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Families are being encouraged to tackle a range of fun, quirky challenges this summer and raise vital funds for charity

“We’re very excited to release details of our new Summer Family Challenge. As well as creating some fun, friendly competition during the school holiday, it’s a fantastic way to support our charity” – families are being encouraged to complete six challenges in six weeks and raise £60. Families are being encouraged to tackle a range of fun, quirky challenges this summer and raise vital funds for charity. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) has released details of its first-ever Summer Family Challenge – with the objective being to complete six challenges in six weeks and raise £60. There are a range of activities to choose from, including a sensory scavenger hunt, a recycling craft challenge and a family sports day. Others include visiting new places, trying new foods, a baking challenge, hosting a games night marathon, learning a new language or circus skill, camping out overnight, completing acts of kindness and creating a memory box. “We’re very excited to release details of our new Summer Family Challenge,” said EACH Community Fundraising Manager Tina Burdett. “As well as creating some fun, friendly competition during the six-week school holiday, it’s a fantastic way to support our charity – raising vital funds to help us continue our vital work across the region. “Anyone who signs up will receive a special fundraising pack and it’s choc-a-block with fun, quirky challenges, as well as top tips and information. “There’s something for everyone, to suit a family’s location, budget and abilities, and when you register you’ll receive a link to an online giving page. “This can be shared with family and friends to let them know you’re raising funds for EACH. Hopefully they’re kind enough to make a small donation and the goal for each family is to raise £60. “That could pay for a counsellor for three hours or a music therapist for two hours. It would also fund 30 hand and footprint kits for memory-making.” Families can register by heading here or to each.org.uk/SummerFamilyChallenge As well as receiving a fundraising pack crammed with challenge suggestions, they will also get a special chart to illustrate their progress. After completing the challenge, they will then receive a certificate. “Our challenges are family-friendly and only need resources you’ll usually find at home,” added Tina. “There’s nothing to stop a family adding their own challenge, or tweaking one of ours, and while we suggest one challenge a week, that’s only a guide. It’s up to each family to come up with a schedule that best suits their holiday plans.” For more information, email community@each.org.uk or call 01223 800807

‘Outstanding’ Bluebell Nursery expands at Langley Prep School 100 acre site

Bluebell Nursery Managers Kym Carey (left) and Meganne Smith (right) with Langley School’s outgoing Head of Nursery & Pre-Prep Allison Skipper (centre). Following the announcement at the start of the year about the expansion of Bluebell Nursery, which is part of Langley School, the ribbon has now been cut and doors are officially open. During the unveiling ceremony on Friday 5th July, more than 100 people came to see for the first time the new facilities that include a purpose-built nursery space, with a Tots Town themed village with role play and sensory learning a key focus. Based at Langley Prep School in Taverham, Bluebell Nursery was in June classified as OFSTED outstanding. Head of Nursery and Pre-Prep, Mrs Allison Skipper commented, “Bluebell Nursery has experienced a staggering amount of success, and we have expanded our provision entirely due to demand for places and the waiting list since we opened the new baby room in 2022. “The expansion takes us up to four nursery classes now; Seedlings for 6 to 16 month olds, Acorns for 16 to 24 month olds, Oaks for 2 to 3 year olds, and Woodlands for 3 to 4 year olds. “It’s thrilling to see the new facility go from concept to planning to actuality, and we’re so happy that it will now fulfil its purpose as it becomes full of little people who we know will make the most of such a super setup. “With OFSTED classifying us outstanding this year too, we couldn’t be prouder of what the staff, families and children have created at Bluebell.” Bluebell Nursery offers an all year-round nursery provision, with an option for term-time-only for those parents who have children at Langley Pre-Prep or Prep School, and it also accepts government funding from age two.

Want to go on a safari? Your chance to be involved in the new GoGoSafari charity sculpture trail before it’s too late!

