Member News

Andy Mackay, Operations Director at KLM UK Engineering attendedthe Norwich Venta Probus Club as a speaker during April. The club is formed from retired professional business people and meets monthly at Park Farm Hotel, each meeting a different speaker presents.Andy gave a presentation about KLM UK Engineering and its products which range from aircraft maintenance to technical training, with disassembly of aircraft taking place too.

We would like to thank Peter Townroe, Club President & his colleagues for the £25 donation to a charity of our choice, which is East Anglian Air Ambulance.

KLM UK Engineering has been supporting the Air Ambulance for a number of years and makes regular donations from charity events.

Saturday 18th April, KLM UK Engineering organisedan Aviation Apprentice Event in Norwich to promote Engineering Apprenticeship courses in conjunction with City College Norwich & Aviation Skills Partnership. We were lucky to have support during the day from Simon Wright MP& Chloe Smith MP.

City College Norwich & KLM UK Engineering have recently joined forces to deliver an Aviation Engineering Course as part of the Norwich International Aviation Academy, which has recently gained government funding. This event is the first joint promotion for the aviation engineering courses and will fully explain the new concept moving forward and how it will link into the Aviation Academy.

KLM UK Engineering has long been committed in the development of aviation education for young people in Norfolk & the UK and looks forward to welcoming budding engineers through its doors.

More than 150 peopleattended the event where they had the chance to visit the facilities, learn about the company, meet the staff and ask questions about the programme, which provides four years of academic and practical tuition to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Mechanic.

KLM UK Engineering’s apprenticeship involvement has been running successfully for more than 25 years. Arjan Meijer, Managing Director for KLM UK Engineering said:’The new Apprenticeship setup will take the full benefit of the partnership between CCN, ASP& KLMUKE and form the new NIAA facility from September 2016. I am delighted by the interest today of the potential students visiting our event and look forward to welcoming them to this new exciting programme’.

Corrienne Peasgood, Principal City College Norwich (CCN) – ‘Seeing young people inspired by the facilities, the opportunities & the possibility of a career in this dynamic industry was fantastic. This was careers advice & guidance at its best; committed employer, industry experts, student & staff all working together to explain the pathways to the visitors’.

Simon Witts, Aviation Skills Partnership (ASP) – ‘The event has really helped to embed the NIAA into the new approach to Aviation Engineering spearheaded by KLM UK Engineering and its partners. We now have a really strong platform to take this project through to completion and to achieve the fulfilment of the career aspirations for people of all ages.’

Chloe Smith MP – ‘I’m incredibly proud to see KLM UK Engineering and the all-new NIAA presenting together today and attracting our city’s young people into engineering. As the founder of Norwich for Jobs, I know how important it is to offer people such opportunities. I support the NIAA because it will give Norwich national & international prominence in a highly skilled industry. Working together, we secured government backing for it which goes straight into students’ futures’.

The RT Hon Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs & Chloe Smith MP visited our facilities yesterday at Norwich. They had a chance to discuss the shortage of skilled aircraft labour nationally & internationally, the launch of the Norwich International Aviation Academy and one of our newest products Virtual Learning Environment. There was a chance for a quick tour of the facility and a chance for them to see the inside of an aircraft in maintenance.

The Norfolk business community is continuing to support East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) nook appeal to build a new purspose built children’s hospice in the heart of Norfolk with Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club being the latest company to sign up for the nook business network.

This new corporate scheme asks companies small, medium and large throughout Norfolk to commit to raising either £10,000, £15,000 or £25,000 over the duration of the appeal in return for a number of benefits and support that the charity will provide.

Following the nook appeal launch event at the Norfolk Showground in November, staff at Sprowston Manor unanimously voted to select the charity and in particular the appeal, by committing to fundraise to achieve a target of at least £10,000.

The team at Sprowston Manor have come up with a number of fantastic fundraising ideas and to kick things off have recently held “The Great Gatsby Charity Ball” which has raised a fantastic amount of at least £6,500.

Andrew Dickson, General Manager, Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club, Norwich said: “We are delighted to be supporting the (EACH) nook appeal in 2015. We will be hosting a number of fantastic events and our Hotel team have established a fundraising calendar for initiatives throughout 2015 to support this inspirational project.”

