NORWICH, Thursday 24th April 2014 – Jobs boost at Norwich International Airport In preparation for the start of another busy summer season, over 50 new jobs have been created at Norwich International Airport.
The new staff will work in a number of passenger focused areas including baggage handling, working on the apron during aircraft turnaround, in the terminal on check in, customer care duties and within the security and catering concessions.
Pleasingly, for the first time this summer some of the vacancies have been filled by students from City College, Norwich. This came about as a direct result of the student takeover at the airport earlier this year.
Gary Blake, Customer Services Manager said: “We are delighted that the link established between the airport and City College, Norwich following the student takeover has resulted in us being able to offer the chance of employment to some of the students who applied for the positions following the takeover. Boosting staff numbers for the summer season helps ensure that customer services standards are met and our passenger’s journey through the airport is a pleasurable experience.”
Joe Mulhall from City College commented – “City college Norwich’s relationship with Norwich airport clearly demonstrates the benefits of real work experience for our students. Our students really enjoyed their work experience at Norwich airport and appreciated the support and opportunity to experience all aspects of the airport operational roles and we are delighted that this resulted in some of them securing jobs for the summer.”
Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International said: “We are pleased to welcome so many new recruits to our airport team this summer and delighted that our relationship with City College, Norwich has helped students take their first steps into their chosen line of work. Everyone at the airport works extremely hard to maintain high levels of service with the aim of being the airport of choice for friendliness and great customer service.” -End-
With economic forecasts starting to look more positive, many employers are increasing their recruitment activity. It is important for employers to make sure that their recruitment processes are watertight, not only to increase the chances of selecting the best candidate for the job but also to avoid the risk of potential claims of discrimination by those who are not selected. Professional Support Lawyer Elizabeth Stevens looks at recent and forthcoming developments in this area.
One area that can prove tricky for employers to navigate is in relation to the duty to establish an individual’s right to work in the UK. This duty arises under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, and must be balanced against the individual’s right not to be discriminated against, contrary to the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.
The 2006 Act requires an employer to carry out certain checks in order to establish whether an individual has the right to work in the UK, before the individual commences employment (not on the day they start). This involves checking original documents from an approved list of documents to establish eligibility to work, making copies of those documents and keeping a record of them for the duration of the individual’s employment and for a period of two years after employment has ended. For certain individuals who have limited entitlement to remain in the UK, checks must be carried out every 12 months.
If an employer negligently employs an individual without the right to work, the employer is liable for a civil penalty (a fine). From May 2014, the maximum civil penalty for illegally employing immigrant workers is doubled from £10,000 to £20,000, per illegal worker. An employer who knowingly employs an individual who does not have the right to work has committed a criminal offence, which can result in an unlimited fine or a prison term of up to two years.
New Code of Practice
The Home Office has recently published a new draft Code of Practice: Avoiding unlawful discrimination while preventing illegal working, to assist employers in complying with both its duties under the 2006 Act and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. This draft Code, once finalised, will replace the previous Code issued in 2008. Whilst the Code itself does not impose any legal duties on employers, an employer’s failure to comply with its provisions can be used in evidence in legal proceedings.
The draft Code advises employers, as a matter of good employment practice, to have “clear written procedures for the recruitment and selection of all workers, based on equal and fair treatment for all applicants”. Having such procedures in place (and following them) is likely to assist an employer in the defence of a discrimination claim, not least by demonstrating that it took “all reasonable steps” to prevent discrimination from occurring.
In order to avoid a potential claim of discrimination, the Code advises employers to carry out the checks required by the 2006 Act in respect of all new recruits, not only those who may appear to be of non-British nationality due to their name, accent or ethnicity.
What if the individual does not produce the documents necessary to establish their right to work in the UK? The draft Code cautions against assuming that they are living or working in the UK illegally, and advises employers to keep the job open for as long as possible in order to give the individual the opportunity to demonstrate their right to work. However, the Code also acknowledges that this may not be possible if the requirement to recruit is particularly urgent. An employer who is not satisfied that an individual has the right to work in the UK can lawfully refuse to employ them on that basis.
Forthcoming training event
Employment law experts from Steeles Law will be examining a range of different issues relating to recruitment in more detail at the forthcoming Norfolk Chamber of Commerce HR Forum which is taking place at Dunston Hall on 18 June 2014, from 2pm. Click here for further information, including booking details.