The next sculpture trail for Norwich has been revealed with not one, but five majestic beasts straight from the African Savannah with everyone’s favourite the Gorilla, last seen in Norwich in 2013 alongside a new elephant, a lion, a giraffe and a rhino coming in summer 2025 – and local businesses are being encouraged to get involved before it’s too late! Delivered in partnership with Wild in Art, Zoological Society of East Anglia, Norwich Bid and Chantry Place, GoGoSafari will run for 10 weeks next summer and incorporate sculptures sponsored by local businesses and organisations. Over thirty have signed up already including Alan Boswell, Leathes Prior, Norwich City Football Club and Production Bureau. But for anyone not yet signed up, time is running out with businesses having until the end of July to secure their choice of sculpture. “We’re delighted to have all these fantastic businesses join us on GoGoSafari we’re and looking forward to working closely with them on bringing this exciting trail to Norwich and Norfolk,” comments Break Senior Partnerships and Projects Manager Pete Marron. “We have a variety of flexible sponsorship packages available and are always looking for more organisations to join our herd. It is such a great way for businesses and their teams to be involved in an inclusive public art event that is profile raising, community focused and that also has both positive social and economic impact on the region.” The trail will be bringing together a wide variety of organisations from across the county and Break are encouraging local businesses to join these sponsors and take advantage of this unique opportunity. GoGoSafari will the fifth trail that the charity will have delivered in Norwich, as well as being responsible for Cows in Cambridge in 2021 and Cambridge Standing Tall, with all proceeds going towards supporting young people from care, enabling Break to continue to be there for them, giving them opportunities so they can truly flourish and shine. For more information on the trail and how to get involved visit https://www.break-charity.org/break-trails/gogo/sponsors/

Ransomware Threats Are Surging – Here’s How to Protect Your Business

Imagine waking up one morning, turning on your computer, and finding that all your crucial files – everything from customer data to financial records – are locked. Completely inaccessible.

Then, a chilling message appears, demanding a ransom to unlock them.

This is ransomware in a nutshell. It’s a type of malicious software that hijacks your data and holds it for ransom.

It often begins with an innocent-looking email or link. You might receive an email that appears legitimate, asking you to click on a link or open an attachment.

This is known as a phishing email, where the sender pretends to be genuine but isn’t. Once you click, malicious software is silently installed on your system. From there, the cyber criminals swiftly take action.

They encrypt your files so you can’t access them. Then comes the dreaded ransom note, demanding payment in exchange for a decryption key to unlock your files. Paying the ransom is a risky move because there’s no guarantee you’ll get your data back, and it only encourages the attackers to target more victims.

2023 was particularly severe for ransomware, with attacks surging after a two-year decline. According to a report, there was a significant increase in ransomware incidents, breaking a six-year record.

One reason for this spike is the rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). This model allows cyber criminals to “rent” ransomware tools, making it easier than ever for them to launch attacks.

Consequently, more businesses are finding themselves listed on data leak sites, with a 75% increase in the number of victims between 2022 and 2023.

Ouch.

And it gets worse. Attackers are becoming more sophisticated. They’re developing new variants of old ransomware, sharing resources, and using legitimate tools for malicious purposes.

They’re also working faster, often deploying ransomware within 48 hours of gaining access to a network. They tend to strike outside of work hours, such as when you’re tucked up in bed, making it less likely they’ll be noticed.

If your business falls victim to a ransomware attack, the consequences can be devastating. You might face significant financial losses, not just from the ransom itself but also from the cost of downtime and recovery.

There’s also the risk of losing critical data if you can’t decrypt your files.

Your reputation could take a hit if customers find out their information was compromised. Moreover, your business operations could be severely disrupted, affecting your ability to serve your clients.

The crucial question then: How can you protect your business from this growing threat?

Educate your team. Ensure everyone knows how to spot phishing emails and avoid suspicious links and attachments.

Regularly back up your critical data and securely store those backups offline.

Keep your software and systems up to date with the latest security patches, and invest in strong security tools.

Limit access to your data. Only give employees access to the information they need for their jobs.

Monitor your network for unusual activity and have a plan in place to respond to incidents quickly.

If you do get hit by a ransomware attack, don’t panic. Work with cybersecurity experts (like us) to resolve the issue.

Remember, it’s best not to pay the ransom, as it only fuels the cyber criminals’ activities.

My team and I help businesses take proactive action to protect their data. If we can assist you, get in touch.

The Future of Work – Construction is the New Cool

What Are Recruiters Looking For When You’re Applying for Roles?

Let’s cut to the chase—recruiters are no longer just looking for your typical suit-and-tie, resume-touting candidate. They want the real deal. Here’s what will make you stand out in today’s job market:

  1. Skills and Experience: Sure, knowing your stuff is still key. But don’t just list your skills—show them off! Put it front and centre.
  2. Soft Skills: Think you can coast by on technical skills alone? Think again. Communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are non-negotiable. Show you’re not just a cog in the machine, but someone who makes the whole engine run smoother.
  3. Cultural Fit: Are you a match for the company’s vibe? Do your values align with theirs? Pro tip: Do your homework. If the company’s all about innovation, show how you’ve been a trailblazer in your past roles.
  4. Adaptability: The only constant is change. Whether it’s picking up new tools or shifting gears on a project, your ability to adapt is a hot commodity.
  5. Digital Know-How: In case you missed the memo, we’re in the digital age. Being savvy with the latest tech isn’t optional; it’s expected. From project management software to social media smarts, show you can handle the digital landscape.

