologis, along with network use authentication at the control panel Job Protection Protect print jobs with secure print, encrypted scanning, digital signatures and job logs. Hard Disk Protection Safeguard the hard disk with encryption and overwrite capabilities. Network Security / Protocols Secure your company network and protocols through protocol and port disablement, IP and MAC address filtering, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS) and other network security technologies.

Independent guide to the legal profession, The Legal 500, released their results for 2017 today, with increased rankings and continued praise for Leathes Prior. A rundown of the key highlights from the latest edition is provided below. Our Corporate and Commercial Team is praised as “one of the region’s most respected teams”. The firm is noted to have grown our Intellectual Property practice with the addition of Richard Turner and Alex Saunders “further strengthening contentious and advisory capability for technology and franchising clients.” The work our teams undertake for charities is highlighted with one charity client saying “At Leathes Prior, ‘the service is of the highest standard’ and the firm’s ‘efficient and quick service makes it extremely easy to work with’.” Clients also praised Corporate Partner Paul Warman for his work in this area, saying “he is always available and provides answers very promptly, showing a good understanding of clients’ structure and methodology”. The Commercial Property Team is praised for the breadth of work they cover, with the considerable experience of the team members highlighted. The firm’s Wills, Estates & Powers of Attorney Team is applauded as the guide highlights that “STEP-accredited William Riley acts as executor for numerous high-value and complex estates and serves as a professional deputy for many individuals. Partner Tessa Bonser is now a qualified member of STEP and leads the firm’s trusts work. Associate Barrie Barker, who has more than 30 years’ experience in private client matters, focuses on wills and estate administration. Solicitor Claire Woolliscroft mainly handles Court of Protection matters.” The firm’s growing expertise in agriculture was featured, as the guide goes on to outline the firm’s “longstanding reputation as a key adviser to land-owning and agricultural clients on tax, trusts and estates matters. Leathes Prior’s specialist team ‘compares very well with the main competition in Norfolk’. The team focuses on contentious probate, property litigation and agricultural disputes and is led by litigator Darren Bowen who is ‘incisive, clear-thinking and a strong advocate for his clients, but always open to practical ideas for settlement’. He is assisted by solicitors Sabina Haag and Calum Paterson, who are praised for their efficiency and technical expertise.” The guide continues “In Darren Bowen the firm has a highly skilled property litigator who is respected by surveyors, land agents, landed estates and counsel. Solicitor Sabina Haag specialises in landlord and tenant disputes involving dilapidations claims, forfeiture proceedings and commercial rent arrears. She also handles matters concerning timeshare properties.” The guide continued, highlighting the wider Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team to state “team head Mike Barlow and solicitor Polly Langford form a credible team handling a wide range of high-value commercial matters. Partner David Richards, who has a particular specialism in contentious construction matters, frequently advises contractors and employers on high-value commercial disputes.” The firm’s specialist debt collector service is praised as the guide details “Leathes Prior has long been considered one of the market leaders in debt recovery and is able to handle not only straightforward bulk claims, but also complex matters involving niche areas of law. Litigators David Richards, Darren Bowen and Mike Barlow are highly respected. Associates Polly Langford and Ina Beurich are also recommended, as is credit control manager Dawn Lossau.” The firm’s increasing expertise in education is featured, as it “draws on the strengths of an experienced, multidisciplinary team to advise many of the largest schools and universities in the region. Widely respected Associate Polly Langford specialises in both commercial litigation and education law.” The guide also highlights the firm’s insolvency offering outlining that “Leathes Prior has a niche practice that specialises in bankruptcy annulments, in which it acts not only for clients in East Anglia, but also across the UK. The firm pools its expertise in employment, regulatory and property law to advise local IPs and individuals on corporate and personal insolvency. Solicitor Ina Beurich leads the team and ‘provides excellent service’.” Clients of the firm’s Employment Team have said that it “treats every client and every problem individually and takes the time to listen and learn about each client in order to give relevant, practical and correct advice”. The feedback further provides that “Dan Chapman has a stellar reputation in the county and leads a team of four in which associate and ‘extremely able advocate’ Gareth Stevens is ‘particularly good at making clients feel at ease and coming up with solutions they can understand and move forward with'”. Partner Sarah Appleton and Associate Harriet Howes are also recommended. Our Sports Team is highlighted as the guide states the team “extends beyond the firm’s regional presence and offers a national service through Full Contact. The team, led by head of employment Dan Chapman, is extremely busy in both football and motorsport matters”. The firm’s Family Team, led by Partner Alisdair Douglas, is said to deliver “exemplary service and clear and accurate advice”. Associate Simon Willis is described as “superb – he is always clear, on time and makes clients feel valued”. The guide also notes the team to include Chartered Legal Executive Laura Savage and Solicitor Carla Morphett.   The firm’s Regulation & Defence Team is praised, in particular the team’s expertise in health and safety and fraud. The guide notes that the team is “active across the UK in business defence, crime and traffic-related matters. Solicitor Tej Thakkar is widely experienced in Magistrates and Crown Courts, including the designated serious fraud centre at Southwark Crown Court.” The guide continues “Leathes Prior handles a wide range of privately funded criminal defence work and is known for its ‘flexible and cost-efficient approach’. Tim Cary is ‘very switched on’.” The firm is delighted with another year of excellent results from the research.

