Member News

Karl Alderton, the founder and managing director of Norwich-based telecoms company, Comms Supply, an EDP Future50 company, has hit out at other suppliers in the business telecoms sector. He is calling for all suppliers to pass on recent wholesale telecoms price reductions to their existing clients.

Wholesale telecoms costs have dropped three times during the past 18 months. The first two reductions were in landline to mobile call costs. These were triggered by Ofcom, the independent regulator for the UK communications industries, capping the cost of mobile termination rates. Ofcom introduced a staged plan to reduce costs which will conclude by 2015. The most recent wholesale reduction is in physical line rental.

Increased competition amongst the biggest players within the industry is also bringing about improved access to advanced technologies and cost efficiencies. For example, Talk Talk, Vodafone (who have recently taken over Cable & Wireless) and BT Wholesale are pushing hard against each other, particularly in the area of leased lines. Leased lines, or Ethernet services, allow data to be transmitted over a direct fibre ‘pipe’ from a client’s office to an exchange and have, historically, been too expensive for smaller businesses. With the big three players making major advances in this technology and making it available to smaller businesses, leased lines are becoming a cost effective option for more and more organisations.

These price drops, technological advances and efficiencies have saved business telecoms suppliers significant amounts of money across their client contracts and yet the vast majority of suppliers have not passed any savings on to their existing customers.

Comms Supply has passed all their wholesale savings straight on to customers and will be making a further reduction in charges on 1st September 2013. This means that customers will see the third reduction in their monthly bill in less than two years.

“I’m sure that many business owners would say that my decision to reduce our potential profits by passing on wholesale price reductions to customers is a foolish one,” says Karl Alderton. “But I set up Comms Supply with a very public commitment to treating my customers with respect and being open and honest in the way we operate. If I didn’t pass on these savings to customers then that promise would be completely meaningless.”

“I’m incredibly frustrated by the widespread business practice of offering new customers a special deal or reduced rates to tempt them in,” continues Karl. “In my view, existing customers deserve the very best service and prices we can provide. That’s the only way we will secure their loyalty and have the opportunity to stay with them as their businesses grow.”

Comms Supply launched in early 2012, providing customers across East Anglia – and beyond – with a range of business telecoms services: from basic phone or broadband line rental to complete systems. The company has invested heavily in developing new technology including a hosted solution which provides a cost effective and efficient option for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Comms Supply’s open and honest approach has been well-received by customers. The company reached an annual turnover of £1million in June this year and has more than doubled its workforce in the past 12 months.

To find out more or to arrange a free business telecoms audit please call 0333 2020 900 or visit www.commssupply.co.uk.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Amber Davis at Plain Speaking PR 01603 487 291amber@plainspeakingpr.co.uk

Norvic have some exciting news we hope will be of interest to you.

This autumn we are opening a brand new training centre on the outskirts of Cambridge. The venue at Glenmore Business Park has the benefit of ample free parking on site.

Open courses in First Aid will commence this October and will run every month. Our venue will also be available for those clients looking for an off-site location for their closed courses.

Course dates for this year can now be found on our website.

Contact us for further information or to book.

Norwich based solicitors, Leathes Prior, one of East Anglia’s leading law firms, will be working with East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) over the next 12 months to raise funds and help support local families.

EACH is a charity that runs three hospices, including Quidenham in Norfolk, providing care and support to local life threatened children and their families.

Staff at Leathes Prior have a number of events and challenges planned from the mental to the physical including their annual Golf Challenge.

Leah Phung, Marketing & PR Executive at Leathes Prior, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting EACH this year and raise awareness and funds for such a great cause. The main event is our annual Charity Golf Challenge which is a league based competition during the summer and then ends with all the players taking part in a finals day in September. We look forward to working with EACH during the course of our Golf Challenge and raising money for this Charity.”

Gary Cook, EACH Norfolk Fundraiser, said: “We’re delighted and extremely grateful to Leathes Prior for choosing to support EACH and we look forward to working with Leah and the team on some interesting and exciting projects. Leathes Prior really play an active part in the community and supporting a local charity that helps local families only go to strengthen those ties.”