How the Next Generation is Shaping the Construction Industry

Forget the old stereotypes of construction being all about hard hats and heavy lifting. The new generation is turning the industry on its head with some seriously cool innovations:

  1. Tech Titans: Young pros are bringing in the big guns—think AI, drones etc.. This isn’t your granddad’s construction site.
  2. Green Giants: Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword. The new kids on the block are all about eco-friendly practices, pushing for green buildings and reducing the carbon footprint. It’s not just about building; it’s about building smart.
  3. Diversity Champions: Say goodbye to the old boys’ club. The next-gen is making the industry more inclusive and diverse, ensuring a variety of voices and ideas contribute to the future of construction.
  4. Collaboration Kings and Queens: Teamwork makes the dream work. The younger crowd values collaboration and flexibility, fostering a work environment where ideas flow freely and innovation thrives.
  5. Learning Machines: Continuous improvement is the name of the game. They’re not just resting on their laurels—they’re constantly upskilling and staying ahead of the curve.

Construction: The New Sexy Industry to Be In?

Yep, you read that right. Construction is the new sexy. Here’s why it’s turning heads:

  1. Innovation Central: With smart buildings, sustainable practices, and the latest tech, construction is where innovation happens. It’s not just about laying bricks; it’s about creating the future.
  2. Impact Players: Want a job where you can literally see the fruits of your labour? Construction lets you build things that last, shaping skylines and communities.
  3. Career Bonanza: From project managers to sustainability consultants, the opportunities are endless. And guess what? The money is pretty mega too!.
  4. Dynamic Days: Ditch the cubicle. Construction offers a variety of tasks and settings, keeping things fresh and exciting.
  5. Competitive Edge: As demand for skilled workers rises, so do the perks. Competitive salaries and benefits packages are making the industry more enticing than ever.

Office Jobs Are Out, Construction Is In

The nine-to-five grind in a cubicle? So last decade. Here’s why construction is where it’s at:

  1. Real Impact: Office jobs can feel like you’re just pushing paper. In construction, you’re building something real and lasting.
  2. Health and Activity: Tired of sitting all day? Construction keeps you on the move, promoting a healthier lifestyle.
  3. Flexibility and Adventure: With opportunities to work on diverse projects in different locations, every day is an adventure.
  4. Hands-On Experience: Prefer doing over talking? Construction gives you the chance to get your hands dirty and see immediate results.
  5. Resilient Careers: Automation is coming for many office jobs, but skilled construction work? That’s not going anywhere soon.

The job market is evolving, and the construction industry is emerging as a powerhouse of innovation and opportunity. Whether you’re looking to make a big career move or just want to know where the future is headed, construction is the place to be. So gear up, get out there, and start building your future—literally.

Wingfield Consultants – Member Awards News

Wingfield Consultants have been very successul recently in gaining national and local recognition for the work they do.  They have received SEVEN wins, nominations, and shortlist positions in 2024 so far.  These are the CorporateLiveWire Global Awards 2023-24 win for Business Consultancy of the Year – UK win, The National Mentoring Awards – Excellence in Mentoring Award win (for Simon Wingfield), the SME News Business Elite Awards win for Best Business Growth Solutions Consultancy (East of England), the StartUp Awards finalist for Business Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year (East of England), the British Business Awards finalist for Small Business of the Year, the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards finalist for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year (East of England), and the Business Awards UK shortlist (for Norfolk).  Simon Wingfield, Founder of Wingfield Consultants, said: ‘These award recognitions keep rolling in this year! Our business model of 80% paying clients and 20% pro bono supporting local communities, charities, and businesses is one we have stuck to. Why? Because ‘People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe’ (Simon Sinek, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action’). These recognitions show that our model resonates with our clients and the award judges.’  News Coverage Wingfield Consultants celebrates string of industry awards | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk) Wingfield Consultants celebrates string of industry awards | Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury (wymondhamandattleboroughmercury.co.uk) Press Releases Business Awards UK 2024 – Norfolk Business Awards (Shortlisted) StartUp Awards 2024 – Business Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year East of England (Finalist) The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2024 – Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year East of England (Finalist) The British Business Awards 2024 – Small Business of the Year (Finalist)

Anglian Demolition & Asbestos announces new managing director

Photo caption: Ryan Marshall (left) has been announced as joint managing director of Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, alongside founder Lee Storer (right).