Corporate Finance specialist Stephen Reed has been promoted to partner at regional chartered accountancy practice Price Bailey. Based in their Thorpe St Andrew office, Stephen joined Price Bailey in May 2012 as Corporate Finance Director, and over the past two years he has been key to the development of the firm’s Corporate Finance offering not only in Norwich but across the whole of East Anglia.
Stephen’s wealth of specialist knowledge and experience has proven invaluable to a number of local businesses, including SignsExpress whom Stephen advised on last year’s management buyout and the owners of SK Sales which was sold to SIG plc. Stephen joins Daren Moore, Aaron Widdows, Richard Day and John Warren to bring the total number of Norwich-based partners to 5.
Commenting on his promotion, Stephen said: “I am delighted to be in a position to help with the continued development of Price Bailey’s corporate finance proposition. the team and our service offering have grown significantly over the past two years. As the largest SME-focussed Corporate Finance team based in East Anglia, we’re perfectly placed to help business owners and investors take advantage of market opportunities – whether this is by helping to grow businesses through acquisition, better planning and investment or by achieving optimum value from their business sale.”
Stephen would be delighted to hear from any fellow Chamber members who are looking to develop their business to discuss how hecan help. Please call on 01603 709330 or email stephen.reed@pricebailey.co.uk
Today, the new single Family Court comes into being and most of the family justice provisions from the Children and Families Act 2014 take effect. The legislation has been described as “the largest for a generation”.
Emma Alfieri, from Steeles Law’s family team, comments that these reforms bring about the introduction of a new single Family Court in England and Wales, intended to make the system easier, less confusing, to provide greater flexibility and to avoid delay.
The new Family Court is designed to ensure that the right level of Judge is appointed for a particular case, in the most suitable location. The idea being that this will reduce unnecessary delays caused by cases being transferred between Courts.
The most significant changes apply to matters concerning public law and care. The idea is that the reforms will result in a swifter system and give greater certainty to the children involved.
In respect of private children law matters, child arrangements replace contact and residence orders.
Emma commented that there has already been a lot of media coverage about the changes and the focus to the general public appears to be about mediation. This is in view of the fact that the Children and Families Act includes provision that parties wishing to go to Court in respect of a child dispute, or in relation to financial matters upon divorce, have to attend compulsory mediation before they may do so. However, Emma adds that in this respect little has changed, as in recent years family mediation has been compulsory to most in any event. Whilst family lawyers have actively been promoting mediation for some years, until now the general public appeared unaware of this option which could explain the mediation focus.
There are two practical points of note, which the public should be aware of:
2. Some media reports are suggesting that parties seeking family law advice have to attend a session of mediation before they may consult a lawyer. This is certainly not the case. The situation remains the same as before, in that anyone wishing to seek legal advice may contact a lawyer at any point.
For further information regarding the changes, please contact us.
Give the gift of Park Farm Hotel, with one of our gift vouchers. You can purchase our vouchers online and use them to dine with us, stay overnight, indulge in some relaxing spa treatments and much much more. Buy a voucher for that special someone and have it emailed directly to them. Or receive the voucher yourself and wrap it up for them. Ultimately the choice is yours. Click the links below to purchase your voucher today.
Arthur Jary & Sons Ltd. are having an ‘Open Afternoon’ at their memorial showroom and workshop, on Northgate Street in Great Yarmouth, on Friday 25th April. Please come and meet our staff, and see how our craftsmen create a lasting memory to a loved one.
Window graphics are a fantastic way to announce to the world (well, at least your passing customer traffic) of any seasonal promotions or new services you may have. They are cost effective and more importantly they’re not permanent – meaning your message can be readily changed to suit your promotion.
Take for example Easter (because let’s face it, it’s literally around the corner!), using bright and engaging temporary window graphics could be the difference in securing a sale from a passing customer who may otherwise have gone to a competitor.
Shallow, we know, but we are all guilty of being attracted to pretty things – and there’s nothing wrong with that. But why not increase your potential sales by making sure your windows are the prettiest out there? It’s fast and easy to do resulting in dramatic effects on the look of your business exterior for a relatively low cost.
If you go to an experienced and reputable sign maker (like us, for instance) then you can even ask them to create the graphics on your behalf to make sure your message packs the punch it really deserves and is targeted to the right market audience. Plus, window graphics can be turned around pretty quickly (depending on the complexity) so even if you think it might be too late to meet a seasonal promotion, it’s always worth asking.
These days there are lots of different materials to choose from, making sure you can always create the perfect display for your purposes. Take a look at our portfolio for a little bit of inspiration and then get in touch to see how we can help.