August Newsletter Racing Special

Recent local media reports have indicated that more over 60s are getting divorced. This follows a recent report published by the Office for National Statistics.

Emma Alfieri from our family team comments: “The team has seen an increasing number of Divorce Petitions being brought amongst the older generation, particularly those in their 60s and 70s. The reason for the steady rise appears to be down to a number of social factors, including the fact that both sexes are living longer as it is reported that life expectancy has increased, particularly for men.

We are experiencing many older clients that are becoming disillusioned with their marriages once the children have flown the nest and for many, the view seems to be that retirement is the start of the next phase of their lives, not the end.

There also appears to be an increase in women’s independence, and cultural values give the perception that divorces are now more socially acceptable”.

Financial matters can be more complicated when over 60s are going through divorce proceedings, particularly when pensions are in payment. Therefore we would suggest that early legal advice is sought.

For further information please contact our family team.

Leathes Prior are delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Appleton, who joined the firm in August 2013.

Sarah has previously worked at Birketts having joined their firm as a Trainee in 2009 and qualifying in 2011. Sarah brings experience in acting for Employers in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious work and with her passion and enthusiasm she will be a great asset to our firm. Sarah will be joining our Employment team which is led by Partner, Dan Chapman and she will work alongside Partner, Paula Lawn and Solicitor, Catherine Hepworth in our busy and growing Employment team. In particular, we believe that Sarah’s expertise will be appreciated by the many subscribers to our Employmentor® service.

Dan Chapman, Partner and head of the Employment team comments: “We are thrilled that Sarah has chosen to join Leathes Prior and become part of our Employment team. We aim to build on our reputation for providing first class, pragmatic and commercial employment advice and I am sure that Sarah will be a valuable member of the team and will help us achieve our desired objectives.”

Sarah Appleton comments “I am excited to be joining Leathes Prior which signals a new chapter in my career. I look forward to working with the first class team at Leathes Prior, and being a part of the firm’s future success”

In the current heatwave, Labour MP Linda Riordan has tabled an early day motion which could make it law for workplaces to send staff home when temperatures reach more than 30C. The group of MPs behind the campaign, which it seems is unlikely to succeed, claim that it could prevent potentially fatal accidents.

The Halifax MP said ministers should “resolve uncertainty for employers about their duty to combat excessive heat in the workplace by introducing a maximum working workplace temperature of 30 degrees C (86F) and of 27 degrees C (81 degrees F) for those doing strenuous work”.

The motion warns that employees in workplaces are often subjected to temperatures which can “impact seriously on their health and well-being”.

“While the current warm weather can make some workplaces uncomfortable, I think it would be very difficult to enforce a maximum temperature as humidity and air quality vary so much from one workplace to another,” said Big Sky Additions’ director, Justin Murray. “We would encourage all employers to do as much as they can to make workplace temperatures bearable to ensure high levels of productivity and staff welfare are maintained,” he added. “Simple things like using blinds to block out direct sunlight, providing free standing fans close to windows to circulate cooler air and turning off unnecessary computer equipment can all help to keep office temperatures down,” suggested Justin.

There are currently guidelines regarding minimum workplace temperatures, but nothing to cover the current heatwave conditions. An official code of practice introduced in 1992 as part of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations states that workplace temperatures should not normally drop below 16 degrees C – or 13 degrees C if the work involves severe physical effort – but there is no suggested maximum limit.

Clear skies and low winds finally enabled our intrepid team to take the ‘plunge’ and complete their solo sky dives on Friday 26th July at Beccles.

We are very proud of Simon, Mo, Carl and Laura who bravely took to the skies and all performed perfect dives before landing safely in the surrounding fields. In fact Laura achieved the best ‘first’ jump that the club had seen in the last six months.

Their efforts have already raised £846.25. Thank you to everyone who have so kindly donated. In a world that has so many good causes to support, we are grateful that we could direct funds to the centres as they literally change young peoples lives.