Norfolk based contracting and waste management company Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, has announced the appointment of a new managing director, as the company looks ahead to an ambitious future.

With immediate effect, Ryan Marshall, director of waste and recycling, will be promoted to joint managing director. Working alongside Lee Storer, existing managing director and founder of Anglian, Ryan will focus on driving growth in the waste business and continuing to systemise and optimise Anglian’s business divisions and support functions.

Ryan joined Anglian in September 2022 as senior environment and waste manager, before being promoted into a director role in December 2023. Anglian’s waste division is currently the fastest growing waste management company in the region, which sits alongside the business’s other specialisms including demolition, asbestos services, earthworks and scaffolding.

After a transition period of around six to nine months, Ryan is expected to assume sole managing director role in 2025, with Lee Storer becoming executive chairman where he will direct the board strategically.

Lee Storer, joint managing director of Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, said: “I am delighted to announce these senior promotions as we prepare Anglian for its next stage of development. This is an exciting step forward and reflects the Board’s ambition for growth and our desire to build an outstanding business, providing opportunities for staff to grow, develop and be part of a company that we are all proud of. Ryan has been instrumental in driving forward our waste division since joining us in 2022 and I am pleased to be working alongside him in the joint managing director role as we transition into the next phase at Anglian.”

Ryan Marshall, joint managing director of Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, said: “Anglian is a fantastic business which has been trading successfully for 17 years and has exceptional potential for future growth. I am looking forward to taking the helm with Lee as we build out our ambitions of being the contracting, waste and recycling partner of choice across East Anglia.”

Established in 2007, Anglian Demolition & Asbestos is East Anglia’s leading multi-service contractor, covering all manner of public and private projects with services including dismantling, traditional demolition, high reach demolition, scaffolding, material handling, waste management and environmental remediation. The company, which employs more than 100 staff at its premises in Attleborough, was awarded Large Business of the Year in the EDP Business Awards 2022. To find out more, see www.angliandemo.co.uk

Howes Percival advises on acquisition for US-based car group

Howes Percival advises on acquisition for US-based car retail group Another major deal for dedicated automotive team.

Howes Percival’s dedicated automotive sector team has acted for Fortune 300 US-based automotive retailer Group 1 Automotive UK Limited on its acquisition of four Mercedes-Benz dealerships at Bishop’s Stortford, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, and Stevenage from L&L Automotive.

The deal follows a series of high-profile transactions from the Automotive team, including acting for dealership groups Steven Eagell, Listers and FRF on their purchase of Motorline Limited’s entire network of 19 Toyota and Lexus dealerships last year.

The firm’s expertise in the automotive retail sector and depth of resource were again key to the success of the latest transaction.

Led by Corporate partner and head of Automotive, Tom Redman, the Howes Percival team included Corporate lawyers Ben Hancox, Bradley Johnson, Olivia Robinson and Shivani Sehmi. Marcus Carter, Graham Jones and Charlotte Harrison looked after Property, while Employment Law was handled by Hannah Pryce, Sobia Ahmad and Anna Bithrey.

Commercial law was handled by Mayoori Ravichandran, with Zara Khan and Stephen Ruse looking after IP matters. Robert Starr (Regulatory), Bilal Ehsan (Immigration) and Simon Franklin (Construction) completed the Howes Percival team.

Tom Redman commented, “We are absolutely delighted to have acted for Group 1 Automotive on this acquisition. Once again, we were glad to be able to offer the depth of resource and specialist automotive-retail knowledge necessary to deliver a multi-site transaction as we continue to support Group 1 with the expansion of its UK operations. We wish them every success as they integrate the new dealerships into their existing portfolio.”

Hill Dickinson acted for the sellers. Birketts acted for senior management. Freeths acted for MBFS. CMS acted for Bank of East Asia.

For more information on Howes Percival’s services to the automotive sector, visit: Trusted Automotive Solicitors – Howes Percival

New international scholarship to support Norfolk farmers

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to (from left to right) Dr Natasha Grist and Hileena Chloe – photo credited to Dr Johanna Forster, UEA * Poul Hoveson, Deputy President of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (and Director of Farming, Holkham Estate) with Hileena Chole. Poul formally announced Hileena’s scholarship at a ceremony at the Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday 27 June.

A new scholarship to help local farmers manage the challenges of climate change was announced at the Royal Norfolk Show last week (on Wednesday 26 June) – as part of a partnership between The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) and the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD).

