Three of our lovely leopards have been nominated at the forthcoming Norfolk Women’s Marketing (NWM) Awards 2024.
The NWM Awards were created to mark the second anniversary of Norfolk Women’s Marketing Network CIC. One of its primary values is empowerment, which the organisation aims to promote by celebrating the talent in the region. Seven award categories span every seniority, industry, and story. Shortlisted nominees will be announced on 3rd July 2024. Take a peek at what our pawsome team has been nominated for here
Looking to re-do your marketing strategy or need some general advice? We have released three weekly 30 minute slots to provide free marketing consultations for Norfolk businesses. Read more here
Age UK Norwich and Panacea Pause are thrilled by the success of their Navigating Menopause programme. Designed to empower women with the knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges of menopause, the programme has transformed the lives of countless participants. Read more here
Greater Anglia has launched a brand-new video and blog series that will give passengers a peek behind the curtain of one of the largest train operators in the country. Read more here
Ed’s journey from a Caterham road car enthusiast to a competitive racer took a thrilling turn during his first official race weekend. With a novice cross sticker proudly displayed on his car, signalling his entry into the world of motorsport, Ed embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and determination.
The race weekend at Snetterton was packed with new experiences for Ed, from the initial briefing with the Clerk of the Course to meeting the Caterham Graduates Racing Club’s Drivers Standards teams. The process of acclimating to competitive practice sessions, qualifying, and two races was a steep learning curve, but Ed handled it with impressive composure.
By his second race, Ed was fully in his element. His performance reached new heights as he clocked his fastest ever lap around Snetterton. The pinnacle of his debut weekend came when he won the ‘Millisecond Award’ for the closest finish, edging out Rob Appleton by just 0.054 seconds!
It’s remarkable to think that just six months ago, Ed had never been on track. Thanks to Alpha 7’s tailored driver development programme, he has rapidly advanced from a passionate enthusiast to a competitive driver. The focus now shifts to the next challenge: the Anglesey round in Wales. Ed is eager to tackle this new circuit and plans to maximise his simulator training to prepare.
Congratulations to Ed on a stellar start to his racing career! For anyone inspired by Ed’s success and looking to dive into motorsport, Alpha 7 offers personalised training programmes to help you achieve your driving and racing dreams. Get in touch to learn more about how we can support your journey.
We wanted to share this new case study because it’s a great story that shows how positive results can come out the darkest times. Our client Happy Hot Tubs are one of Britain’s biggest hot tub dealers, their success has been built over three decades importing high end hot tubs from the US. Responsibility for import procedures belongs to Vicky Tudor, the company’s Office and Projects Manager and the story starts when Covid hit the UK in 2021 The problem The Covid pandemic created a problem for Happy Hots Tubs (HHT) that many other businesses would have been delighted to share. Lockdown meant people were stuck at home and HHT’s order book quickly filled to bursting. Many readers will remember the problems of obtaining product from abroad during COVID, pressures that brought home to Vicky the importance of smooth, efficient import processes, and a recognition that HHT’s procedures needed looking at. Just at this point HMRC asked some difficult questions about commodity codes used on import documentation for the company’s growing range of accessories and parts. As most import professionals know, commodity codes can be a grey area so Vicky decided HHT needed to bring in an expert and contacted Tracey Renshaw at Import Export Support. The solution Discussions between Vicky and Tracey showed that it was time to relook at HHT’s import procedures from the ground up. A root and branch review was carried out to map the company’s activities, processes and responsibilities. Then Vicky and Tracey developed a new series of step by step procedures, designed to give Vicky and her team complete control over the import system. Alongside this work, detailed discussions started with HMRC over commodity code allocation and applications went in for Advance Tariff Rulings (ATFs) on the most important codes. The results HHT now has detailed written plans for the entire import process which outline who, why, what and when for each step. Vicky says: “We now have full written documented processes, systems for allocating commodity codes and a much better understanding of HMRC’s requirements” Along with this, HMRC approval on ATFs gives Vicky confidence when applying commodity codes, and continuity across all the Clearing Agencies handling their imports. Systematic checks on all Clearing Agency declarations mean issues can be raised immediately, avoiding financial surprises further down the line and improving cost-control. The new import procedure also includes processes to apply for Preferential Duty (PD) on goods from countries with UK trade agreements, potentially saving considerable sums every year. Vicky sums up by saying: “Now we have the confidence we’re operating correctly and, when HMRC come back to us to check shipments, we’re in a much more positive place. Thankfully we found Tracey. I don’t think we could have gone through the process with HMRC without her.”