Gary Cook, the nook appeal corporate fundraiser, said: “We’re delighted Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club have decided to support our nook appeal and the hotel’s 100+ staff are committed to raising a significant amount of money to help make our vision of a new children’s hospice in heart of Norfolk a reality.

“To achieve our aims we need the backing and support of the whole of the Norfolk Community – individuals, community groups, schools and of course businesses, so this support from Marriott is fantastic and we look forward to working with them.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the appeal or the nook business network should contact the Norfolk Fundraising Team on 01603 666767 or funding@each.org.uk and for more information about Sprowston Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club visit www.marriott.co.uk

More choice, more variety and local routes for East Anglia’s sun seekers

Thomson and First Choice increase capacity from Norwich Airport by introducing a new route for local holiday makers

Thomson and First Choice are pleased to announce that in summer 2016 they will be increasing capacity at Norwich airport through the introduction of a new route to Paphos, Cyprus.

The move to introduce this new route is part of the UK’s leading holiday company’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the best hotels in some of the most exciting destinations. The new route will go sale on the 23rd April 2015.

Not only will customers from Norwich be able to fly to some fantastic destinations, but they will also have the opportunity to choose varying durations – not just the standard seven and 14 night stays. Customers travelling from the airport will also have access to some of Thomson and First Choice’s most popular flagship hotels including Thomson’s Sensatori Resort Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus – new for summer 2015 and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and home to an award winning spa, family swim up rooms and a range of restaurants

Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning for Thomson and First Choice, said of the move: “Adding more capacity from East Anglia with the introduction of a new route to Paphos, Cyprus demonstrates our commitment to Norwich Airport and the local area. Following the success of the additional summer 2015 flights, we know that further demand is there.

“Expanding access to our portfolio of destinations and hotels is a key part of our overall strategy and we hope that this move will enhance the holiday experience for our customers.”

Richard Pace, Operations Director & General Manager of Norwich International Airport commented: “We are delighted that Thomson and First Choice have announced the new flight to Paphos, Cyprus for summer 2016 offering local holidaymakers more choice from their local airport. This decision further demonstrates their commitment to the airport and reflects the high level of demand from customers wishing to fly from Norwich.

TUI UK & IRELAND

TUI UK and Ireland is the UK’s largest tour operator with key brands including Thomson, First Choice, and Thomson Cruises. Sub brands include Thomson Sensatori, Thomson Couples, Thomson Family Resorts, First Choice Holiday Villages and SplashWorld Resorts.

TUI UK and Ireland’s airline, Thomson Airways is the UK’s third largest airline with 57 aircraft operating to over 73 destinations in 20 countries. Thomson Airways was the first airline in the UK to take delivery of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and is flying the aircraft on long haul flights.

TUI UK and Ireland employ a team of 13,300 employees and serve over 5.2 million customers each year.

TUI UK & Ireland is a member of the TUI AG group of companies.

UK regional airline, LinksAir, commences the new Cardiff-Norwich air service on Monday 20th April, also connecting from and to Anglesey which adds to a significant growth of over 30% in passenger numbers for the first quarter of 2015 on the Intra-Wales air service Linskair took over in January.

The new air-link between Cardiff Airport and Norwich International in East Anglia commences at 10:20 AM Monday morning, linking Cardiff , Swansea, Newport and the South Wales region and also via the onward connection, Anglesey and North Wales, to the East Anglian counties of Norfolk and Suffolk with competitive air fares from just £59.00 one-way including all taxes and charges.

The return Norwich-Cardiff-Anglesey services will depart Norwich International at a well-timed 2:20 PM, saving significantly in time by over 4-hours on existing rail or road journey times to both regions alongside cost savings on the current difficult cross-country journey so many have to endure.

This new Norwich service commences as the Cardiff-Anglesey Intra-Wales air service showed a significant 45% increase in passenger numbers for the month of March compared to 2014, with 1145 passengers using the link to Anglesey, the highest number in a single month since June 2009. This follows both January and February also being significantly above the previous year and has seen in the first quarter 2787 use the service, almost 700 more than 2014, a growth of over 25% since Linksair took over the air service from the former operator.