Lex 100 is the ‘student guide to the UK’s premier law firms’ showing the highest scoring firms in thirteen categories, as rated by their own trainees. The researchers send online surveys to the UK’s largest law firms and this year, Lex 100 collated over 3,000 completed surveys, which provided them with a particularly robust sample to analyse. At Leathes Prior we are proud to announce our results from Lex 100, where we have been classed as award “winners” in seven out of the thirteen categories. Each year law firms are assessed in different categories, and in comparison to other national firms, we are top in the following: Social life                                            95.7                 1st in UK Living up to expectations                    92.8                2nd in UK Work/life balance                                92.8                2nd in UK Friendliness of firm                             95.7                 3rd in UK Job satisfaction                                   88.5                 4th in UK Client contact                                      91.4                 6th in UK Stress level                                         78.5                 7th in UK The Lex 100 survey and results are not only important for those considering options of future Training Contracts, but also offer an excellent opportunity for trainees to tell us what we are doing well and what we could do better.  Dan Chapman,  Partner and the Training Principal responsible for the recruitment and training of our trainee solicitors,  commented “It is very pleasing to receive these good rankings. We have long since considered our approach to both trainee recruitment and training to be innovative and the envy of many other firms, but to receive some validation of that is excellent.  Training future solicitors is a fundamental part of our business plan and many of our Partners came through this process – only in May this year did we promote yet another former trainee solicitor to the ranks of Partner, in Tessa Bonser.”  For more information on our results, visit the Lex 100 website. 

Spire Solicitors LLP is showing continued growth from its original formation in 2013, by appointing a new Partner within its Corporate and Commercial Team in Norwich.

Matthew Downing joins Spire having led the Corporate and Commercial Team in Cambridge at one of the region’s largest law firms. He brings with him a wealth of experience in advising clients through corporate finance transactions, typically in respect of selling their business or acquiring new businesses. Matthew has lots of experience in advising in respect of owner managed and family businesses. He has a particular interest in the manufacturing sector and has advised numerous clients in this and various other sectors in recent years.

Matthew has a good understanding of the franchise sector and advising on the sale or acquisition of existing franchise businesses. In addition, Matthew also advises regularly on general commercial contract and shareholder arrangements.

Following his appointment, Matthew commented: “I am delighted to be joining Spire and to be back in Norwich where I have spent most of my legal career. It is an exciting time for the firm which is experiencing strong growth across all areas of its services and is now seeing the benefits of key investments in the business and its infrastructure in recent years”.

Roger Margand, Head of the Corporate and Commercial Team at Spire added “We are really pleased to have Matthew join us. He brings with him heaps of corporate experience which will only strengthen our existing corporate and commercial offering”.

After the successful merger of Hood Vores & Allwood Solicitors, Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Solicitors and Overbury Steward & Eaton Solicitors in 2013, Spire now represents one of the largest, and most progressive legal firms in Norfolk, with a presence of 8 offices across the county and over 150 employees. With this latest addition and further growth plans, Spire will only reach new levels, as it looks to tailor its offerings further for the best and most comprehensive offering in the local market place.

James Knight, CEO and Partner commented: “This is an exciting time for all involved in the business. As a united team, we’ve grown from strength-to-strength, solidifying our service offering, as well as increasing the number of strategic Partners and specialist staff joining the business, to which, I am delighted Matthew is joining our team and vision”.

James continued: “The next months are the most exciting for us as with the organic growth attained since 2013, we’re able to continue this with the acquisition of our core team members to continue to flourish in their fields of expertise, complementing our business and enhancing our commitment to Norfolk“.