It’s not too late to show your support and so if you wish to make a donation, please visit the link https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/nurtureforthehighjump

Don’t forget, if you would like to be in with the chance of winning two VIP tickets to see NCFC V Aston Villa on the 21st September, simply email your details to yellowarmy@nurturefp.co.uk

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support.

Has your local police officer, member of police staff or community volunteer gone that extra mile for you? Is there something they do for your community you would like to acknowledge?

Norfolk Constabulary is asking you to show your appreciation by voting for them in our Norfolk Safer Community Award (NOSCAs).

Now entering its sixth year, the Norfolk Safer Community Awards offer people the opportunity to support the continuing efforts of the community and the Constabulary in keeping Norfolk a safe county to live, work and visit.

The awards combine internal recognition with local communities voting for officers deserving of an award for their contributions to their local community. Additionally, if people know of an exceptional individual or group who deserve to be thanked they are encouraged to nominate them for an award.

T/Chief Constable Simon Bailey praised the Norfolk Safer Community Awards saying:

“Highlighting the crucial work officers, staff and members of our local communities undertake every single day to help keep their neighbourhoods safe is a fundamental part of policing. The Norfolk Safer Community Awards offer us the opportunity to recognise their contributions appropriately.

“If you know a police officer, police community support officer, special constable or member of the community who has helped you to feel safe in your home or neighbourhood, perhaps by tackling an issue which matters to you, then please vote for them in these awards.”

Readers of the Eastern Daily Press can choose their Community Officer of the Year from those nominated by district commanders at Norfolk Constabulary. Voting forms will be available in paper and online.

The three other categories that members of the public can nominate someone for are The John (Cecil) Mason Volunteer of the Year, Young Citizen(s) of the Year and Community Citizen(s) of the Year.

The Chief Constable’s Special Recognition Award is a new category for 2013. It is an opportunity for the Chief Constable to recognise the work of an individual or team where their contribution to delivering the Constabulary’s performance has been significant yet under-recognised.

Norfolk Safer Community Awards are funded by sponsorship from commercial and community partners.

The event has two gold sponsors who significantly contribute to the awards and we are grateful for their support. As media partner, the EDP promotes the event in paper and on the EDP24 website and Holiday Inn, Norwich Airport provides the venue and catering at a reduced rate.

Sponsors for 2013 include:

• Eastern Daily Press – Community Police Officers of the Year • Holiday Inn – venue sponsorship • Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk • City College Norwich • Norfolk Chamber of Commerce • Shell UK Ltd • Reed Specialist Recruitment • GSL Dardan

Nominations can be made for people from local communities through to police officers and police staff, who with their actions and words have made a difference to the area we live and work in.

The deadline for nominations is 7 August 2013. The winners and runners-up will be invited to a special awards evening taking place at Holiday Inn, Norwich Airport on 3 October 2013.

Entry criteria and voting forms are available to download on the Norfolk Constabulary website www.norfolk.police.uk

Ashton KCJ Solicitors is delighted to announce a number of new Associate appointments from within the firm.

Four members of staff have been appointed as Associates, having successfully completed Ashton KCJ’s Development Programme.

Congratulations go to Gillian Brasher, Jennie Kingham and Teresa Callender, from our Lifetime Planning team and Mark Watson from the Corporate & Commercial team. Gillian, who heads our Trust and Tax team, is based in our Cambridge office, Jennie is based in Ipswich, Teresa works at our Bury St Edmunds Guildhall Street office and Mark is based in Norwich.

Ashton KCJ’s CEO, Edward O’Rourke says: “I would like to congratulate Gillian, Jennie, Teresa and Mark on this achievement, which is richly deserved. These appointments demonstrate Ashton KCJ’s commitment to investing in the professional development of our staff. It is always rewarding to be able to promote talented team members from within the firm. These appointments take the number of associates in the firm to 17 – together with our 40 partners, they are working to meet a wide range of legal needs across the region and beyond.”

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed about police and crime issues affecting the business community, we will be issuing brief monthly email updates on any areas relevant to you.

Please see below for July’s update. If you require any further information on the issues noted, please contact Norfolk Police on 101.

