Member News

Briar Chemicals Young Poet of the Year poetry competition, now in its 12th year, attracted more than 1,200 entries from schools across the region.

This year the young poets joined television nature presenter and writer Jess French, the final stage judge for the poetry competition, at the “Exploring Nature” themed awards event held in the BBC Voices studio at The Forum in Norwich.

Jess said: “We need to keep up our intimate personal relationship with nature, or we’ll lose it. Nature is a subject that’s really close to my heart, and I think it’s absolutely vital that we remain attached and connected to nature.”

Edie Tod, of Angel Road Junior School was the winner of the 8-9 category, and Eve Bensley, of Bunwell Primary School won the 10-11 category.

Edie, aged nine, is now keen to become a nature writer said: “I want to be a nature poet when I’m older. I used my imagination for this piece and it only took me an evening to write.”

Eve, aged 11, said: “I saw a butterfly during break time at school and wrote about it. My favourite subject at school science so my headteacher was so pleased when she found out I had won.”

Edie and Eve each won £100 and their schools received £500, courtesy of Briar Chemicals. A copy of Jess’ book, Chimp Rescue: A True Story and certificates were also presented to each of the winners and runners-up.

Tim Green, Site Manager of Briar Chemicals said “This year’s poetry competition received entries from 37 schools around the region and the standard was very high.”

“Our aim is to encourage youngsters to enjoy writing creatively and this year theme certainly seems to have done the trick!”

First stage judges were Simon Proctor from the Eastern Daily Press, Professor Anne Osbourn of the John Innes Centre and founder of the SAW Trust (Science, Art and Writing), and Sarah Piercy of Briar Chemicals.

Briar Chemicals also donated £500 to help support Miss French’s chosen charity, the Sumatran Orangutan Society.

For more information visit www.briarchemicals.com

Ten leaders from charitable organisations across East Anglia attended an inaugural Charity Leaders Forum in Cambridge, hosted by professional recruitment specialists Pure to provide free support on strategic planning.

The event was led by guest speaker Sue Humphrey, a leading strategy development and implementation specialist from Cambridge-based In Tandem Limited. Lynn Morgan, Chief Executive at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, also shared practical examples of strategy and planning within the organisation. Held at Pure’s offices in Histon on Wednesday 19 October, this was the first of a series of regular Charity Leaders Forums planned for the future.

David Culley, Associate Director at Pure, said: “Being the leader of a charitable organisation can sometimes be a lonely existence. There can be limited opportunities for networking with peers and for developing skills which are beneficial to the organisation, especially with funding being focussed directly on the charity’s cause. For the past 13 years we have hosted an annual Charity Finance Forum and have had great feedback from delegates who attend year after year and have created some invaluable professional networks as a result. Following on from the success of these we wanted to provide a similar opportunity for the region’s CEOs and charity leaders to benefit from shared experiences and guest expertise. At Pure we work hard to support the region’s charities, whether its hosting or participating in fundraising events, supporting in recruitment needs or organising events like these to further develop the success of these fantastic organisations.”

The session was free to attend, but donations were requested for the nominated charity of STARS, a children’s bereavement support service based in Cambridge. The event raised over £200 which will fund counselling sessions for local children supported by the charity.

Pure plans to deliver three Charity Leaders Forums each year, with the next event scheduled to take place in February. Those interested in attending should contact David Culley at Pure on 01223 209888.

Finance professionals from across East Anglia have come together to discuss the forthcoming Apprenticeship Levy at a series of FD Breakfast Clubs organised by professional recruitment consultants Pure and accountancy firm Grant Thornton.

The four sessions, held in Chelmsford, Cambridge, Norwich and Ipswich throughout October, were the latest in a series of FD Breakfast Clubs hosted by the two organisations. The clubs were first launched in 2014 to provide regular forums where the region’s senior finance professionals could come together to discuss topical issues important to business growth and sustainability.

Tom Earl, Associate Director at Pure, said: “We chose the Apprenticeship Levy as a topic for our latest breakfast sessions as it has been the subject of much scrutiny since it was confirmed it would be implemented in April 2017. The aim was to provide practical support and information on the levy, to discuss what it means for businesses in our region and to consider how it could impact on recruitment and talent development within this sector. The events covered everything from the potential cost implications through to how the structure and content of future training programmes could assist organisations in receiving additional funding towards staff development.”

