Member News

Ahead of the Best Employers Eastern Region conference and awards on Thursday 6 October, Lynn Walters from Pure and Margaret Burnside from eras ltd were invited on Mustard TV’s Business Extra show to explain more about the initiative.

Lynn and Margaret were interviewed by show host Neil Perry and given the opportunity to discuss the success of the Best Employers Eastern Region initiative to date, the forthcoming awards, and the business benefits of getting involved.

The interview covered some of the key themes behind the Best Employers initiative including the unique way in which the award winners are selected. The 2016 awards will be presented to employers across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire based on the results of the Best Employers Eastern Region Survey. The survey gives employees a voice on a whole range of issues and enables them to provide honest feedback on what it is like to work for the organisation. It also provides employers with valuable data on ways to further improve the business culture and employee engagement levels where needed.

Both Lynn and Margaret were also able to highlight the fantastic opportunity for business leaders to come together at the conference in Bury St Edmunds to share best practice. The event will focus on providing a forum to discuss new ideas, problem solve challenges and to gain inspiration from some of the region’s most high-performing organisations. The guest speakers have been confirmed as Chantal Misquitta from AstraZenca, Daemmon Reeve from Treatt plc, Norman Pickavance and James Brown from Grant Thornton. Plus, business transformation consultant Steve Turpie speaking about his work with Accenture, as well as Bright Stars, one of the nominated charities benefiting from the ticket sales of the event. The conference will culminate in the Best Employer Eastern Region awards being presented, including the region’s Best Overall Large Employer Award, sponsored by Birketts.

The Business Extra show was broadcast last night (Thursday 23 September), and is available to watch on catch uphere.

For more information, or to book a place at the Best Employers Eastern Region Awards and Conference, visitwww.best-employers.co.ukor email bestemployers@prs.uk.com.

“Spring Boot in action”

by Craig Walls ISBN-13: 978-1617292545

You can be pretty sure of what you’re going to get with a Manning ‘In Action’ book and Spring Boot in Action is no exception. It’s clear, friendly while not being over familiar and above all a pleasure to read. In fact I struggled to put it down. I’ve got back into reading recently, but this is the first technical book I have fully read for quite a while.

The thing is I’m a huge fan of Java. This brings me into a lot of ridicule. There are lots of other software development technologies such as Ruby on Rails and Node.js which are arguably more productive because they do a lot of the standard web application boilerplate for you. The Spring library provides the Java developer with a lot of web application boilerplate as well, but there is no getting away the fact that Java is more verbose than some of the other options and you need a lot more code and configuration to wire the boilerplate together.

Enter Spring Boot. Spring Boot is about taking away a lot of the pain of developing Java web applications with Spring. Spring Boot automatically configures most of a Spring Web application for you. It takes care of most of the dependency management and servlet configuration and creates and injects commonly used beans into the application context as, when, and if they are needed. This drastically reduces the amount of code and configuration you need to write and it’s clever enough to work out which dependencies you need and employs tested configurations to make sure they play nicely together. Plus you can reduce the amount of code further by writing your application in Groovy or a combination of Groovy and Java. You can even take advantage of Grails.

Suddenly Java becomes a lot more competitive in terms of productivity with Ruby on Rails and Node.js, with the added advantage of a statically type, non-interpreted language running on the JVM. I’ve frequently seen Java Spring web applications outperforming similar Ruby on Rails applications. These are very exciting times indeed for Java.

Spring Boot in Action clearly explains all of this and more including running an embedded tomcat and testing with Selenium. It’s not a long book and the last 35% or so is appendices, but it’s the sort of useful information you need as a Spring Boot developer. Being short also means that Spring Boot does feel like a massive mountain to climb and conquer. If I had one criticism of the book, it would be that the chapter on deployment should be near the beginning, not right at the end.

Naked Element will soon be developing their first Spring Boot application and we’re really looking forward to it.

Words by Paul

With competition for customer’s attention becoming ever fiercer, a new chamber member aims to help local businesses develop a competitive advantage through marketing.

“Marketing is key to growth for lots of Norfolk businesses” says Sarah West, Managing Director of Full Mix Marketing. “However, many are unsure where to begin or disappointed by their current results. Our ambition is to become the fastest growing marketing agency in Norfolk, simply by helping our clients become some of the fastest growing companies.”

