We are delighted to announce we have won the Business Awards UK Education and Training award for best learning and development strategy!
We are so grateful for this award and want to thank every single member of our amazing team for all their hard work, this award belongs to us all, we couldn’t have done it without you all!
Rachel Holden
DIRECTOR | PARAMEDIC | TRAINER | ASSESSOR Phone: 01603 339159
The beloved Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon is set to make a triumphant return to the streets of Norwich this year, with new organisers at the helm. Good Running Events proudly announces the revival of this iconic event, bringing together the running community for a day of camaraderie, competition, and celebration of athleticism. After a hiatus of over three years, the Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon is back, poised to reclaim its status as one of the region’s premier running events. Good Running Events is also proud to confirm that returning as title sponsor will be Larking Gowen, one of the region’s largest accounting and business advisory firms. Larking Gowen will be taking on the title sponsorship of the event for the next three years. “We are thrilled to welcome back the Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon,” said Aaron Murrell, Director of organisers, Good Running Events. “This event holds a special place in the hearts of many runners and the local community. Our team is dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience for participants, spectators and sponsors alike.” The Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon has long been cherished for its scenic route, which winds through the picturesque Norfolk countryside, with the Half Marathon beginning and ending at the iconic Norfolk Showground. From seasoned runners to first-time half marathoners, the event welcomes individuals of all abilities to challenge themselves and achieve their personal goals. Julie Grimmer, Managing Partner at Larking Gowen, said, “We’re proud to be returning as the title sponsor of the Norwich Half Marathon. Larking Gowen has been involved with the event over 15 years, and we’re pleased to see the event back on the running calendar. We can’t wait to see the inspiring runners and fundraisers, back on the course in November.” The Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday 24 November 2024, starting and finishing at the Norfolk Showground. Entries for the event will open at 7.00AM on Monday 8th April, offering participants the opportunity to secure their spot in this highly anticipated race. For more information about the Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon, including registration details and partnership opportunities, please visit http://www.norwichhalfmarathon.co.uk/
Imagine this scenario: You’re cruising through your emails, and there it is – a message from a trusted company. You think, “No worries, this is safe.” But hold up! This email is anything but safe. It’s part of a devious scheme concocted by cybercriminals to dupe you into clicking on malicious links or divulging sensitive information. Say hello to “SubdoMailing,” the latest menace in the cyber world. So, what’s the scoop? Just like your run-of-the-mill phishing attacks, cybercriminals pose as reputable brands. But here’s the twist: These sneaky individuals scout the web for subdomains of well-known companies. You know, those bits before the main domain? Like experience.trustedbrand.com. Yep, that ‘experience’ part is the subdomain. They hunt down abandoned subdomains that still direct to an external domain that’s no longer under the company’s control. Then, they swoop in, purchase the domain, and set up their trap. So, when you think you’re clicking on experience.trustedbrand.com, little do you know it’s redirecting you to scamwebsite.com. These cyber crooks are sending a whopping five million emails a day, targeting businesses just like yours. And because these emails appear to be from a legit source, they often breeze past standard security checks and land right in your inbox. Here’s our expert advice to keep your data fortress secure: • Approach any suspicious-looking emails with caution. When in doubt, trust your instincts – if it seems off, it probably is. • Before clicking on any links or downloading attachments, scrutinize the sender’s details. Watch out for telltale signs like typos or unfamiliar email addresses. • Educate your team on the latest phishing tactics and empower them to identify potential scams. Knowledge is key to safeguarding your company’s interests. • Consider investing in top-tier security software to fortify your defences against cyber threats. It may seem like an additional expense, but trust us, it’s a worthwhile investment in your peace of mind. And remember, if you need a hand with your email security or any other tech-related concerns, we’ve got your back. Just reach out, and we’ll be there to lend our expertise. Stay vigilant, stay safe!
