Member News

The Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) team at Tudor Lodge Consultants are proud to announce that we are now working with the exciting team at Artisanne (https://www.artisanne.co.uk). Artisanne is a business and humanitarian project founded by two sisters, Emma and Elizabeth; sourcing and providing unique handwoven baskets from various regions in Senegal, West Africa.

All products sold by Artisanne are bought directly from the producers in Africa, maximising what they earn from their businesses and avoiding any middle-men. All goods are handmade by locals in numerous villages in Senegal to high standards. Each basket has its own unique character, with great designs.

Artisanne approached us as they need to increase their online rankings and make their offerings a lot clearer and discoverable to the online community. Their website is based on the content management system (CMS), Shopify, built for large e-commerce platforms.

We have therefore drawn up a bespoke strategy for them, taking the strengths and merits of Shopify into account to ensure the site sees the best results possible. Initially, we have looked at the link profile of Artisanne and identified a few requirements. We are therefore embarking on clean, SEO-friendly link building to increase the website’s profile and online domain authority.

We have also been carrying out extensive keyword research and competitor analysis to find keywords of focus that best represent the offerings and products of the Artisanne brand. We have been working to update all meta titles and meta descriptions across the site to ensure that Google and other search engines can read [crawl] the website and rank it as highly as possible. We have also set up a tracking system to be able to track the progress of individual search terms for the Artisanne website.

In addition, we will be working with the content team at Artisanne to produce original and SEO-friendly content for the website throughout all pages including the homepage, information pages and new pages that will be built and populated. All of these pages will make use of SEO-best practices.

Artisanne has already seen positive movement with numerous keywords moving towards page 1 of Google already. We look forward to further success with all the team at Artisanne.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has approved its first grants to help businesses and social enterprises improve their town centre frontages, with a total of £8,500 agreed in relation to five successful applicants.

Under the Town Centre Shopfront Improvement Scheme, which remains open for applications, eligible applicants can ask for grants of up to £3,000 each to help fund shopfront renovation, decoration, new signage and/or replacement of historic features including lighting.

Initially £60,000 is being made available through the project, part of the borough council’s wider efforts through its Town Centre Initiative to make Great Yarmouth town centre, a top public priority, more attractive to shoppers, residents and investors.

Since the scheme was announced in November, five businesses have submitted valid applications, which were agreed last night by the Economic Development Committee. The businesses must cover 25 per cent of the total cost themselves.

The following successful applicants have six months to complete works and submit a claim form, with the grants made once the claim has been accepted.

·        Ryan Lawes, of Gentleman’s Headquarters, a new barber shop in Regent Street – £1,950 to help fund new signage and window decoration to further enhance the shop, which he has already recently completed painting.

·        Sharron Hanks and Jonathan Hanks, of the Sock Stop, in Regent Road – £3,000 towards improvements including replacing an old outdated, shopfront which does not have disabled access, adding a new awning, new signage, roller security doors and repainting. This business was affected by last summer’s fire in Regent Road.

·        Richard Marks, of Woodcraft, in the Victoria Arcade – £1,645.23 towards new signage, lighting and a new window display. This trader relocated recently to Victoria Arcade after his previous trading premises was destroyed by last summer’s fire in Regent Road.

·        Stephen Cook, of Branded Toys, in the Victoria Arcade – £891 towards additional lighting to window displays to help improve the shop’s visibility and advertising that it is open. This trader relocated recently to Victoria Arcade after his previous trading premises was destroyed by last summer’s fire in Regent Road. 

·        Mike Wallis, of Wallis’ Wonders, in the Victoria Arcade – £1,026 to help with providing spotlighting for both windows to help enhance the shop and attract customers.

Cllr Barry Coleman, chairman of the economic development committee, said: “I am so pleased that this grant scheme is already doing its intended job: acting firstly as a catalyst for real improvements that will enhance the town centre shopping experience, and secondly as an incentive for private sector investment, to help grow the economy and help turn that virtuous cycle of confidence and growth.