LinksAir Commercial Manager, Roger Hage, added “We are delighted at LinksAir with the initial response to us taking over the Cardiff-Anglesey service and already carrying such increased passenger numbers. Adding the new daily weekday Norwich service will add further to the destinations available from and to Wales helping business and leisure accessibility to the East Anglia region to both North and South Wales..

Norwich Airport Chief Executive Andrew Bell commented “The introduction of the Cardiff route and the new onward connection to Anglesey is another positive step in the airport’s strategy to deliver regional connectivity to both leisure and business travelers as it will not only benefit those working within the energy sector but other industries and those wishing to travel to visit friends and relatives in Wales.”

The East of England and its Norfolk and Suffolk coast is one of the UK’s busiest in the energy sector, especially with gas and offshore renewable developments. Linksair have even added a specific extra flight on the 21st May to allow delegates and exhibitors to return to Norfolk following the Renewable Wales conference in Cardiff.

Flights are available to book at www.linksair.com or via 0844 8002411 or via your local travel agent on all GDS systems as Flexflight. A special “launch” fare of £99 return to Cardiff or £139 to Anglesey is available.

Ends.

Despite considerable efforts from the Government it would appear that businesses are not heeding the warnings and are delaying their transition to auto enrolment systems from any existing pension provision.

The Pensions Regulator produces a quarterly compliance report and the latest edition highlights an increase in the number of fixed penalties being issued for non-compliance with the new pension rules.

It is likely that these numbers will rise over the next few months as the deadlines (staging date) for many smaller and medium sized businesses to comply approaches.

It is clear, from this evidence that businesses are underestimating the time they need to prepare for auto enrolment. Six months is regarded as the bare minimum.

Many more businesses will come under the new pension rules this year. If this is going to have an impact on your business, it’s important to know exactly what you have to do to ensure that you don’t fall foul of the rules or miss your staging date.

As members of Norfolk Chamber we felt it remiss not to provide businesses the opportunity to improve their knowledge of this complicated process and so we have adapted our seminars to become a Chamber Session.

You can find out about the free training session here

For more details about auto enrolment click here

For an informal chat about your auto enrolment requirements please call David Perry on 01603 218388 or Dee on 01603 218027

Business Growth Consultant Emma Gooderham teams up with Naked Element

Norwich based Naked Element have joined forces with Director of Gooderham Consulting Ltd’s, Emma Gooderham to help define a strategy for business growth over the coming months.

Working on a contract consultative basis, Emma will help the technology business identify and engage with prospective clients and develop a longer term business development strategy.

Naked Element’s co-Director Paul Grenyer explains “We’ve teamed up with Emma with a view to her helping us define the business and where we want to go and how we can get there. We chose Emma in particular as we liked her structured approach, we’d met at a networking event in the past and when I started thinking about teaming up with a business development professional Emma was recommended by a peer. So on the back of both of those we chose to work with Emma. She was immediately engaged and very early on it was clear that she knew what she was doing.”

Naked Element have enjoyed many successes with both the regional and national tech communities as well as developing products for household names. As Paul describes “Matt, my co-director, and I are techies at heart. We love what we do and know how to do it well but when it comes to business development and marketing ourselves, not only are we busy with client work but, we felt we needed a steer from someone with specific experience in exactly that”.

Emma has a proven track record in helping businesses identify opportunities for growth and helping companies understand their offering in comparison with other products and services, and perhaps most importantly, how to then communicate this to the market. With a background in running a software development company for 7 years as the Managing Director, Emma built up an impressive knowledge of not only running a business but the regulations, process and a range of requirements involved in bringing a product to market. She has spent the last year carrying out consulting projects from startups to established business, identifying opportunities and barriers to growth and putting firm business and growth plans in place.

Emma comments “Naked Element’s service has demonstrable client benefits and when I first discussed the project with Paul, I immediately felt that I wanted to help spread the word about the advantages of their methodology. Coming from a software industry background, I knew this might be challenging, but I am completely engaged with what they are trying to do.”