A Chartered Marketer and former winner of Young Marketer of the Year, Sarah has most recently been Strategic Marketing Manager for leading UK holiday company, Hoseasons. She’s now established a strategic, digital and offline marketing agency to give local businesses all the marketing they need to grow.

“I’ve hired many marketing agencies but become frustrated by their focus on design rather than results. Whether it’s a website, direct mail campaign or full marketing strategy, it has to produce more business. Whatever our client’s size or needs, we’re focused on ensuring the marketing we deliver creates the best possible return” adds Sarah.

To help businesses get a head start, Full Mix Marketing have created a number of free guides, including advice on how to use marketing to grow, avoid digital marketing mistakes and get better results from advertising. These can be downloaded free by chamber members at fullmixmarketing.co.uk/guides.

“We understand that – large or small – businesses in Norfolk invest in marketing because they want to see a return. It doesn’t make sense to just pay for activity when its results you need. Because we’re confident we can improve results, we even offer our clients a guarantee” states Sarah.

As to why she joined Norfolk Chamber, Sarah says “I’ve previously worked for three businesses who were active members of the chamber. It gave them a voice in the business community and, of course, helped them grow. When I started my own business, I naturally wanted to become an active member.”

Full Mix Marketing’s free guides and details of their guarantee can all be found at www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk

Running a small business can be rewarding however, it has it stresses and at times having someone impartial to discuss your company’s progress and any problems you’re facing can be extremely helpful.

Alex Till is the chief executive of Genix, a business support organisation which has been helping businesses for over 20 years. He’s well aware of the issues facing small businesses and says, “There’s often very little time for a business owner to step away from the day to day pressures of meeting deadlines and getting work done to have a good long look at how their business is doing, where new customers are to be found and what systems they could introduce to make their day that bit easier.

“For the past twelve months we’ve been providing free, one to one business support meetings in Norwich which have proved extremely popular. We realise, for many North Norfolk based businesses a trip to the city is not possible mid-week so we’re now able to offer the service at a local level.”

To help North Norfolk based companies, businesses and those who are self-employed, Genix now provides free, confidential, one to one business advice meetings on set dates in Cromer and Fakenham. These sessions are available to start-up, emerging and established businesses.

“We’ve made the booking system as easy and as quick as possible” commented Alex, “by going to www.genix.org.uk and clicking the business advice button gives dates, times and location options.” A business which has found the support of Genix invaluable is Bicycle Links.

Bicycle Links is a Norwich based bicycle shop and a social enterprise, plus a bike hire centre and café – all under one roof. Lucy Hall the Project Manager wanted to explore different options to grow the business so met with Genix adviser, Gary Parker, in June of this year. Since then, Lucy has had several meetings and on-going discussions with Gary and his colleagues covering ideas around grant funding, marketing and networking. Lucy as found these extremely beneficial and has enabled her to look at new ideas and share some of the workload with other like minded entrepreneurs.

Genix business adviser, Gary Parker said, “It’s easy to assume that running a business will come naturally when you’re passionate about your enterprise and working long hours. Finding out about better ways of marketing, financial planning, book keeping and business networking can all make a difference as to whether a business will struggle or grow. Business skills can be learnt and at Genix we’re keen to help with knowledge and information to ensure successful outcomes.”

As well as business advice sessions Genix hosts Coffee Means Business, a monthly networking event held on a rotating basis in North Walsham, Cromer and Fakenham. Coffee Means Business is hosted by Genix and supported by North Norfolk District Council and will be held at Scarborough Hill Country Inn, North Walsham on Friday 23 September 2016 from 9.30am until 11.30am. It costs just £2 per person, payable on arrival and there are no membership fees. The event is sponsored by Different Dimensions and it will be a great opportunity to make new contacts over coffee and biscuits. There’ll be short talks from Genix Patrons, Neil Burr of Designtec and Michelle Pollard of Spider Recruitment Services.

For more information regarding Genix business advice service, Coffee Means Business and the free business courses and seminars it holds please go to www.genix.org.uk or call 0800 096 3013

Genix launched its new initiative in May 2016 in Norwich and due to its success, new dates have been announced for autumn.

What is a Jelly? A business Jelly is the recognised name for informal co-working events where freelancers, home workers and small business owners bring their laptop and work, chat and collaborate with other small businesses.

Theaim of Genix Jelly is to provide a meeting space for like-minded people to work together and exchange help and advice.

Larking Gowen, East Anglian Chartered Accountants are providing the financial support to enable the events to take place.