The FD Clubs were developed by Pure and Grant Thornton to help support the local business community and to grow the regional economy. Subjects covered at previous sessions have included Cyber Security and Data Protection, Risk and Reputation, International Growth and Skills and Leadership.

Pure also collaborates with Grant Thornton to run a Finance Leadership Programme which is designed to help organisations in East Anglia to develop their future finance talent. Launched in 2015, the programme is made up of a small, invite-only group of future finance leaders and is split into three interactive round table sessions held throughout the year.

A local marketing agency is celebrating three years in business by treating themselves to a complete revamp. Emma Raines, owner at Example Marketing and Web Design, explains:

“We designed our original branding in 2013 when we launched the business. It was smart and it did the job. But since then, we’ve discovered a lot more about who we are as a business and what sets us apart from our competitors. As a marketing and design agency, we know how important it is that our logo and website reflect that.”

The new look is unapologetically bold. Example wanted to get across that they’re a small yet creative agency whose friendly service has won them regular customers representing a whole range of industries.

The business unveiled their new look with the launch of an updated website. The site gives visitors a glimpse at some of the projects Example has worked on since launch. The business boasts some very prestigious clients including the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Walking with the Wounded and Harford Attachments.

The biggest challenge with this project? Finding the time to do it! Emma continues:

“Our rebrand has been a long time coming! Our work for clients always has to take priority. I’m sure lots of other business owners can appreciate how taking care of your own business gets continually pushed to the bottom of the list. But it’s been a very valuable process. It renews our appreciation of what our clients are going through when we work on these kinds of branding and web design projects with them. It’s a really personal process.”

By completely rebranding, the team at Example hope that they’ll encourage other businesses to take the same step.

“A complete rebrand can be quite an overwhelming thought. But businesses change over time, as does the market they’re operating in. Your brand communicates a lot about your business and you should be proud of it. If it’s failing on either of those checks, it could be time for a change. Be bold and go for it – you’ll be really pleased you did!”

Briar Chemicals welcomed a group of students from Wymondham College who are keen to pursue a career in chemistry or chemical engineering.

Ms Edwards, Student Futures Coordinator at Wymondham College, who organised the visit,said: “Visiting Briar Chemicals gave the students the chance to see how the chemistry they learn in lessons is applied in industry, and on such a vast scale. It was a fascinating insight into the workings of the plant, the challenges faced and the care taken to ensure maximum safety at every step of the process.”

“Our students were able to ask about studying chemistry and chemical engineering at University and the career routes available to them. We were made very welcome and thanks to Briar Chemicals for the taking time and effort to make the visit a success.”

The college students were given the opportunity to learn more about manufacturing processes by being given a tour of the production plants and control rooms, enabling them to get a real insight into how some of the chemistry they may have come across in the classroom is used in a commercial.

James, a recent graduate who spent a year at Briar Chemicals in 2015 as part of his degree andis now employed by the company, joined the group along with Carmina, Briar’s student work placement from Loughborough University to offer advice on the career options available.

Briar Chemicals regularly host visits from the University and schools and collegesacross the region and welcome the opportunity to promote careers in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Working closely with all ages, Briar Chemicals supports the future generation who are passionate about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Our latestsalary and recruitment surveyfor the Eastern region shows that benefits are playing an even greater role in competing for high calibre employees, especially within sectors facing candidate short markets.

Employees don’t choose to switch on salary alone and a recent national survey showed that benefits were still the third main attraction for job seekers, after salary and location. An organisation’s benefit package could be the deciding factor for an employee, especially if the salary offer is the same as a competitor organisation. But what employee perks are considered the most enticing to today’s job seekers?

Many of the benefits that were often seen as adding real value are becoming increasingly common place. Health care schemes and gym membership are becoming more prevalent and, within our own survey, we discovered that 85 per cent of companies in the East of England are now offering flexible working hours and 70 per cent are providing some form of study or educational support. For decades, pensions used to be a key differentiator, yet with the Workplace Pensions roll out almost complete, more employers are beginning to offer enhanced pensions to entice new employees.