As peak season draws closer, leading operational logistics and fulfilment supplier, King’s Lynn based Southgate Global, has – once again – seen a spike in demand for its servicing offer as organisations recognise the importance of equipment readiness in order to stay ahead. October through to January is the busiest time of the year in the logistics industry. The period marks a prime opportunity for those in e-commerce as well as retail, as sales skyrocket, with a total of £13.3 billion spent by UK consumers in 2023 on Black Friday alone[1]. As organisations look to capitalise on increased capacity and avoid downtime during this key period for the supply chain, Southgate has seen an increasing number of customers turn to them for specialist repairing, servicing and maintenance support. On why preparation for peak is key, John Maher, Head of Technical Services at Southgate Global, said: “All it takes is for a single cart, trolley or strapping, wrapping or taping machine to break down and the entire process is disrupted. “This is why a planned maintenance programme that ensures the reliability and availability of material handling and packing equipment is so important. This acts as a preventative action, to capture any malfunctions early, anticipate equipment failure, spot components that are beginning to fail and avoid any potential major disruptions to the operation and packing and delivery process.” With over 40 technicians across the UK and Europe, servicing and repairing over 3000 machines per week, Southgate’s Technical Services offer is a major player in its repair and maintenance solutions and prides itself on its ability to keep customers fully operational. With the specific tools and knowledge to take care of a customer’s entire inventory of packing and material handling equipment, regardless of manufacturer, Maher explained how Southgate’s servicing team are in even greater in demand in the run-up to, and during, peak season. He said: “With every service visit we give our customers peace of mind, and that reassurance is ever more vital before entering a period of increased demand. Our specialist technicians work closely with our customers well in advance of predicted peaks to ensure they won’t be faced with equipment downtime. “And while this preventative action is essential, unexpected equipment breakdowns can’t always be avoided. For when those moments do inevitably occur, having to hand an ‘on demand’ trusted and skilled service and maintenance team can make all the difference in getting a business rapidly moving again.” Maher explained that many customers come to them for the first time with an acute need, whilst some others who have anticipated the peak, call them in advance of equipment failure but still on an ad hoc basis. Most of those organisations that use Southgate’s ‘on demand’ service then go on to capitalise on the benefits of a planned regular maintenance programme. Either way, a lot of customers don’t even realise that certain equipment can be repaired, most notably with carts and trolleys. By working closely with customers, in 2023 alone, Southgate repaired over 175,000 carts and trolleys, reducing capital expenditure and total cost of ownership, extending product life and, at the same time, contributing to those organisations ESG goals by repairing rather than replacing product. While most peak planning happens months in advance, Southgate is reminding organisations that it’s not too late to get peak support and prepare for the increased capacity by ensuring vital equipment is in fully operational condition. Maher said: “It doesn’t matter how big, or small, the equipment or machinery is, ensuring it is maintained, serviced and repaired is crucial as time is of the essence during peak. Making the investment to stay on top of this is a must and without it, you’re leaving it to chance, which also puts your customer promise at risk.” For more support, download Southgate’s checklist on how to prepare for peak here.
Guests will be able to book a day at the famous Hethel facility to include factory tours and use of our business space; or to go further, a track day experience in the brand-new Lotus Emira.
To enquire about this new offering to our business partners, please contact:
Health and wellbeing is an important part of working life and overall most businesses are prioritising staff care which is great to see but what do you class as important and what is just ‘nice to have’? Too often when businesses are having to look closely at finances and budgets, areas such as training and workplace wellbeing are often the first to feel the force of ‘cutting back’. But is this really cost effective in the long run? Read more here
Bring your friends and family for our highly requested Open Day at Little Massingham Manor! A perfect opportunity for you to take a look around the beautiful meadows, woodland and manicured gardens of the Manor, as well as taking a peek at our enchanting Woodland Spa and brand new studio where we host our exciting events and workshops! Meet some friendly local businesses who we work closely with to curate the most memorable Norfolk experience when you stay with us.
-Please arrive between 9am and 5pm. -Free entry and parking. -No dogs.
Lucas & Wyllys Solicitors have been shortlisted for the Best Law Firm – Paralegal Development Award at the National Paralegal Awards 2024. This is a huge honour for us and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team. What is the NPA Best Law Firm Paralegal Development Award? The Best Law Firm – Paralegal Development Award is given to a law firm that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the training and development of its paralegals. This prestigious recognition highlights firms that go above and beyond in fostering a supportive and enriching environment where paralegals can thrive both personally and professionally. Our Commitment to Paralegal Development At Lucas & Wyllys, paralegals are crucial to our success. That’s why we are dedicated to providing ongoing training and development opportunities that not only enhance their skills but also inspire their growth. Here’s how we’re making a difference:
Comprehensive Training: We offer a range of training that covers both foundational skills and advanced legal concepts, ensuring our paralegals are well-prepared to tackle any challenge.
Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. Our diverse team brings unique perspectives that enrich our practice and our client services.
Career Development: We encourage our paralegals to pursue further education and certifications.
Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of work-life balance and strive to create a flexible and supportive work environment that promotes overall well-being.
The Impact on Client Services By investing in the development of our paralegals, we ensure that our clients receive exceptional service. Our well-trained and motivated paralegals play a crucial role in delivering high-quality legal support, contributing to the overall success of our firm and satisfaction of our clients. Looking Forward We are incredibly proud to be recognised for our efforts in paralegal development. Being shortlisted is not just an acknowledgment of our past achievements but also a motivation to continue our commitment to excellence. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way, especially our fantastic paralegal team whose hard work and dedication have made this possible. As we look forward to the awards ceremony on 5th September at the Burlington Hotel, Birmingham, we remain dedicated to fostering a positive and growth-oriented environment for all our team members. Here’s to more milestones and successes in the future!