“These first successful applications cover a real diversity of businesses and premises in different parts of the town centre, including some historic premises – and it is particularly great that the borough council is able to further help some of the businesses which were affected by last summer’s fire in Regent Road.

“There is, however, still money in the pot and we would like to hand out more grants in the coming months, so if you are an eligible business or social enterprise then please do follow suit and submit a well thought out application, because now is an ideal time to invest.”

Richard Marks, of Woodcraft, said: “Our previous trading location of 25 years, the Indoor Market, was sadly destroyed in the fire in August, but we have made a fresh start here in the Victoria Arcade and are hoping to bring our customers with us.

“Together with our own funds, this fabulous grant from the borough council will pay for shopfront improvements that will help us promote our shop and products, in addition to enhancing the historic architecture of the arcade.”

Ryan Lawes, of Gentleman’s Headquarters, said: “I am most thankful to the borough council for this grant. I’m 21 years old, just starting out in business, and have invested significantly in transforming what was an empty unit into a new facility, so this contribution to improving my frontage is most welcome and will also help to increase custom and footfall in the town centre.”

Application forms, guidance and a map showing the area covered by the scheme, are available by visiting https://www.enterprisegy.co.uk/shop-front, emailing enterpriseGY@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or by calling enterpriseGY on 0800 458 0146. Applications close on March 31, 2018, or sooner if funding is spent before this date.

Alan Boswell Group, one of the UK’s leading insurance brokers and financial advisers, today announced its acquisition of Sutcliffe Solloway & Company Limited (trading as Sutcliffe Insurance Brokers), expanding its business into Lincolnshire.

The move sees the Norwich-based group’s gross written premium figure rise from £85million to £90million. Since its formation in 1982, the company has grown to become one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the UK, with strong capital reserves and more than 50,000 clients across the country.

The acquisition will also see a further 25 members of staff, based at offices in Boston and Grimsby, join the group, bringing the total number of employees to 325.

The news follows the acquisition of S-Tech Insurance Services in Cambridge in late-2016, and the launch of its risk management arm last month.

With a heritage dating back to 1977, Sutcliffe arranges a wide range of commercial insurance products, with specialisms in the marine trade and heavy industry, as well as providing personal lines including home, car and landlord insurance.

Says Executive Chairman Alan Boswell: “We’re pleased to make this announcement as we head into a new financial year. The Group has been growing at a steady rate and Sutcliffe Insurance Brokers is a natural fit for our continuing expansion, offering services complementary to our own.”

Sutcliffe Insurance Brokers’ Managing Director Mike Kirman further comments: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Sutcliffe. Not only does it enhance the range of services we offer to existing clients – including risk management — but it also brings the stability and support of a larger group to the business.”

Welcome… In this month’s newsletter we look at; – Norfolk Carbon Charter Launch – We Have an App! – No.8 Virtual Tour – Feedback From Our Clients – Your Own Place Video Launch

Norfolk Carbon Charter Official Launch

The Norfolk Carbon Charter was officially launched in Norfolk on Tuesday 7th March at No.8. No.8 Thorpe Road holds a Bronze Carbon Charter and the RedCat team have for a number of years.

The Carbon Charter recognises environmental commitments and progress, and has been specifically designed to be of practical benefit to businesses.

For more information on the launch here

Thank you for your interest… Please don’t hesitate to contact us about anything No.8 related; you’ll find our contact details below.

Sarah, Richard, Mitchell, Lauren & John

A team from professional recruitment specialists Pure braved lots of mud and obstacles to complete the Only The Brave charity race in aid of the East of England Air Ambulance on Sunday (2 April).

The four-strong team from the recruitment agency’s Cambridge office looked anything but pure by the time they had completed the tough course at Elveden Estate, near Thetford Forest. However, they all agreed it was worth it to help support such fantastic cause.