Based in Whitespace, the collaborative space for Norwich’s digital businesses, Naked Element provide a comprehensive service for the design and build of cross platform mobile apps, web applications, and enterprise software solutions. For more information on Naked Element’s service go to www.nakedelement.co.uk or follow them on twitter @NakedElement

A simple adaptor could transform TV viewing and gaming for colour-blind people – thanks to research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The innovative Eye2TV adapter, launched today by UEA spin-out companySpectral Edge, enhances video content – making it easier for colour-blind people to distinguish between red and green and making on-screen objects more visible.

The new adapter works with video sources such as cable or satellite set top boxes, DVD players or games consoles.

It is initially available via aKickstartercampaign, and the company hopes to raise £100,000 through pre-order sales and donations from supporters in order to bring the adapter to market.

Around four per cent of the world’s population suffers from colour-blindness.

Their viewing experience is particularly affected when watching particular content types. For example, it can be difficult to tell sports teams apart, particularly if one is playing in red and the other in green, while programmes about wildlife, cookery and art are severely impacted.

Playing video games which feature predominantly red or green characters and those with subtle colour differences between good guys and monsters is also difficult.

Colour-deficient people may find it difficult to tell the teams apart

The Eye2TV adaptor works with any HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) video source, such as a DVD player, games console or set top box. It connects between the video source and the display, which can be an HD TV or monitor with an HDMI input.

How the Eye2TV adaptor will look when installed

The video is then enhanced on a frame-by-frame basis through Spectral Edge’s patented Eyeteq image enhancement technology, offering a dramatically improved viewing experience.

Based on research from UEA’sSchool of Computer Sciences, Eyeteq uses mathematical perception models to modify image colours. Uniquely, Eye2TV does this with minimal impact on the image seen by those who do not have colour blindness – enabling both to watch the same screen together.

The picture quality can be adjusted via remote control to suit the unique colour-vision of the individual viewer. And an iOS and Android app will also be developed.

Christopher Cytera, managing director of Spectral Edge, said: “The inability to enjoy watching TV or to play video games alongside friends and family is a major frustration to those suffering from colour-blindness, significantly impacting their quality of life.

“Our image enhancement technology is proven to solve this major accessibility issue, and the Eye2TV adapter is poised to transform how colour-blind people, and their families, watch TV and video content.

“By launching the project on Kickstarter we can accelerate bringing our technology to the consumer electronics market, giving those with colour-blindness the chance to become early adopters and improve their viewing experience.”

Provided that adequate funds are raised by the deadline June 13, Eye2TV will be developed in 2015, for production and shipment worldwide by March 2016. To find out more, advance purchase an adapter or to make a pledge visit theirKickstarterpage.

Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure) wants more professional women in the East of England to progress into leadership roles so the firm has teamed up with Christina Youell at People & Performance Ltd to run a great development programme for senior women.

Many women face barriers which prevent their career progression. Tackling such obstacles can be very challenging, and by participating in our innovativeWomen’s Leadership Programme(WLP), women can receive essential development and support, specifically designed for women.

Sponsored place

Additional support for women is available thanks to a 50%-funded place on WLP. Sponsored by the Blossom Charity, which helps women build their confidence and skills, the place is on the next course in Cambridgeshire taking place in two parts in June and September. Women from SMEs, start ups, not for profit or charities can apply for the place, and other non-funded places are also available (see below for more details).

“This is the third time I have sponsored a place on the Women’s Leadership Programme,” says Bridget McIntyre, Founder of the Blossom Charity. “As a business woman myself I aim to help other women develop the confidence to go for senior roles, while remaining true to who they are and managing a positive work-life balance. I am very much looking forward to meeting the delegate on the next course in June.”

Mentoring helps breakdown barriers

WLP provides women with the opportunity to explore their own leadership style, build a future career plan, and develop the confidence to deliver it, and ultimately increase their chances of performing at senior executive level in the future.

“What makes WLP unique and so effective is the opportunity for delegates to work with sponsors from their own organisations,” explains Christina Youell, WLP Co-founder and Director of People & Performance. “This approach means that, together, they can identify and tackle obstacles at work that could prevent women reaching executive or board level.”

Lynn Morgan, CEO of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity previously sponsored a delegate on a recent programme . She remarks: “The Women’s Leadership Programme has been of tremendous value to Donna Talbot, who has been promoted to Director of Fundraising and Marketing at the charity. It was clear that Donna was a very capable and a natural leader, but I have been delighted with the way that the programme has given her 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 benefited significantly by being involved.”

