Member News

Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, has assumed the prestigious role of President of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) for the year 2024. Her formal induction took place during the RNAA’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the history of the Association. Reflecting on her deep personal connection with the Royal Norfolk Show (RNS), Lady Dannatt MBE expressed “Farming in Norfolk and the Royal Norfolk Show have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.” The Royal Norfolk Show is renowned as the largest two-day county show in the UK with a rich heritage and attracting over 80,000 visitors, with 700 stands and over 3,000 animals. Lady Dannatt MBE added “As a child, the show was always the highlight of the year. I was born and brought up in Keswick, not far from here, and it was with enormous pride that my grandparents hosted the Norfolk Show in Keswick Park, just after the war. The King and Queen came to visit and took tea at the Old Hall, Keswick. My grandfather even managed to spill tea down the King’s trousers. Hopefully, we can do better if we have a royal visitor this year.” Lady Dannatt was appointed on the 5^th August 2019 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and was the first woman to become the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk. Lady Dannatt said: “We are fortunate enough to live in a county populated by a generation of hugely talented and inspirational young people, and I am delighted that this year we will be celebrating these young achievers in the Young Diamonds Tribute in the Grand Ring. “It will be fantastic to recognise and to thank all those young people who do so much for our communities and the causes closest to their hearts. “It is for them, that the RNAA and its jewel in the crown, the Royal Norfolk Show, must not only continue to exist, but to move forward, break boundaries, flourish, challenge and inspire Norfolk’s people. The young, and the not-so-young, absolutely deserve nothing less.” The Royal Norfolk Show returns this year on Wednesday 26^th and Thursday 27^th June. With Norfolk’s biggest food and drink experience, a packed Grand Ring programme and hundreds of attractions, there’s something for everyone. Mark Nicholas, Managing Director of the RNAA expressed his gratitude at the appointment of Lady Dannatt and the work of the previous president John Cushing OBE “We can’t thank John and his wife Barbara enough for all of their support for both the RNAA and the RNS. All of the team here at the RNAA are thrilled and looking forward to welcoming Lady Dannatt for 2024.”