The Pure team consisted of Caroline Batchelor, Gemma Pritchard-Jones, David Atkin and Ellie Steinfeldt. They all completed the five-mile course, which this year was bigger and muddier than ever before. Between them they ran, crawled, climbed and scrambled their way to the finish line, tackling obstacles including mud pools, water slides, climbing walls, piles of hay bales and monkey bars.

Caroline Batchelor, Associate Director at Pure, said: “The words mud and mayhem definitely spring to mind! The organisers certainly lived up to their promise of making the course as gruelling as possible. But it was a great team bonding experience and lots of fun. This is a major fundraising event for the publicly-funded air ambulance. We’re all extremely proud to have played a small part in helping to raise the £11million needed to keep these life-saving helicopters in the sky.”

The Only The Brave event has been inspired by the East Anglian Air Ambulance’s pilots, doctors, patients and families. The air ambulance flies 365 days a year, taking highly skilled medical teams to people who have been unfortunate enough to be involved in accidents or medical emergencies in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. The crews need to be brave, and overcome physical and emotional obstacles every single day.

Becky Wilson and Clare Fuller from Pure also gave up their time to be part of the team of volunteers which helped to ensure everything ran smoothly on the day.

As well as the entry fee to take part, the Pure team has raised a further £300 in sponsorship, with more donations still being received. 

An empowering and creative new company with the purpose of ‘making people happy’ has been launched today (3rd April).

The Engaging People Company has been set up with the aim of transforming employee and customer satisfaction through inspiring and targeted engagement and communications activities.

The company has been established by Michelle Gant, who was previously Director of Engagement for West Norfolk-based housing provider Freebridge Community Housing.

Michelle said: “I passionately believe that empowering and supporting satisfaction leads to business success. Because happy employees feel able to be the best they can be and happy customers will want to work with companies time and time again.”  

The company, which also offers support around wellbeing as well as facilitation, coaching and writing, is built on Michelle’s personal values of creativity, authenticity, being kind – and having fun.

She added: “I want to make a difference. And I am truly committed to and inspired by the ethos and values of The Engaging People Company to do so.”

The Engaging People Company can be found at https://engaging-people.co.uk/ and @engagepeopleco

Pure is offering the chance for one aspiring female leader, working at a deserving organisation in the East of England, to receive a part-funded place on its highly successful Women’s Leadership Programme starting in June.

Applications for the sponsored place are open to female managers and Directors working within social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, early stage start-ups and SMEs across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

The place on the programme has been sponsored by the Blossom Charity, which supports women in the East of England to be the best they can be. The aim is to make this course more accessible to local organisations which may not have had the budget to develop their talent pipeline in this way.

Lynn Walters, Director at Pure, said: “We’re delighted that Bridget McIntyre, founder and trustee of the Blossom Charity, has chosen to sponsor a place for the third year running. Bridget has been a regular guest speaker at our Women in Leadership events. Having held several Board positions, including UK Chief Executive of Royal Sun Alliance, and currently sitting on the Boards of Adnams, Jarolds and Saga as a Non-Executive Director, she talks passionately about how attending a leadership course made a huge impression on her life. Being able to make similar opportunities available to other women was just one of her inspirations behind creating the Blossom Charity and associated social enterprise Dream On.”

The Women’s Leadership Programme has already supported more than 60 aspiring female leaders in the region. It was first developed by professional recruitment specialists Pure and People & Performance Ltd in 2014. It is designed to help women strengthen their leadership skills, develop their confidence and grow their network.  

Lynn added: “It’s extremely positive to see more and more employers realising that diversity and inclusion is vital for innovation and to gaining a competitive advantage. However, there is still work to be done. A survey by Birketts and PwC revealed that one in eight employees in East Anglia felt they had experienced overt barriers to their career progression because of their gender. Our aim is to inspire organisations across the region to create inclusive work environments where any barriers to progression are removed and everyone can work in a way that makes them feel productive and engaged. Not only does this programme help women to develop their authentic leadership skills, it also equips them with the ability to work with their employers to dig out any problems, find positive solutions and to build a pipeline of more women progressing into leadership roles.”