Leanne Castle of Genix said, “Our thanks to Larking Gowen, who are fully supportive of the concept..”

“Working from home and being your own boss can cause a sense of isolation, by providing free room space on a regular basis enables people to hot desk in a relaxed, informal working environment to maximise output and creativity.”

Emma Arthurton of Larking Gowen, commented, “We’re pleased to be continuing our support of Genix Jelly. This is our way to show support to small micro businesses, the self-employed and freelancers.”

“We understand how hard it can be when working alone or when starting out. This has been a great opportunity for business owners to bring their laptops, enjoy the buzz of working alongside others, and maybe find ways to collaborate with each other to mutual benefit.”

The next Genix Jelly will take place on Wednesday 21st September in Norwich. Each month Larking Gowen opens their Jelly room at 15 Upper King Street, Norwich NR3 1RB and provides free desk space, Wi-Fi and refreshment and Teresa Logan of Genix is on hand to host and make introductions.

The Genix Jelly room will be available from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Booking isn’t essential.

Further dates planned are 19th October and 16th November 2016.

For more information call Genix 0800 096 3013 or go to the events page at www.genix.org.uk

HM Revenue & Customs most recentstatistics show that East Anglian companies accounted for 10% of 22,445 Research & Development tax credits claims in the tax year ending 2014-2015.

HMRC paid back £250 million to companies in the east of England out of a total of £2.45 billion tax relief paid out nationwide under its R&D tax credit scheme.

Many owners of small and medium limited companies are still unaware that they could claim back or save thousands of pounds in corporation tax from the Government.

The figures show that over the last five years the east of England is lagging behind other regions in terms of the increase in numbers of claims by small and medium businesses.

Since 2010, the amounts claimed by east of England small and medium businesses have only increased by 198% compared to the North East at 438% and London at 364%.

The country’s leading R&D tax credit specialist Jumpstart now has a Client Engagement Manager based in Norfolk to raise awareness of the scheme across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

Jumpstart’s Client Engagement Manager Lee Williams is appealing for businesses to come forward to apply for tax credits for any project where there has been an advance in technology or science – not solely scientific advances.

Relevant sectors which are eligible also include software and IT, manufacturing and engineering, energy and food and drink.

There are two schemes; The SME scheme and Research & Development Expenditure Credit scheme for larger companies and retrospective claims can be made up to 2 years.

The figures show that 75% of claims were made from the ‘Manufacturing’ ‘Professional, Scientific & Technical’ and ‘Information & Communication’ sectors.

Mr Williams has almost 30 years of financial sector experience helping SME’s reach/exceed their goals said: “These latest HMRC figures show that there is still more work to be done in promoting the tax relief scheme for small and medium sized companies”

“Furthermore, local companies could be under claiming or over claiming because their technical project activities and expenditures are not being accurately interpreted against legislation. As well as the introduction of increased scrutiny by HMRC, the process of claiming is very much a technical assessment, so it is important that companies instruct a specialist advisor.”

Since its inception, Jumpstart has helped its clients recover almost £80 million in R&D tax relief and has identified nearly £404 million in eligible R&D expenditure.

To find out more please contact Jumpstart’s Client Engagement Manager for East Anglia on lee.williams@jumpstartuk.co.uk or ring 07794 201990

Purcell is pleased to announced its merger with Norfolk-based architectural practice Reynolds Jury Architecture. Combining expertise and skills will increase Purcell’s service offer in the region.

Janet Jury, co-founder of Reynolds Jury Architecture, is appointed partner of Purcell’s Norwich studio. With 33 years’ experience, Janet brings her contemporary residential, community and care-sector design skills, project management capabilities, urban design qualifications and conservation expertise to the team. Janet previously worked at Purcell for 12 years and was involved in high profile projects including the National Gallery and the British Museum, Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire and works in the Hanseatic coastal town of Stralsund in Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Purcell is maintaining Reynolds Jury Architecture’s existing client base. Co-founder of Reynolds Jury Architecture, Michael Reynolds, is working with Purcell as a consultant. The practice’s four other team members joined Purcell’s Norwich studio on 5th September 2016.

Reynolds Jury Architecture has a broad portfolio covering residential, healthcare, commercial, education, places of worship and community schemes. The practice has delivered projects including repair and alterations of the Grade II* listed Britons Arms Coffee House, which secured the Norwich Society’s Sir Bernard Feilden Conservation Architecture Award, and ongoing phases of the Edward Street residential development in Norwich. The team is currently working on a new farmhouse and a commercial farm-based development in mid-Norfolk and a multi-phase enlargement and alteration of a care home near Holt.