Many businesses and organisations have mountains of documents that need to be archived in a user-friendly way. The thought of digitising these can seem overwhelming but it’s well worth the effort. Whether you do your scanning in-house or outsource, there are huge benefits to digitising your documents from ease of access to freeing up much needed office space. Document scanning is the ideal solution for businesses that need to access files on a regular basis where the digital copy is sufficient. If you’re responsible for records management, are you considering whether to continue to do your scanning in-house or if outsourcing might be a good option? We’ve compiled a guide looking at scanning in-house versus outsourcing, read on to find out more. StaffingScanning in-house It’s great to be able to utilise your in-house staff for a scanning project, this could save any additional costs involved in hiring a temp. They also have a good knowledge of the business and will understand how to index your digital files. Have you thought about how much time this would take away from their day job? Do you have enough in-house staff to do the project in the timeframe required? Do they know how to operate the scanning equipment and software? Scanning in-house will work really well for your business if you can tick all the boxes. Outsourcing scanning One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing your scanning is the amount of time you’ll save. At Archive-Vault we take care of everything for you, so that your staff can focus on other tasks as the extra job will be taken off their hands. We’ll collect any documents that need to be scanned from your premises, or if they are in storage with us, retrieve the files and put them in a secure holding area to prepare for scanning. We’ll meet agreed deadlines to ensure your archiving project is completed on time. If you outsource, you don’t need to factor in the cost of staff training. We’ve been professionally trained at Kodak to use our latest scanning equipment. We stay up to date with our training to provide the best service to our clients. Data Scanning in-house If you’re going to do your scanning you will keep your data in-house which is a major plus for some organisations. Your staff will be familiar with the data and the referencing. Scanning in-house will also mean reduced data sharing and will save transporting your data off-site. Outsourcing scanning When you outsource to a specialist records management business like Archive-Vault your data will be in safe hands. We understand that documents can contain sensitive information and carry out all our scanning services in line with Data Protection Regulations. All our team members are vetted and we’re registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Your documents will be scanned confidentially, ensuring compliance throughout the whole process. All digital data will be formatted and returned to you via encrypted USB or hard drive. Hybrid workingScanning in-house With so many people now hybrid working, organisations have set up new systems and procedures to enable staff to work effectively from home. Staff scanning small quantities of paperwork at home or doing the bulk of any scanning on office days could be the right option for your business. Can your staff easily transport paperwork to and from the office? Are you confident that Data Protection Regulations will be met? Outsourcing scanning If you outsource your scanning to a professional service provider, they can collect your paperwork saving your staff time. At Archive-Vault we transport your documents to and from our purpose-built facility in our secure vehicles ensuring your data is safe and secure. We like to make things as easy as possible for our clients. Equipment Scanning in-house If you have a big in-house scanning project you might need to purchase your equipment. Investing in technology is always a good move as you’ll add assets to your business. The scanning equipment can be used for other projects and day-to-day work. Could you create a dedicated scanning job role in the business? Outsourcing scanning Outsourcing your scanning means that you don’t need to buy technology for the job and incur regular servicing costs or hire a dedicated employee to do the work. You can use the funds for other projects. We’ll scan your documents using state-of-the-art scanning equipment and have recently invested in a Kodak Scanner. Using an external service provider could mean that you can take advantage of scanning services not available to you in-house. At Archive-Vault, in addition to our standard Document Scanning, we offer a Scan on Demand service and Large Format Scanning. Large format scanning is ideal for drawings, maps, posters and other documents up to size A0. All scanning work is completed in our purpose-built fire and flood proof facility just outside Norwich city centre. Space Scanning in-house If you’ve an archiving project and have the right equipment and the space to do it then scanning in-house is ideal. Do you have enough room to lay the documents out on surfaces and to do the quality control checks after scanning? If you’re using a dedicated room like a conference room can you use it for the duration of the project? If the answer is yes, then scanning in-house is the right option for your business. Outsourcing scanning Outsourcing your scanning will free up office space reserved for the job. Here at Archive Vault, we have dedicated areas for scanning and can accommodate your scanning needs whatever the volume of paperwork. Great care and attention to detail is needed to ensure documents are free from anything that will not go through the scanner, such as paper clips, staples and creases. All the documents we scan undergo a stringent quality check before indexing is carried out and they are converted into a readable PDF for easy searching. Indexing Scanning in-house Scanning in-house is a great option for your business if you have effective indexing procedures in place. Your experienced staff members will have an in-depth knowledge of your business and understand how to scan and then file the digital documents in a user friendly way. Outsourcing Archive-Vault will transform your hard copy documents into an electronic inventory using hi-tech scanning equipment. Working with you, we can develop the best processes for your scanning and archiving. We take the time to understand your needs and what you want to get out of the scanning project. The result is a consistent approach to scanning and indexing your documents. At Archive-Vault, we provide bespoke records management solutions. Let’s talk about your records. Contact us. Costs Scanning in-house Cost is always a major consideration. Some businesses choose to do scanning in-house to keep costs down. It’s great if your staff can do the job to a high standard. Have you considered the cost implications of using in-house staff and taking them away from their current work? If you hire a temp for a big scanning project you’ll need to take into account the recruitment agency fees and any training expenditure. There’s also the cost of scanning equipment. These could all be worthwhile investments for your business. Outsourcing scanning When you factor in the cost of equipment, training and staff, if this is not right for your business then outsourcing could be a better option. As a small family run business, we understand the financial challenges businesses face. Our Scan as You Go service is ideal for businesses with a smaller budget that would benefit from spreading the cost of scanning over a period of time. We collect your documents for scanning and store them in our secure facility until the project is complete. We then scan your documents monthly on a pre-agreed percentage basis. Your business is charged monthly rather than being invoiced for one upfront cost. Outsource your scanning to Archive-Vault When you outsource to an expert scanning service such as Archive-Vault, you can rest assured that any scanning jobs will be done to a high standard and then indexed to your exact specifications. Our expert team scan documents for a wide range of sectors across East Anglia and beyond. Archive-Vault clients include accountants, construction companies, solicitors, NHS trusts and universities. Join the other businesses and organisations that choose us as their preferred scanning partner. You can call us on 01603 720722 or email info@archive-vault.co.uk.