Spire Solicitors LLP offers specialist legal knowledge in all services. A true Norfolk business from the beginning, its doors are open across all 8 offices for approachable expert advice, on every matter.

Please direct all press enquiries to:

Kristian Tangen-Sorgendal Marketing Manager Spire Solicitors LLP E: Kristian.tangen-sorgendal@spiresolicitors.co.uk

Apprenticeships Information Evening

Thursday 9th November, 4.45pm – 6pm

Following previous successful events Wymondham College are once again organising an evening for students and parents in years 10 – 13 to find out about apprenticeship opportunities in the area.

It is anticipated that between 80 – 100 parents/students will attend the event, which will include an ‘Introduction to Apprenticeships’ talk from Apprentices Norfolk.

The College are looking for local businesses, who are looking to recruit apprentices, to take a stand to promote their opportunities at this event.  For more information and to book your stand, please contact Liz Edwards on email: futures@wymondhamcollege.org

Pure brought together Personal Assistants (PAs) from across the region for a breakfast seminar focussed on providing top tips on managing stress and improving wellbeing.

The seminar, held on Thursday 5 October at Pure’s Cambridge office in Histon, included guest speaker Louise Lloyd. As a wellbeing coach with over 15 years’ experience, Louise led an interactive session for the 14 attendees which looked at challenges around wellbeing, how stress impacts on people and provided practical tips for everyday working life.

Louise explained: “The challenges of keeping up with the pace of everyday life can take its toll on our health and wellbeing. Stress can rob us of leading joyful, fulfilled lives and can lead us to live in a constant fight or flight mode where the continual stress response can eventually lead to ill health. That’s why learning how to manage our own energy and wellbeing is vital in maintaining wellbeing and long-term resilience in life.”

Viktoriya Vladimirova, recruitment consultant at Pure, organised the event. She added: “Our office support recruitment teams work with PAs every day and we know that this role is an essential lynchpin in any organisation. Our aim is to provide regular events dedicated to the PAs in our region and to support them in extending their professional networks, learning new things and sharing experiences. Because the nature of a PA’s role means they are often juggling many things at once, the topic of stress and wellbeing, and the opportunity to provide practical tips and advice, seemed extremely apt for our latest event. Plus, PAs are usually in a very central role within a business, which means they are also well placed to pass these tips on to their colleagues, benefiting the overall wellbeing of their workplace as well.”

The event covered simple and effective relaxation techniques, the benefits and application of Mindfulness and overall tips on learning to manage stress for both immediate and long-term benefits.

For more information about future PA events hosted by Pure contact Viktoriya Vladimirova on Viktoriya.vladimirova@prs.uk.com

We are pleased to announce that we have been named as the Digital Partner for Long & Waterson who have just launched a new property scheme in partnership with Knight Frank.

The company takes its name from its location which is intersected between Long Street and Waterson Street in Shoreditch, East London. The development is made up of 119 luxury apartments ranging from £695,000 for a 1 bedroom flat and around £1.395 million for a 3 bedroom flat. The design of the building has a contemporary outlook to mirror the penthouse-style of New York, with large steel framed windows. Amenities include treatment rooms, spa, gym, cinema room and 24-hour concierge service.

Our Role As a Digital Partner

With the scheme ready for completion in Spring 2018, we have a small window to maximise enquiries and help generate sales of the properties on offer. Whilst we specialise in search engine optimisation (SEO), we have had to accelerate the process and secure page 1 positions on Google and Bing for terms such as flats in Shoreditch and apartments for sale in Shoreditch. 

We have achieved this through some strong online PR in The Evening Standard and City AM. We were passionate about positioning Long & Waterson as two things: property and Shoreditch. We have executed this by gaining local press in Shoreditch news and online magazines, piggy backing off the booming tech industry in East London. For property, we have received mentions from property-specific websites such as Wharf and Homes & Property.

From a content perspective, we needed to speed up the process by adding regular content to ‘bulk up’ the website and demonstrate that it was not a site of thin content. We have focused on creating content relating to property in the local area and artists in the area including painters, sculptors and designers. This has established Long & Waterson as a resource for the Shoreditch community and positioned the company with the first two pages of Google’s searches relating to property and Shoreditch.

We continue to maximise our PR and content efforts as we approach the launch date and intend to sell each flat within the given deadline.

Lorna Townsned, Senior Associate, Birketts

Conducting a fair and thorough investigation into disciplinary allegations or an employee’s grievance will often resolve the matter. In the event that it reaches an employment tribunal, it is fundamental to the outcome of a case.