Immensely rewarding

Started in 2014, the programme is already having an impact. Over the last year, 24 women have completed the course, with some going on to secure directorships.

Katrina Gardiner, Senior Policy Officer at Suffolk County Council, is one of those graduates. She says: “I just wanted to say how rewarding I have found the course and how grateful I am that I have had this opportunity to develop as a leader and contribute to the development of the other women on the course. It has been immensely rewarding all-round.”

Women’s development can help increase salaries

Women’s leadership development is also essential in helping women secure the same salaries as their male counterparts, and there is still plenty of scope for improvement.

According to recent statistics taken fromCompare My Salary, the UK’s only live salary comparison website, men in the East of England earn an average of £46,900 – that is £14,600 more than women. In addition, on average, more men than women are unhappy with their current salary, and they expect an average of an additional £8,200 in a new job, whereas women only expect an additional £5,100. This would suggest that as well as there being fewer women in senior-level jobs, they also have lower expectations when it comes to their earning potential.

How to apply

If you would like to tackle such obstacles on your own career path, register for the programme taking place on June 24thand 25that Tuddenham Mill and September 15thand 16that Paddocks House

To apply for the sponsored place, simply email a copy of your CV with a brief overview of how you and your organisation would benefit from WLP to:lucy@prs.uk.com.

The deadline for applications and registrations is Monday April 20th.

For further information, call Pure on 01223 209888 or emaillucy@prs.uk.com.

A quantity of SSCS Weighted Frond Mats were supplied to Bibby Offshore Singapore on behalf of Total Myanmar for installation along one of their pipelines on the Yadana field in the Andaman Seato provide freespan rectification and future protection from scour in water depths of approximately 50m.

Bibby Offshore executed the deployment of the Mats from the DP2 ROV support vessel, Bibby Spring, utilising the SSCS installation frame and the Quasar Work Class ROV. The ROV was able to manipulate the Frame subsea without any issue, and deployment of the Mats was executed within the allocated time frame; a total of 2 days was allocated for Frond Mat installation, and the full quantity were deployed in under 24 hours.

Initial feedback from Bibby following Mat deployment indicates that “Total are happy with the installation”.

Cooper Lomaz have signed an exclusive Managed Service agreement with Kinnerton Confectionery,Britain’s largest independent manufacturer of chocolate confectionery. Cooper Lomaz willrecruit all salaried and professional roles for the company’s flagship site in Fakenham, Norfolk.

The agreement means that Kinnerton will have all theirhiring needs filled in a simple, hassle-free way. Cooper Lomaz will market all of their vacancies, seek out the best candidates and thoroughly screen them against the job description before presenting them to Kinnerton for interview.

Why is this important? It lets the busy staff at Kinnerton get on with doing what they do best, making delicious chocolate!

While Kinnerton are famous worldwide for their character-themed items (e.g. Advent Calendars and Easter Eggs), they are also known for their commitment to manufacturing allergen-free products. Half of their factory is completely nut free, with a wall and airlock separating it from the ‘nut-zone’. They also make egg free, dairy free, and gluten free confectionery.

Aftereverything was official, representatives from Cooper Lomaz visitedthe factory siteto speakwithKinnerton again and discuss how best to help grow their business by attracting the very best talent (and have a factory tour!). After all, they are the current holders of the EDP Business Awards – Best Employer 2014 tile. It was decided that to make the most of their award winning track record and, in addition to providing their benchmark recruitment services, Cooper Lomaz would undertake a marketing campaign to raise the awareness level of Kinnerton as an employer of choice in the food industry. This willinvolve social media, online and printed marketing, and content creation,but will also include a dedicated microsite for Kinnerton on the Cooper Lomaz website.

Overall, the aim is to make the process of hiring new staff as easy as possible for Kinnerton. Cooper Lomaz have spent time getting to know the company and its staff so that our specialist recruitment consultants can sourcehigh calibre candidates thatwill fit in with the chocolatier’s company ethos.

Want to see how we can simplify your recruitment process? Contact our Managing Director Richard Mould for an informal discussion:RMould@cooperlomaz.co.uk