Supply Chain ManagementIn today’s hyper-connected world, supply chains are the lifeblood of global commerce. Many businesses rely on an extended network of suppliers to deliver products, systems, and services to enable them to deliver their product to their customers. The intricate nature of these networks creates a vast attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit however, and the consequences can be devastating. Imagine a domino effect, where a security breach at one supplier ripples through your entire network disrupting operations, exposing sensitive data, and eroding customer trust. The potential impact this could have on your organisation is immense.What is supply chain management?Supply chain management involves overseeing the entire production process from start to finish, including the delivery of the final product to the consumer. From a cybersecurity perspective, supply chain management focuses on ensuring the safety of the interconnected network of organisations, processes, and technologies involved in bringing a product from conception to delivery.In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of cyber-attacks as a result of vulnerabilities within the supply chain. These attacks have targeted third party software providers, website builders, third party data stores, and hardware providers. The 2023 Cybersecurity Breaches Survey found that only 13% of businesses review the risks posed by their immediate suppliers.Securing the supply chainIt is vital to understand the cybersecurity threats within your supply chain before implementing security measures.
Why might someone attack your supply chain? (Financial gain, disruption, espionage)
Who are the likely attackers? (Cybercriminals, competitors, state actors)
Where are the exploitable weak points in your supply chain?
What would happen if these vulnerabilities were exploited? (Financial loss, reputational damage, operational disruption)
Once you have identified the critical aspects of your organisation that require the most protection, establish a repeatable and measurable approach for assessing the cybersecurity of your suppliers.
Pinpoint the data, systems, and processes most crucial to your business.
Create tiered security profiles for supplier based on the potential impact they could have on your assets, defining increasing security requirements for each tier.
Decide how to assess your suppliers using a combination of techniques including surveys, interviews, site visits and independent audits.
Develop strategies for managing non-compliant suppliers, including continued assessments and remediation plans.
Implement standardised contract clauses addressing cybersecurity expectations and potential scenarios.
It is important to note that a single assessment will not be enough to guarantee your cyber security standards are being met. Regular monitoring of your supplier’s cyber resilience will help you identify any gaps and work with your suppliers to address them before they are exploited and become an issue.Continuous ImprovementEvaluate your framework and its components on a regular basis and adjust the process accordingly so that it provides the correct level of risk/reward for your organisation. Once the initial assurance of your supply chain is complete , it is important to understand that the risks to your business are constantly evolving. Stay informed about new threats and use the knowledge gained to update your supply chain’s cybersecurity measures. Securing the supply chain is a crucial task that requires a collective effort from everyone involved. Collaborate with your vendors, share threat intelligence, and participate in industry forums to stay ahead of the curve. Adhering to established industry standards like ISO 27001 can provide you with invaluable guidance and demonstrate your commitment to security.Cybersecurity is not a destination but an ongoing journey. It is crucial to continually evaluate your practices, adapt to evolving threats, and invest in ongoing training and awareness programs. By prioritising supply chain security, you can build your resilience and safeguard your business against any potential cybersecurity threats.