A good workplace investigation requires careful thought and planning, elements that are often overlooked in the rush to get things underway. The Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures emphasises the importance of acting promptly and without delay. However, the temptation to ‘plunge in’ should be avoided in order that proper consideration can be given to a number of issues, including the crucial question of who will be appointed to conduct the investigation.   

·         Terms of reference:  consider whether terms of reference need to be drawn up, setting out clearly the matters to be investigated, and the role and responsibilities of the investigator.  This is particularly recommended if the investigation is complicated and/or covers multiple allegations or grievances dating back a number of years.   Bear in mind that the terms of reference may need to be amended during the course of the investigation.

·         Policies and procedures:  the need to review relevant policies and procedures may sound like an obvious one, but it is often overlooked at this early stage.  Check in particular any specified timescales. If the timescale set out in your policy is unrealistic in the circumstances (as is often the case), inform the relevant parties and provide a best estimate of a realistic timeframe, updating them as necessary as matters proceed.

·         The investigator: deciding who is an appropriate person to conduct the investigation will require consideration of a number of  factors, including:

o   the level of complexity of the matter

o   which individuals may be called upon to participate at later stages in the process (such as the disciplinary and appeal hearings)

o   who has the requisite training, skills and personal attributes

o   whether the individual has sufficient capacity to devote the time necessary to complete the investigation properly

o   whether the appointment of an independent external investigator is desirable, particularly in complex cases and if there is no-one internally with the suitable skills and/or time available.

Once an investigator has been appointed, they will need to consider some important practical issues before embarking on the investigation.

Investigations often involve numerous witness statements and copious numbers of documents.  In order to keep on top of the process, it is essential that all relevant documents are organised into an appropriate filing system from the outset. This should be stored securely in order to maintain maximum levels of confidentiality.

Confidentiality is a frequent issue that arises in relation to workplace investigations. The investigator should ensure that appropriate warnings are given in advance to witnesses regarding the need for confidentiality.  It may be necessary to inform them that a failure to maintain confidentiality could result in disciplinary action.

Consideration also needs to be given at an early stage as to whether a note-taker is required to attend witness interviews along with the investigator, or whether the interview will be recorded.  If using a note-taker, ensure that it is someone with the requisite skills to take an accurate and comprehensive note of the interview. Recording the interview can help avoid disputes arising at a later stage over exactly what the witness said.

During the course of the investigation, the investigator should ensure that he/she gathers in all the relevant evidence and meets with all the appropriate witnesses. The scope of an investigation will frequently change as it progresses, so the investigator should not approach the task with a fixed mindset. A common error is not to revert to witnesses with further questions or to consider additional evidence that may come to light during the investigation. An open mind is one of the key factors in establishing fairness.

Leading East Anglian construction company Bateman Groundworks is marking its 20th anniversary by making changes at the top.

Founder and Managing Director Richard Bateman is taking on the new role of Executive Chairman of the business, singled out as a national exemplar for its operations and fast-growth.

Jason Ramsey, described by Mr Bateman as being “instrumental” in driving the company’s success in the past decade, takes over as Managing Director and the day-to-day operations from his role as Commercial Director.

Mr Bateman, who started the company in 1997, will focus on the strategic development of the business, exploring new ventures and diversifications.

Bateman Groundworks has become one of the fastest-growing and dynamic small and medium sized business in the UK for its core business of providing groundworks and civil engineering for blue chip house builders.

Mr Bateman said: “As we celebrate 20 years, the plan now is to give Jason, who has been instrumental in steering the company to what it is today, the freedom to run and operate the business, giving me the time to look at how we deliver the business in a wider sense.

“There are areas we would like to explore, new directions that complement the current business and potential expansions of our client portfolio. Any new ventures would be under the Bateman Groundworks umbrella.”

The company is expecting to report large growth this year with turnover of around £23 million, up from the £16million it achieved last year.

Its teams are currently working on 11 sites across East Anglia. About 180 staff are employed on site and at its new head office at the Octagon Business Centre, Little Plumstead, near Norwich.

Further growth is predicted for 2018 and staff are currently being recruited ready for a number of potential new projects; along with capital expenditure of more than £1.62million which has been spent this year on new plant, equipment and vehicles.

Mr Ramsey, who has been with Bateman Groundworks for 10 years, has great aspirations for the company and said that future plans shall not be inhibited by regional boundaries.