Previous companies to have benefited from a sponsored place include the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Rand Europe and Fauna and Flora International. All delegates involved in the programme remain part of a strong alumni network developing across the East of England.

Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “I have been delighted with the way that the leadership programme has given my team member the time and opportunity to explore issues around leadership and personal development with other very bright young women. The facilitation on the programme has been first rate and I believe the participants have benefitted significantly by being involved.”

The Blossom Charity sponsored place is offered for the programme which starts in June. It includes four days of facilitated learning and two individual coaching sessions. The full cost of the programme is usually £2,950 but this will be reduced to £1,475 for the chosen delegate. To apply for the place, or to nominate a member of your team, email lucy.plumb@prs.uk.com with a CV and covering letter. 

East-Anglia-based Alan Boswell Group has reported further expansion this month, following the launch of its new business, Alan Boswell Risk Management.

The move brings three new faces to the group and enhances the range of business insurance services available to clients, helping them to comply with the law and avoid disruption to their business.

Two new engineering surveyors, Gary Murphy and Terry Hammond, and a risk management administrator, Shannon Waters, join risk management advisers John Neil and Gavin Dearsley, to provide a comprehensive suite of services.

With a wealth of experience across a range of industries, Terry and Gary have significant mechanical knowledge and are qualified to carry out essential engineering inspections. Both are able to perform Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), PSSR and LEV statutory inspections, as well as offer general advice and inspections under The Provision of Use and Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).

By using one company to advise on insurance, provide risk management advice and carry out inspections, businesses can rely on Alan Boswell Group to coordinate the whole process.

Says Risk Management Adviser John Neil: “Routine engineering inspections are vital to minimising the risks our clients may face. While these are a legal requirement, they also keep the working environment safe and reduce the chances of disruption, thereby reducing their chances of an insurance claim. Our services are already proving popular and we are currently in the process of recruiting a third risk management adviser to meet with demand!”

Group MD Chris Gibbs comments: “We’re always looking to enhance the range of services available to our clients. As such, the expansion of our Risk Management business to include engineering inspection was a natural move. Now our clients don’t need to juggle different companies for insurance, risk management and inspections – they can get a complete package from us, safe in the knowledge they’ll receive the same quality service they’d expect from any part of the Alan Boswell Group.”

The expansion follows the group’s acquisition of Cambridge-based S-Tech Insurance Services Ltd in November last year, bringing the company’s total headcount to in excess of 300 people.

To find out more about Alan Boswell Risk Management, visit www.alanboswell.com/risk or call 01603 967900.

Hatch Brenner LLP, the Norwich-based Solicitors, has appointed Caroline Billings to the Partnership within the Private Client team, effective from 1 April 2017.

An expert Private Client Solicitor, Caroline brings the total number of Partners in the Theatre Street-based firm to six, including Managing Partner Dawn Parkes.

Dawn Parkes commented: “We are delighted to welcome Caroline to the Partnership. We all look forward to working with her as the firm continues to grow. Caroline is a very popular member of the team amongst our colleagues, clients and contacts and I’m sure everyone who has worked with her will wish her well in her new position.”

Caroline added: “I am very much looking forward to taking on my new role within Hatch Brenner. As well as continuing with my client work, it will allow me to get involved in new areas of the business. It is an exciting time for the firm as we look to build the practice using new technologies and building new working relationships with contacts in the city and beyond. I welcome the new challenge and am excited to get started!”

Having studied at Hull University and completing her LPC at the College of Law, York, Caroline qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 and joined Hatch Brenner in 2009. She specialises in Wills, Probate, Tax, Trusts and Elderly Client issues. She has been a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners since 2007.  