‘British made light and low can be a good way to go’ to cut carbon by 25% in retail wines Supermarkets could cut the carbon footprint of some of their entry level wines by a quarter if they move to British made light and low wines made from grape concentrate, according to new independent research. Broadland Drinks, the UK-based drinks producer and co-packer that has pitched itself as a ‘one stop shop to cut carbon’, recently commissioned a CarbonCloud survey which found that its 8% ABV British wines made from fermenting concentrated grape juice, typically have a 25% lower carbon footprint than imported wines. As the trend for no-and-low-alcohol (no-lo) wine continues to grow, and retailers look for innovative ways to decarbonise shoppers’ baskets, locally-made wine has vast scope for driving innovation and category growth, while playing a key role in helping retailers meet their sustainability goals. Broadland Drinks’ CarbonCloud survey follows a report from the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) last year, that revealed the biggest opportunity for reducing the environmental impact of packaging in UK supermarkets lies in the Beer, Wine and Spirits (BWS) and non-alcoholic drinks category, which weighs in at 33% of a supermarket’s entire environmental packaging impact. To meet the industry’s commitment to halve the environmental impacts of their packaging systems by 2030, will require major changes. The IGD report said to meet this goal, supermarkets need to increase recycled content, maximise recyclability and decarbonise supply chains. This method of production from concentrate makes it easier to control the ABV (alcohol by volume), anywhere between 0% and 15%. This is ideal for the low and medium alcohol range and makes products more affordable and accessible to consumers who may be more health aware, have less disposable income available or are choosing to drink in moderation. Broadland Drinks’ portfolio of made from grape concentrate wines include its popular Three Mills range, including a Crisp White, Fruity Red and Fruity Rosé in ABVs at 0%, 5% and 8% and Fruit Fusion Summer Berry, Dark Fruits and Tropical Fruits wines at 5%, as well Mulled Wines. DEFRA’s 2024 wine reforms which aim to unlock innovation and increase consumer choice by including the blending of imported wines from different countries and the blending of wines with other ingredients, mean Broadland Drinks is ideally positioned with its expertise and BRC AA+ facility to take advantage of this reinvigoration of the wine category to offer consumers more choice. The proposed reforms also indicate a government in favour of enhancing consumer understanding of the product, increasing their confidence in purchasing no-lo wines and supporting them to make healthier choices. With 58 years’ experience of innovating and pioneering new forms of wine and low carbon packaging formats, Broadland Drinks has been fermenting base wines from grape concentrate, adding natural ingredients, and innovating to create many wines: from award-winning mulled wines and tonic wines to fruit wines, botanical and fortified wines. Broadland’s own British wines have won IWSC medals – a testament to their quality. (https://www.iwsc.net/company/profile/1196/broadland-drinks-ltd). Its innovative Three Mills 0% ‘tastes just like wine’ according to ITV This Morning’s Alison Hammond, but uses up to five times less energy to make than de-alcoholised alternatives. Broadland Drinks CEO Mark Lansley said: “With the decline in global wine consumption, its high carbon footprint, the health risks and the high price of “standard wine”, wine made from concentrates can help play a part in increasing sales, reducing prices and cutting carbon. “Our independent research from CarbonCloud showed our 8% ABV British wines made from fermenting concentrated grape juice have a 25% lower carbon footprint than imported wines. “We’ve spent decades fermenting base wines from grape concentrate, adding natural ingredients and innovating to create all sorts of wines like mulled, fruit fusion and fortified. “When we make our wines from concentrates, it’s very easy for us to produce wines at any ABV between 5% and 15%, making them great for the low and medium alcohol range so they’re lower in calories with a lower duty cost, leading to lower priced entry-level wine for those consumers who find themselves looking for cheaper alternatives. “Creating wines from fermenting concentrated grape juice here in the UK that are low in price, alcohol and carbon can be a useful option for entry level wine drinkers and retailers. Broadland Drinks supports wine retailers and producers to reduce carbon with its One Stop Shop to Cut Carbon, by leveraging the company’s low carbon drinks and packaging formats and inherent commitment to sustainability. It is aiming to eliminate fossil fuel usage at its winery by 2025 and is well on track. The Norfolk-headquartered company offers a full range of low carbon wines and drinks alongside a range of packaging formats including BiBs, lightweight glass bottles, paper bottles, kegs and aluminium cans. It was one of the first companies in the UK to install a Bag in Box filling line 45 years ago. It has already invested in 1,000 500w solar panels to cover its winery roof leading to on-site generation of over a third of its electricity consumption with the rest of its power met by renewable energy. And it has switched to LED lighting in office and production areas, completed the switching of its fleet of forklift trucks from gas to electric and introduced a successful cycle-to-work scheme for employees. Broadland Drinks won the Drinks Business Green Awards 2023 for Water Management. Its water treatment plant processes thousands of litres of winery wash waters so they are taken directly by drain to the village water recovery system, instead of being driven away for processing by nearly 3,000 HGVs.

If you haven’t heard, next week is Mental Health Awareness Week… The theme this year, from 13th – 19th May is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Being active is important for our mental health – however, so many struggle to get enough exercise. So this May, let’s find moments of movement in our daily routines. 💚 Going for a walk on your lunch break or after work with colleagues? 💚 Dancing around your living room to your favourite song? 💚 Making time for the gym and a class you enjoy 💚 Yoga at your desk or a perhaps a class in the office 💚 Taking your dog on a longer walk than usual It all counts! Mental Health Awareness Week happens every year, and it’s the biggest opportunity for the whole of the UK to come together to focus on getting good mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others’ mental health. It doesn’t mean that you only focus on your employees mental health for this week, but it gives you a starting point and means to carry on. We have 23 therapists out, (yes 23 !) visiting businesses across the UK! But…we still have availability 👉 Book your wellbeing session by emailing: info@handsonatwork.co.uk  💙 Hands On At Work working with you to provide workplace wellbeing services to support the mental, physical and emotional health of your employees 💙 Workplace Massage to Reflexology, Yoga, Pilates, Desk Yoga to Laughter Yoga, Mindfulness to Menopause and Meditation, Men’s Health to Healthy Heart checks – we’ve got you covered.