Steeles Law is holding a Legal Clinic at its 2 Mount Street, Diss offices on Friday 30 May, with pre-bookable 15 minute consultations available between 3.00 and 6.00pm.
Whether you a private individual or business owner, you can book a complimentary appointment with a legal professional in connection with any of the services we offer.
Please call 01379 652141 to make a booking. Appointments are offered on a first come, first served basis and must be booked before the day.
Following its success in reaching the last six of the prestigious Business Moneyfacts Broker Awards in 2012 and 2013, Norwich based commercial finance broker B2B Cashflow Solutions has gone one better in receiving a ‘Commendation’ this year at the recent awards in London.
A privately owned and independent commercial finance, business banking and financial management consultancy, the business has been shortlisted three years running.
The company was nominated and recognised from within the industry based on the high level of excellence across all aspects of its business model throughout the year prompting Director Simon Reynolds to comment “We are delighted that this industry award has not only continued to acknowledge the work we are doing on behalf of SME’s, but has recognised our ongoing development compared with the two previous years. Some would say this is a case of ‘third time lucky’ but perhaps we are simply delivering our strategic development objectives (with an element of luck thrown in!)?”
Simon reflected “In an ever challenging financial climate for UK businesses we believe we continue to fly the flag for Norfolk by being shortlisted in the Business Moneyfacts Broker Awards for the third year running. Furthermore we finished in the top three this year marking an improvement on our top six finish in the previous two years. This reaffirms acknowledgment for B2B Cashflow Solutions in regard the quality of our service and our overall creativity in championing financial solutions within our local business community. Our business model offers region-wide coverage throughout East Anglia, with dedicated local support, and it is encouraging that our approach is recognised within the industry.”
B2B Cashflow Solutions was launched back in 2006 with a vision to broaden the scope of asset finance lending through innovative products and services. Following the 2008 banking crisis, the directors identified the opportunity to develop more diverse funding solutions, within an increasingly restrictive financial climate, which complement those offered by the banks and other traditional lenders, on behalf of their business customers.
Simon continues: “Our differentiation in creatively bringing together a wide range of elements to build financial solutions is underpinned by our consciously relationship driven and person- centred approach to our customers, partners, and our business.”
This approach has proven very successful. B2B Cashflow Solutions has gone from strength to strength in their eighth trading year, with lending in excess of £20,000,000 facilitated on behalf of local businesses in its current financial year.
Today, more than 50% of the company’s business originates from referrals from the major financial institutes while maintaining and developing a direct, proactive approach to relationships with business customers to deliver asset based lending solutions throughout the East of England and beyond.
For the third consecutive year Pure Resourcing Solutions (Pure), a leading recruitment consultancy in eastern England, has been shortlisted for the Recruitment Firm of the Year Award at the 2014 FDs’ Excellence Awards.
Nominated by a record-breaking 1,800 chief finance officers, financial directors and other senior financial decision makers within the UK’s finance sector, the Excellence Awards applaud service providers including recruitment firms, auditors, business banks and financial software suppliers.
“We are very proud to make the shortlist for this prestigious awards category and we are the only regional independent recruitment agency to do so!” said Ian Walters, Managing Director of Pure. “The nomination means a lot to us because it is based on the opinions of our clients. It is great to know that our personal approach is highly valued by the people we work with and have recognition for that. And, as a regional recruitment consultancy, we are honoured to be shortlisted alongside the large national recruitment agencies.”
The shortlisted businesses were judged on a range of criteria including business knowledge, innovation and quality of advice. Over the last year, Pure has continued to build on its reputation as an expert in its field by offering clients guidance and information on a variety of subjects, from recruitment and retention to employee engagement.
Pure has always strived to develop new and relevant initiatives within their region that add value. Recent examples include the Senior Finance Forum in partnership with Deloitte-, Best Employers, Eastern Region with eras ltd- an initiative that identifies and promotes the best employers and encourages employee engagement and more recently, Women’s Leadership Programme. For more information on these initiatives please visit our website The winners will be announced in a ceremony, taking place at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square on May 1st, which promises to be a superb, entertaining and inspirational event.
To find out more about Pure’s professional recruitment services, contact Anna Hill, Marketing Manager, on: 01223 209888 or Anna.Hill@prs.uk.com. Or visit www.prs.uk.com.
For more information about the FDs’ Excellence Awards and the full shortlist visit: www.fdsawards.co.uk.