People spend the majority of their waking hours at work, and low key benefits which make a big difference to day-to-day life can be just as appealing. Recent research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development included examples such as having free tea and coffee available, and being allowed to have online purchases delivered to the workplace, as some of the little perks really appreciated by workers.

We have seen an upward trend in organisations choosing to look for more innovative ways to update benefit schemes. Many employers are looking towards the modern day challenges faced by today’s workers for inspiration. A London organisation has reported that it is now offering staff help to get on the property ladder as part of its benefit scheme. Other firms have decided to provide low cost personal loans for employees, offering better rates than those offered by banks, and making monthly repayments simple by deducting direct from payroll.

Another option is for employers to enable benefits to be tailored to individual groups of employees. An Employee Benefits study showed that there was a marked difference between what different generations wanted from their benefits package. More than two-fifths of millennials said they would value financial advice, but only 17 per cent of those aged 30 or over would appreciate this perk. Other benefit options will be attractive to a broad section of employees, but for lots of different reasons. The opportunity to buy extra annual leave can appeal to parents as a cheaper option than paying for childcare during school holidays, and also prove attractive to employees wishing to travel more, or looking to pursue passions or hobbies outside of work

One way in which employers can monitor whether they have a competitive benefits package, which will help to attract and retain the best talent, is by asking employees for regular feedback within a staff survey. Another option is to seek advice from a recruitment consultant. A good consultant will have their finger on the pulse of the industry they specialise in, and the local market, and will be able to provide valuable insight into any shifting trends in salaries and benefit packages.

KLM UK Engineering is excited to announce that Corendon Dutch Airlines has signed a contract for two heavy maintenance checks during 2016 & 2017 on their Boeing 737-800’s as well as signing a long term GTA. This news follows the new deal with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) to provide Corendon Airlines Turkey and Corendon Dutch Airlines with engine maintenance services for twelve CFM56-7B engines in their fleets.

Peter van der Horst, Managing Director of KLMUK, said: ‘It is great news to have been awarded Corendon Dutch Airlines heavy maintenance checks and it allows KLMUKE to build on the existing group relationships and we look forward to working closely with Corendon for many years to come’.

About Corendon Airlines With a current fleet of 11 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated at Corendon Airlines, Turkey and 3 Boeing 737-800 aircraft at Corendon Dutch Airlines, Corendon operates charter flight services to destinations throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Corendon flies to more than 40 countries and 150 destinations, including Major German, French, Dutch, Belgian, Polish, and Israeli and Nordic airports.

Paul Robinson Partnership (uk) LLP are pleased to announce that Andrew Smith has become a Partner at the Practice, alongside Bruce Hart and Simon Nicholas. The Practice has been running for over 40 years and Andrew has built strong relationships with local businesses for the past 20 years. Having been an Associate for the last 8 years, it with great pleasure that he is now a Partner. Andrew says,

‘I’ve always valued the faith and support the partners have given staff allowing everyone to work to their strengths on all types of projects, whether it be a contemporary architectural brief, interior design or technical detailing. This has allowed me to enjoy running all types of projects, especially in recent years developing my conservation remit. Alongside Bruce and Simon I intend to encourage and drive this and help to build upon our architectural portfolio with our strong national workload in the holiday and leisure industry’ .

The Practice continues to look to the future, working with Clients nationally on projects ranging from holiday and leisure to commercial and retail.

This year, by popular demand, Adnams have launched a new Corporate Christmas Gifts service.

Packed full of Adnams quality and loveliness, the gift boxes are a great way to thank business colleagues, suppliersor clients.

Adnams offer a totally hassle-free service. Simply choose the gift boxes you’d like and Adnams will deliver them to any mainland UK address. They can also add a little note to give your gifts that personal touch.

There are four gift boxes to choose from including Beer, Bubbly or Gin, and there’s even a gift box with no bottles of alcohol in at all.

For more information, please contact the Adnams gifts team on T: 01603 613243 or email gifts@adnams.co.uk. Also please find pdf attached.

(To ensure your gifts arrive in time, you will need to place your order no later than 1st December 2016)

It would seem only yesterday that three rather ‘misguided’ friends and colleagues would set up a little business in the hamlet of Framingham Pigot with the key aim of helping other businesses grow.

10 years has passed in the blink of an eye, and yet the learning will be forever, the brows are now furrowed, the hair a little greyer (or considerably thinner – you know who you are), and the experience has been truly life-changing.