Legal Aid Some clients who need assistance from either Family Law Solicitors or Criminal Solicitors, may be entitled to legal funding through the Legal Aid Agency. As part of this, at times Process Serving and enquiries are needed to progress the legal case and this is exactly where we come in. At Taylor Investigations, we are now able to offer Process Serving and Civil and Criminal case enquiries under the Legal Aid Agency rate structure across England and Wales. Based in Norwich but we have a network of agents throughout the UK Yes, we are based in Norwich but we have a network of agents throughout the UK to assist with your requirements anywhere in the country. Process Serving is the personal service of documents in relation to legal proceedings. For Legal Aid matters, this tends to include, but not limited to Non Molestation Orders or Witness Summons. Legal Aid enquiries tend to include, but not limited to, scene visits to obtain photographs and drawings for Jury bundles, prison visits to obtain photographs or statements and tracing of witnesses. All Legal Aid instructions are dealt with as a priority All instructions are dealt with as a priority as we are aware there is usually an urgency to the case and we will invoice as per the rate structure set out. So, if you are family law solicitors or a criminal solicitor, you can rest assured knowing your Legal Aid case can proceed without delay. Please send all legal aid instructions to enquiries@taylorinvestigations.co.uk where these will be actioned and processed. Charlotte Notley

Commuter emissions reduction specialist Mobilityways has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

Mobilityways is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Announced on Monday 6 May, Mobilityways has been recognised for its excellence in sustainable development, due to its commitment to zero carbon commuting. The company’s climate tech, which enables employers to provide full visibility of commuting challenges and solutions, is the only software solution dedicated to decarbonising the commute. Mobilityways was recognised with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2019. Each award win allows use of the Queen’s/King’s Award emblem for five years, meaning Mobilityways has now immediately earned the right to continue using the royal Awards emblem for a further five years. Employing 40 people, Mobilityways was founded as Liftshare in 1998 and enables large employers to measure, reduce and report their commuter emissions with its suite of climate-tech solutions. Julie Furnell, Managing Director of Mobilityways, said: “It is a true honour to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development. Winning the Award is a testament to our relentless dedication to revolutionising commuting. “At Mobilityways, we’re not just creating innovative climate tech solutions; we’re helping influence how people can travel more sustainably. As an SME, this recognition underscores our commitment to partnering with large employers to make a tangible impact on realising the art of the possible and decarbonising the commute.” The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years. Applications for King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 open on His Majesty The King’s Coronation, 6th May 2024 For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/kingsawards-for-enterprise.

Captain Fawcett Ltd, the King’s Lynn based gentleman’s grooming company, was delighted to host a delegation of 30 members from the Marijampolės Rotary Club of Lithuania, who were in the UK visiting the Priory Rotary Club King’s Lynn.

Arranged with Gintaras Ginčius of the Marijampolės Rotary Club, the trip to Captain Fawcett HQ reciprocated the Right Hand Man’s visit to the Lithuanian Parliament last year. The Right Hand Man (as Captain Fawcett company founder Richie Finney is known) visited Lithuania in 2023 during ‘The Great Expedition’, a monumental motorcycle road trip which saw the indefatigable Finney riding solo through 27 countries, covering over 12,500 miles in just 10 weeks. The ‘Great Expedition’ was undertaken to celebrate and cement real life connection with barbershops and brand distributors on their home territory, including Lithuania. Richie Finney said “Of all the countries I visited on last year’s somewhat madcap Great Expedition, Lithuania was a particular delight. Not only is it the birthplace of some key Captain Fawcett team members, it is also a hugely welcoming country with Baltic hospitality being simply second to none! It was a privilege for Fawcett HQ to return such warm friendship with a personal tour of Captain Fawcett’s Marvellous Barbershop Museum and copious cups of Rosie Lee! “It goes without saying that international friendship is intrinsic to the proud outward looking Hanseatic heritage of King’s Lynn, shaping our seaport identity and economy through centuries of maritime commerce. Captain Fawcett is delighted to honour that long tradition and celebrate enduring bonds forged through centuries of global trade and cultural exchange. “Suffice to say, a great time was had by all! Valio!” A spokesperson from Marijampolės Rotary Club said “Whilst visiting the United Kingdom, it was a great opportunity to visit Captain Fawcett and learn about the business of creating cosmetic products for men, tour the Museum and see the production company at work. Thanks to the whole team at this unique place for their warm welcome and very interesting excursion.”