Purcell is the UK’s 9th largest architectural practice with 16 studios in the UK, including Cambridge, Colchester and London, and four studios in Asia Pacific. Purcell’s Norwich studio at 3 Colegate opened in 1965 and celebrated its 50th birthday last year. Known for both conservation and new build projects, the Norwich team has completed work on The Assembly House in Norwich, the Creative Arts Building at City College Norwich and Felbrigg Hall. The studio is currently working on the repair of a historic maltings in Dereham and the fire-damaged Aldis department store in Fakenham.

Janet Jury, Partner at Purcell commented: “I expect the team will grow in confidence with me as we enjoy the best of what the two practices previously offered as separate firms. The design-lead ethos of Reynolds Jury Architecture compliments Purcell’s stronger, though not exclusive, focus on conservation.”

Partner at Purcell Jane Kennedy said: “We are delighted that Janet Jury is returning to Purcell and we welcome her team. Their conservation skills, demonstrated in the award winning works to the celebrated Britons Arms in Elm Hill, and their success as designers of new build housing and charitable buildings, reinforce and strengthen our offer in East Anglia.”

Norwich and London based Architectural PracticeLSI Architects has once again been named a Building’sTop 150 Consultants,Building Magazine’sannual league table of the biggest UK consultants which includes surveyors, architects, engineers and project managers.

The Practice rose to 101st from 113th in the top 150 firmsand from 46thto 42nd in the top 50 Architects.

Partner Rupert Kitchencommented”Building Magazine is one of the construction industry’s most respected namesand so to receive this recognition is something we are rightfully proud of.Despite uncertainties around Brexit the practice’s forward look remains as strong as it has ever been.Our presence in London and the South East continues to grow, with a range of projects across a number of sectors and some exciting design opportunities. We’ve recently been able to offer permanent positions to a number of people in both London and Norwich, and it is our intention that we will continue to recruit in the coming months based on our positive outlook.”

According to this year’s top 150, consultants grew their UK staff by 5% overall during the past year.

This week we have been celebrating the triumph of our inauguralSG Wealth Management Gala Concert, Vivaldi The Four Seasons, performed byNorwich Baroque.

We are delighted to have the privilege to sponsor and support such a wonderfully dynamic orchestra who have internationally renowned countertenor Michael Chance CBE as their Patron.

Saturday 10September saw us welcome over 500 people to the stunning surroundings of Norwich Cathedral. Guests were treated to enchanting performances by our guest soloists, violinist Adrian Chandler and cellist Kate Bennett Wadsworth.

Stephen Girling, SG Wealth’s Managing Director commented “Many congratulations to Norwich Baroque who are this year celebrating their 10th anniversary of bringing such musical pleasure to so many of us. Business of course is about many things, but being part of a community and providing support and opportunity for people in the community is vital; not for self interest, but for the good of the whole. A vibrant community is a thriving community”

“To fill the Cathedral, as Norwich Baroque did on Saturday evening, is surely a mark of how this ensemble has become an integral part of the city’s vibrant musical culture”Frank Cliff, EDP

Thank you to The Very Reverend Jane Hedges for being our honored guest, and to everybody who supported us by joining us for the evening, we hope to see you at future Norwich Baroque Concert’s across Norfolk soon.

You can see Norwich Baroque’s concertdiary here.

Press enquiries: Simone NicholsonSimone@sgwealthmanagement.co.uk

Norwich Airport opens new engine testing centre

Norwich Airport has officially opened its purpose-built engine testing centre to reduce aircraft noise for neighbouring communities and support aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities at the airport.

The new facility represents a £1.4 million investment by airport owners Rigby Group plc and is another significant milestone in the airport’s ongoing strategy of upgrade and improvement.

The testing centre is a bespoke high tech facility only usually found at larger airports like Stansted or Heathrow. It features a 10m-high, three-sided aluminium acoustic barrier designed to minimise aircraft noise during engine runs.

Engine testing is vital to the work of the Norwich Airport-based aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses and their airline customers.

Norwich Airport managing director Richard Pace said: “This investment will make a significant contribution to improving the local environment by using the latest noise reduction technology. We are committed to making Norwich Airport one of the best in its class and to being a good neighbour, and are delighted to be celebrating the official launch of this important project.”

Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “Norwich has long been the economic and cultural heart of East Anglia so we welcome the opening of this significant facility.

“The engine testing centre is helping to deliver some really positive outcomes for the city by contributing to the employment offer of the airport, adding high value engineering jobs and improving the environment for the benefit of nearby residents. These three elements link back to two of the council’s corporate priorities for the city and its residents – having a safe and clean city which is also prosperous and vibrant.”

Designed by industry leaders APS of Germany, who have more than 30 years of noise protection experience, the engine testing project was managed by Norwich-based Canham Consulting and built by Cromer-based MacKinnon Construction. The new centre came into service in April this year.

Richard Pace added: “This is a world class engineering facility made possible by the airport management team working closing with our local authorities to bring it to fruition.”

Copy ends

Notes to Editors

About Norwich Airport

Norwich International Airport is part of Regional & City Airports, the airport management division of Rigby Group plc having been acquired in June 2014. The airport employs 250 people.

The Airport offers direct scheduled flights to Amsterdam (with connections to over 600 destinations worldwide), Aberdeen, Alicante, Edinburgh, Exeter, Guernsey, Jersey, Malaga and Manchester. Connections through Manchester enable passengers to reach Belfast, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Inverness and many more.

Holiday flights operate to the Balearic and Canary Islands, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and Italy.

The scheduled airlines and charter operators currently active from the Airport are:

KLM, Eastern Airways, bmi regional, Flybe and Loganair Thomson, Thomas Cook, Balkan Holidays, Newmarket Holidays and Omega Holidays

The airport is a key hub for the southern North Sea offshore oil and gas industry. Four major offshore helicopter operators are based at the airport. These are Bristow, Bond, CHC and NHV. Last year 100,000 passengers travelled offshore from the Airport.

About Rigby Group plc

Rigby Group plc is the parent company for a portfolio of family-owned and highly successful businesses operating across Europe and the Middle East. Diversifying from its origins as a principally technology-led business, Rigby Group plc has evolved over four decades- through smart, strategic acquisitions – into a £2bn British success story employing over 7,500 people.

Rigby Group comprises six key divisions: Technology (SCC – Europe’s largest independent IT services business), Airports (Regional & City Airports, Norwich Airport, Exeter Airport and Coventry Airport), Hotels (the Eden Hotel Collection), Real Estate (Rigby & Rigby superprime property development, Rigby Group Real Estate including Imperial Park, Coventry), Aviation (British International Helicopters and Capital Air Ambulance), and Finance (Rigby Private Equity, Rigby Investments and Rigby Capital).

About Regional & City Airports (RCA)

Regional & City Airports (RCA) is Rigby Group’s highly-innovative airport management company. RCA owns and operates Norwich Airport, Exeter Airport and Coventry Airport, holds management contracts for Blackpool International Airport, City of Derry Airport and Lee on Solent airfield, and is actively building its portfolio of owned or managed airport assets across the next five years.

Regional airports are vitally important to the economic development of regions, not just in the UK but across the world. To survive and prosper, smaller regional airports need to cooperate and collaborate – enabling them to benefit from the economies of scale and sharing of best practice traditionally enjoyed by larger hub airports. This is the vision behind RCA.

RCA has built a reputation as an efficient, safe and commercially-savvy airport operator, driving improvements to route development, commercial revenues, operating costs and capital investment in order to deliver a consistently sound commercial return. As RCA grows it is increasingly able to leverage significant buying power and shared expertise. Already employing more than 650 people, RCA is on its way to becoming a leading player in the regional airport sector and is taking advantage of the lack of capacity at major hub airports in the UK to demonstrate how regional airports can ease the strain.

For more information contact:

Judy Groves, Marketing Director, Rigby Group Plc, judy@rigbygroupplc.com, 07850 622488

OR

Jason Clark, DCA Public Relations, jason.clark@dca-pr.co.uk, 01208-77900, 07980-834368

Aston Shaw, the fastest growing accountancy firm in East Anglia, are proud to announce that the firm has been shortlisted for three awards in the British Accountancy Awards 2016.

The British Accountancy Awards (BAA) are now in their sixth year, and in this time the BAA awards have become the most prestigious and widely entered national awards of their kind. The awards seek to recognise the top accounting firms across the UK, and Aston Shaw is extremely proud to be shortlisted for both the ‘Independent Firm of the Year – East, England’, ‘Most Socially Responsible Practice’, ‘Most Innovative Practice (Independent Firm’).