Her additional work outside of her day-to-day client caseload includes running free legal advice sessions for Age UK Norfolk. She is an active member of the networking scene in Norwich, regularly attending and speaking at events including for the Chamber of Commerce, Law Society and Thrive networking. Outside of work, her broad interests range from playing and umpiring netball to paragliding.

BLM chooses Tiger Eye as iManage support partner

Norwich-based IT firm Tiger Eye Consulting are delighted to announce they have won the support contract from 1st March 2017 to support BLM with their iManage software solution.

BLM, a leading insurance and risk law specialist with 13 offices across the UK and over 1600 staff, has a strong remit of both national and international work, acting for a breadth of international organisations and handling high profile multijurisdictional cases.

The iManage software suite forms a key part of their IT strategy and Tiger Eye are now working closely with the IT team at BLM, led by Abby Ewen, to look at infrastructure, upgrade and mobility projects in 2017 to support staff with their key technology requirements.

Darren Broughton, Head of IT at BLM, explained, “We’re going through a significant period of change in our systems and infrastructure, and we need technical support partners who are able to understand the issues including and beyond the DMS. Dave Wilson and Matt Cleverdon’s combined experience in the sector gives us that confidence.”

The unique combination of expertise at Tiger Eye, with Directors Dave Wilson’s two decades of experience of iManage solutions, and Matt Cleverdon’s long career both as an IT Director inside law firms and as a subject matter expert at HP, gave BLM the confidence that Tiger Eye would deliver the level of expertise and customer service they required.

Dave comments, “We’re already enjoying working with BLM, and are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

About Tiger Eye

Tiger Eye is a niche IT consultancy, specialising in Work Product Management, and an EMEA Partner of iManage, DocsCorp, Mimecast and Microsoft, implementing cutting-edge IT solutions across Europe. We focus on providing high calibre consultancy from an experienced, senior team, working in close partnership to plan bespoke solutions that meet all our customers’ business needs, and provide expert technical support and customised development solutions to our iManage customers.

For more information please contact:

Cerys Burcher, Strategic Programme Manager, Tiger Eye Consulting Ltd.

01603 293509, cerysb@tigereyeconsulting.com,  www.tigereyeconsulting.com

We’ve designed a tasty new website for Hiltfields, a high quality food products manufacturer. Our brief was to redesign the website to promote their range of food expertise more effectively and increase online enquiries.

The client is very satisfied with the results, especially with lots of new website enquiries. You can see the brand new site at www.hiltfields.com

Bigfork

Intelligent Website Design

01603 513 080

www.bigfork.co.uk

We here at Naked Element are very pleased to announce that Emma Gooderham is our new Commercial Director. Having previously supported other software companies to grow and develop through marketing strategies, sales plans and identifying potential new clients, she is the ideal person to guide Naked Element in our own growth. As a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, as well as one of only a handful of Chartered Directors in the county, she is well placed to add her expertise to our Norwich-based tech company.   After consulting for us back in 2015 it was clear that Emma and Naked Element were a good fit, as she loves what we do and how we do it! “Naked Element develops software to solve business problems through a variety of innovative ways – automating business processes, developing applications that talk to each other, share information and monitor performance. They even create new digital products and services” Emma explains “But it’s also the way in which Naked Element works that makes them different. Using an agile approach to development projects, working closely with clients to demonstrate software and get feedback regularly throughout the project, they can adapt as they progress. It really is a client-centred approach and these are the reasons I love Naked Element and am so pleased to join!”   Having worked with every type of company from start-ups to big financial businesses, Emma will use her years of experience and business acumen to identify and really engage with prospective clients, as well as develop a long term strategy for growth.   If you have a software project on your ‘to do’ list for 2017, why not contact Emma directly?   Email her at emma.gooderham@nakedelement.co.uk Call her on +44 (0) 1603 383458, or +44 (0) 7900 603703   Or you can just connect with her on LinkedIn and she will get in touch with you!