The University of East Anglia (UEA) has supported local company Snack Creations to gain a grant of almost £300,000 to facilitate an innovative project that could transform the company’s healthy snacks business through the introduction of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The funding has been awarded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, through the agri-tech and food tech Launchpad scheme – which was set up to support outstanding innovation projects led by agritech and agrifood businesses in the east of England. Gordon Chetwood, Managing Director of Snack Creations, commented: “As a leading global innovator at the forefront of the healthy snacks market, we’re always looking at ways of improving. Through this project, we’ll work with world-leading experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) over 18 months, with the grant divided between us and UEA. “The project is about introducing data-driven decision-making through the very latest Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies. This has the potential to be truly transformational, enabling us to develop new healthy snacks products even quicker and more efficiently, as well as reducing waste.” Professor Sheng Qi, Professor of Pharmaceutical Material Science and Technology from the University of East Anglia, supported the bid for funding and will be working on the 18-month project, which is due to go live later this year. Professor Sheng Qi commented: “It’s always rewarding to see our work having an impact beyond the world of academia and we are delighted that this funding bid was successful. As the number-1 ranked university in England for the quality of our research into food and agriculture, we work with a wide range of partners on a local, national and global scale.” Innovate UK will be launching the next – and likely final – funding stage of the Agri-Tech and Food Tech Launchpad on 7 May and the funding window will close on 19 June. Agri-tech and agri-food businesses in the east of England will be able to bid for up to £300,000 of grant funding for a collaborative R&D project – building consortia with researchers, academics, charities and larger corporates. To explore ways of accessing UEA’s world-leading expertise – including support for collaborative funding bids – contact business@uea.ac.uk.

In an era marked by relentless digital advancements, the importance of cybersecurity has never been more pronounced. Businesses face a myriad of cyber threats, ranging from sophisticated hacking attempts to unsuspecting phishing scams. To counter these evolving dangers, organizations invest in cybersecurity training to arm their employees with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape securely. However, the traditional approach of conducting cybersecurity training once a year is proving to be inadequate in today’s fast-paced and dynamic cyber threat environment. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the shortcomings of annual cybersecurity training and advocate for a proactive, real-time approach to cybersecurity education. The Limitations of Annual Cybersecurity Training: Annual cybersecurity training sessions have become a routine ritual in many organizations. Employees mark their calendars, attend the sessions, and often perceive them as obligatory checkboxes rather than valuable learning experiences. The challenges posed by annual training sessions are multifaceted and require careful consideration.

1. Lack of Engagement: One of the primary drawbacks of annual cybersecurity training is the lack of engagement from employees. Many view these sessions as tedious and time-consuming, leading them to rush through the material without truly internalizing the key concepts. As a result, the retention of critical cybersecurity practices and awareness levels remains subpar.
2. Limited Behavioural Impact: Despite investing time and resources in annual training, the tangible behavioural changes among employees are often minimal. Merely completing a training session does not guarantee that individuals will apply cybersecurity best practices consistently in their day-to-day activities. The disconnect between training content and practical implementation hampers the effectiveness of these initiatives.
3. Static Nature: Cyber threats evolve at a rapid pace, rendering static, once-a-year training modules outdated and insufficient. New attack vectors, malware variants, and social engineering tactics emerge regularly, necessitating a continuous learning approach to stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity trends and defences.

The Need for a Proactive, Real-Time Approach: Recognizing the limitations of annual cybersecurity training, organizations must pivot towards a proactive, real-time approach to cybersecurity education. This transformative shift is centred on several key principles and strategies that resonate with employees and drive meaningful behavioural change.

1. Interactive Learning Experiences: Instead of monotonous slide presentations or lengthy videos, interactive learning experiences captivate employees’ attention and foster active participation. Gamification elements, simulated phishing exercises, and scenario-based simulations can make cybersecurity training engaging and memorable.
2. Microlearning and Bite-Sized Content: Breaking down cybersecurity concepts into digestible, bite-sized modules facilitates better knowledge retention and application. Microlearning modules can be delivered periodically throughout the year, reinforcing key cybersecurity principles without overwhelming learners with information overload.
3. Real-Time Feedback and Coaching: Providing real-time feedback and coaching empowers employees to correct their cybersecurity practices immediately. Automated feedback on simulated phishing attempts, personalized security tips based on user behaviour, and regular security check-ins contribute to building a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance.
4. Integration with Daily Workflows: Seamlessly integrating cybersecurity education into employees’ daily workflows ensures relevance and applicability. Contextual training materials, policy reminders during relevant tasks, and secure coding practices embedded within development environments promote cybersecurity awareness as a natural part of job responsibilities.

Empowering Employees for Enhanced Cyber Hygiene: The ultimate goal of cybersecurity training is not merely compliance but the cultivation of robust cyber hygiene habits among employees. By empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to identify and mitigate cyber risks proactively, organizations can significantly enhance their overall security posture.