Organisations in the United Kingdom are faced with a constant barrage of digital dangers where cyber threats lurk around every corner. Almost half of UK organisations fall victim to cyber security breaches every year, and all are faced with the challenges of building robust defences against malicious actors and how to respond in the event of a cyber incident.Just over a third of organisations report being insured against cyber security risks in some way, and for most of these organisations their cyber security insurance is part of a wider insurance policy. Less than 10% of organisations overall have a specific cyber security insurance policy, with larger businesses being more likely to have specific cyber security insurance.Cyber security insurance provides a safety net which is designed to mitigate the financial fallout of a cyber breach, covering costs like incident response, forensic investigation, and restoration of lost data. Many cyber insurance products come with access to a network of security professionals who can assist with incident response, vulnerability assessments, and general cyber security improvements. Access to a knowledge base like this can be invaluable to smaller organisations which may not have this level of expertise in-house. Insuring your organisation against cyber risk can be a double-edged sword, where the existence of an insurance policy creates a moral hazard of investing less in the organisational security due to a perceived safety net provided by the insurance.Insurance policies are notorious for their complexity and can be full of exclusions. It is essential that organisations understand their coverage before assuming they are fully covered. Common exclusions include attacks linked to nation state actors, losses arising from critical national infrastructure outages, and losses caused by supply chain attacks. The constantly evolving nature of cyber threats can make it challenging for insurers to keep up, which could leave to coverage gaps when faced with emerging threats.Cyber security insurance should be seen as a single layer of a defence-in-depth approach to securing your organisation. Insurers will require you to show you take security seriously and are equipped to mitigate as many threats as possible by implementing certain security controls and best practices which can lead to a stronger security posture for your organisation.Staff awareness training is integral to educate your employees about cyber threats and can cover a wide range of topics including identifying phishing scams and malware traps, creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious activity. 80% of data breaches in the UK involve some form of human interaction, so by training your staff to be more cyber-aware you can significantly reduce the risk of your organisation falling victim to an attack. Regular and relevant training will help to create a culture of security within your organisation.Incident response exercises are an essential part of an organisation’s cyber security preparedness plan, which typically involve simulations of real-world cyber-attacks that allow your team to test their skills, identify weaknesses in your defence, and refine your response procedures.Cyber insurance is a valuable tool, but not a substitute for proactive measures. Investing in robust security practices is crucial, and insurance should be seen as a complementary safeguard and not a defensive solution.
We made an heroic impression at the Thetford Academy Careers event held on Friday, March 22nd. Our brand-new promotional stand, accompanied by Estee and two former apprentices, stood out among numerous local businesses and training providers attending the event. The Thetford Academy Careers event drew enthusiastic participation from young people, eager to explore various career opportunities. Warren proudly supported this initiative, engaging with students who showed immense interest in our offerings. A highlight was our Lego challenge, which this time was to create an electric vehicle along with EV charger – quite fitting as it resonates with our commitment to sustainability, reflected in their electric fleet of vehicles. Our new stand got attention for its striking design and drew positive feedback from the attendees. The inclusion of the Lego superhero on the display stand added an extra dimension of excitement, sparking the imaginations of young attendees and reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and engagement.
M+A Partners, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers and Auditors, announces the appointment of a new Partner. Effective from 6 April 2024, Isobelle Webster joins the firm’s partnership, a reflection of her dedication, knowledge, and the significant and ongoing contributions she has made to the firm. During her time with M+A Partners, Isobelle has undertaken senior roles within audit, corporate finance and most recently managing a portfolio of businesses ranging from sole traders to medium and large corporates, covering a wide range of industries with a particular focus on agriculture. Isobelle’s swift progression through the firm’s Senior Promotion and Development Framework is testament to her depth of expertise, commercial understanding and the excellent relationships formed with clients and within the M+A Partners’ team. Isobelle commented: “M+A Partners is a firm with a supportive and ambitious culture, providing a clear pathway for team members to accomplish their career goals and develop individual strengths. It is working within this collaborative environment that has enabled me to grow professionally, building on my own knowledge to confidently take on each new opportunity. Becoming a Partner marks a significant next step in my career journey. I am delighted to have been invited into a partnership that enables me to work alongside a team of similarly dedicated colleagues, each working together to shape the future of our firm and helping to realise our plans for growth.” Alistair Fish, Partner commented: “Promoting the next generation of talent is an essential part of developing the breadth and high-quality of service that is our foremost priority for clients – Isobelle exemplifies this commitment to excellence and I am delighted that she is joining us as a Partner of the firm. Isobelle is a well-established figure in the business community, with a highly regarded knowledge of local sectors and I know she will positively contribute to the long-term success of M+A Partners.”
Norfolk distillery beats stiff competition from around the world, including Scotland’s finest, to win one of whisky’s ultimate accolades…
Just 17 years after laying down its first casks
£59 bottles are available now, but be quick they’re selling fast!