Crime across the county is down compared with this time last year. For the year 2012/13 to the end of June 2013, crime is down 4.5%, with 146 fewer crimes being recorded than the previous year. Current business crime issues are:

COUNTY – Diesel thefts – An increase in diesel thefts has been noted over the past month. Diesel is being targeted from motor vehicles, plant machinery, boats and containers. The key area targeted is around the Broads, also spreading into the Great Yarmouth district. The majority of offences are occurring overnight. In some offences large amounts of fuel is being taken which suggests that offenders are using a large lorry or container. Any containers or vehicles should be stored securely where possible and any suspicious behaviour should be reported immediately on 999.

COUNTY – New online advice for businesses – A wealth of advice and information relating to business safety is now available on the Norfolk Constabulary website. This section of the site has been update to include sections on key subjects for local businesses, including rural crime, scams, night time and licensing and fraud.

NORWICH – Cash exchange scam – Officers from Norwich North Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have issued several images of a group of people they want to speak to after a number of cash exchange frauds were committed across Norwich during the weekend of 31 May 2013.

COUNTY – Rogue trader jailed – A rogue trader who charged overinflated prices for unnecessary and substandard work across East Anglia has been jailed for 18 months. Arthur Draper persuaded elderly homeowners in Norfolk and Suffolk to have work done on their properties, and also benefitted from overcharged work carried out in Cambridgeshire.

PORINGLAND – Truck and trailer stolen – Police are appealing for information after a pick-up truck was stolen during a burglary in Poringland. The incident happened between midnight and 6am onTuesday 2 July, in West Green.

Join Police Direct Police Direct is a high tech messaging service provided by Suffolk Police, which is designed to bring you up to date information about crime and policing issues in your area. We can send you information by email to your computer, by text to your mobile phone, or by leaving a message on your landline.

Norwich based SaxonAir Charter Ltd has seen a record increase in air charter use during the first six months trading of 2013.

Aeroplane charter hours for the first half of the year increased by over 65% against the same first six months trading of 2012, with Helicopter charter hours at its Norwich base up by 41% in the same period. Christopher Mace, Group Commercial Director, believes this positive news is a further sign of increased business activity from the UK as companies see the value in optimising travel time for key staff away from both the office environment and family life. SaxonAir has recently undertaken a campaign to promote private air charter to the business community highlighting the time saving benefits, flexibility and potential boost in productivity that can be gained by using the service.

“Air Charter is not necessarily about living a luxury lifestyle, being served champagne and caviar on-board” advises Mr Mace. “The majority of our clients are in fact businesses who appreciate that air charter enables them to make the very best use of their time with pre-cleared check-ins, the ability to undertake work on board in private and secure surroundings as well as landing at private airports closer to their destination not served by the airlines.”

Travelling with scheduled airlines can take you out of the office for several days, driving to major airports and adjusting your day to fit into the airline schedule – plus there’s the stress of delays or missing your flight if your meeting over-runs, lengthy check-in queues and pricy city hotel stopovers. With SaxonAir’s air charter service you can be in the air within minutes of arriving at your local airport, arrive refreshed and ready for a productive day’s business being back home to your family that evening – and back at your desk the next morning ensuring your business keeps flowing.

“There is no substitute for meeting face to face” adds Mace, “a major contract could be in the balance, presentations to be given or multiple sites to visit. These are many of the reasons when our business clients use the service as part of their overall transport solutions. The increased use of our aircraft in the first half of this year is down to a better understanding of air charter, our staff’s commitment to customer service and the varied modern aircraft fleet that we can offer”.

SaxonAir operates from their headquarters in Norwich alongside operating bases in London, Cannes and Thessaloniki in Greece. The varied aircraft fleet on offer ranges from entry level Citation Mustang jets to midsize Hawker 900XP and both a single and twin engine helicopter fleet. In its six years of operation the SaxonAir group of companies has continued to expand and today sees its total number of staff at almost 50, bringing a significant boost to the East Anglian region’s economy and infrastructure at Norwich International Airport.