1. Risk Awareness and Decision Making: Through ongoing training interventions, employees develop a heightened sense of risk awareness regarding potential cyber threats. They learn to discern suspicious emails, recognize phishing attempts, and verify the authenticity of digital communications before taking action, thereby reducing the likelihood of falling victim to cyber attacks.
2. Data Protection and Privacy: In an era marked by data breaches and privacy concerns, educating employees about data protection best practices is paramount. Training modules focused on secure data handling, password hygiene, encryption protocols, and compliance with regulatory standards instil a culture of data stewardship and confidentiality across the organization.
3. Cybersecurity Culture and Collaboration: Beyond individual behaviours, cybersecurity training contributes to fostering a culture of collective responsibility and collaboration. When employees understand the shared impact of their actions on organizational security, they are more inclined to collaborate across teams, report security incidents promptly, and actively contribute to threat intelligence sharing efforts.

The Role of Technology and Continuous Evaluation: Technology plays a pivotal role in modern cybersecurity training initiatives. Leveraging advanced learning management systems (LMS), interactive training platforms, simulated environments, and analytics-driven insights enables organizations to deliver personalized, targeted training experiences. Continuous evaluation through knowledge assessments, skill-based simulations, and phishing readiness tests allows organizations to measure the effectiveness of training programs and identify areas for improvement. In conclusion, the era of relying solely on once-a-year cybersecurity training has passed. To combat the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape effectively, organizations must embrace a proactive, real-time approach to cybersecurity education. By engaging employees with interactive learning experiences, reinforcing cybersecurity principles through microlearning, providing real-time feedback and coaching, and integrating training into daily workflows, businesses can empower their workforce to adopt and maintain robust cyber hygiene practices. At Uptech Ltd, we are committed to partnering with organizations to design and implement comprehensive cybersecurity training programs that drive meaningful behavioural change and enhance overall security resilience. Get in touch with us today to embark on your journey towards a cyber-resilient future.

Highbury Recruitment are proud to be sponsors of the Sprowston ‘Falcons’ Youth team. Congratulations to the Falcons U10 team for reaching the semi-finals!

We couldn’t be prouder of your hard work and dedication. This season has been nothing short of fantastic, and we’re thrilled to see your efforts pay off. Keep up the great work!

Blackwell’s new Matrix foiler has proved itself equally useful for its laminating as its foiling

Blackwell Print has refreshed its digital printing lineup following its management buyout (MBO) in June 2023.

The commercial printer, based in Great Yarmouth, has replaced two Xerox Versant 3100s with brand-new Versant 4100 XLS engines with vacuum feeder for large sheets, that were installed in December and March. March also saw the purchase and installation of a Vivid Matrix Metallic 370 digital foiler, and the firm has put an order in for a new Horizon BQ-270 binder. Both machines are intended to bring work back in-house for Blackwell, according to managing director Tom Davison. He told Printweek that the overall investment package would help Blackwell boost its turnover, aided by a new hire in its sales department last month. He said: “Before Covid, we were just under £2m turnover, but we had around 28 staff, so were quite highly over-leveraged at the time.” Since then, the company has changed dramatically: now on a basis of £1.3m, it is served by just eight staff. “We’re in a far better gear to move forward. Ideally, within a year or two, we’ll get back to £2m. Our new salesperson will focus entirely on winning new business, and has already started to yield results, so if he achieves his goals, we should be around £1.7m by the end of the year, and that should put us on a good footing in the new year.” The new equipment will be key in helping Blackwell Print achieve this mission profitably. The firm offers a range of services, including litho, digital, large-format and photo printing. The new Versants, replacing two end-of-life engines, have already impressed with the vacuum feeder for long sheets. While the 3100s had been able to print these longer sheets, accurate registration had been difficult, Davison said. “We could print long sheets, but it was a very Heath Robinson [mechanism] – it was quite temperamental, but the 4100s have completely overhauled the process. “The top tray is now a proper vacuum-fed tray, which allows us to move up to the heavier-weight stocks and do full landscape work, which is highly requested. It has certainly made a big difference,” he said. Getting the Matrix foiler has likewise been good for the firm, with the machine getting equal use as embellisher and laminator. “It’s something we’ve always been keen on, but we used to put all our foiling work out [to trade printers]. That’s fine when you’ve got pallets of it, but when you have shorter runs, it becomes unviable,” he said. Impressed by a demonstration, Blackwell Print made the purchase and has taken the foiling work in-house, as well as taking short-run lamination work off its industrial Autobond laminator. Davison said: “When the digital department needed 250 business cards laminated, it was frustrating because you had this huge monster of a machine designed to run pallets of work interrupted with tiny little jobs. “[The Matrix] is a lot more efficient, too, with a warmup time of just 10-15 minutes compared to over an hour – if we had to turn on the Autobond specifically, it’s quite a consideration for the energy.”