On Friday 14th October 2016, our team, our partners and our families celebrated a decade of development, hard work, and yes, some success.

A year in which we became Business Moneyfacts national award winners and were appointed to the membership of the Future50 in recognition of our innovation and growth potential, is also a year in which we have taken on 6 new team members, and achieved our best performance of our short history.

This performance not only reflects our own income growth but also represents the record amounts of lending we have facilitated to our business communities, thus continuing to realise our primary objectives in helping to drive growth, acquisitions, innovation, and jobs.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues, friends and families who shared the evening with us to make our celebration a very proud and special one for Ian, Nick, and me.

I would also like to sincerely thanks Richard, Sue, Lauren, Kate, Ed and all the staff at the wonderful Park Farm Hotel in Hethersett, for their professionalism, dedication, and warmth.

As we look to the next decade, we are excited about what we have achieved so far, and what the future holds for our growing business.

Tomorrow we welcome our newest team member, John Dunmall (ex-Barclays Bank), while we continue to work with three others to enhance the diversity of our skills and strengthen our geographical coverage.

Thank you to our customers, colleagues and professional partners for your decade of support.

Three recruitment consultants from Ipswich completed a seven-mile, mud-filled race, complete with 30 different gruelling obstacles, yesterday (Sunday 16 October) in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice.

Paul Sheldrake, Kelly Earl and Gabrielle Wright, who all work at the Pure Ipswich office, took part in the tenth annual Suffolk Whole Hog race as part of the professional recruitment agency’s own 10thanniversary campaign,#Ipswichbig10.

#Ipswichbig10 has been set up to mark a decade since the Ipswich office first opened and the team has pledged to take part in, or organise, a series of different events to raise money for 10 different local charities throughout 2016. The intrepid trio were the latest Pure team to brave a challenge in aid of the anniversary campaign, and they really did go the whole hog. They chose to take on the toughest of the two races, held at Wantisden Valley in Woodbridge, and signed up for the Boss Hog race: two miles longer and with ten more obstacles than the standard Whole Hog route. All three ended up crawling under cargo nets, sliding through muddy bogs, climbing up steep banks and walls, and wading through rivers to complete the course.

Paul Sheldrake, manager at Pure Ipswich office, said: “We all took part last year, so we thought we’d know what to expect. But it was far colder and a whole lot muddier than before. There was a really strong wind and about half way around the course it absolutely pelted it down. Luckily we were at least in the first wave of runners. I can’t imagine what it would have been like once we’d all run through and churned up the ground even more. However, the sense of achievement felt at the end of events like this always makes up for any discomfort along the way!”

Five pounds from every runner’s entry fee is donated to the St Elizabeth Hospice. The Pure team also looked to raise further sponsorship money and have so far collected an extra £200. St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in Suffolk with a progressive illness. It provides specialist support wherever it is required, whether at home, in the community or at the Hospice.

Other local charities which have already benefited from Pure’s 10-year-anniversary campaign include: The Papworth Trust, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, East Anglian Air Ambulance, St Helena’s Hospice, Brightstars and Ormiston Families. Further charity events already confirmed as part of the #IpswichBig10 anniversary campaign include Paul Sheldrake and Gabrielle Wright putting on their running shoes once again to take part in the Adnams Southwold 10k Charity Run in November.

It’s easier than you imagine to start benefitting from the capabilities of SharePoint – here at Breakwater IT we are now offering an introductory package, enabling you to harness its resources simply and cost effectively.

SharePoint Online can be utilised through the Office 365 suite, removing the overheads associated with managing the infrastructure on your own and giving you access to Exchange, OneDrive for Business, Skype for Business and the Office clients.

What is SharePoint?

SharePoint works seamlessly with your other, day to day, applications as a secure place to store, organise, share and access information from almost any device and location.

Using Office 365 you can set SharePoint into action pretty swiftly, employing it to create content and share documents and information with colleagues, partners and clients – essentially SharePoint brings the individuals that make your business work together.

SharePoint, wrapped up for you

The Breakwater SharePoint starter package will get your organisation up and running with this extremely smart platform, and with the assurance of two days consultancy it is an opportunity to truly get to grips with all of the functions if offers.

Read the full details of our SharePoint package