The Norfolk International Scholarship, generously supported by the JC Mann Charitable Trust, provides funding for a scholar to undertake overseas research that will benefit farmers and growers in Norfolk. The scholarship has been awarded in this first year pilot phase to research student Hileena Chole. This will enable Hileena to travel overseas and look at best practice when examining the issue of water management in agriculture as part of her Master of the Arts (MA) in Agriculture and Rural Development at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Hileena attended a special reception at the Royal Norfolk Show (on Thursday 27 June) where she met His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. She said: “It was such an honour to meet The Duke of Edinburgh and we spoke for a few minutes. He was very interested to hear about the scholarship and we also spoke about the agricultural issues in Ethiopia, where I’m from. I’m excited to be first recipient of this new scholarship and it is great to be working on something that’s so interesting and of practical value to local farmers.”

The scholarship is set up to respond to urgent current issues that Norfolk farmers face and this year will look at water. Tim Papworth, irrigation practitioner, contract farmer and Chairman of the Norfolk branch of the National Farmers’ Union, said: “We need to understand how to get water in the right places at the right times. There are urgent issues in Norfolk around drought, and flooding, both of which lead to crop loss. With better planning and infrastructure, water can be stored from rainfall events for later use. We hope to use this first pilot scholar support to investigate how this is done cooperatively in other parts of Europe and bring the best of that learning back to Norfolk.”

Mark Nicholas MBE DL, Managing Director of The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, commented: “We’re delighted to have set up this new annual scholarship in partnership with the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, and with the generous support of the JC Mann Charitable Trust. With a changing climate, it’s vital that we support the next generation of leaders in agriculture to find solutions to the challenges that we face, such as water management.”

Professor Nitya Rao, Director of the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, said: “This scholarship marks our commitment to working across geographical and subject boundaries to look at how we can help famers to address practical problems. Our experts from the UEA and the internationally-renowned Norwich Research Park work closely with famers and rural communities and help support food security and sustainability.”

Native Origin Offers Unique Prize for Suffolk Mind Midsummer Celebration

Native Origin, a Norfolk-based production company, has generously donated a unique prize for the upcoming Suffolk Mind Midsummer Celebration. The lucky winner will receive a bespoke short documentary of a family member, a lasting memento to cherish for years to come.

The prize, part of Native Origin’s ‘Cinematic Micro’ package (valued at £1500), includes a 4-5 minute film and a complete interview. The documentary will be shot on cinema-grade cameras and vintage lenses, with the potential inclusion of aerial cinematography via drone, depending on the suitability of the location. A Native Origin portrait documentary is a cinematic film that captures the stories, character, and wisdom of a family member, preserving them for future generations. The aim is to vividly and beautifully capture a person’s life, showcasing their interests and defining characteristics. Julie Long, Fundraising Manager at Suffolk Mind said: “We are always grateful for any gift in kind donations for our gala event, but particularly like those where we feel they help people meet one or more of the 12 emotional needs which our approach advocates should be met roughly in balance, to stay well. James’ service, we feel, has the potential to help people meet several of these. For example, the need for connection (as they explore memories and make memories), attention (having time to reflect on the part they play in the family) and status (knowing their place and how they fit). We are sure needs for achievement and meaning and purpose are also met, as people come to realise how precious their family unit is. Thank you, James, for such a meaningful prize.” The Midsummer Celebration, Suffolk Mind’s second annual charity ball, will occur at Fynn Valley Terrace near Ipswich on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 6pm. Attendees can look forward to a night of live entertainment, unique experiences, and a Mediterranean theme, all set against the stunning backdrop of Fynn Valley. The gala will also feature garden games, Grand Prix races, a raffle, silent auction, and much more. One of the raffle prizes includes a luxury 6-night cruise, generously donated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. For more information about Native Origin and their services, visit their website. More details about Suffolk Mind and its initiatives are available on the Suffolk Mind website.

How spending time in nature can benefit your business

We often spend so much time hiding behind our screens, sitting at our desk, and spending hours on calls, that we forget the single greatest place for learning, creativity and growth. There is considerable research that shows how being outdoors can benefit our physical and mental health and boost productivity. According to a study by the University of Exeter, spending just 2 hours a week in nature is linked to better health and wellbeing. Time spent in the natural world not only relieves stress, but leaves us feeling more refreshed and energetic. Green Light Trust is a registered charity and leading provider of educational and wellbeing programmes in nature for children, young people and adults across East Anglia.  We have three sites in Norfolk at Blickling Estate, Oxburgh Hall and Strumpshaw Fen. Our Woodland Team days offer your team the opportunity to destress, reconnect with others and develop skills such as collaboration and problem solving. If you are looking for a chance to have a fun team day out the office whilst conserving the natural environment and supporting a great cause, send an email to corporates@greenlighttrust.org.