“As a specialist in the design and installation of signage, which includes billboards, here’s our #hottake on the latest marketing ploy from the grocery retailer Waitrose. Residents in the south London borough of Wandsworth expressed concern over a new billboard by the supermarket giant Waitrose which appeared to be falling off its bracket at a rather alarming angle. Of course, those in the advertising industry understood well the tactics played by the retailer. We’ve all heard the old adage that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Getting the public to talk about your brand is always the end goal. The latest stunt deployed by the Waitrose marketing team reminds us of the hack used by baristas at Starbucks a few years ago, with the supposed deliberate misspelling of customers’ names on cups going viral on social media. Whether real or fake, strategies like these create organic, repeated media coverage and for free. As signage specialists, what do we think about the latest advertising stunt from Waitrose? Our primary concern is safety. Whilst we understand that the promotional and advertising aspects of our customers’ signage is the most important to them, the safety surrounding installation is paramount to us. Above all else, eliminating the risk of danger or harm to the public must always be taken into account during any signage project. So long as all safety measures are accounted for, then this controversial sign from Waitrose has met the brief. Do we like it? That’s another post for another day.”

The first quarter of the business year is off to a flying start for the King’s Lynn based Gentleman’s Grooming company, Captain Fawcett, with a triple whammy of recognition for exporting success.

Highly Commended in the Department for Business and Trade 2024 ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards’ Captain Fawcett Ltd is hugely proud to be Highly Commended in The Department for Business and Trade 2024 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards, announced this week. Now in their second year, the Awards recognise and celebrate the global trading success of small businesses from across all Nations and regions of the UK. Captain Fawcett founder Richie Finney says: “To be recognised in such outstanding company is truly a huge honour, shared by the whole Fawcett team, both those working here in Norfolk and also our highly esteemed colleagues, friends and distributors across the globe. Our thanks to the Department for Business and Trade for their invaluable guidance and support.” Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade commented: “The evidence continues to tell us that businesses that trade internationally are more sustainable, more resilient, more innovative, employ more people and, ultimately, are more profitable.” Richie Finney says: “Not only do export markets form almost 80% of Captain Fawcett’s annual revenue, having a wide international customer base was transformative when bricks and mortar trading stalled during the Covid pandemic. Indeed, as all efforts shifted online, we achieved record sales. “New UN figures show the UK was the 4th largest exporter of goods and services globally in 2022, moving up from 7th in the rankings in 2021. The potential for businesses based in the East of England to achieve economic growth and expansion opportunity through international trade is incredibly exciting.” Department of Business & Trade Export Champion 2024/25 In addition, and for the 5th consecutive year, Captain Fawcett is enormously proud once again to be a Department of Business & Trade Export Champion 2024/25. If you’re based in the East of England, do connect with Captain Fawcett to learn more about selling internationally. Or contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) which has a wide range of free guidance, services and experts available to help unlock new opportunities and grow overseas sales at GREAT.gov.ukhttp://great.gov.uk/. ‘Men’s Grooming Products of the Year’ in the Corporate LiveWire Global Awards Finally, for the second year in a row, Captain Fawcett has won ‘Men’s Grooming Products of the Year’ in the Corporate LiveWire Global Awards category. An incredible 31,287 candidates across various sectors were nominated by readers and contributors of Corporate LiveWire publications. The ultimate winners are selected by a distinguished panel of judges. A Corporate LiveWire spokesperson said: “The team felt Captain Fawcett was once again the strongest entrant in the category. We are pleased to recognise Richie and the company’s hard work.” Richie Finney said: “It must be emphasised, the whole Captain Fawcett crew shares the plaudits for simply magnificent teamwork through good times and bad. It is a delight for our mutual efforts to be recognised. With an extraordinary number of nominations across so many dynamic sectors, it’s truly an honour for our Norfolk based company to emerge victorious among such a brilliant array of outstanding global enterprises.”