A pioneering English distillery that opened its doors just 17 years ago is celebrating winning one of global whisky’s ultimate accolades after scooping Best Single Malt at the annual World Whiskies Awards. Norfolk-based The English Distillery became the first operational whisky distillery in more than 100 years when it opened for business in 2006. Now it has claimed an even more impressive first by beating off stiff competition from some of the world’s oldest and rarest whiskies with a sherry cask matured single malt whisky that it launched less than six months ago to critical acclaim. Bottled by hand at its Breckland-based distillery, The English Sherry Cask is an unpeated single malt whisky, which has been matured from start to finish in the finest PX sherry casks to create a stunning expression that it said had been “well worth the wait”. The distillery learned of its world-winning success in front of the whisky industry’s finest at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London on Wednesday evening (20th March) as awards organiser Whisky Magazine celebrated “the best people, places, and products in the whisky world”. Founded by farmer James Nelstrop to fulfil a lifelong dream, the distillery – guided by the experience of legendary Master Distiller Ian Henderson – began to lay down whiskies in its dunnage warehouses, with the sole aim of making world class single malt whisky in England following a century’s absence of whisky making in the country. Like all its whiskies, the winning whisky was made using barley grown locally and on the Nelstrop family farms. The entire distillation process of milling, mashing, distilling with a pair of traditional and beautiful copper stills, maturing in the finest oak casks and hand bottling, all take place at the distillery. James’ son Andrew, who has led the 20-strong team at the picturesque distillery since his father’s death in 2014. Andrew said: “We’re stunned. Whilst any whisky maker hopes to win an award, winning the big one is the realisation of my father’s sole goal of creating world class single malt whiskies in England, and sharing them with whisky lovers around the world.” Father of two Andrew, whose wife Katy works alongside him as The English Distillery’s Marketing Director, added: “This is a super way to celebrate our 18th year of whisky distilling. It’s a testament to our distillers’ work and I know my father would have been hugely proud of this achievement, as are we. “As the English Whisky category continues to grow with pace, this award is another milestone for whisky making in England, particularly when it’s judged against some of the finest single malt whiskies from around the world, including Scotland.” The winning whisky boasts aromas of rich dark fruits from the sherry-filled casks, which combine in a nose of raw honey and vanilla, leading to a burst of sweet toffee, cherries and digestives on the palate. The result is a wonderfully balanced and rich whisky that is not outshone by the wood. Bottled at 46% abv, non chill filtered and natural in colour, The English Sherry Cask is a no age statement whisky that is part of the distillery’s core range, which includes The English Original and The English Smokey (both RRP £47.50, 70cl bottle). Stockist House of Malt describes the winning whisky as a “delightful newcomer to The English Distillery’s core range… with a luxuriously thick sherry character, brimming with flavours of crumbly biscuits, smooth vanilla caramel, simmered berries, and sun-dried figs”. It is also available to purchase directly from the distillery’s online shop @ https://www.englishwhisky.co.uk/ and through leading global retailers including Bottle Apostle, The Spirt Specialist, and The Whisky World.
The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House is delighted to be relaunching our invaluable Hospice at Home Service. We feel patients at the end of life must have access to high quality care, advice and support in their preferred place of care, and that care extends to their family and informal and formal care-givers. The Hospice promotes care and support that are delivered in a culture that respects patient autonomy and is centered around individual end of life care wishes. The commitment of the local Integrated Care Board to the financial support of this service is welcomed by our CEO Niki Ellis who has campaigned for many years for the development of this much needed service. “Caring for patients who are in the last weeks of life is a specialist and vitally important service. When delivered well, with compassion, knowledge and shaped by what is important to the person – it is a powerful and moving experience. We only get one chance to get it right for the patient and their family and our team go to extraordinary lengths to ensure we get it right every time.” The main objective of the service is to allow those who wish to die at home to be supported to do so by a team of Hospice staff with specialist expertise in end of life care. Care is based on a holistic approach that focuses on the needs of the patient and their family, respecting people’s beliefs and values. The service complements and supports existing services including GPs, community nurses, domiciliary care agencies and care homes. As a charity the Hospice continues to fundraise within the community; if you would like to find out more about how you can make a difference please contact the Fundraising Team on 01485 601701 or by email fundraisingteam@norfolkhospice.org.uk
SME News were proud to announce the return of their Business Elite Awards for 2024, and were delighted to advise that they recognised Wingfield Consultants Ltd with the following title: WINNER: Best Business Growth Solutions Consultancy 2024 – East England Simon Wingfield, Founder of Wingfield Consultants, said: ‘We are really pleased to be recognised by SME News for the support we give local businesses in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire’. This is the THIRD big win for Wingfield Consultants in 2024. It follows the CorporateLiveWire Global Awards 2023-24 win for Business Consultancy of the Year – UK win and The National Mentoring Awards – Excellence in Mentoring Award win (for Simon Wingfield). Useful Links:Wingfield Consultants Ltd (2024 Winner: Business Elite Awards) – SME News (sme-news.co.uk)