“We have worked hard over the last 12 months to develop a long-term business plan that will provide growth and sustainability to the company and its employees. The company will grow according to supply and demand in the housing sector but there are also opportunities from diversifying into new sectors still linked to our core business.

“We must however ensure that any growth does not come at a compromise to our key values and continue to provide inspiration to others allowing us to exceed expectations.”

Mr Bateman and Mr Ramsey’s new roles were announced at a party for all staff and their partners to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary at Dunston Hall, near Norwich.

Also joining the board as Finance Director is David Lefevre, who joined Bateman Groundworks earlier this year from Group Lotus, attracted by the company’s “dynamic and ambitious team that puts people and business relationships at the centre of what they do and constantly strives to improve and grow.

“I am delighted to take on the role of Finance Director and continuing to contribute towards the sustainable growth of the business.”

Beth Bateman, Richard’s wife, also takes a board seat to lead the company’s growing Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Among its charity activities this year, it has committed to donating £25,000 to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), raised £15,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, provided £12,000 funding for an employer manager to Great Yarmouth’s Anchorage Trust, which supports homeless and vulnerable young people and taken part in fund-raising for Nelson’s Journey

Bateman Groundworks is also main sponsor of Gorleston Town Football Club and supports the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival

In 2015 and 2016, Bateman Groundworks was one of the Stock Exchanges 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and was one of 12 finalists in the National Lloyds Business Awards Small to Medium-Sized Business category last November.

It was chosen by the Government as a national exemplar of excellence for its health and safety systems and leadership to be included on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

Bringing the love of the countryside into the home, Norwich Sunblinds are launching their own Norfolk fabric designs.

Over many years spent visiting local homes and helping customers choose the fabrics for their handmade blinds, Norwich Sunblinds have a very good idea of what people want.

After listening to their customers, and noticing in particular that a lot of customers had poppy designs on their kitchenware, they decided to create their own designs.

Talented local artist, Mandy Clarke, has designed the fabrics, which are available immediately as a limited edition print.

The design is printed onto the fabric and can then be made into bespoke blinds. The fabric is water resistant and wipeable, which makes it ideal for kitchen windows.

There will be only 100 of each blind, and the lucky owners will receive a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

Fiona Garwood, Director of Norwich Sunblinds says:

“We wanted some cheerful floral countryside-type fabrics, which would sit well on kitchen windows, and particularly wanted a poppy design, as lots of clients have poppy designs on their mugs and dinner plates.

The bramble fabric has some beautiful colours that will blend in with lots of colour-schemes. These clever designs bring the outside in on a dull winters day.”

The fabric designs are exclusive to Norwich Sunblinds and will be launched at the Chamber B2B exhibition in Norwich on Thursday 12th October.

Visit stand 51 on the day of the exhibition, or book a home visit. 

If you get to the stand early enough you will have the chance to grab a £50 off voucher! This voucher can be used when you order any blinds, curtains or shutters worth over £150.

Join other Norfolk businesses and training providers at this year’s  FREE TO ATTEND Golden Futures event promoting the mutual benefits of employing people with disabilities.

It is an event with one purpose and two audiences. It’s purpose is to raise awareness and understanding of the mutual benefits to employers and employees gained from employing someone with a disability. Its target audiences are employers and the people with disabilities who want to work in their business.

Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said

“Norfolk businesses are always looking for the best talent to help them grow, and sometimes that comes from places where that are not always obvious. Norfolk Chamber is pleased to support the disability & employment event and would encourage its members to think positively about employing people with disabilities in roles that are right for the employee and right for the business.”

Supported by partners in Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, Norfolk County Council, Easton & Otley College, Rthirteen Recruitment and the Department for Work and Pensions The event has two parts:

8.30am – 11.30am is a seminar aimed at employers, with presentations from current employers, and employees with disabilities and representatives from The BUILD Charity, Norfolk County Council, DWP, SERCO, Nelsonspirit and others sharing their own experiences as employers, employees or training and support providers to illustrate what support and benefits can be gained by positively thinking about the employability of someone with disabilities.

9.30am – 2.30pm is a Market Place aimed at people with disabilities, and those who support them where employers, training providers, welfare agencies and a recruiitment agency will be on hand to provide advice and information to people with disabilities about the kind of jobs they offer, the welfare implications and benefits, the training and support on offer along the journey to and into work, and beyond.

For more information,  e mail: james.kearns@buildcharity.co.uk or call 01603 618029

https://www.goldenfutures2017.eventbrite.co.uk