Mark Noakes, Director, commented: “It’s great to see to see the firm shortlisted for all three of the awards we applied for. The British Accountancy Awards are widely regarded as the industry’s most prestigious accolades – and to see our achievements recognised at this level is truly fantastic.”

In order to be shortlisted for these awards, Aston Shaw had to provide real evidence of excellence within the industry. The firm had to produce evidence of its profitability, growth, measurable success, professionalism, innovation, as well as showcasing its commitment to the welfare and support of employees and the wider community.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony, which will take place on 29 November at The Brewery in central London. For more information on the ceremony, please visithttps://www.britishaccountancyawards.co.uk/

The Best Employers Eastern Region 2016 Awards conference will take place on Thursday 6 October at Hengrave Hall in Bury St Edmunds, celebrating the region’s best places to work and featuring guest speakers from high profile organisations discussing leadership, culture and its impact on business performance.

The Best Employer Eastern Region Awards will be presented as part of the ongoing business support initiative which was launched in 2012 by professional recruitment specialists Pure and people development and psychometrics experts eras ltd. This year, the award for the region’s Best Overall Large Employer will be sponsored by leading East of England law firm Birketts. Further awards will also be presented to the region’s Best Overall Small Employer (organisations with less than 50 employees) and organisations that excel in Customer Focus, Employee Engagement and Innovation.

The event will bring together business leaders from across the region and employers from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire will share ideas and gain inspiration and tips to increase engagement. The guest speakers have been confirmed as Chantal Misquitta from AstraZenca, Daemmon Reeve from Treatt plc, Norman Pickavance and James Brown from Grant Thornton and business transformation consultant Steve Turpie speaking about his work with Accenture, as well as Bright Stars, one of the nominated charities benefiting from the ticket sales of the event.

Lynn Walters, co-founder and director at Pure, said: “The conference will celebrate the breadth of employers we have in our region and will also be a fantastic opportunity to hear from leaders at some of the region’s most high-performing organisations. Each of one of these businesses is very different with varying people, culture and engagement challenges. The aim of these events is to create a forum to share new ideas, problem solve challenges and to bring together leading employers to share their experiences and best practice. We are also delighted to have Birketts, our 2012 sponsors, continuing to support us again this year. We partner with Birketts on several events and initiatives, including employment law seminars and regional diversity events, and we are proud to work with them on this important initiative as well.”

Representatives from Birketts will attend the event to present the Best Overall Large Employer Award and to also take part in the discussions which aim to strengthen the region’s economy by supporting local businesses to attract and develop talented employees.

Jeanette Wheeler, Partner and Head of Employment Law, Birketts, said: “We’ve always been great advocates of the correlation between employee engagement and business success. We know that our own reputation relies on the qualities of our people and we believe that workplaces should be challenging and rewarding, but above all, enjoyable. Our region is a great place to work and to do business, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to help celebrate our fantastic employers and to share best practice.”

The award winning organisations will be selected based on the results from participants in the 2016 Best Employers Eastern Region Survey. The employee survey, provided free of charge as part of the initiative, is tailored for each business and uncovers the true perception of an organisation by asking its employees. It also captures the data employers need to monitor how engaged their employees are and to gain a better understanding of the perceived workplace culture.

Margaret Burnside, Director of People Development at eras ltd, said: “The survey allows us to bring a little science to what might seem a subjective judgement. The Best Employer Eastern Region Awards are presented to the organisations which have the highest overall scores. Each participating organisation will also have received a free tailored report, an action plan for guidance and access to regional trends. The event is a great opportunity to discuss the overall findings and results and to see how our region compares on a national and global scale.”

The event will also help to raise money for two local charities, with £15 per ticket being donated to Brightstars and Upbeat Heart in West Suffolk. Upbeat Heart is a support group set up by ex-cardiac patients to help those who have had heart attacks or other heart-related problems. Brightstars, founded by guest speaker Steve Turpie, supports disabled children and young people in Bury St Edmunds. Delegates will have the chance to hear the inspiring story of how Brightstars was founded, its first year to date, and how previous donations from Best Employers Eastern Region events have helped to support the charity’s work.

For more information, or to book a place at the Best Employers Eastern Region Awards and Conference, visitwww.best-employers.co.ukor email bestemployers@prs.uk.com.